Here are a few examples of why, dollar for dollar, homeownership is a solid stepping stone to a future of financial security and the single largest creator of wealth for many Americans.

Over the long-term real estate has consistently appreciated, even through periodic adjustments in local markets in response to economic conditions. On a national level, home appreciation has historically increased 5-6 percent annually, report economists at the National Association of Home Builders.

Five percent may not meem much at first, but here’s an example that will put it in perspective: Say you put 10 percent down on a $200,000 house, for an investment of $20,000. At a 5 percent annual appreciation rate, that $200,000 home would increase in value $10,000 on an investment of $20,000 is an extraordinary 50 percent annual return. In contrast, putting that $20,000 down payment into the stock market and getting a 5 percent gain would only yield a $1,000 profit.

The soure of the above information is from the NAHB website.

10-Minute Energy Boosters

1. Eat your breakfast. A good, nutritious breakfast gives you the energy you need to stay awake and alert. People who eat breakfast every morning report less fatigue and stress than people who skip breakfast.

2. Do a downward dog. Yoga has so many different health benefits… Some studies have found that the practice, which uses various postures and deep breathing for exercise and meditation, can be an excellent fatigue fighter.

3. Belt out your favorite tune. Singing gives you a kind of emotional high, while it reduces levels of stress hormones in your body.

4. Have a drink of water. Your body needs fluid to function properly. Try to get to the fridge or water cooler for a refill every few hours. The walk there will also help you wake up.

5. Go nuts. Eat a handful of almonds and peanuts, which are high in magnesium and folate (folic acid). These nutrients are essential for energy and cell production.

6. Suck on a cinnamon stick. Research finds that just a whiff of this scented spice can reduce fatigue and make you feel more alert.  Peppermint’s sweet aroma is another fatigue fighter.

7. Take the stairs. Exercise is a natural energy booster because whenever you do it, oxygen-rich blood surges through your body to your heart, muscles, and brain.  Get up and move every chance you get, even if it’s just to pace around in circles while you’re talking on the phone.

8. Let the sunshine in. Research confirms that just a few minutes of walking outside on a warm, clear day enhances mood, memory, and the ability to absorb new information. Going outside can even improve your self-esteem.

9. Have a bite. Your brain needs fuel to function optimally. When your blood sugar level drops, your mind will start running on fumes and it will feel fuzzy as a result. Eat a snack that will give you enough energy to take you through the rest of the afternoon.

10. Hang out with upbeat friends. Emotions are surprisingly contagious. People who are constantly negative and down can sap your energy, while those who are always up and excited can give you a real lift. Surround yourself with friends who share similar goals and interests.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/balance/boost-energy

City of Franklin residents have two options for discarding live Christmas Trees.

Whichever option residents choose, the trees must be FREE of all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and other materials.  Trees will be sent through the City’s grinder and recycled as mulch for use in City landscaping. 

For more information, please call the City’s Solid Waste Department at 615-794-1516.

Source: Live Green Think Green Newsletter

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk

40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.

Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-Cup-Cookies/Detail.aspx

‘Tis the season! I know everyone has already finished their holiday shopping and has everything organized for the joyous non-hectic days to follow.  Of course you do! Well, I have something for you to think about while you are frantically rushing around the kitchen, bumping into things, digging through drawers (wishing you had more), and rummaging through every cabinet looking for the perfect serving dish. Think about how a spacious more strategically engineered new kitchen would be – storage space galore and easy to navigate throughout.  

Now, how about the Christmas tree? How many times did you or your kids bump into it and knock off a few of your favorite ornaments? Has it crowded your living room so much that it’s more of a bother than a beauty? Of course not, but wouldn’t a larger family room be nice? Perhaps one with vaulted ceilings.

Another thought: how many people have you invited over for a nice family dinner? Do you have enough space to seat them all? Would you like a formal dining room or do you really need one? The kids could eat in your casual dining area and grown-ups in a more formal setting in the dining room if you have a lot of guests.

 What about toys? Are they everywhere? Will your kids be getting more for the Holidays? Wouldn’t it be nice for them to spend the day upstairs in a spacious bonus room discovering all the new designs to create with building blocks and so forth while you take a moment to yourself and sneak away to your extra large master bedroom. Our walk-in closets are large enough to hide in if it really gets too tough to handle. (Seriously, I have done this.) 

Take some time to think about the home you currently live in and then think about the home that you want and NEED to live in.  Give yourself and your family the perfect present. Rates are low and prices are right. Take advantage of this. At least stop by and visit our decorated models and see what you could potentially gain by purchasing a new home – one that lives the way you want it to.  And FYI…visit any of our Jones Communities by Dec 19^th and register to win an Apple iPAD. A drawing will occur on the 20^th in each community! Your chance to win is phenomenal. Click here for more details.

-If you are planning to toss away unused toys and  warm clothing that doesn’t fit anymore or you just do not need, please consider donating it to Goodwill, a needy family, or any other charitable organization. Try to do it BEFORE the 25th. A little goes a long way.

Enter to Win an Apple iPad at any JONES Community just in time for Christmas!

 Click here for more details!  

Yolanda Johnson and Family

SPRING HILL — Tina Gilbert and her family celebrated their first holiday in their new home, a home built by an all-woman team of Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County volunteers.

The home, at 630 Alex Drive in Spring Hill, was dedicated Sunday.

The first Women Build project included more than 60 local women who took part in raising the $60,000 that paid for the “bricks and sticks” and the subsequent labor effort to build the home.

“I am so looking forward to having a place to invite friends and family over to enjoy special holidays,” Gilbert said with emotion in her voice. “I haven’t had that opportunity before and this is a true blessing to see so many women helping me to realize this dream.”

There were two other dedications Sunday as well. A home at 656 Alex Drive in Spring Hill was sponsored and built by Harpeth Hill Church of Christ and Spring Meadows Church of Christ. Also, a home rehabbed with internal Habitat funding was dedicated at 610 McElmore Ave. in Spring Hill.

Groups partner to build another house

Two days earlier, another home on Alex Drive was dedicated and ready for new resident Yolanda Johnson to move in.

For the fifth time in five years, The Jones Co. and Crye-Leike Realtors partnered to build a Habitat for Humanity home.

Employees and volunteers from the two companies recently completed the home at 654 Alex Drive in Spring Hill.

The new homeowner has three sons and has lived in Williamson County most of her life. Johnson works in the health-care industry as an insurance analyzer and has earned her certification as a nurse assistant. After settling into her new Habitat home just inside Maury County, she plans to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Quin, 8, and Kani’, 4, attend New Hope Academy, and 2-year-old Gavin attends Pembroke Preparatory Preschool.

This home is a result of a longtime partnership between the two companies representing a $70,000 commitment, with more than 100 volunteers.

“We are very grateful for all of the people involved with this build and how they have devoted their time and energy to make this possible for my family,” Johnson said.

Habitat built 105 homes

Since 1992, Williamson County Habitat for Humanity has partnered with 105 lower-income families to provide them with the opportunity to purchase their own home.

Home construction and neighborhood development is funded through tax-deductible financial contributions and in-kind donations from local businesses, churches, civic organizations and individuals.

For more information, on the program, see www.habitatwilliamson.org.

Source: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201011260312

OK, so I promised to provide you with more objections and SOLUTIONS to those objections today!  I wasn’t kidding when I said that we really have thought of just about every possible objection one could make if they are in the situation to WANT a home – but don’t think now is the right time (for whatever reason)…

Objection:  I am afraid I won’t be able to sell my current home.

SOLUTION:  The Jones Company’s Secured SaleTM Program.  Jones will help you pay taxes, interest, and insurance on your old home, until it sells – for up to 6 months…for a max of $5,000! (ask for details)

Objection:  I need to rent somewhere while my home is being built – but I can’t afford to pay for rent and a mortgage!

SOLUTION:  The Jones Company’s Secured Sale TRANSITION(tm) Program.  Jones will ease the transition from leasing to closing on your Jones home, by paying your remaining lease – up to $5,000! (ask for details!)

Objection:  When it comes to financing – I don’t even know where to start!  And – I don’t know how I will pay closing costs!

SOLUTION:  JONES’ Preferred Lender & Closing Cost Assistance Programs – Our Preferred Lender makes the financing of your new home easy and in many situations – we will assist with your closing costs! (ask for details)

More objections & SOLUTIONS…tomorrow!  Stay tuned. 

By now, in this market…we’ve heard just about every objection you can imagine…just as most homebuilders, I am certain.  However, we’ve tried to take away every road block, every concern, every objection that could possibly stand in the way of our potential clients and their new Jones home!  We’ve packaged all these great programs into one big one – and called it the “BUY NOW with CONFIDENCE” PlanTM. 

Some of the objections we’ve encountered: 

OBJECTION: My current home needs work before I try to sell it, but I don’t know how to get that done, or how I will ever afford it!

ANSWER:  We’ve developed a program called “Set the Stage” where we will arrange for you to have a Professional Stager and Home Repair Specialist come to your current home, and advise you on ways to get your home sold. We’ve even arranged our repair techs to give you OUR COST pricing!

OBJECTION: I am afraid that the value of the home I buy will decline right after I sign the dotted line!

ANSWER:  The Jones Company’s PURCHASE PRICE GUARANTEE PROGRAM - We’ll actually guarantee, that if after 5 years of home ownership, your home has declined in value from its original sales price – we’ll pay you the difference – up to 10% of your home’s value! WOW.

MORE OBJECTIONS & ANSWERS TOMORROW…Stay Tuned!

-Write your cell phone number on your kids hand before you leave the car

This is not necessary for older kids. With younger ones it is and you need to. Every kid is different but 10-12 is thought to be the age where the little angles can take care of themselves if needed. Write your number on the back of their hand, if it’s on their palm it may be washed off as the day drags on….

-Take a picture of your kids with your cell before you go in and make special note of the shoes they are wearing

If you lose track of one of the kids in public a picture will give you total clarity to recall every detail. The reason shoes should be given more attention is if someone abducts your little guy there is a good chance they may change their clothes before trying to leave….

-Speak to your kids about what to do if they are approached by a stranger and make sure your family has a “code” word

As parents  you may assume that your son knows what to do if a stranger speaks to him, but remember he came into this world an open canvas and only knows what you instill in him. Tell him to NEVER speak to a stranger if you are not with him….

-If your kids are old enough to go off separately from you in public make sure they go with a buddy

That’s right remember summer camp, we are gonna use the buddy system. If you have one 14 year old that wants to go off alone at Disney World then be a parent and say no….

-Never let a young child go into a public bathroom without you

Even if they are old enough to handle their business solo, most bathrooms are large and have two doors. Abductions often happen from public restrooms because Mom or Dad is waiting at the entrance and the bad guy grabs the kiddo and goes out the other door….

For more details, click on the link below. Great info!

Source: http://www.staysafebesmart.com/2010/06/ever-wonder-how-to-keep-your-kiddos.html