The Williamson County courthouse is located on the south east side of the square in historic downtown Franklin, TN. This is the third iteration of the Williamson County Courthouse which was completed in 1858 under the supervision of John W. Miller. The first two one log and one brick were originally located in the center of the Square where the statue and park now set. It is only one of seven antebellum courthouses left in the state of Tennessee. The four iron columns that adorn the front of the courthouse were smeltered at in the small community of Fernvale which is located in western Williamson county between Fairview and the old Southall community just south of town out Carters Creek Pike. The columns were cast at an unknown foundry located Franklin. The courthouse was used as Feder... 03/30/2008

Franklin tn real estate  - I attended the weekly bankruptcy sale this week on the Williamson county court house steps with the Lighthouse Builders management, in high expectations of finding something worthwhile to purchase. It was very encouraging in that only one piece of property was auctioned, and it was a college grove lot. We were hoping to be able to buy some franklin tn real estate as an investment at an attractive price, but those days may be over in Williamson county. I guess that the rest of the country is still dealing with a lot of foreclosures, but in my area, not much is  making it to the courthouse. This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Larry Brewer of Keller Williams Realty. Providing Nashville real estate services to c... 03/27/2008

I had a call yesterday for two different realtors I know who were trying to find short sales and bank owned properties. I was willing to assist them, but it reminded me that in the Tennessee MLS system, we don't have a dedicated field for distressed property. So for any of us to find one, it takes a lot of searching, and even then, some are missed. I would guess that it's impossible to find them without a buyers agent, because the only clues that it's a short sale, or repo property, is in the Realtors remarks, and cannot be seen by the general public. If you are looking for a distressed property in the Nashville area, give me a call. The deals are starting to disappear.This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Larry Brewer of Keller William... 03/27/2008

Nashville real estate - How can you sell your home in 30 days? The average days on market for sold homes in the Greater Nashville area is 86 days, that's almost 3 months, what can be done to get it sold fast?The most important thing to get right the very first day is the price. Everybody wants to price their home high then come down if it doesn't sell. I'm sorry, but that's just wrong for getting the most out of you home. Your house needs to be priced like you want to sell it now, not next month.  Some people interview several agents, then pick the one who says they can get the most for the home. This is a sure way to prevent the sale of your home.  Be smart, pick an honest realtor who gives you their opinion, not just what you want to hear. The next thing to consider is condition. What... 03/19/2008

  Working with Lighthouse builders has given me an opportunity to see quality construction evolve to meet the changing demands of Nashville real estate customers. One of the things on our minds when we buy a home is energy expense. Lighthouse builders homes have r30 insulation in the ceiling, r13 in the walls, insulation under the floor in the crawl space, Seer 13 HVAC units, and Anderson energy efficient windows. All of the plumbing and electrical holes in the flooring and walls are sealed tight with silicon to prevent any air (or bugs) from entering the home. I managed to take a few pictures of a Lighthouse Builders home before the sheetrock was installed. In the first picture you see how the holes in the floor for the plumbing has been sealed. In the second picture, you see how the ... 03/19/2008

I'm getting emails from Top Producer that say I am able to move to the new 8i program.  What should I do?Top Producer systems have been working on a whole new interface for Top Producer and have recently unveiled it and made it available. If you choose to use 8i, you can still access your TP database using 7i for several more months.  This overlap will allow users to become familiar with the 8i interface over a period of time instead of having to make a clean switch all at once.  That is great news!  TP is planning a feature upgrade to the program in early summer that will add some of the features that 7i "power users" have come to rely on, such as improved calendar functionality and Boolean searches.The recommendation from the MAPS tech coaching program is that our coaching clients wai... 03/18/2008

     "Dance as if no one were watching, Sing as if no one were listening, And live every day as if it were your last"Bumper sticker            "Take away my people, but leave my factories, and soon grass will grow on the factory floors. Take away      my factories, but leave my people, and soon we will have a new and better factory."Andrew Carnegie"Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."Thomas Edison"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you are right."Henry Ford"Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest."Mark Twain"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."George S. Patton  03/07/2008

For those of you who don't know, one of the staples of Franklin, Dotson's Restaurant may be getting a makeover!  I was driving past the restaurant the other day and noticed a sign on a vacant piece of property that read "Future Home of Dotson's on the River".  The current site sits on the corner of 1st Avenue and Main Street.   The new location is adjacent to the current Dotson's.In today's news, there was an article relating to this story.  It stated that in addition to giving Dotson's a facelift, the developer wants to build a 5,000 SQFT building that consists of office and retail space.  Dotson's would be located in the front of this building.  This would be a huge improvement for Dotson's in that they would have a larger dining area, front porch-style dining, and customers could loo... 03/06/2008

Nashville real estate - At the Nashville home and Garden show this past weekend, I happened upon a display for Tranquil Waterscape Designs. Randy Young spent quite a bit of time with me explaining what they do, and how it can improve the value of property. The waterfalls and the sound associated with running water is very soothing to most people, and in a home that needs landscaping , it can be a real difference maker. In neighborhoods like the Governors club in Brentwood with 27 homes for sale over a million dollars, and  Laurelbrooke in Franklin with 20 homes over a million, I would consider something like this to make my home stand out from the rest.       This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Larry Brewer of Keller Williams Realty. ... 03/04/2008

Residential PropertyComparative Market Analysis ActiveMLS #AreaAddressSub/DevBRBathsYr BltGarSq FtLP/SFList PriceDOM9406521072 CROMFORD PL Fieldstone Farms32 / 0 199811,379$155.84$214,9005595316310215 MONTROSE COURT FIELDSTONE FARMS 32 / 0 199111,373$162.78$223,5001492950210608 LAWRIN PARK FIELDSTONE FARMS SEC K-232 / 1 199411,672$133.91$223,90010495536210902 IDLEWILD CT FIELDSTONE FARMS SEC K-232 / 1 199611,489$152.38$226,9006950259109045 TARRINGTON LANE FIELDSTONE FARMS32 / 0 199721,310$173.28$227,0002492407310817 BRANDYLEIGH CT FIELDSTONE FARMS SEC K-232 / 0 199521,701$138.10$234,90012493842410507 BRIDAL WAY CT FIELDSTONE FARMS SEC J-232 / 1 199211,609$148.54$239,0006194670310136 CAVALCADE DR SFIELDSTONE FARMS SEC M32 / 1 199121,656$146.68$242,9003592814210152 CAVALCADE DR FIELDSTONE... 03/04/2008

Residential PropertyComparative Market Analysis ActiveMLS #AreaAddressSub/DevBRBathsYr BltGarSq FtLP/SFList PriceDOM88133010440 WIRE GRASS LANE WESTHAVEN SEC 1132 / 1 200522,001$209.90$420,00025895444310508 Ardmore Place Westhaven22 / 1 200622,335$182.01$425,00010954583101341 Eliot Road Lot # 910 Westhaven32 / 1 200822,285$187.75$429,000995239910300 STARLING LN #333 WESTHAVEN SEC 643 / 0 200422,217$197.56$438,0001795098310712 Pearre Springs Way # 680 Westhaven32 / 1 200722,168$207.52$449,9002194111410210 Cheltenham Westhaven33 / 0 200322,614$175.94$459,90053954582101335 Eliot Road Lot # 907 Westhaven33 / 1 200822,674$179.13$479,0009933693101185 Westhaven Blvd Lot # 711 Westhaven33 / 1 200822,751$177.75$489,0008795258410100 JASPER AVE WESTHAVEN SEC 642 / 1 200422,560$193.71$495,900169239... 03/04/2008

Westhaven is a Southern Land developement, with many custom builders and home designs to pick from. As of now  700 homes have been completed, and 150 more under construction. Commercial real estate commitments include at 48,000 square ft Harris Teeter, a 3000 square Mafiaoza's, Vanderbilt medical group, Sara Northcutt Dentistry, Westhaven Pharmacy, and a Regions bank. The golf course at Westhaven has been under construction for some time now, and should be complete for play by september of  2009. Westhaven Homes range in price from $380,000 to well over $1,000,000 and in size from 2000 square feet to over 5000 square feet. Westhaven is starting to look like the small town that most of the residents have been expecting. This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual prop... 02/26/2008

In an article this morning in the Tennessean the main discusison was the new developments going on in Westhaven's Towncenter.  Apparently Mafiaoza's Pizzeria is moving to Williamson County, more secifically in Westhaven's Towncenter.  This makes another big step in securing a tenant in the center.  Mafiaoza's is located in the 12th South District and if you haven't eaten there yet, you need to check it out.  The only tenant in there at the moment is Dr. Sara Northcutt, DDS of Vanderbilt.  Other tenants that might be moving in are Harris Teeter, and a Wine & Spirits store.  Here is the full article:"FRANKLIN - Development in Westhaven has progressed beyond home building, and developers are now in full-swing recruitment mode to fill in the gaps with retail and entertainment options in the... 02/26/2008

Laurelbrooke a gated Franklin community with close to 600 acres of hills and forest. With 320 lots up to 5 acres in size, it has 2 gated guarded entrances, a 4000 square ft clubhouse including a fitness center, a gourmet kitchen, and media room. The swimming Pavilion has a heated pool for extending the season. A playground area with a picnic pavilion, basketball courts, 2 lighted tennis courts, miles of paved walking trails, stocked fish ponds with fountains and waterfalls.Prices range from $850,000 to $5,000,000. To search for Laurelbrooke homes, or Laurelbrooke real estate, click on the button. 02/20/2008

Westhaven is a master planned community that sits on approximately 1500 acres in Williamson County off of New Highway 96.  Having sold houses in the neighborhood and watching it grow since it's inception, it has been great being around the community.  There are a wide variety of houses in the neighborhood from Cottage to Italian Renaissance.  Each house bring the American standard of living to life with front porches and beautifully landscaped yards.  The houses are built with quality and efficiency in mind.  Each house brings a unique style to the community  You will even find flowers and vines hanging from the sides of a few houses as well as colorful window boxes.  In addition to the landscaping, the neighborhood has dedicated about 50% of the acreage to natural landscapes.  Basicall... 02/19/2008

A Networking Day for YouANDY is simply a dutch-treat lunch with a few old friends and many new ones, an opportunity to pass out a few business cards, and a chance to win fun door prizes.  To join ANDY there are no qualifying requirements, dues, membership applications, exclusive industries, paper name tags, pressure to recruit others or guest speakers. There are also no strings. ANDY is designed for professionals to exchange business cards, chat, and meet new acquaintances.  Networking is from 11:30- noon and if you choose to stay for lunch, Lorraine's offers a beautiful buffet including salad, entree, veggies, soups, breads, desserts, and beverage all for less than $15, and that includes tax and tip! We usually mosey over to the buffet around noon and Andy, your host, will make comment... 02/17/2008

     What would you do if someone decides to sue you? Would you have the resources to hire an attorney and defend yourself? Would you lose your home, your savings and everything you've earned?Here are a few examples of situations that could involve you in a personal lawsuit... Your babysitter has just put your children to bed and is walking down your stairs. She trips on a toy, falls down the stairs and is seriously injured. While cutting your lawn, the mower throws a rock into the air, hitting a young child playing nearby. The child loses sight in one eye. While driving down the street, an animal darts in front of your car. You swerve to avoid hitting the animal and accidently hit a pedestrian. Shelter offers a $1,000,000* personal liability policy that covers many of the reasons someo... 02/16/2008

CarronBridge in Franklin -  is an upscale community in Cool Springs developed by Southern Land Company. Located just off cool springs blvd, access to shopping and I-65 is a major asset. Carronbridge is Zoned for Kenrose elementary, Woodland middle school, and Ravenwood high school. All are excellent schools. The Carronbridge real estate homes are all brick, and range from 3500 square ft to 4700 square ft. and prices are $600,000 to $780,000.     To see all Carronbridge homes for sale, click on the button. This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Larry Brewer of Keller Williams Realty. Providing real estate services to clients in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Green Hills, and the middle Tennessee area. 02/14/2008

 Franklin residents are getting access to a new 200 acre public park soon. The city of Franklin bought Harlinsdale Farm 4 years ago for 8 million dollars, and has been renovating the the property. The grounds include a 5 acre retention pond close to the Harpeth River border of the property that will be stocked for fishing. The access roads will by upgraded and parking spaces added for the increase in traffic, and the buildings all had to be brought up to current safety codes. The park was added to the National Register of historic places in 2006. The design work for the property took over a year because the designers want the park to be environmentally friendly. This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Larry Brewer of Keller Williams Realt... 02/13/2008

Franklin real estate -Yesterday it was 60 degrees and a typical Franklin day. Light jacket or sweater would be appropriate. Overnight, something unexpected happened, the light rain we were having changed properties somewhere on it's way down to 21 degrees. We woke up to ice on the bridges and low visability due to heavy snow. Real Estate viewing will just have to wait until the bridges are cleared of all the broken cars.This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Elizabeth Payne-Brewer of Keller Williams Realty. Providing Franklin real estate services to clients in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Williamson County, and the middle Tennessee area. 02/13/2008