Category Archives: Area Information

Nashville New Homes: Thank you Gaylord for “A Country Christmas”

Nashville is a spectacular city.  People come from all over the world to visit and enjoy everything our city has to offer.  Us locals need to do more of that also!

Christmas time in Nashville is an extra special time and there are events happening all over the city.  The crown jewel of the holiday season in Nashville is Gaylord Opryland Hotel, which is celebrating “A Country Christmas.”

Remember the historic flood in May of 2010 where the Cumberland River forced its way into this hotel?

 Until recently, we had not visited the hotel since it reopened to the public last year.  We have really missed out, and you have too if you haven’t been lately!

Several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of dining at the Old Hickory Steak House, inside the Delta of the hotel.  I can now add this to the list of “must experience places” to dine in Nashville.

Words cannot describe the excellent meal and fabulous service.  The evening was so enjoyable that we loaded up family and friends and visited again last Wednesday night.  This time, we dined at “Fuse,” which had a great selection of items from a casual and less formal menu. 

And we’ll be there yet another time during “A Country Christmas”  on Christmas Day evening.  The hotel will still be in full swing, and as we found in years past, less crowded.  You should go too!  

In these uncertain and delicate times, Gaylord is to be commended and applauded for not surrendering to “politically correct” protocol and staying with the “Country Christmas” theme without apology.  Can you imagine “A Country Holiday” or worst yet, “A Southern United States Holiday?” 

Thank you Gaylord for your presence here, and especially for “A Country Christmas.”

Now, on to scenes from the hotel.  Remember, I am not a professional photographer by any means, so you are encouraged to visit and see for yourself!

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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: Nashville’s got a lot to be proud of.

Nashville’s economy is among the most diversified in the country, a pretty good reason why Nashville is weathering the recession better than many cities.

Let’s take a look at a few of the various industries that have a major impact on our economy.  There’s Printing & Publishing, Health Care, Music & Entertainment, Tourism, Technology, Higher Education, Commercial Shipping Logistics by rail, river, and road, and Automobile Manufacturing, just to name a few.

There is another growing category that should make us proud.  Nashville is the home of one of the top ten talk radio hosts in the country, Dave Ramsey.  His new book, EntreLeadership, is already at the top of The New York Times best-selling list, a first for any of Ramsey’s publications! 

Yesterday, at Financial Peace Plaza, across from Cool Springs Mall, the Dave Ramsey organization rolled out the red carpet for listeners and supporters.  Everyone was invited for free food, drink, and games.  Those attending also got to see Michael Delgiorno boradcasting live, along with The Dave Ramsey Show, after which, Dave personally signed every book.   Here are scenes from the day:

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About the book, Dave Ramsey defines ”EntreLeadership” as how to effectively combine the aspects of being an entrpreneur and being an effective leader into being both at one time.   http://www.entreleadership.com/home/

The book is great reading, and I would have finished the whole thing last night if Ruby would have left me alone!  She wanted to see each page also.

 With Ruby’s permission, I will try and finish the rest of this book tonight!  Get your copy too!

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 homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Nashville New Homes: A unique cultural experience.

It really is fun to laugh, and I am still laughing from a show we attended last night at the Station Inn, located in “The Gulch.”   We ventured out to celebrate THDA lowering their “already-low” interest rates on first time buyer programs.  (Not really, we had made the reservations last month)

The Station Inn was there long before “The Gulch” was, and the small stone nightclub it is still packing in the crowds.  http://www.stationinn.com/ 

It was the “Doyle & Debbie” show that had all of us in stitches.  Regardless of how tight you are wound, or how politically correct you may be, this is a show that you will want to see..again and again.

 The 90 minute show starts at 7:00 pm, only on Tuesdays in Nashville, but Doyle & Debbie will also be performing in Chicago starting in October.  Check out their website and be sure to join them on facebook too!

http://doyleanddebbie.com/

I can’t help but borrow a few of their song clips from the folks at you-tube.  Check out “Blue Stretch Pants”

And the show also takes a patriotic turn too:

Do yourself a favor.  Pick a Tuesday night in the future and make reservations for an evening of fun, pizza, popcorn, and cold beer.  You’ll be glad you did.

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 homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Fireworks on the Cumberland River – Smoke on the Water & Fire in the Air!

We are lucky to live in Nashville, where we have an abundance of rivers, lakes, and streams to play in!   And this is the weekend that we’ve been waiting for and where anything that can be cooked will be cooked on a grill.

And after the meals, there are few scenes more beautiful than fireworks over the water.  There are some great opportunities coming up on the Cumberland River and Old Hickory Lake over the next few days that you will not want to miss.  

Saturday night, July 2nd, Cedar Creek Yacht Club, located on Benders Ferry Road in Mt. Juliet, will present a huge fireworks display at 9:00 pm.  Although Cedar Creek Yacht Club is not open to the public, there are many parks and other places nearby where you can enjoy the breathtaking views.  There are a lot of nearby coves to anchor in, which is where you will find many of us.

Sunday evening, July 3rd, the festivities move to the other side of the lake at Drakes Creek Park, where Hendersonville will host a terrific fireworks display at 9:00 pm.

And on July 4th, Nashville will host one of the largest fireworks extravaganzas in the country at approximately 9:15 pm at Riverfront Park, titled as “Let Freedom Ring” with special guest star Darius Rucker.

If you plan to watch the fireworks by boat, you will not be allowed to dock at Riverfront Park.  You used to be able to, but former Mayor Bill Purcell put an end to that years ago.   Don’t let that stop you from going by boat though!

Now, you must anchor (good luck) upstream of the Korean Veterans Bridge, or downstream from Woodland Street.  No boat traffic, other than law enforcement or the General Jackson is allowed between those two bridges.

Nashville on the Fourth of July is simply spectacular!  Check out the schedule of “Let Freedom Sing,” which lasts the entire weekend!

http://nashville.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=nashville&cdn=citiestowns&tm=118&gps=295_436_1276_786&f=11&su=p284.9.336.ip_p554.18.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.musiccityjuly4th.com/

If you don’t plan to venture out on the Cumberland River for fireworks,  there are numerous celebrations taking place all over Middle Tennessee.  Here is a list:  http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/mywx_vid_8106.shtml

And from now, through the end of the holiday weekend, if you are looking for more to do, here is a list of many area happenings:   http://www.nashvilleparent.com/dont-miss-events/june-27-july-4-2011

One thing in particular we all need to do over the next few days…. we all need to take a moment to reflect on the freedom that we enjoy in this great country and remember all the brave men and women that are serving, and have served, our country defending that freedom.

Happy Independence Day! 

P.S.  After the Independence Day Weekend Celebrations are over, Ole South’s YES DAYS OF SUMMER celebrations will continue!  Visit www.OleSouth.com or join our Facebook Fan Page www.facebook.com/olesouthproperties  for the location nearest you!

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 homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Bad economic news?….Another great opportunity for Tennessee!

Every time you turn on the national news, or read a national headline, there is negative news about the economy, specifically the housing market.   Many prospective buyers hear this news loud and clear, and sustain their “wait it out” philosophy.  Why?

Because no one else is talking!   I saw a great facebook post this week of a quote by Anthony J. D’Angelo, “If you have time to whine and complain about something, then you have time to do something about it.”

Yes we do!   It is our responsibility as Realtors to communicate the positive to everyone, not just those already searching for a new home, but those that should be.  Let’s start now:

Right now, low interest rates are resulting from a lackluster national economy.  Every day the overall economic news leans toward “bad” is one more day that a home buyer can take advantage of unfathomable interest rates.

From the Wall Street Journal….”Based on incomes, this is as affordable as it gets,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “If you can get a loan, these are pretty good times to buy.”

It truly is a great time to buy.  Not just because of low interest rates, but because of the programs that are available.  In this world, especially in this Congress, loan procedures are always subject to change.  Here is one potential change looming on the horizon that we have the opportunity to do something about:

https://realtorparty.realtoractioncenter.com/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1653

There are areas of the country that are suffering in this economy.  But others are striving, and those areas are attracting jobs and economic activity much like a magnet.  We are blessed that  Tennessee is one of these areas!

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/06/13/tennessee-no-6-for-2010-economic-growth.html

The Clarksville/Ft.Campbell area is a magnet all by itself, bringing industry that is thinking outside the box in attracting workers.  Check out a unique approach from Hemlock Semiconductor:

Click here to learn more about Hemlock’s opportunities:  http://www.clarksvillenow.com/pages/10125186.php?

And less than 50 miles away, Nashville just keeps on retaining and creating job opportunities, as reported in the Nashville Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/06/14/employment-outlook-in-nashville-among.html

And there is even more encouragement for young adults to begin their careers in Nashville, creating many potential “first-time buyers.” 

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/06/20/nashville-a-top-city-for-young-adults.html

Education in Middle Tennessee is also in the national spotlight!  Four Middle Tennessee High Schools are ranked among the top 500 in the nation.  Below are the Tennessee schools on the list and their nationwide ranking:

          Hume-Fogg Academic High School of Nashville, #33

          Brentwood High School, #100

          Ravenwood High School of Frranklin, #284

          Page High School of Franklin, #494

The above facts are just a few examples of evidence that “Tennessee is happening”   and attracting more attention and activity, just like that magnet!   When you plan an evening on the town, you more than likely select a place that you have heard great things about, right?   Businesses and relocating families are the same way.

Tennesseans, let’s join forces and get the word out on the economy in our great state!

When you are searching for a new home, you will hopefully consider one home builder that has been providing the area’s best new home values for over 25 years:

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/feature/ResBuilders-061711-1.html

We at Ole South appreciate everyone’s support and continue to be optimistic about life in the Great State of Tennessee.  We invite everyone to visit our model homes and neighborhoods, as well as our website, www.OleSouth.com, to discover why thousands of homeowners are proud to say:

     

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 homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

    

Nashville New Homes: Light up the grill. It’s Memorial Day weekend!

Monday is Memorial Day, a day for many that includes a celebration of hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chicken, and bsaically anything that can be cooked on a grill.   It is also the holiday weekend that signals that summer has arrived!

But it is a lot more than that also.  Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those that have died serving our country, was originally called “Decoration Day.”  It was first observed on May 30, 1868 when the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with flowers at Arlington National Cemetery.  It was not until after World War I that the day became “Memorial Day” to honor the fallen soldiers of any war.  In 1971, Congress passed the bill proclaiming the last Monday in May as the official recognized “Memorial Day.”

Here is a link to the history of this all-important day:

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

There are a number of ideas that come to mind on what to do this weekend.  Here are just a few:

http://nashville.about.com/od/nashvilleseasonalevents/a/memorialdaycele.htm

And there’s more!  Why not visit Blackjack Cove Marina, where you can enjoy a BBQ plate from 11:00-2:00ish Saturday & Sunday overlooking Old Hickory Lake.  www.blackjackcove.com  If you cannot make it during that time, the Black Pearl is open all weekend and you will not want to miss it’s awesome Sunday Brunch, a great atmosphere accompanied by steel drums.

Although our model homes at Ole South will be closed in observation of Memorial Day, we are open on both Saturday and Sunday, and anytime by appointment.  Drop by for a cold drink and cookie and find out for yourself that….

So get out there, fire up the grills and ice cream churns, slice some watermelon, and enjoy this weekend.  But please, take a few minutes for remembrance and tribute of those who died protecting these very things we enjoy.  And if you get a chance, thank a living soldier or veteran too!

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 homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: Another Day on the Cumberland River – Part I

Friday afternoon, 8 of us departed Blackjack Cove Marina on Old Hickory Lake for a 46 mile journey down the Cumberland River to Commodore Yacht Club, where an annual brunch was taking place on Saturday.  Since this Sunday was to be the “end of the world,” we weren’t going to take any chances on missing a last river trip.

Gates of Old Hickory Lock

The weather was gorgeous as we approached Old Hickory Lock.  The lock works much like the tank on your toliet.   Flush to go down, fill it to go back up. There are floating “mooring bits” to tie onto in side the lock.

Tied up in the lockExiting the lock

 Within minutes, we were flushed down to the river below.  We exited Old Hickory Lock at 4:10 pm.

There are many interesting sites, and a lot of history along this river.  There are also many pieces of residential real estate along the river that most people don’t even know exist.  It was great to see that many homes damaged in the May 2010 flood have been rebuilt.  But there are also those that have not. 

There will be visual reminders of this catastrophe for years to come but now is a great time to buy riverfront property for a completely different and relaxing lifestyle.   And even though there is the chance of flooding, the investment potential is great.  They simply aren’t making any more riverfront property!

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All of the above scenes were taken on the 25 mile stretch of river between Old Hickory Lock and Nashville’s Riverfront Park, where we arrived at 5:50 pm to spend the night.

There was considerably more barge traffic on the river than usual.  Lots of sand, and even more coal!  It is amazing that each barge can hold the equivalent of 53 tractor-trailer loads of material.  

One of Ingram’s boats that I am partial to is the “Martha Denton,” which was named after a dear friend of our family that I have known since birth.  Yep, a long damn time. 

Ingram Barge Company's Martha Denton

Before she passed away last year, Martha joined us for a day on the boat and we learned the history of each individual the Ingram boats are named after.  It is ironic that some of the boats actually seem to take on the “personality” of their namesake!   Seeing the Martha Denton brings a smile every time we pass.  A very fitting tribute to a great lady.

Downtown Nashville is simply beautiful.  The river flows through its center much like blood flows through the heart of the body.  I hope one day Nashville can have a Riverfront to be proud of, much like Knoxville and Chattanooga.  Clarksville has greatly improved their riverfront and docking facilities too.  Why can’t we?

Docked at Riverfront Park

 The administration of Mayor Karl Dean is directing much-needed emphasis to the East Bank and it is great to see the progress.  I think his administration just might “get it” when it comes to a viable Riverfront.

Richard Fulton was the first mayor to acknowledge that we even have a Riverfront, and the docking facility we currently have was built on his watch. 

Nothing much has happened since then, except for the addition of courtesy docking for LP Field and Mayor Bill Purcell removing docking privilidges during holidays and special occasions under the disguise of Homeland Security concerns.  

Perhaps the real reason was that he didn’t have a boat and wanted to get even with everyone that did.  Regardless, it was a stupid policy that remains in effect to this day.

In reality, it is time for all of the docking facilities to be located on the East Bank.  Spend the night on a boat at Riverfront Park, or try and navigate a string of barges under the Shelby Pedestrian Bridge and you too will agree. 

Friday evening, it was our intention to hit the nightspots of downtown in a big way.  We never made it.  Too much good food and good friends to leave! 

In the next blog post, we’ll look at other scenes between downtown and Commodore Yacht Club, a 19 mile stretch of river.

Nashville New Homes: Lets bring on summer.

In spite of the cooler weather, many Realtors, Home Builders, and Trade Vendors were on hand for the HBAMT Sales & Marketing Council social mixer at The Governors Club this past Tuesday evening!  It was great to see many friends and even better to meet new ones.   Fun and Networking were the key words of the day.  The time went by so fast, I didn’t even get a chance to snap pictures.  Guess you should have been there!

Speaking of the weather, this weekend is shaping up to be great for searching for your new home!  If you have no clue where to start, visit www.OleSouth.com for the location nearest you!  Visit any model home and you will receive a Flat Screen TV if you purchase before June 11, 2011.  Also on the website, you will find an “internet-only” coupon for a Stainless Steel Appliance Package on certain inventory homes.

After you have found the perfect new Ole South home, you will not want to miss the GoodGuys Car Show at LP Field this weekend.  Here is a link to the details:

http://www.go2.com/content/nashville-tn/local-events-c/event_181172265_go2z/goodguys-6th-bridgestone-nashville-nationals-car-s

And this weekend will be a first for us for taking Ruby on an overnight boat trip to downtown.    She is already excited.  I wish she would stop growing soon.  On this trip, we’ll see first hand what has taken place since the flood of last May.  Stay tuned.

Its time for all of us to welcome summer, even if the weather makes us pretend!

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 homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: April showers better bring May flowers!

After the cold winter, we just could not wait for Spring to arrive.  It has.  And it has brought some pretty ugly weather conditions with it.  Although many in Middle Tennessee suffered damage from the most recent wave of storms, we really did dodge a bullet… what happened in Tuscaloosa could have happened here.  Check out this amazing footage of the storm developing:

If you would like to donate to relief efforts in this devastated area, the Red Cross (www.RedCross.org) is always there to help.  Also, the Alabama Governor’s Office is accepting donations through its Emergency Relief program.   Click here for details:

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/04/alabama_governor_gives_number.html

At the same time tornados ravaged Alabama, many residents in nearby Clarksville were evacuating their homes due to rising flood waters.  Clarksville has also been no stranger to severe weather.

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/

Franklin County, Tennessee also suffered extensive damage, with the entire county powerless after the storm.  Rutherford County, Tennessee  has also seen its share of severe weather this year.

http://www.wgnsradio.com/severe-weather-leaves-its-mark-on-rutherford-county/26480/

Whenever a storm siren is heard, events from the past flashback as if they were yesterday.  Everyone remembers the tornado that struck Murfreesboro in April 2009:

Although it has been 13 years since the famous April tornado in Nashville, I remember it as if it just happened.   At that time, I was organist at the Tulip Street United Methodist Church in Historic Edgefield.   As the storm subsided, I heard the church had been hit and went by to see the damage.  The sheet music I had left on the 100+ yr. old organ was still on the rack, opened to the page I left it.   The organ was untouched, but just a few feet away, an entire wall of the sanctuary had vanished.  Here is a link to that story:

http://www.disasternews.net/news/article.php?articleid=792&printthis=1

I really would like to say my playing “Amazing Grace” on the bells was divine intervention.  Actually, “Amazing Grace” was the only selection I could play in the dark!  Regardless, it was humbling to know that such a simple act had brought calmness to many.  Maybe it was “divine intervention.”

All around us are people needing a helping hand and even the smallest efforts can make the biggest differences.   You can never realize the impact of a gift, whether time, money, or items, until it is given.

That said, April is almost behind us.  The sky is clear, and beautiful weather is on the immediate horizon.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed that May brings those promised flowers and not what May brought Nashville in 2010!

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 homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Nashville New Homes: A Splash in Spring Hill

Word of a major economic announcement for Spring Hill has been circulating for some time now, and today was the day!  Those “out-of-the-know” assumed it was more positive news about the GM Plant ramping back up production.  Others thought it was another manufacturing facility of some kind.  Those “in the know” have kept their mouths shut.

Today, major plans of a multi-faceted $750 million amusement park to open in late 2012 were announced.  Read all of the details of “Festival Tennessee” here:   (bet they change the name!)

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110302/WILLIAMSON01/110302014/Las-Vegas-company-open-Festival-Tennessee-new-Spring-Hill-theme-park?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

This is exciting news for Spring Hill, and all of Middle Tennessee.  Some are skeptical of a development of this magnitude.  Being optimistic takes less energy than being skeptical…especially if no one is asking you to invest anything.  Season tickets aren’t even on sale yet anyway!  :0) 

The land is already there.  It is located in a county where unemployment is among the highest levels in the state.   The availability of seasonal workers is tremendous.  Just look at all the new schools being built.  Best of all, what construction there is will not be performed by ghosts.  Real workers will be employed – and we have a lot of them here!

Why the concern?  The entire project is privately funded and does not require any taxpayer funds – at least as it is presented.  Spring Hill and its citizens have all to gain and nothing to lose on this one.    Here is the proposed location near Jim Warren Road in Spring Hill:

I must admit some of the items discussed raise doubts:  80 restaurants?  Five would be a good start.  Two resort hotels with 8000 rooms?  Hmmm…Opryland Hotel has just over 2800.  Why not a golf course?

We must remember that Las Vegas was once a pot hole in the middle of the desert!  Tunica wasn’t even that much.  Regardless, if it weren’t for those pursuing a dream or vision, nothing would ever happen… anywhere.  

One thing we all can agree on…. that was the most publicity ever seen over $35 worth of poster board.

There definitely is demand for a large scale theme park in Middle Tennessee.  We now know that Opryland really was profitable.  People that live in Alabama will come because they have nothing else to do.  The Nashville MSA has also grown considerably over the years.  With gas prices climbing once again, people will opt to vacation closer to home – and Nashville is within a day’s drive of the majority of people in this country.

If people will support a park in Santa Claus, Indiana they will support a park in Middle Tennessee even more.  And when they fall in love with the area after their visit, we will have a new home in Spring Hill waiting on them!

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