Lately I was asked a question on Trulia.com. The question was about a subdivision called Stream Valley in south Franklin TN. I had honestly never even heard of the neighborhood until one of the listing agents answered the question right behind me. Once I started digging more into it I was really amazed at the place.

Stream Valley was the host of the 2007 Parade of Homes and currently has six (6) completed homes in the community. This is a master planned community that will have many different styles of homes available ranging from townhomes in the $200's, single family cottage homes in the $300's and various single family traditionally styled homes up to and over $1.0.

Home sites were not sold to builders for speculative homes prior to the 2007 Parade of Homes so that visitors to the Parade would not be touring through a construction site. We have made every effort to maintain large hardwood trees throughout the entry (Parade site) and the remainder of the community, so many home sites were utilized as parking areas during the event.

The Parade ended October 28, 2007 and that during that time the economy had already started to shift and then shifted drastically in relation to new home speculative starts in January 2008. They have several individuals with lot reservations and their approved builders have been talking to clients about custom homes.

They also are working with a builders on finalizing our townhomes so construction may begin on those homes and one of our builders has submitted a speculative home for our Boulevard section of the community and is working on a second plan.

As far as imenities go, I was amazed to find out that they had a SPA in the neighborhood! In addition to that there is a "concierge service". This is my idea of living!!

Here is a clip from their website

"EMBRACE SELF Invigoration and restoration of the mind, body and soul can be found in the resort-style amenities of Stream Valley. The amenity center which includes a pool and lodge-style clubhouse is at the heart of the community. A private boutique spa is maintained at the clubhouse for the exclusive use of Stream Valley residents. Perhaps one of the most unique and valuable lifestyle amenities at Stream Valley is the community Concierge service (provided by Agape Concierge Service), available to all Stream Valley residents. Whether you need groceries picked up, your car serviced or your dry cleaning handled, Stream Valley's concierge is at your call. By offering a world-class Concierge service available to all residents, Stream Valley seeks to give its homeowners back a bit of their precious time, in an effort to improve upon the quality of life of its residents...that's what life at Stream Valley is all about." If anyone would like to view homes in this area or want more information on location, amenities, etc. then please contact me or go directly to their website at streamvalley.com Stephen Strickhausen Keller Williams Realty Disclaimer: Franklin TN Homes for Sale, Nashville TN Real Estate for Sale, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin TN MLS search, Nashville TN MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

1) Pricing

Many people in todays market are trying to sell too early. They see the shows on tv that have families who bought and sold in a year and made over $100,000! Those days are gone. In today's market, homes are typically worth around the SAME as they were 2 years ago. Sure, some are worth a little more and some are even worth a little less. The average home will not make you any money once you list and sell.

Really you only have two options (considering you are the few who are able to pay your mortgage). 1. If you REALLY need to get out then you may want to take a small hit. 2. STAY WHERE YOU ARE! Prices will go back up

2) Home Staging

You are in competition with many homes on the market. Some of you are in competition with the model home that is still at the front of the neighborhood. Maybe you should go back through the model and take notes. THIS IS YOUR COMPETITION!! Other home sellers are in older neighborhoods with outdated carpet and terrible paint. The same principle applies because there IS a house down the street that has been updated and will sell before yours. Walk through your own home and think like a buyer would.

3) Marketing

Check to see if your Realtor is really doing his/her job. Ask them what they are doing to market your home. A sign in your yard and a listing in the MLS is not going to cut it. Snoop around for yourself and see if there are not just pictures of your home in the MLS but GREAT pictures. Check to see if there is material for potential buyers to grab as they walk through the house. As silly as it may sound, ask your Realtor if they have put your home on their Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and Blogs. These pages potentially have a HUGE audience....possibly larger than the MLS.

4) PERKS

This sort of goes along with "Home Staging". Not only are some people in competition with model homes but they are also in competition with builders who can give them closing costs, upgrades, free tv's, etc. Think about offering a 1 year Home Warranty for the house or even possible closings costs. With paying closing costs and a buyer getting an FHA loan, that would put them out only 3.5% of upfront money.

There are many more ways to help your home sell faster. Don't just hire a distant cousin who is in the business. Call a local Real Estate company that has a good reputation and interview more than one Realtor. Ask them "HOW" they will sell your home quickly.

Stephen Strickhausen

www.nashvilletnmlssearch.com

Keller WIlliams Realty 615-480-5770

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Disclaimer:
Franklin TN Homes for Sale, Nashville TN Real Estate for Sale, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin TN MLS search, Nashville TN MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

I have not sold ONE home in Nolensville TN yet. No one wants to move there.

When you look at it on a map it "appears" to be really close to Franklin TN. In fact, it IS close to Franklin. Franklin is expanding in several directions. In certain parts like Mckay's Mill and Clovercroft, it is expanding East (towards Nolensville). It is still within Williamson County and is a part of the coveted Ravenswood High School. There are many new neighborhoods like Ballenger Farms, Silverstream, Bent Creek, Burkitt Place, and Brittain Downs. Many of these new homes average around $110 per square foot! This is Williamson County people!

So why aren't many people living there? The answer is because it is not easily accessible to Franklin or even I65. Nolensville doesn't really feel like it is a part of Williamson County. It feels like it is so far away! So why is it a great place to buy a home? NOW you will find great deals there but that may change within the next 5 years.

As you can see, Franklin and Brentwood are the same distance as Franklin and Nolensville. The biggest difference is that Franklin and Brentwood are separated by a major highway.

The plan is to open up the back country between the two cities and make them more accessible to each other. Eventually these two towns will merge like Brentwood and Franklin did.

If you drive down Nolensville road you will notice new shops and restaurants are popping up. You will also notice that new neighborhoods are being built all around the area.

Sure there are no Wal-Marts or Home Depots in Nolensville....yet, BUT that is exactly why NOW is a great time to buy in Nolensville. Home values will rise and the area will be more accessible.

Stephen Strickhausen

Keller Williams Realty

www.nashvilletnmlssearch.com

Mckay's Mill in Franklin TN is the definition of "community". Everything from smaller townhomes (Low $200's) in the front to larger homes ($700's) in the back, Mckay's Mill has it all. The community has it's own clubhouse with pool and even grocery stores and churches! This neighborhood has it all! It features creeks, lakes, miles of walking trails, and over 70 acres of open space!

I have had many clients looking JUST within the Mckay's Mill neighborhood. They love the convenience to the highways and of course being centrally located within Franklin and Williamson county is a plus. It has been developed by the Jones Company which was founded in 1927 and has a great reputation in Middle Tn.

Even the HOA is more involved than most in the area. Check out the "Forum" where residents can express concerns, get news, or even upcoming events in the area. I happen to love this neighborhood and it's residents. There is a great diversity of people within the neighborhood and it feels like such a tight knit community.

If you happen to be relocating from out of state or just looking for another Franklin TN home I would highly recommend the McKay's Mill area. There are many homes for sale and great bargains this time of year. I just negotiated a 3,000 SF home for my clients $40,000 under the asking price!

Stephen Strickhausen

Keller Williams Realty

www.NashvilleTNMLSsearch.com

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Disclaimer:
Franklin TN Homes for Sale, Nashville TN Real Estate for Sale, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin TN MLS search, Nashville TN MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

Lately I have been slacking with my blogs. This is mainly due to the fact that I have been so dang busy. In fact, I was asked today in class how many legitimate leads have I gotten since I started the class a few months ago. The answer is 4! That has nothing to do with the other clients I am working with. This is solely based on blogging through AR and the things that I have learned from the class.

With that being said, today is Thursday. Thursdays at 10am here in the Keller Williams office in Franklin TN. we have a class called "Blogging with Brewer". Larry Brewer basically has been teaching SEO and marketing through blogging. Of course AR is a big contributor to that.

Keller Williams is a huge proponant of ongoing education. I literally could walk in the office on just about any time during the week and there is some sort of class or masterminds session going on. That alone is more motivation than what most people get from working in other offices and especially from home.

Now I am back at it and wanted my first blog to be a huge shout out to Larry Brewer! Thanks

Stephen Strickhausen

www.NashvilleTNMLSsearch.com

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Disclaimer:
Franklin TN Homes for Sale, Nashville TN Real Estate for Sale, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin TN MLS search, Nashville TN MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.