Newsletter – Residential – Arbella Properties

News You Can Use

We now have 3 offices to serve you!

Fall Branch
1706 Hwy 93
Fall Branch, TN 37656

Johnson City
1805 W State of Franklin Rd #900
Johnson City, TN 37604

Greeneville
104 Sam Doak Street
Greeneville, TN 37745

Janie Barron
Principal Broker, Fall Branch Office
Arbella Properties Inc.
423-534-3827 Cell
423-446-8154 Office
www.arbellatn.com
janie@arbellatn.com
License # 00327481

Brenda Campbell
Broker Associate
Arbella Properties Inc.
423-292-7232 Cell
423-446-8154 Office
www.arbellatn.com
brenda@arbellatn.com

Quick Quiz

Each month I’ll give you a new question.
Just reply to this email for the answer.
Located in Pigeon Forge, what Tennessee theme park has 50 rides?

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Ask the Agent

How Can I Make the Most of Open Houses?

Open houses can provide you with many opportunities to make your new-home hunt more fruitful. You can learn about the sellers, the neighborhood and the details of the home. Full advantage of visiting an open house is achieved if you can time your visit when there are very few lookers roaming through the house. In a hot market, an open house may be the only time to see a property.

Walking through a home will help determine what amenities you can afford at a certain price. You can make market comparisons by visiting several open houses.

Be tuned in to the conversations of other visitors, and you will benefit from the insight of others about the home and the neighborhood. If you can get one-on-one time with the listing agent, find out all you can about the seller and the motivation behind selling the house.

Get to know a prospective neighborhood by taking a walk through it. You will be able to see the pride of ownership, learn the traffic patterns and find out more from meeting some of the neighbors.

6 Things to Look Out For when Viewing A Property

When viewing a potential new home, it’s important to look past the surface and spot any hidden issues to make an informed decision. Here are six key things to keep an eye on.

See beyond the decor. It’s easy to be distracted by the current residents’ taste in decor, but focus on the layout, light and space instead. Remember, you can change paint colors and furniture, but structural elements are much harder to fix.

Check for water damage. Look closely at ceilings and walls and under sinks for any signs of water damage, such as stains, peeling paint or black mold. These can indicate leaks, plumbing issues or damp problems that could lead to costly repairs later.

Inspect for cracks. Small hairline cracks can be harmless, but larger or zigzagging cracks could signal serious structural problems. Check around windows, doors and the foundation for any significant damage.

Test the windows. Make sure windows open and close smoothly and check for drafts, condensation or fog between double panes. Poor window conditions can lead to energy inefficiency and higher heating bills.

Sniff out strange smells. Unusual smells, such as mustiness or sewage, can indicate hidden problems such as mold or drainage issues. Be sure to ask about any odors that seem off.

Assess storage space. Don’t forget to evaluate the storage available. Open closets, check for attic or basement access, and ensure there’s enough space for your belongings.

For more guidance on what to look out for during your viewings, get in touch and I’ll happily help advise you.

3 Holiday Travel Stories that Will Melt Your Heart

With the holidays upon us, it is likely that you or your loved ones will be making a journey to be with your nearest and dearest. Bring yourself a touch of joy with these three heartwarming stories about holiday travel.

A generous tip. Irish waiter Ben was living in Texas and expecting his first child with his partner. However, with his modest waiter’s salary, a trip back to Ireland for his family to meet his newborn was sadly out of the question. Somehow, during the Thanksgiving period, a stranger eating at the restaurant heard about his story and decided to leave him an overwhelmingly generous tip, $750, to help him make the journey.

Hold the plane. On one occasion in Phoenix, a family was traveling to Tennessee to bury their father when, due to a delay to their inbound flight from Minneapolis, they missed their gate closure. With the plane still taxiing on the runway, the pilot disobeyed orders from air traffic control to take off, instead turning back to pick up the bereaved family.

A new addition to the family. When Wanda Dench tried to invite her grandson to Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, she accidentally sent the text to a wrong number. The recipient was Jamal Hinton, a 17-year-old completely unrelated and unknown to the family. But when the confusion had cleared up, Wanda didn’t rescind her offer. Instead, she began a beautiful annual tradition, with Jamal traveling to Mesa every year since to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

Let’s Connect

Wondering What’s Happening in Your Neighborhood?

How has the price of your home changed in today’s market? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for?

These are all critical questions that shouldn’t be overlooked when thinking about buying or selling your home. Whether you’re curious about prices in your area, whether it’s an excellent time to sell, or just need an expert to answer your questions, I can give you the tools and offer guidance through the entire buying or selling process.

Let me know how I can help by simply giving my office a call at 423-446-8154 to set up a time to connect.

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Spiced Apple Cider

Cozy up to this warm treat this holiday season. Not only is this delicious spiced apple cider recipe easy to make, but it’s also a perfect way to use sweet seasonal ingredients.
Serves 9

Ingredients
1/2 gallon apple cider
1/2 tbsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 orange, sliced
1/2 lemon, sliced
1/2 apple, sliced
3 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
5 star anise pieces

Put crockpot on low heat, add apple cider, nutmeg, cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and star anise and simmer gently for 1 hour. Add orange, lemon and apple slices, then simmer for 2–4 hours. Ladle into serving glasses. Serve.

Optional extras:

Top with whipped cream and caramel while hot.

Cider can be served chilled by removing fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise pieces after cooking and storing in fridge overnight.

Revamp Your Home without Breaking the Bank Remodeling

You don’t need a full remodel to give your home a fresh, updated look. Making small, manageable updates can make a big difference without the cost or hassle of a major remodel, and a few strategic changes can completely transform a space without breaking the bank. Here are some simple yet effective ways to update your home.

Repaint walls and cabinets. A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most impactful updates. Consider modern neutral tones like soft grays, whites or earth tones for a clean and updated feel. Don’t stop at walls, though. Repainting kitchen cabinets, for example, can breathe new life into your kitchen without the expense of a full renovation.

Swap out hardware. Replacing cabinet handles, drawer pulls and doorknobs is a small change with big results. Choose modern finishes like brushed nickel, matte black or brass to instantly elevate the look of kitchens, bathrooms and even closets.

Upgrade lighting fixtures. Outdated light fixtures can make any room feel old. Replace them with contemporary styles to add brightness and a touch of modernity. Consider adding statement fixtures in the dining room or entryway for extra flair.

Refresh flooring. While new flooring can be pricey, simple rugs are an affordable option for updating your space. A stylish patterned rug can bring color and texture to a room, hiding dated floors and making everything feel more cohesive.

Add smart home features. Smart technology, such as smart thermostats, light dimmers and keyless door locks, adds both convenience and a modern touch. They’re often easy to install and bring your home into the 21st century.

Update window treatments. Replacing old heavy curtains with lighter airy options or sleek blinds can give rooms a fresh and open look, allowing more natural light to brighten the space.

For more tips on remodeling your home without having to spend big, call or email me today. I’m always here to advise.

Shaking Things Up: More Meaningful and Sustainable Gift Giving

Giving gifts to your loved ones is one of the most joyful parts of the holiday season. But an easily forgotten by-product of this is the environmental footprint. To help make the holidays greener, here are some ideas for meaningful and sustainable gifting that doesn’t send waste to the landfill.

Experiences, not objects. Consider gifting an “experience” instead of a physical object: for example, a day out at the theater to a show you know they’ll love.

Stop the stigma around secondhand. A huge driver of environmental waste is the social stigma around secondhand items. If you know something will be a meaningful gift, it really doesn’t matter if it’s secondhand.

Get creative with your ideas. If you have an art lover in the family, a museum pass is a more sustainable gift than hoards of reproduced physical artworks. Or for a budding dancer, consider gifting them dance lessons.

Be open with your loved ones. It’s sometimes difficult to think of what would be really appreciated by a loved one, especially with the added effort of thinking sustainably. Be open and ask what would be truly special for them.

Gift your time. It sounds corny, but time is one of the most precious gifts possible. You could take time off work to join someone in that hobby they’ve always wanted to pursue or babysit so a pair of new parents can have a night to themselves.

Invest in their future. You may have a family member with a debt to pay off or a set of bills weighing them down. It may not have a holiday sparkle, but helping to pay off a debt is a truly meaningful holiday gift.

This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter. This newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.