HOME SALES DECREASE IN FEBRUARY There were 1,892 home closings reported for the month of February, according to figures provided by the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors®. This represents a decrease of 26.5 percent from the 2,575 closings reported for the same period last year."The difference in the number of home sales in Greater Nashville between February of this year and the same month last year is less that what it has been in recent months. It is still significant, but headed the right direction," said Mandy Wachtler, 2008 President of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors. "It is encouraging to note that the number of homes sold has increased when compared to the month before and it is by a larger percentage than was the case a year ago. And, pending sales are the... 03/10/2008

Ah, duct tape! That marvelous, metallic, multi-use material that become so much a part of our everyday lives. Where would any house hold be without it? If the inventors of had only known of its many uses in and around the home and constructions site, they they might have given it a different name like Wonder Tape! I wonder where we would be with out it? It is great for holding the wheels on cars, the wings on airplanes, the babies sagging diapers up, plumbing repairs and in the hands of a REAL PROFESSIONAL - electrical splices for the water heater.            This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton an ASHI Certified inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Nashville and Davidson county. We also pro... 03/09/2008

In an effort to reduce copper thefts from construction sites and residential and business air conditioning units, two of Nashville Tennessee's largest scrap metal dealers today agreed to adhere to a "no buy list" containing the names of more than 300 convicted thieves and burglars. Pollice detectives developed the "no buy list" after conducting criminal background checks on more than 30,000 persons who have sold scrap metal to PSC Metals and Metal Management Nashville.  The companies, which have been cooperating with the police department for the past several months to reduce copper and metal theft, voluntarily provided the names of their customers. About 1% of the total customer base was placed on the "no buy list" due to past criminal conduct.A uniform state law will help prevent thie... 03/06/2008

Yesterday, I was inspecting a 1960’s rehab in East Nashville. The photo is very typical of the quality craftsmanship that went on in this property. This 900 square foot town home took forever to inspect as each area of the property seemed to be a new adventure. It never ceases to amaze me how the trades shirk their responsibilities and pass off slip-shod work as being the accepted norm. Is there no such thing as taking pride in ones work or a job well done anymore? This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton an ASHI Certified inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Nashville and Davidson county. We also provide home inspections for Brentwood and Williamson County.  The views and opinions expressed ar... 03/04/2008

If you are looking to relocate to Nashville, TN then make sure you find a realtor that is really willing to listen.  One of the most important qualities that you will find in a realtor is being a good listener.  Good listening doesn't just involve hearing wha one says.  It also involves reading body language, hearing undertones, calculating responses and adding all of those things up to be able to visualize and understand a client's wants and desires in a home.  A good realtor will listen, calculate, watch and then ask clairfying questions and listen again.  It is those attributes that set me a part as a buyer's agent.  In the same way I use some of those same attritubutes as listing agent; hoever, selling a home requires additional skills as well.  As a native Nashvillian, I am very kn... 03/04/2008

The Battle of Nashville Monument was commissioned by the Ladies Battlefield Association. It was dedicated on its original site on Franklin Road near Woodmont Blvd., on Armistice Day, 1927. The Association envisioned a memorial to dedicated to the struggles of both the Confederate and Union forces who clashed on this very ground on December 15th and 16th 1864. The Monument has historical significance as it was the first in the Nation created to the fallen on both sides of the conflict. The Angel of Peace tops the obelisk and the bronze Statue of Unity adorns the middle. The Monument’s original Angel of Peace was destroyed when the obelisk was toppled by a tornado in 1974 while still located at the Franklin road site. The need of an interstate exchange made moving the park essential. The... 03/04/2008

A plumber is a tradesperson (questionable term at times) who installs and maintains the potable (drinking) water and sewage systems in our homes.  But, did you ever wonder where the term plumber comes from or how it originated? I have done some research on this as I knew some of the origins but did not know how far back the term went. The word plumber actually dates back to the early Roman Empire. Remember the aqueducts you studied in school? Well, once the water was in the city, it had to have a way to get into the houses.  In Roman times up to the invention of more modern systems we have today, pipes were made of lead, or plumbum in Latin (this is where the atomic symbol Pb for lead comes from). So, a person with expertise in working with piping systems was known as a Plumbumber whic... 03/03/2008

2007 SALES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE EXCEED MORE THAN $1.3-BILLIONBRENTWOOD, TN., Crye-Leike, REALTORS is proud to announce that based on its Total Dollar Sales Volume in 2007, the company out sold all other competing real estate firms in Middle Tennessee in total dollar volume of listing sides and selling sides in closed sales. Based on MLS statistics, January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, in Middle Tennessee the company achieved sales of more than $1.3-billion, bettering the nearest competing real estate firm in the region by more than $446-million. Thoughts from Harold Crye"Given the direction the housing market has taken, we're extremely pleased with the year end numbers," said Harold Crye, Founder, President and CEO. "We're hoping we've seen the bottom here in Middle Tennessee and i... 03/03/2008

HELLO,NASHVILLE!Glad to have had the oppportunity to work with hundreds and hundreds of families moving within and outside the Middle Tn area! And am looking forward to working with even more of you!Please feel free to leave your comments or questions and I will respond to those real estate comments and/or questions!I can't answer any legal questions or give any legal advice but I sure will be happy to address any concerns or unknowns about real estate.Thanks so much! 02/28/2008

As a Financial planner in Nashville Tennessee, my mission as a Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Representative is to help you identify your current financial picture with your future financial goals. Along with a Network of Specialists, I provide innovative solutions using world-class insurance services and internationally recognized investment products. Through this, I develop enduring relationships with my Nashville clients.Areas of ExpertiseFinancial security is often a major objective in each of our lives. How financial security is defined varies from family to family and individual to individual. Through a personal needs analysis, I will let you know where you stand relative to where you want to be, and provide you with specific solutions that can help make your goals a realit... 02/28/2008

As many of you know, I am always scouring through listings trying to find places for Nashville Musicians to call home.  A couple of days ago during one of these searches I found a REAL jewel - check this out! 106 Bonnie Briar Lane (in Hillsboro Village) for $369,900.  This renovated townhouse has just over 2000 square feet, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms AND a studio control room designed by Carl Tatz!!!     Cool Redwood Shelving with Kohler Sauna/Foot Spa in the Master Bathroom!  There is custom shelving in the Master Closet Area!       The room has been acoustically calculated... and notice plenty of room for your guitars!   Wow!!!  Where do I sign?  If you'd like to take a closer look then feel free to contact me at 615.509.1753!           02/28/2008

ActiveMLS #AreaAddressSub/DevBRBathsYr BltStoriesSq FtLP/SFList PriceDOM92934524400 BELMONT PARK TER APT 162 ARDEN PLACE22 / 1 19772.001,796$143.65$258,0009593013124400 BELMONT PARK TER Unit #147 ARDEN PLACE32 / 1 19752.002,368$137.20$324,90092Average2.5 197622,082$139.99$291,45093  SoldMLS #AreaAddressSub/DevBRBathsYr BltStoriesSq FtLP/SFList PriceSP/SFSales PriceClosedDOM87936524400 Belmont Park Terrace ARDEN PLACE 32 / 1 19792.002,350$104.26$245,000$104.26$245,0006/12/2007083123824400 Belmont Park Arden Place22 / 1 19752.001,968$131.86$259,500$131.35$258,5001/30/20071984813624400 BELMONT PARK TER ARDEN PLACE SEC 622 / 1 19732.001,862$144.47$269,000$143.93$268,0004/9/20072481938324400 BELMONT PARK TR #102 Arden Place21 / 2 19732.001,854$145.58$269,900$145.58$269,9001/29/20072488191224... 02/22/2008

Arden Place is a close knit community located in the heart od the highly sought after Green Hills neighborhood.  The community consists of about 160 Townhomes, It was built between 1973 and 1980.  There are 47 two bedroom townhomes and 113 three bedroom townhomes.  The community features a club house, swimming pool, and tennis courts.If you are not familiar with the location and neighborhood, here is a little information.  Arden Place is minutes away from the newly renovated Green Hills Mallwhich features shoppes and boutiques such as Tiffany & Co, Cole Hahn, Macy's, Louis Vuitton, Brooks Brothers, Coach and a lot more!  In addition, the old H.G. Hill Shopping Center has been converted into a main street with sidewalk shops and eateries.There are several places to eat, drink, shop, or j... 02/22/2008

I started out in construction as a home builder better known as a residential contractor. I built many homes in the Nashville and Franklin area over the past 20 plus years under the corporation of Patterson Contractors Inc. But my work was not just in new custom and speculative homes. I started to gravitate towards remodeling and additons in the early to mid 90's. Having built a large staisfied customer base I started to grow tired of subcontractors and their lack of quality. So I decided rather than grieve over each job and fight with these subs I would walk away while I could.But for twelve of those 20 plus years I also owned a Home Inspection and Consulting company. I really enjoyed this line of work and the name of my company was Southern Home Inspections. I knew the inside and outs... 02/22/2008

11 year old Haley Ham is trying to make a difference. Last year when her dog was poisoned to death by antifreeze, she decided to do something about it. She's asking the legislature to force manufacturers to add a bitter taste compound to antifreeze so that dogs and children wont be tempted to drink it. She's already has a petition signed by 1100 people sent to the Tennessee legislature, and sent a letter to the president.  This is a common sense change that should have been done many years ago, and the government should not have to force companies to do the right thing, consumers should. If I ran an antifreeze company, I would make the change now, and advertise it.      02/20/2008

 I think our newspaper has lost touch with reality when I read the headlines. But I've said this for years, the air quality in Nashville has improved dramatically in the last decade. Why? I'm not sure that anyone knows all the reasons, but I would attribute it to better cars and trucks. Also the fact that the city is spread out with lots of green space helps. Whatever the reason, the Nashville area is one of only 13 areas nation-wide to meet federal standards for air pollution.  For cities that don't meet the standard, expect the EPA to step in make changes of their own. 02/19/2008

Then consider buying your first home right off the bat!  Most likely you have been spending the last four years of your life as a poverty stricken college student with barely enough money in your pocket to support your social life!  You have heard that home buying is a good thing for all people to do - but why?  Did you know that home buying creates wealth?  Or did you know that the government actually assists first time home buyers as a way to help our economy?  Maybe you've got a small chunk of money coming to you upon graduation and you want to do something good with it?  There are even some employers out there who will give you sign on bonuses that you can put towards a home!  If you start early with home buying and saving money in an IRA, etc. you can REALLY accumulate a LOT of wea... 02/18/2008

Nashville real estate - Saturday was my wife Elizabeths birthday, and i decided to take the day off, no showing properties, no setting up open houses, if I could put it off until Monday, I did. We spent the afternoon at the GArden and antiques show at the convention center in Nashville. It was interesting to see dining room tables that cost more than a new car, and clock that were 200 years old. I had a call at around 03:00 while I was at the show, from a realtor wanting to show one of my listing at 06:00. This particular home was a new construction property that wasn't completely finished. I didn't ask, but I wanted to. WHY would you show a home in the dark?  I know that sometimes you have to do the best you can in the time you have, but I really try my best to show homes in the daylig... 02/17/2008

I don't know about the rest of you out there, but when interest rates took a dive my business went crazy.  I have hardly been able to breathe the last 6 weeks for being so busy; however, just this last week everything has started slowing down again which is the opposite effect of what should be happening with the approach of Spring.  Hits to my website have diminshed by 50%.  Lead tracking to my ads have shown a decrease in onlookers.  It has stopped as quickly as it climbed.Why is it that the interest rates have slowly been working themselves back up again?  It seems in a slower economy that interest rates would  remain fairly steady, and while they are still historically low, they are continuing to climb upward.  I find the whole market completely unpredictable.  While sales in our ar... 02/16/2008

New Location - Mad Mod! 504 4th Avenue South. 244-6807. This modern furniture and accessories store has moved to SoBro. Hours are Mon - Sat, 11 am - 7 pm and Sun, 1 pm - 5 pm. Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Thursday, February 7 from 4 pm - 7 pm. 10% of proceeds go to the YWCA. Extended Hours - Chile Burrito! 162 4th Avenue North. 248-0025. Chile Burrito now serves lunch on Saturdays! Hours are Mon - Fri, 10:30 am - 3 pm and Sat, 11 am - 2:30 pm. Events this Week The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? Now through Sun, Feb 16. TPAC’s Johnson Theatre. 505 Deaderick Street. 255-ARTS. $40. Performance times vary. Edward Albee’s tale of a married, middle-aged architect whose life crumbles when he falls in love with a goat. Nashville Ballet’s Winter Series Fri, Feb 8 - Sun, Feb 16. TPAC’s Polk Theatre. ... 02/13/2008