We’ve all heard real estate agents explain their value and ask the question: Would you go to court without an attorney? Then why would you tackle one of the biggest transactions in your life on your own? While some call that pontificating, it still gives one a lot to ponder. If I were to sell my own home, it would be […]
Opinion
TennCare changes could leave elderly, disabled without health benefits
For elderly and disabled people, doctor and hospital visits can be a regular part of life, causing a seemingly never-ending stream of medical bills. For those with low incomes, even the portion of those bills not covered by Medicarecan be unaffordable. Thankfully, a set of programs known as the Medicare Savings Programs offer additional state-administered financial assistance to help cover […]
Real estate: Fears about VA loans should not impact home sales
Memorial Day is upon us, so I would like to take a moment and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and their families as well. We thank you with humble hearts and must never take for granted those who sacrificed all, plus we respect and say thank you to those who are still with us and those who still […]
Opinion: Advice for the new commissioner of education
I have some advice for Tennessee’s new Commissioner of Education, Lizzette Gonzales-Reynolds. Please know that you will never be everyone’s cup of tea. And that statement of fact is true for all of us. However, everyone is worthy of respect. In an Age of Irreverence, it is worth remembering that simple truth. We are all created in the image of […]
Deborah Fisher: New laws require local government to provide agendas, public comment periods
The Tennessee Open Meetings Act hasn’t changed too much over the years. But this year, the General Assembly made two major improvements that were a long time coming. The open meetings law now requires that city and county legislative bodies produce an agenda that is available to the public at least 48 hours before a meeting and that “reasonably describes” […]
Real Estate: Making sense of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s new fee structure
On Monday, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) implemented new fees for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make homeownership more affordable for people with varying credit scores. The fee changes will decrease penalties for lower credit scores while increasing the number of price tiers for higher scores. However, people with lower credit scores will not necessarily […]
Opinion: Is school shooter Audrey Hale’s ‘manifesto’ an open record under the Tennessee Public Records Act?
In a press conference the day after The Covenant School mass shooting, Nashville police said they were looking into the motive of the shooter, Audrey Hale, and had found a “manifesto” that outlined her attack with maps and action plans for the killings. Since then, the Nashville police have walked back the characterization of Hale’s writings seized at her home […]
The Dogwoods are blooming in the Brim Hollow
The dogwoods are blooming in The Brim Hollow. I knew they would be. I had to go see them. A misty morning met me a few days back as I headed to the place I love dearly. Over the years, I have gone back many times. In more recent years most of my trips have taken place in […]
Jack McCall: The things I can’t get used to
My eighth-grade English teacher, Mrs. West would never have stood for my ending a sentence with a preposition. She certainly would have been opposed to ending a title in like manner. But desperate situations call for desperate measures. I have always considered myself an optimist. I have come to learn there are two qualities necessary for doing well […]
Why realtors should look to the Hispanic market
As a real estate professional, there are several reasons why you may want to serve the Hispanic market now. The most important reasons are due to the increasing Hispanic population, younger demographics, and buying power. The Hispanic population in the United States is growing rapidly and is projected to continue growing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics accounted for […]
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