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In Middle Tennessee, fall is a breathtakingly beautiful place. Understandably, then, most of us want to spend fall out and about, enjoying the festivals, sights, and smells of our state. For homeowners, though, we have fall chores to complete before winter arrives. Our fall home checklist below will help you weatherproof your home, improve its energy efficiency, and help you tackle your tasks one step at a time.

1.) Clean Out or Replace Gutters

It’s easy to take your gutters for granted; when they’re working, you hardly notice them. However, even one season with clogged gutters will increase the risk of foundation damage and dry rot within your home.

This fall, either climb up and clean out your gutters, or hire a service to handle it for…

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Curb appeal is likely part of what first drew you to your home, so it makes sense to keep your property’s exterior at least as beautiful as it was then. A damaged and neglected driveway would naturally detract from the overall impression one would get upon arriving at your home. Today, we’re sharing the best ways to help your driveway look good and last longer than you might have hoped. By following the tips below, your valuable driveway will be the envy of your block in the coming years.

Regular driveway maintenance prevents difficult and costly issues, so make prevention a priority this summer and all year long! Your driveway’s lifespan will depend on routine maintenance and the care you take to protect it.

Tips for Maintenance: An Ounce of…

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If you are considering purchasing a property to rent through Airbnb or are debating converting a current long-term rental into a short-term rental, you're likely weighing the pros and cons of running an Airbnb in Middle Tennessee. 

You’ve probably heard that renting properties through Airbnb, VRBO, or booking.com can be far more lucrative than long-term renting, which can be true but isn’t always so. Furthermore, even a successful Airbnb host may decide that the gig isn’t a good fit for their personality, lifestyle, and location.

So, let’s dive right in: what are the pros and cons of becoming an Airbnb host?

The Pros

1.) Higher Income Potential

The first, most obvious benefit to choosing short-term rentals is that they bring in…

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Southern American barbecue is a genuinely unique cuisine. Each region within the South takes pride in its own style of slow barbecue cooking, and Tennessee is no exception. In the east, Tennesseans prefer pork shoulder and chopped whole hogs with a vinegar sauce. In Memphis, dry and wet pork ribs and pulled pork shoulder reign supreme. 

At Parks Realty, we adore every Southern barbecue style! Whichever way you prefer to cook your cuts, we hope you take advantage of these warm summer nights and turn your own back yard into a culinary destination, sending aloft aromas that will make mouths water all around your neighborhood.

If you’re a beginning pitmaster, the following list of backyard barbecue must-haves will equip you to turn out succulent…

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Most pet owners count our pets as an important part of the family. Thus, it makes sense to consider their needs when purchasing or remodeling our homes. Today, we’re sharing our top 12 home must-haves for pet owners. If you want your home to be safe, fun, convenient, and durable for your furry companion, the following recommended essentials are a great place to start!

Bathing Station

Bathing your cat or dog is probably not your favorite part of pet ownership. However, by installing (or shopping for a home that includes) a dedicated pet bathing station, you can make this task much more manageable.

Typically, a pet bathing station is located in a mudroom, laundry room, or dedicated grooming room off the kitchen. Pet showers are elevated, usually…

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Back yards are each homeowner’s personal slice of nature. When well maintained, thoughtfully arranged, and studded with pops of your personality, your outdoor living space can become a place where you can entertain long into the night. 

The following must-have backyard items are a blueprint meant for personalization. Only you can picture your perfect paradise, but we hope this list gets your creative mind whirling with possibilities.

1.) Lush Landscaping

If you have the means to have lavish landscaping installed all at once, congratulations! If not, visit one of the best locally-owned plant nurseries for assistance in choosing the best botanicals for your yard, planting them properly, and maintaining them throughout each season. 

As your…

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Setting up your first home bar or upgrading to a more sophisticated collection of alcoholic beverages can leave you overwhelmed at all of the options. Perhaps you can’t decide where to begin, what to include, or how much to budget. This is a common conundrum many homeowners face when deciding to establish their home’s first official wet bar, so you’re not alone! Today, we’re sharing our list of home bartending must-haves. 

Just the Basics

If you don’t drink often, or have simply never mixed alcoholic beverages before, you may still want to have the supplies on hand for guests who would enjoy a drink when they visit. Follow the below (EASY) five steps to set up a basic at-home bar cart and add to it each month as you learn to make new drinks…

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If you love to entertain or have visions of entertaining in your dream home, it’s essential that your home allows you to welcome large groups comfortably. Whether you’re searching for a new home, or plan to renovate your current space, the following 14 features will help you turn your home into an entertainer’s dream!

1.) Driveway Parking

If you’re planning to have more than a few friends over at a time, parking will quickly become an issue. In order to maintain peace with your neighbors, your guests must avoid illegal and inconsiderate parking strategies.

Ideally, an entertainer’s home will have a long drive that accommodates 6 cars or more. Alternatively, a home located on a wide street, or near a wide lane, can work nicely.

2.)…

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In many regions of Tennessee, residents definitely need a vehicle to get around. Sprawling cities, patchy sidewalks, limited public transportation, and a lack of proper pedestrian infrastructures can make walking a challenge and a potential safety hazard. However, given the personal and environmental benefits of walking daily, it’s well worth it to dedicate some extra time when house hunting to find a home in a walkable neighborhood.

Why walk when you can drive?

Walking often reduces body weight, elevates the mood, improves balance, strengthens muscles, improves bone density, and develops coordination over time. Walking can fend off heart disease, reduce high blood pressure, and improve our body’s response to insulin, which, along with lowered…

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If there’s one single homeowner’s challenge that can ruin a dream home, it has to be rude, toxic, obnoxious, or just plain awful neighbors. Whether your once-perfect situation has been spoiled by new neighbors, or you’ve just found out that your new home is next to the block’s worst occupant, we have some peaceful, lawful advice to help you deal with your bad neighbors. 

1.) Open a Friendly Dialog

While it may seem like your neighbor absolutely has to be aware that their booming bass is an outrageous breach at 2 a.m., people frequently do not understand how their choices are affecting those around them. Once inside the safety and privacy of their four walls, homeowners can retreat into a mindset that leaves them feeling isolated and removed…

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