Date Archives: November 2019

It's almost time to celebrate Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to supporting charities by donating time, funds, or needed goods. You'll find a ton of local charities doing great work in Chattanooga, and Giving Tuesday is the perfect time to show your support. Whether you wish to donate funds or volunteer to help a good cause, there's a worthy local charity that will be happy to have your assistance. Our REALTORS® love giving back to the community, and we've got the details on five great Chattanooga charities to support this Giving Tuesday.

• Chambliss Center for Children – 315 Gillespie Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37411
  Children truly are our future, which is why the Chambliss Center for Children seeks to provide two different services to help children in the Chattanooga area. This nonprofit is a licensed CPA and helps children who have been placed in the state's custody by offering residential services. They also have a 24-7-365 Early Childhood Education & Childcare program to help low-income, single-parent households get the childcare services they need. Staffed by teachers, this program helps give kids the skills they need to be successful in school. 

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Whether unexpected or planned for years, inheriting a home is a significant life event most homeowners aren't prepared for until it's legally their property. Even after the transaction is completed, some families may have more questions, confusion, or overall uncertainty. Do you keep the house full of your family's memories, or do you list it with the other Chattanooga homes for sale?

Our REALTORS® understand inheriting a home is rarely a simple feat. Between the range of emotions you experience and the new financial or legal circumstances, you can use all the help you can get. We've gathered together a list of tips to help you through as worry-free and confidently as possible.

• Don't make quick decisions.
  Maybe you want to keep the home. Perhaps you've thought about selling it. Either way now is not necessarily the right time to make this decision. If nothing else, you want to take the time needed to understand the situation fully, including how it will impact your family if you sell it or keep it.

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Closing costs are inevitable when you purchase Chattanooga homes for sale. It is essential to include these in your accounting when choosing your home. Knowing what these fees are, and how much they will cost, will protect you from "sticker shock" during the closing process. When closing on a home, be aware of these potential closing costs you may run into. 

• Origination Fees & Points
  As a general rule, you can expect all of your closing costs to run between 2% to 4% of the total purchase price. The final amount is heavily dependent on the origination fees and points assessed by the lender. The law requires lenders to provide a loan estimate to buyers that provides a full accounting of application/origination fees, and points.
  
  Points are fees paid to the lender at closing to secure a lower interest rate. This can be a wise investment that can save you significant money over the years. 
   
• Title Fees
  Roughly 70% of your closing costs will be related to title fees. These fees cover the cost of conducting a title search, securing title insurance, and settlement services.  

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One look around Chattanooga is all it takes to see how fortunate we are to call a fantastic area home. With the Thanksgiving season right around the corner, we wanted to take the time to reflect on some of the things we have to be grateful for in Chattanooga. Our REALTORS® love calling Tennessee home and compiled a list of 5 things in the area we are thankful for in the Chattanooga area.

1. Chattanooga Choo Choo is the city's unofficial anthem.
   The song made famous by the Glen Miller Orchestra is a local favorite that still gets a fair amount of radio time. The song earned the first gold record in the music industry, and it's still near and dear to those of us who call the area home. It's a special feeling when you know people all around the country know our city because of such an endearing song. If you want to see the Chattanooga Choo Choo's that inspired the song, head on over to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum where you can ride some of these massive machines.  
2. Celebrities love Chattanooga.
   You might bump into R&B singer Usher at the grocery store, or see Samuel L. Jackson taking a break at the Tennessee Aquarium. You could spot Terrell Owens or Peyton Manning catching the game at one of the area's sports bars. The city is home to numerous celebrities, and it's quite common to hear stories of folks who get the chance to meet their heroes while they're out and about in the community.

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