- Real Estate Update
- Home & Family
- Buyers & Seller's Corner
- Home Improvement
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- New Movie Releases
- Recipe of the Month

February 2009

1 -- Super Bowl Sunday
2 -- Groundhog Day
12 -- Lincoln's Birthday
13 -- Friday the 13th
14 -- Valentine's Day
16 -- President's Day
24 -- Mardi Gras

Change, Change, Exciting Change!

Change, a word that stirs emotions while creating hope and excitement.  It seems to be the theme of this new year from the President to the bus route everything is changing.   As you can see from our new logo, change has happened for The Hughes Properties and we have a new home.   We have moved!  We are now The Hughes Properties at Realty Executives Associates.  This is a great move for our business and the benefits will be far reaching for our clients.  We feel more like owners at Realty Executives because most of our commissions are returned to us so that we can in turn spend them on customized marketing programs, technology that drives buyers to our listings and an international presence that gives the homes we specialize in, the worldwide marketing that our sellers deserve. Simply put, it allows us to do more for you!   You will see new services added to the presentations that we prepare for our buyers and our sellers.  Some things that will never change are our quick and continuous communication, our negotiation skills, our team members that you have grown to rely on and our "out of the box" customization to your needs. 

Coming Soon-Duncan's Glen

Wonderful four bedroom/3.5 bath home perfectly situated on ¾ of an acre in Duncan’s Glen Subdivision. A master suite on the main opens to a large screened in outdoor living area with Brazilian hardwoods. An open great room features custom built ins and a vaulted ceiling and fireplace. The eat in kitchen with granite counter tops has a family keeping room with yet another fireplace. Unbelievable storage, a 3 car garage and 2,400 square feet of unfinished basement make this the house you will want to call home. Please contact Tom  (865)806-1886 offered below appraised value at $649,000.

Reduced-A wonderful property on Cyrstal Lake

DUNCAN ROAD WATERFRONT-CRYSTAL LAKE

An Adorable Duncan Road Cottage

Convenient to Bearden/Rocky Hill yet no city taxes. Hardwood and tile flooring throughout.  The kitchen is updated and the curb appeal is wonderful!  This charming three bedroom  Duncan Road home offers two  well appointed updated and very spacious bathrooms, open living spaces, a cozy wood-burning stove, and terrific screened-in porch and deck area perfect for entertaining or tranquil living.  The backyard is completely fenced and ready for play.  Offered at $264,000.  Please contact Tom  (865)806-1886  .

Cottage Charm With Plenty of Space in a Fabulous Location

THE HEART OF ROCKY HILL
Just perfect, traditional cottage located in the heart of Rocky Hill. This four bedroom, two bath home is updated and beautifully decorated. Charm, storage and location complete with a two car garage and a fenced in back yard! Light, open, warm and inviting! This home is ready to move in and enjoy Spring from the screened in porch. Just listed and offered at $249,900 Please contact Debaran  (865)660-4411 

Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night.
-- Glade Byron Addams

Realtors® Welcome President Obama

National Association of Realtors® President Charles McMillan recently issued a statement welcoming President Barack Obama.

“Today is truly an historic day for our country. On behalf of NAR’s 1.2 million Realtors®, we welcome the new president and his administration, and pledge to work with him to stabilize the U.S. housing market and set the economy on the road to recovery.

“President Obama has pledged to work with Congress to immediately implement aggressive policies to decrease the number of preventable foreclosures by helping to reduce mortgage payments for responsible homeowners. We welcome President Obama’s efforts on foreclosure prevention and agree that addressing rising foreclosures and strengthening existing home sales and housing initiatives are critical components to a housing and economic recovery.

“NAR will also continue to focus on policies that will help bring buyers back to the market to reduce inventory and stabilize home prices. This is the only way to successfully improve and sustain the housing market and the nation’s economy.

“The president has a tough job ahead of him with many hurdles. NAR looks forward to working with President Obama and his team, and to quickly move forward with meaningful legislation and policies to help make homeownership once again a part of the great American dream.”

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It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission
-- Grace Hopper

Bowling: Fun for the Whole Family

If you're looking for some entertainment the whole family can enjoy, discover bowling. Whether it's just an afternoon game, a Saturday night out, or a weekend tournament, bowling offers many benefits. Following are just a few:

1. You can bowl year-round; it doesn't matter what the weather's like. In fact, it may be the perfect rainy-day sport.
2. Bowling is a physical activity that encourages flexibility, strength and eye-hand coordination. Plus, you'll burn a few calories while you're at it.
3. Bowling is social. It's one of the few sports where you can share good conversation and laughter while you play.
4. Unlike many sports, bowling can be played your entire life. As long as you can lift a ball, you can bowl.
5. Bowling teaches strategy, patience, sportsmanship and teamwork. Math skills may be involved too.
6. Bowling is fairly affordable and you can rent the equipment. If you really enjoy it, you can buy your own stuff.
7. Bowling is fun (if you don't worry about the score). Whether you're 4, 40 or 80, it's fun for all ages.
8. Bowling shirts!

To mix it up a bit, many bowling alleys offer special themes, such as costume night, family night, dancer bowling, wacky bowling, and glow-in-the dark bowling, among others. So, the next time you're all sitting around watching a bad rerun, go bowling instead.

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Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
-- Mark Twain

Know the Four Major Types of Listing Contracts

Before meeting with a realtor to list your home for sale, familiarize yourself with the four most common types of listing contracts. While the exclusive right to sell listing is by far the most common, the other three are also well known.

• Exclusive Right to Sell Listing -- This agreement gives the real estate agent the exclusive right to sell your home. No matter who brings the buyer to the table, the agent gets a commission (even if you find the buyer yourself). You should expect full service from your agent with this type of listing, such as advice, advertising, MLS services, inspection, escrow coordination and marketing the home to other agents and prospective buyers.
• Exclusive Agency Listing -- Similar to an exclusive right to sell listing, the real estate agent receives a commission if your property is sold through any licensed agent. Unlike a right to sell listing, however, you reserve the right to find a buyer on your own without paying a comission. This is a good option for home owners interested in selling themselves, but want MLS services. Don't expect too much from the agent as he or she has no guarantee they will be compensated for their efforts.
• Open Listing -- An open listing grants the broker no rights other than to receive a commission if they find a buyer who successfully closes escrow on your home. It gives the agent permission to advertise and show your home. Since there's no promise of exclusivity, you'll be responsible for marketing your property, including arranging and coordinating showings, qualifying clients, and handling inspections, appraisals and escrow.
• One Time Listing Agreement -- A one time listing agreement, also known as a "showing listing," is an agreement where a home owner, usually a For Sale By Owner, agrees to let an agent show the house once. The owner agrees to pay a commission if the showing results in a sale. The purpose of this agreement is to prevent the seller from letting an agent show the home, then deal with the buyer directly in order to avoid paying a commission. As with an open listing, agents won't be spending any time or money marketing your home.

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Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.
-- Abraham Lincoln

12 Tips on Finding a Good Contractor

When you can't do it yourself, it's time to find a good contractor. Following are some tips to help you find a good one:

1. Avoid the yellow pages; anyone can buy an ad.
2. Get recommendations from family, friends and co-workers.
3. Deal only with licensed contractors.
4. Check with the state licensing board and local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any outstanding complaints.
5. Interview each contractor, request free estimates and ask for recent references of projects similar to yours.
6. Do not work with an uninsured contractor. Verify the contractor has worker's compensation insurance and an umbrella general liability policy.
7. Check the contractor's professional associations. Most professionals are members of some association.
8. Check to see how long the contractor has been in business; be cautious about working with new companies.
9. Find out how long the contractor has been working with his crew; you don't want your project to be a training ground for new employees.
10. Ask what will be handled by the contractor and what will be subcontracted. Keep in mind if subcontractors are involved, you should check them out as well.
11. Find out how many other projects the contractor will be working on simultaneously. If they have lots of other projects, they'll have less time to devote to you.
12. Trust your instincts.

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A single rose can be my garden ... a single friend, my world.
-- Leo Buscaglia

An Italian Original: Grappa

While grappa is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world, for many of us it's a foreign beverage we've only heard mentioned in the movies. So, what is grappa?

Grappa is a fiery, alcoholic drink made by distilling pomace (grape skins, and often seeds, stems and pulp) left over from wine making after pressing. It was originally made to prevent waste by using leftovers at the end of the wine season.

Having originally emerged as a poor man's drink, It soon became mass-produced and sold worldwide. Some grappa, known as prima uva, is made with whole grapes, and many producers claim a higher-quality grappa is created if it is made from pomace exclusively after the first pressing. Like wine, the flavor of grappa depends on the type and quality of the grape, as well as the distillation and production process.

Grappa has been made commercially since the 18th Century. Some well-known producers of grappa include Nonino, Sibona, Berta, Nardini, Jacopo Poli and Brotto. While these grappas are produced in significant quantities, there are thousands of smaller producers, each with distinct character.

Grappa is usually not aged so it is clear and colorless. It's a strong spirit between 37.5 and 60 percent alcohol (75 to 120 proof) and may taste harsh to those not accustomed to it. In recent years, aged grappas have become popular, some so complex that they're aged in a series of different woods, such as oak, birch, juniper and acacia. The ultimate grappa is spicy, golden-colored and aged in wood. The French equivalent to grappa is marc; in Greece it's raki.

In Italy, grappa is primarily served as an after-dinner drink to aid in the digestion of a heavy meal. It is also added to espresso coffee to create a caffè corretto (corrected coffee), or ammazza caffè (coffee-killer), where the espresso is drunk first, followed by a few shots of grappa served in its own glass.

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A promise is a cloud;
fulfillment is rain.
-- Arabian Proverb

Numerous Benefits of Stretching

Stretching is one of the simplest of all physical activities. In fact, in its most basic form, stretching is a natural and instinctive activity; you've probably found yourself stretching unintentionally after long periods of inactivity. While it may be simple, it is also beneficial in the following ways:

• Improves circulation by increasing blood flow
• Improves range of motion
• Increases flexibility
• Reduces muscle tension
• May decrease the risk of injury during activity
• Reduces anxiety, fatigue and stress
• Prevents post-exercise muscle soreness
• Improves mental alertness
• Promotes better posture
• Puts your mind and body in sync
• Makes you feel better

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Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.
-- Garth Brooks

February Movie Releases

• Feb. 6
  • Coraline
  • He's Just Not That Into You
  • The Pink Panther 2
• Feb. 13
  • Confessions of a Shopaholic
  • Friday the 13th
• Feb. 20
  • Fired Up
  • The International
  • Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail
• Feb. 27
  • Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience
  • Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance.
-- Epicurus

Grilled Swordfish with Lemon, Mint & Basil

Ingredients - Serves 4

• 4 swordfish steaks
• 3 tb sp. fresh mint leaves -- chopped
• 3 tb sp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tb sp. fresh basil leaves -- chopped
• 1 garlic clove -- minced
• Salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Whisk the oil, lemon juice, mint, garlic and basil in a bowl to blend.
2. Season the lemon and olive oil mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Brush the swordfish on both sides with 2 tablespoons of the sauce.
3. Grill the steaks until just cooked through (about 3 to 5 minutes per side depending on thickness). Spoon the remaining sauce over the steaks and serve.

Wine Pairing

• Domaine Saint Amant La Borry Côtes du Rhône 2007

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Tom & Debaran Hughes
1200 Forest Brook Road
Knoxville, TN 37919

This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary. © 2008 eNewsletterSolutions.