Ok, admittedly, this blog is a bit personal but it coincides with my mission at the Byrd Real Estate Group so here goes!

On June 12 I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of marrying the love of my life, Allie McSwain, in Atlanta, Ga. I could write a book about that experience but that’s not what this about. After the wedding we flew to Greece for our honeymoon. We had a wonderful trip but towards the end, I was ready to come home to the other love of my life… Nashville!

If you spend any time traveling, I believe you will see that we have the privilege of living in one of the greatest cities in the world.  For starters, the people in Nashville are some of the kindest, most generous and genuine people I have ever met. If you need an example, just go back and watch the news footage of neighbors helping neighbors and strangers helping strangers in the recent flood.

Second, Nashville is beautiful! The city planners have done a great job over the years leaving green space, parks and other recreation areas throughout the city. Just take a walk one day in the Warner Parks and you’ll see what I mean. We also have two gorgeous lakes and several rivers and streams winding through.

Third, culture is at the heart of Nashville. Never before have I lived in a place where so many creative and brilliant minds come together in an explosion of art and commerce. In each unique Nashville neighborhood you will find unique local restaurants (dang good ones too! see some of my food review blogs) shops, boutiques and any number of other enterprises all working together incredible music and art to make up the fabric of this community.

I LOVE THIS TOWN; and I must say I have a great job to be the guy that helps people buy a home and plant roots here.  If you have real estate needs in Nashville, I’d love to help you too. Just give me a call and we’ll grab a cup of coffee, sit on the porch and talk about it.

Alice Cooper summed up real estate’s yearly seasonal shift with just four words: “Schools out for summer!” His hit song rings true each year as the kids pack up their bags, say goodbye to their friends and put their summer gear on.

For parents getting ready to make a move to another school zone, suburb, city, or state, it means the “For Sale” signs go up and the hunt starts for the next home. Not surprisingly, 60% of all moves in America take place in the summer. It’s a seasonal shift that has been around as long as school has been in. Here are some points to consider when buying or selling your home during the summer months.

SUMMER SELLING SEASON
The nicer weather brings buyers out of hibernation and into your spring-cleaned home. As a seller, know that the summer cycle typically causes an increase in inventory creating more competition in the market. It’s likely though, that more people will be looking at your house, making it easier to negotiate on price. Buyers who want to move in before the new school year starts may forego any unnecessary haggling for a move that fits within their time frame.

On the other hand, don’t be too optimistic about price – the market today is still facing rough waters – and a higher price, not to mention more options, will probably put you at the low end of the buying list. This could leave you waiting for a buyer on into the winter months, when homes typically sell for less. And if you’re one of the many who are selling and buying all before school starts, pricing your home correctly so that it sells quickly is crucial.

BUYERS IN BLOOM
Buying during the summer months, as we know, has it plusses: it’s an excellent time to pack the kids up and relocate while school’s out and the weather is nice, there’s more inventory on the market and you can use your income tax return toward your down payment.

If it’s in the cards for you, there could be some benefits to waiting – late summer opens up a window of leverage for buyers who are working with slow moving family homes. Ultimately the family wants to move quickly before school starts (maybe you do too) which means getting to the table fast could cut down on time spent haggling over price. Buyers remember: it takes time to close on a home, so start looking now.

There are many important issues that come into play when deciding to buy or sell your home. As a real estate agent it’s my job to provide expertise on the unique shifts and help you either sell your current home or find one that fits your family’s needs. If you’re looking to move out-of-state, I have an excellent network of agents I hold within high regard who will take great care of you and your family while you search for a home. Give me a call or send me an email anytime.

Hey Nashville! 4th of July is just days away, have you made your plans yet?

Independence Day in Nashville is one of our city’s greatest holidays for so many reasons.  To start, our community is made up of proud Americans.  No matter what side of the political isle we sit, we love this country and the freedoms that we enjoy as a result of living here.  That said, on the 4th of July we all come together to celebrate and celebrate we will!  There are lots of things going on this 4th of July weekend in Nashville.  Here are our top picks:

1. Let Freedom Sing – This is Nashville’s award winning Independence Day event. 3 days of music and celebration downtown on the riverfront culminating with a concert from the Nashville Symphony and Trace Adkins and one of the top 10 firework shows in the U.S.!!!  If you have never experienced Let Freedom Sing, you need to.  Get there early to reserve your spot though.  It’s best to make an evening of it and take a picnic.  For more information, visit http://bit.ly/nashville4thofjuly

2. 4th of July Music City 5k by I Run For The Party – Tour the beautiful city of Nashville as a participant in the 10K run or 5K fun run / walk. Then join the thousands who gather at the after-party to enjoy delicious summer food, fruit and more provided by Publix and an eye dazzling fireworks display! The race route features sights like the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Ryman Auditorium, Tootsie’s Bar, the Tennessee State Capitol, Titans Stadium, Hermitage Hotel and the Country Music Hall of Fame. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/nash5k

3. Shores and Stripes – On Saturday, July 4, Nashville Shores Marina is proud to present the 2009 “Shores and Stripes” Boat Parade featuring more than $1,000 in prizes with proceeds benefitting the Nashville Sailing Foundation. There is a $20 entry fee which inlcudes a free lunch. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/nashboatparade

4. Music City Hot Chicken Festival – The annual Music City Hot Chicken Festival in East Nashville celebrates an original Nashville culinary tradition – hot chicken! This free event features the unique southern flare of local restaurants, amateur cooking competition, inflatable jumpys for the kids, the Yazoo Brewery beer garden, and of course, legendary Nashville music. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/anezeW

5. Adventure Science Center’s Lawn Party – Join the Adventure Science Center for the ‘Best Seat in the House’ as they provide an unobstructed view of the 4th of July Downtown fireworks. You don’t have to pay to park or fight the downtown traffic. Just bring your family to Adventure Science Center and celebrate the 4th at this exclusive nighttime event. Tickets start at $25. and require reservation. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/advscicenter

Have a safe and HAPPY 4th of July, Nashville!!!

It’s officially summer and you know what that means! One of Nashville’s most beloved summer activities is back and better than ever this year. Movies In The Park is the perfect way to spend a summer evening in the city. Family friendly movies start at sundown every Wednesday night in June at Centennial Park. You better get there early if you want a good seat though. Admission is FREE, just bring a blanket (lawn chairs are only cool in the very back because otherwise people behind you can’t see). You can also bring a picnic or there is food there from local vendors. Don’t forget the bug spray either, I think the mosquitos like the movies too! So without further adieu, here is this years awesome schedule.  See you there!

June 2: Where the Wild Things Are
An adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s novel, where Max, a disobedient little boy, is sent to bed without dinner. He creates his own world, a forest filled with wild creatures that crown him as their ruler.

June 9: The Sandlot
This classic summer movie is told through the perspective of Scott Smalls who is reminiscing about his first summer in Los Angeles as a boy. Smalls meets some neighborhood boys who introduce him to the world of baseball and the sandlot where they play.

June 16: Legally Blonde
Nashville native Reese Witherspoon plays the typical ditzy, Southern Califonia sorority girl Elle Woods. Elle decides to go to Harvard Law School in order to impress and win back her ex-boyfriend Warner.

June 23: The Blind Side
Based on the book by Michael Lewis, The Blind Side is a tale of professional football player Michael Oher and his impoverished unbringing, the meeting of Leigh Ann Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock, and the start of his football career.

June 30: Wizard of Oz
This American classic film follows Dorothy Gale and her wimsical journey to reach the Emerald City with her new friends Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion.

Have you ever had a good burger? Of course you have. Have you ever had a GREAT burger? I’m talking about one that is so perfect it makes you want to stand up and shout Hallelujah!!! There are precious few who have been able to transform this staple of American cuisine into a culinary masterpiece without sacrificing the heart and soul of the burger: Meat, Bun & Cheese.

Burger Up, located in 12 South in the bottom of the 12th & Paris building, has successfully perfected the burger.  Owner Miranda Whitcomb Pontes, who also owns the ever popular Frothy Monkey, meticulously tested every recipe on her Frothy Monkey customers till she had it just right.

I went on Thursday at 11:30 and the crowd was light but got heavier as we sat till there was a wait list by 12:30. The restaurant is set up with long wooden tables (handmade & local too) and benches which adds to the community feel. Servers come table side to take your order and the one I had was very knowledgeable and friendly. There is also a beautiful bar where you can dine if you like. One slight downer is that there is limited outdoor seating but hey, what do you expect for a restaurant right ton 12th?

I had the Woodstock with a side of sweet potato fries. SO GOOD! The burger was cooked just as I had ordered it with melty cheese and house made ketchup on a freshly baked bun. The sweet potato fries were great too. Not over done, not soggy, not too salty, just right.  The cool thing is that all of this goodness is locally sourced which means all the ingredients come from Tennessee farmers. Way to go Miranda!

Overall, I give Burger Up two thumbs up and will be back for more… often!!!

It’s officially been a week since Nashville got historic rainfall (15+ inches!!!) resulting in the flooding of our beloved city.  The initial response of most Nashvillians was shock and horror as we watched the water keep rising. That shock didn’t last long as Nashvillians by the thousands rolled up their sleeves and went to work helping their neighbors wherever help was needed. It was amazing!

I have never been more proud to be from Nashville. Strangers helped strangers regardless of age, sex, race, class etc. “We Are Nashville” became our battle cry. CNN’s Anderson Cooper said he had never seen a community outpouring like that of Nashville.

So now, as homes are gutted and what remains of peoples lives lay in piles along the street awaiting Metro to haul it away, where do we go from here? No one disagrees that Nashville will rise up stronger than before, but how? What might that look like?

I honestly don’t know. Some may walk away from their homes resulting in foreclosure or bankruptcy because they lost everything. Some may go into huge debt to rebuild. Some will find another way to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and move forward. There is still alot of uncertainty and there probably will be for a long time.

The thing I do know is that we have strong leadership in Nashville who will work tirelessly with the local and federal government to do what’s best for Nashville. We have businesses who are happy and willing to help in any way they can. We have neighbors who genuinely care about their neighbors. We Are Nashville. We will rise up stronger than before and let the world know how truly great our city is.

If you or someone you know needs help in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. We are all in this together and it would be my honor to help you.

Because there are lots of links and information flying around about what to do, how to help etc etc, I wanted to post them here in one place. If there is a link I should add, please email me at josh@bestmovenashville.com and let me know.  I’ll be happy to add it.

FEMA – http://bit.ly/femalink

DISASTER ASSISTANCE – www.disasterassistance.gov

VOLUNTEER  - www.hon.org

SHELTER – http://bit.ly/gordoncenter

GIVE – www.nashvilleredcross.org or Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross for flood relief in Nashville.

MOLD REMEDIATION – http://www.epa.gov/mold/table1.html

NASHVILLE DOWNTOWN INFO – http://nashvilledowntown.com/help/

GREAT UPDATES – http://bit.ly/nashvillest

NASHVILLE.GOV - http://www.nashville.gov/

METRO SCHOOLS – http://www.mnps.org/

Hands On Nashville (one of our favorite Nashville charities) is coordinating volunteer efforts to help with recovery from the disastrous flooding we’ve been experiencing. If you are able to help, go to Hands On Nashville’s website and sign up to receive information as it’s released on how you can volunteer. They can use every able hand to pitch in. Let’s band together as the great community that we are and help Nashville recover!

I try to start every day thinking about how I can make today better than yesterday with the goal of making an impact that matters. I absolutely love helping people buy and sell homes because I feel it is a chance for me to positively impact my clients life for the long term.

Starting in May, The Byrd Real Estate Group is stepping it up a notch and extending that positive impact. For every home we sell, we will give back by donating a day of our time to work along side our clients, serving their favorite Nashville charity or we will match dollar for dollar their contribution to that charity from the proceeds of their sale. I’ll be honest, I’m not really sure exactly what this will look like yet or how it will turn out, but I know it’s right.

It’s not just about selling houses. It’s about making a difference.

photo by: Mr. Kris

I’ve been asked alot recently “Is now the right time to sell in the Nashville market?” On the surface, it’s multiple choice, yes or no, 50% chance of getting it right but as you dig deeper, it’s more of a discussion question and the summary of the answer is: “It depends.”

What is your situation? What are your needs? If you are a family that has outgrown your home, then yes, it’s probably a good time for you to sell. You may not get as much as you want for your current house, but you will probably get a steep enough discount on the larger house you buy that it will make up for it. If you don’t need to move, but it might be nice, but you don’t really have any equity in your home, it may not be the best time.

If you are an investor looking to sell and reinvest, your sale may not have the ROI you hoped for but your money will buy a good deal more now when you reinvest so in the long run the ROI will pay off.  If you are an investor wanting to cash out on the real estate in your portfolio, you would probably be best served holding onto it a little longer.

Lastly, if you are in a distressed financial situation, banks have never been more willing to work with you to settle your debts. A short-sale could be the right option for you to avoid foreclosure.

My point is, everyone’s situation is different and needs an all inclusive assessment from an outsiders perspective. I get joy out of helping people with this, even if it means telling them it’s not the best time to sell. They’ll thank me later and that makes it all worth it.