MSN recently voted Murfreesboro, Tennessee no. 12 among the nation’s top 15 growing cities. Why? Access is one reason. “Interstate 24 runs directly through the city, and interstates 65 and 40 are just a few minutes away,” states Murfreesboro’s official city website. Other attractions include shopping, industrial and commercial development, an expanding job market, Middle Tennessee State University – between 22,000 and 24,000 students attend – good schools, a family – friendly focus and the plethora of things to see and do throughout the burgeoning city.

Parks

For the outdoor type, Murfreesboro offers a bounty of parks. Barfield Crescent Park boasts 430 acres with jogging trails, a disc golf course and volleyball. Play baseball at Old Fort Park; swim at McKnight Park; take the kids to play at Patterson Park Community Center; picnic at Rogers Park; play soccer at Siegel Park; or unleash the dogs for some romping at the Bark Park. Murfreesboro also has a system of greenways, accessible from 11 trailheads and consisting of Stones River, Lytle Creek and Gateway trails.

Shopping

Murfreesboro is ripe with shopping opportunities. From the grand Stone Rivers Mall to smaller, more intimate boutiques such as Anastasia’s Attic and Krissos, shopping destinations are endless. There are galleries, garden centers and bridal stores; discount shoe shops, tobacco stores and jewelers; print shops, flower boutiques and bookstores.

Dining

The array of dining establishments in Murfreesboro guarantees that regardless of your preference, you can find something to please your palate. You can find everything from a hot dog shop to upscale grills, Italian bistros, cafes, tapas restaurants, ice cream shops and so much more.

Check out Murfreesboro’s WorldWeb page for a complete list of dining establishments, broken down and organized by categories.

Landmarks

Tourists looking for history in Murfreesboro won’t be disappointed. There are several landmarks in the city worth visiting. Check out the Stone River National Battlefield, the site of an important three-day Civil War battle. Visit the Oaklands antebellum mansion, or take a tour to the numerous war markers around town.

Museums

The Rutherford County Center for the Arts, the Discovery Center at Murphy Spring, Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village and the Center for Historic Preservation are some of the main museums in the Murfreesboro area.

Chances are, you’ll never run out of things to see and do in Murfreesboro. There are several notable golf courses and high-rated spas; you can see a production at the Little Theatre or take in the Murfreesboro Philharmonic; there’s a skate park, annual street festivals and an active nightlife.

Murfreesboro real estate is diverse, as well. Apartments, condo complexes, single family homes, renovated historic homes and mansions can all be found throughout the area.

To learn more about what’s happening in Murfreesboro, contact a Realtor who knows the ins and outs of the city. Email Todd Taylor at TN Sold Home – todd@tnsoldhome.com.

Although warm, muggy air promotes the reproduction of mold, don’t discount the fall and winter months. Mold can develop in cooler, moister environments, as well. Mold can be both visible and hidden, but either way, it can present health hazards, can damage your home and should be removed as soon as possible.

Mold

Mold is a microscopic organism that reproduces by dispersing tiny spores. These spores land on other surfaces and begin to cultivate, reproduce and spread.

Leaks around plumbing fixtures, wet attics and basements, leaky roofs…all of these are catalysts for the growth of mold.

Health Hazards

People react to mold infestations in different ways. Headaches, coughing, sneezing, itchy and runny eyes, as well as dizziness are common effects. Long-term exposure can lead to more serious problems, such as respiratory difficulty and neurological issues.

Structural Hazards

Mold can also be damaging to the structure and soundness of your home. It can weaken support beams by creating moisture buildup, cause ceilings and floors to bow and create discoloring and water stains.

Mold Remediation

Mold is like termites in that left untreated, it can cause intensive damage to your home. It’s paramount to identify the infested areas and move forward with removal.

If you decide to take on the mold remediation project on your own, keep these tips in mind.

• Adequate ventilation is necessary since harsh cleansers will be present.
• Wear a mask and gloves at all times when dealing with mold cleanup.
• Remove and bag any damaged components (insulation, wood, etc), and keep in mind that some areas (ventilation ducts, interior building components, etc.) may have mold on them, without it being in plain view.
• Wash and dry thoroughly the infected areas.
• Use a diluted bleach solution to kill remaining mold.

Professional mold removal companies have the technology, such as infrared cameras, and advanced identification and cleanup procedures to thoroughly rid your home of mold and mildew.

Maintaining the value of a home is something every homeowner should strive for, and if you’re trying to sell your home, mold problems will definitely be cause for alarm in a buyer’s mind.

If you think your Nashville area home is in need of an inspection, contact a mold remediation company or certified home inspector. Select a trustworthy professional that is recommended by a reputable Realtor. Consult Todd Taylor at todd@tnsoldhome.com.

We have all known a mom, sister or girlfriend who can literally save the world with the contents of a well-stocked purse. Everything from band-aids to bobby pins, duct tape to batteries can be neatly stashed in a put together purse, just for emergencies.

First-time homeowners, take a bit of this preparedness to heart. It’s inevitable that you will need to repair things, touch things up and work fairly consistently to keep your new home in well working order.

Here are some simple kit-building ideas that will make handling any unforeseen project in your home a breeze.

Tools

If you’ve been a renter for some years, it’s quite likely that you’ve never had the need for a hammer, nails or screwdriver. If something broke, you probably called the property owner. Now, home repair responsibilities fall to the shoulders of the owner.

Put yourself a basic tool kit together. Think about common tasks and repairs around your home and stock an easily accessible box or bag with the equipment you’ll need.

• Hammer – the foundation of any tool kit.
• Nails and screws – for securing loose items, hanging pictures and general construction.
• Screwdriver
• Drill – drills come in handy when creating pilot holes. Many drills also have screwdriver bits, so this tool can double as an electric screwdriver.
• Level
• Adjustable pliers and wrench – commonly used in plumbing projects.
• Duct tape – it really is a fix-all.
• Tape measure
• Box cutter
• Small saw

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supply kits are often overlooked when people move into a new home. Amidst the excitement, finding the bottle of Windex or dish soap is an afterthought.

Prepare a kit that includes your basic cleaning supplies, as well as trash bags, twisty ties, wipes, a small broom and dustpan, vacuum filters and other items used to keep your house tidy.

Store cleaning supply kits out of sight but within easy reach – it will make cleaning up messes quicker and more convenient if you don’t have to hunt and reach for the tools you need.

Medicine Kit

Colds, allergies and small sicknesses can develop into big problems in the middle of a move or the home buying process. Build a kit with basics – aspirin, allergy medicine, band-aids, common ointments – and create an auxiliary, travel component that can be easily carried with you on the go.

As a first-time homebuyer and owner, it’s important to get your new space in order. Use these kits to keep often-needed objects close at hand. For other first-time homebuyer tips and advice, contact a reputable real estate agent, such as Todd Taylor at todd@tnsoldhome.com.

Considered to be “one of the prettiest of Tennessee’s country towns,” according to Lebanon, Tennessee’s official website, the once home to Native Americans, living amongst cane breaks and cedar groves, is now a thriving, modern, cultural city.

Lebanon does retain some of its antiquated charm and historic richness. The long – standing town square is still dotted with small boutiques, shops and antique markets.

This home to five of Tennessee’s governors is a popular living destination for several reasons. The medium home price is modest, there exists the serenity of rural living, but the location of Lebanon is close to larger, more urban hubs, making commutes convenient and improving property value.

If you’re looking to relocate to Tennessee and build a family, Lebanon is a sound location to begin seeking real estate. There is a movement to make the city more walker and biker friendly, and within the city limits, there are endless amenities appropriate for raising a family. Several baseball fields and parks, retail and large – chain shopping options, dining opportunities, a hospital, university and mall are all within city limits.

Lebanon also boasts a municipal airport and the Music City Star rail line helps commuters make the 28-mile trek from Lebanon to Nashville during the week and for special events. There are several options for education – Lebanon Special School District, Wilson County School District, Cumberland University – and for the most part, the climate is clean and mild.

According to Lebanon’s official website, there are currently approximately 10,519 housing units in the city. Ninety–four percent of these are occupied, with around 60 percent being owned and 40 being rented. The median value of a single-unit, owner-housed space is around $145,000.

Lebanon is a forward-thinking Tennessee city that offers job opportunities, places to eat, shop, play, with amenities for families, couples and single dwellers. It retains its history and somewhat rustic charm while managing to keep up with the changes in times.

If you’re considering the purchase of real estate in Tennessee and want to live slightly outside the hustle and bustle of big city life, contact Todd Taylor at todd@tnsoldhome.com. As a reputable real estate agent, Todd and his team can help you find the perfect Lebanon property.

Broderick Perkins of Realty Times published an article on September 9, 2010 citing that neighbors – despite the prevalence of social media – still enjoy, even prefer, engaging with one another face-to-face.

In a recent poll conducted by Pew Internet, over 2,000 adults were asked about their neighbor relations and how they kept current on community events. Perkins cites these as the results of that poll:

• Twenty percent of adults used digital tools to correspond with neighbors and stay current with community events and news.
• Forty-six percent of adults prefer to speak face-to-face with neighbors.
• Twenty-one percent discussed neighborhood matters over the telephone.
• Only eleven percent read a blog concerning the community.
• A mere nine percent email with neighbors.
• Only five percent belong to a community email distribution list of sorts.

The stronghold that traditional neighborly interaction has on many communities should be seen as a positive thing. It gives families and friends the opportunity to host neighborhood-building events, and fall, when the weather is cooling, is the perfect season for doing so.

Here are some ideas for bringing neighbors in your Nashville neighborhood together this fall.

Charity

Hold a canned food or winter clothing drive. Ask people to donate food and warm clothes at a central event. There could be cider, hot chocolate, chili and a bon fire – if your community will allow one – to keep people warm and socializing during the drive.

A community trip to help at a local soup kitchen is another charitable way to bring neighbors together this fall.

Kid’s Activities

Kid’s activities are popular during the fall and winter months. Hold a small community festival with kid-friendly activities such as pumpkin painting/carving, gingerbread house building and costume competitions.

Scavenger hunts can be easily fall-themed. Have each child, or each family attending the event, put together a fall gift bag, and swap them anonymously amongst the children.

Displays

Cultivate friendly neighbor rivalry with door decorating competitions and scarecrow contests. Ask each participant for ideas on what the winner should receive, and pool your resources to provide the victor with a gift certificate to a local Nashville restaurant, theater tickets or a fall-themed gift basket.

If your community has an entryway, get neighbors together to replace the summer plants with cold-weather ones and to decorate the entrance with a harvest theme.

Contact Todd Taylor at todd@tnsoldhome.com for more Murfreesboro area events, too!

When you have people over, is the first thing they see an overcrowded coat rack? How about shoes piles next to the door? The entryway of a home sees loads of traffic. People coming leaving for work and school, dropping off bags and jackets when they return, and in general, it’s easy to let the entrance area of your home become cluttered and unorganized. Yet, you want guests to get a clean, orderly feeling when they enter your home.

Here are some tips for keeping the entranceway of your home in order.

Seating

Carla Hill, managing editor at Realty Times, suggests incorporating seating into your entranceway. A bench is perfect for building storage underneath, and it provides a place for putting on and removing shoes.

Built-Ins

If feasible, customize a built-in for your entrance way. Tailor it to meet the needs of your family. If your children play sports, include deep, long draws for soccer bags and baseball bats. If you live in cold weather, customize an off-the ground shoe storage unit where shoes can drip dry and heavy-duty coat hanging center. A mirror is also an excellent feature for an entranceway built-in – perfect for checking that tie or your makeup before walking out the door.

Household Items

Many homeowners need to lay hands on a screwdriver, flashlight or hammer and nails frequently. If you don’t want to trek to the garage for these helpful items every time the need arises, include in your entranceway an organized draw or storage bin for keeping them nearby.

Flooring

The entrance to your home isn’t the ideal place to sport plush, white carpet. Select a flooring and a finish that are durable and can withstand traffic and moisture. Tile, sealed hardwoods, stones and even concrete are sound options.

Whatever your family’s schedule, the entranceway is sure to see a lot of traffic. Create a place for things that you need to grab quickly on the way out – laptops, school lunches, umbrellas – as well as a place for storing and organizing these items while they’re in your home.

Organization, consolidation and storage options are key to keeping your home’s entrance clean and welcoming.

For a list of vendors that can help you prepare your home for sale, contact Todd Taylor at todd@tnsoldhome.com today.

Whether you’re getting ready to put your house on the market or your list of DIY weekend projects seems to be getting too long, you can tackle several jobs on your own, usually in a short amount of time, to increase the value of your home.

Storage

Storage space ranks high on homebuyer’s lists as something they want in a new house. For this reason, keeping closets, carports and basements clutter-free and organized is important.

Weekends offer plenty of time for purging and restructuring. If you’re handy with a hammer and nails, basic wall shelves can be constructed in just a few hours. Also, home improvement store aisles are packed with ready–to–assemble shelving units and closet organization systems. Take a few days to decide what stays and what goes, and then reorganize your home’s basic storage areas.

Outside

We all know the importance of curb appeal. Homebuyers that see a messy yard and unclean driveway upon arrival at a showing will undoubtedly have a poor first impression of your home.

Pressure washing is a weekend warrior job that does a great deal to improve the appearance of your house. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent one from home improvement stores or appliance rental places. It takes some elbow grease and a few good hours of work to wash away accumulated grime, but the clean driveway, deck and even siding will truly improve your home’s curb appeal.

Dated Fixtures

One of the most recommended tasks for a home seller is replacing dated fixtures. Whether this means exchanging old copper sink faucets for shiny silver ones, or taking down the ceiling fan from the ‘70s, fixture updating is definitely a weekend DIY project.

One idea, take pictures of the sinks, lighting units and mirrors in your home. Head to a home improvement store with the images in hand and ask to speak to an associate. Typically, he or she will be able to help you decide if its time to update them and provide you with some ideas.

Paint

Over time, houses settle. Sometimes, a roof will leak, and water stains will show the ceiling’s paint. Cracks in corners and dingy paint are major turnoffs for homebuyers. Plus, a freshly painted home is cleaner, brighter and generally more comfortable.

Take a quick survey of your home’s rooms, paying close attention to corners and molding. If you see cracks, chips or stains, it’s probably time to repaint. The same goes for paint as it does for fixtures – if you aren’t sure what colors would be best. Take measurements of the rooms and pictures before heading to the paint store. There will be someone there to help guide you.

Owning a home requires constant upkeep, and selling a home requires some additional fixing up. These smaller weekend warrior tasks will help keep your home looking fresh and modern, and they will definitely make your house more appealing to potential buyers.

You’ve decided to work with a builder to create the home of your dreams. Where to start? The process of deciding on every detail of your new house will be a daunting one.

Many people think if they’re building a house, they don’t need a realtor. In reality, it’s a sound decision to start with an experienced realtor. He or she will be knowledgeable about the area and can help you pick out the perfect plot of land. A local Realtor, like Todd Taylor, is also an excellent source of knowledge regarding who in town is great to work with, where the best schools are located and where city amenities can be found.

Next, it’s time to pick a floor plan. Many people overlook the fundamental importance of picking the correct floor plan. The design will decide on which side the garage is located, what floor the bedrooms are on and how many, the layout of the kitchen and much more. Have in mind some basics you know you want in your home – a formal living room, a covered patio or a third floor attic. Then work from there, modifying the layout of the rooms. Be sure not to overlook storage. You want sufficient closet and storage space built into the floor plan.

Windows and their placement. You want to be sure your new home is adequately lit and that the windows face in the appropriate directions. You don’t want the bay window above the garden tub facing the kitchen window of your neighbor’s house. Voice these concerns to your builder while working on the floor plan.

The exterior of the home can be constructed in many ways. Talk to Todd Taylor and your builder about your wishes – stone, brick, stucco, siding. Many people have a color in mind and work from there. The roofing options are also important – shingles or metal. Don’t overlook the life expectancy of the materials you decide to use. You want your house to last for as long as it possibly can with minimal repairs and structural maintenance.

Don’t forget the small things. If you want a large fridge, be sure the space built for it is big enough. If you have several phones, fax machines and computers, concern yourself with the number of outlets in the house. Small issues regarding lighting, such as whether or not you want fans, dropped lighting, track lighting or recessed lighting, must be deliberated.

Building a house should be exciting, but the details can quickly become burdensome. Sit down with your realtor and builder before embarking and make a checklist. This will help guide you through the process and ensure you don’t overlook something that you will grow to regret.

If you’re on the hunt for a new home or condominium, the process can seem daunting at first. Preparation and forethought are key. You want to ensure that you settle into a space that you can grow comfortably in for years. Here are some simple steps and points of thought for keeping your house hunting expedition on course.

Choose a good realtor. Many people underestimate the importance of this step. Get references, learn about the types of properties your potential realtor shows and make an educated selection. The convenience of having a realtor will become clear to you as you begin viewing properties.

Don’t be bashful. Ask any and all questions you have as you select properties to view and as you tour possible new homes. You don’t want to be left with ‘what ifs’ when narrowing your choices.

Take notes. Pen, paper and a camera should always be in tow. You’ll want to take notes to remind yourself of each properties’ pros and cons, and photos will really prove valuable when making your final selections. Informational flyers and pamphlets are often available at locations on the market. Take them. They contain basic need-to-know information about room numbers, the asking price and the properties’ highlights.

Be on watch while driving. If you see a house that you’re interested in that isn’t on your realtor’s route, take down the information and pass it along. Your realtor will do the digging and appointment setting for you.

Have a critical eye. Once you’ve narrowed your options, you’ll want to do a second walk through. Again, don’t be shy. Turn on faucets to look for drips. Schedule your second viewing for a rainy day so that if the ceiling leaks, you’ll know. Look in closets and under cabinets, respectfully if the sellers still reside there. You want to be keenly aware of the space you’re purchasing before you do so.

Lastly, hire a home inspector. Most first time home buyers are wary and consider this step in house hunting imperative. Even if it’s your second or third home, hire a reputable inspector before your closing date. Often, your realtor can provide you with a list of recommended inspectors if you don’t know any in the area.

It’s a great time to move to Nashville. If you’re looking for a new home or condominium, keep these basic steps and tips in mind when embarking on your house hunting journey.

Whether your family has a new addition, you found a job across the country or you just want a change of scenery, moving is unavoidable. Moving can be chaotic, time-consuming and frustrating event, but if you make smart choices and hire a good moving company you’ll find yourself in your new home in no time.

Packing is definitely the lengthiest portion of the moving process. Use space saver bags for wardrobes. They’re clear, compact, you can easily recognize what’s inside and you can label them boldly with permanent markers.

Have all your packing materials ready and accessible – boxes, newspaper, packing peanuts, tape guns, markers. It’s less frazzling when you don’t have to hunt for things when packing.

When you pack up the kitchen, mark the boxes “kitchen” and leave them in the kitchen. Do the same for the other rooms in your house. This helps the movers know exactly what goes where and saves time.

If you have extremely valuable belongings, move them yourself if you can. Family heirlooms, expensive jewelry, artwork – if it will fit in your car and you would be devastated if it were lost, move it yourself if at all possible.

Prep for the movers. Walk through your new home to make lists, even diagrams, of where you want the furniture and in which rooms all the pieces should go. If you have fragile boxes, mark them with very large, dark print. And don’t be afraid to delegate. Considerately give specific directions to avoid miscommunication and confusion during the move.

Do a final run through. Just like when you’re leaving a hotel room, you need to do a thorough walk through before the final lockup. You never know if maybe a knick-knack fell out of a basket or one shoe was left in the back of a closet.

A final cleaning is not only a consideration for the buyers, but it will help give you a sense of closure and finality. Leave your former home in nice, clean condition before moving to another or hire a moving crew with experience in move-out cleans.