Time to Be a Little Optimistic

Its not quite time to celebrate, but it looks like it is time to start feeling a little more optimistic about the economy. Economist Dennis Garman says that the U.S. recession is done. In a recent interview, Garman states, "We saw it happen two weeks ago."  Why does Mr. Garman's forecast hold any merit? Back in the fall of 2007 he told his newsletter subscribers the we were entering a recession, a year a head of the government's official call. The recession he forecast, that began in December 2007 is now over, according to indicators he values. The first indicator is the downward spike in the number of weekly jobless claims, a trend he looks for first, and number two is the ratio from The Conference Board: the percentage of coincident economic indicators to lagging indicators. The ratio has risen three months in a row, and he feels confident the recession is at an end and he expects economic indicators to slowly turn positive by October.

Just this morning it was reported that the economy shed 247,000 jobs in July, much less than the forecasted 325,000 loss anticipated and unemployment was actually down for the first time since April, 2008. Good signs to be sure, and good news for investors. With confidence growing and more investors participating its a good time to invest in real estate. With low prices, great financing opportunities and quality property out there, its a good time to start searching.

The Ridges at Tellico Lake is offering large estate size home sites to build that dream second or vacation home, or even retirement home. There are two beautiful homes open daily for inspection that are being offered for fractional ownership from just $149,900. These homes feature spectacular Smoky Mountain, 50 mile panoramas, and are exquisitely furnished and ready for occupancy.

Residents will enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and now the best golf in Eastern Tennessee.

For more information please visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com or call 239-253-2332

Free Club Membership Means More Than Just Golf

The Ridges at Tellico Lake, a gated community located in Eastern Tennessee is offering a free club membership to everyone who purchases either one of their estate size lots or a fractional share in one of their luxury mountain homes. Golf as often as you like at Greg Norman's Tennessee National considered the premier private golf experience in the area. 

Membership does not only include this gorgeous golf course but also a beautiful Wellness Center. The outdoor pool includes cabana, tiki bar, jacuzzi and entertainment area with gas grille. The Wellness Center features an indoor lap pool for year round swimming and sauna, plus state-of-the-art fitness center for daily workouts and a great room with kitchenette and fireplace for socializing with friends. 

All this included with your purchase of a lot to build your dream home on or a fractional ownership of an award winning mountain getaway with spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains, from just $149,000. For more information please visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com or call 239-253-2332.

Added Value - A Gimmick or Real Value Added to the Housing Market

What is added value? A gimmick, perceived value, or is it something that really gives the new home buyer additional value to their home and lifestyle. Can added value create sales or just attention? And does added value mean something different to every home buyer.

There are many examples of added value in today's housing market. The Ridges at Tellico Lake is offering an incentive to buyers that not only adds value to the product but also helps the developer broaden his market, a win-win for both sides. The added value is a free membership to one of the country's premier country clubs, with a gorgeous Greg Norman signature course. This is available to all buyers. It doesnt matter if the buyer purchases a home site, or a fractional share in one of their luxury mountain homes, every buyer receives a free membership, with all club privileges. This added value is transferred to the next owner if the original buyer wishes to sell.

Even if the buyer is not a golfer, there is that added value for resale, and use of the dining facilities and wellness center, plus all club social activities. For the golfer, obviously this is a great added value to their lifestyle, playing one Greg Norman's challengin masterpieces.

The Ridges at Tellico Lake is offering large estate size home sites to build that dream second or vacation home, or even retirement home. There are two beautiful homes open daily for inspection that are being offered for fractional ownership from just $149,900. These homes feature spectacular Smoky Mountain, 50 mile panoramas, and are exquisitely furnished and ready for occupancy.

Residents will enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and now the best golf in Eastern Tennessee.

For more information please visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com or call 239-253-2332

Another Good Day for the Economy

It seems more often than not we are getting good reports and results regarding the economy.

Yesterday, the Dow and S&P reached 9 month highs and the Nasdaq reached a 10 month high pushed by auto sales, economic reports and corporate earnings. Coming off the best July in decades, August started very upbeat. In July the Dow gained 8.6%, the S&P gained 7.4% and the Nasdaq rose 7.8%.

The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index rose to 48.9 in July, from 44.8 in June. The increase succeeded expectations. Ford Motor gained 2% over a year ago, GM, Toyota Motor, Chrysler Group and Honda Motor, due to Cash for Clunkers all rose versus June levels.

Oil and gold prices rallied and rose $2.13 and $2.90 respectively, Humana and Marathon Oil also showed significant gains.

So, what does all this mean. It looks as though confidence is growing throughout the marketplace. Maybe we havent seen significant leaps yet that will get us out of this recession in weeks, experts still say months, but we are headed in a more positive direction than we were months ago. So it may be a good time to jump back into the housing market. Statistics show recently that buyers are getting back into real estate investing, slowly, but they are finding the bargains and values. The Ridges at Tellico Lake is one of those rare values that seem to come up once every so often. A fractional share in a gorgeous, furnished 2,500 - 4,000 square foot luxury, and award winning home is priced from just $149,000. Select from two magnificent homes with spectacular Great Smoky Mountain vistas, on Tellico Lake. Residents will enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and now a free membership to one of the country's premier golf clubs, and all the privileges that come with membership like challenging  Greg Norman's championship course. For more information please visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com or call 239-253-2332.

Greg Norman Finishes Tied for Fourth and Draws Huge Crowds

Although he did not win, Greg Norman finished a very respectable fourth place in the U.S. Senior Open and proved once again that he is one of the greatest draws in golf history. Norman started the day one stroke behind the eventual winner, Fred Funk, but struggled on No. 6 and never threatened. For a short time Norman shared the course record at 66, but that was bettered Saturday when Russ Cochran shot a 64. 

When not competing with the best senior golfers in the world, Greg Norman has been designing some of America's finest golf courses, including the course at Tennessee National. Tennessee National is a gorgeous Norman signature course that he recently described, "In addition to the holes directly on the water, views of the valleys and surrounding hills provide the course with character and distinction."

A very exciting opportunity is available to buyers at The Ridges at Tellico Lake. For anyone purchasing either a home site or a fractional share in of their beautiful furnished luxury homes, they will receive a free membership to Greg Norman's masterpiece. Each owner will have full privileges to one of the country's finest private golf courses. These mountain getaways ranging in size up to 4,000 square feet offer spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains. A superb value from just $149,000. For more information please visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com or call 239-253-2332.