The survey also displayed a 50% higher closing rate among homes sold using a real estate agent than FSBO (for sale by owner).  Studies have shown that most buyers believe they benefit from working with an agent as opposed to the seller reaping all the benefits in a FSBO deal.  Most buyers feel intimated to thoroughly investigate when looking at a home with the owner present.  Buyers also find it difficult to make an offer and negotiate with a homeowner themselves. 

The buyer knows that if anyone is saving the commission in a FSBO it’s the seller.  Most buyers start their process of home searching with a licensed real estate agent.  They feel someone is representing them and they have someone to take care of the process of inspections, repairs, appraisals, negotiations, legal forms, etc. while they work or prepare to move possibly from out-of-state.

Most real estate agents will come for an interview/presentation of what they have to offer in getting your home sold for the best possible price in your time frame.  This also gives you a chance to get to know the agent and decide if you ‘like’ and ‘trust’ them which are two things essential in a relationship between an agent and homeowner.

A First-time home buyer is defined as someone who hasn’t owned a home in the last 3 years.  An existing homeowner must have owned a home 5 consecutive years during the last 8 year period.  While the law says you must be in a binding contract by 4/30/10, the transaction must close within 60 days after this.  You are not eligible for the credit or refund until after closing, however, you may amend your last years return if you choose.  For more information on the actual IRS law click here http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

The THDA (Tennessee Housing Development Agency) is also offering a program in association to the First-time homebuyer stimulus to help with closing costs & down payments for the loan.  To find out if you qualify click here http://www.thda.org/singlefamily/ftcover.html

If you would like assistance to see if you qualify for any of these programs contact me at 931-624-6320 or laurie@listwithlaurie.com  You may also read more about me, search for available homes, and contact me thru my web site at www.listwithlaurie.com  I would be happy to help you achieve the American Dream and purchase your first home or sell your current home and purchase a new one

While today’s mortgage interest rates are hovering at 4.875%, a historically low rate, economists have projected the rate to rise at least 1% during 2010.  This increase was hypothesized to begin in the summer or possibly even the fall.  After the fed’s move to raise the discount rate a quarter of a percent, this increase may well begin in the next month or two.  The tax stimulus for first time homeowners (people who have not owned a home in the last 3 years) and current homeowners (who have owned their home for 5 years or more) who want to step up is only valid on contracts accepted by 4/30/10 and closed within 60 days after 4/30/10.  This makes March & April of 2010 quite possibly the best time to buy or sell a home in the foreseeable future.

If you would like information on the Tax Stimulus & to see if you qualify for up to $8,000 from the IRS, call or email 931-624-6320 or laurie@listwithlaurie.com

For more information on selling your home and what its worth, visit http://www.listwithlaurie.com/selling.html

If you would like to explore the Clarksville TN – Montgomery County real estate market click here http://www.listwithlaurie.com/search.html

Tips for buyers thinking about buying a home can be found here http://www.listwithlaurie.com/buyers.html

For related news articles see below:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/2010/0219/In-surprise-move-the-Federal-Reserve-raises-a-key-discount-rate

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aEzB7Vg_5KJ0

http://blog.taragana.com/business/2010/02/19/stocks-turn-higher-as-fed-begins-to-dismantle-emergency-measures-for-banks-33031/

HSC is also expected to bring several other businesses to our area that will need these skills provided through APSU’s new Chemical Engineering Technology Facility.  This facility is in the process of being built on the APSU campus thanks to a grant from HSC last year for $2 million for the building and equipment.  This program is expected to grow and expand as other businesses in the chemical engineering field locate in and around Clarksville TN offering new and diversified jobs similar to HSC.

The chemical engineering program began last fall with around 150 students.  HSC alone is expected to provide a workforce of 500-800 people initially that will require the skills obtained in this program.  So obviously APSU and Clarksville TN – Montgomery county are poised for exponential growith in the workforce. 

This is just another reason why Clarksville TN is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.  HSC’s projected average salary for the employees they will hire that will need this education is around $50,000 per year.  According to city-data.com the median salary of a Clarksville TN household in 2008 was $46,034.  HSC and the jobs created by other companies expected to locate around it should raise this household income figure quite a bit.  Our local leaders quest for higher paying jobs in our community will finally be a reality.  The new education and new jobs will allow our children and grandchildren to also stay in the area and obtain a better lifestyle for their familys.  All in all, a great combination for my hometown!!!

If you would like more information on APSU and the Clarksville TN area go to www.listwithlaurie.com and click on local links.  You may also search and request information on the local housing market by clicking on the links at the top of the page and submitting an email address or phone number.

Local newspaper article : http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20100214/NEWS01/2140320/-1/NEWS17/New-degree-gets-OK-for-Austin-Peay

APSU news article : http://www.apsu.edu/News/show_news.asp?id=4150

Edsel also predicted in just a few short years Clarksville’s demand for housing will overtake the supply causing a housing shortage.  He suggested by 2015, just five years away, we will be short developers and in need of 10,000 new building lots.  This was meant to urge local developers to be looking for land  now.  All in all, the future is looking so bright in the Clarksville TN – Montgomery County housing market we need to wear shades

However, one thing buyers need to heed Edsel’s warning to, he predicts the Federal Reserve to raise mortgage interest rates as much as 1% in the near future bringing the buying power of future homeowners down quite a bit.  For example the monthly principal & interest payments on a $150,000 house at todays rate of 4.875% is $793.81.  Raise that interest rate 1% to 5.875% and the same house becomes $887.31 for principal & interest payment.  This would make a buyer qualifing for a $793.81 per month principal & interest payment have to purchase a home $15,000 less than they can at today’s rates.

Another example of why with today’s interest rates coupled with the IRS Tax Stimulus in effect for accepted housing contracts by April 30th, 2010 make it the most oportune time to purchase your first home or step up to a larger home in many of our lifetimes.  If you would like to have a FREE Competitvie Market Analysis of your home to determine its value if it were sold in todays market visit http://www.listwithlaurie.com/selling.html and contact me.  Also if you are interested in searching the Clarksville TN – Montgomery County housing market visit http://www.listwithlaurie.com/search.html to view all available homes and contact me for more information on anything you find.

To read the article in today’s Leaf Chronicle visit http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20100212/BUSINESS/2120331/1046/Clarksville-real-estate-market—Better-than-almost-anywhere-

The inventory stands at an average per day of 1642 homes on the market.  At the January 2010 sales rate this gives us about 7.6 months worth of inventory.  Anytime the available housing inventory is over 6 months supply we consider it a buyers market.  It is an excellant time to be a buyer in the Clarksville TN market!  With mortgage interest rates at an all time low and the Tax Stimulus deadline looming at April 30, 2010, first time buyers as well as those who have owned their home over 5 years and wish to step up may never see a better time to buy a home in their lifetime.

Housing inventory should be ready for the splurge of spring buyers expected to hit the market in the next 2 and a half months to take advantage of these buyer incentives.  This combined also makes it a prime time for sellers to investigate the market price of their home and get it on the market in time for advertising to get distributed for spring buyers to view their home. 

The average price of a closed home in Jan. 2010 is $145,928.  These homes where on the market an average of 91 days.  Realizing the higher the price, usually the longer time on the market.  Houses listed at $188,000 or above make up over half of the inventory on the market.  The average closing price to list price is 97.6% meaning homeowners are coming down off of their list price about 2.5%.  This is great compared to what some areas of the country have been experiencing.

If you would like a FREE Market Analysis of your home to see what it can sell for, contact me and I will be happy to help you.  laurie@listwithlaurie.com  Vistit my web site at www.listwithlaurie.com to search available listings in the Clarksville TN / Ft. Campbell area.  Remember I can help you with any home you see listed.

Clarksville TN is an awesome place to raise a family.  The proximity to the arts & concerts at the states capital, Nashville, and the Land between the lakes gives one a variety of interests.  The education system is strong with a local university, Austin Peay State University with many other established public & private universities such as Vanderbilt.  The closeness of Ft Campbell Military base, home of the 101st airborne, keeps the economy stable even in times of economic recession.  The introduction of Hemlock Semiconductor in the industrial park has given way to a bevy of new industry & new jobs interested in locating to Clarksville TN. 

If you want more local info, go to my web site www.listwithlaurie.com and click ‘click here’ on the home page for more local info.  Come for a visit.  We would LOVE to have you

My grandparents stayed here to raise their children just as my parents did and I did.  We have known all along the hidden jewels in Montgomery County.  Now with the national attention from the 101st Airborne and Hemlock Semiconductor, the rest of the world is realizing it to.

Austin Peay State University, proximity to Middle Tennessee State University, and Vanderbilt University make this an optimum place for kids to go away for college and not be too far from home.  Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital is an area children’s hospital some parents travel miles and stay lengthy periods for quality treatment for their sick children and we are less than 1 hour from there.  Land Between the Lakes allows for outdoor activities such as camping, boating, hunting, and horseback riding in about an hours drive from anywhere in the county. 

Clarksville – Montgomery County has the chance of a lifetime for controlled development and to chart a plan that spreads far into the future for positive growth.  We are well on track for that.  I look forward to welcoming many new residents to Clarksville – Montgomery County.  There is nothing I would rather do for a living than introduce them to our area and help them find their dream home. 

Read The Leaf Chronicle’s story on the BusinessWeek article here:  http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20091118/NEWS01/911180326/City+tops+magazine+s+list

Read the BusinessWeek article here:  http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/nov2009/pi20091117_155796.htm

For the info On Clarksville TN click here:  http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/11/1117_best_places_to_raise_kids/43.htm

My Web site for area info:  www.listwithlaurie.com

http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/snapshot/67.html