Fontaine's Blog

Thanksgiving at the woods

Fontaine Taylor — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:45:15 +0000

It has been a family tradition for 15 years that we all go to our farm in McNairy County called The Woods House. The family that lives in the Memphis area all pile in their cars with food, children, dogs and guests and head out full of anticipation of the weekend. The farm is mostly woods but has a few open fields. hills, rocks to climb and streams to wade and fish in. The place is truly a piece of heaven.

After the cars are unloaded and the refrigerators are packed full each person heads out on their own mission. Thaxton my 8 year old grandson likes driving the Gator with his 5 year old brother Noland as a passenger. Kimbrough, my oldest grandson usually checks out the equipment for deer hunting the next morning. Meredith, my oldest granddaughter starts making the pumpkin pies that Meredith and I both love. Eason, my middle grandson likes to start preparing for shooting skeet down by the lower shed, checking to see what football game is on, or riding a four wheeler through the woods. The grown ups start the fire, walk to the creek or join in with the children in their activities. We all are busy doing happy country things and being together. When the sun sets we sit around the fire, roast marshmellows after dinner and then just enjoy being together.

On Thanksgiving day we turn on the Macy’s parade and then start cooking and tasting until about 2 when we have our feast. My son Kimbrough fries a turkey and I bake one. Chris, my son-in-law, makes a fire and Beth, my daughter-in-law and Fontaine, my daughter fix all the other trimmings. We have a wonderful meal and a wonderful time. We are thankful for our many blessings and feel blessed that we can be together. This is the way our family spends Thanksgiving, a very special time.

Spring is Here

Fontaine Taylor — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:55:55 +0000

Spring is here and I’m so glad to have” sunshine on my shoulders” and no” raindrops falling on my head”. I think we’ve all come through a long spell of cold and rain and are glad to feel the warmth again. I feel like stretching out on some rock like some lizard and soaking in all the sun. People are glad to be out and this is the perfect time to put your home on the market. All houses look better when trees have leaves and flowers bloom. The interest rates are very low and the tax incentives are still in place for contracts signed by April 31st. There is not a better time than now to get the most home for your money. Please call me and let me help you sell your home so you can” move it on up”.

we’re growing…..

Fontaine Taylor — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:22:48 +0000

Coleman-Etter,Fontaine Realtors opened in 1951 and consistently ranks in the top residential real estate companies for sales and professionalism in the Memphis area. We had an opportunity to bring on board two of Memphis top Commercial brokers and made the decision to open a commercial division with Chris Brown as President and Jim Rainer as Senior Vice President. The commercial division is going full steam ahead and already has a long list of clients who are seeking their guidance. Please check out their site at www.cef-commercial.com to read about them.

looking for a home

Fontaine Taylor — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:35:22 +0000

The first thing most people do when they decide to move is to go online and look at homes in different areas within their price range. This is a good education and helps pin down the area for their search. The next best move a buyer should make is to meet with a Realtor and have the Realtor explain the whole process of buying and the buyers obligations. The Realtor will suggest that you get prequalified before you look at a home. This is in your best interest. No need to fall in love with a home that is out of your reach. A lot of people want to look on their own and some want to buy from the listing agent for they think they can get a better deal. Please understand if you buy directly from a listing agent you have no representation. If something goes wrong who is on your side? You should always be represented and loyalty to your agent pays off. Agents know of homes not on the market yet and if they know you are loyal to them they will work harder for you. It has been proven that someone who buys a FSBO usually pays more and does not get all that they are due. Please call a Realtor and let them help you with one of the biggest decisions in life. I, of course, would love to be the one to guide you.

Things are picking up…..

Fontaine Taylor — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:06:24 +0000

The good news is that things are picking up in the Memphis area real estate market Buyers are making the decision to move and Sellers are more reasonable in their expectations when pricing their homes and accepting offers. All of this is good. You are able to buy at a time when the interest rates are some of the lowest in history and in most cases, there is a home buyer tax credit of up to $8000 for first time buyers and $6500 for other select buyers to help with your purchase. There are some restrictions on these credits but that is something your Realtor can explain to you. So why wait? This won’t last long. It is rumored that the interest rates will start rising before long and the tax credits are scheduled to go away with homes not under contract by April 30 2010. This truly is the time to buy and a great time to sell.

Should I list this time of year?

Fontaine Taylor — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:08:18 +0000

I went to a listing presentation yesterday and the owner asked me if this time of the year was the right time to list her home for another agent she had talked with told her that the home should go on the market as soon as possible. I told her that the time frame from Thanksgiving to about the middle of February were considered to be the slowest months but that the buyers that looked during this time were the most motivated for they usually had a real need to make a move. A home will sell at any time of the year if both the price and condition are in line with the market. It is better to be conservative on the pricing than to risk the home being on the market for an extended period. What do you think?