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Franklin, TN Uber Luxury Estate awaits you in the gated Equestrian commnity of Brandon Park Downs.   Bella Vista is strategically situated, elegantly appointed, private playground for the most discriminating taste.   This custom designed home by architect Jack Herr took over two years of planning to assure no detail was overlooked.  The views of the Middle Tennessee hills provides a great appreciation of nature, yet has tremondous privacy.  Five bedrooms, four full baths, four half baths sitting on 4 acres is being offered at $3,200,000.  This is once of a lifetime opportunity you must not miss.

 

4 acres of privacy

4 acres of privacy

A huge back porch provides ample room for large gatherings or even a quiet moment to yourself overlooking the 20′x60′ heated pool.   Once in the pool you quickly notice an 18″ deep area on the east side that is perfect for lounging with your favorite beverage or splashing around with the little ones.  A long sports area of the pool provides room for a game of volleyball or swimming.

20'x 60' Heated Pool

20'x 60' Heated Pool

Once inside Bella Vista, the namesake is obvious.  Your first impression is of the dramtic view of the infinite beauty directly ahead through the massive two story windows.   The 23 foot high triple trayed ceilings in the great room along with the see thru fireplace conveys the feeling of having the outdoors inside.  The granite kitchen is on the opposite side of the great room see thru fireplace.  It features a Wolfe cook top, pot filler providing water on demand for cooking and abundance of cabinet space.  The breakfast nook overlooks the patio and pool area and also affords beautiful views.  The pantry features a small door leading to the garage that is waste high in the garage that eliminates having to carry bags of groceries or cases of water into the home.  Just open the door and slide it in. 

23 Foot Great Room - Triple Trayed Ceiling

23 Foot Great Room - Triple Trayed Ceiling

The master suite is designed for total privacy and comfort and features a sitting room and see thru fireplace.  The master bath is open, light and features a large shower and his/her large closets.   The large mirror in “her” closet doubles as a secret door leading to the executive office off the foyer.   The opposite side of the door is a bookshelf in the office. 

An elevator services all three levels of the home.   The recreation room with half bath sits on the east side sits above the oversized4-car garage. 

All four additional bedrooms are large and private with great closet and storage space.   The second upstairs master suite features a balcony with breathtaking views and is the perfect place for a private and placid break. 

Master Suite - See Thru Firplace to Sitting Room

Master Suite - See Thru Firplace to Sitting Room

Take the elevator and descend to your subterranean entertainment enclave where you and your family will spend hours escaping reality by immersing yourself in this 7.2 surround sound theatre.  This level features 10 foot ceilings, high grade finishes and a large entertainment bar area off the home theatre.  The home theatre has three-tiered seating and a 7.2 surround sound system powered by Denon audio/video components and an In-Focus video projector onto a 114″ screen. 

114" screen / 7.2 surround sound three tiered Home Theatre

114" screen / 7.2 surround sound three tiered Home Theatre

This Estate is located just 15 minutes from Cool Springs and has easy access to I-65.  Over 100 resturants are in the Cool Springs area, upscale shopping and new class A office space.  Historic Downtown Franklin is also just 15 minutes away where you can enjoy year around entertainment and shopping.  There are so many more features of this incredible home.  Call Bruce Jones today for more information about 7129 Brandon Park Ct, Franklin, TN 37064 at 615-429-0153 or visit www.FranklinElite.com or www.BellaVistaFranklin.com for more information and photos.

Utopia Awaits

Utopia Awaits

The 6,500 + square foot estate on 3.2 acres located at 1168 Saddle Springs Drive in Thompson’s Station, TN has it all!  Location!  Yes, Location.  First of all do you like golf?  Get ready because the incredible von Hagge, Smelek and Baril golf course named Stillwater Golf Club at Mystic Ridge is about to open just 7 minutes away.  I have personally previewed this course which is set on Tanya Tuckers former 500 acre estate.  It will be the best public golf course in Tennessee!  The views are incredible and course will be challenging.  Just right down from 1168 Saddle Springs Drive is the 1120 Acre Laurel Cove Development.  This private golf course should start up construction again in late 2009 open sometime in 2010.   Golf not your thing, how about some wine?  Arrington Vineyards is a great get away to enjoy live music, sip wine by the outdoor fireplace or enjoy the incredible views. 

This Estate Has it All!

This Estate Has it All!

The Cool Springs area is about 20 minutes away from Saddle Springs.  Just hop on I-840 and take the short drive to I-65.  Over 100 resturants are located in the Cool Springs area as well as several corporate headquarters and new class A office space. 

The home itself is probably on the best designs you will find for the money.  It boosts large rooms, high grade amenities, quality workmanship and an easy living floor plan.  The main level master has a large bath and closet with hardwood flooring.  The chefs kitchen has stainless appliances, gas cooktop and large island.  Granite tops are located throughout the home.  The office is solid wood and opens up to the covered front porch.  Each bedroom is a suite and even has a second master suite upstairs.  The media room is located off the large Recreation room.  This rec room is just cool!  A large kitchenette with granite bar, stone fireplace, built-ins, vaulted ceilings with wood beams.  Your large flat screen TV will looks great above the pre-wired fireplace.  The backyard has plenty of room for a pool and backs up to trees.  Call Bruce Jones with RE/MAX Elite at 615-429-0153  today for more information about this home.  It is a great value priced at just $1,149,900.   Go to my website at www.FranklinElite.com and view the photos of this home and other estate homes in the area. 

Got a horse?  Saddle Springs is an equine-centered community offering over 60 horse stalls, enclosed riding arena and acres of riding trails.

Giddy Up!

Giddy Up! Saddle Springs Horses

Williamson County, TN is one of the top affluent counties in the country and it is clear that people here love their homes.   We build outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and put home theatres in our homes.   So many families have parties at their homes where kids can play and everyone can enjoy great times with friends.  Instead of going out for a night on the town, people go to each other homes.   Neighborhoods like Westhaven in Franklin feature huge club houses, pools and live music in the summer.  Keystone in Franklin just built a large pavillion for parties and music for their neighborhood parties.  Laurelbrook has events posted at their club house all the time while people use their gym and large pool area. 

Town Square - Franklin, TN

Town Square - Franklin, TN

Buyers want more than just a home.   They want a lifestyle.  How far is it to downtown Franklin, TN, grocery stores or entertainment?  Give me a nice neighborhood pool and open space to fly a kite with my child.  I cannot tell you how many friends we have made at our neighborhood pool in Keystone over the years.   I just sold a home priced at $599,900 in Franklin because of several key features.  The neighborhood, location, walk to neighborhood pool and the views.  It is so much more than just the house itself. 

Keystone Listing

Keystone Listing

When buying your next Williamson County, TN / Franklin, TN or Brentwood, TN home look at the big picture, not just the house.  Look at the lot, the location and homes around you.   You can always change the look of the interior of your home and some of the exterior, but you cannot change where you live.  This will be where memories are made and you only get one shot at it.   Make it a good life in Williamson County, TN.

Last month there were 2,091 homes closed in the Greater Nashville area.  This is the first time since September that we have experienced greater than 2,000 closings.   Hey, some fair/ good news.  Sales are still down from 2008 numbers. 

The median price of a single-family Nashville home in June was $177,700, down just 3 percent from the $183,615 median price at this time last year. The condominium median price was $ 152,870 in June of this year, compared with $185,500 in June of last year.

 

Nashville inventory levels are down a tad, so all of this tells me that we may have hit the bottom.  Sellers have taken equity loans out on their homes years ago on “presumed equity” they thought they had.  Now they complain that their home is worth less than they owe.  Duh!!!  When you go to the ATM too many times, you eventually run out of money.  Your home equity varies each month.  Don’t believe me?  Go to www.Zillow.com or www.Trulia.com which are free sites that give you graphed data that shows the fluctuations. 

 

The general buying public wants and craves data.  If your home is overpriced, everyone now knows it and it will just sit on the market without a buyer.

 

Recently I sold two homes in the Keystone development in Franklin, TN.  Both sellers were willing to listen to what I had to say about pricing.  Both were disappointed, but understood.  Both homes sold within a month.  Bad market?  Not if you price it right.  

 

Your house value can be like a stock.  You will not know your true gain or loss until the house or stock sale is completed. 

 

Goodlettsville DEAL!

Granite Rules!

So which is better?  Solid surface tops or granite?  Granite is a natural stone that no man made product can duplicate.   It withstands high heat and is hard.   Use it outside or inside.  How tough is it?  What do you think cemetary head stones are made out of?  Think they are designed to withstand the test of time? 

Sellers fight me from time to time about spending more money on their home in order to sell it.  Guess what?  I know what buyers want.  Granite is not expensive to install, looks great and buyers time and time again comment on a house that has granite vs. one that does not.  

Recently I had a Franklin, TN seller contact me about selling their home.   It had been on the market in 2008 for six months and did not sell.   They interviewed me about their home and they had white formica counter tops in their small kitchen.  I immediately told them that if they wanted me to sell their home, they must first install granite in the kitchen.  They spent under $3,000 to have all new granite, new stainless undermount sink and costs for a plumber and within 7 weeks we had their house under contract. 

Bottom line – Listen to your experienced REALTOR.   We know what sells homes.

Have you heard about trading houses?  The concept is not as easy as it may seem, but I just closed a transaction in Franklin, TN  last month that was one of the smoothest transactions ever.  

How do you negotiate price?  First you need to be concerned about the appraisals.  Fannie May and Freddy Mac now require that the appraisals on each property be given to each financial institution as part of the deal.  Another words, they want to make sure that the values are not inflated.  Given this, it may be difficult to have both properties contract under the list price or higher.  If one does not appraise, then the whole deal is off. 

Don’t negotiate prices based on % amounts.  Negotiate on a total price paid.  It also makes sense for both homes to include a home warranty via a third party company.  When/If issues come up, the new owners call the warranty company vs. getting upset with the previous owners.  Agents should strongly encourage professional home inspections.

The real trick!  Moving Day.  Solution – Storage containers.  Talk to both sides about loading up as much as possible into an on-site storage containter such as PODS or 1-800-Pack-Rat.   Schedule the move a day or two after closing just in case the closing gets pushed back a day or two (mortgage companies tend to wait to the last minute to get everything to the closing).   Schedule a time in the afternoon for possession for both homes.   Both owners should schedule movers that day to move all remaining items out of the house.  The majority of smaller items will already be inside the storage containers that will be moved that day.

To assure that this type of transaction works, both sides must work with each other vs. against each other.   There must be a give and take on both sides.  both agents must work closely with each other.

Have you ever wanted it all, but not sure where to find it?  Here it is!  The Ultimate Lifestyle in Franklin, TN is now avaiable at a greatly reduced price.   Will Forte, owner of Forte Building Group, out did himself when he spent two years building his latest masterpiece.  This newly constructed 6,000 square foot luxury home has every feature you can image.   Features include; Outdoor fireplace, automatic blinds for the signature turret windows, full home automation, temperature controlled wine cellar, high grade appliances and so much more!

112 Church Street

Walk to the square in Downtown Franklin.  Franklin, TN Square to a large variety of resturants, shopping and churches.  Enjoy the multiple Downtown Franklin Festivals throughout the year by just walking out your front door.    Franklin, TN was recently ranked the #5 small town by Southern Living Readers Choice Awards for 2009.  Nearby is the Factory at Franklin where unique shopping experiences, salons, spas and eating destinations such as Saffire are  just 1/2 mile away.   What about a fun night out on the town where you can see everything and enjoy food and taste a large variety of wines?  Franklin’s Wine on Mainstreet can be enjoyed by just stepping out your your front door at 112 Church Street.   My wife and I always enjoy this once a year event and it is a great time to see friends and meet new people in Franklin.

112 Church Street is located at the Brownstones development at Church and 3rd in Franklin.   Check out the photos of this property or watch the video on my website at www.FranklinElite.com.   Exotic cuts of granite, wide cut hardwoods, glass tile work, an elevator to all 4 floors, high grade doors and windows and much more are featured in this property.  Only the best would do!  Best of all, the property sits across from the development’s signature courtyard.   At just $1,975,000 this newly constructed home is the lowest price the builder has ever offered.  Please call us for your private showing today at 615-429-0153.   We have floor plans and information about this property on our website at www.FranklinElite.com.   The home is listed and marked by Bruce Jones with RE/MAX Elite.

Brownstones Signature Courtyard

Brownstones Signature Courtyard

Entrance

There is no question, buyers in this Williamson County / Nashville market are looking for good/great deals.   Buyers also do not have large down payments like they have had in the past probably because the home they sold did not net them as much or they have lost money in the stock market.  With this being said, buyers not only demand a great deal, they also NEED the home to be updated and ready to move in with minimal improvement left to be made.   The buyers do not want carpet or painting allowances, they need to see the improvements now.  The banks also are not as kind as they used to be when it comes to “Decorating” allowances or carpet allowances.  The banks and appraisers want and demand that the work already be done.   So Beware!

Cool Springs / Franklin, TN Listing

Cool Springs / Franklin, TN Listing

Your Nashville area / Franklin, TN real estate agent has to tell you how it is right now.  No sugar coating!  The home listed above has all new carpet, newly finished hardwoods and fresh paint and is aggressively priced.  Guess what?  The buyers want more!  What do they want?  Get rid of the brass plumbing fixtures.  Give me GRANITE in the kitchen!  Give me GRANITE in the bathrooms!  Wow, these Williamson County buyers really demand a lot!  The affluent Franklin / Brentwood, TN buyer does want a lot, but you have to give it to them if you want your house sold.   The listings that already have all the updates done and are priced right will be the ones that sell first.  All others will have to wait! 

Bruce Jones, Broker

ABR, CLHMS, CRS, GREEN, GRI

RE/MAX Elite – Brentwood, TN 37027

Direct – 615-429-0153

Office – 615-661-4400

CLHMS.org

A few weeks ago I asked if your Brentwood / Franklin real estate agent a good negotiator? The fact is that a lot of real estate agents do not learnDream Home the true art of negotiating. Some of my best negotiations have been brought about by not saying one word. Chatty agents tend to show all their cards to anyone who will listen. I ask leading questions in order to try to get as much as possible out of these agents. They have no idea what damage they are doing for their clients.

Negotiating Your Nashville Home Purchase

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First time Nashville area home buyers, now is the time to take advantage of your $8,000 tax credit.  I have two new listings this week that are perfect for first time buyers.  Listing # 1 – 3517 Chandler Cove Way, is in Cane Ridge, TN 37013.  Offering over 2,600 square feet, 4 large bedrooms, this Cane Ridge, TN home includes a large kitchen with island and hardwood flooring on the entire first floor.  A recreational area and 2-car garage on a level lot for just $189,900.

Come Home to Cane Ridge!

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