As most of you have been doing, I have been reading online and watching the newscast on the latest in respect to our country's (and the globe's) financial crisis. 

I think we all agree the golden parachutes need to be cut out and some folks in both corporate America and our government need to be brought on the carpet.

Beyond that, we have people suggesting we make a run on the banks, we focus on homeowners who gambled with ARMS in hopes they could flip.  The bailout is needed - and Hell NO!

Are there other ideas out there? 

How bout these:

- Reduced the Fixed Rate 15 and 30 Year to incredibly low rates (say 3.5% on a 30) for a period of 18 months.

- Keep the 20% down payment in place, but allow investors to utilize the same rate and reduce the down payment to the same as a single dwelling.

I am not smart when it comes to the intracacies of economics, but I believe if this were to be put into play (somehow) we would see some serious movement in the housing market.  Anything from refinancings to investment purchases.  Sure not everyone will be able to take advantage, but there are many out there that will.

Am I off base here? Or is the Sky Falling around us all and I just can't see it?  If the problem started with the housing industry - seems we should be focused on ideas of how to reengerize it.

Alright - running for my kevlar and bunker!  INCOMING!!!

Definition:  A golden parachute is a contractual agreement between a company and an employee (usually an upper executive) specifying that the employee will receive certain significant benefits if employment is terminated. Sometimes, certain conditions, typically a change in company ownership, must be met, but often the cause of termination is unspecified. These benefits may include severance pay, cash bonuses, stock options, or other benefits. They are designed to reduce perverse incentives.

Proponents of golden parachutes argue that they provide three main benefits:

1. Golden parachutes make it easier to hire and retain executives, especially in industries more prone to mergers.
2. They help an executive to remain objective about the company during the takeover process.
3. They dissuade takeover attempts by increasing the cost of a takeover.

Critics have responded to the above by pointing out that:

1. Dismissal is a risk in any occupation, and executives are already well compensated.
2. Executives already have a fiduciary responsibility to the company, and should not need additional incentives to stay objective.
3. Golden parachutes costs are a very small percentage of a takeover's costs and does not affect the outcome.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

I read through some of the now defunt bill that was up for a vote today on 'The Hill'.  While I have not been for this bill and still am not sold, one of my biggest concerns, as with many Americans was this 'Golden Parachute'.  Not sure about you, but I had a tough time reading this bill, but paid particular attention to section 302 which pertains to Executive compensation.  While they have touted that there was limits to what the top six executives could receive as compensation, I am simply not seeing that.  I am seeing alot of double speak and loopholes in this section in particular.

I believe if the government would have already seized any and all compensation given to the former heads of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman, AIG, WAMU and others that have failed, lets say, in the past year it would go along way in making me feel like they are holding the 'Leaders' accountable. 

Now, I know we will have those that say this cannot be done, but yet we seize or freeze assets and accounts of suspected wrongdoers in other areas - why not start with a bill to address this?

After all, don't you as citizens of this great nation feel like you are being held accountable?  If it smells like... Looks like...It probably is....

Regards

Tim

It is so great to be able to take care of our clients and our friends.  It warms my heart to know that they realize the care that Pam and I take in ensuring their needs are met.  Thank you David and Christina for the kind words.  We sincerely appreciate your business!

We are so thankful that Pam and Tim Cash were our realtors.  They successfully sold our house in a difficult market.  They worked tirelessly to market our house.  We had to move out of state while the house was for sale, and we left its care in their very capable hands.  They arranged for lawn maintenance, and they frequently went out to the house to make sure the sign was posted, that there were fliers available, and that the house was spotless and ready to show.    Once our house was under contract, they arranged and supervised the minor repairs that had to be done to the house.   We have bought and sold four houses before this one.  We had good experiences with all of the realtors, but working with Pam and Tim was by far the best realtor experience of them all.  I highly recommend Pam and Tim.  They are hardworking and determined to sell your house, and they then continued to provide such wonderful assistance all the way through closing.  

David and Christina Bieloh  

Whether you are looking to buy a new property in the Clarksville area, or you are selling, please contact The Cash Team today for all your Clarksville Real Estate needs. 

Regards,

Tim and Pam Cash

Crye-Leike Realtors

www.cashsofclarksville.com

thecashteam@cashsofclarksville.com

931-338-1375 or 931=436-7617

The Cash Team - Making dreams come true one home at a time.

Every year I make a list of items to be done prior to the winter season hitting.  As most know, Clarksville Tennessee is not the harshest of areas in the winter or summer, but we are right on the line which can cause some unpredictable weather from time to time.

The past two winters have been mild by all accounts - they are calling for a pretty cold one this year so we certainly want to make sure that some items are taken care of prior to the cold.  Here are some of the items on my checklist:

- Generator Maintenance.  Not that I recommend that everyone has a generator.  Not many times the power has went out for a lengthy period, but a few years back we had a bad ice storm and the power was out for over four days in most areas.  I generally change the oil, check the circuits and place some stabilizer in the tank.

- Heat Pump maintenance:  We have one of the local companies we have dealt with for years come out and service both units to ensure optimal performance.  If something needs fixed, I would rather do it now than in the cold of night.  Some of the areas licensed professionals are:

• http://www.affordableaire.com/
• www.actionairclarksville.com 
• www.ellishc.com 
• www.baggettheatingandcooling.com 

- Window glazing - nothing more than a bead of caulk when and were needed on windows (where the glass meets the frame) mainly on homes with wood windows.

- Caulking around windows and doors - again, when and where needed.

- Weather strips on entrance doors.

- Adjusting entrance doors as needed.

- Fire and Carbon Dioxide Alarms/Monitors (Battery Replacement)

- Painting of exterior window sills and doors as necessary.

This is only the main house items that I try to take care of.  The yard is another topic and will start in a couple weeks. 

With home energy costs on the rise, every little bit certainly will help. 

Regards,

Tim and Pam Cash

Crye-Leike Realtors

www.cashsofclarksville.com

thecashteam@cashsofclarksville.com

931-338-1375 or 931-436-1375

The Cash Team - Making dreams come true one home at a time.

I first saw a comment on this from a former federal judge on one of the news casts last evening.  If it is unconstitutional what are we doing?  The way I underatand it is that it is under the law 'AS LONG AS' all have the same privileges as the other.  In other words, if one company is bailed out or given money, then every struggling company in American is given the same right.

Now, that said, and IF this is the case - we are in for a world of hurt should every struggling company, every person with a mortage, every person with tremendous amounts of credit debt places their hand out.  Certainly if this were the case, we would not even be speaking of bailouts right?

What a mess some very brilliant (but greedy and sometimes corrupt) people have placed this country in. 

Like many Americans out there, I do not agree with this bailout, nor do I feel that I should pay for another person's gambling problem which is what alot of this boils down to in my opinion.  Certainly there are some innocent people who are affected by this mess.  But how do you pick and choose?  Are their stipulations to say that mortage A will be assisted, but mortage B will not? 

In the end, I do not believe that any of us will have a say in what happens.  We can only hope and pray that what our elected leaders choose to do will not impact us and our children for many years to come.

A great cause!  Please assist where you can!

The FairTax Plan is a nonpartisan proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll taxes with a progressive tax on consumption (national sales tax). It includes a cash "prebate" that ensures no American pays federal taxes for essential goods & services up to the poverty level.

1-Every American can keep their entire paycheck
2-All federal income taxes- would be abolished
3-IRS and 16th amendment- would be abolished
4-Completely untaxes low-income families.
5-Untaxes tuition.
6-Existing and future savings and investments are all tax free as is the return on that savings.
7-Positive impact on retirees.
8-No federal taxes or compliance costs hidden in consumer prices.
9-Raises the same amount of revenue as the current system with much lower marginal rates.
10-Promotes economic growth and substantial wage increases for working Americans.
11-Stops the export of American jobs.

For more information visit www.fairtax.org
If this were to come to pass - My concern would be for the 100,000 or more that would be unemployed if this were to pass overnight. Anybody from IRS employees, to your local accountant, to the accounting clerk and the list goes on. Too much to swallow all at once unless the plan incorporated a way in which to transition these folk into another line of work.

It appears to be gaining support by some of our politicians, but not enough to really make one believe it is anything that will be seen in the next decade.

What are your thoughts?

Tim and Pam Cash

Clarksville TN Real Estate

Crye-Leike Realtors, Clarksville

www.cashsofclarksville.com

thecashteam@cashsofclarksville.com

Well, not in the grass - but trying to work on catchy titles!  Let me know if it caught your attention. 

As many who have visited our blog know, we have many who call our property home here in Clarksville Tennessee.  From Rabbits, Squirrels, various varieties of birds, Turkey and Deer.  We also have quite a few of these guys.  The biggest in the rear of the yard and makes it's home in around our middle pond.  Have not got a picture of that one, but he is HUGE - around 4 foot.

My philosophy with this particular snake is to leave them be - as long as I know where they are we don't have an issue, but I don't like to be surprised.  Why you may ask?  Because they are VERY territorial and VERY aggressive.  We have not seen any other type of snake in our gardens (knock on wood) and I attribute that to these guys keeping the dangerous kind away.

This one is just a baby, most likely hatched this spring.  Know as a Tennessee Black Racer - gets the name because of its speed - if you have ever been chased by one you know! 

Regards,

Tim and Pam Cash

Crye-Leike Realtors

www.cashsofclarksville.com

931-338-1375 or 931-436-7617