Secret No 96: Montgomery Bell State Park

Number 96 of 100 of Nashville’s Best Kept Secrets is Montgomery Bell State Park, which is located approximately 30-40 minutes West of downtown Nashville. This parks is not only beautiful, but it’s also one of few parks with a dedicated mountain biking trail in the Nashville area. Even though a lot of state parks mention mountain biking trails, they are often shared by horseback riders, which does not go hand-in-hand on a path barely wide enough for a front tire.

The park also includes more than 100 picnic areas, rustic cabins, and campgrounds. It’s perfect for a couple, family, or even some time alone. There is also a creek that runs through the campground with some campsites located along the bank. The trails include more than 18 miles of scenic tall trees and fresh air. You can also hike the backcountry trail which has three overnight shelters open year-round.

For more information, visit: http://www.stateparks.com/montgomery_bell.html

About Bob Parks Realty

The most respected name in middle Tennessee real estate, Bob Parks Realty is home to over 400 real estate professionals serving families and home owners in Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville. Gallatin, Hendersonville, Smyrna, Green Hills and the surrounding area. For more information about Bob Parks Realty, visit www.bobparks.com.

Posted by:  Kimberly Fahey

Now is the time to think about real estate! With tax credits, the low interest rates, and with the over-correction of the local real estate market, affordability has reached levels that we have not seen for years! And, it’s unlikely buyers will see this type of market for many, many years to come.

Promising news for home buyers and owners:

• January 2010 marked the fourth straight month where homes sales increased. This is followed by 39 straight months of declines. This trend is expected to continue with a 5-10% increase throughout 2010.
• New construction experts agree that 2010 will see this number begin to climb too. A shortage of inventory is likely to occur in late 2010 in lower to mid-range price points.
• Steve Murray, a nationally recognized real estate expert notes: We are in a soft-bottom and have started a long slow recovery.

A Time to Buy!

• An $8,000 tax credit is available for first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010
• A $6,500 tax credit is available for current home owners who have been in their home for five consecutive years and plan to purchase a new or used home by April 30, 2010. (see all the details under the “client resources” link at www.bobparks.com)
• Interest rates remain at historic lows. As of late February 2010, 15 year fixed rates are near 4.5% and 30 year rates are around 5% for home loans.
• Most financial experts believe rates will begin to rise in the coming months

To list your home with the most respected name in Middle, TN real estate, click here.

Visit www.bobparks.com to search for your next dream home in Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Smyrna, Nashville, Green Hills , Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville, and more!

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

The snow has left Green Hills and the sun is out! Parks Properties is now in their new and exciting location at the Hill Center above Whole Body.

Please come by and take a tour. Who knows we might even sell you a NEW home. And if you are a first time homebuyer, take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit.

For more information about real estate agents in Green Hills, click here.

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

The initial cost to implement green and healthier living in your home may seem like it’s too much, but when you compare the benefits and energy saved, you come out way ahead. The results and cost of implementing tankless water heaters, high efficiency HVAC, PEX water pipes, spray foam, etc can equal a 30-70% reduced energy bill, plus increase the overall resale value of your home. In addition to cost savings, your air quality is up to 50% cleaner.

Another way to look at implementing healthier and cost reduced living would be to consider buying a green HOME the next time you are house hunting. One of the major builders in Middle TN is Herrington Homes, LLC. They focus on building LEED® certified homes. LEED is a rating system that sets the standard for designing and building high performance healthy homes that use less energy, water, and natural resources.

Check out this green LEED home currently on the market in Hendersonville:

1547 Hunt Club BLVD, Hendersonville, TN 37066

$479,900 MLS # 1067037

Total SQ 3070

For more information on finding green LEED® certified home in Middle, TN contact Dan Herrington with Bob Parks Realty at (615) 975-9021. Click here for all homes for sale in Hendersonville.

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Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

We are going green! Last week our Green Hills office of the Bob Parks Family became Parks Properties! I’ve been busily replacing our Bob Parks signs with these beauties. The remarks have been very positive . As much as we were loyal to the Bob Parks Red, Yellow and Black logo, there is something that feels so Fresh about our new signs. I look forward to hearing YOUR feedback.

Posted By: Frances Garner

We vacation in St. Croix for a week or so every winter. A few years ago we were considering buying a vacation home on that beautiful island and then it occurred to us: if we have a 2nd home there, we’ll only get to use it a couple of times a year. Instead, we built our dream vacation cottage right in the front yard of our Green Hills home!

Originally built in the 1930s by the Bryan Family, our Mission Stucco home features architectural elements reminiscent of traditional Mediterranean cottages popular in warmer climates. We continued that architectural style with an expansive renovation and addition and replaced the asphalt shingles with the clay tiles that were original to the residence.

Featured in Home And Garden Magazine and nFocus, our home includes a dramatic entry through (for lack of a better word) the “Guest House” and vaulted loggia. The entire home wraps around a saltwater pool and hot tub with a splashing waterfall and lush landscape you’d expect in a resort. Spend a few minutes here and it’s easy to forget you’re five blocks from Green Hills mall, less than ten minutes from downtown (without traveling on the interstate) and Maryland Farms in Brentwood. You won’t find a more convenient or desirable location that makes you truly feel like you’re on vacation every time you pull in the driveway.

Listed at $1,500,000 (priced for current market) our home features a total of 5330 sq feet, five bedrooms and five full baths and expansive outdoor entertaining areas. Both the “morning kitchen” and the new guest house/party room kitchen boasts gourmet appointments: Sub-zero glass front regrigerators, Wolf, Viking, Thermador, Asko… as well as a “kitchen to kitchen” intercom which makes communication with caterers a breeze when entertaining large parties! Check out more details Here.

If you’re in the market for a luxury home with a warm and relaxed feel, this may the home for you. Give me a call today and I’ll be glad to arrange a personal tour! Jack Miller (owner/agent) 615.308.7776

Posted By: Jack Miller

Frances Garner
Area Nashville-Brentwood-Franklin
Office Phone (615) 383-6600
Mobile (615) 300-6439
Fax (615) 353-4156
Email garnerf@realtracs.com
Website www.homesbyfrances.com
My LinkedIn Page
My Facebook Page

Real Estate Profile
Since 1978, I have been actively involved in full-time residential Real Estate sales in Nashville and the surrounding area.

"Buying and selling a home is usually the single most exciting and expensive financial transaction a family or individual makes. My goal is to meet and exceed your expectations and needs as we work together in the sale of your present home or the purchase of your new home. When we are working toward the purchase of a new home, I will do this by listening carefully to what your hopes and dreams are and seeking to find that one home that You will know is just the right one for you. When we are selling your present home, I will guide you through the things that you can do to prepare your home to sell quickly and at the best possible price. Then I will market the property aggressively and keep you informed throughout the process.”

Professional Accomplishments
* Affiliate Broker
* Meeting Nashville’s real estate needs since 1978.
* Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
* Certified Relocation Specialist
* 2005 Premier Club, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®
* Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)
* Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
* Bob Parks Diamond Award 2006, 2007
* Circle of Leaders 2000–2003
* Bob Parks Realty Pearl Award 1999, 2005
* Bob Parks Gold Award 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004
* Bob Parks, Green Hills Sales Leader 2006, 2007, 2008
* Sharon Langford & Associates Million Dollar Associate 1992–2004
* Sharon Langford & Associates Sales Leader 1992, 1994–2002
* Sharon Langford & Associates Listing Leader 1993, 1994, 2000, 2003
* Life Member Greater Nashville Assn. of Realtors Million Dollar Sales Club since 1986
* Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Million Dollar Sales Club 1982–89
* Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Gold Award of Excellence 1991–99
* Greater Nashville Associates of Realtors Silver Award of Excellence 2000, 2002, 2004
* Joel Riggs & Co./Better Homes & Gardens Sales Leader 1983, 84, 86&87.

Member of:
* St. Henrys Catholic Church
* Lady Investors of Nashville

Specialties
Marketing Homes in Southwest Nashville and Williamson County; First Time Buyers; Relocating Families & Move Up Buyers.