Purchasing commercial real estate can be a lucrative investment, but it can also be a complex process. It involves a significant amount of time, money, and resources. Before committing to a commercial property, it’s essential to do your due diligence and ask the right questions. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top 10 questions you should ask when buying commercial property. 1. What is the property's zoning? Zoning laws regulate land use in specific areas, such as residential, commercial, or industrial. It’s important to understand the zoning of the property you’re buying to determine what kind of development is allowed. 2. What is the condition of the property? Before purchasing, make sure you commission a thorough inspection to assess the condition of the property. This will help you identify any underlying issues, such as structural problems or environmental hazards, that could affect the property's value. 3. What are the financials? Review financial statements, including income and expenses, to ensure that this investment is feasible. You need to know how much revenue the property generates, what the expenses are, and what kind of cash flow you can expect. This will help you determine the potential return on investment (ROI). 4. What are the tenant lease agreements? If the property is occupied, be sure to review all tenant lease agreements. This includes the lease terms, rent amount, and expiration dates. If you're taking over existing tenants, you'll need to determine how to handle the transition. 5. What are the property’s operating costs? Operating costs can include property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utilities. Review these expenses carefully to determine how much it will cost to maintain the property and ensure that you have a realistic understanding of these costs. 6. What are the market and economic conditions? Be sure to research the local real estate market and economic conditions. This includes vacancy rates, supply and demand, and current rental rates. This will help you to determine the property’s viability as an investment. 7. What is the property’s history? Review the property’s history, including purchase price, sales history, previous owners, and any legal issues. This will help you to uncover any issues or concerns with the property that could affect your investment. 8. What are the development plans for the area? Research any proposed or upcoming development plans for the area to understand how they might affect the property's value and desirability. This can include new roads, infrastructure, or zoning changes. 9. What are the property’s environmental risks? An environmental assessment of the property is essential to ensure that there are no environmental risks or issues that could affect its value. This can include soil contamination, water pollution, or hazardous waste. 10. What are the closing costs? Finally, you must understand the closing costs associated with purchasing commercial real estate. These can include legal fees, transfer taxes, appraisal fees, and title fees. Make sure you have a clear understanding of these costs to ensure that they fit within your budget. Purchasing commercial real estate requires careful consideration, research, and due diligence. By asking the right questions, you can ensure that you are making an informed decision that aligns with your investment goals. These ten questions are a great starting point, but you should also consult with real estate professionals, attorneys, and financial advisors to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the property and its potential risks and opportunities. Contact Shawn Wilmoth REALTOR® today for help finding exactly what you're looking for. www.shawnwilmoth.com

If you are looking for a small, welcoming community to call home, Strawberry Plains TN should be on the top of your list. Located in Jefferson County, East Tennessee, this town has a population of about 2,500 and boasts of a tranquil and refreshing environment. You can enjoy the slow pace of life without sacrificing access to all the amenities that you need. In this blog post, we will uncover what it is like to live in Strawberry Plains and discover the reasons why people cannot resist the allure of this charming town. Genuine Southern Hospitality When you decide to move to Strawberry Plains, expect to be greeted with warm embraces and courteous smiles. Residents are known for their kind-hearted nature and are quick to make newcomers feel at home. Whether you are shopping at the local farmers' market, attending a church service, or sharing a meal with your new neighbors, you will surely find yourself welcomed with open arms. Abundance of Outdoor Activities If you are an outdoorsy person, Strawberry Plains is the perfect place for you. The town has several forests made up of thousands of acres of land. The Holston River flows alongside the town, and there are plenty of spots for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. If you love hiking, mountain biking, and trail running, you can explore the renowned Seven Islands State Birding Park, where you can witness breathtaking wildlife and landscape. Affordable Housing and Low Taxes One of the biggest perks of living in Strawberry Plains is affordable housing and low tax rates. You can find houses, apartments, or condos, to cater to any lifestyle you desire, without breaking the bank. The town's proximity to Knoxville means you also have access to a wide range of job opportunities. The low property taxes make it easy to invest in a home, and residents enjoy the privilege of owning a home at a modest price. Schools and Healthcare Facilities Several schools that serve Strawberry Plains have a reputation for excellence in academics, arts, and athletics. The town has a mixture of public, private, and specialized educational institutions, providing access to education for every child. Additionally, Strawberry Plains has a modern medical center complete with exceptional medical facilities and highly skilled practitioners to assist in providing outstanding healthcare. Charming Downtown and Local Businesses Another reason to live in Strawberry Plains is the charming downtown and local businesses. You can find several mom-and-pop shops, boutique stores, and country-style diners that serve comfort food like no other. The farmers' market held every week ensures that you have access to fresh produce and homemade goods. The seasonal events that the town holds bring people together for fun, games, and community building. The town's simplicity makes it easy to get involved and feel like a close-knit community member. Living in Strawberry Plains, TN is like living in a slice of heaven on earth. The town's serene beauty, outdoor activities, friendly residents, and affordable housing make it the perfect place for home buyers, renters, customers, visitors, and home sellers. You can expect to fall in love with this small town and embrace a lifestyle that epitomizes the Old-Southern charm. Why not plan a visit and see for yourself what makes Strawberry Plains a hidden jewel in East Tennessee? Contact Shawn Wilmoth REALTOR® today for help finding exactly what you're looking for. www.shawnwilmoth.com  

Traditional Approach to Picking Home Plans For years when it came time to build a new home, the first order of business is to pick out a floor plan. Building plans range from the box-like conventional rancher-style house sitting on a flat lot to large mansions built on the side of a cliff. Traditionally, you work with a general residential contractor on pricing and timelines and you are in business.  But, times are changing. There has been a shift in how we as a society approach building our new dream home. For those with efficiency and budget in mind, they have found stepping away from the traditional approach could save big bucks.  So, builders and plan providers have shifted to meet those needs.  One of the options is the barndominium.  This option is how breaking from traditional builds to barndominiums can save you on construction costs The Barndominium Commercial construction square foot costs have often stayed well below residential construction square foot prices.  So, the barndominium adopts several of these building techniques. The first money-saving feature is the design costs. Barndominiums are much simpler, often with fewer corners than custom-built houses. If you ever built a home you realize those corners are costly. So, using the geometry you learned in high school you can quickly calculate that each additional corner in a home not only adds costly lineal feet but it also takes away valuable living square feet.  Thus, the square, having the most area using the least amount of perimeter (lineal feet) is the best base. Barndominium Structure Barndominiums more often than not are not a perfect square but they come close. Another barndominium attribute is they are often built on a slab.  And, this is another good way to cut costs if your site allows for such a build. Also, some barndominiums are actually steel buildings.  But, unlike your local retail dollar store, the exterior finishes will add the home feel.  Often, these type of buildings comes in predetermined-sized kits. Once the concrete is poured, within just a few days you can have the building erected.  Including, roof and skin.  Other barndominiums start out as what is known as a pole barn. Pole barns also go up quickly.  And are a less expensive way to get a structure to dry-in stage in a short amount of time.     Barndominiums at Cedar Pond Farms Cedar Pond Farms has taken a unique and creative ways to separate from the traditional paths other builders take. So, when we rent out our facilities we want our visitors to feel welcomed and comfortable.  But, we also want them to remember their time with us as an experience.  So, they look forward to coming back to time and time again.  Please visit cedarfarms.com for more information and how we might be able to share our little piece of paradise with you for your next event.    

There are many things that people think of when they're considering buying or selling a home, but choosing the right realtor can be one of the most important. Those who choose to work with an experienced and knowledgeable agent may find themselves saving time and money, as well as navigating through what could otherwise be confusing processes. Here are seven questions to ask any realtor you might be considering working with. 1. How Long Have You Been Working as a Realtor? The amount of experience a realtor has can be indicative of their expertise in the field. Someone who has been practicing for a while will likely have more knowledge about the industry and how to help you successfully buy or sell your home. 2. What Is Your Success Rate? When considering any professional, it's important to know their success rate. Ask the realtor how often they have helped buyers buy a home that met their expectations and how often sellers received the price they were hoping for. 3. What Is Your Specialty? Not all realtors are created equal. Some may specialize in working with buyers, while others may work mainly with sellers. It's important to find someone whose specialty aligns with your needs and goals. 4. What Are Your Fees? Realtors typically charge a commission for their services, which is usually a percentage of the home's sale price. Be sure to ask the realtor about their fees upfront, so there are no surprises later. 5. What Kind of Training Do You Have? Look for a realtor who actively keeps up with industry trends and is well-versed in the latest technology, as these can often make a big difference in their success. 6. How Familiar Are You with the Area? A good realtor should be intimately familiar with the neighborhoods where you're looking to buy or sell a home. Ask them about their experience working in that particular market and what they think of the current housing climate. 7. Do You Have Any Other Clients I Could Talk To? One of the best ways to get a feel for whether or not a realtor is the right fit is to speak with their past clients. Ask the realtor if they have any references you could speak to and see what their experiences were like working with them. Generation X (born between 1965 and 1979) makes up the greatest number of homebuyers in the United States. So, if you are a member of Gen X or any other generation and are planning to purchase or sell a home in the near future, it is important that you do your research before selecting a realtor. Ask around and interview several candidates before making your decision. The questions above will help get you started.