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The choice in buying a home is without a doubt, overwhelming. But with so many different factors, what does it really come down to? The floorplan. The floorplan of a home is what you’ll truly be living in day to day. Because of how important floorplans are, it’s necessary to really give it some thought before you’re on your house hunt (or looking into designing a new build). By thinking about what you want and need ahead of time, you’ll have a smoother search process and end up more likely to be happy with your choice for years to come. Here are some ways we like to think about floor plans and what you might want out of them:

Budget

The harsh reality is that, unless you have a truly unlimited fund for your home, there will be a budget…

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Dogs are a (wo)man’s best friend - but are they a small home or apartment’s best friend? It depends. Most small dogs can be too yappy for small or shared spaces, and most big dogs need more room physically. But that’s not to say there aren’t breeds out there that were born for small spaces - they do exist!

We’ve rounded up our favorite dog breeds for “small home” living. Cheers to dog lovers! (Or should we say “treats”, instead?)

Greyhound

It’s counterintuitive that the fastest dog would do well in a small space, but greyhounds actually like to lounge most of their day, especially once they get their energy out which looks like a good walk or a trip to a dog park. They are also gentle and quiet by nature, so no neighbor distress here! 

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With talk of stimulus checks and the economy, your child may be curious about what the future holds for their finances. Teaching healthy money habits can be challenging, but it's one of the most important lessons you can share and you don't need to be an expert to give kids a solid foundation in financial literacy. Use these tips for a simple yet impactful financial talk with your kids!

Make it Age-Appropriate

Finances are complicated, so make sure you tailor your talk to their level of understanding and interest. Discuss terms like "budgets," "overdraft fees," "interest rates," and "credit scores." Regardless of age, it's never too late or too early to teach financial literacy basics.

Take Advantage of Events

A grocery store is a…

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Debt is either "good debt" or "bad debt." --or so we've been told. "Good" debt is that money owed for things that may assist in building wealth, such as student loans or mortgages. "Bad" debt would be things like credit cards. This is an oversimplification as the differences between "good" and "bad" debt can be better defined, thereby giving us a clearer picture of debt and how to tell what is helpful. 

Here's the rundown on debt: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Student Loans

Student loans are often necessary, as it's often the only way college education is possible for many Americans. But not all degree programs are equal when considering the debt one acquires and the income potential from that particular degree. A good rule of thumb is…

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It’s funny how different the importance of a room in a house can go from one season to the next. Just recently a home office was a “nice to have” but really, unless you were in the minority of those that worked from home, it was truly just a bonus, and typically dependent on if you had the space to dedicate or not. Fast forward to the pandemic era and likely, you’ve been at a “home office” whether you’ve really had one set up or not for months. For those that are working from home but haven’t taken the time to really set up a good home office, now is the time to change that! Here are some of our most important tips for setting up your home workspace:

Location, Location!

In real estate, so many things are about location - and that really…

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If you’re seizing the moment this year by purchasing a home in Middle Tennessee, you’ll have dozens of beautiful areas to choose from. The first step toward narrowing down your dream neighborhood is determining whether the city or the suburbs are right for you. Today, we’re examining the pros and cons of life in both the city and the suburbs. 

Depending on what you prioritize at this stage of your life, you will likely feel strongly drawn toward one way of life or the other. Whichever you choose, remember that properties tend to increase in value over time, so if you decide to pack up and move into—or out of—the city, contact Parks Realty for assistance making the leap ASAP!

Pros of Living in the City

1.) Reduced Commute Time

Let’s face…

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For many of us here in central Tennessee, summer isn’t complete without a classic American cookout. The smell of marinated meat crackling on the grill, the feeling of sweet corn bursting on the first bite, and the light sweetness of icebox cake are things we look forward to year after year.

Despite the current need for social distancing, we hope that we’ll all be enjoying great times with friends and family before long. In the meantime, we can dream up the perfect party plans, which is what we hope you’ll do with Parks Realty’s list of Cookout Must-Haves!

Our handy guide will give you an organizational framework to use as a jumping-off point as you plan your next celebration of food, friends, and fun. Remember, there’s no shame in accepting friendly…

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Buying, selling, looking to rent all comes with its major stressors … but there’s something about the actual act of moving that really brings about a whole new sense of unpleasant work to be had. If you think about it, there is literally nothing else in life that causes us to literally pack up everything we own and relocate where we live our life from. It’s a wild concept and one that is essentially a ton of work, no matter how you look at it.

The good news is, as hard as moving is, being organized and taking specific steps with planning will make the move a whole lot less stressful. Here are some of our favorite tips:

 

Put it in a Folder

The contracts, receipts, warranties, and forms of all types quickly add up. In a time where your…

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Fourth of July celebrations come in many shapes and sizes, but one thing that seems to go without saying is that the Fourth is best enjoyed by gatherings outside - whether that be at the beach, a lake, a backyard, or a cul-de-sac. You may have a decades-long standing tradition, or you may be hosting for the first time, but either way, it’s always fun to throw in something new. Here are some ideas of “must-haves” to get you ready for the Fourth! Host(ess) with the Most(est) is in your future.

 

Lawn Excitement

No summer gathering is complete without a little play - and of course, some friendly competition can’t hurt either. The great thing about yard games is that it’s fun for all ages and all ability levels. The options for yard games are…

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The time has finally come, you are so close to taking those packed bags and at long last getting (insert slow clap) OUT. OF TOWN. For more of us, it’s felt like way too long since that’s happened, and it’s so easy to run out the door not worrying about what’s on the other side of that vacation, BUT we don’t recommend it. It’s already hard coming home from sweet sweet vacation days, and coming home to a weird stench (or much worse), is not the way you want to re-enter normalcy. Below are some of our go-to tips on leaving your home for vacation, worry-free.

 

Think Security 

There is no better protection for your home while you’re gone than simply looking like you are NOT gone. For shorter trips leave a small light on. For longer trips, it’s…

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