destroyed by fire.  The parties also stipulated the amount of damages.  It was stipulated that if the Arms were entitled to recover anything, they were entitled to recover $24,081.82.


5
Plaintiff James D. Arms testified on his own behalf.  He stated that he had purchased the Newport residence in 1974 and that he and his wife had lived there until 1981.  In February of 1981, Mr. Arms obtained employment in Jonesboro, Tennessee.  Jonesboro, Mr. Arms testified, is approximately 50 miles from Newport.  For a period of time, Mr. Arms commuted between the Newport residence and his work in Jonesboro.  In March of 1981, the Arms purchased a home in Jonesboro.  The purchase price of the Jonesboro home was $33,900.00.  The Armsmortgage were subsequently brought up to date.  Around this same time, the Arms "removed" the tenant from the premises.


8
The listing agreement with the real estate agency expired in September of 1981 and the Arms did not renew it.  Also in September of 1981, the $11,000.00 note came due with interest owed in an amount slightly less than $1,000.00.  The Arms were unable to pay either the principal or interest on the note and had to refinance the obligation by signing a second note.  Mr. Arms was asked on cross-examination if he was not "pretty well strapped financially."    He admitted that he was "fairly well" strapped.


9
On October 6, 1981, the Arms received a letter from State Farm informing them that their insurance