Richard Courtney - Nashville Realtor

"Richard,

I enjoy your column in The Ledger, and read it whenever I can. You did a great column comparing house flippers to song writers, both of them creative entrepreneurs trying to apply their talent to the elusive formula for success. I loved how you portrayed the newcomers in the songwriting business as bringing their "out of town chords" to the simpler, well-established Nashville approach.

I appreciated your suggesting that real estate investors spend time working on a construction site to learn a bit more about what they're actually doing. It was a beautiful comparison, showing insights into not only real estate and songwriting, but the unique culture that is Nashville. I kind of feel like one of those guys who brought his "out of town chords" here, but I know there's room for me here too.

I'm just glad to know you, and I wanted to say thanks for another fine column."
Bryan Cummings, Songwriter, musician, producer. Member of the WannaBeatles

Buying a House Here: 12 Things You Must Do

Anyone buying any home anywhere should have a checklist of things to do. Home inspection, survey, radon test, and more.

Some Basics All Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

Determine your real estate IQ using this clever quiz.

Are You Really Bidding Against Yourself?

It boils down to this. A house is worth whatever the buyer and seller agree in writing on a contract that it is. Unfortunately, in real estate, the wrong buyer and the wrong seller sometimes agree at the wrong price at the wrong time.

If It's Broken, Fix It Before Being Squeezed

The moral of the story is that sellers should fix all of the broken things before placing the house on the market. The real estate handbook will tell sellers there is no value for a new HVAC, water heater, etc., as will many lazy agents suggesting sellers merely reduce the price. It doesn't work that way. The circle needs to be unbroken, along with everything else.

Warning: Children Can Endanger Home Values

One of the most often-occurring conditions when selling home is that of "child erosion," as any home occupied by humans under the age of 12 is subject to abuse that is incomprehensible to those that have never shared a home with toddlers or adolescents.

Can't Sell Your House? Really?

"What is the hottest area in town?" Realtors are often asked. The answer: "They all are." Any area not seeing price increases now never will. If a house is on the market and is not selling, it is overpriced.