Tag Archives: Ole South

Halloween Sunday.

Hopefully, everyone got through Halloween night without incident and now its time to move on to Halloween Sunday, accurately known as “All Saints Sunday.”

All Saints Sunday is always the first Sunday of November.   When I was growing up, I always referred to it as “Halloween Sunday.”   All Saints Day always falls on the first day of November, which was Thursday.  But who wants to go to church on Thursday?

Who really knows exactly how Halloween evolved to be the debacle that it is, but the evening before All Saints Day,  ”All Hallows Eve” was definitely its origin.  Who knows, or really cares, just how that evening became one where we are encouraged to scare the doo-doo out of people and dress up like fools.  It is what it is.  And it also can be fun.  You can’t beat fun, right?

Now back to the topic…   ”All Saints Day” is always falls on November 1st and this Sunday, churches all over the world will be celebrating “All Saints Sunday” to honor those that have lived and died in faith.

We are fortunate to have had all those departed souls that came before us.  They made a difference in our lives.  Without their presence here on planet earth, we would not be who we are today.   Whether a parent, a sibling, family member, friend, or acquaintance, or a total stranger, many people have played a part in shaping our lives.

So, let’s pause a few moments today.  Let’s remember everyone we miss, their presence and the difference they made while they were here.  

And don’t forget, we’re still here on planet earth, which gives us all time and the opportunity to influence the lives of others.  

Another way to do that is to VOTE next Tuesday!

Peace.

P.S.  After you have paused and reflected, this is a perfect afternoon to search for a new home!  Start now at www.OleSouth.com or by calling me at 615.593.6340.

 

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Busier Times! (Part 2)

Picking up where we left off in Part 1, with the boat moving decision made, we enjoyed our remaining time at Blackjack Cove.

Years ago, we met a very special family in Honduras, one that has been instrumental in our involvement with the Rotary Club of Choluteca Honduras service projects.  We were very fortunate to have Sergio and Karla Salinas, and their two sons Sergio Jr. and Mario join us for several days

They arrived on the evening of July 2nd, after visiting other Rotary Clubs in Northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee.   AFter their time with us, they would visit more Rotary Clubs in Martin, TN and Lawrenceburg to show appreciation of our district’s involvement in Honduras. 

On the morning of July 3rd, we gathered at the Blackjack Cove Ship Store for a farewell breakfast with Harry.  For those of you that haven’t experienced Harry’s home cooking in the Ship Store, you have missed out.  Catch him Tuesday – Saturdays for breakfast and lunch!

Quite a few friends joined us for the ride down river too.  Everyone is fascinated by the locks, which is basically like a toilet tank we would pull into and be flushed to the river below!

Today’s drop would be over 60 feet due to the lower Cumberland River levels.

We made great time down river, passed the General Jackson, and decided we would stop downtown and fix lunch and wait on it to get there and turn around, a great site to see.

Mario did a great job as Captain and we arrived at Rock Harbor Marina around 3:00 pm.

Rock Harbor Marina lost its famed restaurant, The Blue Moon, in the May 2010 Flood.  We were pleased to see construction nearly complete on the new restaurant facility, to be opening soon…more on that later.

The evening of February 3rd, the Rock Harbor Yacht Club hosted The Rotary Club of Spring Hill, The Salinas Family, and others for a great evening meal – prepared by Sid Neuhoff and Keith Clodfelter.  Those two guys are always doing something good for others and we raised over $1400 for our future Honduras project that evening!

The evening of July 4th, we headed back upstream to downtown Nashville for “Let Freedom Sing” and its awesome fireworks display.

We were fortunate to have radio personalities Doogie Vance and Dagwood Buzz join us with tunes for the evening.  They made the evening rock!

And then……

Boom, Boom, Pow.

The next morning, we said goodbye to Karla, Sergio, Sergio Jr. and Mario.  Ruby, our Blue Doberman, was there this time and enjoyed meeting them!

July was a busy month, with Ole South ending the month with 42 sales and 35 closings!  Our great sales force, construction team, and administrative staff all pulled together in this period of extreme temperatures to make everything flow smoothly!  For every new home that sells, we’re starting more and we remain very optimistic about new home sales in Middle Tennessee!

As you can see from the many postings of this blog, Nashville is a great place to call home.  We at Ole South are ready to build that home when the time is right for you!

Until then, Good Evening!

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, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer 2012 – Busier Times! (Part 1)

So far, the Summer of 2012 has been one of extremes!  Extremely high temperatures, extremely dry conditions,  extremely busy, and best of all…extremely fun.

First off, it is great to see our new home market maintaining momentum into the summer.  In June, we posted 41 new sales and are already at 32 as of July 15th!  I feel truly blessed to be a part of the great team at Ole South – Tennessee’s #1 Home Builder, and thankful for the support of our area Realtors and homeowners for believing in us.

The busier we all get, the better we have to be at managing our priorities and time.  After all, there are only so many hours in a day.

Everyone that knows Beth and I know that boating plays a key part in our personal, as well as business life.  Weekends off simply don’t happen often and the boat is there for a quick evening reprieve from the daily grind.  It is not unusual to see us on the boat most evenings during the week!

Summer 2012 brought on some decisions that had to be made.  Beth started a new position in Thompsons Station and I moved my office to Spring Hill, which made it increasingly difficult to spend as much time on the boat as we would like.  

On Memorial Day weekend of 2009, we pulled into Old Hickory Boat Dock with many of our boating friends from Rock Harbor Marina to spend the weekend. 

The marina had just been acquired by Angela and Bart Bagsby and renamed Blackjack Cove.  During their first week of operation, the marina was devastated by a large storm and work was going on everywhere!  At the end of the long weekend, we were so impressed with the people, progress and plans for the new marina that we decided to stay.  With Beth working in Mt. Juliet at the time, we had even more time for the boat!  We hated to leave our friends at Rock Harbor, but would still have many opportunities to stay in touch.

Over the past 3 years, we watched the transformation of this boat dock into a first-class marina.  New friendships and acquaintances were formed.  The facilities and atmosphere is beyond description.

And it was a great place for the wedding of Jessica and Brian Clark, who got married on Jessica’s family houseboat..and I had the honors to be Captain during the ceremony!

And after the ceremony, we returned to land for an unprecedented wedding reception at Blackjack Cove Marina, catered by The Black Pearl.

If you ever want to feed a lot of people in a fun way, call Blackjack Cove about a “Cajun Boil” dinner!

Back to making decisions. 

When we purchased our current boat in 2004, we brought it to Nashville from Louisville and stopped in at Rock Harbor Marina to spend the night, and would then take the boat to Elm Hill Marina on Percy Priest Lake, where I had been boating for 27 years.   Our overnight stay at Rock Harbor lasted 5 years!

One of the hardest things I have ever done is watch my mother grow older.  She is now 91 and living independently at Park Manor, an incredible facility for seniors.   Our new working logistics were making it harder to spend time with her, time that I will regret not spending.

With Rock Harbor being only 5 minutes from Mom, and 15 minutes from our home, the right decision was clear.

After all, Mom enjoys visiting the boat too!

In Part 2, we were joined by great friends from Honduras for the ride down the Cumberland from Blackjack Cove Marina to Rock Harbor, where festivities for the 4th of July were already underway.  Stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Its called Memorial Day for a Reason.

Monday is Memorial Day, a day for many that includes a celebration of hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chicken, and basically 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.  With record high temperatures forecasted, the lake is probably the best place to be!

Two-Foot Cove is a popular cooling off spot on Old Hickory Lake.  There is a volleyball net to keep things jumping!  Don’t worry, the channel is clearly marked and just the volleyball area is the “two-foot” deep part.

While you’re at Old Hickory Lake, why not visit Blackjack Cove Marina, and The Black Pearl Restaurant.  They are already on their second batch of Captain’s Punch and the weekend hasn’t even started yet! 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.

Here are more scenes from Old Hickory Lake for your enjoyment.

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Everytime I see Ingram boats on the river, I am amazed.  In the above picture, the HB Stewart is pushing 6 barges filled with coal.  Hard to believe that it would take 318 tractor-trailers to haul the same amount.

Another fun and inexpensive outing would be a boat ride from the legendary Cherokee Steak House, near Gallatin.  Visit www.cumberlandrivercruises.com for more information.

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, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Spring Hill New Homes: Let’s do it again!

Sprng Hill, Tennessee is one of the greatest areas in the United States in which to live, and probably the greatest place in the world to build a new home.  I’ve done it twice and look forward to doing it again!

I first moved to Spring Hill in late 2000, when Ole South acquired the then-new Ridgeport subdivision from another builder/developer.   The purchase came complete with a model home that we didn’t build, but did give us an immediate presence in the area.

When we launched our presence in Spring Hill, there were three positions for Ridgeport .  On-site Sales Agent, Project Manager, and Construction Superintendent.   I was all three in the begnning and it was the greatest learning experience of my entire life, well… maybe except for an IRS audit.

As our business exploded, we built a new model home and I purchased the older one, which proved to be a great vote of confidence for Ole South in the eyes of others.  It also made commuting to work a breeze!  In the five years I lived there, not one time did anyone knock on my door about anything other than a dinner or party invitation!

Approximate 325 homes later, Ridgeport was complete and I built another home in our next Williamson County neighborhood, Chapman’s Crossing.  It was such an awesome experience to see many of our Ridgeport buyers move with us to Chapman’s Crossing to accomodate their growing families.  It was even greater having them as neighbors…again!

During these years, I had the opportunity to encourage many of our home buyers to get involved in Real Estate, and those that did are doing quite well.  Its a great feeling to know you helped make a difference in someone’s life – which is what its supposed to be all about anyway.

In 2007, we moved back to Nashville to be closer to my mom after my dad passed away.  Ironically, at the same time Ole South acquired the Rivendell Woods of Cane Ridge neighborhood and needed someone to start it off.  I hated to leave Spring Hill, but it seemed like divine intervention was having its way.

While in Nashville at Rivendell Woods, Ole South presented new opportunities and I assumed the role of VP Sales & Marketing for the company.  Keeping my office in Rivendell Woods, I have been able to pull it off and still do what I love the most – helping people find the perfect home that meets their wants and needs.

Over the years, Ole South has grown to be the largest home builder in Tennessee and I feel very fortunate to be a part of the company.  This month, I took the opportunity to start off another Williamson County neighborhood in Spring Hill, so my office will be in The Arbors at Autumn Ridge for the time being. 

I’ll miss seeing the residents at Rivendell Woods on a regular basis, but will still be around whenever possible.  In the meantime, the residents and propsects of Rivendell Woods will find Annette Spicer to be a delightful addition to the neighborhood.

The Arbors at Autumn Ridge is a gorgeous location, nestled among trees in the peaceful country setting convenient to both Spring Hill and Thompsons Station.  Here, take a look a a few of the great homes we are building:

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Those that have visited this blog before know my photography skills aren’t the best.  Spring Hill and Thompsons Station’s weekly paper has much better photography skills which you can see by CLICKING HERE.

I really am excited about being back in Spring Hill on a regular basis.  And when you are in the area, please drop by for a visit!   For those of you that are familiar with Spring Hill, The Arbors is probably not where you think it is. 

Turn on Wilkes Lane, across from the McDonalds at Campbell Station, and follow approximately one mile.  The tree-lined road will let you know you have arrived!

Interestingly enough, there is an available home site, right across from the model home.  What a coincidence!

Trey Lewis is VP Sales & Marketing for Ole South Properties Inc, Tennessee’s largest independent home builder,  615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340 or emailTLewis@olesouth.com.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Nashville New Homes: Your Very Own Dream Machine

The past few years have offered some incredible opportunities for home ownership, with many just now getting off of the fence and exploring.  What did they see, hear or feel that made them decide to act now? 

I love selling new homes.  You meet so many neat people.  While they may have different needs, they all have one common desire – they want to own something!

One prospect I recently worked with answered the question like this…. “If I don’t buy anything now, I won’t have anything to sell later!”

 

She explained her reasoning…. a friend in her office was retiring.  She and her husband were turning 60.  All of their kids were grown.  Their house was paid for.    Their dream was planned.  They wanted to see the world while they could still enjoy the experience.

They had recently sold their home of 35 years.  With the proceeds, they purchased a smaller town home so they would have a place to get the mail, or a “home base.”  They purchased a large Motor Home with plans to visit every state in the continental US, and Canada too!  They were leaving April 30th, with no firm plans other than to take a break for a 14-day European Cruise in September.  Needless to say, they still had a chunk of money left over from the sale of their home!

 

My prospect has similar dreams for her future, and like she said earlier, “If I don’t buy anything now, I won’t have anything to sell later!”

In essence, her new home is now her very own “Dream Machine.”  When she is retirement age, it will be paid for.  It will be hers to sell.  The proceeds will be hers to enjoy.  She put it even simpler…. “After 30 years of renting, all I would get is a Change of Address Form.  Now I will have something to sell!”

Everyone has a dream for the future.  Owning your own home will increase your ability to pursue that dream.  And as long as you continue to rent, you are giving your landlord the ability to pursue his or her dream.

What is YOUR dream?   There is a “Dream Machine” that can make it come true!  CLICK HERE to find yours.

Trey Lewis is VP Sales & Marketing for Ole South Properties Inc, Tennessee’s largest independent home builder,  615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340 or email TLewis@olesouth.com.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

 

 

Nashville New Homes: The HBAMT Home Show – Don’t miss it!

You know Spring is just around the corner when it is time for the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee’s HOME SHOW.  The event is being held at the Williamson County Agricultural Center and it is going on NOW through Sunday!

CLICK HERE for all the details.

Exhibitors began setting up their booths early Thursday morning and from what I saw then, this year’s show will be better than ever.  Not only will new home builders (LIKE OLE SOUTH) be there, but you will also see the latest in home improvements and services!

Whether by choice or not, we are all spending more of our free time at home.  Why not check out the latest trends in home enjoyment, especially outdoor living?  You will be happy that you did.

And while you are there, drop by and see Ole South.  Yes, you really can buy a $275,000 all brick home in Williamson County without making a down-payment!  While you’re there, register with Annette Spicer to win a $100 Gift Card.  Find out why thousands of Tennesseans are proud to say, “Ole South Built It.”

 

 

Trey Lewis is VP Sales & Marketing for Ole South Properties Inc, Tennessee’s largest independent home builder,  615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340 or email TLewis@olesouth.com.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

 

 

 

Election 2012: NO MAS! (at least for a little while)

That’s right, NO MORE blog posts about politics…. at least not for a little while!   Well, maybe just one more thing…..

I am really sick of hearing about how bad Warren Buffett feels about not paying enough taxes.  If he really wants to pay more, he should.  He does everything else that he wants to do.

What makes me madder is the comparison projected to world that his secretary pays a higher percentage of her income in taxes than he does.  I am sure without a doubt that is the truth.

I also am sure of something else.  If she wanted to open her own business and risk her own capital, she too could pay a lesser percentage.  Considering the braintrust she is surrounded by, I am certain she has many opportunities to take chances.

She makes the choice to pay more percentage in taxes.  Don’t feel sorry for her.  By the way, everyone has that opportunity as well!

OK, I’m done now.

For the next week, I’ll be in southern Honduras with other Middle Tennessee Rotarians from District 6760 on our annual “mission” trip.  This year, in addition to bringing electricity to remote villages, we will be helping families build back homes that were lost in last year’s hurricane season.

This will be my sixth year to participate in the project.  This year, eight of us will be going on behalf of the Rotary Club of Spring Hill.  Two of us are representing Ole South Properties also.  We’ll even get to watch the Super Bowl broadcasted in Spanish again.  Oh joy!

To read of last year’s trip, CLICK HERE 

Several have criticized me for posting a blog about being out of town and leaving Beth vulnerable.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  She has a gun, and this year, a vicious dog.  “Ain’t nothin gonna happen!”

P.S.  I hope it is cold and snows while we are gone.   :0)

Nashville New Homes: Get up to $11,000 from the government for your new home downpayment?

In Tennessee YOU CAN!

Qualified “first-time buyers” can receive downpayment assistance of 4% of the purchase price of a new home up to $275,000 in most counties surrounding Nashville!  And in Maury County, you don’t even have to be a “first-time buyer!”

It gets even better….  A “first-time buyer” is defined as someone that has not owned a principal residence in the previous three years.  Even if you have owned a home in the past three years, there are a few specialty loans available that only require a $500 down payment.  Sure there are certain guidelines and limitations, but why not explore and see if any are right for you?

We’ve all been saying that NOW is the time to buy, and many just kept sitting on the fence.  NOW was yesterday.  You have lost out on the very BEST deals.

 

If you’re sitting on the fence in Middle Tennessee, its going to cost you even more to keep waiting!  READ MORE HERE.

Don’t get me wrong, ALL of the best deals are not gone.  But they are going fast.

I’ve always said “there is never a bad time to buy a home, but some times are certainly better than others.”  The planets ARE lined up in Middle Tennessee and they point to the new homes we have to offer at www.OleSouth.com!

Don’t panic.  Its still not too late to take advantage of the great deals out there on a new Ole South home.  But if you want to use up to $11,000 in free government money for your down payment, you better not wait much longer!

Trey Lewis is VP Sales & Marketing for Ole South Properties Inc, Tennessee’s largest independent home builder,  615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340 or email TLewis@olesouth.com.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

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.