Exciting times ahead for the people of Rutherford County and the surrounding Nashville area!

The Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee has a commitment to receive a $1.6 billion loan to manufacture electric vehicles and build a new battery facility near the plant. Major construction is planned for 2010 after Nissan complies with an environmental assessment to ensure that the project doesn’t degrade the environment. According to Holly Sears Weber of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, “This is going to not only keep existing jobs at the Nissan Smyrna facility, but also create new jobs, both at the facility and in construction and possibly suppliers for the product.”

For more information on how this facility will help stimulate the economy, click here.

Bob Parks Realty is committed to helping families who are interested in relocating to Nashville ~ Middle Tennessee. Our full service Corporate Real Estate Services Relocation Department is trained in corporate relocation services and has a wonderful welcome relocation package available. If anyone is interested they can email: relocation@bobparks.com for more information. To get connected to the school systems or search for homes, go to: www.bobparks.com

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

In searching for data on the economy for Nashville / Middle Tennessee ~ the government site is a great place to start looking for specific statistics. Everything from Inflation & Prices, Employment, Unemployment, Productivity, Pay & Benefits, Regional Resources as it relates to this region. For more information, Click Here.

When working with corporate clients who may be looking to relocate or move employees to Nashville / Middle Tennessee; I use this website as a tool to show current economic data. At Bob Parks Realty ~ Corporate Real Estate Services we partner with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce to show the complete picture of the Nashville MSA. Click Here to see more.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

When looking to do “projects” around the house, my husband and I agree it is very important to consider “being green” in our efforts. We just had bookcases built in our den and wanted to see what we could find out about the “green” process. There is lots of great information about the NAR Green Designation for Realtors^®. We especially wanted to be aware when the time comes to consider selling that buyers are looking for a home that is environmentally compatible, it is important to understand the process and capability of the products available in today’s market.

The Green Designation helps with green business practices as well by indicating industry knowledge of rating programs and standards. Some of which are the Energy Star qualification and the Home Energy Rating System, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

While doing some research here is what we found; Click Here for more information.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

Historic Bell Buckle, Tennessee, “where we are 100 years behind the times and proud of it!” is home of the Annual RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival, celebrating one of the finest epicurian combos known to man. The 15th annual event will be held Saturday, June 20th in Bell Buckle, just south of Murfreesboro but a world away from everywhere.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying RC (Royal Crown) Cola or a Moon Pie (marshmallow, sandwiched between two round cake/cookies, drenched in chocolate)–you gotta try this! There is even a song celebrating the duo:

To see what all the fuss is about, head down to Bell Buckle Saturday where they are kicking off the festivities at 7am with The RC-Moon Pie 10 Mile Run.

For the less sadistic crowd, come about 9 AM to make sure there is plenty of time to take in the whole lineup, which includes an Arts & Crafts Fair and a Food Court featuring among other delicious treats cold RC Colas and “Deep Fried Moon Pies” (and twinkies and snickers).

Other highlights include the RC-Moon Pie Parade, Live Bluegrass and Country Music, Fun Contests (oldest person, youngest person, etc.), “Olympic Games” (Moon pie toss, RC Dash, Moon Pie Hoops, Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest and a Hog Calling Contest) My favorite, Synchronized Wading, will begin at 12:15 pm and the Crowning of the Festival King and Queen will follow at 2:00 pm. Make sure you hang around long enough for a piece of the World’s Largest Moon Pie, served by the King and Queen.

Words truly can’t describe this festival – “You gotta see it to believe it”.

For more info and a schedule, click here.

Better get your facts straight before you go:

RC Cola History
Moon Pie History

Hope to see you there!

Posted by:Dawne Davis

Downtown Nashville will be hosting one of its largest events beginning June 11 - 14 2009. It is the CMA Music Festival. The event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities and more. For 38 years, the event has been an unparalled celebration of America’s music, drawing thousands of fans and media from all over the world.

The CMA Music Festival benefits music education in Music City.CMA has donated over $2,000,000 to further music education programs for children in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Some of the artists scheduled to appear atr Brad Paisley, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Reba, Julianne Hough and Trace Adkins.

If you love music, Middle Tennessee is a great place to relocate. There are all kinds of music represented here. Along with country music, gospel music is vey large and so is bluegrass and jazz. Rap and rock is also here. The real estate market is still strong here and I would love to help you with your move.

Posted By: Vicki Oczkowicz

If you haven’t experienced springtime in Middle Tennessee you don’t know what you’re missing. It is such a time of renewal. The flowers are blooming. The trees are beginning to get their leaves and the grass is becoming green. It’s ‘s time to get those yards in shape, plant some annuals and trim all the hedges and shrubs.

The good thing about spring is that you know it is getting close to time for all of the outdoor activities that Middle Tennessee is known for such as golf, fishing, boating, and camping. The possibilites are endless.

If you’d like to live in an area where there are four seasons, Middle Tennessee is the place for you and your family to relocate. The real estate market is still strong here and I would love to help with your move.

Posted By: Vicki Oczkowicz

On Memorial Day 2009, a city field in Murfreesboro, TN was transformed into a temporary Memorial to honor veterans, active military, their families, and celebrate our freedom. Fifteen hundred United States Flags stood in perfect rows to remind us of those who put themselves in harm’s way for our nation’s freedom. 1500 3ftX5ft American flags stood 8’ tall in perfect rows. This was a living display of heroism which flew as a temporary patriotic tribute to the strength and unity of Americans, and will honor all the men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation’s security and freedom.

It was an awesome site as my husband and I drove by the field in Murfreesboro with the wind blowing and the flags whipping around. My heart leapt when I saw the flags and what each one stood for. We thought of all the men and women who fought for our countries freedom and had a moment of silence for each one and their families. The freedoms we enjoy today is a result of those who fought over the years. And as our troops stand today, they are in our thoughts and prayers. For more information Click Here.

God Bless America!

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

Fifth and final in series of blogs about our family’s relocation from California to Tennessee.

Finding that “perfect home” is different for everyone. When I meet with buyers for the first time, one of my initial questions is, “What is important to you in a home?” Some people have price limitations and require a certain number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms. Others demand a specific school district or subdivision. And then there are some who really don’t know what they want….they know what they don’t want. We were those people.

We didn’t want our master bedroom on the 2nd floor. We didn’t want a house built before 2000. We didn’t want to be far from conveniences like restaurants, shopping, movies, etc. We didn’t want to be outside of Sumner County (specifically Hendersonville/Gallatin). We didn’t want a “fixer-upper” and we didn’t want a condominium. A pool was iffy and while we sort of had a price point in mind we were flexible on that too. Sounds easy enough, right?

Four days and over 40 houses into our search, my husband and I (and probably our Realtor, Leanne) we starting to get pretty discouraged. We only had 1 more day in TN to find a home and then we were to head back to California. As we drove back into a subdivision we visited earlier in the day to check once again for something we may have missed, a house caught my eye. It was brand new and everything we could have hoped for. Could this be our “perfect house”? We wrote up an offer, negotiated a few items here and there and entered into a contract for a home in Gallatin, TN. Several months later that house became our “home.”

Personally experiencing a relocation from California to Tennessee and going through the process of moving and purchasing a home in this area, allowed me to gain invaluable knowledge which I am eager to share with buyers. Starting with my initial consultation with a buyer, through the process of looking at houses, I offer personal attention to my client’s likes and dislikes. Is it important to have a large kitchen, a laundry room in the house or garage, a fully fenced yard, bedrooms all on one floor? Is the age of the home relevant, the school district important? Do they have a commute to and from work making the proximity of highway access important? Will a fixer-upper be more to their liking, or do they want a turn-key home ready for them to move right in? These are questions sometimes even buyers don’t think to ask themselves.

I pride myself in offering “Service You Can Smile About” with integrity, professionalism and productivity. Should you or a family member have any questions about buying or selling a home in beautiful Middle Tennessee, don’t hesitate to contact me at (615) 829-1051.

Posted By: Christine Nale

Nashville Middle Tennessee continues to be strong in these economic times. The Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro MSA ranks 5th of the 366 metropolitan areas. Corporate clients consider Nashville a top pick to relocate and / or move headquarters here. Bob Parks Realty www.bobparks.com, continues to be a strong leader in real estate and relocation for Nashville Middle Tennessee.

For more details ~ Click Here.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll