News - Friday, July 14, 2017

At 30 years old, Marcus Holt was already enjoying the kind of success many people spend a lifetime pursuing.

He was a vice president at First Tennessee Bank, where he was pulling in a good salary and enjoying benefits that allowed him and his wife to breathe easy.

Carol Ann Wolf and Julie Helton understand that a home will either sell or remain on the market based on how it makes potential buyers feel.

A newly built house that’s flawless in every way but doesn’t stir a buyer’s emotions won’t sell. But even an older residence with cracked walls and loose floor tiles can attract a buyer when it feels like home.

Sixty-two percent of sellers’ agents say staging a home decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market, according to the National Association of Realtors 2017 Profile of Home Staging (www.nar.realtor/reports/profile-of-home-staging).

A shakeup in leadership is looming for the state Legislature, though it may portend more of a change in personalities than party strength.

In the House, longtime Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, the affable Democrat from Ripley in West Tennessee, is preparing for a 2018 gubernatorial run, a move that would knock him out of his House seat, at least temporarily, and the position as Democratic Caucus leader.

Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Court Judges Kristina Cook Graham and Don Thompson have named Gretchen Neal as the coordinator of the Adult Felony Drug Court. In her new role, Neal will oversee the program and coordinate team efforts.

Neal will receive training from the State of Georgia’s Council for Accountability during the Court Judges Annual Training Conference in Athens, Georgia in the coming weeks. While Neal will be considered an employee of Walker County, her salary and benefits will come from funds provided by the grant funding the entire program.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for the circuit court judge vacancy in Hamilton County. The Hon. W. Neil Thomas, III has informed the governor that he will retire effective Oct. 5.

Any interested applicant must be a licensed attorney who is at least 30 years of age, a resident of the state for at least five years and a resident of the 11th Judicial District. Applicants must complete the designated application, which is available at www.TNCourts.gov, and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CDT on Aug. 3.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Tennessee Faith and Justice Alliance, the Christian Legal Society and the Chattanooga Gospel Justice Initiative are working together on a new effort to expand access to justice in Chattanooga through places of worship.

With more than 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day in the United States, the demographic landscape is changing. To connect individuals and families to community resources and offer opportunities for discussion on important topics, Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel hosted the 2017 Embrace Aging Forum July 13 at Embassy Suites at Hamilton Place.

When in doubt, do what you do best – recruit. That seems to be the approach of Tennessee Vols coach Butch Jones.

While many UT fans, and some in the media, are portraying this as a make-or-break season, Jones is planning for his future by stockpiling commitments for 2018 and beyond.

Here we are with another new Spider-Man. This one arrives in the wake of the three “Spider-Man” films starring Tobey Maguire and directed by Sam Raimi (a series that fizzled after the disappointing third film) and the two “Amazing Spider-Man” films starring Andrew Garfield and directed by Marc Webb (a series that fizzled after the disappointing second film).

The five-person search committee named by Mayor Andy Berke to review and interview individuals seeking the top post at the Chattanooga Police Department made its final recommendations to the Mayor this week. From the 49 applications submitted for the position, the committee selected current acting Chief David Roddy, Assistant Chief Edwin McPherson and Captain Todd Chamberlain of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area has promoted Dominique Brandt to development director.

Brandt joined the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity four years ago as the director of volunteers and special events. Prior to relocating to Chattanooga, she worked for more than five years at Habitat for Humanity in Miami, Florida.

In an update to the Know Before You Owe mortgage rule, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau stated clearly that it is “usual, accepted and appropriate” for real estate agents and brokers to have access to the closing disclosure.

The National Association of Realtors cheered the announcement, having pushed vigorously for the clarification. In a statement, NAR President William E. Brown says he hopes the change will encourage greater cooperation between all parties involved in real estate transactions.

More than 300 volunteers arrived in Chattanooga last weekend to tackle 35 projects across the city as part of the Summer Home Repair Program – a partnership between the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Economic and Community Development and World Changers.

Greater Chattanooga-area home sales declined for the third consecutive month in June compared to 2016.

While no one likes to see sales decline for consecutive months, the Chattanooga real estate outlook is not one of doom and gloom. The year-to-date numbers reflect a positive .8 percent increase, and the trailing 12 months show a 4.9 percent increase when compared to previous year.

While much attention has been placed on the record number of young adults who are delaying homeownership, recent research shows that 70 percent of Americans still say they believe owning a home is an essential part of the American Dream.

The nationwide survey of more than 11,300 registered voters was commissioned by the National Association of Home Builders and was conducted earlier this year by polling firm Morning Consult.

 July is Independent Retailer Month. And since local stores bring vitality, creativity and economic growth to their communities, it’s worth celebrating those “mom and pop” shops.

But they aren’t the only entrepreneurs in the country – about 10 percent of workers in the U.S. are self-employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re thinking of joining these ranks, you may want to prepare yourself financially.

The Chattanooga Zoo will host its annual Q & Brew at the Zoo event Saturday, July 15, 6-10 p.m.. Tickets include zoo admission during the event, a signature Q & Brew cup, two complimentary beverage tickets, animal encounters, live music by Matt Downer, Slim Pickins Band and Mountain Cove Band, the opportunity to purchase dinner plates from vendors, and games. Money raised during the event will go to support the Chattanooga Zoo and its animals. Information, tickets: www.chattzoo.org/fundraiser/q-n-brew.