If you have a desire to know more about our area lakes and rivers, this website is a “must-visit!”
Category Archives: Area Boating
Nashville New Homes: An active riverfront adds to quality of life.
Nashville is very fortunate to have a navigable waterway running right through the middle of downtown. For many years, the civic importance of this feature was overlooked to concentrate only on its commercial benefits. In the early 1980’s former Mayor Richard Fulton realized this waterway was a jewel to compliment our quality-of-life. In January of 1983 he dedicated Riverfront Park, much as we see it today.
Since that time, the cityscape surrounding Nashville’s Riverfront Park has changed considerably. Downtown Nashville is vibrant, the east bank of the river now houses LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans, and areas that once were industrial now lie dormant for the most part, waiting for their next purpose.
In the mid-2000’s, a commission was formed to explore re-development of Nashville’s riverfront. Many feasible ideas came from this “open-to-the-public” forum, and also a few ideas that will probably never see the light of day. But so what…. aim for the moon and hit a few stars!
Under the leadership of Mayor Karl Dean, progress is underway for the first phase of Nashville’s riverfront redevelopment. Read the full story on the groundbreaking this past October:
http://www.nashville.gov/mayor/news/2010/1005.asp
This is exciting news for Nashville, especially during lackluster economic times. Take a look at what we can expect this summer on the east bank of the Cumberland River:
And there is even proposed docking for boats along the east bank as well, making Titans games all the better! (Hopefully they will have electrical service for overnight docking)
The re-development of our Riverfront Park even has its own website. View first hand the great improvements that are coming in the future!
http://www.nashvilleriverfront.org/ While checking out that website, don’t miss taking a look at what other future improvements will look like:
http://www.nashvilleriverfront.org/downloads.html
Even without the future improvements, Nashville’s Riverfront Park still has a lot to offer. There is docking for boats on each side of the river. Boaters can dock on the east side and enjoy a Titans home game, or dock on the west side and enjoy the sights and sounds that downtown has to offer. Electricity (30 & 50 amp) and water services are only available on the west (downtown) side. Docking reservations can be made by calling 615.862.8472.
I do have one major beef with Metro Parks & Recreation, who oversees Riverfront Park. For years, boaters were allowed to make reservations for dockage during holiday festivities. These reservations were extremely hard to get. The first year we secured a reservation to enjoy July 4th fireworks, we were elated!
Then Mayor Bill Purcell, through Metro Parks, cancelled all docking priviledges at Riverfront Park during holidays due to “homeland security concerns.” The docks remain closed to boaters on most holidays and special events to this day. “Homeland security concerns” my ass.
But all is not lost. We do live in America and can still throw out our anchors above the Korean Veterans Bridge, or the Woodland Street Bridge…which is exactly what we do. Hopefully, new re-development plans will be more boater-friendly, like they are now in Knoxville and Chattanooga! Take a look at what those cities have done:
Knoxville’s Riverfront Park is pictured above. Chattanooga’s Riverfront Park aerial view below:
Speaking of July 4th, Nashville’s fireworks displays are among the highest rated in the nation. Here is what we have in store for July 4, 2011:
Our riverfront is there for your enjoyment! This redevelopment project deserves participation from all Nashvillians, so please communicate support to Metro Council members every chance you get!
Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340. Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee
Nashville New Homes: Never Too Cold in a New Home.
My primary goal for 2011 is to have more fun at everything I do. Whether it is work, just relaxing, or play… if it isn’t fun, we’re simply not doing it right! With this “have fun at everything” frame of mind, we have found ourselves spending a LOT of time at the boat on Old Hickory Lake since ringing in the New Year.
This week’s cold snap in Middle Tennessee brings back many memories. Many years ago, a great friend, Bobby Harden, wrote a song that was one of Mark Chestnutt’s greatest hits, “Too Cold at Home.” At the time, he was living in a log mansion in southeast Davidson County and used to joke about coming to his boat in the winter to get warm, away from the many drafts in that house. I can relate because our older home has them too.
Although we still own an Ole South home in Spring Hill, we currently live in an older ranch home in Nashville. You know the saying… “They don’t build them like they used to…” My response…. “Thank God they don’t.” In our old home, the best method to conserve energy is to leave and go somewhere else… like to the boat. It wasn’t that way in any of the Ole South homes I have owned.
Its never too cold in a new home. Not only are new homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, but they address the latest trends too! Check out this list of top trends…. and Ole South addresses each category too!
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=26685367
And the message that “New Homes are Better” is spreading, which is great news for our nation’s home builders. Check this out:
http://www.mortgageloan.com/big-new-home-gains-predicted-2011-8220
But don’t wait too long to explore the new home options that are out there. Times are “a-changing” and interest rates will be too! Please call me anytime I can be of assistance in any way.
In the meantime, STAY WARM!
Nashville New Homes: Tough times.
Many of you know our black lab, Bill. For those that don’t, here is a picture of him in action:
Last week, the vet diagnosed Bill with terminal cancer. Yesterday evening at the lake, reality set in. Our Sunday evenings are almost always spent at the lake with a group of dear friends. Many people think all of us are weird, but being at the lake has a calming effect – even in the most difficult of times.
And Bill loves being there too! He knows his way around at the marina. After a “business trip” to land, accompanied by our dear friend and animal lover Teresa, Bill trotted back to the boat and made his usual hop on the deck…but this time he missed – and fell between the boat and the dock into the icy water of Old Hickory Lake. Thank goodness Teresa heard the splash, because the rest of us were inside doing what “boat people” do…eating.
We all run outside in panic and there is Bill, calmly swimming around behind the boat, almost like he really wanted to be there. When we fished him out, he was calm, did the usual dog shake and proceeded to be wrapped up in towels inside. It was almost like that swim was on his “bucket list.” Since this incident, his appetite is better, and he doesn’t seem to be in pain. He is watching TV right now as I am typing. We do know that his condition has moved from “if” to “when” and I pray God gives us the ability to know when “when” is, for Bill’s sake. I also hope God has a leather couch.
Also this weekend, our boating family mourns the passing of Grady DeVan. When you think of boating on the Cumberland River, Grady and his wife Ann are among the first people that come to mind. Deepest condolences to Ann and we wish Grady the best up there on the great river.
There is a special family that could certainly use our thoughts and prayers right now – Kathey and Chuck Payne, and their family. For as many years as I can remember, they have cared for BOTH sets of parents in their home, which they joking refer to as the “Evergreen Nursing Home.”
Tonight, Chuck continues his bedside vigil with his father, under hospice care. While I was talking with Chuck this evening, I was re-living the experience of my final time with my father 5 years ago. After humming every song in the hymnal while holding his hand, he peacefully passed – and although sad, was comforting at the same time. I pray for Chuck to feel the same comfort.
Meanwhile, Kathey’s father was admitted to St. Thomas Saturday with heart-attack symptoms and will be there a few more days. Kathey is right there by his side too. There are angels here on earth and their names are Kathey and Chuck.
Earlier today, today’s blog topic was going to be a satirical look at needs and wants. It is going to have to wait.
For right now, all I want is for everything to be all right and that I really need to say a prayer. I hope you will too.
Goodnight.
Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340. Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee
Nashville New Homes: Just add water.
Need to put some relaxation in your life? Need to put some fun back in your life? Just add water.
Ever since the beginning of time, mankind (and womankind too) have had an attraction to living near water. And living on the water was a lifestyle reserved only for the rich and famous. Not any more!
Ole South has always built the most affordable maintenance-free town homes known to mankind, and we always will. How do you transform an affordable maintenance-free town home into a vacation retreat and investment all at once? Just add water.
Along the shoreline of Tims Ford Lake in Winchester, Tennessee, you will find the perfect gated lakefront community, Twin Creeks Village. Ole South has built a collection of colorful, elegant town homes in Phase 1 of the community. Phase 2 is slated to offer traditional homes in a lakeside setting. Take a closer look at what we have READY RIGHT NOW!
A city park, complete with boat launching ramp adjoins the neighborhood. A marina has also been approved by TVA and the City of Winchester for construction in the future.
In different economic times, these brand new town homes would sell for $250,000 +. Right now, you can purchase any of the remaining homes we have at a fraction of that. Put a waverunner or boat in the garage and you have the perfect new home, for full-time or vacation living.
We have 2 homes available at 169,990, 2 at 174,990, and 2 at 179,990. The slideshow thingy above shows the actual homes we have available! Buyer agents will receive a FIVE PERCENT COMMISSION at closing. All kitchen appliances are included too!
Don’t miss this great lakefront living opportunity. Life is a whole lot more enjoyable when water is added to it! Call me today for all the details and for viewing information.
To make your good life even better…Just add water!
Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340. Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.
Nashville New Homes: What are YOU waiting for?
It is another fine fall day in Nashville. Why not fill your day doing some fun things for a change? Before you hit the streets to search for your new Ole South home, start out with Sunday Brunch at The Black Pearl Restaurant on Old Hickory Lake. The atmosphere is incredible, the food is great, and prices are affordable too! Check out their website www.blackjackcove.com.
No, I am not there today, but many of my friends are. I am consuming a bowl of raisin bran before someone buys new home today. I am here:
But, I will be at The Black Pearl after 5:00! OK, enough about eating, drinking, and being merry…let’s talk about new homes! If you do not own your home, right now go look in the mirror and ask yourself “WHY NOT?” Now, if Sandra Bullock is still insisting that you move in with her, you would be stupid to buy your own home. Very stupid.
Home affordability is at a peak right now. Fixed interest rates are at a 59-year low. This is not snake oil folks, this is real. It says so right here: http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/fre_mortgage-rates-at-59-year-low-1230803.html. Another great reason to buy NOW is that prices are low and will soon start to rise. I can tell you factually that building material costs are rising, but have not been passed on to the consumer YET. Change your financial future and BUY NOW. And buy from OleSouth.com. What are YOU waiting for?
We had a company dinner this past Thursday evening at our owner’s home. As I walked down the driveway, I quickly realized that this was not going to be an evening where I wish I was a horse so I could sleep standing up. Here is what I saw when I arrived:
And FUN it was! The food was incredible. Anyone that is familiar with Ole South knows that we are the best at what we do – and that is building the best value into every home we build. The coming year will be no exception because the “best” is getting even “better.” Visit any of our 20+ Nashville area neighborhoods and see for yourself. With new homes in Nashville, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, and Spring Hill, you will find the perfect home for your needs. If you cannot get out today, start with a visit to our website, www.OleSouth.com.
Have a great day!
Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340. Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.
Nashville New Homes: Fond, Floating Farewells
Today is a perfect day to take a blogging-break from all the many reasons to purchase a new home and talk about something else for just a bit.
This is a bittersweet day. Today, we bid farewell to our dear friends Charlotte and Bill Langford, who are beginning a 6,000 mile journey aboard their boat, Precious Time, a 39 foot Mainship Trawler. Say hi, or bye rather, to Charlotte and Bill.
The next-best thing to living in a brand new Ole South home is living on a boat. The greatest advantage is when your neighbors get on your nerves, you can easily move. I hope that is not the case with Charlotte and Bill! OK, back to the story…..
They are starting a voyage that is called “The Great Loop.” From Nashville, they will follow the Cumberland River, go through the Barkley Canal, and proceed upstream on the Tennessee River, until reaching Joe Wheeler State Park in Alabama. There, they will join many other boaters for the annual Great Looper’s reunion, or whatever they call it. Then, they will join others and float down the Tombigbee Waterway to the Gulf Of Mexico, where their travels will become totally at the mercy of the weather. (That is when they will certainly miss my wife Beth, the weather-witch!) Take a look at where this journey will take them.
There is one glitch that makes this journey difficult to schedule. Charlotte still has not retired! As Executive Director of Park Manor, she has truly made huge differences in the lives of others… such a difference that they cannot replace her!
She will continue to manage that operation online, with a long occasional commute (weekly,I bet) from wherever Precious Time is docked. Park Manor is an independent living facility for seniors, much like a cruise ship on land! If someone in your family wants to get the most out of their senior years, this is the place. I know first-hand. My mother lives there.
Last Friday night, a few of us “boat-people” gathered at the home of Angela and Bart Bagsby. It was a great “send-off” evening. This morning, we were able to join Charlotte, Bill and friends for breakfast at the marina. Then we untied their lines, and pushed them away.
We are blessed to know Charlotte and Bill, and look forward to following their journey online, and maybe parts of it in person! Until then, may God be with them until we meet again. Bon Voyage!
Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340. Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.
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