If you aren’t familiar with the East Nashville area, you might now be thinking, “Ok, so, I’ve got this great atmosphere…but, am I going to have to settle for an old home just to live there?” That answer is simply, “No!” Not only are there tons and tons of renovated homes from the 1900′s – 1940′s, but, sprinkled among these developments, you will find new modern condos and lofts for sale, most of which have square footage equal to a single family home! Don’t believe me? Here’s my favorite example…

Located directly off of Woodland Street, one of the most infamous streets comprising East Nashville, and literally next door to a large public park and the much-desired area known as “Five Points,” you will find a development called “City View Lofts.” This small, modern, posh development includes gated security with cameras placed throughout the grounds, an elevator for easy access and private and assigned parking (yes, even assigned guest parking too!). And that’s just the exterior! On the inside, you’ve got anything you could ever dream of…stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, even a fire place, bathrooms and over-sized closets built for two, a huge balcony overlooking some of the best scenery in town, vaulted ceilings, upgraded counter tops in both the kitchen and bathroom, exposed metal ductwork for that highly sought after industrial feel, recessed lighting…all in over 1,000 square feet for an unbelievable price in the $220k’s! Believe it or not, they’re even so popular that there are only two for sale as of the writing of this article… talk about a big demand!

So, with all that said and my rambling coming to an end, the point of my story is this: the place of your dreams is just around the bend at City View Lofts…you will not be disappointed! Give me a shout for more information…and, remember, I’m here to help and to make your life easier at no additional cost! Can it get any better?

Live happy, friends!!

For a list of currently available Cityview Lofts, click HERE.

So, it seems lately that I’ve seen just about everything there is to see in downtown Nashville when it comes to the condo market these days and, wow, is there quite a bit to offer!! Each and every one of these developments has something different to offer, that’s for sure. As a buyer in the downtown condo market, you have to be very prepared to know what your priorities are – is it space? Location? Great finishes and appliances? Amenities? Once you figure out what your priority is, you need to stick to it…otherwise you might get a little overwhelmed and distracted with other products out there that truly might not fit your wants and needs.

After spending months myself out there seeing new products week after week, I have come to truly fall in love with a development called Lofts on Eighth. Not only do they provide a great location (8th Avenue South – near the Berry Hill area!) but they have amazing finishes and provide about 200-300 extra square feet compared to other places at the same price!

Upon first entering the units you will notice the gorgeous, modern hardwood floors throughout every unit (even in the walk-in closets!) complete with high ceilings, quality granite and modern cabinetry in both the massive kitchen and bathroom, floor-to-ceiling sliding barn doors, over sized utility rooms and high-end appliances. Unlike many places, items like high-end refrigerators and stackable washers and dryers are standard and included in the sale of these units at Lofts on Eighth! THAT is unheard of and completely boosts the units beyond their worth instantly! Oh, and I can’t overlook the exterior and not mention the amazing exterior security system complete with gates for secure parking and coded front doors and elevators too!

If these contemporary lofts sound like something you’d like…trust your gut! You will love ‘em and I’ll love showing them to you all over again! Give me a call before they’re gone!

Happy condo-hunting!!

Whether it’s work-related or personal, we all yearn for those moments in life when we realize, “Ah, ha! This is why I do what I do…” It’s one of those moments when you are so involved that you can feel it in your fingertips and in your toes, one of those moments when you just know that you’re supposed to be right there and that very moment…ever had one of those? Funny, the longer I stay in real estate, the more they seem to happen.

Sure, to the ordinary outsider, Realtors are stuffy, wear blazers and suits and simply drive people around all day looking at houses, right? Wrong. To me, this profession couldn’t get more personal, more attached and more emotional than anything I’ve ever experienced. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Get this, you meet someone who wants to take a huge step in their life and buy a home…probably even their first home and they want you to help them do it. Of all the people in the world, you have been chosen to help change someone’s life in such a big way. Then, you start spending a lot of time with them on the phone, over emails, in the car…all finding out not only what they want in a home, but why they want it in a home. All the way down to things like “This room is HUGE! We could put our six boys in here in bunk beds and the other three older kids can finally have their own rooms,” or “This house is PERFECT. I could put my shoes in this closet, have the piano in here and then even do my photo shoots in the out building in the back” to “Oh my word! I could put my three bikes here AND my kayak too! Can you believe this?”

I know it might sound strange, but sometimes us ‘stuffy-blazer-wearin’-Realtors’ do get a bit attached. We are people with emotions too, you know? We sometimes find ourselves wanting a particular home for our clients more than they probably even do, getting emotionally spent over loosing a contract to someone else who came in a mere $2,000 higher and having to scoop ourselves right up off the floor where are clients are lying from the devastation as well.

I, myself, was lucky enough to have one of these moments yesterday and wanted to express my love and gratitude toward the profession. It truly brought light to the fact that I am so very thankful to be able to do this for a living day after day. I am very thankful for being able to experience so many different things around town with so many different types of people and I am more thankful that my clients can see my passion for what I do bouncing wildly in my eyes every time we meet.

Conquer all, my friends! It’s right at your fingertips!

After viewing one of the lofts at Ambrose Lofts of Nashville yesterday afternoon myself, I can now fully appreciate having these available to young professionals whom might not be able to afford most of the downtown Nashville condo’s starting at whopping $250,000. However, this premier condo development in particular has a total of 21 units that range in size starting at 450 square feet up to over 1,350 square feet and are priced starting at $139,000 and going on up to $349,000.

Even more exciting, the Ambrose Lofts building is located in Nashville’s Historic Printer’s Alley! The building was originally constructed in 1905 and has recently gone under major construction to renew the building to give it its current ‘face lift.’ With exposed brick walls and ceiling beams, bamboo hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances and ultra-modern European cabinetry, these lofts really do stand out and are well worth the investment!!

As always, if you want more information on these units or would like to check one out in person yourself, give us a shout at 615-349-1060. We’ll be glad to help you in the right direction to get you into your brand new (and affordable) downtown loft!

First, you may want to consider lowering the price of your home. This truly makes your home much more desirable than any other home out there with the same criteria.

Second, if option number is not an option, go through the house and see if there are any cosmetic defects that you might have missed that need to be repaired. The buyer certainly needs to be nothing but ‘wowed’ when they walk in the door. Sure, any house can be clean from top to bottom, but are there any small things that will stand out to your buyers as a needed repair? If so, take care of them before you list your home for sale and if it’s already listed, stop reading this and take care of them now.

Third, make sure you list your home with the right agent. Choosing the right Realtor is like going to court with an amazing lawyer – you know you have a better chance of winning! For the same price, agents can give many, many varieties of service. Make sure you choose one that is experienced, available on your schedule, is organized and truly wants nothing more than to help you, their client. Hmmm…sounds like me! Give me a call if you want the best service in Nashville!

Finally, if all else fails and you have the option to do so, pull your home from the market and wait for the market to improve. Sometimes having it off the market for a while can give a fresh perspective when it comes back on.

I hope some or all of this helps!! Good luck and happy selling!!

“What’s the best way to find a lender?” It’s one of the most frequently asked questions by buyers in today’s market! As you start searching for your next home, you should always surround yourself with people whom you trust and know without a doubt will take care of things as they arise and in an appropriate manner.

So, you have a Realtor whom you trust but no loan officer? Not to worry one bit! I, personally, always recommend to my clients a list of three to four loan officers that I have used in the past and have had great experiences with. I know that each and every loan officer on my list will take great care of my clients and their next home purchase. It’s best to not surf around on the internet and find an officer whom has no tie to you, your needs or your Realtor. To them, you’re just another loan to service and just another name on a file.

Obviously, the downfalls of choosing a loan officer at random can truly be devastating. Your needs as a buyer can be easily overlooked, your personal time lines to move can be disregarded and your financing rates can even be higher than what you should be getting. All of this could possibly happen due to you being ‘just another loan to process’ to this loan officer.

My recommendation from personal experience is choosing to go with a loan officer that someone strongly recommends whether it’s your Realtor, your parents or your best friend. It truly can be more beneficial than you could ever imagine! I, as a Realtor here in Nashville, personally have loan officers that will push for documents harder, will decrease waiting time and will also provide the best service and price to my clients. All this because I have established a great relationship with these loan officers. But I always recommend getting at least 2 to 3 quotes even if it’s from the loan officers I recommend to make sure they are staying on the competitive edge.

In short, do not be afraid to use a recommended loan officer…but DO be afraid to use one where you are just another file in a drawer! Happy buying!

Graymont Park is a modern development offered at $389,900 with outstanding features that you’re sure to not forget when you walk out the door. With three floor plans to choose from and only eleven units available to complete this development, you’re sure to have a unique place to call home. When I visited these units, the characteristics that caught my attention included solid white oak flooring, polished granite, 9-foot ceilings, amazing cabinetry, outstanding hardwood on the ceilings in each bedroom and a single-car garage with a patio for each home. Each home is also central to the landscaped courtyard that begs for your attention and relaxation.

Graymont Park is located off of Parthenon Avenue downtown near West End Avenue and Interstate 440. It’s walking and biking distance to eclectic shops, restaurants, Vanderbilt University, music row and even Nashville’s largest public park – Centennial Park! These units are sure to not last long – schedule an appointment with your Realtor today to check these out!

Now, why would I blog about football? Considering that Nashville, Tennessee, lights up at the mere thought of anything SEC, I figured it could only be appropriate. This town crawls with football fans from all around the Nation every Saturday morning, noon and night. Not only does Nashville have a rising football team (Vanderbilt), but this city is also within a 6-hour drive of many, many other amazing schools like the University of Georgia, Alabama, Auburn University, the University of Tennessee and the University of South Carolina! Not to worry if you do not get to actually attend a game this year…the local sports bars downtown like Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill, Two Doors Down and Beyond The Edge are home for many sports fans every Saturday this fall and provide an amazing atmosphere for watching your favorite and most intense games!

So, grab yourself a cheap ticket or a great spot at one of our local sports bars and make the short trip to almost any major SEC football game this year! You are sure to be in for some amazing entertainment and one unforgettable experience. Nashville is SEC and Nashville knows football!

In general, whether you are a buyer or a seller, a Realtor should always have your best interests in mind. That means putting the client’s interest above anyone else’s, keeping the client’s information confidential, following through with the client’s wishes (obviously within the limitations of the law) and to provide the client with any and all useful information pertaining to their transaction.

While real estate transactions can be confusing (especially if you’ve never gone through one before), you need an agent that will both know the answers to your questions and will take time to explain them to you. It’s also extremely important to find an agent whose personality you like. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with this agent whether you are buying or selling and having someone whom you ‘click’ with just helps the process run along more smoothly.

So, don’t be threatened, intimidated or leery when having to choose your Realtor…I say it’s just like buying a home – follow your gut feeling and you’ll turn out on top!

Rounding up three friends along with myself, we shortly found our way down 12th Avenue in Nashville to a local Italian restaurant called “Mafiaoza’s.” Featuring 2-4-1 beer and pizza slices Tuesdays and Sundays, I was sure we were to have an amazing time! Now, don’t make the mistake that I did and underestimate this place. It’s not the hole-in-the-wall-greasy-pizza place that I expected…I was shocked at the menu selection, great prices AND bold flavors!! Expect large portions and fresh ingredients on the multitude of pastas, salads and sandwiches.

So, when you get a chance if you haven’t already, head down 12th Avenue and stop in at Mafiaoza’s in Nashville…and don’t forget, pizza is the star here, with atypical ingredients including artichoke hearts, ricotta cheese and eggplant loaded onto New York-style thin and crunchy crust.