Featured Articles

Serious sellers partner with the right professional Realtor

Serious sellers partner with the right professional Realtor By CLARISSA HILLS BROWNHome owners who have been following this column's advice on becoming a serious seller have arrived at the poi... Read More

How to become a serious seller and get an edge of the competition

How to become a serious seller and get an edge of the competitionBy CLARISSA HILLS BROWNWhen this spring's crop of buyers begin shopping the local home market they'll find two types of sell... Read More

2012 poised to be a better year for serious, motivated sellers

2012 poised to be a better year for serious, motivated sellersBy CLARISSA HILLS BROWNIf there are benefits to being a qualified, serious buyer poised to wade into local housing market waters during... Read More

The REALTOR-client relationship is key to being a serious home buyer

The REALTOR-client relationship is key to being a serious home buyer By CLARISSA HILLS BROWN Today's highly competitive world has put new awareness on the role of coaches, mentors, advisers a... Read More

Loan pre-approval letter is the sign of a serious buyer

Loan pre-approval letter is the sign of a serious buyer By CLARISSA HILLS BROWN Buyers who have tuned up their credit scores for the upcoming spring season are ready for the next step to getting th... Read More

Do a quick credit score tune up before spring selling season

Do a quick credit score tune up before spring selling seasonBy CLARISSA HILLS BROWNYou've been watching the housing market and biding your time. Now you're ready to make your move.It's ... Read More

Fall maintenance –an important step to get your home ready for winter

Fall maintenance –an important step to get your home ready for winterBy GWEN LILLEYThere are two fall home maintenance chores thrifty home owners are giving extra attention this year. It fits... Read More

Good Fall landscaping sharpens curb appeal and adds extra value to homes

Good Fall landscaping sharpens curb appeal and adds extra value to homesBy GWEN LILLEY Another steamy NE Tennessee summer is fading into the cool nights and balmy days of fall.This change of season... Read More

Prices have improved, homes are selling and it’s still a buyer’s market

Prices have improved, homes are selling and it’s still a buyer’s marketBy GWEN LILLEYTwo seemingly contradictory truths are very much at play in today's regional and local housing m... Read More

Buyers shopping foreclosures need a pro in their corner

Buyers shopping foreclosures need a pro in their cornerBy GWEN LILLEY One of the most common questions asked by buyers in today's market is "what's out there in the way of foreclosures?... Read More

The 55+ crowd’s taste in housing gets lots of attention

The 55+ crowd’s taste in housing gets lots of attentionBy GWEN LILLEYThe National Association of Home Builders and MetLife Mature Market Institute released a joint study entitled, "Housin... Read More

Consumer fear shouldn’t overshadow prudent real estate opportunities

Consumer fear shouldn’t overshadow prudent real estate opportunitiesBy GWEN LILLEYIt's understandable that some consumers are a little shell shocked these days. An example is Fannie May&#... Read More

There’s plenty of housing sizzle in these Dog Days of Summer

There’s plenty of housing sizzle in these Dog Days of SummerBy GWEN LILLEYThere's no doubt about it- we're firmly in the grips of the Dog Days of Summer. Ninety degree plus weather se... Read More

Buying a home is more than just an investment

Buying a home is more than just an investmentBy GWEN LILLEY There has been a higher than normal amount of debate recently about whether or not buying a home is a good investment. The most recent ex... Read More

Don’t under estimate the advantage of underpricing a home

Don’t under estimate the advantage of underpricing a homeBy GWEN LILLEYThere's a housing market trend at work that's making some home sellers squirm.Here's what's happening on... Read More

Don’t be too quick to write off homeownership as part of the American Dream

Don’t be too quick to write off homeownership as part of the American DreamBy GWEN LILLEYWe've all read or heard news stories about how homeownership is changing in the United States. Sto... Read More

Increasing mortgage down payment rule, lowering loan limits unwarranted

Increasing mortgage down payment rule, lowering loan limits unwarrantedBy GWEN LILLEYKeeping government-sponsored enterprises (the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) fiscal... Read More

Realtors meet today’s market challenges with sharper skills

Realtors meet today’s market challenges with sharper skillsBy GWEN LILLEYOnce a year the National Association of Realtors turns its focus inward - toward its members - for additional insight ... Read More

Non-stressed home price indexes offer encouraging housing market signal

Non-stressed home price indexes offer encouraging housing market signalBy GWEN LILLEYHome Price Indexes (HPIs) for non-distressed properties are improving. That's a positive economic signal - o... Read More

Savvy home sellers turn to strategic marketing and pricing

Savvy home sellers turn to strategic marketing and pricingBy GWEN LILLEY The watch words for savvy sellers in this year's selling season is sharper marketing and pricing tactics. Make no mistak... Read More

Improving your credit score is a matter of dollars and sense

Improving your credit score is a matter of dollars and senseBy GWEN LILLEY The days whenpeople didn't fret about credit scores are long gone. Those three little numbers are increasingly being u... Read More

How to make the most out of your credit score

How to make the most out of your credit scoreBy GWEN LILLEYCredit scores are getting extra attention from home buyers for two primary reasons:- Lenders are a lot pickier.- A few points improvement ... Read More

Signs for a good spring home selling season are encouraging

Signs for a good spring home selling season are encouragingBy GWEN LILLEYOur corner of NE Tennessee and SW Virginia has seen two straight months of increased existing home sales and higher average ... Read More

Home ownership vs. renting, the economic advantage is simple

Home ownership vs. renting, the economic advantage is simpleBy GWEN LILLEYThe buzz among Realtors is, traffic is up.There's a reason for that. Things on the economic front are looking better. L... Read More

Some housing experts see recovery amid all the conflicting information

Some housing experts see recovery amid all the conflicting informationBy GWEN LILLEYIf you're confused by the noise and conflicting housing market news, join the crowd. Are prices really at rec... Read More

Real estate industry has economic impact beyond home sales

Real estate industry has economic impact beyond home salesBy GWEN LILLEY There's a basic fact of economics sometimes overlooked in all of today's give-and-take about the housing market and ... Read More

Warm, cozy kitchen getting picky buyers' attention

Warm, cozy kitchen getting picky buyers' attentionBy GWEN LILLEY Old man winter has loosened his grip, the Spring Equinox and Bristol Spring Race are history, so let the spring real estate sell... Read More

FHA's 203(k) loans getting new attention in today's market

FHA's 203(k) loans getting new attention in today's marketBy GWEN LILLEY, President, NETARWith all the emphasis foreclosures are getting, it's no wonder that FHA 203(k) loans are attrac... Read More

Studies illustrate the folly of For Sale By Owner decision

Studies illustrate thefolly of For Sale By Owner decisionBy GWEN LILLEY, President, NETAR Each year as buyers, sellers and real estate professionals gear up for the spring selling season there'... Read More

Real estate investors returning to the local, national markets

Real estate investors returning to the local, national marketsBy GWEN LILLEY, President NETAR January's national existing home sales report caught many by surprise. Here's how the Associate... Read More

Lush lawns increase curb appeal, can increase property's value

Lush lawns increase curb appeal, canincrease property's valueBy GWEN LILLEY, President, NETAR Some homeowners think of yard work as a chore that messes up what should be a perfectly good weeken... Read More

Mortgage Interest Deduction has been around so long because it works

Mortgage Interest Deduction has been around so long because it worksBy GWEN LILLEY It's hard to read or watch the news and not find a story about a housing industry controversy where political ... Read More

Many of today's first-time buyers looking for a new kind of starter home

Many of today's first-time buyers looking for a new kind of starter homeBy GWEN LILLEY The term starter home once had a universal meaning that described an affordablehouse that needed some tend... Read More

REALTORS help turn housing market knowledge into power

REALTORS help turn housing market knowledge into powerBy GWEN LILLEYThere's a buzz these days that the American Dream of homeownership is an antiquated idea that doesn't work anymore. It fe... Read More

Some housing market hesitations simply based on fear - not facts

Some housing market hesitations simply based on fear - not factsBy GWEN LILLEY The folks at the Gallup Poll were saying earlier this month that consumer confidence is improving. That's a good s... Read More

New rules make tracking down credit scores easier

New rules make tracking down credit scores easierBy GWEN LILLEY A few weeks ago, a woman called the outgoing Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtor’s President, Sandra Moores, with a ques... Read More

Yes, this is still a good market for first-time buyers

Yes, this is still a good market forfirst-time buyersBy GWEN LILLEY After nearly a year-and-a-half of tax credits, two years of a buyers' market and over a year of mortgage rates at six-decade ... Read More

Think Curb Appeal for the upcoming spring selling season

Think Curb Appeal for the upcoming spring selling seasonBy GWEN LILLEY The holidays are over, we've passed the threshold of a New Year and although the spring real estate selling season is a fe... Read More

Mortgage Interest Deduction

NETAR Leadership Class, 2011

Click on the link to download the one page application. The first 12 Realtors to submit their application will be in the program and this year, it is going to be better than ever!NETAR Leadership A... Read More

REALTORS help turn housing market knowledge into power

Some housing market hesitations simply based on fear - not facts

Boost older, smaller homes' marketing appeal with new homes ideas

Boost older, smaller homes' marketing appeal with new homes ideasBy GWEN LILLEY Sellers prepping for the spring and summer selling season might want to glean new building trend information for ... Read More

New Rules Make Tracking Down Credit Scores Easier

A few weeks ago, a woman called the outgoing Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtor’s President, Sandra Moores, with a question. The woman had checked her credit score in preparation for... Read More

Yes, this is still a good market for first-time buyers

Yes, this is still a good market for first-time buyers By GWEN LILLEY After nearly a year-and-a-half of tax credits, two years of a buyers' market and over a year of mortgage rates at six-de... Read More

Think Curb Appeal for the upcoming spring selling season

Will multi-generational housing be a fad or a full trend?

Will multi-generational housing be a fad or a full trend?By SANDRA MOORES The distinction between trends and fads is critical for home owners sharpening their marketing approach in this tough bu... Read More

REALTORS were real estate coaches before coaching was trendy

REALTORS were real estate coaches before coaching was trendyBy SANDRA MOORES Coaching is the "in thing" for virtually any endeavor these days. There are life coaches, investment coaches, co... Read More

Consumer confidence, business spending key for local, national housing recovery

Consumer confidence, business spending key for local, national housing recoveryBy SANDRA MOORES The housing market has clawed its way back to near stability and is poised to enter a virtuous phase ... Read More

Housing market a big contributor to local, state, national economies

Housing market a big contributor to local, state, national economiesBy SANDRA MOORES The housing market and homeownership itself is taking a lot of flak in the wake of the nation's economic ill... Read More

Don't let conventional wisdom drive you out of the holiday home marketing season

Don't let conventional wisdom drive you out of the holiday home marketing seasonBySANDRA MOORES Conventional wisdom holds that sellers might as well take their homes off the market during the u... Read More

NETAR Leadership Retreat Cancelled

2010 Tennessee Real Estate Commission Seminar

Click here to download the 2010 Tennessee Real Estate Commission Seminar presentation... Read More

Presentation concerning E and O Insurance

Click here to download the presentation: "Tennessee Real EstateErrors & Omissions Insurance"... Read More

Rules of Conduct

Click here to download "Chapter 126002 Rules of Conduct"... Read More

September Trends Article

Sept. Trends report for local media.The average price of an existing home sale in the NE Tenn., SW Va. region hit a 10-month high during September. It was the second straight month the price has in... Read More

Enough of the doom-and-gloom stories about homeownership

Enough of the doom-and-gloom stories about homeownershipBy SANDRA MOORES Hats off to Brett Arneds for taking a contrarian position and declaring that “enough is enough” with the doom an... Read More

Taking care of trees in fall, early winter prevents year-round problems

Taking care of trees in fall, early winter prevents year-round problemsBy SANDRA MOORES One of the most overlooked but none-the-less important fall home maintenance items, towers above the home. We... Read More

Gov. Policy encouraging homeownership getting bad rap

Gov. Policy encouraging homeownership getting bad rapBy SANDRA MOORES There's a lot of rhetoric making the rounds about whether or not homeownership has let America down. What's at stake ma... Read More

Fall lawn care makes good yards next year, offers marketing opportunity

Fall lawn care makes good yards next year, offers marketing opportunityBy SANDRA MOORES NE Tennessee's hottest summer on record is quickly becoming a memory as Fall moves to center stage. Footb... Read More

August Trend Report

August regional existing home sales and average sales prices changed very little from July according to the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors.The number of sales was down by one and the a... Read More

July Trends Report for Business Journal

Northeast Tennessee July existing home sales declined from June's volume as expected. So did the average sales price - breaking a three-month run of increases. The less volatile year-to-date r... Read More

Is renting smarter than buying? Not if you do the math

Is renting smarter than buying? Not if youdo the mathBy SANDRA MOORES It was predictable that this summer's rough patch in the housing market would spawn a rash of "renting is smarter than ... Read More

Bathroom remodeling on a budget can still be trendy, luxurious

Bathroom remodeling on a budget can still be trendy, luxuriousBy SANDRA MOORESA couple of weeks ago the trends for bathroom remodeling were examined in this space as a way to increase a home's ... Read More

Bathrooms’ beginning to challenge kitchens as home’s value-added hot spot

Bathrooms’ beginning to challengekitchensas home’s value-added hot spotBy SANDRA MOORES Everyone knows a kitchen is the biggest value-added room in a home, but bathrooms are beginning t... Read More

Now is an ideal time to begin home winterization chores

Now is an ideal time to begin home winterization choresBy SANDRA MOORES Who would be thinking about winteras we slide out of August and into September other than someone still wishing for relief fr... Read More

Home's most valuable asset is more than bricks and mortar

Home's most valuable asset is more than bricks and mortarBy SANDRA MOORESToday's homeowners are being bombarded with advice. Should they sell and move up while mortgage rates are at record ... Read More

Home's most valuable asset is more than bricks and mortar

Pricing to sell, pricing to the market are key issues today

Pricing to sell, pricing to the market are key issues todayBy SANDRA MOORES Despite the impression that the only real estate news is doom and gloom market predictions, there are some really positiv... Read More

Sellers need strategic pricing mindset for today's market

Sellers need a strategic pricing mindset for today'smarketBy SANDRA MOORES August is right up there with January and February as a tough real estate market month. It's an"off month"... Read More

Local home seller can find gold in today's relocation market

Local home sellers can find gold intoday's relocation marketBy SANDRA MOORES Location, location, location will always be real estate watchwords, but there're new kids on the block getting l... Read More

June Trends Report

Existing home sales and prices in NE Tennessee remained at elevated levels in June as the effects of tax credits sales were still working their way through the system. The average sales price acros... Read More

Home warranties increasing popularity touches buyers, sellers

Home warranties increasing popularity touches buyers, sellersBy SANDRA MOORES Home warranties are a housing market trend on the upswing that touches both buyers and sellers. They have become deal-m... Read More

REALTORS give buyers insider access to local housing markets

REALTORS give buyersinsider accessto local housing marketsBy SANDRA MOORES One of the biggest challenges in today's culture is being able to sift through the seemingly endless bombardment of da... Read More

Why homeownership is as American as hot dogs and apple pie

Why homeownership is as American as hot dogs and apple pieBy SANDRA MOORES Homeownership has long been the cornerstone of the American Dream. Not only does it provide shelter, it's a symbol of ... Read More

Homeowners can focus on homes' deck during Dog Days of Summer

Homeowners can focus onhomes' deck during Dog Days of SummerBy SANDRA MOORES We're entering the Dog Days of Summer and some say this year's housing market deserves the same moniker. But... Read More

REALTORS are buyers' and sellers' key to most accurate real estate market information

REALTORS arebuyers' and sellers' key tomost accurate real estate market informationBy SANDRA MOORES Media reports about home sales, prices and the status of the housing market are all over ... Read More

Photos give home listings an edge in today's graphic oriented marketing world

Photosgive home listings an edge in today's graphic orientedmarketing worldBy SANDRA MOORES Once upon a time, a simple exterior photo of a home covered most real estate marketing needs. But thi... Read More

May Trends Report for Business Journal

Regional existing home sales posted a fourth straight monthly increase in May and average sales prices increased from the April average. On a county-by-county measure for the NE Tenn. SW Va. MLS re... Read More

Home buyers who tune up credit scores can make big savings on mortgaged payments

Home buyers who tune up credit scores can make big savingson mortgaged paymentsBy SANDRA MOORESAn odd thing happened while the Home Buying Institute was surveying12,000 home shoppers about how they... Read More

Existing home sellers can use new home trends to boost marketability

Existing home sellers can use new home trends to boost marketabilityBy SANDRA MOORES Sometimes one of the best marketing tactics for existing home sellers is watching new home trends. This is one o... Read More

Promotional Interview Sandra Moores & Karel Murray

Promotion Interview - Northeast Tennessee Association of REALTORS - Sandra Moores and Karel Murray - September 9, 2010 EventDownload Now!... Read More

Trend Report for April

April's existing home sales increased and the average sales price decreased from March as buyers and sellers across NE Tenn. and SW Va. closed out deals taking advantage of tax credits. April&#... Read More

REALTORS are buyers' and sellers' key to most accurate real estate market information

Mortgage v. rent gap points to 'it's a good time to buy'

Mortgage v. rent gap points to 'it's a good time to buy'By SANDRA MOORES Last month the Associated Press and Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services explored anaspect of the ... Read More

Consumer confidence about real estate building; some military personnel

Consumer confidence about real estate building;some military personnelstill eligible for tax creditsBy SANDRA MOORES Despite all the headlines and broadcasts about how the home buyers' tax cred... Read More

Professional relationship with a Realtor is like having a real estate coach

Professional relationship with a Realtoris like having a real estate coachBy SANDRA MOORES Have you ever noticed that at the center of top athletes' cadre, there's always a dynamic coach? W... Read More

Multi-generational housing is a small real estate market niche worth watching

Multi-generational housingis a smallreal estate market niche worth watchingBy SANDRA MOORESThe demand for multi-generational housing is a real estate trend that bears watching. Reasons for converti... Read More

Membership Meeting May 6, 2010

All members are encouraged to come and have a great time, food, and register for door prizes at the Bristol Speedway. So mark your calendars and call the Board Office at 477-0040 for reservations! ... Read More

REALTORS recognize April as Fair Housing Month

REALTORS recognize April as Fair Housing MonthBy SANDRA MOORES April is a special time for REALTORS here in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia as it isacross the nation. It's a busy tim... Read More

Days of the super buyers' market coming to an end

Days of the super buyers' market coming to an endBy SANDRA MOORESBuyers shouldn't start singing "Turn Out The Lights, The Party's Over" just yet, but it looks like it's almo... Read More

Home sales prices slowly rebounding, home affordability still at record levels

#13 publish date 03/28/2010 #4 March sent 03/25/10Home sales prices slowly rebounding, home affordability still at record levelsBy SANDRA MOORES One of the "hot-button" real estate topics ... Read More

Spring, summer exterior remodeling projects may be economic bright spots this year

It's finally spring! At least that's what the calendar says and as the real signs of spring begin to bud and blossom so will several segments of the housing market. Those who want to take ... Read More

Trends Report for Area Media

Northeast Tennessee Association of RealtorsFor Immediate ReleaseMarch 23, 2010Contact: Edithann Wadewitz423-477-0040Existing homes sales in the 11 county area served by the Northeast Tennessee Asso... Read More

Public perception & local reality about home values are not necessarily the same thing

#11 publish date 03/14/2010 #2 March sent 02/26/2010Public perception & local reality about home values are not necessarily the same thingBy SANDRA MOORES Last month the folks at the Web Real Estat... Read More

National Association of Realtors launches effort to further all aspects of homeownership

National Association of Realtors launches effort to further all aspects of homeownershipBy SANDRA MOORES The folks at Realtor Magazine recently pointed out that according to the Chinese calendar, 2... Read More

Foreclosures can offer special rewards to buyers who are up to the challenge

Foreclosures offer special rewards to buyerswho are up to the challengeBy SANDRA MOORESForeclosures may not dominate the local housing market, but there's no denying they are a big factor. Curr... Read More

February Trend Report for Business Journal

Area existing home sales dropped 20.7% in January from December, but were 6% higher thanthe same month last year. January's average regional sales price was slightly higher than December's ... Read More

Some Borrowers Locking in FHA loans Before New Rules Take Effect

Article #8 for print on Feb.21, 2010 (#3 Feb. sent 02/09/2010)Some borrowers lockingin FHA loans before new rules take effectBy SANDRA MOORES Early this summerhome buyers who plan to use FHA-insure... Read More

Sellers are getting creative as mortgage stimulus program nears sunset...

#2 Feb. sent 02/02/2010Sellers get creative as housing, mortgagestimulus programs near sunsetBy SANDRA MOORES There's a unique window of home selling opportunity now open to creative and aggres... Read More

Spring Real Estate is Early this Year!

Spring real estate buying season is early this yearBy SANDRA MOORES The spring real estate buying season usually heats up with the turn of the season in late March and continues through May - but n... Read More

This Years Best Cost vs Value-Home Upgrades and Trends

01/14/2010This year'sbest cost vs. value home upgrades and trendsBySANDRA MOORES While some are searching for safe investment opportunities during these uncertain times, others are sticking to ... Read More

Taking the first step toward being a 'serious buyer' in today’s market

Taking the first step toward being a 'serious buyer' in today’s marketBy SANDRA MOORES The first step towards buying is to see how much house you can afford. It doesn’t mean you... Read More

WATCH VIDEO: Annual Christmas Party

Click here to watch the Annual Christmas Party, Awards and Passing of the Gavel ceremony to the new President and Officers.The Passing of the Gavel is performed by Congressman Phil Roe.... Read More

Pay 2010 NETAR Dues Online Now!

You may pay your dues on line by accessing the link provided below or you may send a check to: NETAR, 105 Tri City Business Park Drive, Gray, TN 37615. If you have any questions, please contact NET... Read More

Renovation Can Boost Home Value, Marketability

Renovating can boost home marketability. Read more...... Read More

Greene County Real Estate Improving

Greene County Real Estate seen as improving but not back to pre-recession levels.... Read More

First time home buyer's tax credit extension

Legislation extends the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and offers a $6,500 credit to existing homeowners. Read the entire story...... Read More

New Education Achievement Award for 2010!!!

To see a printable version of this application, click here: ed application EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDAre you committed to furthering your skills through education? NETAR members who attend at leas... Read More

TRADE SHOW on OCT 15, 2009- a huge success!

TRADE SHOW WINNERSThe NETAR Trade Showwas held on Oct 15, 09 from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. at the NETAR office. Over 35 vendorswere set up to share their products with our membership. Around 300 Realt... Read More

Housing Market Seen as Improving in NE Tennessee

Housing Market Seen Improving In NE TennesseePublished: 12:25 PM, 08/06/2009Source: The Greeneville SunRealtors Group SaysHome-Sales FiguresAre A Sign 'TheFree Fall Is Easing'KINGSPORT -- A... Read More

Gambling on buying a foreclosure can be risky and cost more than you think.

TITLE: Gambling on buying a foreclosure can be risky and cost more than you think.National surveysdon't always accurately reflect local conditions - especially when real estate is the subject. ... Read More

WATCH VIDEO: May 7, 2009 - Membership Meeting

Video 1: Guest Speaker Pat Beech, Tennessee Association of REALTORS RPAC Chair ( REALTOR Political Action Committee) Video 2: Guest Speaker Russ Farrar, Tennessee Association of REALTORS General... Read More

How to Become a Member of NETAR

To become a Realtor member of the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors, you must complete the following steps: 1. Complete the required education to be licensed in the state of Tennessee. Cu... Read More

Who Is NETAR?

The Northeast Tennessee Association of REALTORS (NETAR), with over 1,150 members, has been providing the area with professional real estate service for over 50 years with the merging of four assoc... Read More

What is a REALTOR? 12 Reasons to use one.

What is a REALTOR and why should I use one?Only real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (NAR) can call themselves REALTORS. All REALTORS adhere to NAR'... Read More

Community Involvement

October, 2008 - NETAR, with help from a generous donation from First Tennessee Bank, is partnering with Holston Habitat for Humanity and Citi Foundation to build a home for the Clark family at 1117... Read More