If you are shopping for a new home in Williamson County in the $900,000 to $1,300,000 range, your list keeps on getting shorter each month.  Home builders in the area are not building many new spec homes because banks will not loan the money for such.  Right now there are 26 new construction homes for sale in Williamson County priced from $900,000 to $1,300,000.   The average list price is $196 per square foot.  The developments that are building the most are Westhaven, Windstone and Annandale although construction is not as brisk as in times past. 

Large Granite Kitchen

If you want some acreage plus high-end amenities your best bet is 1168 Saddle Springs Drive, Thompsons Station, TN.   This 6,540 square foot home located right off I-840 in Williamson County, TN is priced at just $175.83 per square foot which brings it to the fifth lowest price home of the bunch, but it also has 3.2 acres which is much more land than 24 of the homes on the list.  The home features, 4 all suite bedrooms with a large master suite with morning bar and incredible bathroom on the main level.  Granite throughout all baths and the kitchen.  A true gourmet kitchen with a large island, double stainless ovens, GE Monogram refrigerator, gas cooktop and abundance of cherry cabinets.  The second floor “entertainment room” features vaulted ceilings with wood beams, stone fireplace, built-ins and large granite kitchenette.  Just down the hall is a pre-wired media room, a second half bath and an additional master bedroom upstairs.  This custom-built brick home in Saddle Springs has so many hidden features, that it is hard to take it all in at once.  See more photos at www.FranklinElite.com. 

Stainless Appliances / Double Ovens / Gas Cooktop!

Brand new carpets and hardwoods throughout, new roof, fresh paint, big bedrooms, all brick and 3-car garage on the ground level for just $489,900 makes this one a good deal.  The sellers are about the replace the water heater and are offering a one year home warranty.  Several buyers have expressed they did not like the brass light fixtures, but this is something easy to upgrade for not much money.   Make the sellers an offer and see what a nice home you can afford in Brentwood, TN.   Kenrose Elementary and Ravenwood High school are very close by and the community feature paved walking trails and pool. 

Call Bruce Jones with RE/MAX Elite today to make an appointment to see well kept home.

Rare Find in Keystone

Example:  1716 Masters Drive, Franklin, TN 37064 in Keystone is listed for $625,000.  What do you get for this price?  Nearly one acre level lot that is fully irrigated, oversized 4-car garage, 4,722 square feet, a covered patio, large kitchen with stainless appliances, tile baths, sand/finish hardwood floors, TWO laundry rooms, 4 bedrooms with a master suite on the main level and a large recreation room.  The list goes on with a two story family room, office/formal living room, stone fireplace and two story foyer.  See the photos and more at www.FranklinElite.com  

Just Add Friends, Grill and Good Times!

Compare this to other developments and don’t forget that Keystone is zoned for the highly sought after Oakview Elementary and Williamson County Schools plus has a community pool and brand new pavilion and Keystone is the place to be.  It is located just 5 miles from downtown Franklin, TN and just 12 minutes from Cool Springs. 

Call Bruce Jones with RE/MAX Elite for more information regarding home vaules in Keystone, Franklin or in Williamson County.  Office – 615-661-4400 or cell # 615-429-0153.

Large Lots and Views for Miles in Keystone, Franklin TN

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

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

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

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

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

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! Saddle Springs Horses

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Walk to the square in Downtown Franklin.   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