Property Taxpayers aren't facing a "double whammy"; they're facing a "triple whammy". The mayor's depressing prediction that an increase in the property tax rate next year is "almost inescapable" disregards the fact that 2009 is also a reassessment year for the Shelby County Assessor of Property. Along with the higher property taxes, that this mayor is proposing, comes the additional nauseating burden that property taxpayers will face an artificial increase in values of their property once again, both commercial and residential, increasing the tax liability even more. From 2002 to 2004, the nation's median price of a single-family home rose from $158,100 to $184,100, according to the National Association of... 03/16/2008

We heard on the radio today, that Memphis ranked 13th in the nation on the foreclosure list.  This is a great opportunity for investors, or people who are looking for great deals!  My own parents were able to find a foreclosure that needed just a little bit of work and now they live in it!  They were able to purchase it for around $50,000 below it's regular market value.  02/14/2008

Well, we have allowed the media once again to bring the "not-so-positive" news straight to the front page.  As a result the confidence of the buyers and sellers is what is really is at an all time low.  Yes, it is true that our numbers may be down since last year, however, last year (2006) the Memphis Real Estate Market saw lucrative numbers which means the slight drop truly is not as devasting as the news portrays it,The national media loves to cover the fall of the real estate market and include such inspirational phrases such as "downward spiral" and "sinking values".  The job of the Real Estate Agent has become increasingly more difficult when you constantly have to reassure your clients.  We sell Real Estate home by home and neighborhood by neighborhood, the national media can't te... 01/29/2008

Crye-Leike, REALTORS is proud to announce the seven recipients of its Diamond Circle of Excellence Award for 2007. The seven individuals honored with the company's most prestigious award were recognized at the Crye-Leike Memphis Real Estate 2008 Kick-Off Meeting held on Tuesday January 8th at the Hilton Memphis Conference Center. 2008 Memphis Realtor Recipients of Diamond Circle of ExcellenceJeff Burress, CRS, GRI - Collierville Real Estate Office - 8 years with Crye-Leike, Vice Chair - MAAR R-PAC Committee 2007, Life Member Crye-Leike Multi Million Dollar Club 2005  Carol Deegler, CRS - Quail Hollow Real Estate Office - 20 years with Crye-Leike, Vice Chairman - MAAR R-PAC Committee 2007, Life Member Crye-Leike Multi Million Dollar Club 1992  Les Frazier, CRS - Midtown Real Estate Offic... 01/26/2008

I have worked in marketing and public relations for over 10 years.  I have also owned my own PR firm since 2003 (VIDA PR & Marketing Group-www.onevida.com).  In that time, I also became a luxury realtor.  Yes, I have been busy, but that is not why I tell you all of this...We all know that public open house events are a great way to meet new clients, and that broker open houses are a great way t get other Realtors in to preview your listing, but have you all been doing private, invitation only events in your upper end properties to specifically target your ideal buyer?  If you sell luxury homes, this is a great tactic to get exactly who you want in the door, without a lot of useless traffic.  Not to mention an excuse to throw a really great party! Some market area research, great food an... 01/17/2008

Visit web site of Children's Museum of Memphis Special Event - "Your House, My House," January 19-May 26.  Step inside three model homes:  a Mongolian herder's ger, an m'bure from the tropics of Fiji, and a stilt house from a Malaysian fishing village.  Design houses by putting house parts together on a computer.  Build tabletop houses from materials provided and enter a timber house. Special Event - "Ignite the Dream" Birthday Celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Monday, January 21, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.  Birthday cake, face painting, arts and crafts, and activities galore.  Add your "piece" to the giant "peace quilt" on display.  Children perform excerpts of King's speeches throughout the day.  Visitors may even recite their own poems about peace on stage. Special Event - Blues Clue... 01/06/2008

IMAX Movies at the Pink PalaceCall 763-IMAX for show times or visit web site of IMAX at the Pink Palace Memphis9th Annual Memphis IMAX Film Festival, Saturdays/ Sundays in January, and Monday, January 21:  "Mystery of the Nile," "Everest," "Amazing Caves," "Dolphins," "Magnificent Desolation:  Walking on the Moon," and "Deep Sea."   "Roving Mars", February 2-November 14.  Follow the journey of NASA's Mars twin exploration rover robots from their assembly through their fantastic discoveries.   "Magnificent Desolation," November 10-February 1.  Only 12 have walked on the moon.  You will be next.  This film takes you to the lunar surface.  Co-written, produced and narrated by Tom Hanks.  Sharpe Planetarium at the Pink PalaceVisit web site of Sharpe Planetarium Our Place in Space. Saturdays... 01/06/2008

The Annual Chocolate Fantasy to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee, Oak Court Mall, January 26, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  Tickets are $16 in advance at TCBY and Dinstuhl's or $18 at the event.  Sample over thirty chocolate treats from area restaurants, caterers, and bakeries.  For more information, call Judy Edelson, Development Director of the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee, 683-6185.Story Times  Davis-Kidd Booksellers - 387 Perkins Road Extended, holds story times Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 11:00 a.m. Special events and activities on some Saturday mornings. 683-9801. Disney's High School Musical, The Orpheum, January 15-20.  743-ARTS or 529-4208 or http://www.orpheum-memphis.com/.Memphis Botanic Gardens Caterpillar ClubVisit web site of Memphis... 01/06/2008

Elvis would have been 73 on his upcoming birthday, January 8. While the event does not get as much noteriaty as Elvis Tribute Week (locals tend to call it Elvis Death Week) in mid-August, there are a number of events tied in to the Elvis theme.  The Commercial Appeal has published a schedule of events that will be helpful if you are in the area, or planning on making the pilgrimage to Memphis next Tuesday.  While Elvis passed on to Rock and Roll Heaven 30 years ago, his following seems to get stronger each year. 01/05/2008

Crye-Leike, Realtors is thrilled to announce that more than $12,000 was raised during its popular Accounting Department Silent Auction & Raffle to benefit Youth Villages. About the EventThe event was staged in the Main Lobby of Crye-Leike's Quail Hollow Corporate Headquarters building.Monday December 10th - Friday, December 14th. Items were displayed for five days, with the auction finalized at 3pm on Friday the 14th.Among the items was a signed football by Tennessee Titans Quarterback Vince Young, the 2006 NFL Rookie of the Year. "We had 180 beautiful gift baskets up for auction and some for raffle with an amazing amount of great products and items inside them," said Lynda Drake, Crye-Leike Realtors Accounting Manager. "We couldn't have done it without the love and support of our frien... 12/26/2007

With teenagers wearing $100 jeans, 8 year olds with PDA-ready cellphones, and everybody with a Hermes bag, where does the luxury market stand?  As a Luxury Realtor, by definition I work with buyers and sellers in the market of homes costing $500,000+.  Now, with builders giving buyers everything short of a free Ferrari to buy their homes, luxury is truly a state of mind.  In the Memphis area, buyers can get a great home, with outstanding amenities, for as little as $400,000.  Granite, hardwood, media rooms, and more aren't uncommon is this price range these days.  The economy has driven the luxury bar down well below the standard $500,000.  Not to mention, pre-existing home owners are selling their homes are much reduced rates and are offering all kinds of great upgrades and offers.  Wi... 12/22/2007

Are you interested in a career in real estate and need to find a Memphis real estate company to work with? Or are you already working in real estate and interested in learning why so many Memphis real estate agents choose Crye-Leike? There is an upcoming Memphis real estate career event at Crye-Leike's Corporate Headquarter - Quail Hollow - East Memphis office.  (Map this office with Mapquest)We invite you to find out more about a real estate career and services for Crye-Leike sales associates. Date: Thursday, January 17th at 6:00 PMRegister for this real estate career event in Memphis. Crye-Leike, Realtors is 4th in the nation and has real estate offices throughout the area providing Memphis real estate. We started in 1977 and have since been building a reputation as a leading real est... 12/19/2007

The Evergreen Historic District is one of the prime historic districts in Midtown Memphis.  Located in an area bounded by Poplar on the south, North Parkway on the North, East Parkway on the east and Cleveland on the west, the district features many beautiful homes and a cohesive neighborhood association.  A large swatch of homes were removed in the early 1970's to make way for the extension of I-40 through the heart of the neighborhood, but activism changed the route, and in 1991 the vacant lots were sold for development.  The historic nature of the architecture has been preserved in the newer homes, and, in many cases, it is hard to tell the old homes built in the early 1900s from the new homes built 10-15 years ago.Evergreen is a great place to live.  Good neighbors, great public sch... 12/09/2007

Roebuck Auctions reports it sold 40 plus properties today bringing 2.5 million dollars, on Tuesday, 12/4.  It was reported that the auction at Roebuck's headquarters was packed.  Most of the properties were in the Midtown and Cooper-Young area, widely known as the “216-BRET” properties and included single family homes, duplexes, fourplexes, commercial buildings and vacant lots. This was a huge number of properties to be sold in one auction.  I was out of town and was unable to attend.  I am not sure if I have formulated an opinion or if I can comment on how these sales will impact the Midtown market. If you were there, know anyone who was, or have any comments, please post a comment. 12/06/2007

The Memphis Arts Collective is presenting its annual Holiday Show from now through December 24, Monday-Saturday, 11-6, Sunday 1-5.  At 2151 Central, Corner of Central and Cooper.  Its a great place to find Holiday gifts and support local artists. A wide variety of useful art, paintings photographs, metal craft, jewelry, clothing, pottery. 12/03/2007

If you are looking for history, a wide variety of architectural styles, and wide range of prices, Central Gardens is one of Midtown Memphis' prime neighborhoods. Due to the area's close proximity to Downtown, prominent Memphians began to move to the area in the middle 19th century, with development beginning in the early 20th century.  Most homes in this district were completed before the end of the 1920s.Bounded by Union Avenue on the North, Central Ave/York Ave. on the South, Cleveland Street on the West and Rembert Street on the East, the neighborhood offers convenience to all parts of Downtown and the central city.Archtectural styles include Mission, Italianate, Four Square, Bungalow, Victorian, Shingle, Craftsman, Colonial, Georgian Revival, and Neo-Claissical Revival - or a combin... 12/02/2007

After 4 or 5 years of selling properties all over the greater Memphis area, I want to re-establish myself as a leader in the Midtown real estate market and concentrate on my favorite parts of the city, Midtown and Downtown - the areas I have always loved and known best. I have been lost in the 'burbs one too many times. Its time to get back to the heart and soul of Memphis and become a specialist again. The Memphis Area Association of REALTORS® has nearly twice as many licensed members than there were when I got in the business eleven years ago. New agent and company names are popping up every day. I want to remind you that I am still living here in Midtown on Vance Avenue, have never lost my love for Midtown, and am always striving to increase my knowledge of the history and architectu... 11/30/2007

Every true Real Estate investor’s team should consist of 5 essential players. Having these following players will free up more of your time and increase your profits. You will have more time to spend with your family. 1. CPA- available to answer your tax questions and help you save and keep more of your money on the front end. 2. Loan Officer- He/She should have your information and is ready to get the ball rolling on your next deal. 3. Real Estate Attorney/Title Company- They can expedite your closings and title searches. 4. General Contractor- Good quality work will save you time, money and reputation in the long run. 5. Realtor- He/She has knowledge of the current market and can give you accurate estimation of selling time, buyer desires and profits. 10/21/2007

1. Do not rent to the first person with money. • Always check their credit, background, rental history and work history, • You are better off with an empty house than a bad tenant. • Be patient! 2. Do not rent to someone who is in needy or in a crisis. • Needy people will leach off of you. • People in crisis will suck you into their crisis. 3. Do not rent to anyone you know. • This includes: Friends, Family, Friends of family and Family of friends. 4. Do not become friends with your tenants. • Nothing personal, it’s just business. 5. Do not rent to nitpickers. • The nitpicking will never stop. 6. Do not put a tenant’s utilities in your name. • Eventually you will get stuck with the bill. 7. Do not be afraid to say NO! 8. Do not be a “pushover”. • Learn to be intimidating. 9. Do not rent... 10/21/2007

As we move into the 4th Quarter, many prospective home buyers are beginning to realize some important facts about the Memphis market:1. Prices haven't tumbled. Many, many homes have had prices reduced, and in the areas I monitor a number of listings expire and are not renewed. This indicates that sellers would rather hold on to their homes than lower prices to the point of getting offers. If sellers truly HAVE to sell, its a good time for bargains. New construction may be the best place to get a deal. Overall, can you get a better deal on a home than you could a year ago? Yes. Waiting for the bottom to fall out? Its not going to happen.2. You can still get mortgages. If you could qualify for a conforming loan a year ago, you probably can still qualify now. And with interest rates hoveri... 10/21/2007