Facebook Friend or Foe

Whether you like it or not as of July 2010 statistics indicated that over 500,000 people use Facebook all over the world. Such growth since February 2004 is unbelievable. The social application has created friendships between hundreds of users who friend each other, chat, play games and participate and interact with others through pages created by users. You may hate it when your friends send you "virtual gifts", Farmville invitations, Wheel of Fortune, Mafia Wars and so on. How about when your wall is loaded up with Yo'ville, Frontierville, Farmville,  and now Cityville. Then you see someone has made a page that they don't care about your farm, your fish, your cafe or your Mafia. Hey you guys, don't you know if you don't want to see it just BLOCK the application! Simple solution.

Personally I think these games are fine. Great for relieving some stress. That's what they are for....to have fun with!  If you have friends that you know don't like them don't post on their walls. Friends if I post on your wall and you don't like my game, don't delete me,  block the game.  I don't mind the games if I play them, what I don't care for is when users THINK others are interested that they clipped their toenails today or their dog threw up on the rug. WHO CARES??? Oh brother!  Let's see what they're saying now...."Getting ready to do some unpacking...." Who cares! "I hate my XXXX job at XXXX" Then get another one, at least you have a job! 
 

Think before you vent for the world to see!

 Sometimes you may be frustrated and want to blow off some steam. Cell phones make it so easy to vent your anger on the world wide web via facebook within seconds. Even at work. People, think about what you are saying before you post it for everyone to see. Don't go posting stuff that can come back and BITE you in the butt! Did you know many employers look you up on facebook before they consider offering you a job or a promotion?  And once you get that job..... Don't go trashing your employer for everyone to see! If you don't like your job don't belittle your employer on the internet. It can and will be used against you. Granted we do have freedom of speech....but your employer also has freedom to hire and fire at will and many times without cause, so don't give them a reason! 

 

Facebook can be a good thing. Ever wonder what happened to your best friend in 5th grade? Old friends find each other and catch up. Families and friends can stay in touch. Friends band together and pray for those in need and offer words of encouragement. You can see your baby nieces and nephews as they grow up through photo sharing. I have heard of users who have found lost relatives and reconnected. How wonderful is that? And how fun to have everyone wish you a Happy Birthday! Everyone loves to feel SPECIAL.

Whether you like it or not facebook is here. How you use it is up to you.

Old Barns

Being a Realtor® I spend a great deal of time in my car. Over the past few years I have come to realize that I love seeing the old barns scattered throughout the East Tennessee area. Each barn is different. Some of them are very simple structures built only to serve a purpose and some are have very unique features and are very beautiful. Some are bare rustic wood and some are painted different colors that brighten up the countryside. Each barn has character and is beautiful in a a rustic sort of way. Although I have seen hundreds of beautiful barns I have not always been able to just conveniently pull over and take a picture of them.  Here are some of the barns that I have been able to capture along the way. Hope you like them too!

Corryton, TN

Spring Rain Corryton, TN

My How Time Flies

Seems like yesterday that the government announced the $8000 tax credit for 1st time home buyers who want to take the plunge into home ownership. What a great incentive for home ownership. Hurray for the those folks who have taken advantage of it so far. I wish I could have qualified. I can think of many things I could use $8000 for these days. Like a fun camping trip in October and a vacation to Florida in the spring.

It is sad though that many will be disappointed who will not qualify because they are waiting until the last minute and time is not on their side. There is only 105 days left in which to get
pre-approved for a loan , find the perfect property, negotiate an offer, process the loan, have all inspections, make any necessary repairs, surveys, title work and get it closed on or before the 30Th of November. With loan processors taking sometimes twice the time it used to to get the loan through underwriting and to the title company. If you are buying a bank owned home, a short sale or a home that is being handled by a relocation company prepare for a longer negotiation and many times a longer wait to closing.

If you want to take advantage of the tax credit before it is too late contact me now. I will help you find a great mortgage person (one who has provided exceptional service to past clients) to get prequalified, find that great house for your needs and get you to closing in time to qualifty for the $8000.


Brenda Jolly
Southland GMAC Real Estate
Office: 865-687-6657
Agent Direct Line: 865-898-7896
Email: brenda@knoxvillefindahome.com

Search Homes NOW: www.brendajolly.net or www.homesforsaleknox.com

New Listing. Douglas Lakefront Acreage

                                                          Re-Listed at $99,000.
First Time On the Market!

This wooded 5.3 acre lot is on Brightstone Point on beautiful Douglas Lake in the Muddy Creek area. One of the favorite fisheries of anglers in Tennessee and some of the most beautiful waters around. Located in Jefferson County but just minutes away from the Sevier County line. Convenient to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Dollywood, Pigeon Forge and Newport. Build your home or home away from home, either way you will love living on the lake in East Tennessee. Offered at $250,000. MLS # 658341

Directions: From Knoxville, I-40E to Exit 407, right on TN-66, left on US-411, left on Fain Rd. Once on Fain Rd pavement will turn to gravel road which is Brightstone Way, follow Brightstone Way to property on left. Sign on property.

Brenda Jolly

Slyman Real Estate

150 Center Park Dr Suite 200

Knoxville, TN 37922

Office: 865-862-6161

Agent: 865-898-7896

January Closings Single Family Homes- Knoxville, TN

If you wonder how home sales for January 2009 compare to a year ago here are the numbers. I compared all single family homes that closed from Jan 1,2008 - Jan 31,2008 to those that closed during the same period this year.
January 2008 / January 2009

Total Homes Closed: 291 / 204

Avg List Price: $195,242 / $202,558

Avg Sold Price : $189,052 / $192,568

% Sale Price/List Price: 96.8 / 95.0

# of Closings that were
Bank Owned/
Foreclosed Properties: 38 / 50

Currently as of today, there are 3644 single family homes For Sale on the Knoxville MLS in Knox County and 491 properties that are Pending Do Not Show waiting to close and another 176 that are pending Continue to Show indicating there is an accepted offer on the property but contingencies still need to be cleared. Currently of the 3644 single family homes on the market, 221 of them are foreclosures as best as I can tell.
If you would like more information about real estate in Knoxville or the surrounding counties of East TN visit my website at http://www.brendajolly.net/ or send me an email at brenda@knoxvillefindahome.com

Brenda Jolly

Southland GMAC

200 Midlake Dr Suite C

Knoxville, TN 37918

Office: 865-687-6657

Agent: 865-898-7896