The Ultimate Guide to Fall in Nashville

by Alex Helton | Sep 20, 2021 | Uncategorized

Fall is finally here! Are you looking for fun things to do? We’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to all things fall in Nashville!

Festivals & Events

This fall, there are so many music festivals and great events to attend in and around Nashville. Here is a list of our favorite ones!

Boo at the Zoo
When: October 15-17, 19-24, 26-30
Where: Nashville Zoo
Price: $18-$20 per Ticket

Enjoy fall-themed scenes and activities around the Zoo, trick or treating for the kids, special animal shows, and more! The kids will love the enchanting giant hay creatures, the talking Pumpkin, 10 trick-or-treat stations, the Monster Mash dance area, and the Scary-Go-Round carousel.

Covid Safety Measures: Masks are required for this event.

Nashville Brew Festival
When: October 1
Where: First Horizon Park
Price: $50-$65 per ticket

The Nashville Brew Festival will take place on the field and throughout the concourse of First Horizon Park on October 1 from 7 pm to 11 pm. Enjoy over 50 breweries and 150 beers and food trucks, music, lawn games, and more.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
When: September 25th and 26th
Where: Franklin, TN
Price: $189 – $239 pet ticket

The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival celebrates the music, culture, and best food in the area. It was inspired by friendship, history, experience and the desire to create an authentic music festival.

Covid Safety Measures: The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival requires all patrons to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48-hours of the first day of the festival order to enter the festival site. Masks are required.

Pumpkinfest
When: October 30
Where: Franklin, TN
Price: Free Admission

The 36th annual Pumpkinfest stretches along Main Street and its side avenues in downtown Franklin and offers tons of festive fun for people of all ages!

Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival
When: October 2
Where: Centennial Park
Price: Free Admission

This festival celebrates the many cultures represented throughout Nashville. There will be over 30 globally inspired food vendors, captivating performances, a world market with handcrafted and imported items, children’s activities, and entertainment.

Covid Safety Measures: Offers a safe in-person experience, including a mobile Vaccine Clinic onsite for Covid-19 vaccines and testing. Masks are recommended for all attendees.

Pumpkin Patches

It’s time to start finding pumpkins! Stop by any of these pumpkin patches for a great experience.

Cheekwood Harvest

When: Tuesday – Sundays from September 18 – October 31.
Where: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Price: $20 adult, $13 youth

Celebrate the autumn season at Cheekwood! Enjoy activities and experiences designed to appeal to kids, adults, and families alike during this six-week celebration—pumpkins for carving, painting and are waiting for your to purchase and take home. Don’t forget to visit the two 11 foot tall pumpkin houses while you are there!

Covid Safety Measures: Masks are required in all buildings at Cheekwood.

Lucky Ladd Farms
When: September 18th – October 30th
Where: Franklin, TN
Price: $15- $45 per ticket

Lucky Ladd Farms is an award-winning family attraction that offers a unique farm experience with fun activities for all ages. Enjoy the pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze, adventure park, and more.

Covid Safety Measures: Only a certain number of guests may enter the farm park per hour, so buy your tickets before attending to ensure you have a spot. Masks are recommended in high traffic areas.

Walden Farms
When: Open Thursdays-Sundays through the end of October.
Where: Smyrna, TN
Price: Free Admission, $10 Walden Bucks available for purchase to pay for activities

Aside from just picking out pumpkins here, the farm has so many other fun activities. Hayrides, farm animals, hay and corn mazes, Tennessee Slip n Slide, and delicious food and treats are just some of what the farm offers. The Ole Country store sells a complete selection of fall decorating items, delicious jams, jellies, and honey.

Haunted Houses

Do you enjoy the spooky part of fall? Here are a couple of our favorite haunted houses.

Creepy Hollow
When: September 25th – October 31st
Where: Springhill, TN
Price: $28 per ticket

Creepy Hollow Haunted Woods in Spring Hill TN, is the top indoor/outdoor haunt in the Nashville area. Creepy Hollow Woods is your one-stop haunt with three attractions: storytelling, hayride, bonfire, and queue line entertainment.

Covid Safety Measures: Creepy Hollow will be following local guidelines for covid with social distancing. Masks will be required in the barn and are recommended in the woods.
Pumpkin Patches

Best House
When: September 24th – October 31st (See full calendar HERE)
Where: Nashville, TN
Price: $24 – $46 per ticket

Looking for a scary adventure paired with a challenge? Beast house has been named “hands-down” #1 Scariest haunted house. The best part? If you can make it through all the phases of Beast House, you will get your money back!

Best Places for Fall Drinks

Slow Hand Coffee + Bakeshop

Are you craving a “pumpkin spice” latte? Slow Hand Coffee one-ups the basic latte with a Pumpkin Pie Latte made with real pumpkin, toasty spices, and brown sugar for caramel notes to replicate the classic holiday pie in your cup.

The Loading Dock
Are you not a pumpkin fan but still craving a fall drink? Head to The Loading Dock in Nashville for their seasonal “Campfire at Dusk” latte, which is their take on a s’mores latte! It’s made with toasted marshmallow syrup, dark mocha and finished with a graham cracker rim.

Tailgate Brewery

If you love pumpkin spice, but coffee isn’t your thing, stop by Tailgate Brewery for a Pumpkin Spice Beer. Medium-bodied milk stout brewed with whole bean coffee and pumpkin spice.

Nashville Lakes

by Alex Helton | Jul 15, 2021 | Uncategorized

Tennessee is home to an incredible 500,000 acres of lakes and 50,000 miles of streams and rivers. There are so many lakes to enjoy that are less than 2 hours from Nashville. We put together this list of the best lakes in the Nashville area for you. So, cool off this summer with a day trip to one or all of the following lakes!

Percy Priest Lake
Distance from Nashville: 15 minutes
Size: 14,000 acres and 42 river miles

Percy Priest Lake offers a wide range of recreation activities for locals and visitors. All types of water vehicles are welcome, and you can also rent from the marina.

Old Hickory Lake
Distance from Nashville: 20 minutes
Size: 22,500 acres and 97.3 river miles.

Old Hickory Lake is one of the most popular recreational lakes in Tennessee. It is just 20 minutes from Nashville, making it a super convenient. It is surrounded by plenty of parks to enjoy. For day use of the shorelines, you can go to Old Hickory Beach. Pack a picnic and enjoy the sandy swimming beach or spend a day fishing on the lake.

Center Hill Lake
Distance from Nashville: 1 hr 15 minutes
Size: 18,220 acres and 415 miles of shoreline

Center Hill Lake is perfect for an all-day adventure. The emerald-like waters are well-known for fishing, and recreational activities include kayaking, wakeboarding & skiing. Tranquil waterways wind to Burgess Falls, Rock Island, and Fancher Falls waterfalls. You can find Other waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic lookout points near the lake.

Tim Ford Lake
Distance from Nashville: 1 hr and 40 mins
Size: 3,546 acres

Tims Ford Lake is considered one of the most picturesque lakes in Tennessee! Located less than two hours from Nashville, it makes an excellent place for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Our favorite part of this lake is the beautiful golf course!

Things to do This Summer in Nashville (Family Edition)

by Alex Helton | May 27, 2021 | Uncategorized

School is out, summer is in! Here is a list of some of our favorite places to check out this summer in Nashville.

1. Nashville Shores Lake Resort
The Nashville Shores Lake Resort has plenty to offer! You don’t need to stay there to enjoy the benefits either. Their Treetop Adventure Park is an adventure course including suspended bridges, giant zip lines, cargo nets, Tarzan swings, and many other thrilling elements. They have options for adults, kids, families and groups. Cool off at Nashville Shores and enjoy their slides, a wave pool, lazy river, pools, a beautiful beach, lake cruises and more family-friendly attractions. Grab a season pass to save money!

2. Cheekwood Estates
Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and estate in Nashville. Cheekwood offers many diverse experiences. This year, enjoy Sean Kenney’s Nature POP featuring 38 sculptures made from more than 800,000 LEGO® Bricks. This exhibit is open until September and is a great experience for all ages.

3. Fannie Mae Dees Park

Better known as the Dragon Park, Fannie Mae Dees is a great park in Nashville. There are many different playgrounds and grassy areas for fun. Within the park is Lily’s Garden, the first Tennessee playscape accessible to people with special needs. There is a unique one-of-a-kind dragon statue at the park as well. It is a lovely park for all ages.

4. Nashville Zoo
Of course, heading to the zoo is always a fun summer activity. The Nashville Zoo has nearly 3,000 animals representing more than 350 different species. They also have several unique experiences, including Critter Encounters, The Grassmere Historic Home, Wilderness Express Train, and the Jungle Gym (over 66,000 square feet!) Tip: Purchase a membership so you can enjoy the zoo all summer!

5. Wax Museum
Madame Tussauds is a fun wax museum in the heart of Nashville. Enjoy seeing 50 of your favorite wax musical icons, from Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift. The Wax Museum is kid-friendly and a lot of fun!

6. Cook Day Use Area
Cook Day Use Area is a lakeside oasis in the hills of Middle Tennessee. Enjoy a day here with a picnic, swimming, and plenty of trees for shade.

7. Radnor Lake
Unplug with your family at Radnor Lake. It makes the perfect day trip. The trails are heavily shaded, making it an ideal place to enjoy during summer. However, to protect the wildlife, picnics and camping are not allowed here. Keep an eye out for river otters, beavers, mink, and white-tailed deer.

8. Wave Country
Cool off this summer and enjoy one of Nashville’s only wave-action swimming pools. It’s a great way to spend the day with your family. There are several food options, or you can bring your own food and drink in a cooler.

9. Gaylord Opryland
Celebrate summer with events for the whole family at Gaylord Opryland! Enjoy summer fun activities such as the SoudWaves Water Park, Shiny Stash Treasure Hunt, Pirate and Princess Academy, Royal Carriage Rides, and more. You can bundle some of the experiences to save money!

10. Adventure Science Center
The Science Center features over 175 hands-on interactive exhibits with themes including biology, physics, visual perception, listening, mind, air and space, energy, and earth science. They offer many special events, including a Red, White & Bloom event on the 4th of July. Tip: Pick up an explorer pack if you plan on going more than once this summer to save money on tickets!

8 things to avoid when purchasing a home

by dusan | Sep 5, 2018 | Uncategorized

The last thing in the world you would ever want is to spend a bunch of time searching for a home, finding that perfect place and then not being approved for your mortgage. There are also many common mistakes homebuyers make that could make the process much more painful than it has to be.

We’re writing this article because we know how stressful it can be to buy a house. In order to make your process easier, we are going to cover the 9 things you shouldn’t do when buying a home.

1) Don’t overestimate your budget.

Ever heard the expression “House poor“? Many homebuyers overestimate what they can actually afford and end up with very little wiggle room financially. Before jumping into buying, make sure you have a realistic idea of the yearly costs involved with owning a home.

Remember, there is your mortgage, property taxes, utilities, insurance and repairs. All of this before you even think about making upgrades. Factor in all the costs and leave yourself some room.

2) Don’t let your emotions run wild.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. It’s normal to be excited and fall in love with a home. However, try to keep a level head. Falling in love with a home can cloud your judgement or end in disappointment. This can happen if unforeseen issues are exposed in the inspection or if someone puts in an offer before you.

If you don’t find a home… don’t get discouraged. Home searching can be a lengthy process. It will be worth it when you find the winner.

3) Don’t talk to sellers about plans for the house.

As much as you are excited to get in and put your personal touch on the home, it’s best to keep this to yourself. Sometimes home buyers meet and get to know the home owners. This is fine, but remember that the current owner will have an emotional attachment to the property.

It’s best not to make them feel like you’re going to come in and completely change the place. If you make conversation with the owners, just keep the conversation light.

4) Don’t withdraw or deposit a lot of cash.

Going further with your financial history, cash withdraws and deposits also play a part in your mortgage approval rate. Large quantities of cash going in or out of your accounts signals a warning sign that you do not have stability. Avoid any sporadic withdraws or deposits of large sums of cash.

5) Don’t apply for more credit.

The amount you are approved for on your mortgage comes down to your capital. How much money do you have at your disposal? Applying for extra credit increases your debt. This extra debt decreases the amount you will be approved for on a mortgage.

6) Don’t co-sign a loan.

While a loan may not technically be yours – it will still equally count towards your overall debt. Co-signing a loan can have an impact on not only the amount of your mortgage, but approval rate in general. Avoid co-signing any loans until you have purchased your home.

7) Don’t finance a car or furniture.

As financing is again a loan, it is therefore debt. Stay away from financing a car or furniture for the above mortgage approval reasons.

8) Don’t switch or leave your job.

Financial stability is one of the most important factors considered when a bank is approving your mortgage. The key to financial stability is having a dependable income. If you switch or leave your job, often or before applying for a mortgage, this may signal red flags.

If you are thinking about a move, hang tight with your job until after your mortgage is approved.

Ensure you don’t make these mistakes

There are many important things to consider when purchasing a home. It is one of the biggest decisions of your life.

In order to ensure that you get the house you want, when you want it, you need to understand and follow those above tips. Doing so will increase your chances of finding that perfect home and getting it. Remember that financials are very important when it comes time to apply for a mortgage. Make that your priority.

Also keep in mind the emotional aspects of purchasing a home and try to stay cool. It can be a draining process, but it will be worth it when you get the keys to the castle!

Are you looking for a home in the area? Give me a call. I’d love to help you find a home (and make sure you make none of the above mistakes in the process!)

Should I Rent or Buy a Home?

by dusan | Sep 5, 2018 | Uncategorized

Choosing whether to rent or own a home is not an easy decision. It requires you to carefully examine the factors and costs associated with each option. Which is better? That depends.

Your unique economic situation, lifestyle and goals play the largest part in deciding what is better for you. It’s important to go into your calculations with open eyes. As much as you want a home, you may not be able to afford it. Or it may not be the right decision for the way you like to live.

Factors To Consider When Buying/Renting a Home

The following four points are the largest factors to consider when weighing the pros and cons of home ownership vs. rental.

1) What are the total costs?

Many people look at the economics of home-ownership as a mortgage payment only. In reality there are insurance, repairs, property tax, homeowners association dues etc. that all have to be factored in to your monthly costs. Check out this calculator from the New York Times to see more.

Use a calculator and compare to see if:

1. The monthly cost as a homeowner is less than renting.
2. You can afford the monthly cost (if it works out more than renting in your area)
3. Saving a 10-20% down-payment is feasible for you

If owning a home definitely the way to go for you, you need to be able to answer the above questions definitively.

2) What is important to you?

Are you more interested in building for the future, or reducing your financial risk until you can figure out a plan? You may want to own if you are thinking about starting a family. But as someone who is single, you may enjoy your freedom and having less financial debt. (Even if it is building your net worth in the long run)

Undoubtedly, buying a house only makes sense if you plan to set up roots. If you plan to move within (or every) 5 years, your transaction costs will likely bring the equity you build in your house to zero. Thus diminishing your upside while carrying all of the liabilities that come along with home ownership. Owning a home is a smart decision if you plan to stay for 10 years or more.

3) What is your preferred lifestyle?

Do you want to build a career in a specific city or travel around? Do you have long-term goals in mind? It’s okay if you don’t. The most important part is being aware of where you are at. You may want to get some international work experience or try your luck in another part of the country. Or not.

Really think about what you want. You could lose some serious money if you buy a house and sell within a few years because you decide it isn’t for you.

4) What are the opportunity costs?

Think about the pros and cons of home-ownership. On one hand, you will always have a home base. On the other, you have a property that ties you down to a geographical location. Can you make more money in another city? With a home, you can’t move to pursue those opportunities.

If rent is equal to monthly payments as an owner, think about the opportunity costs of having all of your money tied up in the house. For example, some investors may rent and opt to invest their money in the stock-market or other investments in their portfolio. Can you make higher percentage returns yearly with the money you would be using for a down payment?

The above were things you will want to consider. If you need to be realistic to make the right decision about renting vs owning a home. The below two situations may help if you aren’t able to come to a conclusion.

When is Renting a Home Better?

Despite popular belief, owning a home is not always the best decision. Let’s not be black and white. It depends on your particular situation.

You may want to rent if:

1. You want to travel and set-up shop in different places every few years.
2. You do not have the job or financial security to (realistically) guarantee payments for years to come.
3. You have demonstrated the ability to make better financial returns through other investments.

There are other factors. However, this is a good starting point to help you determine your argument for renting versus owning a home. The benefit of renting is not being tied down to a geographic location and being able to leave when your lease runs up.

When is Owning a Home Better?

Owning a home is the long-term game. You need to have your goals in mind and understand if you can afford it.

You may want own if:

1. You are okay with staying in one place for 10 years or more.
2. You have the financial stability to afford the home (and float payments if you lose your job)
3. You want to leverage your home as an investment property down the line (through rental)

Owning a home gives you an anchor. It helps you stay grounded by having a home base. At the same time, you can increase your upward potential by leveraging the home as an investment property.

Some food for thought

Choosing to rent or own your home is a big decision. It depends on your individual situation and vision for the future. In short, owning is traditionally the better long-term strategy. However, that’s not to say that you can’t do as good or better with the right investment portfolio.

Before jumping into anything, analyze yourself. Think hard about where you are and what you want for the future. Speak to a realtor and see if they have any advice for your individual situation.

If you are looking at purchasing property in the area, give me a call. I’d love to discuss your options and see if buying is the right path for you.

7 Home Renovations That Will Increase Your Resale Value Big Time

by dusan | Feb 13, 2018 | Uncategorized

You want to make the most money possible when it comes time to sell your home. The way to do that is by improving and updating the things in your home that buyers look for the most.

We compiled this list for those looking to boost their resale value. It’s important to focus on the renovation projects that will net you the highest ROI. All of the projects on this list were chosen for their ability to produce high ROI as well as create a more desirable home. Remember – it’s important to make money. But it’s also important your house doesn’t sit on the market for a year.

Make these updates and you should fetch a high sale price, quicker than you would otherwise.

1) Remodel the Kitchen

The decision among real estate experts about where you get the highest ROI renovating your home is unanimous. The answer is in the kitchen. For some reason people just want nice kitchens and care about it more than the rest of the house… Maybe it’s because that’s where people like to entertain guests. Your main priority when renovating a kitchen should be layout. Creating a structure (or bones) that is functional and can easily be updated is super important. It’s one thing to replace a counter-top and cabinet doors. It’s a different story to completely renovate the whole kitchen.

Once you get the structure out of the way, search for materials that have a high quality look without a big price tag. You can make a space look modern and luxurious without having to use marble and granite.

2) Update Bathrooms

Bathrooms are the second place buyers typically place the most value in a home. The good news is that making updates to a bathroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune. En-suite/master bathrooms are the most important. As they say, it’s where the magic happens. Cast a spell on potential buyers with a beautiful en-suite. That was really corny I know…

3) Repair plumbing issues

Can we say structural problems? This is the #1 worry of all potential buyers. No one wants to move into a beautiful new house and have a disaster occur two or three months down the road. Re-doing your old piping and updating it to a newer plastic solution is a huge selling point. This removes some of the potential fear that comes with buying a home.

4) Remove paneling

Wood paneling and Stucco are common in older homes. Mainly because when it was popular, we didn’t have walls without imperfections like we do now. Not only are these two things ugly, they also show potential buyers that you lack the ability to update your home. “If you can’t update this, what is is lurking?”

5) Attic Renovation

Attic renovations are a popular choice among DIY projects as expenses can be minimized. In many houses you will have the bones for a room. All that is required of you is putting up walls and handling the cosmetics. Updated attics can sometimes be a stronger selling point than updated basements.

6) Replace Siding

Since curb appeal is so important, it makes sense to focus on the biggest factor. The outside of the house. Everyone knows the dingy, yellow siding that used to be white 60 years ago look. If your house looks like that – sorry. It’s time to update. For those on a budget you can also try power washing. Power washing sometimes brings better results than you could imagine. And it barely costs

7) New Garage Door

In addition to replacing/refreshing your siding and landscaping well, your garage door can play a big part in selling your house. It’s another element of curb appeal that can draw in or turn-off potential buyers. Luckily, new garage doors re-coup on average 80% of their investment in the long term. Basically, it will help you break even (or make money) while making your house more desirable.

Final thoughts

You want to sell your home in the least amount of time and for the most amount of money possible. The way to do this is by performing renovations with a high ROI. In addition, you want to focus on the most desirable updates. Doing so will ensure you attract more interest on your property.

Each of these on the list may not be necessary or feasible with your budget. Remember that curb appeal, kitchens and bathrooms are important. If you can focus on nothing else, focus on those things. These projects will reduce your risk of losing money in the renovation process and also help you sell quicker.

Need more information on selling your home in the area? Give me a call!