Barry Soard

03/11/2015

Learning about "normcore" this afternoon. Apparently this word came to birth to describe a fashion trend that that emphasizes an attitude of being basic and not standing out from the crowd. My generation used to call that being "just another brick in the wall" to which I for one rejected as did most of my peers. I am still trying to get my mind right with this concept but I am thinking that I will end up saying "to each his own".
Apparently this trend is finding its way into the housing market with the younger generation embracing the idea that housing should not be different but basic in nature and appearance. Once again, to each his own. The best part of being a real estate agent is that I represent a wide range of people. I can hardly wait for someone to tell me they want a basic house.

08/22/2013

Ten Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
1. Be picky, but don’t be unrealistic. There is no perfect home.

2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you. I can help you discover what you really need, want, and can afford.

3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and your closing costs.

4. Don’t wait to get a loan. Talk to several lenders and get preapproved for a mortgage before you start looking. It's a sellers market now because inventory is low. To beat the competition (other buyers) you have to be prepared to move quickly when ideal homes become available

5. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people that you trust and admire/love to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.

6. Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet?

7. Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? Remember, this is an investment and one of the biggest purchases you will ever make.

8. Don’t let yourself be “house poor”. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you’ll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals. Lots of people made this mistake just before the recession.

9. Don’t be naïve. Insist on a home inspection and, if possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year. Remember, if I can't get the seller to provide a home warranty, I'll buy a one year warranty for you up to $500.

10. Get help. Get your own agent! Unlike a listing agent, who is obligated to put the seller's interests above yours, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. And buyer’s reps are paid out of the seller’s agents commission so you don't have to pay me anything..

08/08/2013

Feed The Children, an Oklahoma-based international charity, acquired the Franke Building at 310 Tech Park Dr. in La Vergne, TN from Five Star Investments LP for $3.86 million, or about $37 per square foot. The single-story distribution...

07/16/2013

We are still in times of uncertainty and one piece of advice that still remains priceless is "neither a lender nor borrower be".

My husband and I own a home.Our creditscores are not very good anymore.We are wanting to sell our home and buy a bigger one.Would we be able to?... Ask & answer real estate related questions on Homes.com. Show your stuff as a Smyrna, Tennessee real estate expert by helping others with their question...

06/06/2013

Dear Friends and Family,
You may not have noticed but we are now in a sellers' market which means that when it comes to negotiating terms of a transaction, the seller has more leverage than the buyer. Why? Because of the rule of supply and demand. This rule indicates that when supply is less than demand prices rise and when supply is greater than demand prices fall. For the past 5 years supply has decreased because sellers did not want to or could not sell in a weak economy. This has resulted in less homes on the market for sale. Over the past year, as the economy has improved, buyers are getting off the fence ans trying to buy while prices are still low and interest rates are low. Sellers on the other hand are still reluctant to sell because prices are still depressed. This has resulted in situation where buyers are jumping at any opportunity to buy houses for sale. It is not unusual for sellers today to get multiple offers above the list price, assuming that the list price is not over inflated.
So, you see, we are in a sellers' market. However, this is still an excellent time to buy! Prices and interest rates will continue to climb as the economy improves. Although buyers have a lot of competition right now is no excuse not to take advantage of the current market before prices and interest rates increase.
My advice: Buyers buy! Seller's hold out as long as you can. The economy is getting better and so is the real estate market. However, keep in mind that if you are planning to buy another home now may be the best time to make that move and sell your current home. While there will be a trade off on the profit of your home versus the savings on your new home, the interest rates now are still relatively low.
My predictions on interest rates are that they will exceed 5% this year and will increase 1% each year thereafter for the next 3 years.
Contact me if you have any questions or need me to represent you in a transaction.
Remember, I need your referrals.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Home prices racked up their biggest annual gain in more than seven years in April as the recovery in the sector picked up traction, a report from CoreLogic showed on Tuesday.CoreLogic's

03/13/2013

Did you know that Tennessee is one of the most likely places to have sinkholes?

A recent devastating sinkhole in Florida has raised questions and concerns about this phenomenon. Read more

01/18/2013

Small business has enough problems without having to deal with malicious software and email.

01/15/2013

A few years ago I had a client who was relocating to the area. He was young, unmarried, and had fair credit. He was preapproved for a mortgage and we spent several weekends looking at homes until he finally found one that he wanted. On the day we were going to make an offer, he drove up to my office in a brand new truck! Needless to say, his preapproval was worthless and it will be 3-5 years before he will qualify for a mortgage,

Real Estate News And Advice - How to Keep Your Mortgage Approval Approved

01/10/2013

Get ready folks. It's come back time!!

The city, which sat on the sidelines while its Southern sisters boomed, has found itself in the national spotlight, with economic gains and a newly found popularity.

01/03/2013

If you've got a retirement fund/IRA/401-k, etc that relies on the stock market you may want to consider your investment strategy. I'm not an investment wizard but I know that "under all is the ground". As far as I know they are not going to make anymore ground in the U.S.. As long as there is a need for land, and there always will be, its value will hold or increase in the long term. Companies will not always survive the economic downturns that are in our future. I recommend that you read this article and then consider calling me to discuss how your retirement money can be invested in land and income producing properties.

In 2006, Wiedemer and a team of economists accurately predicted the collapse of the U.S. housing market, equity markets, and consumer spending that almost sank the United States. They published their research in the book America’s Bubble Economy.

11/20/2012

Banks are getting tighter on their standards and aer being accused by federals of being too strict and delaying the housing recovery. They have also begun to take a hard stand on price discounts of foreclosures. Some banks keep the property and rent it out with the idea that at some point when the housing market upturns they will get a better return from their investment. While that makes good investment sense the effect on the market is good and bad. It is good because it helps to return prices to a level that current homeowners can sell for a little more and will help to avoid foreclosures and short sales. The bad part is that investors are unwilling to pay retail prices so they are either out of the market or extending the period of their investment in hopes that it will mature at some point and they can sell at a good profit.

02/07/2012

Need more room?

For sale: $224,900. Thompson Station/Spring Hill, 5 Bed rooms and 3 full baths, all walk in closets, Williamson county schools, Seller gives 1 year home warr, convenient to shopping and entertainment. Agent is related to the seller