Search our Blog

Parks is proud to highlight the managing broker of our Smyrna office, Virginia Pappafotis!

Virginia has been a real estate agent since 1998 and a part of the Parks family for 22 years. Prior to real estate, Virginia attended Auburn University and Middle Tennessee State University before working in the education and medical fields for a short time. When it comes to real estate, she specializes in contracts, negotiations, and problem-solving.

With a desire to delve into new construction properties, Virginia began working for Bob Parks in 1999. She worked with five different builders during the early part of her real estate career and found it to be challenging, yet highly rewarding. Virginia thanks her husband, Joe Chittaphong, for being…

26191 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

It's that time of the month again! We are excited to announce February's LoLo gifts! There are so many unique, wonderful, local businesses in Middle Tennessee and it's time to celebrate them this month!

LoLo, Locals Supporting Locals, is an amazing program for your Parks REALTOR® to give to you! Each month, a completely free, new gift comes to your cell phone for you to enjoy. The gifts are selected by county and are only for local businesses, no nationwide chains!

LoLo helps remind us to shop local and support our friends and neighbors! Here are February's gifts to you!

Ivey Cake

Williamson County

Located in Brentwood, Ivey's offers a vast selection of designer cakes and cupcakes! The company started with a simple dream; to make the…

28251 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

When you are in the process of remodeling or designing a home’s interior, choosing flooring materials is one of the most important decisions you will make. Often, professional designers recommend choosing a type of flooring—as well as the color and finish—before you go on to choose things like countertops, lighting fixtures, cabinets, appliances, and wall colors because flooring is absolutely fundamental to a home’s appearance. 

Today, we’re exploring 9 of 2021’s most popular flooring choices. Modern flooring technology is truly amazing, offering more potential varieties than you may have realized! We hope this guide will help you determine which flooring is best for your home makeover.

1.) Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is timeless,…

28863 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Masterfully built by Legend Homes and featured in the Parade of Homes, this stunning property has been impeccably maintained and still looks brand new! Located in Stream Valley Manor, this home features exceptional finishes, high ceilings, a beautiful entry foyer, a home theater, a wet bar, tons of space for entertaining, an outdoor fireplace, and professional landscaping.

There is just something about the charm of Franklin that sets it apart. It's a vibrant and alive city that embraces its historic appeal while continuing to look to the future.

Located 30 minutes south of Nashville in Williamson County, Franklin is home to major corporate headquarters, historical attractions, a lively music scene, an abundance of shopping and plenty of parks…

18470 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

It was one thing to set up shop at the kitchen table for after school homework - just grab the pencil jar kept near the table, pull out those worksheets from the backpack, and there you have it, a homework station! But what about kids who are now doing full or partial remote learning? That is an adjustment that for most, takes a little more setup than just a quick stop at the kitchen table. For many reasons including concentration, energy levels, comfort, and just plain enjoyment, it’s important to think about the elements that are going into your child’s remote learning space. Below are some of the most important things to think about:

Think Location

When thinking about the best locations for your child’s learning space, go off your child’s…

15331 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

With social distancing still a must, it’s little wonder that many of us have allowed our fitness routines to slip. We know sedentary life is a clear path toward later disability and illness, though, so it’s time to step up and reclaim our health. Today, we’re sharing our top tips for creating a home workout routine. 

Ultimately, designing your own workout program should be an enjoyable, challenging experience. You’ll no doubt make adjustments to your initial plan, but with some planning and creativity, you should be able to dramatically improve your fitness without spending a cent or hitting the gym once.

1.) Analyze Your Motivation

There is a wide range of motivations for optimizing fitness, and most of them are perfectly acceptable.…

20935 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This lovely home was built in 2005, but is truly just like new! In 2016, an additional 1,000 square feet was added that included an expansive master suite, an attached two-car garage, a covered deck, a bonus room, second-level laundry, and an abundant amount of extra storage. In 2018, the kitchen was fully renovated to include custom cabinetry, quartzite counters, high-end appliances, a wet bar in the walk-in pantry, and a gas fireplace in the living room. In addition, as of 2019, there is a new HVAC, new hardwoods, a fully fenced yard, and new lighting.

The Downtown area is truly the heart of Nashville. Nashville’s earliest settlers celebrated in the late 1700s with fiddle tunes and buck dancing after safely disembarking on the shores of the…

10550 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

An origination fee is part of the multi-step process of getting a loan and includes the cost of processing the application, underwriting, and financing the loan. The lender may combine the fees into one charge or may list each one individually.  

Either way, origination fees are separate from your mortgage down payment and are often paid as part of your closing costs.

What Do Origination Fees Cover?

  • Loan processing, such as reviewing your application and preparing documents.
  • Underwriting, such as gathering and verifying your information, including your credit score.
  • Loan Funding, such as "points" that lower your interest rate

How To Determine the Cost of Your Mortgage Origination Fee

The typical origination fee is…

23031 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Winter’s icy embrace has enveloped Tennessee, kissing the mountaintops with frost and snow. If you’re itching to head out and witness this breathtaking beauty yourself, pack your microspikes, bundle up in warm layers, and get hiking! Today, we’re sharing our Top Tennessee Winter Hikes. While you’re adventuring, please stick to trails that are clearly marked by our state’s official parks and wildlife management department. Because trails, even gentle ones, are more dangerous when icy, we recommend hiking in teams. Carry plenty of water, some energy-rich food, and be sure someone responsible knows your location, destination, and approximate return time. 

Hidden Passage Trail — Pickett County

Hidden Passage Trail is covered in ice and snow…

17423 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Located in Midtown's most desirable location, this stunning corner condo has been beautifully updated and offers sweeping views of Nashville! This condo features all new flooring, fresh paint throughout, custom lighting and window treatments, high-end finishes, a new hot water heater, a new washer and dryer, a long list of community amenities, and a location just a short walk to Vanderbilt and Music Row.

A truly diverse neighborhood, Midtown runs from Interstate-40 down 17th Ave South and over to 31st Ave South. It continues to roughly follow the edge of Interstate-40 and Charlotte Avenue, making this one of the larger neighborhoods in the city. Known for its nightlife, Midtown is a favorite for locals looking for some non-touristy attractions.…

10751 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post