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The Paddocks of Mt Juliet – Walmart NOW OPEN!!

Everyone living in Mt. Juliet have certainly seen the buzz surrounding The Paddocks of Mt. Juliet and experienced first hand the wonderful new store opening of Lowe’s a couple of months ago. Well, I am happy to report that Wal-Mart has just opened their doors today! This much anticipated store opening will certainly have all the holiday shoppers clinging to their carts for what will no doubt be the highest producing store in the city. I personally am happy to see Wal-Mart’s doors open so that the friendly price competition can begin between Kroger (in our beloved Providence) and WalMart. Not long from now, we’ll also see the doors to the brand new Publix at Providence open as well and it’ll be gloves off!

Some particulars about the Mount Juliet Walmart go as follows:

It’s location is: 300 Pleasant Grove Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
It takes up 176,330 square feet of real estate
It employee’s over 350 people
It’s store manager, Bruce Abbott, started with Walmart in 1989
It will be open 24 hours a day 7 days a week
The store phone number is 615-758-1121
There are still (as of today) some full time positions open and you can apply in store or via www.walmart.com

Mt Juliet continues to grow, and as it does, I’ll be bringing the news. Until then, enjoy Walmart!!

Nashville’s Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure 2009 in Brentwood TN

Just finished a 5k race this morning that’s very near and dear to my heart. I started running the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure in Nashville several years ago when one of my best friends, Hannah, at 27 years old found out she had breast cancer. She is a survivor after having gone through a double mastectomy and lots of chemo and radiation thankfully. And since then, Breast cancer has found its way to another very dear friend at age 29, Sarah, who I am happy to say is also a survivor but a high school friend of mine wasn’t so fortunate. Breast cancer made it’s way through Jennifer’s body and we lost her just a few months ago at age 36. I guess the reason I am saying all of this is so that young women are aware of the potential threat of breast cancer in their own lives. It seems to be finding it’s way to young women in higher numbers these days, so if you’re a woman reading this at any age, please make sure you are doing monthly self examinations and don’t skip out on your annual visit to the doc.

Please support breast cancer awareness non-profit research and treatment organizations. Your contributions really do make a difference.

 

314 Five Oaks Blvd, Lebanon TN 37087 MLS# 1071238 Update: LEASED

Running for the kids at the Country Music Marathon

I have never really been a “real” runner.  I mean I ran in high school (the 400 or 1/4 mile, a long sprint) and spring forward 20 years, I have been running for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer awareness and the search for a cure (a 5K run which is about 3 miles and everything I can do to get to the finish line every year) but I never REALLY thought I would run long distance…. until Darbi.  My teammate and partner in crime (not really, just a figure of speech, work with me here people) Darbi Bolton convinced me in December to join Team Rio (the team that Marty Roe and Jimmy Olander of Diamond Rio formed) and run for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.  When I said yes I really had no idea what I was up against.  13.1 miles.  What in the world was I thinking???  The first cold Saturday morning we ran early in January was an “easy” 2 miler. Gahhhhhhh! I barely made it.  The next week was 2.5 miles.  Gasp! Choke! Gasp! I need a respirator! …But somehow I made it.  The next week was 3 miles, again, not sure how, but I did it. This went on for months and was going great until a brisk cool morning in early March for a 6 mile run in the gorgeous but all hills Percy Warner Park that starts at the dead end of Belle Meade Boulevard (unbelievable scenery, trust me, just go there and take a walk sometime).  I was about 4 miles into it when I felt something weird in my knee.  Keep in mind my knees aren’t the best and always bothered me when I ran anyway but this felt a little different.  I made it to the end and was sore but walking.  We were to do a 5 mile run the next day and my buddy Darbi and I decided to keep it flat and ran the Maryland Farms area in Brentwood.  She had been experiencing some discomfort in her hip and was really feeling the knee and by the time we finished, both of us were down.  I had chipped some cartilage in my knee from the arthritis and developed a bursa and she had a stres fracture in her hip.  To come that far only to find out that we possibly wouldn’t be able to complete the race was crushing.  She was in physical therapy and I was on rest.  I rested for two weeks and ice was my best friend when I started feeling like Super Woman so I threw on a knee brace and off I went on a grueling 8 miler in the pouring rain in 38 degree weather. Not the best choice in hindsight.  I finished but it set me back another 3 weeks and a trip to the Sports Med Ortho for a check-up resulted in a nasty and painful cortisone shot.  Those extra 3 weeks I was off was mentally torturous.  Everyone was passing me up, would I be able to catch up?  The first trial was the dreaded hill training of Percy Warner. It was 7.5 miles of pure determination… and I did it!!!  And guess what? The next week I was back with the team…. at Percy Warner AGAIN!  This time it was 12.47 miles of exhilaration! I breezed through it!  I could have gone another few miles with no problems!  This was two weeks ago.  The next week, Darbi got the okay from her doc t get back on the trail, and boy did she!  With over a month and a half completely off running she bounced back with our 6 miler at the Stone Hollow Dam in Hermitage.  Another great run that meanders along the river and she did it with force!

Well, it’s now ONE WHOLE DAYuntil the race. That’s right, the race is tomorrow morning and it’s consumed my nearly every thought (That’s right, Holly White has hardly thought about real estate AT ALL today!).  I could barely sleep last night and have had to stop writing this twelve times so that I could bounce around because the thought of that finish line is making my heart want to come right out of my chest.

And the best news is both Darbi and I met our goals for fund-raising for Big Brothers Big Sisters so every step will be for them tomorrow…okay that’s a lie, some of them will be for me too.

UPDATE:

I should have updated this sooner, but well, I digressed for a month (selling real estate is busy business!).

I FINISHED!!  That’s right I made it to the finish line and it was one of the biggest personal challenges on my life.  I got tripped about 1 minute after this photo was taken (about 9 miles into it) and twisted my ankle and then the pain in the knees kicked in.  Those little boogers blew up like balloons!  Those last 4 miles were the toughest I have ever run.

I was going to keep on running and do another couple half’s this year but I think I am going to preserve my knees for the kids again next year.  I don’t want to chance not being able to do it.  Swimming is sounding like a pretty good alternate sport right now…

Amazing former Grand Old Opry Home of The Stars Tour Home! $399,900 SOLD for $393,000!!

Brentwood Luxury Estate – 8730 Square Feet SOLD for $1,170,000

With a spectacular +/-1 acre setting this Brentwood Tennessee Luxury Estate is sure to impress even the most discerning buyer. 8,730 of the finest quality square feet that you will find in the Nashville and Brentw00d areas. Heated pool is encompassed by outdoor living areas on two levels. This home has featured over $250K in recent upgrades and renovations including a brand new designer chef’s kitchen with all top of the line DCS appliances. The first floor features the master suite wing with a walkout to one of the balconies and an oversized walk-in closet nearly as big as the master bedroom itself! All new highest grade carpet is protecting the gleaming hardwoods underneath and can easily be pulled up. Four additional bedrooms on the second level are all oversized with three full baths on the second level. The walk-out daylight lower level features an exercise room, nearly full kitchen, and a living room and huge office separated by stacked stone see through fireplace. The backyard is as peaceful as you will find in Brentwood with nearly all of it’s 1 acre fenced with wrought iron. The 3 car garage features Garage Masters flooring and work unit.

• 8730 Square feet
• 5 Bedrooms
• 5 Full Baths and 1 Half Bath
• Daylight Walk-Out Lower Level
• Formal Dining Room
• Formal Study
• Master Suite with Jetted Tub and Oversized Walk-In Closet
• Grand Foyer
• Grand Room
• Family Room
• New Kitchen with DCS Appliances
• 3 Car Garage features Garage Masters Floor and Work Unit
• Heated Pool
• 2 level Outdoor living area with Arbors
• Brentwood High School
• Nearly 1 Acre Lot

Don’t let the summer pass you by without being able to enjoy all that this exquisite estate has to offer. Schedule a showing today with Holly at 615-668-6228 or holly@nashvillehomes.org.

Mount Juliet – Gorgeous All Brick home in Stonehollow

Loft Living At It’s Best! East Nashville near Five Points

You know, I’ve always loved the East Nashville charm from day one. With it’s wonderful food, eclectic shops, bars and locals, I’ve always been attracted to the “outdoor living” that seems to be a big part of the area. On any given night, you can stroll through the blocks of East Nashville and find runners, walkers, pups on leashes, people on bikes soaking up the evening sun or groups gathered together for their favorite meal at their absolute favorite restaurant. For a lack of better words (and “cheesy” words, at that), it’s almost like your living space has doubled to both indoor AND outdoor if you are lucky enough to live in East Nashville. Quite a bang for your buck, huh?

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.

How to make a seller’s home STAND OUT

In many real estate markets, the biggest problem sellers face is simply a bigger than normal inventory. That means a seller’s big challenge today is figuring out how to STAND OUT amidst all those other homes buyers can look at. Sellers need to act like they’re in competition with every other home for sale in the area. Because they are. As always, what matters are location, condition and price.

A seller can’t do anything about improving the appeal of a location-it is what it is. They can, however, put price in their favor. Sellers need to focus on what comparable homes in their area have actually sold for (not listed at). If they’re under pressure from a job transfer or expanding family, they should probably price BELOW the prevailing range. The idea is to price aggressively enough that buyers have to check them out. That brings us to condition.

Improvements that make sense to do

In today’s competitive market, sellers aren’t recouping the money they put into upgrades the way they did in the past. But there are still areas where a judicious investment will pay out with a timely sale.

Sellers should start with improving their home’s CURB APPEAL. Today, sellers are finding out that anything they do to make the outside of their property look terrific is money well spent. Ideally, people should fall in love with a home between the car and the front door. New windows, doors and siding will help a home look crisp and well cared for from the street. They also make the home more ENERGY EFFICIENT, a big plus in today’s market. Just having freshly painted trim and new hardware go a long way to making a great first impression.

Sprucing up LANDSCAPING is also important today-especially for an older home. Well-trimmed trees and shrubs can do a lot help older homes compete against new ones with sparse foliage.

Inside and out, any repairs the seller has begun must be completed. An unfinished repair usually looks worse than the untreated problem. Inside, sellers should freshen up paint, clear out clutter and hire a professional stager. These things give the impression a home is well taken care of. STAGING doesn’t really cost a lot-smart sellers look at it like having a car detailed.

Anticipate buyer’s mindset

For repairs or upgrades most buyers will want to make, advise the seller to get CONTRACTOR ESTIMATES for the improvement and present them to interested prospects. You might even suggest the seller HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR before they list, make the essential repairs and show the receipts to serious buyers. Many home inspection companies (like WIN Home Inspection Network: www.wini.com) even offer a free 90-day no deductible home warranty in conjunction with using their services for Nashville homes for sale (check with your local rep for confirmation of services offered).

Sellers should also consider projects that can lower insurance premiums. Electrical and plumbing upgrades may cut rates. If a roof needs replacing, have sellers check with their insurer about discounts for wind, hail and fire-resistant roofing. The same may be true for burglar and fire alarm systems.

Some improvements have regional appeal. In the West and Southwest, after a few seasons of extreme weather, homes with backup power generators got very attractive. Homes with steel replacement roofs are now popular in parts of California subject to wildfires. In tech savvy regions, “wired” homes with broadband access already installed have extra pull.

The goal is to create POSITIVE BUZZ around a listing. The ideas I’ve shared here are the ones that seem to be working to create that “buzz” in the market today.

Lofts on Eighth near Belmont Waverly Nashville

Lofts on Eighth!!

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!!

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