Make a Smilebox greeting

Homes For Sale on Norris Lake

Check out these new listings on Norris Lake!

http://www.976foxridgeln.com
http://www.1329nshorewoodln.com
http://www.253sshorewoodln.com

Welcome To Another Beautiful Spring On Norris Lake In Tennessee!

Welcome To Another Beautiful Spring On Norris Lake! I have lived on the lake for 12 years and have never seen it so beautiful. With all the rain, the water levels have been as high as the TVA 1025. The trees are so green and the wild life is amazing.

For more than 70 years, those living in this part of east Tennessee have enjoyed the beautiful scenery and wonderful recreational opportunities offered by the lake.
In recent years, the lake has become a draw for visitors from across the country. Norris lake is known for its majestic water, amazing wildlife and friendly people.
Norris Lake is becoming a yearly destination and home for many.

When first looking for a lake front home here in East Tennessee, I was shown property on ever lake but Norris. I actually found our home through a news paper ad. If you are thinking about purchasing a lake front home,condo or property take a look at my website at http://www.ViewWaterFrontProperty.com

FHA to Permit $8,000 Tax Credit as Downpayment

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan yesterday said FHA would permit lenders to allow first-time borrowers to use the $8,000 tax credit recently put into law as all or part of a downpayment on a home.

Donovan's remarks at the National Association of Realtors' legislative meeting in Washington represented the second major news announcement for HUD this week; earlier this week, Donovan announced that HUD had withdrawn its “required use” provision in final Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act rules.

“We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a downpayment,” Donovan said. “So FHA will permit trusted FHA-approved lenders and HUD-approved nonprofits, as well as state and local governmental entities to 'monetize' the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. We think the policy is a real win for everyone, ensuring that borrowers can tap into the numerous organizations that are already part of the FHA network to receive this additional benefit.

Donovan cited estimates by the National Association of Home Builders that the tax credit could stimulate 160,000 home sales across the nation, of which 101,000 could be first-time buyers using the tax credit. Another 59,000 existing homeowners could buy another home because a first-time buyer purchased their home, he said.

Donovan said FHA will publish details of the plan shortly.

Kim Cargill-Wax
Southland GMAC Real Estate
200 Midlake Suite C Knoxville TN 37918
Cell-865-206-2820 Fax-865-426-8792
MailTo:KimberlyWax@msn.com
Website: http://www.KimWax.KnoxvilleFindaHome.com
http://www.ViewTnHomesForSale.com
http://www.ViewWaterFrontProperty.com
http://www.MountainAndLakeFrontLiving.com
http://www.1204NShorewoodLn.com
http://www.1329NShorewoodLn.com
http://www.462PerrySmithLn.com
http://www.8074CamberleyDr.com
http://www.976FoxRidgeLn.com
http:/www.253SShorewoodLn.com

Home Maintenance Tips

“The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. ”
-- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Home Maintenance Tips -
Spring has arrived in many parts of the U.S. The ideas below will help you prepare your home for a hassle-free summer.
Clean showerheads and faucet aerators.
Clean and seal tile grout.
Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. This prevents lint from accumulating and reduces the risk of fire.
Inspect washing machine hoses and replace when they show signs of wear or leakage.
Inspect deck or patio for deterioration and safety hazards. Repair loose boards, protruding nails or other safety issues.
Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher handy and ready for use.
Wash the exterior of your house using ordinary garden hose pressure and a mild detergent.
Caulk exterior joints around all windows and doors.
Change air conditioner filters.
Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean your chimneys.

Home Sellers: Top Five Landscaping Tips

So we all know we’re after curb appeal. Home buyers don’t know it but they decide within the first two minutes of looking at a home (sometimes mostly from the outside) if they are interested in going in or not. And so, home sellers must pay attention to curb appeal. What’s curb appeal? Simply put, curb appeal is how the house looks from the outside, or, the sidewalk and landscaping plays a big part in first impressions for any one.
If your home is set to impress its potential home buyers, the landscaping must be impeccable. This does not mean that you have to get a professional and spend thousands of dollars on landscaping, but it does mean that you should pay extra attention to detail and remember the outside of your home as much as the inside. Grass isn’t just grass!
First, it must be Green!
If you are one of those people who like to water the garden and spend hours outside enjoying digging in the dirt and fertilizing, first of all, I’m jealous. But secondly remember that the potential home buyers might not feel the same way. Most people don’t have the time or energy or simply aren’t interested in spending time in the garden.
They do want a thriving lawn however and some plants that look nice year round. Be sure to have sprinklers. Not only will it be an amenity that should add some extra value to your home, automated sprinklers will guarantee that your property remains green even when you are moving or are away for a week or so, which can happen when you are looking for a new home or have already moved into one. These might be times when you don’t have those extra hours to relax watering the lawn and yellow blotches in it will take away from the curb appeal of the home. An additional benefit in the hot Sacramento real estate summer is that your lawn will look happy (and your home will look cared for) when compared to the bank-owned homes out there and stand out from the competition!
Neat & Tidy wins Buyers
If you have lived in the home for a while chances are you have had fun with your backyard and front yard. You may have been so excited to have a patch of ground you can call your own (if this home was your first, especially!) that you may have grown anything you came across on your strolls through nurseries and perhaps even The Home Depot. I know because I was like that. Anything new that seemed to look good got planted. Sacramento is also forgiving to a lot of plants that seem to need just water and sunshine and as a result almost all kinds of plants do well so it’s easy to go berserk.
When it’s time to sell the home however, you are entering a whole new world. You don’t want your potential home buyers to say they like the home but the garden will need a complete overhaul because it’s messy. Or that they think it might be too much work. Or - oh, God! - do those rosebushes come up? When it comes to selling your home, think like a home buyer. Keep it tidy, neat and green.
Draw Attention to It
If you have a wonderfully maintained and easy to manage landscape, it can sometimes be easy to miss. If it is in the backyard, don’t put your dog there and have the home buyers see it just through the windows. Any amenities and anything beautiful in your home that is going to stay must be showcased. So open the curtains wide to the garden and take the dog somewhere else. Ideally, invite the home buyers outside. In the backyard, this could mean a barbecue or patio area in the middle of where you want them to look or in the front or side yard, it could mean a quiet reading bench or bird bath with a path leading to it. Showcase your garden as you would your favorite china!
Remember the Neighborhood
It’s important not to do overdo it however. It’s always important to remember the demographic of the area. There’s a law in real estate that is called the Principle of Conformity and it says that the home most like the others in the area has the highest value and properties that diverge too much from the others in the neighborhood lose value as a result of their differences. While this does not mean that you should try and make your home a cookie cutter of all others, it does mean that you should give some attention to who your potential home buyer might be.
Sometimes it’s a good idea if you are considering putting your home on the market to take a drive through the area and see what the other homes look like. Better yet, search the MLS and find homes that have already sold for what you would consider a reasonable value that were owner occupied. Your Realtor® can provide this information as well. Borrow some ideas from them. Are they low maintenance with mainly rock? Are they indulgent and extravagant? Do they just have a lawn? You might not want to stray too far from the pack in this regard.

Siteseer3D is finally here give it a try!!!!

2/23/09
Norris Lake, Tennessee Homes, Houses, Lots, Land - TN Lakefront Real Estate and Property
01/28/2009 Norris Lake, Tennessee has many beautiful communities located along its shore. Many communities here are luxurious and will include large estate style lots and houses built by some of the area's leading custom home builders. Home architectural guidelines are in place to ensure that proper homes will meet the overall theme of the neighborhood. Precautions have been taken to keep the land in its pristine state. And to further protect the value of this community, certain subdivision deed restrictions apply, designed to assure the quality of the natural environment for years to come. Each individual property is unique and must be visited in person to truly appreciate. To view available TN Lakefront Properties, visit http://www.viewwaterfrontproperty.com/ or http://www.mountainandlakefrontliving.com/ Some of the lakefront subdivisions here are:

Powell Valley Shores
Powder Mill
The Peninsula
Alder Springs
Deerfield Resort
Hidden Springs
Lakeside Estates
Pointe at Shanghai
Norris Crest
The Villages at Lake Norris
Cove Pointe
Big Creek
Windsor Pointe
Hiwassee Norris Lake
Hiwassee IINorris Shores
Sunset Bay
Rock Harbor
Lone Mountain
Overlook Bay
Norris Point

Three types of properties here include: Lake front or water front, lake view or water view, and lake access or water access property. Lakefront or waterfront property is defined as having the lake out your back door. Your property borders the lake and you live on the lake. Lakeview or water view property is defined where you have a view of the lake, but your property doesn't border the lake. Lake access or water access property is defined as having access to the lake (your property doesn't border the lake, and you don't see the lake). With lake access or water access property, you are just a short walk or drive away from enjoying the lake. Whatever type of lifestyle you desire, we'll be able to help! What’s the first rule of Real Estate? Location, Location, Location. Norris Lake is conveniently located minutes from cultural attractions, local events, entertainment establishments, shopping, hospitals, and fine dining. This area has become famous for its quality lifestyle and family friendly activities fit for all ages. From museums to shopping, there's something for everyone to enjoy and explore. This area has become famous for its quality lifestyle and family friendly activities fit for all ages. From museums to shopping, there's something for everyone to enjoy and explore. Tennessee has many major metropolitan areas throughout the state. The largest cities include Chattanooga, Clarksville, Knoxville, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Bartlett, Bristol, Cleveland, Collierville, Columbia, Cookeville, Franklin, Germantown, Hendersonville, Jackson, Johnson City, Kingsport, and Morristown. Wherever you live, you’re a short distance to a major metropolitan area. Why is TN #1 on many people’s short list to live? All of the reasons above plus a Better Climate, Lower Taxes, Lower Cost of Living, and Southern Hospitality. What to do on the lake today? How about: ~ Awake with coffee and watch the morning fog rise off the lake ~ Spend the morning bass fishing on the glistening water. ~ Take family and friends water skiing around noon. ~ Lazy afternoons relaxing in a hammock. ~ Complete the day with a sunset wine cruise. Norris Lake Highlights: ~ 33,840 acres~ 809 miles of shoreline, 129 miles long~ Created in 1936~ Lake Regulated by TVA ~ 1,020 feet in elevation~ 150 feet average depth; 265 feet at the dam~ Lake level varies 23 feet ~ 19 Marinas / 40 Boat launches / 16 Restaurants~ Fully Recreational Lake (Boating, Sailing, Jet Skis, Water Skiing, Swimming, Scuba Diving, etc.)~ Docks are allowed ~ Primary uses are flood control and hydroelectric power generation~ Largest of the TVA lakes ~ Highest recreational use of all TVA lakes Norris Lake offers beautiful mountain views, peaceful lake scenery and clean, clear, deep water. It abounds in secluded coves. The shoreline includes over 50 miles of islands, numerous picnic areas, caves, cliffs, beaches, and gradual sloping shorelines. Norris Lake is the largest of the TVA lakes and has the highest recreational use of all the TVA lakes. Norris Dam was the first dam built by the TVA. The Lake has over 809 miles of shoreline, totaling over 33,840 acres of surface area. Norris Lake offers 40 public boat launches, 19 marinas and 16 restaurants. Norris Lake is a full recreational lake, allowing jet skis, water skiing, swimming, tubing, boat docks, fishing, and other water activities such as scuba diving. It is a fisherman’s paradise as the lake abounds with many species of fish. The Tennessee state record brown trout was caught in the waters of the Clinch River below Norris Dam in 1988 weighing 28 lbs. 12 oz. There is an abundance of wildlife and flora to be seen along Norris Lake which offers three hiking trails, three state parks, three county parks, and 59 public access sites. And incidentally, Tennessee does not have state income taxes! The shoreline displays custom built homes, ranging in price from $126,000 to $400,000+ for dockable waterfront lots and lakefront homes. Water access lots and lake view lots range in price from $30,000 to $115,000. Keep in mind that not all communities are dockable; it depends on how the community was sold to the developer. And not all lots are dockable that would normally be. Again it depends on how it was sold from TVA and if there is an archeological and/or environmental impact. The TVA states that if it is sold without a dock permit, to get one before you buy. In addition, you may not own to the water – it depends on how the community was sold from the TVA to the developer. Some communities were sold that the TVA owns to the 1045 elevation line which is 25 feet above normal full pond. Because the lake levels do vary as much as 23 feet, when the lake drops there is about 40 or more feet (with some areas drying up) of mud between the shore line and water line.

Lake Property is not just a financial investment - but also an investment in your family, your future, your enjoyment, and your peace of mind. There's nothing better than living along the lake - The water draws us in with its promise of peaceful times and recreational family fun. To own property beside it is a dream for many. And the Southeastern part of the United States has the waterfront property (Oceanfront or Lakefront) in the highest demand. To help you investigate East Tennessee lakes and make a sound waterfront investment please visit my websites at either http://www.viewwaterfrontproperty.com/ or http://www.mountainandlakefrontliving.com/ or call me at 865-206-2820.

To: Real Estate and Lending Professionals
From: Q. Trevor Piety Esq./ CONCORD TITLE
Date: February 2009
Re: $8,000 Home Buyer Credit

Details of House/Senate Compromise - First Time Home Buyer Credit
The House and Senate compromise on our 2009 Stimulus law has just been made public and provides for an 8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers who purchase a primary residence after 12/31/08 and prior to 12/1/09. This 2009 legislation modifies the 2008 law which created a 7,500 credit which the taxpayer had to repay to the government over 15 years. The big difference with the 2009 stimulus is that the 8,000 credit does not have to be repaid to the government (so long as home owned 3 years) for homes purchased between Jan. 1 and before Dec. 1, 2009. The 15,000 stimulus you may have heard of was in the Senate version and did not survive compromise negotiations. The 8,000 credit is, however, still substantial and a great motivator for the first time home buyer who won’t get off the fence.
Below are highlights of this credit in a “frequently asked questions” format.
1) Who is eligible?
First time home buyers (single person who has not owned primary residence in 3 years prior to closing, if married, 3 year test must be passed by both husband and wife);
2) Amount of credit:
Lesser of 10% of the sales price or $8,000. Any purchase price over $80,000 gets full credit.
3) Must the credit be paid back?
For purchases after 12/31/2008, No. For purchases between April 9, 2008 and 12/31/2008, the 7,500 credit (which applies to 2008 purchases) is repaid over 15 years or upon sale of the home.



4) How long must the new home be owned?
As long as the taxpayer holds the home for 3 years, no repayment of the credit (for 2009 purchase) is due.
5) Can the taxpayer build the new home?
Yes, so long as its occupied by the taxpayer before Dec. 1, 2009.
6) What is a Tax Credit?
Unlike a tax deduction which reduces the taxable income subject to tax, a Tax Credit is real money, a dollar for dollar reduction in your tax bill. If you owe the IRS 2,000 and have the full credit, you get back 6,000. If you’re entitled to a 1,000 tax refund and have the full credit, you get back 9,000. Even if the purchaser doesn’t owe taxes, they get back 8,000.
7) Do Owner - Finance Sales qualify?
Depends - If it’s a lease purchase, you must exercise your option and take title before July 1, 2009, and the same rule appears to apply to contract for deed arrangements. Straight owner finance deals (where buyer gets a deed and signs a mortgage in favor of seller) qualify for the credit, even if it’s a 100% seller finance. Bottom line - anyone with lease-purchase, lease-option or contract for deed arrangements (even signed years prior) needs to find a way to take title before July 1, 2009.
8) Are there income limits for buyers seeking the credit?
Yes - For a full credit, a single taxpayer must have a modified adjusted gross income of 75,000 or less, the credit totally phased out by 95,000. Married taxpayers get the full credit if their modified adjusted gross income is 150,000 or less, with the credit phased out completely at 170,000.
9) What type homes qualify?
Single family dwellings, condominium units, manufactured or mobile homes, planned unit developments. The property must be a primary residence for the homeowner.
10) When do I get the money?
A taxpayer who has not filed their 2008 tax return may treat a 2009 purchase as having occurred on Dec. 31, 2008, and get their money in 2009 as part of their 2008 refund. Otherwise, the credit will be shown on their 2009 tax return filed in 2010. The taxpayer is also allowed in 2009 to reduce their withholding from their employer and get back part of their money by paying less taxes on each paycheck.
These are general guidelines; your buyers should still verify qualification with their tax advisor. This credit should help motivate first time home buyers who are on the fence, and should also attract new buyers.

Read about the proposed stimulus plan

Read the stimulus plan

"It's clear that under both bills, individuals who are under certain income levels would get a $500 tax benefit and married couples would get a $1,000 tax benefit. The House bill is more generous where the phase out starts at $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples. Under the Senate bill, the phase out is $70,000 and $140,000," said Martin.
Stimulus Plan

There's also a home buyer credit. For first time home buyers, the House bill is providing a $7,500 credit. You would not have to pay it back over 15 years like you do under the existing provision.
The Senate bill is offering a similar credit.
“The Senate bill is much more generous. It provides you with a $15,000 credit, which would apply not only to first time home buyers. It might also apply to people who have owned a home in the past," said Martin.