A Creative Way to House Your Student Collegedale, Tennessee

Parents, Students–A New Trend in Real Estate Showing Up in Collegedale, Tn.
There is a new trend in housing that has been showing up in Collegedale, Tennessee for a while and I see it beginning to trend elsewhere. Like the name implies, Collegedale is a college town; home to Southern Adventist University, a large religous university.

University housing is spread out throughout the town of Collegedale including dormitories, graduate student housing and faculty rental units. A lot of real estate is owned by the university. Students are required to live in supervised housing until they reach a certain age, however, most of them flee immediately, upon making the cut off, to independent housing.

Due to the continual influx of students and faculty, Collegedale is a terrific rental market, and many long term residents invest in real estate in the area and use it as rental property. There are a wide variety of housing opportunities. Duplexes are prevalent as well as converted single family homes. Apartment buildings with sixteen to eighteen units are also scattered around town.

What I have seen for a while is a growing trend for parents of college age students coming to the university, to purchase local real estate, a house, a condo or perhaps a duplex, and have their child reside in the property and then rent part of it out to other students.

It makes good sense. Often the mortgage payments are not nearly what the university charges for housing and then the student gains extra income from renting out rooms. This is a win-win for parent and stuudent. After the student graduates the parent will either sell the property or continue to keep it on the rental market as an investment.

I see this happening in downtown Chattanooga now and also in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Vols. It is good strategy to consider to offset the cost of college housing.

If you are interested in exploring this type of opportunity anywhere in East Tennessee or specifically Collegedale or Ooltewah Tennessee; please call me. I’d love to help!

 

Chattanooga, Tennessee…A Lot for Little

I remember the first time that I knew that I was coming to Chattanooga, Tn. for an extended time period. I thought “Deliverance” then I came; with reservations, and never left! This is a remarkable microcosm of larger cities, but, with the friendliness and familiarity of a nice town. Chattanooga caters to so many areas of interest that it becomes mind boggling!

I would have to write a 200 page travel guide to cover things fully, but, just to start things off, here are some of the broad reaching activities that the area offers.

Outdoor Activities – Hiking, boating, kayaking, swimming, camping
Crafts- Numerous craft festivals and a cluster f crafts businesses in ST. Elmo, North Chattanooga and Southside just to name a few
Health Care- Large hospitals such as Erlanger and Memorial as well as specialized clinics for heart, physical therapy, acupuncture as well as holistic and alternative medicine practitioners.
Shopping- Hamilton Mall, Downtown and all types of mom and pop independent businesses that provide everything from canvas awnings to trophies.
Pet Care – Many veterinary establishments as well as pet boutiques whether it be the exotic or a dog or cat.
Cultural-Tivoli Theatre, Chattanooga Symphony or dinner theatre as well as the Hunter Museum and Battlefield Park.
Community Events – Riverbend, and any number of picnics, street festivals and fund raisers.
Golf- There are at least 6 courses locally that I can think of as well as a few driving ranges.
Schools-Many excellent school districts as well as specialized magnet schools. Two renowned private schools are also located here; Girls Preparatory and McCallie. There are also several community colleges as well as University of Tennessee Chattanooga and several parochial and public private universities and colleges.
Housing – From apartments to condos to single family to downtown lofts. There is a wide choice of affordable housing of any shape and size including even houseboats.
Industry TVA, Volkswagon, McKees and the list goes on.
Airport – Chattanooga has a great airport for easy travel in and out and also a smaller affiliate for private aircraft.
HistoryIt abounds here from Native American culture to the civil war legacy.

So, as you can see, there are many things of interest worth coming to Chattanooga to investigate. It is an excellent place to raise children or to retire. If you would like a more detailed list of events or activities with dates, please contact me to inquire and I will be sure to send you a packet.

0A Remarkable Big Little City, Chattanooga Tennessee (edit/delete)
I remember the first time that I knew that I was coming to Chattanooga, Tn. for an extended time period. I thought “Deliverance” then I came; with reservations, and never left! This is a remarkable microcosm of larger cities, but, with the friendliness and familiarity of a nice town. Chattanooga caters to so many areas of interest that it becomes mind boggling!

I would have to write a 200 page travel guide to cover things fully, but, just to start things off, here are some of the broad reaching activities that the area offers.

Outdoor Activities – Hiking, boating, kayaking, swimming, camping
Crafts- Numerous craft festivals and a cluster f crafts businesses in ST. Elmo, North Chattanooga and Southside just to name a few
Health Care- Large hospitals such as Erlanger and Memorial as well as specialized clinics for heart, physical therapy, acupuncture as well as holistic and alternative medicine practitioners.
Shopping- Hamilton Mall, Downtown and all types of mom and pop independent businesses that provide everything from canvas awnings to trophies.
Pet Care – Many veterinary establishments as well as pet boutiques whether it be the exotic or a dog or cat.
Cultural-Tivoli Theatre, Chattanooga Symphony or dinner theatre as well as the Hunter Museum and Battlefield Park.
Community Events – Riverbend, and any number of picnics, street festivals and fund raisers.
Golf- There are at least 6 courses locally that I can think of as well as a few driving ranges.
Schools-Many excellent school districts as well as specialized magnet schools. Two renowned private schools are also located here; Girls Preparatory and McCallie. There are also several community colleges as well as University of Tennessee Chattanooga and several parochial and public private universities and colleges.
Housing – From apartments to condos to single family to downtown lofts. There is a wide choice of affordable housing of any shape and size including even houseboats.
Industry TVA, Volkswagon, McKees and the list goes on.
Airport – Chattanooga has a great airport for easy travel in and out and also a smaller affiliate for private aircraft.
HistoryIt abounds here from Native American culture to the civil war legacy.

So, as you can see, there are many things of interest worth coming to Chattanooga to investigate. It is an excellent place to raise children or to retire. If you would like a more detailed list of events or activities with dates, please contact me to inquire and I will be sure to send you a packet.

 

Chattanooga, Tennessee…A Lot for Little

I remember the first time that I knew that I was coming to Chattanooga, Tn. for an extended time period. I thought “Deliverance” then I came; with reservations, and never left! This is a remarkable microcosm of larger cities, but, with the friendliness and familiarity of a nice town. Chattanooga caters to so many areas of interest that it becomes mind boggling!

I would have to write a 200 page travel guide to cover things fully, but, just to start things off, here are some of the broad reaching activities that the area offers.

• Outdoor Activities – Hiking, boating, kayaking, swimming, camping
  Crafts- Numerous craft festivals and a cluster f crafts businesses in ST. Elmo, North Chattanooga and Southside just to name a few
  Health Care- Large hospitals such as Erlanger and Memorial as well as specialized clinics for heart, physical therapy, acupuncture as well as holistic and alternative medicine practitioners.
  Shopping- Hamilton Mall, Downtown and all types of mom and pop independent businesses that provide everything from canvas awnings to trophies.
  Pet Care – Many veterinary establishments as well as pet boutiques whether it be the exotic or a dog or cat.
  Cultural-Tivoli Theatre, Chattanooga Symphony or dinner theatre as well as the Hunter Museum and Battlefield Park.
  Community Events – Riverbend, and any number of picnics, street festivals and fund raisers.
  Golf- There are at least 6 courses locally that I can think of as well as a few driving ranges.
  Schools-Many excellent school districts as well as specialized magnet schools. Two renowned private schools are also located here; Girls Preparatory and McCallie. There are also several community colleges as well as University of Tennessee Chattanooga and several parochial and public private universities and colleges.
  Housing – From apartments to condos to single family to downtown lofts. There is a wide choice of affordable housing of any shape and size including even houseboats.
  Industry -TVA, Volkswagon, McKees and the list goes on.
  Airport – Chattanooga has a great airport for easy travel in and out and also a smaller affiliate for private aircraft.
• History-It abounds here from Native American culture to the civil war legacy.

So, as you can see, there are many things of interest worth coming to Chattanooga to investigate. It is an excellent place to raise children or to retire. If you would like a more detailed list of events or activities with dates, please contact me to inquire and I will be sure to send you a packet.

Marinabroker@aol.com 

.

 

Lost in the 50′s Tonight

Do We Desire to Go Back to the 50′s
Being a Baby Boomer, I remember 50′s life. Sure it has been idealized in movies and music, but, no doubt about it things were so much simpler back then. It is ironic that we are just coming out of the Christmas holiday because that is where the differences seem so glaring to me; how Christmas and the holidays were celebrated and people’s framework for looking at each other.

Christmas was a time when friends and family went shopping together, baked cookies together and had great work place parties. Where I lived party lines were still in use. I remember the build up of anticipation leading up to the holidays which were my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving was a really big deal and so was Macy’s parade. Watching it, whether in person or on T.V., was a ritual. We were delighted when it snowed because it gave us the opportunity to go sleigh riding or ice skating at the neighborhood pond. No one sued anyone like they do today so it was easy for a landowner to open up his pond for the public’s use. Christmas lights were simpler then too. There were the big screw in kind for outdoors only and then the smaller screw in type for inside. People that really wished to be creative used only one color or two colors alternated. A big extravagance was being able to have a few bubble lights or Santa Claus lights on your tree. On Christmas Day friends and relatives would call each other and make the rounds visiting several people for a few hours each. Everyone would have a present for us kids, usually some candy or an inexpensive toy. We were always thrilled.

Christmas season never kicked off until after Thanksgiving and so we weren’t saturated with it. The Christmas cards started coming in like snow flakes in a snow storm for three weeks or so and were proudly and promptly displayed around the house. An artificial tree was a novelty and people always had their favorite tree stand to go to and favorite type of tree to go pick out. There was so much simple enjoyment being in the moment.

New Year’s was not a night for happening clubs and driving around drunk. People either went to Times Square to watch the ball drop or had gatherings at their house and had good old fashion fun; dancing, playing instruments and games and, of course, watching the ball drop was obligatory. No one left and drove home intoxicated, although the booze flowed, they simply spent the night anywhere their bodies could land; sofas, sleeping bags etc.

I guess where this is all going is this: do we really feel any better now having cell phones, laptops, artificial trees and emails than we did back then? My guess is that there are many people that are searching and seeking a feel good patch to fill a void that we were guaranteed back then. I see people at large feeling needy, lost and insecure and what I think that they are seeking is a sense of purpose and belonging and community. I honestly believe that the good people of this country are burned out on competition and greed and deviousness. Security, comfort, “family” and simplicity is a nationwide hunger.

Evidence for this supposition exists with the popularity of places like Active Rain and Twitter and Facebook. I see people looking for connection and community and when they find it they gorge themselves. It has come full circle in my opinion and the basic nature of people to feel needed and wanted hasn’t changed. In fact with all of the complicated devices and systems in place what I see and hear is people using them to find simple forms of connectivity. Perhaps when we search for a foundation for our 2009 business plan these are things that we need to consider. Give folks what they really need and want and they will come, and ………………..STAY forever!

GAYLE CHRISTMAS 1953 (CARDBOARD FIREPLACE AND STOCKING)

Little Girl at Christmas in Union, N.J. 1953

 

Lost in the 50′s Tonight

Do We Desire to Go Back to the 50′s
Being a Baby Boomer, I remember 50′s life. Sure it has been idealized in movies and music, but, no doubt about it things were so much simpler back then. It is ironic that we are just coming out of the Christmas holiday because that is where the differences seem so glaring to me; how Christmas and the holidays were celebrated and people’s framework for looking at each other.

Christmas was a time when friends and family went shopping together, baked cookies together and had great work place parties. Where I lived party lines were still in use. I remember the build up of anticipation leading up to the holidays which were my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving was a really big deal and so was Macy’s parade. Watching it, whether in person or on T.V., was a ritual. We were delighted when it snowed because it gave us the opportunity to go sleigh riding or ice skating at the neighborhood pond. No one sued anyone like they do today so it was easy for a landowner to open up his pond for the public’s use. Christmas lights were simpler then too. There were the big screw in kind for outdoors only and then the smaller screw in type for inside. People that really wished to be creative used only one color or two colors alternated. A big extravagance was being able to have a few bubble lights or Santa Claus lights on your tree. On Christmas Day friends and relatives would call each other and make the rounds visiting several people for a few hours each. Everyone would have a present for us kids, usually some candy or an inexpensive toy. We were always thrilled.

Christmas season never kicked off until after Thanksgiving and so we weren’t saturated with it. The Christmas cards started coming in like snow flakes in a snow storm for three weeks or so and were proudly and promptly displayed around the house. An artificial tree was a novelty and people always had their favorite tree stand to go to and favorite type of tree to go pick out. There was so much simple enjoyment being in the moment.

New Year’s was not a night for happening clubs and driving around drunk. People either went to Times Square to watch the ball drop or had gatherings at their house and had good old fashion fun; dancing, playing instruments and games and, of course, watching the ball drop was obligatory. No one left and drove home intoxicated, although the booze flowed, they simply spent the night anywhere their bodies could land; sofas, sleeping bags etc.

I guess where this is all going is this: do we really feel any better now having cell phones, laptops, artificial trees and emails than we did back then? My guess is that there are many people that are searching and seeking a feel good patch to fill a void that we were guaranteed back then. I see people at large feeling needy, lost and insecure and what I think that they are seeking is a sense of purpose and belonging and community. I honestly believe that the good people of this country are burned out on competition and greed and deviousness. Security, comfort, “family” and simplicity is a nationwide hunger.

Evidence for this supposition exists with the popularity of places like Active Rain and Twitter and Facebook. I see people looking for connection and community and when they find it they gorge themselves. It has come full circle in my opinion and the basic nature of people to feel needed and wanted hasn’t changed. In fact with all of the complicated devices and systems in place what I see and hear is people using them to find simple forms of connectivity. Perhaps when we search for a foundation for our 2009 business plan these are things that we need to consider. Give folks what they really need and want and they will come, and ………………..STAY forever!

GAYLE CHRISTMAS 1953 (CARDBOARD FIREPLACE AND STOCKING)

Little Girl at Christmas in Union, N.J. 1953

 

FEAR – That is the REAL Problem With Real Estate Today

1

I don’t know about you, but, that sentiment expressed in the 40′s by F.D.R. sure has been circling around my thoughts lately.   I mean I see otherwise rational and business minded people running around talking to me about the collapse of our monetary system, the death of real estate as a viable profession; the unending national debt, and I get thinking–no, REACTING.   Internally I feel myself start to become angry.  Why?  Well, for a variety of reasons.

• That thinking presses in on my otherwise resilient outlook and starts to form like a grey cloud.
• I dislike those that stir up others into a survivalist mentality that closes off any room for discussion.
• It is reminiscent of many cult like mantras that often lead good people down a dark path.
• I just get very resentful that someone else is dictating my customer’s landscape.
• I hate untruths.

There, that’s it.  I am getting angry now. 

There are many good arguments to refute this type of thinking and these are rooted in history not trend or philosophy.

• Business, especially real estate has ALWAYS been cyclical.
• There are many excellent opportunities right now for a wise consumer.
• Realtors that are experienced have knowledge and knowledge always trumps trends.  Would you want to be your own dentist?
• In my area of the country there has been some slippage, some correction, but, not wholesale anarchy and homes are still selling for a fair price.
• Many have come to accept the abnormal (spike in house prices and rapid sales) as normal and therefore reject a return to more moderate business.
• Just as a good storm churns the waters and clears the beaches, this financial storm is clearing the business landscape of many unscrupulous and/or unrealistic practices.
• Most importantly, I see anecdotally, a return to a value based society instead of a high speed, high powered “ME” society.  Reason is returning. 
• I see appreciation and gratitude for things more basic is returning.  The principle of  parsimony, “less is more” seems to be emerging.

So, peers, consumers, and the public in general need to stop and think and ask themselves; “Is this really as exaggerated as the media is broadcasting or are these times perhaps just a correction back to a more grounded way of doing business?”

I firmly believe that it is the latter.

 

 

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