by Rylan Kean | Mar 21, 2018 | Blog, Real Estate
Written by a Millan Enterprises Employee
Valuable Home Buying Lessons You Need to Know
I don’t know about you, but owning a home was always on my radar. In my mind, the question was not, “if,” but, “when!” After all, owning a house is a major piece of the American Dream. For my wife and I, our dream of homeownership was a bit delayed. After college, we acquired a mountain of student loan debt ($80,000 total!) and had a baby in the mix. The odds of us owning a home were at best, not great. Against the odds, we made our dream come true. Here’s what we learned along the way:
- Think with your head, not with your heart!
Typically, I hate the above advice because we as humans have a hard time separating our emotions form the decision-making process. The truth is, it’s almost impossible to remove our feelings from any equation. I learned, though, when buying a house, it’s kind of a necessity.
Like most people, we wanted our daughter to attend THE BEST schools in THE BEST neighborhood. Our emotions were totally wrapped up in giving our daughter THE BEST! In reality, we could not afford a, “premium package house.” So, we set a budget, and gave our daughter the BEST we could afford.
Lesson Learned: Untie my emotions from the house I can afford.
- You WILL be disappointed!
I remember closing day like it was yesterday. We signed the papers (a sea of papers) and the attorney handed us the keys. We then entered what I like to call, “the honeymoon phase of homeownership.” For the first month, the house could do no wrong. 3 months in, a shift occurred. We started noticing things, small things. The fridge was louder. The hardwoods squeaked. The fireplace didn’t work! I actually started second guessing our purchase until my wife hit me with some much needed perspective: There’s no such thing as a perfect house. She went on to say: “I don’t want to live in a glass house where everything has to be perfect.”
Lesson Learned: There’s no such thing as, “the perfect house.”
- Unload debt before unpacking bags.
As I mentioned in the first paragraph, we had $80,000 of combined student loan debt. I won’t mention who had more (it was her) because it does not matter. In fact, our student loan payment was MORE than our RENT payment! Before we could get serious about owning a home, we HAD to cut some of those monthly expenses. So, we stopped making the minimum payments and threw everything we could at our debt. We weren’t totally debt free at the time of purchase, but we had it beat down to only $5,000.
Lesson Learned: “Debt and Deeds do not mix!”
- The journey is long and hard, enjoy it!
I hope I’m not painting a pretty picture of my attitude during the house buying process. I experienced a lot of stress and disappointment. Putting in an offer, getting rejected. Seeing a house, its suddenly gone. Liking the photos online, not-so-much in person. All of these elements can cause frustration but looking back, I wish I would have taken a HUGE chill pill. We’ll likely only get to experience buying a house once or twice in a lifetime. The highs and the lows, the good and the bad, its all worth it.
Home Buying Lessons Learned: “Owning a home is AWESOME! Enjoy the rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.
by Dustin York | May 2, 2016 | Blog, Real Estate
Economic Boom: Why NOW is the Time to Lease Retail Space in Clarksville TN
Information released this month from the U.S. Department of Labor shows Tennessee’s economy is growing. State unemployment dropped to the lowest level in nine years in March 2016 and jobs are being added at twice the national pace, according to an article in the Times Free Press.
Clarksville’s outlook is also good. The Hankook Tire tire plant will open later in the year and is expected to create 1,800 new jobs when it is fully operational in 2018. The company recently announced it will be moving its United States headquarters to Nashville, adding approximately 200 more jobs to the Tennessee economy. In addition, Google announced it will be opening a new data center in Clarksville.
“The data processing, hosting and related services industry has grown significantly in Tennessee,” said Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd. “Clarksville, in particular, has seen a considerable surge with employment increasing by 305 percent in less than five years.”
The city of Clarksville and Montgomery County have both increased in population by 30 percent since 2000, making it the fastest growing city in Tennessee.
These positive economic indicators make now a great time to start or expand a business in Clarksville. Whether your company is retail or service oriented, having a great location to direct your customers will add to your success. We have newly completed retail and office space available on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. This commercial space features modern design with all steel and block construction. Remaining spaces can be divided into separate units and built to suit the incoming business. For more information or to schedule a showing, please contact us at 931-538-6049 today.
by Dustin York | Mar 21, 2016 | Blog, Real Estate, Tenant Resources
Don’t miss out on this rental walkthrough checklist when viewing homes for rent!
There are plenty of amazing rental homes in Clarksville, TN, but not every house in town will fit your needs exactly. The best way to protect yourself from a rental disaster is to ensure that you use a rental walkthrough checklist. A thorough list will include these items:
The Entry
Take a look at the entrance to the home. Do the locks work? Do you have the desired amount of privacy?
If you are interested in having a security door, this is the time to ask the landlord if this is a possibility.
Look at the sealing of the front door. Is there anyway water or wind can come in?
The Bathroom
Turn on the water faucets, checking for the right amount of water pressure to suit your needs.
Always check for evidence of water damage. We are happy to fix issues that arise, and the walkthrough is a great place to pinpoint them early.
The Kitchen
Check out the appliances, ensuring that they meet your needs. If you are passionate about a gas stove, now is the time to notice whether the house offers gas or electric.
The Rest of the House
Open each window. Some windows can get painted shut in the process of fixing up the home to rent, and it’s best to fix this problem early on.
This is also a great time to make sure each window has screens. You may rely on them if you have children or pets.
Check out each electrical outlet by plugging in a phone charger to ensure each one is working.
Outside
Do you feel safe outside the house? Consider the lighting situation outside, and how comfortable you will feel coming home at night.
Do you have questions about renting in Clarksville? Want to know how to find a great rental that meets your needs? Contact us to learn more about your options at 931-538-6049!
by Dustin York | Mar 14, 2016 | Blog, Clarksville Community, Real Estate
Homes for Rent in Clarksville TN Near Parks for Active Kids
Most children have a lot of energy, and one of the factors parents must consider when looking for a new home is whether there are outdoor recreation opportunities where children can be active. There are many homes for rent in Clarksville TN near some great parks where kids can run off their energy.
Liberty Park at Clarksville Marina (Cumblerland Drive) offers a sports field for children to kick a ball around and hone their skills. It also features a 10-acre fishing pond, community-built playground, a walking trail, boat ramp and dog park.
Valleybrook Park at 213 Crossland Avenue has sand volleyball courts, a walking trail, playground equipment, and open space to run.
Clarksville Greenway is great for families who like to hike or bike. The wooded trail will make you feel like you’re really getting away from it all, but it’s located conveniently on Pollard Road.
Before you know it the warm weather will be back and kids will be looking for a place to cool down and have fun. Beachaven Swimming Pool on Gaylewood Drive offers two pools for community members to use for either exercise or recreational use.
When looking for a new home, if there are children in the family it’s important to consider what facilities are close by for them to find exercise and amusement. Clarksville offers many parks that children and adults alike can enjoy when the weather is nice. They provide kids a way to burn energy and get fit while having fun.
If you’re looking for a new home, we have many options of houses or apartments of different sizes in the Clarksville area. If you are looking for something close to one of these parks, please contact us at 931-538-6049!
by Dustin York | Mar 7, 2016 | Blog, Clarksville Community, Real Estate
Fort Campbell Houses for Rent Made Easy
If you’re a soldier being stationed at Ft. Campbell, you know that your life involves uprooting your family often. If you’re fortunate, they’re up for the adventure and ready to make new friends and travel along side you, remembering that home is wherever you are together.
We would love to make the transition for you as smooth and easy as possible, by showing you Fort Campbell houses for rent. You can let us know what your housing allowance is, and we can start searching for listings in your price range before you even get to Ft. Campbell, so we have homes ready to show you as soon as you arrive in the area.
We want you to have a place where your family feels comfortable and safe, while you’re serving our country. One of the best ways we can thank you for your service is to find you a great home to live in as long as you are stationed at Ft. Campbell.
Once you’re all settled in, check out a few of the local favorites that will help you start to feel like you’ve found a place to call home. Mugsy’s serves amazing coffee near the base. You have to take a day to explore Mammoth Cave National Park, where you can have a little adventure in a giant system of caves. We also think you’ll love the Riverwalk area in downtown Clarksville.
We would be happy to give you a few other recommendations of favorite parks, restaurants or anything else that would help you feel at home. Please contact us at 931-538-6049 and let us get started on your home or apartment search!
by Dustin York | Feb 29, 2016 | Blog, Real Estate
Clarksville Retail Space for Lease: Your Next Business Move
Selecting the perfect location for a new or growing business is key to the success of your new venture. You want the space to represent who you are as a company — without breaking the bank. Here are a few reasons Clarksville, TN is the ideal spot to help you transform your business vision into a booming reality.
Large Veteran Population
Whether or not you’re a veteran yourself, your business will benefit from the nearby proximity of Ft. Campbell. The military members and their families are upstanding citizens — as well as consumers — who make doing business a pleasure. They are loyal customers who have an emphasis on quality and integrity.
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN is also home to Austin Peay State University, with a student body population of nearly 11,000 and growing. Take advantage of the great opportunity to open a business in a college town. Students are always looking for the new dining and shopping hot spots. Let yours be their new favorite.
Small Town Feel, Big City Appeal
There is no better time than now to open a retail location in Clarksville, TN. The consumer base is growing, and you can feel the industrious buzz around town. There are many new coffee parlors and boutiques popping up as a result of the growing Nashville population. But unlike Nashville, retail locations are still affordable in Clarksville!
Let Millan Enterprises help you find the perfect Clarksville retail space for lease. For more information about commercial real estate, please contact us at 931-538-6049 today!
