Nashville, Tennessee downtown skyline at twilight

Why did I move?

Whether your moving across the street or a few states away, moving can be very stressful and I am here to take some of that stress away.

Middle Tennessee has become of the mega hot spots to relocate to and many of us “Nashvillians” can tell you why.  It’s the family friendly feel of living in a city, it’s the music, food and entertainment around every corner, but most of all it is the down home, good hearted people of Tennessee.

Now, if you are looking to relocate to Middle Tennessee, I can offer you a few pointers as just three years ago, my family and I moved to Tennessee from Florida.  Yes, many people asked me “Why would you leave Florida?” and my answer was I wanted seasons, the country feel and of course mountains.  Here is how I started my journey from relocating from Florida to Tennessee.

OpryWhere did I want to live?  While Nashville is the hub of Middle Tennessee, there are also many surrounding towns and cities located within just a 20-30 minute drive.  So I started with researching the different areas to live.  I asked myself and family what we were looking for in a new town.  Did we want the busy city life?  Small town country feel?  Or a nice town that is within driving distance to the city, but also offers great entertainment close by, so my family and I decided on Murfreesboro.  Now, one of my personal reasons on deciding on new city was the school district.  I spent hours and hours pouring over school reviews, school grades, location, etc.  I relied heavily on Greatschools.org for my research.  I also looked at Facebook for photos and comments regarding the different schools I was looking into.  For reference, at the time, both my children where in middle school.

Once we decided…  Once we finally decided Murfreesboro would be the place we would settle, luck would have it that my family and I were attending a wedding in Franklin just 25 mins away.  This was the perfect time for us to explore this new area we were thinking of moving to.  We drove around, visited the different shopping areas, neighborhoods and of course drove by the schools we were looking at to get a feel of the area.

Finding the right place… We enlisted the help of a local real estate agent in the area to help us navigate the home buying process.  As a licensed Realtor in the state of Florida, I was familiar with the process of course, but needed help on finding the right home in the right neighborhood.  We would get a list of homes in our price range within our school district and we would look at those homes and narrow them down.  During this time, my husband had relocated to Tennessee while I stayed back with our children to finish out the school year.  He would go and view the homes, Facetime me and take photos.  Finally we found a house!!!  It was perfect for our family, had a great yard and was within the school district we wanted.  It was perfect for us and we put in an offer.

Now comes the hard part (but not as hard as you think)  Now it was time to pack up the house and prepare to move.  It is difficult to pack up years of your life into boxes and move them states over, but I kept reminding myself we are moving towards a better future.  So, we packed up the house (took a little longer than usual, but we made do), hired a moving van and set off for Tennessee once the school year was over.

We have arrived!  We made it to Tennessee, closed on our house and started unpacking.  Our previous house was a 1200 square foot town home located on a teeny, tiny island in SW Florida, so moving into a larger home on a great family friendly street was just perfect.  Throughout the unpacking process, we made time to explore our new area.  We drove around the town, headed into Nashville and visited the other surrounding areas.  It was great to see all the new activities we would be able to do during our time here.

I love living in this area.  My family and I have got to experience so many great things in the past three years than we ever did in Florida.  So, since moving to Tennessee, here are some things I have done:

I am a HUGE hockey fan and of course, Nashville is home to the Predators so I immediately made them my home team.  I have been to more hockey games that I can count and got to witness history being made by watching the Predators become the Western Conference Champions and see the Stanley Cup Final.Preds

I have been to more concerts than I have EVER been to!  Everything from sold out crowds at Bridgestone Arena, to small venues with some of musics great legends.  I even got to see Garth Brooks receive his 7 Diamond award.

So, while relocating can feel like it will suck the life out of you, I am here to tell you it is not that bad.  With some planning, a helpful Real Estate Agent (me) and friends/family, you can make the move an easy one.

If you are looking to relocate or just looking to move period, call me at 615-624-1436 or send me an email at Tiffany@mcrealtytn.com

Tiffany2_preview

NextHome Music City Realty

615-624-1436

http://tiffany.nexthomemusiccity.com

 

 

 

New Home Sales Hit 10-Year High Mark

Sales of newly built single-family homes rose 18.9 percent last month, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This represented the highest sales rate since October 2007, with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 667,000 units, after an upwardly revised August reading. Compared to last year, new-home sales are 8.6 percent above their level during the same period in 2016.

“New-home sales have bounced back from a few soft months and have returned to the strong growth trend we saw earlier this year,” says National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “As existing home inventory remains tight, we can expect new homes sales to continue to make gains in the months ahead.”

These gains in sales continue alongside tight inventory, providing downward pressure on affordability. In a recent REALTOR® Magazine column, National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun urged the industry to recognize the impact that the “massive housing shortage” has on the overall the economy: “We need more construction. An economic boom, not unlike the one we had almost 70 years ago, could result.”

Looking deeper into the sales data, realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale noted a contrast between pricing and the amount buyers ultimately pay for new homes. “The growth in prices for new homes also shows signs of slowing, though that hasn’t yet appeared in home listing prices, which are up 10 percent from a year ago,” she says. “The discrepancy between list price increases and sales price increases suggests that some buyers may have reached a limit on the price increases they can afford, but sellers have not yet caught on.”

New-home sales increased in all four regions, rising 33.3 percent in the Northeast, 25.8 percent in the South, 10.6 percent in the Midwest, and 2.9 percent in the West. Home sales in the South had been greatly hampered by hurricane-related setbacks. All regions showed an increase in sales from last month, and all regions except the Midwest also show growth when compared to a year ago.

Source: “New Home Sales Pace in September Hits 10-Year High,” National Association of Home Builders (Oct. 25, 2017) 

Why you need a Real Estate Agent

Why do you need a Real Estate Agent??

 

When looking to buy a home, you should expect competence, efficiency, and ethics from your agent. According to All America’s Real Estate Book by Carolyn Janik and Ruth Rejnis, good agents take the time to qualify buyers and show properties in their price range. They plan showing routes carefully and have pre-inspected most properties. They have a thorough knowledge of financing options, are up on the latest housing trends, and share data on the local housing market and home sales with prospective buyers. Adhering to a strict code of ethics, good agents avoid high-pressure sales tactics, refrain from showing properties that do not fit your needs or goals, and alert you to problems about the condition of the property. And they show respect for other agents and real estate firms by not talking down about them.

 

Finding a Real Estate AgentWesthaven

 

Begin the search for a real estate agent by asking for recommendations from someone that you know. Friends, relatives, co-workers, or neighbors who have recently purchased a home can give you a firsthand account and attest to the agent’s professional abilities. Sometimes an agent you contact will refer you to another one who works more closely with buyers and sellers in your neighborhood. Once you have a list of names, interview at least three agents and ask questions about their community knowledge, professional experience, and commitment – some agents work full time, others only work at nights and on the weekends.

 

The Role of a Buyer’s Agent in Home Buying

 

A buyer’s agent represents the buyer exclusively. Thus, he works to protect your interests in the transaction and helps to negotiate the best purchase price and terms.

 

magnifyingUsing an Agent to Purchase a Newly Built Home

 

Agents can be used to purchase a newly built home, and in fact, some builders pay agents to find prospective buyers. But you also can use a buyer’s agent to help negotiate the price and upgrades on a new home. An agent can be particularly valuable directing you to newly built developments that match your needs, as well as helping you select reputable builders who are financially sound and respond promptly to buyers’ concerns. Builders normally require an agent to be present on your first visit to the site. This is a sensible procedure that allows the agent to be paid a commission should you decide to buy. Otherwise, if you find a development on your own, make a first visit without the agent, and later make a purchase, the builder may refuse to pay the commission – even if an agent became involved in the process at some point.

 

While more buyers now use the Internet to gain access to listings, or available properties for sale, it is still a good idea to use an agent. The agent brings value to the entire process: he or she is available to analyze data, answer questions, share their professional expertise, and handle all the paperwork and legwork that is involved in the real estate transaction.

Nashville is booking with new home communities!

Middle Tennessee is booking with new home construction communities.  Below are a few examples:

Nolensville

Catalina is an upscale, yet affordable neighborhood located in Nolensville.  Located just off of Nolensville Road, Catalina offers 4-6 bedroom estate homes ranging from $599,000 to $675,000.00  Neighborhood amenities include community pool with clubhouse, sidewalks and an abundance of trees.  Conveniently located close to Franklin and Brentwood along with many local shops and restaurants.Ella-Elevation-A-3CARSL

 

Murfreesboro

Westlawn offers easy access to SR 840 on Veterans Parkway in Murfreesboro.  Offering 3-5 bedroom homes with such amenities as open concept living, gourmet kitchens, hardwood floors and front porches.  Westlawn community amenities include pool with cabana, kid water play area, park and nature trails coming in 2018.  Prices range from $320,000 to $390,000

 

Smyrna

The Villages of Seven Oaks is conveniently located near I-24 and about 20 minutes to Downtown Nashville.  The Villages of Seven Oaks offers 4 and 5 bedroom ranch and two story floorplans.  Features gourmet kitchens with granite and stainless steel appliances, open concept layouts and two car garages.  Prices range from $280,000 to $320,000Chantilly-Elevation-C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed use communities on the rise in Nashville

Mixed-Use Communities on the Rise South of Nashville

Mixed-use communities are becoming more and more popular, especially in the highly desirable area we serve, just south of Nashville. Mixed-use communities are developments that combine residential, commercial, and industrial spaces so residents can live, work and play without ever leaving the community. The Nashville area is one of the fastest growing in the country, so there is a growing need for places that offer a little bit of everything in one convenient space. Here are two examples we love:

Westhaven

WestHaven

Opened in 2003 in Franklin, WestHaven focuses on livability. It combines beautiful homes and landscaping with convenient shopping and amenities, so residents never have to go far for groceries, appointments or even schools. Large front porches, sidewalks, walkways and parks foster connections between neighbors, and frequent social events hosted within the community create a vibrant community spirit. WestHaven offers new homes, custom homes and previously owned homes to accommodate any homebuyer’s needs.

 

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Berry Farms

 

Also located in Franklin, Berry Farms is similar in concept to WestHaven, except with an additional 3 million square feet of office space, as well as land parcel opportunities. Berry Farms is a bit more spread out. It’s comprised of 600 acres with smaller residential neighborhoods. There are also plenty of retail shops, restaurants, office parks and other commercial spaces. Berry Farms has multiple social events each month including festivals, farmer’s markets and more. The master plan for Berry Farms is still being developed but will include an expanded town center and more residential units, apartments and office space.

 

These are plans currently being developed in the Nashville area…..

McEwen Northside in Cool Springs

Construction is underway for the $120 million, 45-acre first phase of McEwen Northside, which will bring apartments, offices, a hotel, restaurants, retail spaces and green spaces to Cool Springs. Apartment living will be upscale, with 10-foot ceilings, designer kitchens and bathrooms, elevator access, a fitness center and spa, resort pool and resident club.

Ovation

Ovation is a mixed-use development in Cool Springs that will have similar features to McEwen Northside. Construction will begin sometime in the summer of 2017. This space is meant to be a big slice of a small-town city, both chic and comfortable.

Nolensville Market Square 

A new space is coming to downtown Nolensville! This will be a place where residents can work, shop, dine and relax. The new development will have seven new buildings of residential condos, office and retail space. Keeping in step with the historic flair of downtown, the new space will be pedestrian-friendly. Additionally, it will feature state-of-the-art amenities to enhance Nolensville’s current downtown area. The goal of the development is to bring something new and dynamic, with a nod to the history of Nolensville.

 

Mixed-use communities provide convenient living in a friendly atmosphere. As the Nashville area continues to grow, we expect to see more and more of these communities being developed, and are excited to show customers all they offer. If you want to learn more about home buying opportunities in a mixed-use community, give me a call at (615) 624-1436