Ray Carman – Auctioneer

This weekend I attended a Court Auction in Gallatin. An estate had come up and the County Clerk was there to offer this 13.8 acres in two tracts. They had both had some preliminary soils work done and things look very good for the property. Being this was not an auction conducted by an auctioneer, there was not a huge crowd and there was no charisma in the chant.Before I went, I had estimated the property would sale for approx $5,000 an acre.  The tax appraisal was for $115k, so I figured my estimate would be about right in our market today.

When the sale opened, it became very clear that what my Grandfather, Gene Carman,  said about “NOW being the time to buy” is VERY true! This property sold for an average of $2500 an acre, half of what I estimated and 1/4th the tax appraised value from 2008. (this is not the new assessment.)

If you have been considering a place to put some money, I do not know how to offer better proof of NOW being a great time to invest in Real Estate. With huge amounts of money being printed, and the stock market still uncertain, and prices like those mentioned above, NOW is the time to invest money in some DIRT!

If you are thinking of investing, here are some quick tips:

1. Be prepared to write the check. Get your financing or money ready to go so you can move quickly.

2. Be patient and wait for a good deal, and when you see it, strike!

3. Have your Realtor on speed dial! This will insure your ability to make your move when you are ready.

4. Be creative in your seraches. Look on Craigslist, Realtracs, and also keep your eyes open on Auctions. ( IsurfSumner.com puts out a weekly article on area auctions that might have good investment potential.)

If you have any questions on making a good investment in Real Estate, please feel free to give me a call, 615-428-4920.

Ray Carman

I take a little time each week to read about Real Estate market news from around the country. Most of this is done through reading other blogs on the subject. On one site, AgentGenius.com, I am able to read the thoughts and ideas of other agents. Every now and again, you get one that is way too funny not to share. So with that idea, I give you some ofe the funniest Blunders ever to hit ads:

More Poopers, uh Bloopers!

Thanks to Gwen Banta for taking the time to give us this laugh!

This made me think of a hilarious story from an auction I worked when I was but a kid. This blooper was not in typing, but rather it was over a loud speaker, and it lives on in infamy in our family.

My grandfather, Gene Carman, was selling at an estate sale. As items come up, he always gives a brief description of what he is selling for the clerk to make note of on the register and receipt. Typically, things in common are sold together, and this lot was a box of bed sheets! So, in a blink of an eye, Pa said, “Now we are going to be selling a box of sh**s,” and off he went! However, his blooper was not lost on his clerk, (my aunt Karen) nor anyone else in earshot of his remark. Needless to say, we ALL started laughing, and Karen was turning red trying to hold it in, but she failed miserably. My Grandpa turned to her and asked, “What is wrong with you?” and she whispered in his ear his goof. And in Grandpa fashion he said, (over the microphone) ” Well if you wouldn’t have laughed, no one would have noticed! (as his face turned bright red!) However, it had been noticed and we all had a belly rolling laugh and a memory that has lasted now for 20 years!

What are some of your funny blooper stories?

This past weekend I had the pleasure of having a Saturday off, so I chose to use this opportunity to, what else, GO TO AN AUCTION! Yes, you might say I enjoy auctions so much, that even if I have a weekend off, I am usually looking for a way to go to one.

This weekend I attended an auction conducted by my Grandfather in the Bethpage area of Sumner County, TN. He had 24 acres in 16 tracts. 14 of them were building lots and the remaining two were 5+ acres. My Grandfather has been saying for quite some time that He has NEVER seen a better time to invest in Real Estate. And this weekend he offered the proof.

In 2007, he had an auction just around the corner from this place. Similar set up in the fact he was offering building lots that were similar in size (approx 1 acre.) At that time these lots sold for $16,000 and houses sprouted up. This year, these lots within rock throwing distance were bringing 8-1o thousand and there was no difference in the two. All that had changed was the opportunity to make money.

The point being, buy now, hold tight(a year or two), and in a few years reap the rewards! This is exactly what he was saying, and seeing as he has nearly 50 years in the business and a heritage in Real Estate with his dad dating back to 1910, I would say he is well qualified to give advise on the situation.

So, if you have a little money and are worried about the market, inflation, or your portfolio, NOW is a great time to make that investment in a “piece of dirt!”

Don’t just take my word for it, take that of a man who has lived through this type of market several times and has seen the “proof in the pudding.” And like a recent commercial says by one of the “big three” in Real Estate, there will be A-LOT of folks who kick themselves for not buying in this market.

For tips on how you can take advantage of these deals, give me a call. 615-428-4920.

RAY CARMAN

If you are on the cusp of considering a home purchase, NOW is the time! Sumner County has the following available on the market:

1. 978 homes under $250,ooo

2. 333 homes between $250k and $350k

3. 443 homes available $350k and up!

What this translates into for you the buyer is great opportunity! Add the $8,000 first time home buy tax credit, low interest rates, and motivated sellers to the mix, and you find yourself, The Buyer, a the drivers seat!

To find out more on how you can cash in on this great opportunity in our local Real Estate Market, give me a cal, 615-824-0044!

Here is just a quick reminder of two great Auctions coming up this weekend!

1. At 10am, we will be in Smith County to offer 78 acres at ABSOLUTE AUCTION with great views, city water, and views of the Caney Fork River, Just minutes from Center Hill Lake,  this property would be perfect for a new home or a rustic weekend getaway cabin! The purchaser of tract #4 will also be offered the opportunity to purchase 12 acres down on the Caney Fork River and Smith Fork Creek! For more details, go see the brochure and video HERE!

2. Then at 2pm, we will move a few miles down the road in Smith County to Hickman TN to offer 61 super choice acres, a tractor, dozier, trucks, farm equipment, GUNS, knives, rods, reels, tools and more. For full details and a video, visit HERE!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Ray Carman

Much like the song “The Gambler,” it is important to know when to act or not to act in Real Estate. We all know we are currently in what is known as a “Buyers Market.” Yet time and again, some people are trying to make a move when it is not the right time for them. As homeowners, sometimes we just get the “itch” to move or get a new home. With prices on other houses seemingly so great due to foreclosures and Short Sales, some folks think NOW is the time to move.  But the problem comes in the fact they want “sellers market” prices for their homes. So what is the key to avoiding this situation?

Knowing when to Hold Up!!!! Simple as that. Here are some things to think about.

1. What is the reason for trying to sell my home in a buyers market?

2. Do I HAVE to sell, or do I just have an “itch” to sell and make a change?

3.  Am I willing to take present market value for my home, or would I rather ride out the storm till I can make a profit on my investment?

4. Would I be better off to sell and buy or simply Re-fi with the low rates?

Using good common sense in todays market is HUGE if you want to make the right move. Unless you HAVE to sell or can afford to take a hit in your investment of your homes value, then it might be a good idea to ignore that restless itch and stay put till the market swings back in your favor. This might sound like strange advise from a Realtor, but if your best interest are in mind, it might be the best thing you could hear from a Real Estate professional.

For a free analysis of your situation here in Sumner and surrounding counties, and ideas on what makes the most sense for your current situation, give us a call at 824-0044!