tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66432994000124199712024-03-19T05:42:20.279-07:00Home Sweet MemphisGood Homes, Great People, and Nifty IdeasAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-18073171640134982412011-09-22T08:38:00.000-07:002011-09-22T08:38:17.609-07:00I couldn't have said it better myself.<div style="text-align: justify;">I found this marvelous piece from the good folks over at <a href="http://www.chapter16.org/">Chapter 16</a>, a digital language and literature program of <a href="http://www.humanitiestennessee.org/">Humanities Tennessee</a>, that I want to share with you today that says in all the right ways why we need to get over our collective additiction to Amazon.com. I've always been an avid supporter of all things small and indie and local, because THOSE are the things that make our communities worthwhile and unique and unlike any other strip of 7-lane horsepucky. And the weirdness that has plagued the book industry as of late has made me even more appreciative of local bookstores, those antiquated outposts of knowledge, lovingly curated by fascinating people who love to discover a new and wonderful story and share the same with you. Of course, Amazon isn't just focused on elbowing out bookstores; they're making inroads to make the entire in-store retail experience seem inconvenient and expensive. But this letter should give us pause about valuing convenience and cost over the health and well-being of people and our communities. Read on:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chapter16.org/content/its-not-me-its-you">It's Not Me, It's You</a></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>A Chapter 16 writer makes a public break with Amazon</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;">by Liz Garrigan</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="first-para" style="text-align: justify;">Amazon, we really need to talk. My relationship with you feels like an illicit love affair because, I suppose, it sort of is. I want you, but I hate myself for it. I hide our relationship from many of my friends. There I am late at night, online, practically giggling with delight at what you can do for me. You understand my needs—and happily meet them—and you anticipate my desires, teasing me with what else you can offer that you already know I’ll like. You’ve tricked me into believing you’re a generous partner. It’s a modern courtship—yes, we rely on technology—but there’s an old-fashioned aspect to it, too. As a British friend of mine puts it, “For God’s sake, the goods arrive in the post. How quaint!”</div><div class="first-para" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though I share your attentions with millions of others, our relationship feels deeply personal, even intimate. I get hand-written notes from your vendors saying they hope I enjoy the title I’ve ordered from you. Or maybe there’s an interesting bookmark left by a previous owner, or a charming, if illegible, signature in pencil on an inside jacket. In other words, I can’t visit you in person, but being satisfied this way doesn’t necessarily mean forfeiting all of the endearing features of a more traditional relationship.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In many ways, you have it all. You just sent me a used copy of <cite>Akenfield: Portrait of an English Village</cite>, a book I was having trouble finding elsewhere—and for just over four dollars, <cite>including</cite> postage. After spending twenty-plus years in Tennessee, I now live in Paris, where English-language books are harder to come by. And there you are, Amazon.fr, ready to meet me whenever I want, right here on my turf. So it’s hardly a mystery why I can’t quite, to use the parlance of a certain gay cowboy character, “quit you.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But it’s time to confront the inconvenient truth: I’m cheating with a cheater. And this relationship is destructive, hurting people I care about. It’s taken me a while to figure this out, but behind your slick, faux-friendly ways, you’re a selfish, no-good, morally compromised bully. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other bookstores—hell, other stores <cite>period</cite>, for you sell far more than books, competing for customers with local hardware stores and beauty-supply stores and video-game stores and clothing stores and pretty much every other retailer in the world—are obligated to collect sales tax from their customers. But you don’t, hiding behind <a class="ext" href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/91-0194.ZO.html" jquery1316705666250="18" target="_blank">a Supreme Court ruling that exempts online-only retailers from collecting sales tax</a><span class="ext"></span> in individual states. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Tennessee, where combined state and local sales taxes are pushing ten percent, that amounts to a powerful incentive for customers to let their fingers do the clicking. It puts other booksellers and retailers at a competitive disadvantage. In Memphis, <a class="ext" href="http://www.burkesbooks.com/shop/burkes/index.html" jquery1316705666250="19" target="_blank">Burke’s Book Store</a><span class="ext"></span> and <a class="ext" href="http://booksellersatlaurelwood.wordpress.com/" jquery1316705666250="20" target="_blank">the Booksellers at Laurelwood</a><span class="ext"></span> don’t get that deal. In Nashville, <a class="ext" href="http://www.parnassusbooks.net/" jquery1316705666250="21" target="_blank">Parnassus Books</a><span class="ext"></span> and <a class="ext" href="http://www.mysteriesandmore.net/" jquery1316705666250="22" target="_blank">Mysteries & More</a><span class="ext"></span> and <a class="ext" href="http://www.fairytalesbookstore.com/" jquery1316705666250="23" target="_blank">Fairytales Books</a><span class="ext"></span> don’t get that deal. In Knoxville, <a class="ext" href="http://unionavebooks.com/" jquery1316705666250="24" target="_blank">Union Ave. Books</a><span class="ext"></span> doesn’t get that deal. They all dutifully collect sales tax and turn it over to the government to fund education, workforce development, services for the poor and disabled, and all the other functions that governments are required to provide for their citizens. Those are the rules of a civilized society. But you want—no, demand!—to be exempted.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You say the Supreme Court ruling means you have no obligation to collect taxes from your customers, and that’s true enough. But the Supreme Court ruling applies only to online retailers which don’t have a <cite>physical presence in the state</cite>. And here’s the thing, Amazon: thanks to those giant distribution centers you’re already building <a class="ext" href="http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/dec/21/amazoncoming/" jquery1316705666250="25" target="_blank">in Chattanooga</a><span class="ext"></span> and <a class="ext" href="http://wpln.org/?p=29287" jquery1316705666250="26" target="_blank">in Lebanon</a><span class="ext"></span>—and the one <a class="ext" href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/22/loudon-county-approves-1-million-for-project/" jquery1316705666250="27" target="_blank">in Knoxville</a><span class="ext"></span>, though so far it’s only being whispered about in secret—that dog won’t fight any more. Like it or not, honey, you’re a Tennessean now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tennessee risks <a class="ext" href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/19/group-says-amazoncom-sales-will-cost-tennessee-3-b/?partner=RSS" jquery1316705666250="28" target="_blank">losing $3 billion in tax revenue</a><span class="ext"></span> to you, not to mention 10,000 jobs, over the next five years. And that’s not counting the money the state has spent out of its own tattered pockets to entice you here: Chattanooga alone <a class="ext" href="http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/dec/02/county-baits-hook-for-amazon/" jquery1316705666250="29" target="_blank">gave you $30 million in incentives and free land</a><span class="ext"></span>—which <a class="ext" href="http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/13591514/city-discusses-amazon-incentives" jquery1316705666250="30" target="_blank">the state spent $4 million</a><span class="ext"></span> to prepare for construction—in exchange for 1,200 full-time and 2,000 seasonal jobs. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not that this abusive relationship is unique to Tennessee: you’ve sent <a class="ext" href="http://www.tnreport.com/2011/05/no-sales-tax-for-amazon-in-sc/" jquery1316705666250="31" target="_blank">South Carolina</a><span class="ext"></span>, <a class="ext" href="http://blogs.star-telegram.com/politex/2011/09/combs-perry-was-uninformed-on-amazon-sales-tax-issue.html" jquery1316705666250="32" target="_blank">Texas</a><span class="ext"></span>, and <a class="ext" href="http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/09/01/2520161/amazon-offers-jobs-to-avert-ballot.html" jquery1316705666250="33" target="_blank">California</a><span class="ext"></span> into similar states of impotent rage because you have no trouble exploiting the realities of the nation’s dismal economy, reducing governors and mayors to desperate employment pimps. You’ve had them, after all, where you’ve wanted them. And you threaten to take your ball and go home should they fail to play by your rules. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You <a class="ext" href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/econmatters/2011/09/14/taxing-amazon-out-of-state-doesnt-mean-out-of-mind/" jquery1316705666250="34" target="_blank">claim to favor a federal resolution</a><span class="ext"></span> to this mess, suggesting quite reasonably that it makes more sense to create a single national standard than to have a hodge-podge of state rules across the country. Not that you have much to worry about: given the national-budget challenges facing Congress, <a class="ext" href="http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h5660/text" jquery1316705666250="35" target="_blank">the need to level the playing field</a><span class="ext"></span> between you and all the rest of the retailers in the country isn’t much of a priority. As Tennessee Senator Bob Corker told <cite>The Chattanooga Times-Free Press</cite>, Internet sales-tax collections are <a class="ext" href="http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/apr/20/haslam-accepts-bredesens-logic-amazon-deal/?news" jquery1316705666250="36" target="_blank">“not even on the radar screen”</a><span class="ext"></span> this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But guess what? I can wait. I’ve got a stack of books here that will keep me busy for a while, even if they did come from you in the post. But when I’m done with those, I’ll do what I did back in the nineties: I’ll go to the library. Or where all the other American expats go in Paris: <a class="ext" href="http://www.villagevoicebookshop.com/" jquery1316705666250="37" target="_blank">the Village Voice Bookshop</a><span class="ext"></span>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We’re over. And don’t email me either.</div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-70205507442334306562011-03-26T09:54:00.000-07:002011-03-28T15:31:42.782-07:00What makes Memphis...Memphis?I'm the daughter of a small business owner. A literal Mom & Pop (and grandparent and uncle and great-uncles and cousins and countless family friends) operation that employed just over 100 people in the busy summer paving season, Bonds Company built just about every road in northeast Mississippi. I learned at a very early age to appreciate the contributions of a small business to it's community. And it's not just about not trusting The Man or wanting to stick it to big corporations. Data from the <a href="http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/847">U.S. Small Business Administration</a> and the <a href="http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/smallbus.html#EstabSize">Census Bureau</a> suggests small firms (those that employ less than 500 people) provide jobs to just over half of all employed in the private sector. These operations fuel our local economies.<br />
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But it's not the statistical data that makes me all warm and fuzzy for the little guy. It's what they do to make their surroundings unique. And I know you feel the same way, too. Here's a scenario: an out-of-towner asks you for a restaurant or retail recommendation for their trip to Memphis. I'm willing to bet you won't say any of the following:<br />
<ul><li>Oh, definitely check out the Chili's Grill & Bar at Poplar & Perkins. Their southwestern eggrolls are outta sight!</li>
<li>Be sure and swing by the Wal-Mart Super Center on Germantown Parkway. Their kitchen do-dad selection is exhaustive!</li>
<li>Stop in at the Walgreens at (insert darn near any intersection here). What a great candy selection and their customer service is dreamy.</li>
<li>There's a Pizza Hut on Union that serves THE. BEST. PIZZA. Trust me on this one.</li>
</ul>Instead, you'll wax poetic about your <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBarBQShop">favorite barbeque joint</a> and recommend they try the sandwich or the BBQ nachos or the ribs; you'll say they should check out <a href="http://ilovememphisblog.com/2010/04/only-in-memphis-lit-restaurant-supply/">Lit</a> on Summer or Union for their cooking needs; you'll say the <a href="http://ilovememphisblog.com/2010/02/reasons-to-love-memphis-28-downtowns-favorite-afternoon-snack/">Peanut Shoppe</a> is where they'll need to go to satisfy their sweet tooth and be greeted by some of the nicest proprietors in town; you'll send them to <a href="http://trolleystopmarket.com/">Trolley Stop Market</a>, a restaurant/locavore market led by <a href="http://www.whittonfarms.com/">local farmers Jill & Keith Forrester</a> for what might be the best pizza on the planet. You'll recommend all your favorite hole-in-the-wall-only-in-Memphis places because you want your traveling friends to have the most authentic experience.<br />
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And you'll be disappointed when your favorite local institution isn't here anymore. <a href="http://www.memphisheritage.org/cms/">The Memphis Heritage Foundation</a> and it's supporters got a lot of flack for being late to show concern for the hulking Methodist Church at the intersection of Union and Cooper, only rallying around the decaying building when a national chain threatened to tear it down and replace it with an Any Suburb, USA-designed drugstore. The drug store got it's way and the church is coming down even as I type. Nashvillians rallied around their own Davis-Kidd Booksellers location only after it was announced the store would be closed at the end of 2010. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-Davis-Kidd-Nashville-Open/170558186301961">"Keep Davis-Kidd Nashville Open"</a> facebook page had more than 3500 fans only four days after it was created, more than twice the amount of fans the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DavisKiddNash">store's actual facebook fan page</a> had. The rallying cry was too late; the store WOULD be closing. Where were all those vocal supporters before?<br />
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Think about all the places you really treasure where you live. Would there be a void if it went away? Can you do something about it? Absolutely. <a href="http://www.the350project.net/home.html">The 3/50 Project</a> is an organization dedicated to promoting "stronger local economies through support of independent retailers and the consumers who shop with them." The premise is this: pick 3 of your favorite places and pledge to spend $50 at each of them on a monthly basis. Stick with three for a year, if you'd like. Change it up monthly. Whatever it is, make a commitment to vote with your dollars - vote for the success of the business by SHOPPING/EATING/DRINKING/BEING there! And think about it: it's the local businesses that are raising the bar on best practices, customer service and sustainability. The behemoths seem to be in reaction mode (I'm looking at you, Wal-Mart), constantly revamping their "green" standards, their food sourcing, their safety records, their employer-provided health insurance.<br />
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Frankly, it's the locals who make our communities better. And while <a href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/variety-of-unsustainable-business-models-make-up-e,19261/">this</a> is pretty funny, it doesn't have to be true. Commit to supporting those places that really do matter to you so you won't be scrambling to join the riotous mob that's too late to make a difference.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-45201899051389984062011-03-22T10:59:00.000-07:002011-03-22T14:47:03.681-07:00Nom NomI made a fitness goal for my New Year's resolution. "By the time I turn 33," I said, "I'll be down to ___" (did you really think I'd share that with you?). Well, tomorrow I turn 33 and I haven't hit the goal. Really, there's a lot of self-sabotaging going on here - there's SO much good food to eat here in Memphis and I own a bevy of cookbooks all devoted to Southern cookin' and my mom didn't exactly pass down a repertoire of low-calorie recipes. So today I started the <a href="http://riverworkout.com/default.aspx">River Workout Fitness Program</a> led by the amazing Stacy Chick. My neighbor Whitney and I (both facing college/high school reunions later in the spring) got to the river at 5:40 this morning and proceeded to get our asses handed to us. Seriously, I thought I was going to puke. And we're gonna do it again on Thursday and for the next seven weeks (and maybe a few Saturdays) after that! <br />
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And inevitably my thoughts turn to food when I start thinking about shaping up. I'm already food obsessed; thinking about cutting back and eating healthier only makes me want the bad stuff even more. So while I've packed a slim-fast (or a slim-slow as my dad calls 'em), a few cutie clementines, some low-fat string cheese, a container of yogurt, and a 100-calorie pack of Mr. Salty chocolate-covered pretzels (I know my bag is protein-deficient - I need to do some grocery shopping), all I can think about is massive portions of cheesy lasagna from <a href="http://www.papapias.com/home.html">Papa Pia's</a>, all the decadent goodies from <a href="http://www.muddysbakeshop.com/">Muddy's Bake Shop</a>, and a cup o'gelato from the good folks over at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/yolofroyo">YoLo</a>. And then I found <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/03/15/nutella-mug-cake/">this</a>:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1190482333"></a> <span id="goog_1190482372"></span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/03/15/nutella-mug-cake/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mug cake2 Nutella Mug Cake" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34144" height="418" src="http://cdn.babble.com/family-kitchen/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/mug-cake2.jpg" title="mug-cake2" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Angie McGowan, Babble.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span id="goog_1190482373"></span> <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/03/15/nutella-mug-cake/"></a><br />
It's cake. In a mug. And it only takes 5 minutes in the microwave. And according to the reader comments, it's got 1100 calories.<br />
<br />
Le sigh.<br />
<br />
So that's my motivation! I want to be so skinny that when I collapse from hunger, my bones clatter on the floor. And when I come to, I want you to have a cup of this Nutella Mug Cake ready to bring me back from the brink.<br />
<br />
UPDATE: And <a href="http://ilovememphisblog.com/2011/03/random-delicious-thing-that-will-probably-eventually-kill-you/">today is the day I discover</a> <a href="http://www.localgastropub.com/">Local Gastropub</a> makes a bacon brownie?!? That's just cruel.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ilovememphisblog.com/2011/03/random-delicious-thing-that-will-probably-eventually-kill-you/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bacon brownie from Local Gastropub, Memphis, Tenn." class="alignnone" height="374" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5550840888_c389476150.jpg" title="Bacon brownie from Local Gastropub, Memphis, Tenn." width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Kerry Crawford Trisler, ILoveMemphisBlog.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-74476697258329423852011-03-04T08:07:00.000-08:002011-03-04T11:27:17.543-08:00Bloggity Blog BlogI've sort of stepped away from the blogging for a bit, but it's never been far from my mind. It's always on the to-do list and I've got a laundry list of topics stashed away (there are interviews from OCTOBER that I haven't posted yet!) but on a daily basis I find myself cruisin' the blogosphere and enjoying everyone else's writing so much that I just haven't wanted to take the time to put my own thoughts down. I've decided to re-commit to my little corner of the interwebs and this weekend I'll turn some of those floating ideas and interviews into posts. In the mean time, I wanted to share with you some of my latest inspirations:<br />
<br />
1.) <a href="http://norococo.blogspot.com/">norococo</a> - I adore this blog. All-around creative genius Sophorn McRae writes this gem and I especially like her graphic design/architecture/photography savvy. <a href="http://norococo.blogspot.com/2011/02/good-design-happier-memphians.html">This post</a> makes me smile because it's so much smarter than I am but makes all kinds of wonderful sense.<br />
<br />
2.) <a href="http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman</a> - I got the chance to meet Ree Drummond last week at <a href="http://www.daviskidd.com/">Davis-Kidd Booksellers</a> and she's fantastic! Leading up to the event, I stalked her blog with more gusto than usual and found a little ditty about <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2010/09/ten-important-things-ive-learned-about-blogging/">Rules for Blogging</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKQ2QC0B2Wu2ByGd5wjQ74l9PeuYv-b6fZ7IrT6XFI6kJ2aPdTcvH6FkLhsKYKOsQ2zjVuQfkNnuOE91ob8xTZd2ToIqUbpwXyAZ-pgmo76feTtnCSlkpMwhLigcmMdeXPWtm47MD9I4/s1600/The+Pioneer+Woman+-+Crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKQ2QC0B2Wu2ByGd5wjQ74l9PeuYv-b6fZ7IrT6XFI6kJ2aPdTcvH6FkLhsKYKOsQ2zjVuQfkNnuOE91ob8xTZd2ToIqUbpwXyAZ-pgmo76feTtnCSlkpMwhLigcmMdeXPWtm47MD9I4/s400/The+Pioneer+Woman+-+Crop.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Marlboro Man, The Pioneer Woman, and me. We're all totally best friends now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
3.) <a href="http://macfreedom.com/">Freedom</a> - I had no idea this even existed, but it's pure genius. Web-crastination be damned!<br />
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4.) <a href="http://www.750words.com/">750 Words</a> - Not a blog, but an on-line journal. For your little eyes only. Know what makes better writers? More writing!<br />
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5.) Lovely and interesting homes to tour. And the weather. And the blooming trees. And spring clothes. And self-serve frozen yogurt popping up alllllll over town (like <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/03/01/downtown-memphis-getting-self-serve.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/HungryMemphis/archives/2011/03/02/midtown-yolo-opening-date-set">here</a> and <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110225005809/en/Yogurt-Mountain-Opens-Self-Serve-Frozen-Yogurt-Store-Memphis">here</a>). And <a href="http://www.memphisinmay.org/assets/1600/2011_bsmf_line_up3.pdf">music festival line-up announcements</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_QFC9QyKhVHlYZTPMZLDIGT9tlPpj_muEhosi1wjm_Uc3xiqNf-84D6gyxvv8XnCF4TR06JIVjaI0zTFDi10Fu5QN57yaUTXUe3lDHfShJM7JlciLZ8see0DSDeYi27NXBpttRRUgTw/s1600/Ceiling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_QFC9QyKhVHlYZTPMZLDIGT9tlPpj_muEhosi1wjm_Uc3xiqNf-84D6gyxvv8XnCF4TR06JIVjaI0zTFDi10Fu5QN57yaUTXUe3lDHfShJM7JlciLZ8see0DSDeYi27NXBpttRRUgTw/s400/Ceiling.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you guess what Central Gardens behemoth this ceiling belongs to?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Have a marvelous weekend, y'all! See you next week!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-20048023112899934642010-10-11T15:37:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:26:40.125-08:00DIY Project Idea - Build a House!Sorry for the light posting as of late!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to say I’ve been busy with work; however, for the past week – and the rest of this week, too – I’ve been getting up at a ridiculous hour to head over to the <a href="http://www.wknofm.org/">WKNO-FM</a> station and man the phones for their fall pledge drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WKNO-FM provides a wonderful service to the Mid-South, broadcasting NPR’s <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3">Morning Edition</a> and <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2">All Things Considered</a>, along with other news, information, entertainment, and food-themed programming and incredible locally-selected classical music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, I can’t even fathom a world where <a href="http://www.npr.org/">NPR</a> isn’t a free and easily accessed resource.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t called in or <a href="https://www.donation-net.net/public/wkno/radio/donation1.cfm?dn=1318&source=8&CFID=10197898&CFTOKEN=63579119">submitted your support online</a> yet, won’t you please consider it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anyway</i>, the change in my schedule, coupled with a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5289317&l=3c8d492031&id=512648991">new addition to our family</a>, has left me with little time to sit and write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise to adapt better in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, on to the blog post! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCZRiny_iOOV40b475-N2u5ofk1TKb12oWMY9kMX2T16FleBodIyC_xeDSmpzxDKbJsMXvUmgtVYw5eecPjsz9X4o8wVwXjvbBWMLhLWtkDrpFqaoGBV1cwIdVezPY0zP39Fw6zeJElg/s1600/Habitat+for+Humanity+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCZRiny_iOOV40b475-N2u5ofk1TKb12oWMY9kMX2T16FleBodIyC_xeDSmpzxDKbJsMXvUmgtVYw5eecPjsz9X4o8wVwXjvbBWMLhLWtkDrpFqaoGBV1cwIdVezPY0zP39Fw6zeJElg/s400/Habitat+for+Humanity+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I built this house! Nah, I installed some soffit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of working on a build project at <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on"><a href="http://www.memphishabitat.com/TrinityPark.shtml">Trinity</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Park</placetype></place></a>, a <a href="http://www.habitat.org/default.aspx">Habitat for Humanity</a> project and the Greater Memphis Chapter’s first planned community development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite my admiration for Jimmy Carter, I had never volunteered for Habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an exhausting afternoon, and at times really frustrating (this is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">definitely </i>a good team-building opportunity), but I learned a lot about construction, operating power tools, installing soffit boards, and more importantly, Habitat’s mission. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I always thought homes were built for folks who had no resources to rebuild after losing their own homes to flood or fire or the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it turns out Habitat isn’t a charity organization designed to give away replacement homes; it’s an empowering organization dedicated to helping first-time homebuyers who demonstrate a need for standard housing - but who cannot qualify for a conventional loan because of income - buy their first home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the coolest parts of the program are the 350 “sweat equity” hours applicants must complete – potential homeowners have to put in time working on their own homes, other folks’ homes, or serving at other area non-profits. Eighty percent of those hours must be completed before construction on their own home can commence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, applicants must be able to pay a $1,000 down payment, complete a 15-part <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/">Dave Ramsey financial course</a>, and commit to other Habitat service and financial programs even after they move in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Trinity</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Park</placetype></place>, the mortgage payments are an easy $300 - $450, much lower than what some folks might be paying for a substandard rental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you consider all of that together, it’s a tremendous effort to provide the pride of homeownership, help folks get a better hold on their own financial situation, and create a sort of “pay-it-forward” stewardship that helps to sustain a community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea it was such a comprehensive program!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZJL9KsRoePrWpdGD4KmBP1CnPcOcbJ3ej8QZcLed6wWFrwo8LhAtVwPuYL7ppsxpftQZHAampZIdo4oHqURsnDJKZXVJK-WUIHSxroUsvbCeEMt21sySrh2ReSKMwXlpKSUGVK-nwSg/s1600/Habitat+for+Humanity+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZJL9KsRoePrWpdGD4KmBP1CnPcOcbJ3ej8QZcLed6wWFrwo8LhAtVwPuYL7ppsxpftQZHAampZIdo4oHqURsnDJKZXVJK-WUIHSxroUsvbCeEMt21sySrh2ReSKMwXlpKSUGVK-nwSg/s400/Habitat+for+Humanity+007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teamwork makes the dream work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAT7Nr1fXIIkca5Gl8tExdGCUqEvyOlLtP0QKDeTNGcChjR97BVi8Vo8UhRfwlo031HUDEG4DE0J8p0zCjuoRsR6jXehWZW8e_kK4-PN3LC52x_aOYrkjq-7aOr2P0W8Qt4N26qiCxF0/s1600/Habitat+for+Humanity+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAT7Nr1fXIIkca5Gl8tExdGCUqEvyOlLtP0QKDeTNGcChjR97BVi8Vo8UhRfwlo031HUDEG4DE0J8p0zCjuoRsR6jXehWZW8e_kK4-PN3LC52x_aOYrkjq-7aOr2P0W8Qt4N26qiCxF0/s400/Habitat+for+Humanity+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This isn't mamby-pamby stuff. This is real construction!</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Currently, there are five homes under construction in <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Trinity</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Park. E</placetype></place>ventually the community will have 38 homes, each built to meet <a href="http://www.mlgw.com/SubView.php?key=about_ecobuild">MLGW’s EcoBUILD</a> requirements, and a community resource center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every home is sponsored by one or several organizations, and a good deal of the labor comes from those groups’ volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delta Airlines, FedEx, and <a href="http://www.servicemaster.com/">ServiceMaster</a> have all sponsored their own homes and send crews out on an almost daily basis from different departments within their companies to work on the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other homes are sponsored by multiple groups – the Memphis Area Association of Realtors is just one of several sponsors of the house being built for Regina Lawson, the house I got to work on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While you’re volunteering, it’s likely you’ll be working alongside the home’s owner, and I got to spend a lot of time chatting with <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Regina</place></city> about her new place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has five children and one granddaughter and she’s really excited to move into her new place, which should be ready by the end of the month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floorplans are picked by the Habitat folks based on an owner’s need; however, <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Regina</place></city> and the other homeowners will get to pick their paint colors, flooring, countertops, cabinets, and what sort of landscaping they’d like around the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also talked with Erika Finley, the owner of the ServiceMaster-sponsored house, and she’ll be moving into her house at the end of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both women were really excited about what having a home of their own would mean to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the stress of substandard living conditions and with a new sense of financial stability, both <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Regina</place></city> and Erika were eager to consider new career training or going back to school to finish long-forgotten aspirations.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJceFEruQfFEApFOw3BIA32sXRbkhIkdCiOvSJjHjZtQFUdOkExcbv1AfPwqyfonevsyfeAU_ji71oN_riP3vwLhV2xz9m8lJyJWn7XG72WoD5xKMuI2K-yx37c_3oE2HQlaVjQGtC8M/s1600/Habitat+for+Humanity+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJceFEruQfFEApFOw3BIA32sXRbkhIkdCiOvSJjHjZtQFUdOkExcbv1AfPwqyfonevsyfeAU_ji71oN_riP3vwLhV2xz9m8lJyJWn7XG72WoD5xKMuI2K-yx37c_3oE2HQlaVjQGtC8M/s400/Habitat+for+Humanity+013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The good folks at ServiceMaster putting the finishing touches<br />
on Erika's new house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I’m a bleeding heart that can hardly say no, so it’s all I can do not to whip out my checkbook every time I see a <a href="http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD">St. Jude</a> commercial or when I hear about what good work the <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on"><a href="http://www.churchhealthcenter.org/">Church</placetype> <placename w:st="on">Health</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</a></placetype></place> is up to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for all the money you can throw at a problem, some organizations want <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty stingy with my time, but volunteering for Habitat for Humanity was a great experience for me – it’s a wonderful way to get out there, roll up your sleeves, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see the results, you can visit with the people who’s lives you’re changing, and you can rest easy in the knowledge that Habitat is in it for the long haul, counseling their new homeowners along the way, encouraging them to make the right financial decisions, and fostering a spirit of service that makes communities better.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">To find more information about volunteer opportunities, check out the <a href="http://www.memphishabitat.com/index.shtml">Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis website</a>. Not so much into swinging a hammer? That's fine, too. Habitat is always looking for folks to serve on their commitees, help plan fundraisers, and organize the Youth United Build. And if you've got some time, drive by Trinity Park to see the good that's going on. It's a bustling site of volunteers, sub-contractors, "green hats", and other Habitat organizers just south of <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=winchester+and+park+lake+drive+memphis&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGIT_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Winchester+Rd+%26+Park+Lake+Dr,+Memphis,+TN+38118&gl=us&ei=WYizTPiaHoOKlwejx8zmDw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA">Winchester on Park Lake Drive</a>. I'll be there this Saturday afternoon, helping Regina paint her brand new kitchen.</div></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-57452884830382662952010-09-29T08:09:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:28:53.495-08:00You should get to know a good red beans & rice recipe...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXC4nDgRx9Y-g2p7EQAke2braJVsQ64xUQYddNNTnKGXMMXKc_3W4pX5r2dFZxin1y1cPI1GpjBEhhrwhXF1xuBkFysUL56nzXl29R6aGn5VR61S4BvzSbX4kFSo3a_59womlkBbUpXk/s1600/fall+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXC4nDgRx9Y-g2p7EQAke2braJVsQ64xUQYddNNTnKGXMMXKc_3W4pX5r2dFZxin1y1cPI1GpjBEhhrwhXF1xuBkFysUL56nzXl29R6aGn5VR61S4BvzSbX4kFSo3a_59womlkBbUpXk/s320/fall+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houndstooth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's 60<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">° </span>this morning in Memphis and I'm ecstatic. I took the pooch on her morning stroll and I needed a sweater (so did she)! Actually, the weather's been fantastic since this weekend and because of the cooler temperatures, I've been planning a few of the fall to-do's around the house: switch out the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter closets, find those fall and Halloween decorations, put out some mums and pansies and pumpkins and gourds, and pull out my comfort-food recipes. I dread the closet task and I'm not looking forward to pillaging the attic for our box of Halloween goodies, but the landscaping chore got a lot easier when I opened up my email this morning to find a </span><a href="http://www.groupon.com/subscriptions/new?utm_content=2s225&division_p=memphis"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Groupon</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> offer of 50% off at Midtown Nursery. Score! I LOVE Groupon!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But the food! Oh, the food! There's something so earthy and rich and satisfying about the offerings this time of year that make the fruit and pasta and chicken salads of this summer seem so...well, salad-y. I want stick-to-your-ribs goodness and full flavors and spices and carbs! I want the house to smell amazing and folks to walk in and say, "Mmmmmm, it smells so GOOD; I can't wait to EAT!" And the first thing you should make now that the temperatures have turned and football season is in full swing: Red Beans & Rice. It's the perfect dish - the recipe is easy enough that you can sort of ease yourself back into the kitchen after the summer hiatus and the payoff is nothing short of spectacular. I've been known to rip into a box of Zataran's for a quick RB&R (that's what we call it around our house) fix, but you gotta go home-made if you want to do it right. And for the perfect recipe, I turned to my friend Patti Bryan because she knows how to do it right.</span><br />
<div><em></em><br />
<blockquote><a href="http://hugsfromhome.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/monday-red-beans-and-rice/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Patti Bryan's Monday Red Beans & Rice</span></a></blockquote></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 lb Camellia Red Kidney Beans, presoaked</span></li>
<ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Boil beans in water for 3 minutes in a heavy pot. Cover and set aside for 2 hours. Drain and discard the water.</span></li>
</ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I lb Andouille sausage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">8-10 cups water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 medium onion, chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 ribs celery, chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 clove garlic, minced</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 bay leaf</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp parsley, chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp Cajun seasoning</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cayenne pepper to taste, optional</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Salt & pepper to taste (taste before adding salt!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Freshly cooked hot, fluffy rice, cooked separately</span></li>
</ul><div><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rinse and sort beans. Cover with fresh water, start to cook over low heat in a covered pot. In an iron skillet, cook sliced Andouille sausage and add to the beans. In the drippings, saut<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">é </span>onion, garlic, celery, and parsley. Add this, along with the bay leaf and other seasonings, to the beans. Cook for an hour and thirty to forty-five minutes. Add water while cooking, if necessary. Keep the beans covered. Serve over hot rice with </span><a href="http://hugsfromhome.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/new-orleans-cornbread-perfect-everytime/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New Orleans Cornbread</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></blockquote></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBO0c4CIpRhR_wqiOfA4XVI41c1_3-EZRS1s55JPB2eBtGg82OKcUlK3x7GjdSja36fXXXhHhRAzbfl9oguzCsrJ5agtZ9BrCzg_eiRxo3TdE296UIMTotx0Kp5gdo89uUSqexzm0vy0/s1600/iphone+pictures+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBO0c4CIpRhR_wqiOfA4XVI41c1_3-EZRS1s55JPB2eBtGg82OKcUlK3x7GjdSja36fXXXhHhRAzbfl9oguzCsrJ5agtZ9BrCzg_eiRxo3TdE296UIMTotx0Kp5gdo89uUSqexzm0vy0/s320/iphone+pictures+075.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I cannot WAIT to put some Red Beans & Rice on the stove this afternoon! Kevin's going to be thrilled and the house is gonna smell sooooo good! We like our RB&R with the roasted garlic loaf you can pick up at Miss Cordelia's. When dinner's finished and you've got to satisfy your sweet tooth, try a handfull of roasted, salted peanuts and candy corn - tastes <em>just like </em>a Payday. No kidding.</span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For more marvelous recipes from Patti, you should check out her blog, <a href="http://hugsfromhome.wordpress.com/">Hugs From Home</a>. She's got a catalog of recipes that have been passed through her family for generations, and a few she's perfected on her own. Everything on her site sounds amazing and is reminiscent of leafing through my own family's private collection. Think Paula Deen with a little bit more Cajun and Creole influence and a whole lot less annoying. Whatever you cook, I'm sure it'll be a hit. Thanks, Patti, for letting me share your Red Beans & Rice recipe!</div><br />
Happy Fall, Y'all!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-3266509274472139222010-09-28T15:39:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:30:11.397-08:00Tuesday Tour - 642 WatsonI'm fighting off a nap as I write this and here's why: <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/08/the-best-fried-chicken-might-b.html">Gus's Fried Chicken</a>. That's right, I had Gus's for lunch. Kudos to the friendly Crye-Leike agent who hosted a Realtor Open House in High Point Terrace and stuffed us all silly with fried, spicy goodness. If you're an agent and you happen to be reading this, right now would be the time to swoop in and get some deals done because the weather is right and I know probably 1/3 of the agents in this town are in a fried chicken-induced stupor like me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExUcT-QdFiQt9r6xMOcvtbsSNcn8KOVas0QbMLXsxcn5lf87Ht9tEqOkxNQu1CXgUOQvQiPHbmPqnVU-8AFaWdqJqJaHEJFExA3DeWRTK5fe_aKXrMnuFZMvJKgouAUOVITG_vz-cb3s/s1600/642+Watson+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExUcT-QdFiQt9r6xMOcvtbsSNcn8KOVas0QbMLXsxcn5lf87Ht9tEqOkxNQu1CXgUOQvQiPHbmPqnVU-8AFaWdqJqJaHEJFExA3DeWRTK5fe_aKXrMnuFZMvJKgouAUOVITG_vz-cb3s/s400/642+Watson+035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">642 Watson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But before I find a desk to crawl under, I wanted to tell you guys about a cute little house in East Memphis that I just listed last week, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=642+watson+38111&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGIT_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=642+Watson+St,+Memphis,+TN+38111&gl=us&ei=wmyiTMmbC4SdlgeopfWhBA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA">642 Watson</a>. I helped the current owners, Devyn and Kyle Parkinson, along with their happy dog Crash, when they bought the house. Believe me when I say we searched high and low, allllll over town for the perfect little nest for them. I think Devyn was 14 months pregnant before they signed on the dotted line and I was seriously starting to worry that I'd have to help her deliver her baby while we were house-hunting. Thankfully, Devyn had the decency to check into a proper hospital just a few days before closing. And then there were five. Ava and Elly, the cutest little twins you ever saw, round out the starting lineup (see, this line is funny because both Devyn and Kyle worked for the <a href="http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t235">Memphis Redbirds</a> when I first met them!). Well, now it's time to move on, and it's kind of sad because it's their family's first home and I hate to see wonderful people leave Memphis. However, I just know someone will love this house as much as the Parkinsons have. Let's take a tour, shall we?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN8Y8enPD6LDW1wzatZi2MRTgQjSwqVpLtjH3MGT1NIF_6Gx2ImT1ndIwLPpnnFWGT1TYNn-9Y8HZIXuawPoBbS-Sh9IaOlS6lx6_OKoL0F-yy1qaIIRMXDt-qpcRSRe5jEtDEbPj32g/s1600/642+Watson+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN8Y8enPD6LDW1wzatZi2MRTgQjSwqVpLtjH3MGT1NIF_6Gx2ImT1ndIwLPpnnFWGT1TYNn-9Y8HZIXuawPoBbS-Sh9IaOlS6lx6_OKoL0F-yy1qaIIRMXDt-qpcRSRe5jEtDEbPj32g/s400/642+Watson+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7MMpgtL3KdXhru0aI7htZBHcsELU3bjT1J70QtXwNcYZmXVKDvD_tAz2W7l_DkG4Krg6bzr1nCg4YchuuIGIx4cKTORXxdrEC1sRVAXsDEwjrkfkaPqg20Es7eI_BFtOfU6R0hcnaww/s1600/642+Watson+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7MMpgtL3KdXhru0aI7htZBHcsELU3bjT1J70QtXwNcYZmXVKDvD_tAz2W7l_DkG4Krg6bzr1nCg4YchuuIGIx4cKTORXxdrEC1sRVAXsDEwjrkfkaPqg20Es7eI_BFtOfU6R0hcnaww/s400/642+Watson+010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH8PwgxpENaRqxyqk1siuH-TqBVfO65V_sNpTI3gf073fSXbVc4XoYBKIazRREJ44Qp2byBV8gOMlKJ0TVtk_JZQprYcmePmxHxid0G75qwaVqpik_roe39pHw9vYAnPoWyLXgFTVj4c/s1600/642+Watson+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH8PwgxpENaRqxyqk1siuH-TqBVfO65V_sNpTI3gf073fSXbVc4XoYBKIazRREJ44Qp2byBV8gOMlKJ0TVtk_JZQprYcmePmxHxid0G75qwaVqpik_roe39pHw9vYAnPoWyLXgFTVj4c/s400/642+Watson+021.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukEf4YTqqAD6xUy93JcH8BIpt-dbL88hhW1-R0yPB0FYDJnEvNncLEsr_zOdxKStjK_hqqVTiBfbY6RxLzpSOGJ-fMOGU7YNMt0wcka9w0_ajssOcXEjLRralN1lv-f19NAoKutnuxh4/s1600/642+Watson+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukEf4YTqqAD6xUy93JcH8BIpt-dbL88hhW1-R0yPB0FYDJnEvNncLEsr_zOdxKStjK_hqqVTiBfbY6RxLzpSOGJ-fMOGU7YNMt0wcka9w0_ajssOcXEjLRralN1lv-f19NAoKutnuxh4/s400/642+Watson+018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpxcNxdSMPQnaVAPpqflSMa-LepVgAnJ16dGD_K3LprgDdHHfoQTTThgw6DnR1-4asr-5VYYkRbWTwwNi2U6DiiUP5VDem0LmDm4qI7Ms959rR6I0pytdkWBub5l_Vl6ftUSlHtN38Wg/s1600/642+Watson+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpxcNxdSMPQnaVAPpqflSMa-LepVgAnJ16dGD_K3LprgDdHHfoQTTThgw6DnR1-4asr-5VYYkRbWTwwNi2U6DiiUP5VDem0LmDm4qI7Ms959rR6I0pytdkWBub5l_Vl6ftUSlHtN38Wg/s400/642+Watson+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Bedroom (I LOVE the green & brown for a nursery!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E5dWY8raDCLqhFb8itpgXjhuSDr035-t72gwZp4OUpN18bXGa083BigEQ-C9nSOA591Yw-MPADLRaMuVfA0mDuQN2RA4UVupn69XaFJ5Iajfzuj-VKHa5lxmY4xfeVNfQnjtAPcmel0/s1600/642+Watson+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E5dWY8raDCLqhFb8itpgXjhuSDr035-t72gwZp4OUpN18bXGa083BigEQ-C9nSOA591Yw-MPADLRaMuVfA0mDuQN2RA4UVupn69XaFJ5Iajfzuj-VKHa5lxmY4xfeVNfQnjtAPcmel0/s400/642+Watson+008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hall bathroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tMunQuJ9Yn3_bfk6sGrWmG9ke51ZoYhS4gj6EXQG6wlyVuC-WiC0vYG38t7lCNyhu4SVjamP9wFbnuJeYkKtQlIo3pASZj3srSG8WK5uHVYKO_T9J4JZeoB1Tben0qFjD-F9ITppQZc/s1600/642+Watson+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tMunQuJ9Yn3_bfk6sGrWmG9ke51ZoYhS4gj6EXQG6wlyVuC-WiC0vYG38t7lCNyhu4SVjamP9wFbnuJeYkKtQlIo3pASZj3srSG8WK5uHVYKO_T9J4JZeoB1Tben0qFjD-F9ITppQZc/s400/642+Watson+024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big ol' deck off the back (There's Crash in the corner! Hi Crash!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-CTDO0GwsAi_QRDITiB6mjIx61W8VJ34W_KQNUcS3SGUKl8OWgSTLfUhMiug1mADzx1l_mjT7CS-PF4Ol-FnuMSE-jcemhbjqJjfh-TzBQnIpthbYp63Cu1vWpWu6ZQgVKLD1KTd1TA/s1600/642+Watson+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-CTDO0GwsAi_QRDITiB6mjIx61W8VJ34W_KQNUcS3SGUKl8OWgSTLfUhMiug1mADzx1l_mjT7CS-PF4Ol-FnuMSE-jcemhbjqJjfh-TzBQnIpthbYp63Cu1vWpWu6ZQgVKLD1KTd1TA/s400/642+Watson+026.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big ol' fenced-in backyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYGBbYiLaFTs9IlYYnE2p8aOaPdOS6168wzQ0gS4cXOI6ryayBy3NzU1W_TIo5zgQBXzI8Gx11qWcEs7SWuxvRI3dH_w0ah72x_SRobKWrPzvuZoQ1I3zQDy1Qxo7ZuOx6jUzcpz0_N8/s1600/642+Watson+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYGBbYiLaFTs9IlYYnE2p8aOaPdOS6168wzQ0gS4cXOI6ryayBy3NzU1W_TIo5zgQBXzI8Gx11qWcEs7SWuxvRI3dH_w0ah72x_SRobKWrPzvuZoQ1I3zQDy1Qxo7ZuOx6jUzcpz0_N8/s320/642+Watson+015.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
There are these beautiful dark, wood floors throughout the house; big, pretty ceramic tile in the kitchen and bathrooms; interesting arched doorways; a friendly front porch; and my gosh what a great backyard! The front door is one of my favorite features - it's this great Frank Lloyd Wright-ish inspired wood door with beautiful glass work. The living and dining rooms have been painted in a crisp, brown-paper-bag color that really makes the house feel so warm and welcome as soon as you come in. You may have noticed in my own home-improvement pictures that I'm a bit obsessed with kitten gray walls, so I LOVE the master bedroom and it's deeper, richer version. It's such a serene color to me, perfect for your sleep retreat. All the trim work in the house is a glossy white (my favorite!) and it looks so clean and fresh. The deck out back features great bench seating all around the perimeter, perfect for inviting your new favorite neighbors over to show off your new digs. And they'll be jealous, too; most of the homes in this neighborhood are smallish, with two, <em>maybe </em>three bedrooms and one or one and a half bathrooms. THIS one boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms, which is kind of a big deal. <br />
<br />
Speaking of the neighborhood, I LOVE this area. The neighborhood is called Normal School Place (because it's adjacent to the <a href="http://www.memphis.edu/">University of Memphis</a>, originally known as the West Tennessee State Normal School) and it's just east of the University in a pretty little three block by five block section of homes (that's an approximation, folks) that's kind of in the middle of everything in Memphis. There are all kinds of great restaurants and bars and the like around the University (<a href="http://www.rptracks.com/">RP Tracks</a>, <a href="http://www.brotherjunipers.com/">Brother Juniper's</a>, and <a href="http://newbysmemphis.com/">Newby's</a> come to mind); there's plenty of shopping with <a href="http://www.laurelwoodmemphis.com/">Laurelwood</a>, Laurelwood Collection, Oak Court, Target(!) and Poplar Plaza nearby; you've got your pick of darn near any local or national grocery chain within a 5 minute drive (trust me, if you live downtown, that's kind of a big deal); and Audubon Park, the <a href="http://www.memphisbotanicgarden.com/">Botanic Gardens</a>, and the <a href="http://www.tennismemphis.org/index_files/Page756.htm">Leftwich Tennis Center</a> are practically in your backyard. It'd be almost impossible not to be fit, happy, and have plenty to do if you lived in this house.<br />
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Once you see it, I think you'll agree there's something just wonderful about this house and this neighborhood. Just say the word and I'll be happy to give you a tour. In the mean time, I'm taking that nap.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-26509069878332822102010-09-27T14:16:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:31:04.960-08:00Home Improvement Project - Filling in the TV NookOne of the things Kevin and I really liked about each other when we first met was our collective apathy for all things TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had both given up cable years ago in favor of a cheaper, less distracting lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our respective homes, we both had just the one TV – the big, old, giant box of a television set that was only good for whatever it could pick up with rabbit ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had found my soul mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together we secretly scoffed at our friends, those suckers who were spending who-knows-what on their utility bill to keep their behemoth sets running and who were slaves to the cable/satellite companies that were charging outrageous premiums for just-like-being-there quality pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were self-righteous, patting ourselves on the back for choosing to be above the fray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, one day, we wandered into a Best Buy. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I don’t even know why we were there and I’m not exactly sure how it all happened, but before we could say “let’s stimulate the economy with a big ticket item purchase,” we came out of a big box store loaded down with a pretty fabulous flat-panel, 1080i resolution (I have no idea what that even means), LG HD TV (there are waaay too many acronyms here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were pretty smitten from the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why had we denied ourselves this luxury for so long?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> were the schmucks who had refused to enter the 21<sup>st</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the picture quality!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is Just Like Being There!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio3IoOy-lriOp1inxMdPjYU1aK-90uZN96tUrK9yomB97VnbQimsBXa_sDTSba3SUmxoIGMnN99LZxApel_1p0QY1q6g45bU2Rywz-ewIIxiJMzjDevgQIrXpic7u7qVP1JhnMj6Kv4I/s1600/lr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio3IoOy-lriOp1inxMdPjYU1aK-90uZN96tUrK9yomB97VnbQimsBXa_sDTSba3SUmxoIGMnN99LZxApel_1p0QY1q6g45bU2Rywz-ewIIxiJMzjDevgQIrXpic7u7qVP1JhnMj6Kv4I/s400/lr5.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's just weird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> However, one of the things we never even had to consider became an issue right away when we brought our new set home – The TV Nook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The TV Nook is a late 20<sup>th</sup>-/early 21<sup>st</sup> -century design element that’s found in most of the homes in our neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The TV Nook, a one-time selling point, is a deep hole with cable and electrical outlets positioned on the back wall, usually set over the mantle, that’s meant as a tidy home for your big ol’ boxy TV set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time of its advent, it really wasn’t a bad idea:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the developer had kindly eliminated the need for a separate piece of furniture to house your TV and created a functional space over the fireplace in case you were lacking in the “pretty art that could hang over the mantle” department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as more people ditch their boxy TVs in favor of flat-panel sets, the TV Nook is becoming obsolete for two reasons:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1.) it restricts the size of your new flat-panel TV purchase, and 2.) if your TV does fit, the space between the back of your set and the back wall just looks weird.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">While our TV <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did </i>fit into the nook, it just didn’t look at home there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter Kevin, the Man Who Knows How To Do Stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a good, hard look at the nook and decided he was up for the job of enclosing the space and mounting our new TV on the wall just above the fireplace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And thus, the first big project that he tackled in our new house began.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMdAK7vBiTI7rPpbNLK_YgmgY-_KF0PaLgKmE1nAF_tyZqm5Ez4Ye7N8w0w9E74rIo1zSvvNYfovHBMuhq8c2QjA3vjn_l-2qxycZEsSQ78P5fj7mEWR79qpzlQrxyU8iw8XukbxpmAg/s1600/project+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMdAK7vBiTI7rPpbNLK_YgmgY-_KF0PaLgKmE1nAF_tyZqm5Ez4Ye7N8w0w9E74rIo1zSvvNYfovHBMuhq8c2QjA3vjn_l-2qxycZEsSQ78P5fj7mEWR79qpzlQrxyU8iw8XukbxpmAg/s400/project+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's do this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzE4HJidalHUDzmf3BgfjEYIyz07aQe4fM7J9uKkKpBMUiCgFpDqzXoTwuOAU-BdmI39zHeNBF5LTYBG0GKg1ae3MsDzy7C2zYOmWcXy7KMe_jG2aQz2wn-L9xAnOBHZWnC77MCSUsK4/s1600/project+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzE4HJidalHUDzmf3BgfjEYIyz07aQe4fM7J9uKkKpBMUiCgFpDqzXoTwuOAU-BdmI39zHeNBF5LTYBG0GKg1ae3MsDzy7C2zYOmWcXy7KMe_jG2aQz2wn-L9xAnOBHZWnC77MCSUsK4/s400/project+009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin dropped the mantle down about six inches...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJrrD7yvqQXb78vGd80vSSOQGvhCSEnlGfzhqb1Pu-1ziGpX4ACQbPhNEmXq6GhtDIltHVbcsPOCZOA3nIRorQFb63otV4gfTHBl1eld6WNvlmo2V49I00xef8gdkDXOyhwubAAFxPt0/s1600/project+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJrrD7yvqQXb78vGd80vSSOQGvhCSEnlGfzhqb1Pu-1ziGpX4ACQbPhNEmXq6GhtDIltHVbcsPOCZOA3nIRorQFb63otV4gfTHBl1eld6WNvlmo2V49I00xef8gdkDXOyhwubAAFxPt0/s400/project+015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frame it up...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfDr5GKdsp8Ac6dUwvSCiBoUOnfTohPdOxeO7j9VhqKpR7iUM4le6vQfDzSxHm5VP5dQKh_QRXIOHp_hRGY5yg1MWVHeBRzfRyhukaPYYOm5hdpITwq7HdcyYZRwFnykHdb68_JHIGb4/s1600/project+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfDr5GKdsp8Ac6dUwvSCiBoUOnfTohPdOxeO7j9VhqKpR7iUM4le6vQfDzSxHm5VP5dQKh_QRXIOHp_hRGY5yg1MWVHeBRzfRyhukaPYYOm5hdpITwq7HdcyYZRwFnykHdb68_JHIGb4/s400/project+017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patch it up...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihco04agPu-i2Vcg0IEl2Q9T4Eg_nr3FZzifMcY7uszcVVGdEqJqY-pfBQBLS9e_L7Gv8xA1IPlx_oszGKhbbK1a7J7ASQjAEeADr9PIaIprge2CTRE_aqXWifcqBvhlxjFPyS-bi80FE/s1600/project+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihco04agPu-i2Vcg0IEl2Q9T4Eg_nr3FZzifMcY7uszcVVGdEqJqY-pfBQBLS9e_L7Gv8xA1IPlx_oszGKhbbK1a7J7ASQjAEeADr9PIaIprge2CTRE_aqXWifcqBvhlxjFPyS-bi80FE/s400/project+020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint it up...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRdXiKJb6x0cQat7xiDF1VoyKq5VKBiDeKPBHvrh1s96W_cwE5ph1z4Bxazetem9Qe9Lfwb5vO9zIPV5R8_hWwJVkAxjLg0PZfjQUo9DYMD8OzfvDs247CZ7POXfdQGpbnVCL8IUPib4/s1600/project+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRdXiKJb6x0cQat7xiDF1VoyKq5VKBiDeKPBHvrh1s96W_cwE5ph1z4Bxazetem9Qe9Lfwb5vO9zIPV5R8_hWwJVkAxjLg0PZfjQUo9DYMD8OzfvDs247CZ7POXfdQGpbnVCL8IUPib4/s400/project+024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whew! Just in time for <em>30 Rock</em>!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDe35ljFX2GZxFPCGCYzotP3G7ahmyJrErrgno3jLMoAxhB3GPuTFJ1FdV5pvSBF_4xA_8zdEjaKM4BIac7HHKezcqojRIjlP4uTzOyl2KNcvGB1WKJVkHLsy-Fw4ZlrchEVgkTXoKOc/s1600/TV+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDe35ljFX2GZxFPCGCYzotP3G7ahmyJrErrgno3jLMoAxhB3GPuTFJ1FdV5pvSBF_4xA_8zdEjaKM4BIac7HHKezcqojRIjlP4uTzOyl2KNcvGB1WKJVkHLsy-Fw4ZlrchEVgkTXoKOc/s400/TV+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voila!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
There were four big components here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1.) Lower the mantle a bit (we had already agreed the TV was positioned too high on the wall - we were straining our necks looking at the blasted thing); 2.) Build out a support frame for hanging the new TV, cover it with drywall, and install a TV bracket (buying the bracket was the first order of business since Kevin needed to know how and where it would be attached to the wall, thus dictating where the framing would be installed); 3.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring the cable and electrical outlets forward to the newly installed wall so they can be accessed easily; and 4.) Sand, prime, paint, finish and clean-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the staircase project I’ve written about before, this isn’t the kind of thing a novice could tackle; however, it wasn’t nearly as time-consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Kevin took about a week to knock this out.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And the big, exciting news?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This li’l project cost just under $50!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re not so DIY inclined, you can certainly call in a contractor for this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know of a few that do a lot of work on <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Mud</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype></place> who’ve added the ol’ Fill in the TV Nook project to their repertoire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should expect to pay between $400 and $500 for their services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way you do it, it’s a nice way to update your house a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen some creative cover-ups (propping an oversized painting over the hole, using the space for board game storage, shoving an over-sized silk floral arrangement into the nook), but eliminating the problem instead of working around it is the cleanest, most attractive route.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio3IoOy-lriOp1inxMdPjYU1aK-90uZN96tUrK9yomB97VnbQimsBXa_sDTSba3SUmxoIGMnN99LZxApel_1p0QY1q6g45bU2Rywz-ewIIxiJMzjDevgQIrXpic7u7qVP1JhnMj6Kv4I/s1600/lr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio3IoOy-lriOp1inxMdPjYU1aK-90uZN96tUrK9yomB97VnbQimsBXa_sDTSba3SUmxoIGMnN99LZxApel_1p0QY1q6g45bU2Rywz-ewIIxiJMzjDevgQIrXpic7u7qVP1JhnMj6Kv4I/s320/lr5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWQZL910GOl6Ul4EOuXI4X82Ibfh_Lbev3W9wyboQ6NqW-Rw-dqjMuwh3aI5rLCm423F_fLddo1bMiWqXjONWj5IRQ-KTtzetj-KEZHGcbKaEEn7HHlPz6fqgl3o1fNcD4dNCr8IfHL0/s1600/TV+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWQZL910GOl6Ul4EOuXI4X82Ibfh_Lbev3W9wyboQ6NqW-Rw-dqjMuwh3aI5rLCm423F_fLddo1bMiWqXjONWj5IRQ-KTtzetj-KEZHGcbKaEEn7HHlPz6fqgl3o1fNcD4dNCr8IfHL0/s320/TV+013.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I guess I do need to offer this disclaimer, too:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the components that a TV can require these days (the receiver, the surround sound, the DVD player, the cable/satellite box, the gaming station, etc.) a lot of folks are left wondering where all that is gonna go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were pretty lucky in that respect – the previous owner had already fashioned an exterior route for the cables to run from the components to the TV set, so we didn’t have to do the ol’ tuck-and-tape trick with the wiring and were free to set the components in a tower off to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t ask for quotes, but if you get a contractor to come and help you with this one, it might be worth asking about rigging some behind-the-wall wiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The devil’s in the details and future prospective buyers will appreciate those kinds of touches.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh, and Kevin and me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, we’re not so self-righteous these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We totally fell for the hype and now we subscribe to an HD satellite package with, like, a billion channels; we DVR like it’s a job; and you can catch us most nights staring up, open-mouthed and barely blinking, at our sleek, glossy, flat-panel TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we couldn’t be happier.</div></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-46013096631524357822010-09-22T15:19:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:31:43.563-08:00You should get to know Brad Sterling<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“For your protection, get a home inspection!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In the real estate world, there’s a little extra form that comes with the FHA/VA Financing Addendum that admonishes folks to get their house inspected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care what kind of financing you’re getting, if you don’t get a home inspection, you’re flying blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home inspections are…well, why don’t I let a professional tell you what they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brad Sterling is the owner, operator, and principal inspector at <a href="http://www.amerispec.net/Home.aspx?LNU=40541">Sterling Amerispec Home Inspections</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I caught up with him at <a href="http://www.youngavenuedeli.com/">Young Avenue Deli</a> last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what I like most about this guy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His enthusiasm and honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, I’d never been around Brad except when he’d been performing home inspections for my buyers, so it was refreshing to see that the same things that make him so enjoyable to work with carry over into his downtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was eager to jump right into the Q&A session, talking so fast that my pen was practically smokin’!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can tell he’s excited about what he does and cares a lot about doing it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was kind enough to give me an hour or so of his time to fill me in on what really goes on in the life and times of a home inspector:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would HATE to invite you over for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you make mental notes of your friends’ homes’ flaws?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I completely understand that there are little projects we all want to tackle and we all live with the random quirkiness in our houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t really pay any attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only time I say anything is if there’s a serious fire, safety, or health hazard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, I’m not running around putting stickers on all your rotten wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not judging you.<br />
<br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KXNncy4930dO7bi5qroC9ijcpj7VKRT3MrxOv9GCMiKR45dqP9GSlm4xX6gv4GxQj2g1QG-FZ3YpfbVq4IaDLIysFgIkn6vSGtmm6QUD92NIvcB76dQsbyra2iIxMrRInZA-ZgMj3m8/s1600/Blog+Pics+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KXNncy4930dO7bi5qroC9ijcpj7VKRT3MrxOv9GCMiKR45dqP9GSlm4xX6gv4GxQj2g1QG-FZ3YpfbVq4IaDLIysFgIkn6vSGtmm6QUD92NIvcB76dQsbyra2iIxMrRInZA-ZgMj3m8/s400/Blog+Pics+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sterling. Brad Sterling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alright Brad, what do you do?</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the short answer is I assess the condition of homes; I disclose to the buyer the condition of the property they’re interested in buying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More specifically, I cover the major components:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and air components, attic insulation and ventilation, fireplaces, built-in appliances, windows…Gosh, it’d almost be easier for me to tell you what I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t </i>cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t do phone lines or security systems or audio/video equipment or satellites.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds like a lot of responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m guessing, just like in any other profession, all inspectors are not created equally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What should folks look for in a home inspector?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really important to know how long an inspector has lived in an area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a life-long Memphian and I’ve been doing this for 14 years in West Tennessee and <place w:st="on">North Mississippi</place>; I know the area’s standard practices, I’m familiar with local code, and I can almost pre-diagnose a home based on it’s age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Midtown homes are especially tricky and quirky and already having a base of knowledge to pull from is an advantage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure your inspector has plenty of insurance coverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I carry E&O [Errors & Omissions] insurance of $1 million.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a lot of liability with what I do and lawsuits aren’t uncommon (or cheap).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I know some inspectors feel like they have to earn their fee, making mountains out of molehills to make you feel like the inspection was worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, the best thing I can say is, “This is a great house!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What should folks expect from their inspector?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they write an acceptable offer, buyers should schedule a home inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the appointed day, I’ll take a few hours to go through the house, check on the major components, make note of any defects, and take pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, I write up a report noting all the findings and attach pictures of the items in question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often, the buyers will meet me at the house as I finish up the inspection and I’ll go over what I’ve found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll verbally highlight the big things (any fire, health, or safety hazards should be addressed by a licensed professional) and go over things that should be attended to with either maintenance or repair (these aren’t usually big deals, just the stuff of homeownership) but because of liability, there really is no differentiation made on the written copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The verbal wrap-up is really important here: the written report can often make the house look like a mess when in reality it’s just a bunch of squeaky doors, rotten wood, and some missing insulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of those things are big deals and they can all be fixed, cheaply and easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If buyers <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and their agents </i>don’t take time to be there for the wrap-up, they miss the point, freak out, and may even walk away from the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, my report is not meant as a laundry list of everything that must be done before the buyer should close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just a disclosure on the condition; it’s up to the buyer and seller to agree on what repairs will be handled.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much do inspections cost?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pricing is based on the square footage of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s an additional fee if there’s a crawlspace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, there are extra expenses for pools, hot tubs, and synthetic stucco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you call to schedule an inspection we clarify what will be inspected and let you know what the price will be then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some folks think this is an expense that’s a part of closing costs; however, unless otherwise specified, payment is due at the time of inspection.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBNFzDqjjl5NilNt11Gy-eEesypjU1o9WTuJVDIrQv-QYT7Okf07-WZgg68ZuDSiIGvaxAu6cMTj8mcuexF8Rxdq4B7iGBf-Om9jzDdvLz4QfklwKTL43W2qU3M-abqlmmj9z8okoYEk/s1600/Blog+Pics+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBNFzDqjjl5NilNt11Gy-eEesypjU1o9WTuJVDIrQv-QYT7Okf07-WZgg68ZuDSiIGvaxAu6cMTj8mcuexF8Rxdq4B7iGBf-Om9jzDdvLz4QfklwKTL43W2qU3M-abqlmmj9z8okoYEk/s400/Blog+Pics+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No homes were harmed during the production<br />
of this blogpost.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s the biggest misconception about what you do?</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t do aesthetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you don’t like the wallpaper in the kitchen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s no going on my report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not here to help you re-negotiate your contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just doing my due diligence to produce an assessment of the condition of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also heard some agents call me a “deal-killer”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t do it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house did!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s the best part of your job?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love first-time home buyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether everything’s still in soft-focus and I have to bring them down to reality or they’re getting antsy and I reassure them that, for the most part, everything’s okay, it’s great helping people realize their dreams and calming their fears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People understand that I’m there to protect their investment and inform them on the biggest purchase they’ve ever made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a nice feeling.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s the worst part?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unrealistic clients and agents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some folks think I can – want me to – come in and say nothing’s wrong, to justify their purchase decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others think that just because it’s in my report a seller will agree to everything on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of these things ever really happen.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any great horror stories?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could write a book!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s see…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, here’s a creepy one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was inspecting what was essentially a glorified trailer out in the county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was positioned on a sloped lot and it had a skirt around the crawl space so that you could walk upright into the crawlspace, but as you moved further in you had to stoop and eventually crawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m moving deeper into the crawlspace and I’ve got my flashlight out and I’m looking around and I see what looks like…well, I didn’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a circle of stones around an area about the size of teenage body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a gravesite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lost it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came scrambling out from under the house, grabbed the agent and the buyer and said, “you gotta come and see this! Tell me what you think this is!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other problem was that the house was fed by well water – if it was indeed a gravesite, you’re dealing with water contamination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote it up as, “Circle of stones observed in crawlspace that appears to be a gravesite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Requires further review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Potential safety issue.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out the folks who lived there buried their Great Dane under the house!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who does that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yeah, definite water contamination issue there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What else should folks know about working with a home inspector?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sellers can use inspectors, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can get what’s called a Listing Inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I perform the same inspection of all the major components and write up a report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sellers can use that in all sorts of ways:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they can go ahead and tackle the repairs, keep the receipts from the work performed, and show it to all potential buyers as a clean bill of health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also a good thing to have to honestly fill out the <a href="http://www.tarnet.com/files/pdf/2010forms/F16.pdf">Property Condition Disclosure Form</a> that all sellers have to provide their buyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, it’s a nice selling point and a lot of buyers seem to appreciate the extra time the seller put in.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Brad and I chatted the afternoon away over a couple of cold beverages and some of the best fries in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did ask him about his own house and it turns out this guy has vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house he bought was, as he described it, a dump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pink carpet, green toilet, dropped-tile ceiling, hideous wallpaper, that kind of stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the woodwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, the woodwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waxed poetic about how the trim work and the cabinets had never been touched and they were beautiful and he knew he could make the rest of it work as long as he had that marvelous woodwork as a base for everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s probably what makes him a great home inspector:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he’s able to see through the inconsequential crap to what really makes a home worthwhile.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Are you interested in booking Brad for your home inspection?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can make an appointment through Harold Sterling at (901) 725-9988. Just remember, whoever you get to give your house the once-over, "for your protection, get a home inspection!"</div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-46210148277441279002010-09-21T20:08:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:32:17.618-08:00Tuesday Tour - 2292 EvelynWowza! What a busy Tuesday! On top of the usual sales meeting/caravan/luncheon shenanigans, my first edition of <em>Mud Times </em>shipped out over the weekend and landed in the mailboxes of all my fellow north-end Mud Islanders yesterday and I've been fielding all kinds of great phone calls and emails ever since. Thanks for the overwhelmingly positive response, y'all!<br />
<br />
I'm dead tired and I've just now been able to kick off my shoes and curl into the couch for a little R&R. However, I couldn't let the sun go down on a Tuesday without giving you a little tour of one of the cutest little Cooper-Young houses I've ever seen. My office toured this house maybe three or four weeks ago and we were all just oooh-ing and aaahhhh-ing over every little detail. The decor, the layout, the fantastic cabinetry, the super-large lot, the floors, the patio, the curb appeal...did I mention the cabinetry? This house has been lovingly renovated and cared for - from the smooth ceilings and the recessed lighting to the incredible kitchen and bath renovations complete with granite countertops and custom-built cabinets - it seems no detail has been overlooked.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M0SHadt-7c9J9iHY_e2uXbcqOsnY-_C5XWXn0ov2WUsTtCF2XcMgQ3RtSJsp7qJCPfDxFtqyxugWSGsg7ezXLOnD4Jj3iC3qgFdpSXFJdi7VG1MMMlkXSSVq_S-ozJrNTL4jE16tKRk/s1600/2292+Evelyn+(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M0SHadt-7c9J9iHY_e2uXbcqOsnY-_C5XWXn0ov2WUsTtCF2XcMgQ3RtSJsp7qJCPfDxFtqyxugWSGsg7ezXLOnD4Jj3iC3qgFdpSXFJdi7VG1MMMlkXSSVq_S-ozJrNTL4jE16tKRk/s400/2292+Evelyn+(16).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2292 Evelyn</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
The whole house has been staged beautifully - minimal clutter; a calm, neutral decor; furniture arranged to showcase the generous size of all the rooms - and it starts as soon as you walk in the front door. The neutral palette looks especially fresh because all the trim work has been painted a glossy, stark white (my favorite!). The current owners, the Harrises, have arranged the front room as a dining area, which has this great painted-brick surround fireplace flanked by two arts-and-crafts style windows. Keep moving through these marvelous dark-wood, accordion-folding french doors and you're in the heart of the house: a warm and inviting living room that flows straight into the marvelous kitchen. The bedrooms and two full baths are off the living room to the right with a laundry, cedar-lined storage, and pantry in the back. And just out the back door you'll find a double-long lot that's fenced-in and shaded. I know my words are failing to describe how adorable this place really is, so I'll let the pictures do the talking:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rimu62EpYv4Ehq8AmGtt6dtulKaVfJ45E3KV-j-VFLNmEMcA5g5VD2JwqDHoiagoYiufx7kNQScS2RxuRtznDxAeGCn9WVGGrNpfsfdeD0jmcYIVWe8Vdwqyoiut4sXG3nyz-eM_uCs/s1600/2292+Evelyn+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rimu62EpYv4Ehq8AmGtt6dtulKaVfJ45E3KV-j-VFLNmEMcA5g5VD2JwqDHoiagoYiufx7kNQScS2RxuRtznDxAeGCn9WVGGrNpfsfdeD0jmcYIVWe8Vdwqyoiut4sXG3nyz-eM_uCs/s400/2292+Evelyn+(9).jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfWSM0AaF-a3WFfQ5Zsm3JpnR3nr2E2FjL7rSNxzMlvSpzFdwXplA0Wna-78D-gK0q1NbtFgh5hEz4Znec9poSXPOjAVWFTklRKSFUEp0XVSv1Z0MwxBDtosW8Z_wDNOPB0YRF82r8A0/s1600/2292+Evelyn+(23).jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfWSM0AaF-a3WFfQ5Zsm3JpnR3nr2E2FjL7rSNxzMlvSpzFdwXplA0Wna-78D-gK0q1NbtFgh5hEz4Znec9poSXPOjAVWFTklRKSFUEp0XVSv1Z0MwxBDtosW8Z_wDNOPB0YRF82r8A0/s400/2292+Evelyn+(23).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypt2Gd87a36J3bqu8T6vjVv7IE4KlACk8xwFvEa-gHcR8EAf2SKzq0wW1b4YdUJlxpbV5W94RgakskbUHJJ0_rZrITgBM9z2q8wX_yZhHYQgRQv7VG7XW7u1rPTqiWCcNGzH-UpyPy9M/s1600/2292+Evelyn+(29).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypt2Gd87a36J3bqu8T6vjVv7IE4KlACk8xwFvEa-gHcR8EAf2SKzq0wW1b4YdUJlxpbV5W94RgakskbUHJJ0_rZrITgBM9z2q8wX_yZhHYQgRQv7VG7XW7u1rPTqiWCcNGzH-UpyPy9M/s400/2292+Evelyn+(29).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE4w8ehE7rK6i0SIo6oQjn1KG8WUQNSfJss0AG8DdK7QU0ud2Tp6n4NN8QmpjPhUBO9FlqXXMh-GfL4DPohAiQk0NsBruXIXJB4TtnZhUMwKPue0vrFuxzqmoODrhpYmBWzN-oc4wGmg/s1600/2292+Evelyn+(43).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE4w8ehE7rK6i0SIo6oQjn1KG8WUQNSfJss0AG8DdK7QU0ud2Tp6n4NN8QmpjPhUBO9FlqXXMh-GfL4DPohAiQk0NsBruXIXJB4TtnZhUMwKPue0vrFuxzqmoODrhpYmBWzN-oc4wGmg/s400/2292+Evelyn+(43).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGiZadgY_af275yS4tZ4zlj1BLPK_2SmzQ1Vz9wD8x-nHXJylY0dYyq_53YVSoWCIAtVO8wzSbAuaExT8jpJHtcnqLL4ekWCAX7TUxemVlKuk9bJOF_fsLeDlxye7z-ayr17bt8HJ1VU/s1600/2292+Evelyn+(51).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGiZadgY_af275yS4tZ4zlj1BLPK_2SmzQ1Vz9wD8x-nHXJylY0dYyq_53YVSoWCIAtVO8wzSbAuaExT8jpJHtcnqLL4ekWCAX7TUxemVlKuk9bJOF_fsLeDlxye7z-ayr17bt8HJ1VU/s400/2292+Evelyn+(51).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You see what I mean? Really beautiful, thoughtful design throughout the house. But what makes the house so special is the way the Harrises have married the modern upgrades with the early-twentieth century details - they still use the picture rail along the crown moulding, hanging their pictures from a length of piano wire; there are beautiful period glass and brass doorknobs throughout the house; and the arts-and-crafts style woodwork around all the doorways has been lovingly preserved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This place is in a great location, too. First, it's a part of <a href="http://cooperyoung.org/">Cooper-Young</a>, a vibrant, walkable neighborhood full of amazing shops and bars and restaurants and home to <a href="http://www.cooperyoungfestival.com/">one of the best fall festivals</a> in the area. Second, it's just down the street from the newly constructed <a href="http://media.www.dailyhelmsman.com/media/storage/paper875/news/2010/09/21/Sports/Tiger.Lane.Gives.Fans.Real.Tailgating.Experience-3933835.shtml#3">Tiger Lane</a> and the currently-under-construction <a href="http://www.krocmemphis.org/facilities/">Kroc Center of Memphis</a>, a community center that's gonna be so much more than a community center.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8sv7TT8KwgeWrWuiKAkZl7lfplurXoKAp1lO2a7zn2-XeRcjO7YYv7qIkD4GmRiJcODd0Gk9_PWAtWni9l4yRctw6VM-joMINqo0nCv6H3XEDYi7Whww8hVoV7UZZX_A1R9vVzxa5yo/s1600/2292+Evelyn+(60)(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8sv7TT8KwgeWrWuiKAkZl7lfplurXoKAp1lO2a7zn2-XeRcjO7YYv7qIkD4GmRiJcODd0Gk9_PWAtWni9l4yRctw6VM-joMINqo0nCv6H3XEDYi7Whww8hVoV7UZZX_A1R9vVzxa5yo/s320/2292+Evelyn+(60)(2).jpg" /></a>Are you impressed yet? You should be. It's an incredibly handsome, move-in ready house in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Memphis. Oh, and it's priced under $200,000 ($189,000 to be exact). I'd love to show you why it's worth bragging about. Of course, only one of you can have the house. All of you can get those beautiful cabinets. Just contact Spencer Harris at <a href="http://www.premierepalace.com/contracthome.htm">Premiere Contractors</a> to see what he can do to make your place look this good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Goodnight, y'all! </div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-61141026848708933652010-09-20T14:04:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:35:01.441-08:00Landscaping Debacle #19<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWBwNx4lJSsRhyphenhyphenVj3tJFj6JCNPTPcV4gt5iDrIoaBzdNziDvEpzA1JCmkQTAUVzUzGq8B72B0olhs3EbpH_sSw2lp04779HMbBVjIBoySuMGTszvN9rw8wY99OjbYCKllBOBzBySpkdE/s1600/Project+365+152(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWBwNx4lJSsRhyphenhyphenVj3tJFj6JCNPTPcV4gt5iDrIoaBzdNziDvEpzA1JCmkQTAUVzUzGq8B72B0olhs3EbpH_sSw2lp04779HMbBVjIBoySuMGTszvN9rw8wY99OjbYCKllBOBzBySpkdE/s320/Project+365+152(2).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early in the season, before I had a chance to <br />
maim or kill anything.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You know when you first learn to water-ski and you have to figure out the tension on the rope? You know: if you pull the rope too hard you'll end up being dragged face-down in the water; but if you don't pull hard enough your feet will end up being pulled out from under you. That's exactly how I am with plants. It's like this: I start by over-zealously doting on my newly potted charges until they end up drowning in my love and attention. So I back off a bit, only to find I'm not giving the TLC they require and they start looking parched and lifeless. So I step up my efforts and end up smothering them again. This goes on ad nauseum through the season. By the time a new season rolls around, I usually can't wait to get my failed flora carcasses to the curb. And it's really disappointing because I get so excited about changing out my seasonal pots at the beginning of each new season that I imagine <em>Better Homes & Gardens </em>stopping by and begging for a feature photo spread, marveling at what a welcome and inviting outdoor space I've created. Disappointingly, they've never come a knockin'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6Ny3-MUT5rWQwsj7aOnSqoRtPkf0SPsle_OSZai9kO384xV8hW4tBgwKzt0qbiTbtJRaPPbBygDKNTxs9T3aYeFotuW12Qgt5HjcBsKe8IAKPE2T2_yM3FMW7KK12i-v2nSQikX1SSI/s1600/iphone+pictures+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6Ny3-MUT5rWQwsj7aOnSqoRtPkf0SPsle_OSZai9kO384xV8hW4tBgwKzt0qbiTbtJRaPPbBygDKNTxs9T3aYeFotuW12Qgt5HjcBsKe8IAKPE2T2_yM3FMW7KK12i-v2nSQikX1SSI/s320/iphone+pictures+016.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE this plant!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And then I discovered lantana. Lantana is a virtually indestructible plant - it loves full sun, it tolerates drought-like conditions - and it just seems to bloom bigger and harder in the worst conditions, as if to say to Mother Nature, "Bring it." I think it's classified as an annual; however, I've had folks tell me that if your winters aren't too harsh and you mulch lantana really well through the dormant season, it'll perform like a perennial and come back year after year. I had such great success with the low, spreading variety with the bright, yellow blooms in my front beds last year that I went nuts with it this year. I planted it everywhere - in my front beds, in my window boxes, in pots all around the front and back patios. I didn't care about the lack of imagination; I was thrilled that everything would bloom brightly right on into the fall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepare to be...disappointed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But I failed. Again. I made a few rookie mistakes: In mid-July, on probably the hottest day on record, I decided to move the lantana from my front beds to the north side of my house because they were getting too tall. I dug a new flowerbed, mixed up a great dirt cocktail of peat moss, garden soil, and sand, and put those puppies in the ground. Problem is, they sat waiting on their new home in full sun, withering in the heat. I babied them for weeks, and they looked like they were on the mend, but I'm thinking the big problem is that they're not getting enough sun. Of course, if I'd stopped to think about it, putting them on the north side of the house if they require full sun wasn't a brilliant move. If I want to save them, I <em>really </em>should move them to the south side when it cools off a bit, but digging that bed was really hard work and I'm not sure I want to tackle that again. I screwed up one of the window boxes, too. I missed a day or two of watering a few weeks ago and now the lantana has up and died. Even thought lantanas are drought resistant, window boxes don't hold water <em>at all</em>, so regular watering for anything planted above ground is paramount.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCbXdlmSQq-uV8p10cJzurYvCzHpryD-3fv9qieeOK5Atvn_xBPxpc7EXhcBshRG2CYysc1D8PKNot8pJD6UqgbpzfTQwqWwpaJgHSRsj8IMBa2uO8XLsJEgO5g75U8pnGGDH2Zd9UN4/s1600/1228+IPE+Patio+4(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCbXdlmSQq-uV8p10cJzurYvCzHpryD-3fv9qieeOK5Atvn_xBPxpc7EXhcBshRG2CYysc1D8PKNot8pJD6UqgbpzfTQwqWwpaJgHSRsj8IMBa2uO8XLsJEgO5g75U8pnGGDH2Zd9UN4/s320/1228+IPE+Patio+4(2).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last fall, right after I set out the pumpkins <br />
and mums. That pretty gardenia on the <br />
right? Killed it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But I can redeem myself! It's mid-September, which means it's time to start thinking of landscaping for fall! I know I'll kill a mum or two and probably drown some pansies, but I'm not gonna let that slow me down. There's just too many good things that come with fussing over the landscaping: it improves your home's and your community's property values; it inspires your neighbors to follow suit and look after their own property; it's a really effective way to freshen up your home's exterior without spending a fortune; any mishaps can be great learning experiences that over time make you a master gardener (okay, that might be a stretch); and it's excellent exercise. Remember when I said improvements focused near the entry are usually money well spent? Something as simple as an easy-to-care-for potted plant just outside the front door couldn't be a cheaper or more effective way to freshen up your front patio a bit, <em>especially </em>in my neighborhood, where these houses can start to run together after a block or two. That little something extra really makes a difference. Heck, even just getting out and weeding your flowerbeds can be a really therapeutic exercise that gives your house a nice little lift (and I know your neighbors will be appreciative).<br />
<br />
In the mean time, if you're looking for me, I'll be spending my Saturdays at the <a href="http://www.memphisfarmersmarket.org/">Memphis Farmers' Market</a>, fawning over decorative pumpkins and gourds, yellow and orange mums, and bright purple pansies. Bring it!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-39426521430834044252010-09-15T10:42:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:35:31.903-08:00You should get to know David UmstedSo I've shown you some <a href="http://homesweetmemphis.blogspot.com/2010/09/tuesday-tour-215-kimbrough.html">pretty incredible houses</a> and I've tipped you off on some <a href="http://homesweetmemphis.blogspot.com/2010/09/go-ahead-and-be-nosy-its-architecture.html">great happenings around town</a> and I've even advised you on a <a href="http://homesweetmemphis.blogspot.com/2010/09/home-improvement-project-retreading.html">well-worth-it home improvement project</a>. You're welcome. Please, it's the <em>least </em>I could do, really. But here's where I think the blog might be most valuable to you guys. Today I'd like to start a regular feature I'm going to call "You should get to know..." These posts are about folks I know (or folks I'm excited to get to know) that have <em>something </em>to do with the real estate world. Whether it's lenders or inspectors or designers, I'm going to use this space to give you a glimpse into the lives of these professionals, what they do, and how they can be of service to you. I know, I know. It's a pretty great idea. <br />
I spent yesterday afternoon chatting it up with one of my favorite lenders, <a href="http://www.mpbankhomeloans.com/Branch/Default.aspx?UserID=13">David Umsted of Merchants & Planters Bank</a>. David is the Vice President of the Home Loans Divison at M&P Bank. He's been in the business since 2002, closing over $110 million in mortgage volume (!), so he's already a seasoned veteran in the biz. Remember the salad days at the beginning of the 21st century? He does, too. Remember how things got crazy over the past couple of years? Yep, so does he. And now that we're (hopefully) heading into a recovery period, David is still helping folks secure and stay in the house that's right for them (please note that I <em>didn't </em>say the house of their dreams - he and I both agree that might have been where some of the craziness all began). He was kind enough to sit down with me and answer some questions and help demystify what so many folks think is a painful, complicated process.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT1rmj2s-j2CSchPfHc5LS4Rf42lp98f5qSTfKiZepphy31bTuSTPAfew8LvTfzgBBLwGIz6xSLyOXmXFkdsowxIbpXHqMz3byjWoIoC4AYEJDM0c9aGobDiNRIOfJSd8et6fd8cbbLQ/s1600/David+Umsted+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT1rmj2s-j2CSchPfHc5LS4Rf42lp98f5qSTfKiZepphy31bTuSTPAfew8LvTfzgBBLwGIz6xSLyOXmXFkdsowxIbpXHqMz3byjWoIoC4AYEJDM0c9aGobDiNRIOfJSd8et6fd8cbbLQ/s400/David+Umsted+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy knows what he's doing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><em>Me: What should folks do </em>before <em>they consult with a lender?</em><br />
David: When you're ready to buy, before you even start looking for a house, start saving for a down payment. Those 100% loans are practically non-existent and it's likely you'll need <em>at least</em> 3.5% of the purchase price of your home to secure a loan for purchase. It's also smart to save above and beyond that figure: prospective homeowners often don't think about needing reserves in case the air conditioning goes out or the garage door quits on you. I recommend having at least 3 to 6 months living expenses in savings. <strong>Ultimately, lenders are looking to make sure you have three things:</strong><br />
<ol><li><strong>Income to support your debts and your mortgage - the formula here is to make sure your total debts (mortgage, car payment, student loans, etc.) don't exceed 45% of your gross income</strong></li>
<li><strong>The required down payment for the loan program and several months' worth of living expenses beyond that in savings</strong></li>
<li><strong>Good credit score - you want 740 and above for the best rates</strong></li>
</ol>And if you're grappling with bad credit issues, remember it takes a long time to get there and it'll take a long time to recover. Beware credit repair companies! There is no quick fix for paying your bills on time.<br />
<br />
<em>Me: How should folks pick a lender?</em><br />
David: Definitely shop around for good rates and to compare closing costs. It really doesn't matter if you get the best rate if your closing costs end up being $15,000. Look for experience, knowledge and closing volume. Lending rules can change on a daily basis, so it's important to work with someone who knows what's going on. Also, be sure and ask how long it will take to process the loan. A lot of lending institutions are backed-up with new home loans, foreclosures, and refinances and could take up to 90 days to close. A lot of sellers may not be willing to wait on buyers who take 3 months or more to seal the deal. <em>(Author's note: I asked David to clarify a common questions borrowers have. Some folks are afraid to shop around because they think each time a lender pulls their credit, it's a ding and pulls down their score. David says 4 or 5 mortgage inquiries in one week roughly equals one ding. So, no real penalty for being savvy, y'all!)</em><br />
<br />
<em>Me: What should people expect when they work with a lender?</em><br />
David: First, there's an initial consultation where we figure out what type of monthly payment fits into the overall budget for the prospective buyer. This makes the entire buying process <em>so </em>much easier: knowing what you can afford <em>before </em>you go house-hunting saves the buyer, the agent, and the lender a lot of grief. (<em>Author's note: AMEN!) </em>Then, when the buyer writes an acceptable offer, here at Merchants & Planters they should expect a 30-day process from then until closing. Unlike some other loan institutions, we have an in-house underwriter and we've got the staff to make sure we're not overwhelmed processing other loan applications and refinancings, so that gives us a bit of an advantage. Also, buyers should expect to pay for an appraisal (approximately $450) during this loan-processing period. The appraisal is a requirement, but it protects the buyer and the lender, making sure the house is at least worth what they're paying for it. When it's all said and done, I usually attend the closing with my client. Most of what we do is over the phone or via email, so it's nice to put a face with a name. The closing can be kind of intimidating, so I'm there to explain any figures the closing attorney may put in front of my client that they don't understand. Getting those house keys for the first time is pretty exciting and I like to be there to show my support for all they've been through to get there.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was trying to work and I kept asking questions...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><em>Me: What lending trends do you expect to see in the near future?</em><br />
David: I think rates will continue to stay at all-time lows for a bit longer, or at least until we see unemployment numbers improve. In many cases, the interest rate is more important than home prices. Think about it: a rate increase of 2% could have a bigger impact on a buyer's overall costs than a housing price increase of 2%. I also think there will continue to be conservative lending qualifications. That's a good thing, though! Having to clear more hurdles than just having a pulse will protect buyers in the long run. And it's unlikely there will be a return to the days of kooky, patchwork lending. Those 80-20, 90-10 days are behind us. Lenders want buyers to have some skin in the game to help offset some of the risk of foreclosure. However, if you are financially ready to buy a house, there is no doubt that right now is a great time to purchase because of the combination of really low rates and pricing discounts some sellers are offering.<br />
<br />
<em>Me: Any great horror stories?</em><br />
David: We often re-pull credit throughout the loan process just to make sure everything's on the up-and-up. Once, after qualifying, a guy bought a plane! We found a new monthly payment of $2,000 on his credit report! That could have thrown his debt-to-income ratio out of whack, big time. I think we ended up closing the loan, though; he made a lot of money and could actually afford the plane, but it was a last minute hoop we had to jump through. Oh, and always be up front and honest with your lender about any financial changes. We always call to re-verify employment on the day of closing. Once, we called only to discover our client had been laid off a week or two before. He played it off like it was no big deal, but we couldn't close the loan. You have to have income! If he had been up-front with us when it happened, he might have been able to get his earnest money back. As it was, a lot of people were left disappointed that day.<br />
<br />
<em>Me: What are some common misconceptions out there?</em><br />
David: Despite what the media would have you believe, banks are still lending! You don't need 30, 40% to buy a house. When it comes to refinancing (a LOT of our business these days), you don't have to go with who currently holds your mortgage. You can start the entire process over, just like you're buying a house for the first time: shop around for the best rates, compare closing costs, look for lender-compatability, and check on the timeline. Also, some folks think you need to have paid off all your credit card debt before you can qualify for a home loan. That's simply not true. I mean, having a big gap between your outstanding credit and your overall line of credit is key to your credit score so definitely work on that, but you don't have to eliminate all of your debt. Oh, and I can't fix anyone's credit. For borderline cases I can often give advice and we can retry in a month or so; but otherwise, there's no magic bullet.<br />
<br />
<em>Me: Anything else you want our readers to know?</em><br />
David: Getting a home loan isn't nearly as hard as folks might think it is. It's not a painful, scary ordeal, especially when you've got a professional guiding you through the process. Remember, buying a home is a big decision! Do your homework and be financially prepared.<br />
~<br />
Big, big thanks to David for answering all my questions. I also learned something else about David I didn't know: he's in a band! David, his brother, his dad, and a cousin play as The Archives and have written and recorded original stuff (he describes their tunes as Beatles-y, pop-y fare) and have played locally at the <a href="http://www.pandhcafe.com/home.asp">P&H</a>, the downtown <a href="http://www.beerknurd.com/">Flying Saucer</a>, and the <a href="http://deltafest.com/">Delta Fair</a>. If you see them playing at your favorite local haunt, be sure and give them a listen.<br />
<br />
Do you want to talk to David about a home loan or refinance? Do you have any other questions about the process? He'd love to hear from you! Just shoot him an email at <a href="mailto:David.Umsted@MPBankHomeLoans.com">David.Umsted@MPBankHomeLoans.com</a> or give him a call at (901) 746-5311.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-80491846318310905902010-09-14T18:17:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:36:09.061-08:00Tuesday Tour - 215 Kimbrough<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yay, it's Tuesday and what a good one it is! After the sales meeting we had SIX (!) new in-house listings to tour and our luncheon was at a gorgeous pocket listing (that means it's a secret, y'all!) that my broker, <a href="http://www.sowellandco.com/lindasowell">Linda Sowell</a>, and her assistants, <a href="http://www.sowellandco.com/jeaniehenson">Jeanie Henson</a> & Katie Lambert, hosted. Oh, you wanna know what we ate? Mini pimiento cheese sandwiches, deviled eggs, shrimp salad, fantastic BLT's, rave-able potato salad (Jeanie said the recipe came from the Kwik Check on Madison!), and a cute little platter of cookies and brownies that featured melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies with a little dollop of chocolate ganache.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sorry. I completely got off topic there for a minute. Anyway, because it's Tuesday, YOU get to peek into one of Memphis' wonderful homes, too! Today, we're going to check out this marvelous home on Kimbrough built in 1925 in Central Gardens. Absolutely beautiful, no?</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hKobMrYg0RO7tpl8K_wfiSE6KajXerV9AjYrM_-RSm1WUzdn8H_fuxP95MW_qYBYrhep7yj29XruuPuNIYmjL2RTrno8WvW7MX2e1TopbTczfjWM3e-9sc6WI5tTEpsPRX0kBPRelxg/s1600/215+Kimbrough+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hKobMrYg0RO7tpl8K_wfiSE6KajXerV9AjYrM_-RSm1WUzdn8H_fuxP95MW_qYBYrhep7yj29XruuPuNIYmjL2RTrno8WvW7MX2e1TopbTczfjWM3e-9sc6WI5tTEpsPRX0kBPRelxg/s400/215+Kimbrough+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">215 Kimbrough</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8RZUedFNIX-92d1Os7ir3NE7OakPu03ARZvSCSuNdgzWSGIDmQPGcpjNa7BzkSHTboIPLr_rOxuXsk0ug0lbAkDbmH5lcNHGuDl25kAsJlWWqpFv491AJoa22eCk-Fl_NBg7aYHgWtg/s1600/215+Kimbrough+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8RZUedFNIX-92d1Os7ir3NE7OakPu03ARZvSCSuNdgzWSGIDmQPGcpjNa7BzkSHTboIPLr_rOxuXsk0ug0lbAkDbmH5lcNHGuDl25kAsJlWWqpFv491AJoa22eCk-Fl_NBg7aYHgWtg/s320/215+Kimbrough+013.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't whimper. I actually squealed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I hosted an Open House here this weekend and absolutely fell in love with it. Remember how I said one day I'd live in Central Gardens? If today were the day, THIS would be the house! It's got this beautiful, classic façade from the outside, but not too showy. No, it's an understated place really. And in fact, there's this sweet, humble quality to the entire home. Don't get me wrong, it's grand in all the right places. It's just so...perfect. Yes, that's the word. It's perfect. In fact, I think I whimpered a little when I opened the front door to see slim, French doors in front of me! I adore French doors! You pass right through a little entry and into a wonderful stucco-walled living room that extends all the way to the brick, covered patio and perfect little yard beyond. There's this great staircase with a landing that has two extensions - one comes off into the living room; the other turns back into the kitchen area. I just love that the current owners have kept the decor really classic and light. I'm sure it's in part due to staging (sounds like a good blog post topic!) but whatever the reason, the decor doesn't overwhelm the house. And the architectural details are just heavenly - beautiful woodwork, radiator-bench window seats, dark green glazed tile around the gas fireplace, beautiful light fixtures, plantation shutters, gleaming wood floors, glass knobs on the doors, built-in China cabinets and bookshelves... Really wonderful little details to swoon over throughout the place.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great, big ol' living room!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPP93hIfmH-jfxil8to6zff48ckCS7n4cGENKi1zeNJG8Oo-Qhw1i2_9X79wb-kXozr3-EqU3EPufsvhMePeIjW_w0fLro3ae18hwucUXsB0Vrtq6y7bSKVUsg2dyuvLl0XWDnX2jjJc/s1600/215+Kimbrough+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPP93hIfmH-jfxil8to6zff48ckCS7n4cGENKi1zeNJG8Oo-Qhw1i2_9X79wb-kXozr3-EqU3EPufsvhMePeIjW_w0fLro3ae18hwucUXsB0Vrtq6y7bSKVUsg2dyuvLl0XWDnX2jjJc/s320/215+Kimbrough+027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on in! I've made pie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> There's a really inviting quality to the kitchen. There have been some updates and they're all supremely tasteful - a gorgeous kind of cream and black and brown marble-y textured granite countertop, classic creamy white cabinets with dark hardware, and that wonderful neutral paint is used throughout the house. Those dark wood floors that I just adore extend into the kitchen and the current owners have one of those great butcher-block islands that serves as a wonderful casual dining spot. There's also a little nook just off the kitchen that was probably intended as a little breakfast room, but with the formal dining room and the island seating, more tables and chairs would just be redundant so the current owners are smartly using it as a little sitting area, perfect for smooshing into the couch with yer coffee and the morning paper (or Red Bull and iPhone, if that's how you roll).</div><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D_Q6uLNpQdyBAjaEXdzzVWLxZQju-SDnDlC1xVqBG_9Cced5q2hD7IUvuPT_3mWGeluO9neu2T2gqJoEW5udZbdpP_1CFuEC0IJzohfDhOQ_Ztt_PKajgV7Pgg6EiaQBCaOmic9htyA/s1600/215+Kimbrough+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D_Q6uLNpQdyBAjaEXdzzVWLxZQju-SDnDlC1xVqBG_9Cced5q2hD7IUvuPT_3mWGeluO9neu2T2gqJoEW5udZbdpP_1CFuEC0IJzohfDhOQ_Ztt_PKajgV7Pgg6EiaQBCaOmic9htyA/s320/215+Kimbrough+056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Picturesque, no?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Oh gosh, what else? There's a cute little half bath downstairs just beyond the kitchen, the basement has been built out and is the perfect little gym spot, all the bedrooms are upstairs and have so much wonderful natural light (the huge master suite has a full bath, walk-thru closet, laundry, and sun room; the guest rooms share a bath and boast nice closet space), you can walk right out the back and onto a little brick patio surrounded by lovely mature landscaping, there's a two car garage with attached guest suite (that little building is the PERFECT place to show off your can-do skills!), a little front patio that's completely private behind mature shrubbery, and the parking is all gated. Whew! What a great list!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh, and even though he doesn't come with the house, the place is currently being guarded by one of the most fabulous dogs I've ever met, Stan. He was such a great host, walking me from room to room, staying by my side in case I needed any assistance (or if the urge to pet him overcame me).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERZcBaU6tq3FTTNkiTEgUEc9rxJuz9cCvWH80Wpuel3m0Ht023kfWHvL6OFPxdhLRb5FGGEbpnVjsaADwRrLs72_jQZMICrRRR3ZH5osdHdccOG9TYK-9AsVax8LKT-fEm-2Gl6yQWzk/s1600/215+Kimbrough+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERZcBaU6tq3FTTNkiTEgUEc9rxJuz9cCvWH80Wpuel3m0Ht023kfWHvL6OFPxdhLRb5FGGEbpnVjsaADwRrLs72_jQZMICrRRR3ZH5osdHdccOG9TYK-9AsVax8LKT-fEm-2Gl6yQWzk/s320/215+Kimbrough+068.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stan. Best guarddog ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm telling you, I took my time and took great pictures and they're all lovely, but they just don't do the place justice. I really want you to see it in person so you can fawn over it like I did. If this house has self-esteem issues after my visit, there really is no hope.</div></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-63082028456630346122010-09-13T11:41:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:36:43.336-08:00Home Improvement Project - Retreading Stairs<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksyHdKHZiwJlahET8dPkl-T9d2dcYAzBuJvzzcRCMGaD00PUdzQSEY4qmmcSAlQC_DldtO1hM2tn4MfaQ01n4px_F3I-WP80_m_nbNkNXYuRLJ5GhUwmt6ZSbHILpB_C12D0kcyMeL14/s1600/trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksyHdKHZiwJlahET8dPkl-T9d2dcYAzBuJvzzcRCMGaD00PUdzQSEY4qmmcSAlQC_DldtO1hM2tn4MfaQ01n4px_F3I-WP80_m_nbNkNXYuRLJ5GhUwmt6ZSbHILpB_C12D0kcyMeL14/s320/trailer.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can make THIS...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSMmCXtcZFYKq8vGL8E-L0VeigCdV9EYZFvEQ-oN1vdQQaHmieMCYlqX1_jI_GVpe1c54ZLRDHftX4T4t2BOCJyyBgY9SFrjaH_lRLb7jPac4ZsvloPcuG0E4dRd-5u7yN6NR_N-M3Ac/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSMmCXtcZFYKq8vGL8E-L0VeigCdV9EYZFvEQ-oN1vdQQaHmieMCYlqX1_jI_GVpe1c54ZLRDHftX4T4t2BOCJyyBgY9SFrjaH_lRLb7jPac4ZsvloPcuG0E4dRd-5u7yN6NR_N-M3Ac/s320/house.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...look like THIS on not much money and time because we've got, you know, <em>vision</em>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love working with buyers. One of the fun parts is zeroing in on "the house," watching my buyers fall cautiously (or in some cases, recklessly) in love with it, and then listening to them make a list of all the things that <em>must </em>be done <em>as soon as </em>they move in. For some reason, buyers get all pie-eyed and see all this happening in a matter of days after closing, often at little to no expense. Ha! I don't fuss, though. I've <em>totally </em>been there. Kevin and I bought our house in October 2008 and before we knew it we had a loooong list of "must dos." Eventually those became "should dos" that over time morphed into "wanna dos" and now I don't even know where that list is. The point is this: yes, you want to settle in, make it your own little nest, and personalize and upgrade it to the hilt (or as far as your budget will allow). But life often takes precedence over your at-home to-do list (did you really think you'd have oodles of time and money now that you're a homeowner?) and over time you'll realize that you never really run out of those "you know, I'd really like to..." moments.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fast forward to this Spring. We've done a few things here and there (and by we, I mean Kevin), but the biggest and best might just be the project he finished a few weekends ago: Retreading The Stairs. Our house was built in 2002 and was lovingly cared for by a sweet couple with a big dog and a little baby. But their love could not save the carpet on the stairs. It was just gross. So Kevin set about taking up the carpet and putting down wood tread and I couldn't be happier with the results!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj222ESSwEzvEXuLam5mTyU4IjT2TVZFWm6uLZka6jWLOj2kr-LqJRB00kZZMxKauP9f3hWcUN3neQWC4g4aQTTXG6jTKvxEdTiN8JLB178kWgSlsQB3nOFU2fcYKBg-5nTtP0apQRXYFw/s1600/stairs+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj222ESSwEzvEXuLam5mTyU4IjT2TVZFWm6uLZka6jWLOj2kr-LqJRB00kZZMxKauP9f3hWcUN3neQWC4g4aQTTXG6jTKvxEdTiN8JLB178kWgSlsQB3nOFU2fcYKBg-5nTtP0apQRXYFw/s320/stairs+002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-2fFfPYjBv-fGu00k3r-s5wRCHmMZrL_6c9YIvcAHQ3wy1g7mN1pLyNYHq56oIG-UISycb6xp-Q8lS795j5c5hhM1a29hvZHpWwDiw9mg8mNMLQ4Soa6dXrZvJcicatvZoeZg0mlfNg/s1600/stairs+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-2fFfPYjBv-fGu00k3r-s5wRCHmMZrL_6c9YIvcAHQ3wy1g7mN1pLyNYHq56oIG-UISycb6xp-Q8lS795j5c5hhM1a29hvZHpWwDiw9mg8mNMLQ4Soa6dXrZvJcicatvZoeZg0mlfNg/s320/stairs+019.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After! Oh Glorious After!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjYoJVUDs-hTybABwA1JcOPysAtPz4bKfcdXJi3C1fxJ_0ACAcKLITynfbA77UIvkKRLR6cQ_qFND-WMy19vJJE4TpvlUBiBdL-ualmMfTbR3vM22YqFTNzl5M1p4Uc0N9aqH6klISc4/s1600/stairs+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjYoJVUDs-hTybABwA1JcOPysAtPz4bKfcdXJi3C1fxJ_0ACAcKLITynfbA77UIvkKRLR6cQ_qFND-WMy19vJJE4TpvlUBiBdL-ualmMfTbR3vM22YqFTNzl5M1p4Uc0N9aqH6klISc4/s320/stairs+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blech.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xVmMnC2k8P28TW7_TCUGcWJPQZa6rNMJF1Ved_dFHHUY-nfdWHaclLBhcvHoEDcRg6qxMsqHpLIU6W1EoPWI7lRggm4aRxatqX2uHyFkgoZeR8ln014IEyMmhT0jEBOsYAKO_udizh4/s1600/stairs+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xVmMnC2k8P28TW7_TCUGcWJPQZa6rNMJF1Ved_dFHHUY-nfdWHaclLBhcvHoEDcRg6qxMsqHpLIU6W1EoPWI7lRggm4aRxatqX2uHyFkgoZeR8ln014IEyMmhT0jEBOsYAKO_udizh4/s320/stairs+022.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A few points here:</div></div><ol style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxhycQFTc2FUzZp__-jJMjenBbZqkMChUmlEMxjTIbVmFDvTby2Tk9cwCK6AIYcw7Hpidm6XI9osBfIhyphenhyphencEI2drz85GeK9HiQL7C_7PdQ_1-vLB4SnG_iaV3EpXq_By-5YQEH3IgcsGM/s1600/stairs+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxhycQFTc2FUzZp__-jJMjenBbZqkMChUmlEMxjTIbVmFDvTby2Tk9cwCK6AIYcw7Hpidm6XI9osBfIhyphenhyphencEI2drz85GeK9HiQL7C_7PdQ_1-vLB4SnG_iaV3EpXq_By-5YQEH3IgcsGM/s320/stairs+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is when it started to get ugly...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just about any home-improvement project uncovers something else that must be tackled first and this was no exception. When Kevin pulled up the carpet and started measuring for the treads and kick-boards, he discovered the rise and run were not uniform. (Turns out this is not uncommon; a few contractors told me that when builders set about making a staircase that they know will be carpeted, they make a rough cut for the risers, hence the jankiness.) He had to rebuild the risers on the bottom half (something he didn't anticipate doing that set the time-line back a few weeks), build up the first landing, and build up the treads on the top half by a 1/2 inch or so to make it uniform.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This ain't a walk in the park and there is a small amount of demo work involved, but Kevin's really handy. He wouldn't dream of telling you how marvelous he is, so I'll do it for him. I'm guessing this ranked about an 8 or 9 on the 1 to 10 scale of Projects That Are Awfully Daunting. I totally trusted him to do it right, to pay attention to detail, and to see the project through to the end. It was rough (see item #4) and at times ridiculously frustrating, but Kevin is no novice. Leave this to the professionals if your idea of DIY is embellished picture frames (not that there's anything wrong with that).</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Kevin estimates the project cost us $700. I've called around and gotten estimates from different contractors and I've heard anything between $1,200 and $4,000! Wowza!</li>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4mqG-u01PT-d5cLrI2vzv8rvqnffRHTiMtf-GcHtNNKxKHAB9ZW23TcnMwsWHwLWBuswwZL5kqLP2k6oojRJuE333SvC6-k8EhDgmdb6HfqB5V8O6GRCN1PDhlMUoYturYYo3Hq7Cb0/s1600/stairs+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4mqG-u01PT-d5cLrI2vzv8rvqnffRHTiMtf-GcHtNNKxKHAB9ZW23TcnMwsWHwLWBuswwZL5kqLP2k6oojRJuE333SvC6-k8EhDgmdb6HfqB5V8O6GRCN1PDhlMUoYturYYo3Hq7Cb0/s320/stairs+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That mess under there? The original builder left that! Ugh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While there were monetary savings since we took the DIY route, time was a different issue. Kevin embarked on this stairway to heaven in early April; he disembarked in late August. This was strictly a weekend project but sometimes kids and tennis and vacation and family and other, more pressing opportunities arose and the project just had to wait. Kevin could see the vision; all I could see was dust and tools and an unfinished staircase. It was touch-and-go here and there, but we managed not to mangle each other this summer, so all's well that ends well. The gleaming stairs kind of dull my memory of discontent.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The best part of all? Increased property value, y'all! (That rhymed!) Whatever projects you tackle at home, consider how it will ultimately affect your home's value. Our staircase is the first thing you see when you open the front door and replacing the old, worn-out, ratty, stained, pox-upon-our-house carpet with some gleaming, warm, sweet-dreams-inducing oak treads made all the difference in the world. That whole first impression thing is no joke, so improvements focused at the entry are usually money well spent.</li>
</ol><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You know who else loves the new staircase? Bentley. Ain't she cute?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisM0F90aYDK3S9JCfujOUTwb2pBxvWSkD9d5pM6NO_iPSLdyvjHiL0bpnst_p8ir4HNSd6ZJ8NLbFKIrHKZ3wJUY17bwC0IqrUoYRoYLx8_2PnQvzTxV7Sc403vlccZmYIU2TbvfKt7UM/s320/stairs+013.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-7852620883872405742010-09-09T19:33:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:37:15.060-08:00Central Gardens Home & Garden TourI got a chance to chat with Leigh Martin earlier today. She's a colleague of mine and she also serves on the <a href="http://www.centralgardens.org/">Central Gardens</a> Home & Garden Tour Committee as the head of advertising and sponsorships. She was gracious enough to give me the scoop on this marvelous annual event and even slip me one of the hot-off-the-presses-and-not-yet-released-to-the-public tour books. First, the basics:<br />
<ul><li>Tickets are $12 in advance at various Midtown business locations. Remember, all proceeds go toward the preservation of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Gardens,_Memphis">Central Gardens neighborhood</a>, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.</li>
<li>You may also buy tickets <a href="http://www.centralgardens.org/">online</a> for $15 and pick 'em up at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception after 12:30 on the day of the event.</li>
<li>If you're prone to decide to do these sorts of things day-of, you can always buy your $15 tickets at any of the homes on the tour or the Cathedral.</li>
<li>Sunday's weather is supposed to be nice and all the homes are within walking distance of one another. Nonetheless, if you'd rather be chauffeured around, there will be a bus to take you to each destination along the route.</li>
</ul>And then there are the homes! There are seven marvelous buildings on the tour and I can't wait to see each and every one. Here are some of the things I'm most excited about:<br />
<ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>1695 Central Avenue</strong>, <em><a href="http://www.iccathedral.org/">Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception</a></em> - okay, technically not a home (unless you count it as God's House), but I'm really excited to take a look around. I went to a wedding here once years ago and it was absolutely gorgeous. They've since gone through a renovation and I'm eager to see how in the world they could improve on perfection.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYZ9NRoVYHKWuvWLOBBCpZOERXBKaOQC4256CMFLVUuvelNrZSx8b4tj5nGmzu-2S30KFbpzq3iL67lIXOu06kEodsnrCWpc-mChLvAYyxev32nWMNupC7t1Q9O9Dry9Jda6dJKsw7lc/s1600/Cathedral+of+the+Immaculate+Conception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYZ9NRoVYHKWuvWLOBBCpZOERXBKaOQC4256CMFLVUuvelNrZSx8b4tj5nGmzu-2S30KFbpzq3iL67lIXOu06kEodsnrCWpc-mChLvAYyxev32nWMNupC7t1Q9O9Dry9Jda6dJKsw7lc/s320/Cathedral+of+the+Immaculate+Conception.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like the Baptist preachers used to say: if that doesn't light your fire, your wood's wet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>1592 Central Avenue</strong> - great Spanish-Colonial Revival style with stucco walls and red tile roof. But the best part is the pop culture/music link: famed Memphis-born, Mississippi-raised photographer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Eggleston">Bill Eggleston</a> lived in this house from 1965 to 1978. His was the first solo color photography exhibit to hang in MOMA in NYC and that exhibit featured <a href="http://thinkinpictures.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/william_eggleston_guide_h.jpg?w=400&h=600">pictures taken in this house</a>. He also shot album covers for Memphis' own Big Star, and then the band's frontman when he went solo, the late Alex Chilton. Cool, huh?</li>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzc8zpLBI4HpJNx0rnkal4CvHLKy02NEKoFdnyd4KKxgHG3JpXLEcs7w-MPM1zyUcntUEhmO1C6Xnc35Ahbbios9n3d4TgRfJIPP-tdsAZyQN79S_AIcYpt09aSsEXhiqIzPWLZkny9c/s1600/1592+Central.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzc8zpLBI4HpJNx0rnkal4CvHLKy02NEKoFdnyd4KKxgHG3JpXLEcs7w-MPM1zyUcntUEhmO1C6Xnc35Ahbbios9n3d4TgRfJIPP-tdsAZyQN79S_AIcYpt09aSsEXhiqIzPWLZkny9c/s320/1592+Central.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous stuff happened right here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>1554 Peabody Avenue</strong> - Ohhhh, I've been wanting to see this house for a while! Dubbed "Hillcrest", it's this gorgeous limestone behemoth at the corner of Willett and Peabody. Interesting tidbit: one of the architects went on to design Graceland.</li>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav8poCkSPA9LZ4jY0L7kX3A4Q-4TIPhumZx4pSeDUR5GKSzau3tMiblNUf9Ck0fAoDCFmbJrHh6X-hVkewcrvXPrPIW6GuJJlOMtdMmKKJMjBud9kZ7xgs3NsWV64WYYXzbRatxFJKNI/s1600/1554+Peabody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav8poCkSPA9LZ4jY0L7kX3A4Q-4TIPhumZx4pSeDUR5GKSzau3tMiblNUf9Ck0fAoDCFmbJrHh6X-hVkewcrvXPrPIW6GuJJlOMtdMmKKJMjBud9kZ7xgs3NsWV64WYYXzbRatxFJKNI/s320/1554+Peabody.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Makes me think a bit of the Pink Palace or the Greenstone on Poplar...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>1749 Harbert</strong> - If only to see what's behind that incredible wall with the yellow-painted address! I've never seen what's beyond the wall, but the house was built in 1967 so I'm imagining a sort of mid-century modern structure. The <a href="http://www.aiamemphis.org/Site_3/Welcome.html">Memphis chapter</a> of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has an annual award named in honor of the architect who designed this house for his family, Francis P. Gassner. I'm hoping this one is filled with furniture from <a href="http://www.dwr.com/">Design Within Reach</a> (like the <a href="http://www.dwr.com/product/eames-lounge-ottoman-vicenza.do?keyword=eames+lounge&sortby=ourPicks">Eames lounge and ottoman</a> I covet so badly that is, ironically, out of my reach).</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhdwc37YYFrXGJ9Ieph-ddFC4N4xyI6PbhmYIRlrjtDvK4ZiEdsvS3GCN2kwQqGRDRK3tnQR0FYuV4W8AQ-_FKZpSw9s_R1y4jISNXTYH8qcWhyApUzQtDPbPF8oCzVmZRugAVXcU42g/s1600/1749+Harbert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhdwc37YYFrXGJ9Ieph-ddFC4N4xyI6PbhmYIRlrjtDvK4ZiEdsvS3GCN2kwQqGRDRK3tnQR0FYuV4W8AQ-_FKZpSw9s_R1y4jISNXTYH8qcWhyApUzQtDPbPF8oCzVmZRugAVXcU42g/s320/1749+Harbert.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What glorious wonders are beyond that wall?!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh, and though it's not a part of the actual community tour, while you're piddling around in Central Gardens on Sunday, you should totally stop by and see me! I'll be holding <a href="http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/215-Kimbrough-St_Memphis_TN_38104_1114992422">215 Kimbrough</a>, another Central Gardens masterpiece, open from 1 to 4:30 that afternoon and I sure would love the company! I won't even charge admission.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaCIJpr6v9fPLCDc3OGxmrN4SSmuq9mWogmIxSovjn6UMWYT9QDRiQetXBRIxHuI5txE4ciBTUwbwQ8e6z6xvL2E_87C8ylOEqh0JEatkoEJ0YUkll5v9wtEROltLChKWXhnpbwSwZ4o/s1600/DSCN1061_663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaCIJpr6v9fPLCDc3OGxmrN4SSmuq9mWogmIxSovjn6UMWYT9QDRiQetXBRIxHuI5txE4ciBTUwbwQ8e6z6xvL2E_87C8ylOEqh0JEatkoEJ0YUkll5v9wtEROltLChKWXhnpbwSwZ4o/s320/DSCN1061_663.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous, no?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">By the way, the Central Gardens Tour is a sanctioned Memphis Architecture Month event. Be sure and check out some of the other great goings-on in my <a href="http://homesweetmemphis.blogspot.com/2010/09/go-ahead-and-be-nosy-its-architecture.html">previous post</a> or check out AIA Memphis' <a href="http://www.architecturemonthmemphis.org/www.architecturemonthmemphis.org/Home.html">official event site</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-29104600579323416912010-09-08T17:18:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:37:39.276-08:00Go ahead and be nosy - It's Architecture Month!<div style="text-align: left;">Here's another perk of being a real estate agent - getting to look at other people's homes for a living. If you're the nosy sort, it's a pretty great arrangement. Developers, sellers, other agents, they all invite you over to look. Wait, not just look. <em>Really </em>investigate. Go ahead: open cabinets, check out the pantry, marvel at the closet space. Some even host after-hours cocktail events with hors d'oeuvres so you can really imagine yourself unwinding from a hard day's work while sipping pinot on your magnificent balcony with the panoramic river view and strains of the Dave Brubeck Quartet in the background. I take my job very seriously, people. I go to these events for <em>you.</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAvCYbrOkmCkVw1kHPz5O2ne7N756Xa8bQ_CYosohsmh8YsKzhXdSEYmlEoVKDGZWCGhnH1WVkn1Xk1ynsmjYGWcC9Bze3jJYCa792DVxbHotcXeQBG_a0aUeDhR9Ir4hmOc1tF8LBZ8/s1600/Annesdale-Snowden+Mansion+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAvCYbrOkmCkVw1kHPz5O2ne7N756Xa8bQ_CYosohsmh8YsKzhXdSEYmlEoVKDGZWCGhnH1WVkn1Xk1ynsmjYGWcC9Bze3jJYCa792DVxbHotcXeQBG_a0aUeDhR9Ir4hmOc1tF8LBZ8/s320/Annesdale-Snowden+Mansion+007.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You mean I have to tour this? This job is so <em>hard </em>sometimes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;">Seriously, I love touring interesting homes and buildings, getting the scoop on the history, and imagining "what if these walls could talk." Memphis is a great city in which to do just those things, real estate agent or not. Downtown and Midtown are covered with old warehouse conversions, early 20th century mid- and high-rise buildings, arts-and-crafts style homes, bungalows, Victorians, mid-century modern, ranch-style, infill, LEED certified new construction, and more. It really is a remarkable microcosm of architectural marvel. To celebrate all of that design fabulousness, <a href="http://www.architecturemonthmemphis.org/www.architecturemonthmemphis.org/Home.html">AIA Memphis is presenting it's 7th Annual Architecture Month</a>. There are lectures, tours, a film series, and other events to mark the month-long celebration and there's really no reason not to delve into our city's rich architectural and design history (and indulge your inner Nosy Nelly while you're at it). A few of the highlights:</div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Jimmy Ogle's Walking Tours</strong>. If you've met this guy before, you know he's a walking primer on Memphis and all her history. Seriously, ask the guy anything about Memphis and I'll bet you dollars to donuts he knows the answer. His walking tours of the Central Business District meet on Tuesdays at 11:45 a.m. at different locations throughout the month and cover roughly 4 city blocks. Check the section marked <em>Tours </em>at <a href="http://www.architecturemonthmemphis.org/">http://www.architecturemonthmemphis.org/</a>. </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>34th Annual Central Gardens Home & Garden Tour</strong>. One day I'll live in Central Gardens. Until then, I'll settle for peering in their houses. This year's walking tour features six homes that will be open Sunday, September 12th from 1 to 6 p.m. I'm hoping to sit down with <a href="http://www.sowellandco.com/leighmartin">Leigh Martin</a> later this week for all the details. In the mean time check their site, <a href="http://www.centralgardens.org/">http://www.centralgardens.org/</a> for more info.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Virtual Tour of Modern Public Buildings in Memphis from 1940-1980</strong>. If you can't get away for any of the on-site events, you can get to know more about Memphis from the comfort of your own web browser. A new building is featured every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Just go to <a href="http://www.architecturemonthmemphis.org/">http://www.architecturemonthmemphis.org/</a> and check <em>Tours </em>to see the latest feature.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>AIA Memphis</strong>. They've been bunking with Memphis Heritage in Midtown for a while, but now they've got a place all their own. They just flung open the doors at 511 South Main on the first of this month and you should definitely stop by, check out their new digs, view "The Art of Architecture" Exhibit on display this month, and maybe join in their first Trolley Tour party on the 24th. While you're there, ask about joining lunITECTS. It's a great little group that meets (mostly) once a month to tour something marvelous. I joined as soon as I heard the <a href="http://www.sowellandco.com/idx/property-details.aspx?mls=3192372">Annsdale-Snowden Mansion</a> was on the schedule. Our last get-together was at the <a href="http://www.contemporist.com/2010/01/15/sky-cottage-by-archimania/">Sky Cottage</a>, a wonderful home designed by and for Barry Yoakum of Memphis' award-winning design firm, <a href="http://www.archimania.com/">Archimania</a>.</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">So, go ahead. Being nosy is an actual sanctioned event this month! </div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643299400012419971.post-71710453201477667312010-09-07T13:21:00.000-07:002011-03-04T11:38:10.035-08:00Tuesday Tour - 1310 Island Pl ETuesdays in the real estate world are pretty great. Most all the area offices have their sales meetings on Tuesday mornings 'round 10 o'clock followed by office caravans to check out new in-office listings. It's a nice way to build comeraderie, stay in the know, and see what the other folks in your office are up to. But the best part is what follows: the Tuesday luncheon. Also known as Realtor Tours, these are open houses hosted by agents for agents and are a nice way to preview a house before you bring buyers through. Since I've been at <a href="http://www.sowellandco.com/">Sowell & Company</a>, I've toured some spectacular homes and eaten some pretty amazing (free!) lunches on Tuesdays. Rosemary scones on Belleair, Dave Lorrison's fantastic quiche on Peabody, yummy dilled asparagus on Tara Lane, shrimp salad at the Memphis Country Club Towers... I could go on and on. I really do hate I can't share the yummy food with you. But in the spirit of the Tuesday luncheon tours, I'd love to give you a tour of some of the great houses that are prime pickin' here in Memphis! Let's start with <a href="http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1310-E-Island-Pl_Memphis_TN_38103_1120892805">1310 Island Pl E</a>, shall we?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICXF9I37pao6Jm54zWOUSyi1fQKqTJi4zoDDmk_TlC7ln28_CAnJX9tHhOPaNLPPB-c5vXfK-kaKrfnaaMrx2pY4fhmx-7WKsB9HheD-lKJzUNu06Gnb1QpP23juyuenKMk0j3tAvBDE/s1600/1310+Island+Pl+E+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICXF9I37pao6Jm54zWOUSyi1fQKqTJi4zoDDmk_TlC7ln28_CAnJX9tHhOPaNLPPB-c5vXfK-kaKrfnaaMrx2pY4fhmx-7WKsB9HheD-lKJzUNu06Gnb1QpP23juyuenKMk0j3tAvBDE/s320/1310+Island+Pl+E+041.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute li'l house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This little cutie is on Mud Island, just north of Harbor Town. The owners, Blakley & Jake, have enjoyed living in this home with their cute little Pug, Jackson, and more recently, their newborn son, Mac. Blakley has such wonderful style - their place always looks so inviting and smells amazing! No kidding - she swears by the Votivo Tuscan Olive candles and I always have folks at Open House want to know what that wonderful scent is. I especially love the dark pergo floors and Blakley picked a wonderful warm yellow for the living/dining/kitchen areas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrODoykq2oPJfejLrp3kFnJyh4RuubbYaDl-AuMWZL46rawv3BREI3Mix4MXuuxr4Sn6dwGExkPhTnwLByFZLmoSLb-ED2b6243r6RwzcyBgsl7sw7WmZXIpTPVc-exZjPM0CoqYOuok/s1600/1310+Island+Pl+E+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrODoykq2oPJfejLrp3kFnJyh4RuubbYaDl-AuMWZL46rawv3BREI3Mix4MXuuxr4Sn6dwGExkPhTnwLByFZLmoSLb-ED2b6243r6RwzcyBgsl7sw7WmZXIpTPVc-exZjPM0CoqYOuok/s320/1310+Island+Pl+E+016.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blakley has such good taste!</td></tr>
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There are some great features here - gas logs, open and airy floorplan, vaulted ceilings, master bath with separate tub & shower and his 'n her closets, walk-in attic access, two car garage with parking pad, and a cute little patio just off the back. The television and the surround sound in the living room stay and Blakley & Jake recently had the exterior painted and the flowerbeds professionally landscaped.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYr-KO3LSF2CA02F31WQC_H5F0w6iwlpcb31BnQzRR8LclR7Xbb_KmyTh4oFrFhUT0bgvxSmjALYsIaEh-AKEwtQckk5N4-GOC4aLp0Vp5xOvC_LSb-QulsH4xZGJJSM7JkHyR4C2N6s/s1600/1310+Island+Pl+E+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYr-KO3LSF2CA02F31WQC_H5F0w6iwlpcb31BnQzRR8LclR7Xbb_KmyTh4oFrFhUT0bgvxSmjALYsIaEh-AKEwtQckk5N4-GOC4aLp0Vp5xOvC_LSb-QulsH4xZGJJSM7JkHyR4C2N6s/s320/1310+Island+Pl+E+020.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I adore the open floor plan, those rich pergo floors, and the natural light!</td></tr>
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This house is in my neighborhood, so it's easy for me to tell you why it's such a great place to live. I LOVE being able to ride my bike to <a href="http://www.misscordelias.com/">Miss Cordelia's</a>, walk by the Mississippi River, hustle on over to the <a href="http://inbalancefitness.com/">gym</a> in the mornings, swing by <a href="http://www.riverinnmemphis.com/dining/tugs/">Tug's</a> for an after-work cocktail on my way home in the afternoons, and ogle the pastries in the case at <a href="http://www.cafeeclectic.net/harbortown/">Cafe Eclectic</a>. Not to mention the added bonus of being so close to all the <a href="http://www.downtownmemphis.com/">goings-on downtown</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbYlf3vGG-A7gYOjY_rlID4kt1SGMoPgUhNcjUjyldLVXdtv-HZWL2dZR0wJJt76xTQrPZejkElSZvLVWBn8W9dFUMcVPG4g8vTimBjsRrpqD8UGqEpKPJlR-4KBLtrWqg0Up5WrXddI/s1600/Sunsets,+etc,+November+2009+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbYlf3vGG-A7gYOjY_rlID4kt1SGMoPgUhNcjUjyldLVXdtv-HZWL2dZR0wJJt76xTQrPZejkElSZvLVWBn8W9dFUMcVPG4g8vTimBjsRrpqD8UGqEpKPJlR-4KBLtrWqg0Up5WrXddI/s320/Sunsets,+etc,+November+2009+022.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS is the Mud Island sunset view. Jealous?</td></tr>
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What's that? You say you want a <em>real </em>tour? Well, I'll be happy to show you this cute li'l house in person! Just give me a call at (901) 485-2179 or drop me an email at <a href="mailto:AshleyDacus@gmail.com">AshleyDacus@gmail.com</a> and we'll set something up. And maybe even have lunch.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577476570781543963noreply@blogger.com2