Have you ever wondered what your Realtor(R) does when she is not showing homes to you? Is she sitting around chilling out, eating candy, waiting for the phone to ring? In a word: nope.  So what are some of the tasks a good Realtor does?

For every hour I spend in your presence, I’ll generally spend 10-20 hours working on your behalf, and it’s work that you will generally not ever see — unless you ask. What tasks am I doing for you? Let’s present a few of those tasks here.

1. I’m going over property listings constantly, to see if the home that fits your requirements (location, size, floor plan, style, acreage, your method of financing, and budget) has come up. I discover a listing that fits all of your demands — except you really wanted a half-acre yard, and this one is only a quarter acre. I’ll likely send it to you anyway, so it’s important that we talk often about where your priorities REALLY lie. But if you’re financing with FHA and this home is not FHA-approved, I won’t even send it. This is one of the reasons I’m often asking you “do you want to go visit this one?” — because I’ve been shopping online for you, and I know this one hits the mark closer than ANYTHING else listed for the past days, weeks, or months.

2. I’ll go check out homes in person. If I discover that this home is the first one on the block to be gentrified, then I know that you’re probably going to be paying a premium price — and I’ll share that info with you, because I want you to get a great deal. I also attend meetings with other Realtors (and I scour Realtor- only webgroups) who announce homes they are about to list. I might get first shot at a home this way — and with the lack of inventory in Nashville, being the “early bird” is sometimes the only way to snag a super home.

3. I write up offers, counteroffers, addenda, and remain in contact with your mortgage lender. I send emails to (and call, cajole, and threaten if necessary) the folks when I need a certain form signed. I arrange and attend the home inspection, the termite inspection, and when we need to get a professional out to look at the deck or the septic tank or the roof or the… If you want a radon inspection done or an estimate on how much it will cost to get the entire house repainted, I’ll arrange that and attend that too. I will arrange for professional pictures to be taken — and attend that session too. I am there for you.

4. I smooth out bumps in the road that you may not have ever even recognized. Buyers AND sellers get emotional during the buying / selling process, and I will do my best to shield you from the high drama. And I try to keep you calm, too, so you might say that I end up serving as your “home therapist.”

5. I also maintain my professional status by attending continuing education classes, keeping my dues paid, my Sentricard updated, my marketing in order. Somehow I find time to write up a newsletter and to place posts on Facebook and on my website’s blog.

So when I act as your agent, there’s a lot that goes into that relationship. It’s all the work I do to make sure you’re happy, because my goal — always — is to get you to a better place.

Many homeowners in/around greater Nashville are already looking ahead to 2016, and they are wondering what will be the hottest design trends in real estate. Here are six trends you’re going to see more of as you begin to search for your new home. These are terrific Nashville 2016 upgrades, and I’d love to see any of them in a home you choose. What do YOU think? Which one is YOUR favorite?

1. Standard tubs are out; luxurious shower stalls are in.
There’s nothing wrong with tubs, to be sure.  But the majority of us tend to be busy busy busy these days, and we welcome the chance to get a quick shower.   You’ll see more walk-in showers, more frameless options, and a significant upgrade is choosing a “rain shower” head and/or multiple jets.  If you are planning a bathroom remodel in 2016, do consider adding a luxurious shower stall with a seat installed.

2.  “Low boy” toilets are out; higher, ADA-compliant toilets are in.  As homeowners are aging in place (wink here; we’re all aging in place), we might find that our joints and knees and back are a little more sensitive these days.   So when you’re planning your 2016 bathroom remodel, change out the toilet to one that sits 2-3 inches higher.  These are generally called “ADA-compliant” toilets, and you’ll find them to be more comfortable.  Another added bonus is that toilets are much more stylish these days.  You’ll also see way fewer round toilet seats; oval seats are definitely the way to go.

3.  Ceramic tile in the kitchen is out; glass tile is in.  Glass subway tile is extremely affordable, and it comes in every color of the rainbow (and more).  Glass tile just makes sense in the kitchen, too.  The design on ceramic tiles goes out of style: haven’t you ever been in a kitchen with ceramic tile sporting an ornate flower pattern and you thought, yeah, I recognize that pattern from the 1980s?  Glass is obviously more timeless, although you do need to choose your colors carefully.  And you don’t have to choose subway tiles (generally 3×6 inches) either; glass tiles offer exciting design trends.

4.  Cherry and oak cabinets are out for kitchen cabinets; modern paints are in.  As a Realtor(R), I get to visit a lot of kitchens, including brand new builds, and gauging by my clients’ reactions, painted kitchen cabinets — especially pure, stunning white, and a second version generally called “milk” paint — always get the biggest happy responses.  Obviously, pure, stunning white cabinets scream cleanliness, and they allow the other colors in the room (the countertops, the appliances, the hardware) to shine.  But a slightly less formal version, the “milk” paint, is also gorgeous: it’s still light and clean, but the ivory tint with small flecks of brown that just makes you feel comfortable; it’s more forgiving.  In your 2016 remodel, you’ll often see the horizontal and vertical veins stained in a darker color, too.

5.  Granite is not “out”, but quartz is getting more “in”!  Granite remains a popular choice in all kitchens, so I can’t bear to write that granite is “out.”  But in high-end kitchen remodels, you’ll see a lot more engineered quartz taking center stage.  One of the more popular brands of engineered quartz is called Silestone.  It comes in as many colors as granite, and apparently it requires even less maintenance.  But this beauty comes with a price, of course.  Generally, Silestone is about 30% more expensive than granite.  If you are seeking a high-end remodel for your countertops, Silestone is a great choice.  There’s lots of choose from in countertops these days.  Expect to see remodels with concrete counters and those with rare woods as well.

6.  High-end appliance models are out; name brands are in.  I’ll cover this point quickly.  Those who seek high-end kitchen remodels used to choose the top-of-the-line, most expensive appliances in their remodels.  But the 2016 trend you’ll see is that more standard, respected brand names are sufficient.  We know they’ll last for the number of years we’ll need (before we tackle our next kitchen remodel).  Saving a little money on name brand appliances allows you to devote those funds elsewhere.  Makes sense.

One of the lessons that was drilled into your Realtor(R) when she was studying for her license is “under all is the land.”  So my last 2016 upgrade to discuss is not land, but flooring.

7.  Make-do, good-enough flooring is out; real wood flooring is in.   Oak flooring is timeless, no question there.  But if you choose a hand-scraped version (where, as in the photo, you can see the slight waves in each plank), you have just upgraded your floor to something phenomenal.  Cherry (more red), hickory (more taupe), birch (more white), and maple are other popular hardwood choices.  The flooring makes a big statement about your home, so don’t be afraid to “go big” for your flooring choice.  Hand-scraped is not significantly more expensive, so it is an excellent choice.  (I might be showing too much enthusiasm here).

These are all good ideas for your 2016 remodel.  Once you’re ready to find that home, please give me a call.  Happy 2016!

If you hate popcorn ceilings (as so many of us do), the most common recommendation is to get out the hose with a sprayer attached, several good paint scrapers, a couple of ladders, and scrape away. Oh yeah, buy several tubes of Ben-Gay, too, because your shoulders are going to ache!  It is certainly tedious work, and if your home was built in the 1950s or 1960s, there’s a chance they may be asbestos under that popcorn.

The Lighter Side of Real Estate published an alternate: put up interlocking wood paneling.  The result is beautiful, so take a moment to click on the link below to witness the project step by step.

Popcorn Ceilings!

Your Nashville home will almost certainly fetch a better price with these stylish (new) ceilings.  Enjoy!

On August 31, Realtor.com published the nation’s Top 20 Hottest Real Estate markets.  I’m pleased to report that Nashville made the list!

I have been personally offline for the majority of August due to a hospitalization, surgery, and my subsequent recovery.  But Autumn is nearing, and by the time the weather cools off just a little bit, I will be ready to again help those who are interested in selling or buying in/around Nashville, TN.

Read the full article here:  http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/the-hottest-housing-markets-of-august-2015/

Call me at 615.870.4094 or email me at sfelton@realtracs.com when the leaves start to fall!

• Spencer McKee

• 1,133 views

Known for being one of the most lively, energetic cities in the country, Nashville can also be pretty pricey.  However, there are plenty of awesome suburbs in the area that make it easy to experience the big city life on a budget.

Here are the 10 most affordable suburbs in the Nashville area.

1. White Bluff

Key Stats:

• Median household income: $45,637
• Median home value: $117,800

A tiny town of around 3,000 residents, White Bluff tops this list thanks to a high level of overall affordability in each category we looked at.  The cost of living is very low, homes are affordable, and the people don’t spend all of their paychecks on bills each month.

If you’re looking for a great place to live on a budget while still having access to Nashville, this might be the town for you.

2. Greenbrier

Key Stats:

• Median household income: $52,500
• Income spent on rent: 19.4 percent

Only 23 miles north of Nashville, Greenbrier is a great suburb with a small community feel.  While this city is away from the hustle and bustle of being downtown, its close proximity to Nashville will give you access to all of the world class shopping and entertainment you want.

Perfect for people that don’t necessarily want to live in a huge city, but still want all the amenities, Greenbrier is the best of both worlds.

3. La Vergne

Key Stats:

• Income spent on rent: 28.4 percent
• Median home value: $132,200

Taking into account the median household income and median home value, La Vergne is the most affordable suburb on our list.  While the home value is a little higher than some of these other Nashville suburbs, the median household income is also boosted quite a bit.

Another plus for this town is that the local industry is booming, as this city is home to one of two huge printing plants for the international Lightning Source publishing company, as well as large employment centers for Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. and Schneider Electric.

4. Burns

Key Stats:

• Income spent on rent: 28.8 percent
• Median home value: $129,900

Hopefully Burns’ 1,500 residents won’t mind that we’re sharing their secret about how awesome their tiny town is. The cost of living here is extremely low, meaning that every dollar you spend here will stretch a long way.

With an average household income of close to $50,000, this is a great place to save some dough during the early stages of your career in the Nashville area.

5. Springfield

Key Stats:

• Median household income: $38,750
• Median home value: $129,300

With several local parks, it’s easy to relax in this beautiful part of the state at places like the J. Travis Price Park and Garner Street Park.  Plus, Springfield is only a 30 minute drive from all the awesome live music in Nashville.

This a great place for a young family that’s new to the Nashville area as they’ll be able to find plenty of things to do in the local area without blowing their bank account.

6. Smyrna

Key Stats:

• Income spent on rent: 28.6 percent
• Median household income: $51,539

Smyrna was listed by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best places in the country to retire, probably because a retirement fund can be stretched pretty far there.  With an average home value of $150,000, expect to find neighborhoods that are nice and affordable.

A town that started as an agrarian community on a railroad, Smyrna has since grown into an economic and recreational powerhouse of the region.  With huge employers like Nissan, Asurion, and Taylor Farms in the area, finding a good job won’t be too difficult.  There are also 10 parks in the area and seven miles of greenway trails for running and biking.

7. Ashland City

Key Stats:

• Median household income: $38,984
• Median home value: $117,600

Nestled on the banks of the Cumberland River, Ashland City is regularly recognized for how beautiful the local area is, with tons of outdoor recreational hotspots and stunning views.  It’s definitely a place where you’ll want to have a boat and the good news is, you’ll probably be able to afford it.

While the median household income might seem a bit low, it’s important to note that the cost of living and cost of home ownership is on the lower side as well, making Ashland City a very affordable suburb to call home, especially with so much natural beauty to enjoy.

$80,0001657 Neptune Rd, Ashland City

8. Cross Plains

Key Stats:

• Income spent on rent: 23.3 percent
• Median household income: $50,096

Another tiny town of less than 2,000 residents, Cross Plains is great for commuters. While the lower population means that there won’t be as much going on locally, the very low percentage spent on rent means there’s plenty of money left over to basically make Nashville your second home.

Offering the quintessential small town life, Cross Plains is definitely worth checking out if you’re trying to find a spot near Nashville on a budget.

$169,9005002 E Robertson Rd, Cross Plains

$279,90081 Deer Run Rd, Cross Plains

9. White House

Key Stats:

• Median home value: $173,800
• Income spent on rent: 30.7 percent

The Nashville suburb of White House is only 22 miles from downtown.  With a fun and friendly local atmosphere, this city has put a ton of effort into bringing new business to the community in recent years.

The future’s looking bright in White House, meaning that you should take advantage of it’s affordability while you still can.

10. Gallatin

Key Stats:

• Median home value: $159,000
• Median household income: $68,021

Home to great schools, great roads, and a low tax rate, the Nashville suburb of Gallatin really is the total package.  With over 30,000 residents and a beautiful location on the Cumberland River, there’s always something going on here.

Aside from having six parks and plenty of recreational sports, Gallatin is also home to huge companies like Gap, Inc. RR Donnelley, and Servpro Industries, Inc.

Search Homes For Sale In Gallatin

$320,000109 Meadowlake Dr, GallatinBed: 3 Bath: 2 2,483 Sq. Ft.

Our Methodology

To create this list of affordable Nashville suburbs, we considered the following criteria, taking into account what people on a budget might be most interested in:

• Cost of living
• Median home value
• Percentage of income spent on rent
• Affordability ratio (median home value divided by median household income)

We then averaged those scores into one overall score and the places with the ten lowest scores made up our list of the ten most affordable Nashville suburbs.

For this list, we sourced data from AreaVibes, business listings, and the 2013 U.S. Census American Community Survey.

Want to see how all 21 Nashville suburbs stacked up? Take a look at the table below: