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The holidays are around the corner, and we’ve heard from members of our homeowner community who are searching for ways to give back. Today, our recommendations for ten top volunteer opportunities in Middle TN spotlight organizations that serve those in need year-round yet organize special efforts around Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Whether you plan to donate your time, goods, services, or contribute financially, we appreciate each of you. Your generosity and desire to help are emblematic of the beautiful community spirit here in Middle TN. 

If you’re not a resident but will be visiting this holiday season and wish to incorporate philanthropy into your vacation, contact any of the following organizations ahead of your visit. After you’ve gone…

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Power outages are an unpredictable (thankfully rare) challenge that most of us have experienced at least once. The degree of inconvenience you will experience during a power outage is determined by how prepared you are when it occurs. For this reason, we strongly recommend that every homeowner learn about how to prepare for a power outage, and then stay prepared at all times.

The type of preparations you’ll want to undertake to prepare for a power loss in the peak of summer will be different from one that arrives on the winds of a winter storm. Our suggestions will include helpful tips for each season.

Stock an Emergency Preparedness Kit

An emergency preparedness kit is an essential safety step for all homeowners. While the items your…

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As a renter, you weren’t responsible for performing routine home maintenance, let alone dealing with repairs and emergencies. As a homeowner, however, it’s essential that you are financially prepared to handle each of these unavoidable events. While facing repairs and emergency expenses will still be stressful, being prepared for them will ensure that your financial position isn’t threatened by the unexpected.

As you read through our recommendations, keep in mind that they are developed with the average expenses faced by a homeowner in the US. If you have purchased a new home, your repair fund will not need to be as large. If you’ve purchased a home that is over 30 years old, plan for roof, plumbing, window, HVAC, and electrical issues that are…

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Nashville and the surrounding area boast an art scene that grows continually. Our artists are diverse, innovative, and committed to creating works for the community to enjoy and interact with. Throughout the year, Middle Tennessee’s art galleries are open, with new works and exhibits shown often.

Additionally, our region hosts various festivals and art crawls, all of which are vibrant celebrations of the talented artists who make their homes here. In fact, with so much art to choose from, you may have trouble deciding which art crawls and exhibits in Middle TN are best! If so, today’s Top Ten list is for you.

100 Taylor Arts Market
100 Taylor St | Nashville

1oo Taylor Arts Market is located in the Germantown neighborhood within a massive…

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In the US, 60% of people say they play video games at least once per day, and 70% of gamers are over the age of 18. The average gamer is now 34 years old, meaning that millennial homeowners are statistically very likely to be invested in gaming on at least one of the popular platforms. Today’s blog post is all about creating the ultimate gaming room here in Middle TN!

Spring for High-Speed Internet

While 5 Mbps may be sufficient when you’re streaming HD content online, it’s the bare minimum for online gaming. We recommend that avid online gamers (especially those who share their internet connection with other family members who game or stream content at the same time) invest in the best internet speeds available.

Pro Tip: Make sure the…

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Many homeowners are busy preparing their homes for sale. Are you among them? Selling now certainly makes sense. The housing market continues to favor sellers, with most listings pulling in plenty of competing offers.

Even with the persisting seller’s market, in order to maximize the sale price of your home, you’ll want to eliminate or fix anything that could potentially hurt your home appraisal. A high appraisal will ensure that you can earn top dollar for your home, while a low appraisal can cost you tens of thousands at closing.

Keep in mind that not all home renovation projects will yield a healthy ROI. It’s vital that you consult with your real estate agent to learn more about which recommended upgrades and repairs will be most likely to net…

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Many homebuyers across the U.S. wonder how to save for a down payment with a tight budget. With rent rates climbing, inflation rising, and house prices still high, saving money for a down payment has become more tricky.

The good news is that you can use several tips and tricks to save money and cut expenses. Let's explore some ways you can save money for a down payment.

Commit To Cut Unnecessary Spending

Cutting out on unnecessary spending can help your savings grow. Even though cutting out on extra spending is unpleasant, it can help you save money for the down payment. We're going to list down some places you can consider cutting:

  • Spend less on take-out. Even coffees or too many ice cream runs add up quickly.
  • Skip the vacation…

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Human beings appreciate efficiency in all things. This trait has served us well, leading us to create streamlined equipment, processes, and techniques across every one of our endeavors. Now, it’s time to put our love of efficiency to use to keep our planet healthy, comfortable, and safe for as many vulnerable people as possible. 

The electricity we use to power our homes and the fuel we rely on to keep them heated and cooled is responsible for 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions that are warming our planet. That means that in addition to saving up to 30% on your energy costs, improving your home’s energy efficiency will contribute to a better world. 

To get started, we suggest that homeowners work through a home energy audit checklist. Home…

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Hardly a day goes by without news outlets throughout the world reporting the effects of climate change. Now, even regions previously thought to be decades away from any impactful fallout have been rocked by events like floods, wildfires, and hurricanes.

The science surrounding climate change is complex and often overwhelming for a layperson to analyze. What we do know is that the only way to prevent catastrophic eventualities is for humanity around the world, from billionaires to hard-working blue-collar folks to pull together and keep Earth’s temperature increase under 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Today, we’d like to share seven ways to reduce your home’s carbon footprint. Overall, an individual’s carbon footprint is nearly impossible to accurately…

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Nashville is world-famous for its music and cuisine, but our murals are undeniably among the most beautiful in the nation. Unlike graffiti-driven, disruptive street art that has formed the foundation of the movements in cities like New York, Chicago, Bristol, and Berlin, Nashville’s street art began as a way to celebrate the solidarity, warmth, and positivity that sets Tennessee apart. Murals here are marked by vibrant colors, sweeping lines, cultural celebration, and mind-bending geometric patterns.

As each new, innovative mural goes viral on Instagram, tourists and locals alike gather to indulge in the visual feast and take their own shots for the ‘Gram. Because our street art scene has continued to soar, artists from around the world have leapt at…

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