Matthew Finstad, Realtor

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Pam Applewhite-Miller, Ellen Folkes, Robyn Hyder

Let's go look at this beautiful home today!

22 Hickory Point, Jonesborough, TN 37659

I am so happy my client was able to work this out!! We have been looking for awhile. Teresa, has been fantastic to work with. I can't wait to close this with her.

Greg & Heidi had a friend moving to the area from Delaware. So they told their friend, Filomena, to give me a call because I was the “best agent in the area.” But here’s the thing: I had never met Greg & Heidi before.

When Filomena told me about them, I kept trying to place the names, but couldn’t recall working with or knowing Greg & Heidi.

I kinda started to worry about myself. I mean, sure, I’m getting older but that's a pretty bad thing to not remember!

As we were looking at homes, I was a little embarrassed to finally admit to Filomena that I couldn’t remember her friends. And that’s when she told me, “Oh you haven’t actually met them before!"

Apparently, Greg & Heidi have been following me on social media for a while. They’ve been enjoying all my videos & posts right here on Facebook. And that’s why they recommended me!

I’ve had a lot of referrals in my time as a Realtor, but this one might be the coolest story!

So, a big congratulations to Filomena on her new home here in the Tri-Cities! And a big THANK YOU to Greg & Heidi for trusting me to help your friend call Tennessee home!

- Matt
"Let's Ride"

Matt Finstad, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Security Real Estate
(423) 282-2595
(423) 281-4230

P.S. I did eventually get to meet Greg & Heidi in real life & thank them in person! Cool people & new friends!

If you are looking for some great Mexican food in Elizabethton (and I mean GREAT) – look no further than El Charolais! It’s a great spot right on Broad Street. The prices are right and portions are enough to fill you up…and maybe take some home. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

And if you need a place that can handle a crowd of 25 like our group was, then this is the spot. They served our large group efficiently without one complaint from any one of us! That’s a special restaurant that can make all 25 people happy!

Stop by and show this local restaurant some love! Enjoy and let me know what you think of El Charolais in Elizabethton!

- Matt
"Let's Ride"

Matt Finstad, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Security Real Estate
(423) 282-2595
(423) 281-4230

I heard someone say there should be at least one average guy in every Olympic race, just for reference. And so I want to officially announce that, if called upon, I will represent my country. As the prophet Isaiah boldly declared in the Old Testament, “Here I am, send me.”

PS If you're concerned about my form, rest assured that I'm a better Realtor than a sprinter.

- Matt
"Let's Ride"

Matt Finstad, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Security Real Estate
(423) 282-2595
(423) 281-4230

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Pamela Thomas, Pam Applewhite-Miller, Ellen Folkes, Robyn Hyder

I’ll always remember where I was at 9:30, the morning of July 3rd. I received a panicked phone call from my wife while I was at work. Lucia told me that Chispas (our 5 year old Yorkie) was in labor & giving birth. The first puppy was coming out and was stuck! I loaded my things, jumped in my truck, & drove FAST. We won't discuss speed limits!

Between phone calls with the vet & my wife, Lucia was able to get the puppy out. Heather, the owner of Paws of Hope, had stepped away from a surgical procedure to walk us through the delivery process. After loading everyone up in the truck, we made record time to Paws of Hope & they immediately gave us a room.

Chispas started having the second puppy, but did not have a clue what to do & neither did we! I notified staff & they took care of business. Ultimately Chispas had to have an emergency C-section. The staff worked very hard to save all 4 puppies!

Heather even put us in a back room with a couch & a blanket so Lucia could lay down since she had been up all night watching Chispas. At the end of the day, Chispas was doing well and allowing the puppies to nurse. Heather showed us how to get the milk out and put the puppies to the nipple to feed.

I discovered that Yorkies don't do everything on their own & we would have to do this every two hours. Heather & her staff continued to check in with us throughout the holiday weekend to make sure Chispas and the puppies were okay.

There’s a reason why we drive 40 minutes one way to the Paws of Hope clinic. Because in our opinion they are the BEST veterinarian clinic in the entire area. Heather Bailey & staff proved this once again.

Thanks to these amazing folks, we now have a healthy momma and four chunky little puppies!!

- Matt
"Let's Ride"

Matt Finstad, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Security Real Estate
(423) 282-2595
(423) 281-4230

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Pamela Thomas, Greg Stephenson, Pam Applewhite-Miller, Robyn Hyder

Home smell like a pet store (or worse)? I was talking to a seller recently and they asked me what the ONE thing they can do to prep their house for sale is. I simply answered, "Clean it."

In my experience, I've seen houses get sold for 10% or even 15% less than what they could have sold for simply because it smelled like the cat litter aisle. I won't take up too much of your valuable scrolling time to explain this, but the power of smell cannot be underestimated:

- Studies show that 75% of emotions are triggered by smell, which is linked to pleasure, well-being, emotion, and memory. Make a lasting memory and prioritize cleaning/staging a smooth scent when you show your home.

- The sense of smell is the first of all of our senses to develop. Even before we are born, our sense of smell is fully formed and functioning. Connect your buyers with their ORIGINAL sense and don't let your home be offensive to it.

- The human brain can process roughly 10,000 smells in an area the size of a postage stamp, each triggering a neural response. The ol' olfaction can pick up the tiniest of details.

So, if you're considering selling your home in the Tri-Cities area anytime soon, let's connect! Goodness "nose" you wouldn't want to lower the price of your home just because the scent is a little off.

- Matt
"Let's Ride"

Matt Finstad, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Security Real Estate
(423) 282-2595
(423) 281-4230

P.S. I'm sure YOUR home doesn't smell bad. I'm talking about someone else. 😉

Who is interested in purchasing an 18 acre working horse stable? Currently a horse trainer on site! This currently comes with two mobile homes, but has space to have a beautiful site built home and still run a business!! Call me and let's go take a look!
90 Darnell Road, Greeneville, TN 37743

90 Darnell Road, Greeneville, TN 37743

If you would love to see this beautiful home, I would love to show it to you!

125 Charlton Court, Bluff City, TN 37618

I LOVE Calvary Church and the Spirit God spreads inside!

Why did Sears stop selling homes in 1942?

These home kits were wildly popular in the early 1900s. When Sears released its “Sears Modern Homes” catalog line, it was complete with 40 ready-to-build homes. Eventually, it was expanded into over 400 different designs and layouts, with the option to add on plumbing and electrical for an additional cost. (For cities without municipal water systems, you could add on an outhouse for just $23!)

The prices ranged from around $650 to around $6,500 for the complete kit, which included pre-cut lumber. They advertised that you could build your own home in 90 days.

Most of the history of these homes was lost due to the destruction of sales records during the move to Sears Tower in the 1970s. However, it is estimated that they sold between 70,000 and 100,000 homes between 1908 and 1940. It is hard to say how many homes are still standing today. At least 5,000 of them have been identified, but most are still undiscovered. Experts believe around 70% of them are still standing.

The phrase “they sure don’t build them like they used to” is a direct reference to Sears homes. (Okay, that part might not be a fact, but it feels true.)

In 1911, Sears opened their own mortgage company in an effort to make the process streamlined for its customers. But this was likely their downfall.

The company faced a public relations disaster when the Great Depression hit. They ended up having to foreclose on many of their own customers’ homes. The final nail in the coffin was the lumber shortage in the early 1940s, due to the preparations for WW2.

They halted residential construction from fulfillment issues and had to refund deposits on homes that were made. They discontinued the catalog in 1940 and completely closed their sales offices in 1942.

Check out the photos of some of the most popular models that were sold.

If Sears made a comeback and released their Sears Home Kit catalog today, would you buy one?

- Matt
"Let's Ride"

Matt Finstad, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Security Real Estate
(423) 282-2595
(423) 281-4230

P.S. I included a photo of their school house kit at the end. It was only offered for one year in the catalog and it is unknown whether one was ever purchased.

As we approach our 248th year of independence from Britain, I want to give you a very specific reason to be grateful for our independence.

For example, if we hadn't cut ties, we would be expected to eat beans on toast and pretend to like it. 😝

Apparently, it's wildly popular across the pond.

All I can say is that I now have a newfound appreciation for the traditional American hamburger and hotdog - they are now true culinary masterpieces in my book. 👨‍🍳

Happy Independence Day Everyone!

- Matt
"Let's Ride"

Matt Finstad, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Security Real Estate
(423) 282-2595
(423) 281-4230

Our Military Appreciation lunch was a success. We served 48 Veterans and hope to do more next time!

Here is the listing at 139 Bradford Loop Jonesborough TN. Please share, let's help my clients move back to Ocean 🌊 waves and beaches.

139 Bradford Loop, Jonesborough, TN 37659

1,537,053.

This is how many times people saw my social media last year. As far as I know, I am the only agent in the Tri-Cities who does this kind of marketing.

Many of the ads I run on social media aren’t even about me—they promote my listings or help me find homes for my buyers.

The truth is, I get my sellers more exposure on their listings than any other agent, and frankly, unless I promoted their house on I-26, a billboard would not even get that kind of reach around here.

So, I tell you that my ads were seen 1.5 million times last year not to brag, but to be real with you that using an agent with an exclusive marketing strategy will help get more exposure to your property than any other agent in the Tri-Cities. And it’s important to me that you know that.

- Matt
"Let's Ride"

Matt Finstad, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Security Real Estate
(423) 282-2595
(423) 281-4230

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Pamela Thomas, Greg Stephenson, Pam Applewhite-Miller, Faye Quigley