The park will be developed in four phases.  At the end of phase 4 it will be a total of 50 acres of recreational are.  The park will be located to the west of Stuart Burns Elementary School.  All four phases is estimated to take 6-10 years to complete, however they plan to complete the first two phases by this fall.

The first phase was completed in 2006 when they received the 30 acres and the grant.

Phase 2 is to acquire the next 20 acres.  Construct an entrance and drainage.   All you dog lovers will be happy to know the second phase includes a dog park.  It will also include 2 baseball fields and a concession stand.  They will also complete half of the first parking lot.

Phase 3 has plans for a baseball field, football field (which will be shared with new middle school).  It calls for the completion of parking lot No. 1.  There will also be a soccer field and fountain playground.  They will begin walking trails and picnic areas and completion of half of parking lot No. 2.

Phase 4 includes additional walking trails, another playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, the completion of parking lot No. 2 and constructing a trail head.

Monthly Expenses

HOME
(only fill in this section for expenses that will continue after purchasing next home)
examples: rental property or vacation home
Mortgage/Rent            ____________
Second Mortgage        ____________
Taxes & Insurance      ____________
Repairs                        ____________
Association Fees          ____________

UTILITIES
Electric                       ____________
Gas or Oil                   ____________
Water & Sewer          ____________
Phone (Landline)        ____________
Phone (Cellular)         ____________
Cable/Satellite           ____________
Internet                      ____________

TRANSPORTATION
Car Payment 1          ____________
Car Payment 2          ____________
Gas                            ____________
Car Insurance            ____________
Repairs/Maintenance ____________
Other Transportation ____________
(tolls, taxis, parking, subway, bus)

INSURANCE
Life Insurance            _____________
Disability                    _____________
Health Insurance        _____________

DEBT PAYMENTS
Credit Card 1              _____________
Credit Card 2              _____________
Credit Card 3               _____________
Student Loans             _____________
Other Loans                _____________

FOOD
Groceries                   _____________
Eating Out                 _____________

FAMILY EXPENSES
Day Care                    ______________
Child Support             ______________
Alimony                      ______________
School Tuition             ______________

PERSONAL CARE
Hair Cuts                    ______________
Prescription Meds.      ______________
Toiletries/Make Up      ______________
Clothing                       ____________

PETS
Food                               ______________
Care (vet, grooming, etc.) _____________

ENTERTAINMENT
Vacation                         _______________
Books & Magazines        _______________
Movies/Concerts             _______________
Hobbies                          _______________
Other:                            _______________

OTHER
Cleaning Supplies             _______________
Tithes/Donations               _______________

SAVINGS
(Money you take out of your income each month to contribute to separate account)
Stocks/Retirement              _______________
Savings Account                 _ _____________

TOTAL EXPENSES               ___________

Income
Salary                              _______________
Spouse Salary                  _______________
Child Support                  _______________
Alimony                           _______________
Disability                         _______________
Bonus                             _______________
Other                               _______________

TOTAL INCOME         ___________

_________________ — _________________ = ___________________ r>TOTAL INCOME — TOTAL EXPENSES = BUDGET FOR NEW HOME EXPENSES
(Mortgage, Taxes, Insurance, Maintenance, Association Fees)

This is the list I give my buyers to help them to make sure you get everything done the right way and in a timely manner.  Look over the 20 steps I have put together in this handy check list.

____1. Find the BUDGET WORKSHEET post. Gather your   financial records from the last year. Fill out the worksheet based on your records. Remember to always round up numbers. This is may be one of your most time consuming steps, but it is the most important for the long term peace in your new home. This is only for you to see.

____2. Go see a local lender to get pre-qualified. Bring your Budget Worksheet (as a reference for you) and verification of income and assets
* Earnings statements: W-2 forms, recent pay stubs and tax returns for the past two years;
* If you are self-employed: profit and loss statements and tax returns for current year and previous two years;
* Additional income: social security, overtime bonus, commission, interest income, veteran’s benefits and so on
* List of bank account numbers, the address of your bank branch, checking and savings account statements for the previous 2-3 months;
* List of savings bonds, stocks or investments and their approximate market values;
* Copies of titles to any motor vehicles that are paid in full.

____3. After receiving your pre-qualification letter from your lender, look at the Payment Chart in this packet. Find the interest rate your lender quoted. Scan to find the amount that fits into your budget and is under the amount you are pre-qualified for. This will be your top dollar when looking for your next home.
*****DO NOT OPEN ANY CREDIT ACCOUNTS UNTIL AFTER
CLOSING WITHOUT GETTING THE OKAY FROM YOUR
LENDER!!!

____4. Decide what you want your next home to be.
Fill in the blanks.
Price Range $___________-______

___bdrm

__baths

______sq ft range
within___miles to ___________

______acres

garage ___# stalls

Circle features you can’t live without. Check features that are desired.

vaulted ceilings          tray ceilings        hardwood floors                     crown moulding                      unfinished space            basement
rec room             media room                    office            mud room  large laundry room         kitchen with island        granite       pantry mstr on main floor           One level               split fl plan
formal dining room             outdoor living            paved driveway fenced yard                  large yard view         pool                          gated subdivision              community pool            playground waterfront
Write any other special stipulations here.

____5. Go over all of this with me (your Realtor). Let me find some homes that best fit your search criteria. Then out of the listings found, decide which ones you want to look at. I will set up appointments for us to see those ASAP.

____6. Decision time! Which home do you want to purchase? Let’s get together and write an offer. After we write it, I will go over it with my broker to double and triple check for any errors or omissions. Once we have cleared it, I will give you a copy and submit it to the
seller’s agent.

____7. Seller responds. If they counter, we will either accept, decline, or counter until an agreement has been made or we walk away to find another home.

____8. Copies of the contract are given to buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders.

____9. Set up all inspections to be done ASAP. Be present for inspections if at all possible.

____10. Review inspection reports and decide what you want the sellers to repair. Fill out a Repair Proposal and submit it to the sellers with a copy of the inspection reports. Sellers will have a chance to accept, decline, or counter as with the offer. Once agreement has been made everyone again receives copies. There will be a time limit for the repairs to be done. Once the repairs are complete we will go to the home to verify that they have been done as
agreed upon.

____11. Remove any other contingencies.

____12. Set up home owners insurance.

____13. Check in with lender frequently to see if there are any forms that they need from you and fill them out immediately.

____14. Decide who will provide title insurance. Call and set up a closing time. Give them a copy of the contract.

____16. CLOSING COSTS. On the day of closing, ask your lender for the exact amount of money that you need to bring to the closing table. Get a cashier’s check for that exact amount.

_____17. What to bring to closing… cashier’s check, photo identification, paperwork from insurance provider, lender’s contact information, and a copy of the contract.

____18. Show up on time to your closing office. Be prepared to sign lots of legal documents that are there to protect you.

____19. Collect all keys.

____20. Move in!

     Yesterday it felt like spring with 60 degree weather.  I got so excited and was hoping spring was near.  Well this morning when I went out to feed the dogs it was snowing!  I definitely have cabin fever.  I have found the best way to combat it, is to start planning for spring outdoor projects to improve your home.  This will enable to get started as soon as it is warm enough rather than being stuck inside longer planning when it is warm outside.  Last year I focused on my front yard, so this year I am going to focus on the back and build some paver steps from my gate to my patio.  What are your plans?  Please share with all the other readers so we can inspire each other.

Dickson County Schools has just finalized their rezoning for next year.  Oakmont Elementary and Dickson Elementary have both been overcrowded for some time.  The new zoning has been put in place to help with this issue.  The Dickson County School has posted zoning by road names for your convenience.  Click on the link below to access it.

School Zoning by Roads

This is also a great link if you are trying to decide where to purchase a home.  You can easily look up the road name to make sure it is the school zoning you want your children to be in.

Its been a long time since we have seen snow on December 1 in Dickson, TN. 

According to our weather warning…

THE LAST TIME WE HAD MEASURABLE SNOW IN THE NASHVILLE AREA WAS

BACK ON MARCH THE 8TH OF THIS YEAR WHEN A HALF INCH OF SNOW FELL.

WE HAVE NOT HAD MEASURABLE SNOW IN NASHVILLE IN THE MONTH OF

NOVEMBER SINCE 1.3 INCHES FELL ON NOVEMBER 10TH IN 1996. THE

LAST TIME MEASURABLE SNOW FELL IN NASHVILLE IN THE MONTH OF

DECEMBER WAS ON DECEMBER 30TH IN 2000.

As you can imagine all the kids around are hoping for a snow day.  Unfortunately, we did not get one in Dickson.  The kid in me still hopes we will get enough snow to sled by the end of the day, or at least have a snowball fight.  Here are some pictures I took at 7:00 this morning.  So far it is just a dusting, but we are expecting up to an inch by the end of the day.

Downtown Dickson, TN

While you are enjoying our Christmas parade, be sure to check out our local shops, take a horse drawn carriage ride, let your kids go on a train ride, or just enjoy some food and drinks.  This will be a great time to get to know some of the wonderful people in Dickson.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.  Even with the economy the way it is, I know we all still have so many things to be thankful for.  Remember to share those things with the people you love. 

The Dickson Herald ..

..interviewed Dickson County School Director Johnny Chandler regarding Dickson County School’s report card.  He says we can be proud to send our children to Dickson County Schools.  Our students grades are getting better all the time.

This is just another reason to move to Dickson, TN.  We take educating our children seriously!

Click the link below for our county growth rates.  Our county is equal to or greater than the growth standard in almost all the categories.

2008 TVAAS System Value Added Report

(Click above  image to find out which

candidate shares your views on major issues)

The following is a list of the voting precincts in Dickson County by districts.

Voters must present their voter registration card, driver’s license or another form of official identification when going to vote.

• District 1-1 Charlotte Community Center, Charlotte Square

• District 1-2 Sylvia Baptist Church, 1415 Old Sylvia Road, Dickson

• District 2-1 Eno Methodist Church, 800 Eno Rd., Dickson

• District 2-2 Tennessee City Fire Hall, 4605 Hwy. 70 W.

• District 3-1 Cumberland Furnace Fire Hall, 2999 New Dry Hollow Rd., Cumberland Furnace

• District 3-2 Vanleer Town Hall, 4455 Hwy. 49 W., Vanleer

• District 4-1 Jackson Chapel Community Center, Corner of Bowker Road and Highway 49, Charlotte

• District 5-1 William James Middle School, 3030 Trace Creek Road, White Bluff

• District 6-1 Burns Fire Hall, 2717 Church St., Burns

• District 6-2 Porter Community Center, 1600 Abiff Road, Dickson

• District 7-1 Pomona Baptist Church, 974 Pomona Rd., Dickson

• District 8-1 Walnut Street Church of Christ, 201 Center Ave., Dickson

• District 9-1 Dickson County Board of Education, 817 N. Charlotte St., Dickson

• District 10-1 Dickson Middle School, 401 E. College St., Dickson

• District 11-1 New Hope Baptist Church, 910 Hwy. 47 E., Dickson

• District 12-1 Catfish Kitchen, 3069 Hwy. 70 E., Dickson

• District 12-2 Eastside Community Center, 455 Eastside Rd., Burns

• District 12-3 White Bluff Community Center, 4365 Hwy. 70 E., White Bluff

For more information on where to vote, call the Dickson County Election Commission at (615) 789-6021.