Tag Archives: Trey Lewis

Nashville New Homes: Mortgage Payment Relief Program in Tennessee

What is the difference between a recession and a depression?

A recession is when a friend or neighbor loses their job.  A depression is when you lose yours.  Job losses have affected many, with positions either eliminated, or full time hours scaled back to part time.  In either situation, through no fault of their own, many families have difficult choices to make.

Tennessee is one of few states that received money, $217,315,593.00 from the US Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund (HHF).   In January of this year, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) announced a program to help unemployed and under-employed homeowners meet their mortgage obligations in Tennessee’s hardest hit, or “targeted” counties.  Click here for a list of these “targeted” counties:  https://www.keepmytnhome.org/ppc.html

Now, this 7-year program has now been expanded and is available in ALL Tennessee counties.  Here is a synopsis of the program from the THDA website www.keepmytnhome.org. 

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Homeowners who qualify for financial assistance may receive up to 18 months of monthly mortgage payments and/or funds to pay past due mortgage payments to bring the mortgage current; these funds are paid directly to the loan servicer/lender.

To qualify for the Keep My Tennessee Home program, a homeowner must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be unemployed or underemployed (a 50% reduction of income) through no fault of their own. The event or incident which results in unemployment or substantial underemployment must have occurred after Jan. 1, 2008.

 

  •    *** THIS has now ben changed to a 30% reduction. ***

 

  • Have a mortgage for a single-family home or condominium (attached or detached) in Tennessee that they occupy as their primary residence. This includes manufactured homes on foundations permanently affixed to real estate that they own.
  • Have a history of timely mortgage payments prior to the job loss/reduction of income.
  • The combined amount of your mortgage principal, interest, taxes and insurance must be greater than 31% of your household income after the job loss/reduction of income.
  • Not have more than six months’ reserves of liquid assets, that is, liquid assets equal to six months of their mortgage principal, interest, taxes and insurance.
  • Have a household income less than $74,980.
  • Have a total unpaid principal balance not exceeding $226,100.

Above are the basic eligibility criteria. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee eligibility for the Keep My Tennessee Home program.

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In Tennessee’s “targeted” counties, homeowners can receive funds up to 18-months, up to a total of $20,000.  In all other counties, homewoners can receive 12 months of assistance, up to a total of $15,000.  Once eligibility is approved, funds are sent direct from THDA to the servicing lender and can be for delinquent payments, current, and future payments as they become due.

The assistance funds are basically a loan, set up as a “line of credit” to be used as long as the hardship circumstances continue, up to the end of the eligibility period.   The loan is then forgiven over 5 years, 20% each year, as long as the family keeps the home as their primary residence.

Another great feature of this program is that you do not have to be delinquent on your mortgage payment to be eligible.  As long as your financials fit the guidelines, you are eligible for the assistance loan. 

For more information, please visit www.keepmytnhome.org.  For more information on THDA and its many valuable programs, please visit www.thda.org.

Even in tough economic times, Tennessee is still the best place in the world to live.  Come join us.

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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Nashville New Homes: Work Equity as your New Home Downpayment?

What is the one thing that everyone in this world has in common?   A FUTURE.  

That’s right…everyone has a future of some kind.   Although there are no guarantees in life, there are steps each one of us can take to make our future more stable and secure.  Owning a home is one such step that everyone can position themselves to take.  Your future really can be in your own hands.

Home mortgage criteria has changed a lot over the recent years, but that doesn’t mean it has to be more difficult to purchase a home.  It just means you have to provide more proof of your ability to be a responsible homeowner. 

FHA loans are the most widely used programs, where 3.5% of the purchase price is required as a downpayment, without exception. 

WAIT A MINUTE…. aren’t there ZERO DOWN home mortgages?  Technically, NO…. but actually…. YES! 

In Tennessee, there are loan programs where the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (www.THDA.org) will grant first-time buyers up to 4% of the purchase price to be used toward the downpayment and/or closing costs. 

If the seller of the property agrees to pay your closing costs, which Ole South will, you can use the THDA Great Start grant for your downpayment and administrative fees.   How does THDA do that?  What is the catch?

There is no catch.  The fixed interest rate for loans using the downpayment grants are slightly higher than those FHA loans with your actual down-payment.   If used responsibly, the Great Start program can be a very useful tool in financial planning. 

With today’s historicaly low interest rates, the money you would normally put down can be used to pay off other debts with higher interest rates.  A trusted mortgage professional can help you evaluate your options.  I happen to know many, so please let me know if you would like to know more.

There are other ways in addition to THDA to secure a downpayment.  You may have a relative or close friend that will give you the money, which has to be documented in the form of a gift letter affidavit that no repayment is required or expected.

And there is another provision that has been around a long time, but has basically been forgotten….WORK EQUITY.   Most builders hate it because it really is a pain in the ass to deal with.  BUT, it is a tool that can bring willing homebuyers to the closing table much quicker!  We offer the program at Ole South and you do not have to be a first-time buyer to participate!

FHA allows the seller to credit the buyer an amount up to $2.00 per heated square foot living area for painting the interior of the home, including all wood trim and doors.  The seller can also furnish the paint!  Please remember in your negotiating, that is the maximum allowed amount and the builder can get the same job done for 1/2 of that amount. 

You can also receive “work equity” credit toward your required downpayment for seeding and strawing your own lawn.  And the seller can furnish the grass seed and straw as well!

Lets do the math using an 1800 s/f,  $150,000 new home example, which Ole South offers plenty of choices.  (www.OleSouth.com) 

The required down-payment is $5,250.   Paint the home and you can receive $3,600 credit toward your downpayment.  You can seed and straw a typical new home yard and receive approximately $750.00 credit.  That leaves your total cash out of pocket at $900…. and you still get to take full advantage of the lowest rates available!

History proves that over time, owning is always better than renting.  Why not improve your financial future today by visiting one of our Middle Tennessee neighborhoods in Nashville, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, Spring Hill, and Clarksville?  Find out why thousands of home owners are proud to say:

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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: “Yes” Days of Summer – Week #1

For all of us at Ole South, this week was the official start of summer.  It was for all of the thermometers in the Nashville area also!

The “Yes Days of Summer” are officially underway and we will host numerous events throughout the summer for our residents, Realtors, and prospective home buyers.  Join Ole South on Facebook for breaking news of future events.  www.facebook.com/olesouthproperties.

We selected our Preserve at Old Hickory / Old Hickory Commons neighborhood to kick-off this years celebrations.  The residents there had organized a neighborhood yard sale for Saturday, and this weekend was Nationwide Open House Weekend too. 

My day started at Kroger at 7:00 am Saturday, purchasing the food and drink for the event.  I hate shopping and I always forget something.   My rationale for waiting until Saturday morning was that it would be cooler.  It wasn’t.

Shopping finally complete and arrived at Preserve at Old Hickory, where Grand Central Party was waiting to unload and set-up.  If you ever plan an event, you owe it to yourself to check this place out.  They have everything for rent, and it is very affordable.  Not only that, they make it all so easy.  http://www.grandcentralparty.com/

After everything was set up and organized, we fired the grills in the blistering heat.  I then told Wanda Comer, the beloved on-site manager at Preserve, to “shoot me” if I ever agreed to do this again when it was this hot.   She won’t.  And I am certain we’ll do it again, real soon…. because days like this really are fun!   Here, take a look….

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Unlike “general” Real Estate, the best part of building and selling new homes is that we have the opportunity for continued involvment with our home buyers in shaping their community.  We see marriages, we see children grow up, and we have an opportunity, and responsibility to become involved in the community to make a difference in the quality of life experience.   Most of all, we make friends.

Wanda Comer takes these opportunities to make a difference and that is obvious by the admiration, love and respect her residents have for her.   Here is Wanda, presenting the $100 Gift Card drawing to resident Ashanti Chunn, who just happened to be out the door on the way to the store when Wanda called!

 Wanda is not the only one making a difference in the Preserve.  John Donlon and Annette Spicer manage the adjoining Old Hickory Commons neighborhood of maintenance-free townhomes and were on hand all day as well.  Chuck Reed, our Managing Broker, hovered over the grill  to make certain all had plenty to eat.  He also made some tasty snow cones.  Thanks also to our construction staff for making sure the grounds were in order and everything we needed to work with was on-hand.

However, the ones that make the biggest difference are the residents of these two communities!  They are very active in the HOA, have formed “Neighborhood Watch” groups, and are taking great pride in the future of their neighborhood.

We also had a visit from District 32 Councilman, Sam Coleman.  Sam has been a great friend to this community, as well as our entire city.  He has served two successful terms as District Councilman and will be running for Council-at-Large in the upcoming August election.  Sam is worthy of our support and will have my vote for sure.

This was a fun week and a great start to the “Yes Days of Summer!”  Earlier in the week, we hosted Gary Ashton & The Ashton Real Estate Group (TAREG) of Re/Max Elite (http://www.nashvillesmls.com/) for an afternoon on Old Hickory Lake followed by evening dinner at The Black Pearl Restaurant.  www.blackjackcove.com

Especially these days, no one is working harder than Realtors, but we all have to play every once in a while!  The saying about “all work and no play” needs to be revised to “all work and no play makes Jack a miserable person.”   A great time was had by all!

 Here’s to the 2011 Yes Days of Summer!

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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: The “Dog Days of Summer”

I used to always wonder why people coined the phrase “dog days of summer.”   Back one summer in the early 1980’s, legendary songwriter Bobby Harden asked me to bring my keyboard over to his boat to play background on a song he had just written.  The song was about those old dog days of summer.  The title ended up being “Too Cold at Home.”   Several years later, the song was released by Mark Chesnutt.   We played it a lot over the years at the lake!  (Thanks Judie Wells for the antiquated picture!)

  

Rather than dog days, we at Ole South are having YES DAYS!  The upcoming weekend has been proclaimed Nationwide Open House Weekend all across the nation!   The weather is going to be perfect for an Open House also.  Like the song says, it is going to be “too hot to fish,” and “too hot for golf.”  Why not cool off looking at a new home?

In conjunction with National Open House Day, Ole South will kick off its 2011 Yes Days of Summer this Saturday, June 4th from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm at our Preserve at Old Hickory and Old Hickory Commons neighborhoods.   Tour our newest decorated model home (5011 Preserve Blvd. 37013 for you GPS tekkies) and enjoy hot dogs, refreshments, and a variety of family fun.  Yes, there’ll be a waterslide, a bounce house, as well as snow cones to give added relief from the heat.

And there is also a neighborhood yard sale as well.   A great way to find bargains, and meet the great residents of this neighborhood!

Now is an unprecedented time to purchase a new home.  Interest rates are lower than ever.  New homes are more efficient than ever before.  New homes are….well…. NEW!    Why not join us this weekend at one of our Middle Tennessee neighborhoods.  With brand new homes from 89,990 to 299,990, there is certain to be one for you!

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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Light up the grill. It’s Memorial Day weekend!

Monday is Memorial Day, a day for many that includes a celebration of hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chicken, and bsaically anything that can be cooked on a grill.   It is also the holiday weekend that signals that summer has arrived!

But it is a lot more than that also.  Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those that have died serving our country, was originally called “Decoration Day.”  It was first observed on May 30, 1868 when the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with flowers at Arlington National Cemetery.  It was not until after World War I that the day became “Memorial Day” to honor the fallen soldiers of any war.  In 1971, Congress passed the bill proclaiming the last Monday in May as the official recognized “Memorial Day.”

Here is a link to the history of this all-important day:

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

There are a number of ideas that come to mind on what to do this weekend.  Here are just a few:

http://nashville.about.com/od/nashvilleseasonalevents/a/memorialdaycele.htm

And there’s more!  Why not visit Blackjack Cove Marina, where you can enjoy a BBQ plate from 11:00-2:00ish Saturday & Sunday overlooking Old Hickory Lake.  www.blackjackcove.com  If you cannot make it during that time, the Black Pearl is open all weekend and you will not want to miss it’s awesome Sunday Brunch, a great atmosphere accompanied by steel drums.

Although our model homes at Ole South will be closed in observation of Memorial Day, we are open on both Saturday and Sunday, and anytime by appointment.  Drop by for a cold drink and cookie and find out for yourself that….

So get out there, fire up the grills and ice cream churns, slice some watermelon, and enjoy this weekend.  But please, take a few minutes for remembrance and tribute of those who died protecting these very things we enjoy.  And if you get a chance, thank a living soldier or veteran 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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Another Day on the Cumberland River – Part I

Friday afternoon, 8 of us departed Blackjack Cove Marina on Old Hickory Lake for a 46 mile journey down the Cumberland River to Commodore Yacht Club, where an annual brunch was taking place on Saturday.  Since this Sunday was to be the “end of the world,” we weren’t going to take any chances on missing a last river trip.

Gates of Old Hickory Lock

The weather was gorgeous as we approached Old Hickory Lock.  The lock works much like the tank on your toliet.   Flush to go down, fill it to go back up. There are floating “mooring bits” to tie onto in side the lock.

Tied up in the lockExiting the lock

 Within minutes, we were flushed down to the river below.  We exited Old Hickory Lock at 4:10 pm.

There are many interesting sites, and a lot of history along this river.  There are also many pieces of residential real estate along the river that most people don’t even know exist.  It was great to see that many homes damaged in the May 2010 flood have been rebuilt.  But there are also those that have not. 

There will be visual reminders of this catastrophe for years to come but now is a great time to buy riverfront property for a completely different and relaxing lifestyle.   And even though there is the chance of flooding, the investment potential is great.  They simply aren’t making any more riverfront property!

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All of the above scenes were taken on the 25 mile stretch of river between Old Hickory Lock and Nashville’s Riverfront Park, where we arrived at 5:50 pm to spend the night.

There was considerably more barge traffic on the river than usual.  Lots of sand, and even more coal!  It is amazing that each barge can hold the equivalent of 53 tractor-trailer loads of material.  

One of Ingram’s boats that I am partial to is the “Martha Denton,” which was named after a dear friend of our family that I have known since birth.  Yep, a long damn time. 

Ingram Barge Company's Martha Denton

Before she passed away last year, Martha joined us for a day on the boat and we learned the history of each individual the Ingram boats are named after.  It is ironic that some of the boats actually seem to take on the “personality” of their namesake!   Seeing the Martha Denton brings a smile every time we pass.  A very fitting tribute to a great lady.

Downtown Nashville is simply beautiful.  The river flows through its center much like blood flows through the heart of the body.  I hope one day Nashville can have a Riverfront to be proud of, much like Knoxville and Chattanooga.  Clarksville has greatly improved their riverfront and docking facilities too.  Why can’t we?

Docked at Riverfront Park

 The administration of Mayor Karl Dean is directing much-needed emphasis to the East Bank and it is great to see the progress.  I think his administration just might “get it” when it comes to a viable Riverfront.

Richard Fulton was the first mayor to acknowledge that we even have a Riverfront, and the docking facility we currently have was built on his watch. 

Nothing much has happened since then, except for the addition of courtesy docking for LP Field and Mayor Bill Purcell removing docking privilidges during holidays and special occasions under the disguise of Homeland Security concerns.  

Perhaps the real reason was that he didn’t have a boat and wanted to get even with everyone that did.  Regardless, it was a stupid policy that remains in effect to this day.

In reality, it is time for all of the docking facilities to be located on the East Bank.  Spend the night on a boat at Riverfront Park, or try and navigate a string of barges under the Shelby Pedestrian Bridge and you too will agree. 

Friday evening, it was our intention to hit the nightspots of downtown in a big way.  We never made it.  Too much good food and good friends to leave! 

In the next blog post, we’ll look at other scenes between downtown and Commodore Yacht Club, a 19 mile stretch of river.

Nashville New Homes: Lets bring on summer.

In spite of the cooler weather, many Realtors, Home Builders, and Trade Vendors were on hand for the HBAMT Sales & Marketing Council social mixer at The Governors Club this past Tuesday evening!  It was great to see many friends and even better to meet new ones.   Fun and Networking were the key words of the day.  The time went by so fast, I didn’t even get a chance to snap pictures.  Guess you should have been there!

Speaking of the weather, this weekend is shaping up to be great for searching for your new home!  If you have no clue where to start, visit www.OleSouth.com for the location nearest you!  Visit any model home and you will receive a Flat Screen TV if you purchase before June 11, 2011.  Also on the website, you will find an “internet-only” coupon for a Stainless Steel Appliance Package on certain inventory homes.

After you have found the perfect new Ole South home, you will not want to miss the GoodGuys Car Show at LP Field this weekend.  Here is a link to the details:

http://www.go2.com/content/nashville-tn/local-events-c/event_181172265_go2z/goodguys-6th-bridgestone-nashville-nationals-car-s

And this weekend will be a first for us for taking Ruby on an overnight boat trip to downtown.    She is already excited.  I wish she would stop growing soon.  On this trip, we’ll see first hand what has taken place since the flood of last May.  Stay tuned.

Its time for all of us to welcome summer, even if the weather makes us pretend!

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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Attention Realtors: “Thou shalt have free food and fun”

Let’s face it, the economic times of the past several years has taught us (forced us is more like it) to realize that we can get by on less.  Less business, less money, and sadly…less fun. 

But for those that will pull their head out of the sand, there is still a lot of fun to be had… and a lot of it involves complimentary food and spirits too!  There is absolutely no excuse for being bored or hungry in the Real Estate business.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

This Tuesday, May 17th, all Realtors, Home Builders, and Trade Vendors are invited to a poolside mixer at the Governors Club.  The event is from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and will feature complimentary beer, wine, and appetizers.  (A cash bar will be on hand for those that cannot compromise their distinguished tastes.)  Here is a link to all you need to know about this exciting evening event:

http://www.hbamt.net/smc-mixer-0511.htm

Many thanks to Christina Cunningham and The Governors Club for hosting this fun evening!

Membership in The Sales & Marketing Council of the HBAMT is not limited to Home Builders and their on-site agents.  It is open to all Realtors whose firms are members of the association.  The SMC’s monthly meetings are great networking events where you will learn more about exciting topics, as well as enjoy complimentary breakfast.  Want to know more?  Drop by the Governor’s Club on Tuesday, contact any SMC member, or give me a call at 615.593.6340.

Summer is right around the corner and you can also be assured Ole South will host many events worthy of attending.  Our first “Yes Days of Summer Celebration” for 2011 will be held at our Preserve at Old Hickory neighborhood on Saturday, June 4th.  

Enjoy food, refreshments, games, waterslide, and prizes while you see first hand the exciting new homes that Ole South has to offer!  There will even be a community-wide yard sale.  Mark your calendars and watch the Ole South Facebook page for more updates and events.   www.facebook.com/olesouthproperties.

In the meantime, take a closer look at all the emails you receive from the many different Realtors, builders, and their organizations.  There are a multitude of great networking events happening each week.  Any one of them could change your business plan for the better!  And nothing beats free food, drink, and fun!

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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Great Deal, Necessity, or Smart Financial Move?

In economic times like these, we should ask ourselves this question every time we consider purchasing something:

“Is this a Great Deal, a Necessity, or a Smart Financial Move?”

But most of us, including myself just don’t take the time.  Either we really don’t want to know the real answer, or we just don’t care.  We want whatever it is.

This week, a young professional couple pulled up at the model home in a brand new luxury sports car.  I know it was new because it still had the temporary dealer tag in the back window.  As they approached the door, I was confident that this was my next sale.

After a warm greeting, I asked them “what in a new home would be most important to them?”  Their answer…. “a new home…FOR RENT.”  Well damn!  

Even new home sales professionals know that home ownership isn’t for everyone.   So, lets find out why this couple shouldn’t buy.   Were they here in Nashville on a temporary relocation?   Were they expecting a transfer within the next year? 

No, they are from the area and have no intention of relocating away.   Further discussion revealed the reason for wanting to rent.  They were just unsure of the current Real Estate market.  They wanted to wait until the news media confirmed home prices have bottomed out, and appreciation certain.

I don’t want to appear cynical, but the car they drove up in was 1/3 the price of a nice home.   It lost approximately 30% of what they paid for it the second they signed the purchase agreement.  It has little chance of ever being worth what they paid for it.  And there are no tax advantages when they do sell it for less than they paid for it (unless they are self-employed and use the car for business.)  But, I know better than to make fun of something that someone purchased.  The car never came up in the conversation…. well not until later anyway.

If they had asked the above question about the car purchase, the only possible answer would be “a great deal.”    I bet the new car salesperson would have danced a jig around answering the question too!  But, they had received a nice discount, zero down payment, and 0% financing for 72 months.

 

For “First-Time Buyers” in Tennessee, buying a new home is almost that easy.  You can purchase a brand new home with zero-out-of-pocket money using the ‘Great Start” program, offered by THDA.  Coupled with today’s record low interest rates, you can more than likely own your new home for the same, or less, than a comparable rental would be.

The new home will not go down 30% in value the day you move in.  Real Estate has firm documentation of appreciation over time.  Chances are very good that your new home will one day be worth more than you paid for it.  Mortgage interest is tax deductible.  So are property taxes.   You can also turn your new home into investment property and rent it out, should you ever choose to move.    Try all that out with a car.  You can also borrow money on your equity.  Try that with an apartment.

Ole South has brand new homes, of all shapes and sizes, in a variety of locations throughout Middle Tennessee.  With prices ranging from $89,990 to $299,990, you are certain to find a home to meet your needs.    For more information on our locations, please visit www.OleSouth.com.   Visit any of our model homes and find out for yourself why thousands of Tennesseans are proud to say “Ole South Built It.”

And while you are there, ask yourself the above topic question.  At Ole South, the correct answer is “All of the Above!” 

After more discussion, the visiting couple decided the time was right to explore purchasing a new home.  I am sory to say that expedition did not take very long ….. their sparkling new car payment had pushed their debt-to-income ratio way over approvable limits.  For them, renting it is for a while longer.  And we’ll stay in touch until the time is right for them to explore again!

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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Let’s keep welcoming home the 101st!

No one could be any prouder of this country’s accomplishments in the “War Against Terror” than the members of the 101st Airborne, stationed at Fort Campbell.   Their commitment and vigilance thousands of miles away are the very actions that have preserved our freedoms to this day. 

Since January, members of the 101st have been welcomed home from tours of duty each week.  In airports, grocery stores, and shopping malls they are graciously thanked for their service.  If you haven’t had a chance to thank a soldier for their service lately, please do so.  Our troops, active-duty and retired, deserve our thanks.

The events of the past few days gave the troops returning to Fort Campbell this week added satisfaction and pride in their mission.  Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Quieda had been killed.  It was also the 101st’s own 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (The Night Stalkers) that executed the plan to deliver the Navy SEALS Assault Team to Bin Laden’s compound.   Mission Accomplished!

Yesterday, May 6th, President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden arrived at Fort Campbell.  The President met privately with the assault team and then publicly addressed the members of the 101st.  Click here to see the transcript of his address:

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20110507/NEWS08/105070317/President-Barack-Obama-s-speech-Fort-Campbell?odyssey=mod%7Cdefcon%7Cimg%7CFRONTPAGE

A Presidential visit to a military installation, such as Fort Campbell, is a very special event, regardless of anyone’s political preference.  I was surprised to learn that President Barack Obama is the sixth US President to visit Fort Campbell.  This is the second time President Obama has met with members of the 101st, the first time in Afghanistan.

Here is the history of Presidential Visits to the post, from the website www.welcometoclarksville.com:

The post received particular attention from George W. Bush, who visted three times while president and made a Fort Campbell appearance one of the final events of his years as commander-in-chief.

 2008: Bush spoke to an audience of about 7,500 soldiers at Hangar 9 on Nov. 25, 2008, before having lunch with 11 soldiers from 101st Airborne Division at Son’s Cafe.

During his speech, in reflecting on his years in office, Bush said, “Above all, I’m going to miss spending time with men and women who have volunteered to serve the United States of America, the fine men and women who wear the uniform.”

2004: Bush made his second visit to Fort Campbell March 18, 2004, following a difficult but victorious 101st Airborne deployment in Iraq.

 Bush addressed more than 12,000 members of the 101st Airborne Division, along with 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and 5th Special Forces Group troops.

 He was introduced by then-commanding general of Fort Campbell Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus. Bush had lunch with a group of soldiers and went to the post’s Pratt Museum to meet with the families of 46 soldiers who were killed during the global war on terrorism.

 2001: Bush first visited Fort Campbell for a Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 22, 2001, two months after the 9/11 terror attacks. More than 10,000 soldiers at the Division Parade Field greeted the president with chants of “USA” and cries of “Hooah” and “Air Assault.”

 Bush told the soldiers that terrorism will be snuffed out and the Screaming Eagles should be ready if they’re deployed to fight the “evil ones.”

 Several 5th Special Forces Group soldiers were already in Afghanistan, helping to root out the Taliban regime. Two months later, in January 2002, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne deployed to Afghanistan.

2000: President Bill Clinton arrived briefly at Fort Campbell aboard Air Force One, shook hands with well-wishers, and was flown via Marine One helicopter to an Owensboro, Ky., appearance.

 1992: President George H.W. Bush landed at Fort Campbell in 1992 for a speech at Austin Peay State University. The former president also stopped at the post later that year on his way to a campaign rally in Paducah, Ky.

1985: President Ronald Reagan came to Fort Campbell for the Gander memorial after more than 200 soldiers died in a plane crash over Newfoundland.

 1984: Reagan made a stop at Fort Campbell on his way to Bowling Green, Ky., to inspect Mammoth Cave National Park.

 1966: President Lyndon Johnson came to Fort Campbell to inspect weapons captured from North Vietnamese soldiers.

 Compiled from Leaf-Chronicle archives.

Yesterday, Friday May 6th was “Military Spouse Appreciation Day.”  Even though the official day has passed, it is never too late to show appreciation to the spouses and family of our brave service men and women.

Now is also an unprecedented time for military families to purchase a new home.  Normally I would not throw a “home sales message” into a post of this context, but I also feel we have an obligation to inform, espeically when the information can change a financial future.

We all know that Veterans can purchase a new home without a down-payment using a VA Loan.  The State of Tennessee has made that loan eligibility even more attractive with its “Homeownership for the Brave” program for active duty and retired military, and those that have served in the armed forces. 

The interest rate savings are tremendous and I will be sharing more information and savings examples in a future posting.  In the meantime, if you would like more information on this exciting program, please call me at 615.593.6340.

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, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee