What Does Warren Buffet Think About Buying A Home?
Warren Buffet is seen by many as the greatest investor of our time. When he speaks, people listen. Like anyone else in his position of influence, he is criticized by some for using his bullhorn to promote his own business agendas at times. That makes it very interesting when we occasionally learn of how he privately advises those closest to him.
Such a situation occurred this week. Debbie Bosanek, Warren Buffet’s secretary of 37 years, recently purchased a second home in Surprise, Arizona.
In an article in the Omaha World Herald, Mrs. Bosanek discussed her reasons for purchasing a second home and the personal advice she received from Mr. Buffet.
“I just thought it was time to buy a home. Warren tells me that it will be the best opportunity in my lifetime. Mortgage rates are low and prices have dropped dramatically…I share Warren’s view about the future of America, and we believe that our country will do just fine. I’m happy to make this investment.”
The greatest investor of the last century privately has told the people closest to him that buying a home right now “will be the best opportunity in [their] lifetime”.
That’s good enough for us. How about you?
Source: KCMBlog
Geodesic designed home in Nashville’s West Meade Park
The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers,
but for the wide world’s joy.
- Henry Ward Beecher
Do you seek privacy, yet you want to live in close proximity to everyday conveniences? Well this is the perfect house! Located in West Meade Park, the home at 6612 Chatsworth Place will give you all this and more space than you can imagine.
The great room in this home for sale in the West Meade area of Nashville is a tribute to modern architecture....and is an incredible point of access to the natural world just beyond. Click on the image for more information from The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty.
The home, originally built in 1985, has bit of a modern flair with geometric angles inside and out. This geodesic designed home has been perfectly situated among the trees on just less than an acre of land. The windows and decks allow you to fully take in the nature that surrounds you here. Once you have entered the home you will have a hard time believing you are still in-town.
You'll never believe you're still in one of the most convenient in town locations in this home that is perfectly set amongst the trees. Click on the image for more from The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty.
The main level has the living area, kitchen, dining room and two bedrooms. The main floor is oak hardwoods and continues to add to the “one with nature” feel the home exudes, and includes a carpeted, private guest wing.
The upstairs loft is dedicated to the comforts of the owner of the home at 6612 Chatsworth Place in Nashville's West Meade Park. Click on the photo for more information from The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty.
The loft is entirely a master suite. What luxury to be able to escape to the privacy of your room knowing it is completely separate from everything else. There is a separate sitting area and large master bath with jetted tub. The tub is perfectly situated where you can look out a window to the mature trees outside. It feels like you are in your own private tree house, worlds away from the hectic day. Think about how low-maintenance the yard is in this home since it is in such a natural setting!
Imagine standing at this expanse of nature each morning to reflect on your day!
The home has a large unfinished basement with tall ceilings great for storage or maybe you would want to finish it and add to the already spacious house. The home offers the owner lots of living space and a quiet peaceful retreat from the city when you are just minutes away from anything you could possible need.
The stress just falls off your shoulders when you are here. Who would not want to begin and end each day feeling that way?
Three bedrooms and Two Bath
Offered for $404,900
6612 Chatsworth Place
Nashville, TN 37205
For more information, please contact:
Charlotte Witzenburg, The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty
Charlotte Witzenburg
The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty
(615) 293-8005
New Green Hills office for Nashville luxury real estate company The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty
Presenting a video tour of the new luxury real estate office of The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty. Conveniently located in Nashville’s Green Hills, our ground floor office has easy access to parking….and to the most extraordinary agents and properties in the world.
Please come by and have a cup of coffee in the The Lipman Group Cafe, and tour the entire new space.
We are located at:
The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty
2002 Richard Jones Road
Suite C-104
Nashville, TN 37215
(Map)
Our phone number has remained the same: 615.463.3333.
We look forward to serving our real estate customers and clients from our beautiful new space!
Click here to take the video tour of the new Green Hills office of The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty....Nashville's luxury real estate resource.
Luxury and Quality in this Home for Sale in Woodmont Waye
The results of quality work last longer than the shock of high prices. ~Author Unknown
Quality craftsmanship and unbelievable appointments are what you find in this five-year old home for sale in the Woodmont Waye subdivision in Nashville’s most perfect location.
An example of quality workmanship with thoughtful details is found in this home for sale in Nashville's Woodmont Waye subdivision. Please click on the image for more photos & information from The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty.
Open the quaint iron gate, step onto the stoop, and up to the solid wooden door. Surrounding you is rustic, old brick adorning the exterior of the home. Open that gorgeous wooden door and reclaimed and refurbished wood floors greet you throughout.
A gorgeous living room contributes to the natural flow of the floorplan, and is enveloped in crown molding and coffered ceilings.
Wood details such as crown molding, coffered ceilings and crown moldings are apparent in almost every room. Custom cabinetry can be found in the family room, baths and spacious kitchen. The main level also has a magnificent office with wainscoting perfect for the professional who enjoys working from home or for a home library.
The kitchen is fully stocked with high-end appliances and positioned for entertaining. Please click on the image for more photos and information from The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty.
The kitchen has a grand island with granite countertops and a beverage cooler. Stainless appliances include double ovens and gas cooktop. The kitchen has more than enough storage for all of your cooking and entertaining treasures. It is truly the home chef’s dream all in a beautiful package.
A master suite that answers every question of luxury. Please click on the image for more photos and information.
The home has three bedrooms with a dream master suite. Imagine an in-suite office or separate sitting area, a coffee or wine bar and all the privacy you desire. The in-suite bath has split vanities and separate tub and shower….indeed a delightful retreat.
A sunroom ready to provide a relaxing interlude in this home for sale in Woodmont Waye.
There are extraordinary bonuses here too! An in-home elevator accesses all levels, a wonderful sunroom with gracious windows is perfect year round and an unbelievable fitness room will keep you from having to leave for the gym for an early morning workout.
An elevator serves all three levels of this luxury home for sale....from the gym to the public areas to the private retreats above. Click on the image for more photos and information.
This is a wonderfully spacious and well-appointed home. Certainly those accustomed to the finer things will enjoy the luxury found here.
Three Bedroom, Two Full Baths and One Half Bath
Offered at $850,000
133 Woodmont Blvd #B
Nashville, TN 37205
For more information, please contact:
Lawrence Lipman, The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty
Lawrence Lipman
The Lipman Group Sotheby’s Realty
larry.lipman@sothebysrealty.com
615.463.3333
Tips for Fireplace and Furnace Safety
Regular inspection and servicing of fireplaces and furnaces adds to comfort, makes them more economical, and most important, keeps them safe. Regular inspections can prevent a deadly house fire or the introduction of a silent killer: carbon monoxide.
Here’s our checklist to keep you cozy and safe during the winter months:
Wood-burning fireplaces
1. Inspection by a certified chimney sweep is a must. For heavy use, the chimney should be inspected and cleaned annually. Go up to five years if the fireplace is used only occasionally. The sweep should inspect for proper operation of the damper and for cracks in the flue liner, as well as sweeping the flue to remove creosote and other combustion byproducts.
2. Close the damper when the fireplace isn’t in use.
3. Install a chimney cap if you don’t already have one. You don’t want creatures building their nest in your flue.
4. When starting a fire, “prime” the flue by holding lighted newspaper at the back wall of the firebox to start the warm air rising.
5. Burn aged, dry hardwood if possible. Fir or pine burns hot and deposits creosote in the chimney. Don’t burn construction debris. It may contain toxic chemicals that will vaporize in the fire and could enter the living space.
6. Do not clean out the fireplace when the ashes are still hot. And dispose of the ashes in a place where wayward embers won’t start a fire.
Fireplace with gas starter
1. If the flame goes out, wait at least five minutes before attempting to relight the fireplace. This allows time to clear the fireplace of gas.
2. Be alert for unusual odors or odd-colored flames, which are often a sign that the fireplace is not operating properly. In such cases, contact your dealer or licensed technician for servicing. Contact the gas company if you smell gas when the unit is off.
Gas furnace maintenance
1. An annual maintenance check of a gas furnace extends the life of the appliance and ferrets out any hidden problems. A qualified heating contractor should vacuum out the unit, inspect the blower motor, inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, check the electronics and perform a multipoint checklist to make sure the furnace is operating properly.
2. Clean or replace the furnace filter frequently during the heating season. This ensures that air returning from the inside of the house is unobstructed and clean when entering the combustion chamber.
3. Keep vents, space heaters and baseboards clear of furniture, rugs and drapes to allow free air movement.
4. Ensure there is free airflow around your furnace and make sure there are no storage items obstructing airflow.
5. Do not store or use combustible materials, such as chemicals, paint, rags, clothing, draperies, paper, cleaning products, gasoline, or flammable vapors and liquids in the vicinity of the furnace.
6. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and lethal gas that can occur any time there is incomplete combustion or poor venting. Any home that contains fuel-burning appliances, such as a fireplace or furnace, should have a carbon monoxide alarm installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
These tips are courtesy of Inman News and Lowe’s. Click here for more information.
Where to live in Nashville: Video of Green Hills
We love writing about Green Hills in Nashville – it’s an easy topic because homes there are just gorgeous and when you live there, you’re surrounded by many comforts.
Green Hills is an upscale neighborhood home to expansive lot for iconic Southern homes and estates. Known also for The Mall at Green Hills, this area of Nashville is established as the hub of chic stores and upscale shopping. The historic Bluebird Cafe calls Green Hills its home as does many of Nashville’s best public schools, including a few in the Top Five Elementary Schools in Nashville.
We love Green Hills so much that we have added it to the neighborhoods we’re profiling through video. Enjoy the video about Green Hills below, or click here to see all the Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty videos.
Click here to see the video about the upscale area of Green Hills from The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty.
Pending Home Sales Post Strong Gain
Pending home sales rose strongly in October and remain above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The Pending Home Sales Index*, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, surged 10.4 percent to 93.3 in October from 84.5 in September and is 9.2 percent above October 2010 when it stood at 85.5. The data reflects contracts but not closings.
The Pending Home Sales Index* surged 10.4 percent to 93.3 in October from 84.5 in September and is 9.2 percent above October 2010 when it stood at 85.5. The data reflects contracts but not closings.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said improved contract activity is a hopeful sign. “Home sales have been plodding along at a sub-par level while interest rates are hovering at record lows and there is a pent-up demand from buyers who normally would have entered the market in recent years. We hope this indicates more buyers are taking advantage of the excellent affordability conditions,” he said.
“Many consumers are recognizing that home buyers in the past two years have had one of the lowest default rates in history. Moreover, continued inventory declines are another healthy sign for the housing market,” Yun added.
“Although contract signings are up, not all contracts lead to closings. Many potential home buyers inadvertently hurt their credit scores and chances of getting a mortgage through easily averted actions, such as cancelling an old credit line while taking on a new one,” Yun said. “Such actions could unwittingly prevent buyers from obtaining a mortgage if their credit score is close the margins of qualifying, or they might get a loan but with less favorable terms.”
NAR encourages consumers to be aware of their credit score and actions which could hurt or enhance it. HouseLogic.com, the association’s consumer website devoted to all aspects of homeownership, offers tips for improving credit scores here.
To view the full article and a video report, visit the National Association of Realtors®.
*The Pending Home Sales Index is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing.
Planning on Buying A Home in 2012?
Even with interest rates and home prices at all-time lows, many potential home buyers, especially first-timers, are on the sidelines. They’re concerned about the economy, their job, their savings, or their ability to actually get a loan.
But real estate is cyclical. If you look at the past 50 years, real estate has gone up and down. We’ve been in a down cycle for some time now — which followed many years of an up real estate market. It’s inevitable that buyers will gradually move off the sidelines and start making their way toward the end zone again.
If you plan on buying a home next year, or even in 2013, there are steps you can take now to get ready.
1. Start experimenting with online mortgage tools and online listings.
When to do it: Anytime.
To figure out how much you can afford, go online and enter down payment and purchase amounts into a mortgage calculator. This is a great first step. But it’s just that: a first step.
2. Engage a local real estate agent
When to do it: As much as a year before you plan to buy.
A good agent would welcome the opportunity to sit down with you months, even a year, before you’re really ready to make a move. In this meeting, learn as much as possible about your local market. Is it currently a buyers’ or sellers’ market? What’s the inventory like? How long should you expect to look for a home in your desired area? What are the local trends? Many people hear about national trends and statistics. But real estate is local, even down to neighborhoods and blocks.
3. Analyze your financial situation with a mortgage professional
When to do it: Soon after you’ve chosen your agent.
What you can afford will likely dictate the type of home you buy (condo or house, fixer upper or a gut renovation) and where you buy (prime school district or the up-and-coming neighborhood). But, before you start dreaming about your fancy new digs, you have some important financial analysis to do. Analyzing your complete financial picture will reveal a lot as you consider home ownership.
4. Ask yourself the hard questions and do your financial homework
When to do it: After you’ve been pre-approved.
Once you’ve gone through the approval process, you know where you stand. Some people will be in great shape and ready to start shopping tomorrow. Others may need to save more money, fix their credit score, or hold off until they get that much anticipated raise next year.
5. Re-engage your real estate agent
When to do it: Once you are ready to buy
Once you have your financial situation figured out, it’s time to go back to your real estate agent. Let them know the result of your pre-approval process. You will likely need a pre-approval letter in order to write an offer on a home.
In short order, you should get up to speed with what you can get for the money and where — right down to the streets and blocks. To be an educated buyer, you need to see as many properties as possible. This is important to understand the housing stock and to know what you get for the money as well as what you like and don’t like.
Once you’ve gone through these steps, you’ll know — sometimes immediately — when the right house comes along. And then, at last, you’ll be ready to make a wise, well-planned move.
For more details, read the full article written by Brendon DeSimone, REALTOR and real estate expert, based in San Francisco and New York.
A note from a client about Gloria Houghland – ooh how nice
Gloria Houghland, The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty
We received a note from a client of Gloria Houghland, REALTOR with The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty. She helped them sell their downtown Nashville condo recently. Thanks for your kind note, and congratulations on your sale!
Gloria approaches everything in life with a high-level of energy and enthusiasm. She brought all of her professional expertise, creativity and charm to the marketing of our downtown Nashville condo.
Gloria’s creative ideas were particularly important as we were trying to sell our condo in a tough economic environment. In addition to the traditional forms of marketing, Gloria thought outside of the box and helped us host fundraisers and other events at our condo to maximize its exposure.
Gloria maintains a positive attitude and is always willing to go the extra mile for her clients. I would highly recommend her as a realtor. - Carolyn Ridley
Gloria Houghland: Best Reasons to Live in Nashville
Gloria Houghland, The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty
I’ve lived in Nashville my whole life, so it is hard for me to think of a reason to NOT live in Nashville. 
Starry Night Nashville by Anna Webb
Nashville is one of the friendliest cities in America.
It is so welcoming to everyone and has so much to do that you would immediately feel at home here.
Nashville is also an interesting mix of people and industries from the music world to healthcare to private universities to the seat of state government. It is easy to find your niche in Nashville.
Video: 302 3rd Ave South – Historic Home in Franklin, TN For Sale
Offered at $899,900.
One of Franklin’s most historic homes, built in 1818. Original poplar floors, chandeliers dating back to the 1800s. New HVAC, complete restoration. Amazing home! 5 Bedrooms, 5 baths
302 3rd Ave. South
Franklin, Tennessee 37064
For more information, please contact:
Chris Mannino, The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty
Chris Mannino
The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty
615-299-7995
chris.mannino@sothebysrealty.com
Real estate’s point of maximum opportunity is now
It’s true, we were all euphoric in 2006 and 2007 about the real estate market. We were buying, selling, upgrading, improving.
Then a generous dose of reality with changing a marketplace occurred and now we are sitting here in 2011 looking towards a more optimistic time.
The market does seem to be bouncing along the bottom as the chart depicts. Sometimes it is hard to watch, but if we turn our heads towards tomorrow…..we will see appreciation begin to occur again.
So it means that NOW is the point of maximum opportunity to buy real estate. With a median sales price for single family homes sitting at just under $160k in recent months, affordability has never been sweeter.
Thank you to the KCMBlog.com for your great graph on the cycle of investments.
