Category Archives: Personal Thoughts & Observations

Nashville New Homes: What do YOU want? What do YOU need?

In Nashville, new homes come in all shapes and sizes.  Somewhere out there is the perfect home that meets all of your needs, so get out there and find it!  You can start by visiting the new homes offered at www.OleSouth.com.   We have new homes all over Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, Spring Hill, and Clarksville. 

FHA Mortgage Insurance Increases April 18, 2011

If you can contract to purchase your new home before April 15, 2011, you can have your loan application approved  in time to avoid the increase in FHA mortgage insurance premiums on April 18th!   Or, you can wait and pay more.  It won’t be the end of the world, but it is savings worthy of consideration!

One of the first questions I ask our visitors is “what in their new home is most important ?”   The answer tells if your prospect has given serious thought and preparation in purchasing a new home.   Think about it.  We are in the business of satisfying NEEDS first, and WANTS second.

Before you begin your quest for a new home, make two lists….one list of things that you need and another list of things you want.  Then, beside each item, write down how that item will make your life more enjoyable, or just how necessary that item will be.  

Many put a formal dining room at the top of the list, because their family comes for Thanksgiving every other year.  Let’s do the math!   The average home with a separate, formal dining room costs at least $10,000 more to purchase than a similar home with a breakfast room.  That’s approximately $70/month.  You will spend $1,680 in your higher payment just to have Thanksgiving at your house every other year.  That doesn’t even include the cost of the dining furniture either.   Will a few card tables and chairs in the Great Room suffice?  And we forgot about the cost of the groceries too!  What about going to Cracker Barrel instead?

Others want a 4th bedroom because family comes to visit a week in the summer.  That extra 4th bedroom will cost at least $15,000, or approximately $100/month, not including the extra bedrom furniture.  Feel like you really need to pay $1200/year to give Mom and Dad their own room for a week?   A motel would be cheaper, and their visit more enjoyable too.  

Lets dig on.  Will that smooth-surface range really make food taste better?  Does an “undermount sink” actually accomplish anything?  If you want a double-vanity, will you really use both sinks at the same time?   Are you going to pay extra for a room full of hardwood, and then cover it with a rug?

Is a seperate shower and soaking tub really one of life’s deal-breakers?  Are you really going to use both at the same time?  Wouldn’t a combination tub/shower still suffice?  If not, don’t feel guilty.  That option is approximately $20/month and you get the double-vanity too!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a lot of extra features in your new home.   Ole South offers a great selection of home plans and options to satisfy your wants, while our included features will satisfy most all of your needs.   

Balancing your needs and wants will lead to more happiness..not just with your new home, but everything life has to offer.   And don’t forget, if you contract to purchase before FHA mortgage insurance goes up, you’ll be able to have a few more “wants” for the same monthly payment, or less!

I once had a couple that had just gotten engaged tell me they HAD to have an upper AND lower Owner’s Suite.   I was expecting to hear that they were taking care of an aging parent when I was informed that “we fight a lot and need space from each other.” 

So….  Lets get married and buy a home.  Might as well go ahead and have a baby too!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Breaking News: Government still open. But, where are they?

Oh goodie!  At the final hour, a budget deal was hammered out.  Our government continues to function.  Whether or not this is a good thing depends on who you ask! 

The talking heaads of both political parties have their grips firmly on the microphones.    Sound bites abound.   Tears being shed.   Our security threatened.   Our military threatened to serve without a scheduled paycheck. 

Just what was accomplished?   Who won and who lost?  Or did the country win out over the long haul?  Time will reveal the answer.

The World's Largest Theater

My question is, “Where are they?”   Where are the statesmen (and stateswomen too) that put the common good of the country over the good of their particular party?  Where are the communicators that can make simple sense of the most complicated of issues?

Today, JJ Love of Re/Max Elite in Nashville forwarded an email about Thomas Jefferson to me.  I would like to share it with you also, and ask that you pass it on as well.    Lets try and find some of these character traits in those we vote for in upcoming elections.

 Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started learning very early
in life and never stopped.

    �         At 5, began studying under his cousin’s tutor.

    �         At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French.

    �         At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages.

    �         At 16, entered the College of William and Mary.

    �         At 19, studied Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe.

    �         At 23, started his own law practice.

    �         At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.

    �         At 31, wrote the widely circulated “Summary View of the Rights
of British America ” and retired from his law practice.

    �         At 32, was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress.

    �         At 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence .

    �         At 33, took three years to revise Virginia ’s legal code and
wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom.

    �         At 36, was elected the second Governor of Virginia succeeding
Patrick Henry.

    �         At 40, served in Congress for two years.

    �         At 41, was the American minister to France and negotiated
commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben Franklin and John
Adams.

    �         At 46, served as the first Secretary of State under George
Washington.

    �         At 53, served as Vice President and was elected president of
the American Philosophical Society.

    �         At 55, drafted the Kentucky Resolutions and became the active
head of Republican Party.

    �         At 57, was elected the third president of the United States .

    �         At 60, obtained the Louisiana Purchase doubling the nation’s
size.

    �         At 61, was elected to a second term as President.

    �         At 65, retired to Monticello .

    �         At 80, helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine.

    �         At 81, almost single-handedly created the University of
Virginia and served as its first president.

    �         At 83, died on the 50th anniversary of the Signing of the
Declaration of Independence along with John Adams

    Thomas Jefferson knew because he himself studied the previous failed
attempts at government.  He understood actual history, the nature of God,
his laws and the nature of man.  That happens to be way more than what most
understand today.   Jefferson really knew his stuff.  A voice from the past
to lead us in the future:

    John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House for a group of the
brightest minds in the nation at that time. He made this statement: “This is
perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in
the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”

    When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we
shall become as corrupt as Europe .
    Thomas Jefferson

    The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are
willing to work and give to those who would not.
    Thomas Jefferson

    It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes.  A
principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
    Thomas Jefferson

    I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the
government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of
taking care of them.
    Thomas Jefferson

    My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from
too much government.
    Thomas Jefferson

    No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
    Thomas Jefferson

    The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear
arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in
government.
    Thomas Jefferson

    The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood
of patriots and tyrants.
    Thomas Jefferson

    To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas
which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:
    “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties
than standing armies.  If the American people ever allow private banks to
control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation,
the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive
the people of all property – until their children wake-up homeless on the
continent their fathers conquered.”

Here is a link to more about this fascinating American statesman:

http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/tjefferson.html

Where is a Thomas Jefferson when you need one?  Perhaps this would be a good time for some DNA and cloning research funding.   If we could clone Thomas Jefferson, we just might have a chance!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Let’s get a puppy.

When I returned from Honduras, “Let’s get a puppy” were the words I was greeted with.  Actually, it was more like “We are getting a puppy…tomorrow afternoon.”  Oh joy.

After our black lab Bill passed away in December, it has been quiet around the house.  While I was in Honduras was the first time in 20+ years that Beth had been totally alone at home, at least that’s the emotional logic she used to get her way.  I do miss Bill, but was rather enjoying life in the winter without the added responsibility of another dog, especially a puppy to be trained.

Do I fight this losing battle, or do I give in graciously?  It wouldn’t have mattered either way.  It was already a done deal…I just didn’t know it yet!

Meet Ruby, our new dog.

She is a “Blue Doberman,” whatever the hell that is.  I’ve never had a doberman – just muts, a border collie, and a black lab.  Why a “Blue Doberman” when she is actually gray?  And why are her ears different from a normal doberman?  WHAT?  WE have to cut them?  I don’t know about that yet.

The path to happiness is usually the path of the least resistance, so I am sure that Ruby will end up looking however her new momma wants her to.  I just want her to have one of those mean looking spiked collars like the dog on Magnum PI had!

Ruby is adapting very nicely to her new life.  She told me she loves going to the boat and also told me that on the two times she fell in the lake…she actually jumped in.  She is already best friends with our black lab boating buddy, Hannah.  And she doesn’t howl.  Thank God.

OK, I admit it.  I like the new dog but what is it about women and puppies anyway? 

That said, I am going to try something different today:

“Buy THIS home THIS WEEKEND and get a free puppy and fenced back yard.”

Hopefully somewhere there will be a wife with a weak husband that reads this.  

What kind of puppy?  You decide!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: It’s not personal.

In new home sales, or any sales field for that matter, there is rarely the perfect time to schedule a week-long trip.  What are you going to miss?  What will you return to?  These are questions that go through the mind.

 This year, we managed to select the perfect week for our mission in Honduras, which hopefully you read about in past postings.  We missed the largest snowfall of the year and we missed the most frigid temperatures recorded this winter.  On our return day, the weather turned near perfect!  What timing!

The warmer weather turned loose a hotbed of activity in the new home market with our sales and traffic at levels we had not seen since the home-buyer tax credit expired last year.   I am proud to say that ALL of our available new homes in Nashville’s Spencer Hill are now pending!   And we’re starting more, even a 4-bedroom home for $149,990!

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The traffic surge continues into this week too, thank goodness!   And according to this, the same trend is developing in Nashville!   http://kennethbargers.com/2011/02/09/2011-home-sales-begin-with-increase-in-the-greater-nashville-area/

 The one thing all prospects have in common right now is they all are expecting  “a deal.”   

They’ve heard all the national statistics on home sales and they are also hearing us shout “now is the time”  from our rooftops.  They are reacting by exploring their options.  We have to react smartly and cannot afford to let emotions block the way to a potential sale.    

There have been recent examples of transactions that could not be fathomed at any other time.  Mansions listed for 1.5 million selling for 800k, short-sales of homes where 180k is owed selling for 150k or less, etc.  Transactions like these are what prospective buyers have heard about.  Even though these transactions are not the mainstream in Nashville, their expectations have been raised.  It is our charge as Realtors to keep expectations in check, but most of all make everyone involved realize that “it’s not personal.”

Realtors are solutions to needs and desires.  Most Realtors have a realistic idea of what can be accomplished in a successful deal and set expectations accordingly.   Listing Agents and Buyer Agents have a duty to set parameters within reality. 

Buyer agents have an exceptionally difficult task in balancing their clients expectations and the reality of a successful offer.  Their clients have to know that they hit “rock-bottom”  without leaving a single dime on the table.  The process may start with an offer of ridiculous expectations, and it may start with an offer closer to reality.   It depends on the Buyer Agent and the desires of their client, but in neither case is to be taken “personal.”

Listing agents also have their hands full.  When was the last time you presented an offer to your “seller” only to hear  “They want WHAT?  Do they think I am a fool?  To hell with them, etc…”  The listing agent also has to set expectations, and focus much harder on taking emotions out of the picture when presenting offers.  “It’s not personal!”

Nashville is very fortunate to have a diverse population, and especially fortunate to be a destination for people relocating to the United States from other countries.  Negotiating tactics vary and must be kept in perspective.  In many countries, negotiations start AFTER everyone has agreed.  All of us have to know that this is simply a process and not an indication of the buyer’s honor or integrity.  “It’s not personal.”

In negotiating a recent contract, the laundry list of items and price concessions appeared endless.  You CAN do this and that.   Yes, technically we could.  But, we won’t.  It’s not personal.

The most important ingredient to any negotiation is the element of mutual RESPECT.  Without that, your deal will go no where.

Let the negotiations begin!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Shine on Honduras – Part 5 – Our work is done!

We had such a productive week and our time in Honduras was coming to an end.  As soon as the main electrical transmission lines can be installed and activated, the village of Jayacayan will have electricity in their homes.   This would not happen if it were not for the efforts of Past-District Governor Jim Johnston, the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club, along with other Rotary Clubs throughout our District 6760 and their members.  We also appreciate the support of our current District Governor, Jim Springer with this project.

Special thanks to the Rock Harbor Yacht Club for their generous donation also.  These funds were used by Keith Clodfelter to purchase basic staples, food, and other necessities for the families of Jayacayan.

The real credit for our successful trips go to Carolina Tercero and Ronnie Strickland.  In 2007, Ronnie received the distinguished “Service Above Self” award from Rotary International.  Read about his dedication here:  http://www.williamsonherald.com/home?id=42745

Carolina has a heart of gold and is always searching for those most in need.  Without her involvement, we would never know some of these areas existed.  Their continued efforts make our week pale in comparison.  Thank you both!

Ronnie Strickland has identified another remote village for a future project, Las Delicias, in the mountains of Honduras near SanFrancisco.  Construction of basic housing appears to the the primary need there, which is something any group can assist with – no matter how big or small.  Ronnie was able to take Tom (Boone) and Zane to visit LasDelicias to witness the need first hand. 

In most of the villages, the children are happy.  This sweet child in LasDelicias is scared.  We are going to work on changing that!  Ronnie is already working to build a new solid home for this family and construction has begun.  Check out Boone’s pictures:  http://www.bgapix.com/Travel/Honduras-for-Paper/15838091_xJ7Gv#1186344808_HXFJG  and you will see many from LasDelicias.

Boone also made the extra effort to put our memories of the week to music.  

If you would like to become involved personally or financially (or both) in future projects in Honduras, please let me, or any of us, know.  We can not change the world, but we can change lives – one at a time.

Saturday morning we said our good-byes to the gracious staff of the Barcelona Hotel in San Marcos de Colon.  We will stay there again! 

On previous trips, we would always take off from working early one evening and go to the southern coast on Honduras to relax, see the water, and eat fresh seafood at Cedeno, on the Gulf of Fonseca – which leads to the Pacific Ocean.  Every time we were there, I was intrigued by a huge island in the distance, Amapala – and its history.

This year, we worked longer hours to finish our work in order to spend a day on Amapala Island, or Isle de Tigre (Tiger Island) as it is also called.   We arrived at the mainland village of Coyolito, approximately 2.5 hours after leaving Hotel Barcelona, to catch a water taxi to the island.  None of us had ever been there.  We knew nothing about what we wanted to see there, but the boat drivers kept insisting to know where we wanted them to take us on the island.   While pointing to the island, I finally said “Frio Cervasa, Pollo Frita, Pescado, Camerones”  (cold beer, fried chicken, fish, and shrimp).  They laughed and motioned for us to get in the boat.  Life jackets were “optional” by the way.

The boat ride from Coyolito over to Amapala was just what we needed.  The weather was perfect!

Amapala has a rich history.  It was the Pacific Port of Honduras from the early 1800’s before moving to San Lorenzo and was once the capital city of Honduras.  It is surrounded by El Salvador and Nicaraugua with amazing views of the gulf.  I’ve never been to Maui, but many compare similarities with both being once-volcanic areas.  I guess that explains the dark brown sand and black rocks!

Slowly but surely, Amapala is gaining in tourist popularity.  Evidence of 18th century affluency is still present.  There are several resorts popping up around the island.  We too found a great place!  I cannot remember the name, but the food was great – except they did not have fried chicken!

No one needs to be told that is the fish plate. Just don’t ask what kind of fish it was.  No one knew!   Check out the shrimp that was simply incredible – all of it fresh!

A crowd gathered down at the beach and I just had to go see what the commotion was all about:

Did you know that stingray meat is used for scallops in many restaurants?  I didn’t.   This thing was HUGE!

Here are just some of the scenes from our day at Amapala Island:

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Sunday morning we left early for the capital city of Tegucigalpa.  Remember, this is the two lane road that many have mistaken for four lanes!  We did arrive safely, but only after Pastor Ann and Huntly negotiated the purchase of some hammocks at a roadside store.

We turned in the rental trucks to Frederico at Friendship Car Rental, checked in for our flight, and ate a ceremonial Big Mac in the airport.  The flight from Tegucigalpa to Houston left on time and was very smooth.  When arriving in Houston, we had to claim our bags, go through US Customs, and then procede to our connecting flights.

If you ever want to get a laugh from a US Customs Official, hand him one of these instead of your passport:

    Thanks for reading about this year’s adventure!  I hope you found it somewhat enjoyable and will want to participate with us in the future!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Shine on Honduras – Part 4 – Always something to do!

Over the past years of visiting Honduras, we have met many friends.  Each year, the circle gets larger and it is hard to manage the time to work productively and see our great friends during the same week we are there.  This trip everything fell into place quite nicely!

The District Representive Ulysses Corrales, the Honduran equivalent to Jim Cooper or Marsha Blackburn, joined us for dinner one evening to thank us for our efforts.  Also joining us that evening was our great friend Sergio Salinas, who was President of the Choluteca Rotary the same year I was in Spring Hill.

Representative Corrales was a cool guy.  We told him of a family on the highest hill of Jayacayan, whose house we were planning to wire but found out there were no poles slated to bring power up that hill.  Mr. Corrales promised us he would get the poles and asked us to proceed with the wiring.  Well guess what?  The politician delivered on his promise and poles were delivered before week’s end!   How refreshing!

I had no idea that the new I-pad thingy had a piano feature and travelled all the way to Honduras to find this out:

On Friday night, we had a scheduling conflict!  The village of Jayacayan wanted to celebrate (party) with us.  It was also meeting night for the Choluteca Rotary Club miles away.   Both events had to be attended, so we split up the group and did just that. 

 

It was great seeing our great friend Juan Carlos Cerrato, who visited us in Tennessee along with Sergio back in 2008.  The last time I saw Juan Carlos, we both made a pact.  He would learn more English and I would learn more Spanish.  Juan Carlos did much better than I did!  On top of that, I even forgot to bring my pocket translator and Spanish-English dictionary.   They stayed behind in Nashville.  Like I have said earlier, there is nothing that cannot be communicated with a smile.  Add a cold beer to that also!

After the Rotary Meeting, we dropped by the Osorto family home to see MaMa, Esther, Carolina, and their family.

David Hartley introduced Chuck Payne and myself to this family back on our first Honduras visit in 2006.  The youngest daughter, Carolina, is now 18 and attending the university there.  She is the only daughter that does not have a child.  Below is Carolina taking the “no boy” (or hombre – no) pledge:

After a visit to Wendy’s with the Osorto family, we proceded back to the Barcelona Hotel in San Marcos de Colon to join the rest of our group.  They had just returned from the Jayacayan village party at Margarite’s home and had a great time singing and dancing.  I have not seen any pictures from the party yet, so will just have to take their word for it.  (Just kidding)

Every day was filled with amazing sites, but this one takes the cake…..  just what part is the rock and what part is the tree?

Below are more scenes from our last official work day in Jayacayan.  At the end of this day, Huntly Gordon graciously gave Douglas, a great helper from the village, a set of tools and workbelt worth over $500.  We gave our helper Evan a screwdriver set, tool belt and pair of pliers.  He will probably lose them.  LOL

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With all of our wiring work completed, it was then time to plan something neat for Saturday…. being a tourist!  Check back for Part 5!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Shine on Honduras – Part 3 – The People

On my first visit to Honduras, I returned home an emotional wreck.  I had far more questions than answers.  In each of the homes we worked in was a picture of the same Jesus that I believe in.  Although in a different language, these wonderful people said the same prayers and gave thanks for their food as well.

How was it decided for me to be born in the United States?  How was it decided for them to be born in Honduras?  TOUGH QUESTIONS!  I still do not know the answers, but have to believe that every person can make a difference – wherever they are born.  I cannot speak for everyone that has been there, but the people of Honduras have certainly made more of a difference in my life than I have in theirs.

Other Rotarians from Lawrenceburg, Dyersburg, Lewisburg, Madison, AL, and others preceded our trip.  The Madison, AL club specializes in the installation of eco-stoves, which will greatly add to the quality of life of Honduran families.  Can you imagine building a fire in a clay box, with no chimney to exhaust the smoke?  The eco-stove adds a more efficient cooktop to the clay boxes along with a smokestack to the outside.  Simple, yet amazing.  Here is a photo of a typical stove in a honduran kitchen:

Now, take a look at the improved “eco-stove”

Our group, in addition to Ronnie Strickland who was already there, consisted of eight from Middle Tennessee – Pastor Ann Bassett, Jeremy Bisceglia, Les Bosarge, Keith Clodfelter, Huntly Gordon, Trey Lewis, Zane Martin, and Tom Thomson (aka Boone).  Boone is also a professional photographer and his photos will speak more than any written word.

 http://www.bgapix.com/Travel/Honduras/15820914_CYpAK#1186183527_NieMK

Can you imagine having to live your life in total darkness from sundown to sunrise?  Sure there are candles, but the cost of candles would take away from the necessity of food on the table.  We saw a few portable generators, but most are only used once a year for special occasions.  You are probably asking “how they will pay an electric bill?”  We asked the same question.

Honduras is a poor country and only adds infrastructure as it can afford.  The government will take the value of what was infrastructure is provided from outside sources and issue a proportional credit to each resident.  By the time they ever see an electric bill, there is a good chance their increased quality of life and productivity will absorb it.

Electricity was not our only mission.  Pastor Ann Bassett, of Peace Lutheran Church in Spring Hill, held basic English class at the village school.  Ann is fluent in Spanish, having grown up in a missionary family in Panama.  At the end of the week, each student received a certificate for their efforts.

After school, Ann occupied many of the kids while we were in their homes working.

Here are some other scenes of interest from Honduras:

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Well, it looks like there is still enough for another part or two.  Thanks for reading!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Shine on Honduras – Part 2

One of the highlights of our stay was having breakfast each morning at Hotel Barcelona.  Shown here is Teresa and Nicole, who made certain everything about our stay was enjoyable:

This was our breakfast spread each morning.  The buffet consisted of pancakes with sugar cane syrup, fresh cheese, cantaloupe, watermelon, platanos (I still don’t know what they are, but they are good), bananas, pineapple, scrambled eggs, coffee, and fresh squeezed orange juice.  The food at Barcelona was great and no one ever suffered from “Montezuma’s Revenge.”

After breakfast at 7:00 am each morning, we proceed past the local church to the local market, where we bought bottled water, lunch for the day, and sardines, rice, and beans for the residents of each house we worked in.

At every project, the village provides us with a secure place to store our tools and supplies, which saves a whole lot of time.  Shown below is the “bodega”  (aka warehouse) where we loaded up for work each morning.  This hacienda belongs to Margarite, a very influential, and nice lady in Jayacayan, and has been in her family for 100+ years.  It is currently used as a community gathering spot and is part of her farming operation.

Here, you will see Margarite’s workers planting tomato seeds that will eventually be placed in the soil once they sprout.  A large part of our produce in the US comes from Honduras.

The man above was a produce buyer for Dole, that had just purchased 300,000 lbs of tomatoes for approximately 25 cents per pound.  Sounds like a lot of money, but it really isn’t when it has to feed such a large number of workers and their families.

Although Jayacayan is home to many less-fortunate people, there are also those that are better off.  By offering our services “for hire” to certain families, we were able to subsidize the cost for others.  We did not know of this detail when we met Mr. Martinez at our first stop, below.  He was extremely pissed off that he received pull string lights instead of wall switches.  It is a damn good thing that he didn’t understand English and we didn’t understand Spanish…although I have a feeling we were both saying the same thing!  (After learning that he paid for all of his work and supplies, we did go back and installed the switches and parted as friends forever.)

In Honduras, most of the small villages are located way off of main highways.  The roads to the villages are rough and primitive, and the trails to the homes are even rougher.  And you never know just what you will see.  Take a look:

The end of the road…. which fork do you take?   Neither is wide enough for the truck and our helper is points up the hill.  Turns out it was 1/4 mile walk up that damn hill to the house we needed to work on.  Seemed a lot further than that to me.

The cows have better road manners than many drivers.  Shown below is a corral where we saw a bull getting his underparts cut off.  Not a good day for him.

There is also wool in Honduras.

Rest Rooms are plentiful.  These little Toyota diesels are amazing in adverse conditions.  At $350/week they are a deal.

Each evening on the drive back, we saw some amazing sunsets.

In Part 3, we will take a look at the families we encountered over the week.  These people were so gracious and appreciative.  We were welcomed into their homes as complete strangers and departed as dear friends. 

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Shine on Honduras – Part 1

Before writing this recap of our recent trip to Honduras, I was reminded of this amusing quote:

“If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.”
— Marcus Tullius Cicero, philosopher and statesman

Rather than spending time writing a shorter story, this week’s blog will break our trip into parts.  In a previous blog post, the history of how our projects in Honduras started was discussed:    https://nashvillehomesblog.com/2011/01/19/nashville-new-homes-assafartay-is-going-to-honduras/

About this year’s project:  Lawrenceburg Rotary Club coordinated the effort and did an exemplary job of putting everything together.  Between their own funds, acquiring grants from Rotary International, funds from the Honduran government, and contributions from other District 6760 clubs, monies were raised for the installation of utility poles and power lines to the village and to purchase all of the supplies needed to provide electrical service in each home.   Without the organizational and planning efforts of Jim Johnston, this year’s project would not have happened.

It was also great to have the “grandaddy” of our Honduras involvement, Ronnie Strickland, back with us in Jayacayan.  Ronnie has devoted years to improving the lives of Hondurans and has had a great impact on the entire region.  Just mention “Senor Ronnie” anywhere in Honduras and doors will open! 

  

Six of us representing Spring Hill Rotary and two representing Franklin Noon Rotary departed Nashville International at 6:00 am on Sunday, February 6, 2011 for our assigned week in the “Jayacayan” community of Southern Honduras, consisting of approximately 55 homes.  Our part of the project was to finish installing electrical services and wiring in the remainder of the homes, which numbered approximately 25 or so.   We arrived, laden with tools, in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras, shortly after noon.

We picked up our baggage, went through customs, and walked over to Friendship Car Rentals, where Frederico had two 4×4 trucks waiting for us.  It was now time to negotiate the traffic of the Tegucigalpa Highway to the PanAmerican Highway on our 4 hour ride to San Marcos de Colon, where we would be staying for the week.

I will never forget my first visit, arriving in Tegucigalpa.  Hondurans never get in a hurry…. until they get behind the wheel of a car.  Two-lane roads are actually 3-lane roads and the double-yellow lines don’t mean a thing.  They should have saved the paint.

We have been very fortunate over the years to have escaped incident on the roads of Honduras.   There is no such thing as defensive driving here.  Below is a common sight along the highway from Tegucigalpa to Choluteca.

Along the route, you see things that make you laugh.  You see things that make you cry.  You see things that are simply amazing.

It has been said that Honduras is where old school buses come to die.  Not true, they come here for a new life and you will see them everywhere!

After following the Tegucigalpa Highway to San Lorenzo, the Pacific Ocean Port of Honduras, we then pick up the Pan American Highway into Choluteca, continuing to our destination of San Marcos de Colon, a quaint village in the mountains shown below:

Watching the Super Bowl was a concern to a few in our group.  Personally, I could have given a rat’s ass this year.  Not knowing one way or the other, I gambled and said our hotel would have it so we could keep moving.   Although the play-by-play was in Spanish and no funny commericals, our Hotel Barcelona did have the Super Bowl playing when we arrived.  Here is home for the next week:

We were very pleased with our new home away from home!  We were initially concerned about what $15 USD, including tax and breakfast, would get us.  The Hotel Barcelona was a highlight of the trip and I would recommend it to anyone!

Thats it for today.  In the next part, you’ll see about life in Jayacayan!

Nashville New Homes: What people want.

The topic of yesterday’s meeting of the Nashville Chapter of HBAMT was “Features Most Requested by New Home Buyers,”  presented by Jayson Campbell, of Re/Max Elite.  Jayson has many years experience in new home sales.  That, combined with his general brokerage experience gives him a clear advantage in knowing first hand what buyers do, and don’t want.  Best of all, he communicates those observances well.  When he is speaking, you will enjoy listening!

I won’t share all of the detailed information because you should have been there too.   One fact is clear.  Although many people’s financial capabilties are less than they once were, their expectations are not.  Our challenge is to provide solutions that meet and exceed those expectations, and stay within financial capabilities.

You can have every design feature, the very best location, and the very best price, but THE MOST IMPORTANT thing every buyer wants is the answer to three questions:

1)     Can I trust you?

2)    Are you good at what you do?

3)    Do you care about me?

In the age of the internet, our prospects don’t want us to “feature-dump.”  They already know most of the answers.  What they don’t know, they will ask.   They don’t want canned presentations and can smell a “lack of sincerity” a mile away.  They truly want to find a place where the answer to those three questions is YES!

When I first got into Real Estate, a veteran agent told me…. “Make a friend, sell a house.”   That simple quote stuck with me.  Those three questions above will stick also and will be more useful than any “cliche” from a book.

Years ago I was working with a retired couple moving from Brentwood to Spring Hill.  Upon meeting them, I asked them very sincerely “why in the world you would want to do that?”  (That’s a no-no in the books!)  They proceded with their reasons…  Their current home was paid for.  They could pay cash for the new home in Spring Hill and have money left over to have more fun.  They also wanted to get a little further away from family, who came by and raided the pantry a bit too often!

They were very methodical and the search came down to two homes. After a few weeks of consistent visits, I was bombed with a question…. “Why should we buy your home over the other one?”    (I knew exactly what their other choice was and ours was clearly a better fit.)   We went down their list of needs and wants and addressed each one, without “trashing” the other home.  I then said, if you don’t buy this house, then I have failed to effectively communicate the exceptional value you are getting and how happy you will be in it.

“Bullshit!”  said the man with a slight grin.  “What’s the real reason?”   The real reason????  (slight hesitation)  “If you don’t buy this home, I won’t make any money.”  They both burst into laughter and the contract was signed.  And we are still friends to this day.

Back to Jayson’s three questions.  They don’t apply just to those buying a home, but building realtionships in our every day life.  The selling process really is easy.  Some of us just prefer to complicate it.

One other tidbit…. never “trash” or make fun of another home.  Someone will buy it, knowing what you said, and will never speak to you in the grocery store again.

Happy Selling!

You do not have to be an actual home builder to become involved in the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee.  There are lots of benenfits to becoming a member of this, and the HBAMT Sales & Marketing Council.  Please feel free to call me anytime for additional information.

 

 

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, www.OleSouth.com, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee