Even just a decade ago, smart home technology was popular only among early adopters, most of whom were quite tech-savvy. Compare that to today, with Parks Associates reporting that their survey of 10,000 homes in the US found 38% of households own at least one smart home device, and it’s clear that we are headed toward automated and tech-enhanced homes.

Take TikTok, for example, where “smart home” dominates the home-renovation trend, garnering more than four billion views! The second-most-popular term, “enhanced outdoor spaces” pulled in a mere 270,000 views.

Despite the increasing popularity of smart home technology, it’s still worth taking your time to decide whether you want to purchase a specific device or appliance. Data privacy still

Middle Tennessee is overflowing with appealing amenities, adventures, and auditory delights, which continue to draw newcomers to our neighborhoods. However, we believe that the natural beauty with which we’re surrounded is the crowning gem of every corner of Tennessee.

As a homeowner, you have the opportunity to create an outdoor oasis in your own back yard. Landscaping, outdoor cooking areas, beautiful lighting, and a fire pit is a great start, but your outdoor living space will fully come together when you purchase a set of your dream outdoor furniture! 

To keep your back yard looking stellar year after year, it’s essential that you learn to properly care for your outdoor furniture pieces. We recommend a thorough cleaning every six months:

Twenty years ago, food trucks were a rarity in the U.S. Now, our country is home to nearly 35,000, which collectively pull in $42.7 billion annually. This has been a delectable development here in Middle Tennessee, where our diverse and talented resident chefs have established mobile eateries with a decidedly international flair.

Our staff voted the following selections as the Top Food Trucks in Nashville and throughout the surrounding areas. Whether you’re craving vegan Asian fusion eats, classic Nashville hot chicken, or a sweet serving of freshly rolled ice cream, we have the trucks to follow from early spring to the end of fall.

Hot Chicken

Nashville Chicken and Waffles
Nashville

Spicy, perfectly crunchy hot chicken served over rich,

As you undertake the search for your new home, you will envision your lifestyle in the various homes you’ll tour. Are you a person who thrives on hosting guests, throwing parties, or being the destination for your family during the holidays? If so, you must craft a checklist for the must-have features in your ideal entertaining house.

A home that is ideal for entertaining is comfortable, spacious, and has ample areas for both sitting and standing to mingle. Let’s take a look at key elements of design, décor, and scale that will help you find your perfect new home.

A Sweet Guest Suite

Whether it’s meant to host family members or party-goers who unexpectedly find themselves in need of a place to crash, your guest suite is a key element to

Our bodies are composed of 55% to 60% water, so it’s no surprise that homeowners are interested in ways to upgrade their home water quality. From chlorine and heavy metals to unpleasant smells and flavors, there are a number of excellent reasons to first test your water, then take steps to refine your municipal water supply. Read on for a breakdown of the why, the how, and the results you should achieve with various methods.

Is Your Water Safe?

As residents ourselves, we’re pleased to report that the water reaching you throughout Middle Tennessee has been carefully filtered, treated, and tested before it is sent out into your community.

But there’s a catch: water utility companies are not responsible for nor required to ensure that the

Outdoor lighting is truly a multifunctional upgrade for your home. The right lighting will make your home more aesthetically pleasing, safer, and will enhance your home’s existing security measures. To learn more about the best ways to improve your home by adding outdoor lighting, read on.

Outdoor Lighting: Getting Started

Everything you’ve learned about creating appealing indoor lighting systems will translate to your outdoor lighting efforts. A variety of lights emanating from multiple points will result in the ideal diffuse effect.

In every outside space, your goal will be to avoid glare. Lighting should point down, away from the viewers’ eyes. If your home sits up higher than the street, visitors heading up to your home will have a

Getting mortgage pre-approval is one of the first steps toward buying your dream home. Pre-approval boosts the likelihood that the seller will accept your offer and gives you a detailed quote for your homebuying budget. 

But homebuyers often hesitate because they think that pre-approval hurts their credit score. Will it? 

The truth is that it will temporarily lower your score, as is true whenever a creditor pulls your credit report. But the benefits of getting pre-approved outshine the slight dip in your score.

Does a Pre-approval Impact My Credit Score?

A pre-approval usually requires a hard credit inquiry, although a soft inquiry is all that is needed for a pre-qualification. A hard inquiry can lower a borrower's FICO score by about

Follow these tips and expert insight to help you get your budget in order and get yourself ready to buy your first home.

1.) Organize Your Finances

You may know how much you have in your bank accounts, but do you know how much you spend on household expenses and luxuries each month? Or which credit card has the highest interest or balance? 

Getting a good handle on your money starts with a clear idea of where your money is going. This info will also help you determine what you can afford and your homebuying timeline. Start by breaking down your finances into the following categories:

• Start with creating a basic budget for items like housing, groceries, and gas.
• Account for an emergency saving --In case of an accident or other

Baby, it’s cold outside! For many of us, it’s a habit to abandon our outdoor space during the winter months. But, with the right setup, you can enjoy your back yard all year round! Once your yard has been made winter-ready, invite your friends and family to gather ‘round and enjoy cozy days and evenings outdoors with you. You’ll no doubt find that your house becomes a popular winter retreat for those you love.

Set up a Free-Standing Heater

If you’ve ever experienced the warmth and comfort a free-standing heater brings to an outdoor dining table at a restaurant, you already know why we’re recommending one for your place. Most outdoor heaters are powered by propane. They are available in a range of prices and sizes, so you’re sure to find the

If summer is all about updating and expanding our outdoor living spaces, winter is surely the time for heading indoors and reveling in our home’s interior comforts. Winter conjures up images of curling up on the couch in front of a roaring fire with family, sipping hot cocoa and cider, lighting scented candles, and decking every hall with boughs of holly.

When you step back and take a look, does it feel as if your home is lacking a certain something? Not to worry—we’re here to help you have the coziest winter season yet! Today we’re sharing our top ten recommendations for fun and luxurious winter home must-haves!

KitchenAid Electric Kettle
$79.99 - $99.99 from Amazon

Perfect for tea, pour-over coffee, and filling hot water bottles, this