Richard Courtney Receives GNAR President's Award

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:20:00 CST

The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors announced Friday that GNAR member Richard Courtney was honored with the President's Award for 2011. The award, given out only when someone has done something truly exceptional that benefits the association and the profession, was presented to Courtney in recognition of his leadership in supporting Habitat for Humanity. Through his book, Come Together: The Business Wisdom of the Beatles, which has received international acclaim, he has created an opportunity to raise money for GNAR's Habitat build, with multiple book signing events and speaking opportunities. President Alice Walker presented the award.

NES Board Names Richard Courtney New Chairman

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:49:00 CST

The NES Electric Power Board elected Richard Courtney as chairman of the board at its meeting on July 27. Courtney has been a member since 2007. A professional Realtor® in Nashville for more than 30 years, Courtney is also a successful business author and real estate columnist. Courtney's recently released book, Come Together: The Business Wisdom of The Beatles, has received critical acclaim in the U.S. and Europe. Courtney is also the real estate columnist for the Nashville Ledger and a contributing writer for the Nashville Business Journal and a wide range of industry and professional publications.

Realty Check: Don't be spooked by "propogandist' email

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:08:00 CST

"ARE YOU SELLING YOUR HOUSE IN OR AFTER 2012" is the headline of an error-filled, deceptive, fraudulent, propagandist e-mail that is being circulated to instill fear in those who may sell their homes next year. It suggests there is a transfer tax on all homes sold in 2012. There is a section in the health care bill that was voted into law last year that stipulates that certain real estate transactions are subject to taxation in order to fund Medicare. The erroneous e-mail went viral last year and, as a result of its proliferation, the National Association of Realtors began a campaign to educate its membership. There is a tax, an here's how it works according to Robert Freedman, a senior editor at REALTOR magazine: "For individuals earning $200,000 a year or more or married couples earning $250,000 a year or more, certain income above these levels might be taxed." However, single people making less that $200,000 or married couples making less than $250,000 will not be taxed. To repeat, there is no new real estate tax for those earning less than those numbers, period." Most important is that the $250,000 capital gain exclusion for individuals and the $500,000 capital gain exclusion for married couples remain in place, Freedman says. So a married household can sell a house and make $500,000 and not be taxed on that gain. To continue to recap as we go, so far we have this: A married couple can sell their home and have a profit – not sales price – a profit of $500,000 and pay no tax.

Realty Check: Realtors go to Washington, come home happy

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:22:00 CST

Each year, in early May, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) organizes and implements Realtor Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C., during its mid-year meetings. During this session, Realtors representing local and state associations from across the country descend on the District for some old-fashioned, grassroots lobbying. This year there were four issues that NAR had identified as the most pressing at this time: Extension of the flood insurance program that expires at the end of June. The extension of the mortgage interest deduction on the interest paid on residences. Alarmingly, there is a bill being floated that would require a down payment of at least 20 percent of the purchase price in order for anyone to receive a loan for the purchase of real estate. Lastly, the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in trouble. Read more...

Richard Courtney Joins Pilkerton Realtors

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:22:00 CST

Veteran Realtor® Richard Courtney is joining Pilkerton Realtors, one of the oldest and largest independent real estate firms in Nashville, with offices in Green Hills and Brentwood, announced Jimmy Pilkerton, president of the firm. Courtney will serve a dual role as broker of his real estate practice and director of business development and recruiting for Pilkerton Realtors' Green Hills and Brentwood real estate offices. He was formerly the managing broker of Fridrich & Clark Realty's Music Row office. "Richard Courtney is one of Nashville's best known and respected Realtors," said Pilkerton. "We're delighted to welcome him to Pilkerton and look forward to having the benefit of his expertise in attracting new agents to our firm." Read more...

New York Times reviews Richard Courtney's new book

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:12:00 CST

Read The New York Times review of Richard Courtney's just-released book, "Come Together: The Business Wisdom of The Beatles."

Richard Courtney Appointed Business Development Chair for Mayor's Home Ownership Fair

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:34:00 CST

Mayor Karl Dean has appointed Richard Courtney chair of the Third Annual Mayor's Home Ownership Fair, which will be held Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the Bridgestone Arena. In this volunteer leadership role, Courtney serves as liaison to the Mayor's office from the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors. "Richard's appointment will add a tremendous amount of momentum to our efforts to make this years' fair a valuable experience not only for the attendees but for the sponsoring organizations," said Mayor Dean.

$8,000 Homebuyer Credit Expiring - Buyers have until May 1, 2010

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:27:00 CST

WSMV: Residents hoping to buy a house and earn an $8,000 federal tax credit have less than 30 days to sign a contract on their new house. Properties have to close by July 1. Nashville Realtor Richard Courtney said the program has been a boon for home sales in the Nashville area. "We've gone from having two or three years' inventory to having two or three months in some price ranges, and six and seven months in the upper end," Courtney said. Courtney said even the harder-to-sell high-end homes, which were selling slowly a year ago, are moving more quickly now. "Million-dollar home sales are up 100 percent over this same time last year. So it's not just affecting lower-range homes, it's affecting all ranges," Courtney said. The First-Time Homebuyer program gives new buyers an $8,000 tax credit, but Courtney said many people who already own a home can qualify for a $6,500 credit. "While it's mainly for first-time homebuyers, it's also for anyone who's owned their home for five years or more or lived in their home for five of the last seven years," he said.

Nashville real estate agents look for signs of recovery in high-end home market

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:07:00 CST

The Nashville real estate market recently was buoyed by news that, for the first time in three years, year-over-year home sales increased in October. Much of the credit went to the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax break, but some Middle Tennessee real estate agents see a few signs of recovery in the luxury-home market. From January through May, 15 homes in Davidson County sold for $1 million or more. From June through October, another 35 sold in that price range, according to Richard Courtney, a managing broker with Fridrich & Clark Realty. "For October alone, there were 14," he said. The last time that many million-dollar Davidson County homes sold in a month was June 2007, Courtney said. "It's back to '07, which is a good place to be. So it's out of the doldrums," he said.

Home Sales Up 22% Year-to-Year in Nashville

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:04:00 CST

WSMV: The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors released new numbers Monday that show home sales last month were 22% higher than October 2008. It has been well reported over the last year that there are tax breaks for new homeowners, but what if you already own a home? There is potential for existing homeowners to save thousands of dollars. A first-time home buyer who completes the deal by May 1 will get an $8,000 tax credit. Residents who already own a home but buy a new one will get a $6,500 credit if the transaction is completed by spring. "A couple has to make $225,000 or less. If the person is single, they must make $125,000 or less. And the new home has to be under $800,000 in price," said Realtor Richard Courtney.

Home buyer tax credit extended until April 30, 2010. And credit expanded to current home owners.

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:25:00 CST

It's official. President Obama approved the extension of the homebuyer's tax credit. The housing tax credit portion of the bill extends the $8,000 tax credit for home buyers who are purchasing their first home until April 30, 2010. The bill also expands the program to offer a credit of $6,500 to other homeowners who have lived in their current home for at least five years and are seeking to relocate. The legislation also raises the income limits for program participation to $125,000 for a single purchaser and to $225,000 for a couple. There are also credits available on a diminishing basis above those income limits.

Tue, 19 May 2009 22:07:00 CST

Fridrich & Clark to Merge Offices - Richard Courtney moves to main office in Green Hills

Mon, 04 May 2009 09:07:00 CST

The Music Row and Green Hills offices of Fridrich & Clark will merge June 1. With the merger, Richard Courtney, current managing broker for the Music Row office, will add his expertise to Green Hills with training and support in a management role. Courtney is the 2007 Realtor of the Year for the Tennessee Association of Realtors, 2004 Realtor of the Year for GNAR, 2008 GNAR Community Service Award Winner, Past President of GNAR, and noted author and columnist.

Richard Courtney Receives GNAR Community Service Award

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:28:00 CST

Richard Courtney was honored with GNAR's Community Service Award for his contributions to many organizations, including Leadership Nashville, the Community Resource Center, St. Luke's Community House, Habitat for Humanity, and the Nashville Better Business Bureau.

Read Richard Courtney's Real Estate Column in the Tennessean

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:00:00 CST

All real estate is local, and with a few exceptions, we missed the war and went straight to the parade. Nashville home sellers are fortunate not to be under the extreme anguish and combat fatigue experienced by many. And what about the buyers?

2009 Homebuyer Tax Credit -- $8,000 for first-time home buyers

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:25:00 CST

The homebuyer tax credit is one of 10 key provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama into law on Feb. 17, 2009. The bill provides for an $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

Congress approves up to $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:13:00 CST

There's never been a better time for first-time home buyers to enter the market. Qualifying first-time homebuyers – and those who haven't owned a home in three years -- can now receive a $7,500 tax credit if they buy a home before July 1, 2009! And they can claim a property tax deduction of up to $1,000, even if they don't itemize.

World-Class Beatle Festival Returns to Nashville October 23-25

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:46:00 CST

Beatle fans across the country will converge on Nashville, October 23 to 25 for three days of concerts, panel discussions and memorabilia displays at the Fab Four Festival 2008. Now in its third year, the festival will be held at The Cannery Ballroom and proceeds will benefit the Community Resource Center. Presented by the Richard Courtney Real Estate Group, Rogan Allen Builders and real estate investor Floyd Shechter, the Fab Four Festival music line-up includes a stellar line-up of concerts and panel discussions.

Real estate marketing begins with a song

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:18:00 CST

July 15, 2008. WSMV-NBC Nashville, TN. In today's challenging housing market, one Nashville Realtor has come up with a creative way to sell the unique features of a home. Music Row Realtor Richard Courtney hosted a recording session featuring Grammy-winning songwriters Tia Sillers and Mark Selby to showcase a Nashville home with a full recording studio. See the news clip ...

Richard Courtney Named Tennessee Realtor of the Year

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:18:00 CST

September 25, 2007. Richard Courtney has been named Realtor of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Realtors....This is the first time ever that a sitting president of GNAR has been recognized with this award and the first time since 1990 that the award has been earned by a member of GNAR.

Richard Courtney Appointed to NES Power Board

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:08:00 CST

August 29, 2007. Professional Realtor and author Richard Courtney is the newest member of the Nashville Electric Service (NES) Power Board.

iVillage Live interviews Richard Courtney

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 18:14:00 CST

March 19, 2007. Richard Courtney appeared on iVillage Live and explained the trends of single women home buyers and offered insight to make the smartest and most financially beneficial decisions.

CNN Open House Interviews Richard Courtney

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:05:00 CST

January 27, 2007 9:30 a.m. EST HOST GERRI WILLIS: Lies, we all tell them. Well, I don't, but when it comes to buying or selling a home, let's just say the truth can really be stretched. Well, we've got a little cheat sheet today to help you keep from getting duped. Richard Courtney is author of "Buyers are Liars & Sellers are Too." Richard, good to see you. You say buyers and sellers just keep making the same mistakes over and over again. GUEST RICHARD COURTNEY: That's correct. That's why I wrote the book. After the first 200 or 300 transactions, I realized the same mistakes were being made over and over, as buyers and sellers alike try to over-strategize. And they try to see into the psychology of one another. And I wrote this to explain what people are really thinking on both sides of the deal.

Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Names Richard Courtney President

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:58:00 CST

December 18, 2006. Richard Courtney has been named president of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors for 2007.

Engaging New Book by Nashville Author Offers Insights Into Avoiding Pratfalls, Pitfalls of Residential Real Estate

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 15:20:00 CST

June 1, 2006. Publisher Simon & Schuster announces the release in all major bookstores of Nashvillian Richard Courtney's category-buster Buyers are Liars and Sellers are Too! The Truth about Buying or Selling Your Home, an eye-opening look at the fun and foibles inherent in every aspect of the residential real estate market. Buyers are Liars and Sellers are Too! has been the subject of enthusiastic reviews, including from Publisher's Weekly; which called it "an easy-to-read reality check for anyone contemplating a real estate transaction,"; and Newsday, which described Courtney as, "an amusing chap [who] provides an entertaining yet informative guide on the how-tos of buying and selling."