Brentwood TN Real Estate Scoop!

Yep, that's right, I am done, finished, I quit!

Smoking that is. Today is my first smoke-free day! Yippeeee!!!
I have smoked for almost 26 yrs! I started very young...sigh. Wish I never had now.
Last week my hubby's nephew who is 36(a year and a half younger than me) had a quadruple(yes 4) bypass!

We used to go sneak out by the garage at family reunions and such, my smoking buddy in the family. Well as a former nurse I know exactly what that surgery entails and man, oh man is it rough. He made it through with flying colors(Thank God!), but it got me thinking. Thinking about the control these stupid little things have over my life. What they are costing me and could cost me, really.

What I thought is that I want to be here to see my sons have children and laugh at them and say "see, you were just like that when you were a kid"

I want to retire with my hubby and sit side by side watching the world go by, I want to see the surprise on the faces of the Top Producers in my area as I come up behind them and pass them..
            I want to see what  2035 is like! I want to be here!  

So I started taking a new medicine called Chantix a week ago. You start small and then double and then double the day you quit. The premis is that it blocks the Nicotine recptors in your brain, thus keeping withdrawl at bay more and tricking your brain into thinking there is some in there after all. Marvelous. Some GI issues, but you know I figure it is worth it to be free after all these years! I am so excited!

  Today it the beginning of the rest of a healthier life for me! Wish me luck y'all!
                                                                                                                                                                    

Vanessa Stalets

Brentwood's Real Estate Expert!

RE/MAX Elite

615-661-4400

Brentwood's Real Estate Expert!

This is a one of a kind steal for the New Year! Come live in the Country in Spring Hill Tennessee, nick named the next "Brentwood". You must see to appreciate how clean, neat and bright this home really is! Move in ready, Welcome to your new home!

 New Mexico Red Chile Pork Posole

2lbs pork tenderloin, cubed
2lbs hominy(canned or dried)
6 cloves fresh garlic ~minced( I love garlic, so more if you like it)
1 med. sweet onion ~diced
1 can beef broth
1tsp ground cumin
1tspn oregano
1tspn basil
3Tblspn butter
1~3 Tblspn red chile sauce or powder(Dried Hatch Red Chile Powder)
4 cups water
Dash Corriander
 
In large soup pot melt butter, add onion, garlic , sautee until soft.
Add beef broth and other spices.
Add pork and 1/2 of water, simmer for 45 mins
Add posole/hominy and rest of water, as well as chile sauce/powder.
If using dried posole/hominy add water as needed when it soaks it up.
Simmer until tender~ Approx 2hrs for dried posole and 30mins for canned.
Serve with sopapillas or flour tortillas
(my recipe for sopas will come next)
 

 I was born and raised in New Mexico and have always loved posole!

This dish can be a side dish. appetizer or the main dish.
It is served at New Years and on traditional Indian feast days for good luck.
Enjoy......

Vanessa Stalets

Brentwood's Real Estate Expert!

RE/MAX Elite

615-661-4400

Brentwood Real Estate

	Residential	MLS No. 912829
	Status Active	Area 2	List Price $324,900
	Type Site Built	Er/Ea Exc. Right to Sell	Media
	Address 226 ORLANDO AVE	City NASHVILLE	Zip 37209
	County Davidson	Sub/Dev PATINA	MLS Map
	Lot Number	Tax ID 091-14-0B-014.00-CO	Deed Book/Page 200706140071195
	Directions WEST END TO RIGHT ON WHITE BRIDGE RD. PAST NASH. TECH, RIGHT LENOX @METRO FURNITURE.RIGHT ON ORLANDO.1STHOME ON LEFT AFTER PATINA CIRCLE.

MASTER VERANDA COMES COMPLETE WITH YOUR VERY OWN PORCH SWING, PERFECT FOR MIDNIGHT STAR GAZING WITH THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE!	WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME! EVEN SCARLETT WOULD APPRECIATE THESE DRAMATIC VERANDAS, PERFECT FOR THE OCCASIONAL MINT JULIP OR A QUIET MOMENT OF CONTEMPLATION.
THIS IS TRULY A CLASS ACT HOME! FROM THE INCREDIBLE HARDWOOD FLRS TO THE HIGH CEILINGS COMPLETE WITH CROWN MOULDING, THIS HOME WAS "DONE RIGHT"!	HERE, CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE AND CONVENIENCE ARE SEEMLESSLY BLENDED WITH BEAUTY AND QUALITY! FOLKS, THIS ONE HAS IT ALL!
THIS LIGHT AND AIRY FRONT ROOM CAN DOUBLE AS A DEN, PLAY AREA FOR KIDS OR EVEN A FORMAL DINING RM! BRING YOUR DESIRES AND THIS HOME WILL ACCOMMODATE THEM ALL!	THIS OPEN AND CONTEMPORARY LIVING RM BOASTS OLD WORLD DETAILS WITH MODERN CONVENIENCE. FIREPLACE IS GAS AND FLAT SCREEN REMAINS! TALK ABOUT PERKS!!
THIS KITCHEN AND DINING AREA IS TO DIE FOR! GRANITE COUNTERS, CASCADING GORGEOUS CABINETS, STAINLESS APPLIANCES, BUILT INS AND MORE! BAR AREA FOR XTRA GUESTS OR COZY BREAKFASTS FOR 2 !	READY FOR YOUR OWN PRIVATE OASIS? HERE IT IS, THIS HUGE MASTER SUITE OPENS ONTO A LARGE TILED VERANDA, LARGER THAN ONE PICTURE CAN SHOW!
THIS IMMACULATE MASTER BATH SUITE FEATURES SEPERATE SHOWER, WHIRLPOOL TUB, DOUBLE VANITIES, EXTRA CABINET SPACE AND A LARGE WALK-IN CLOSET.GORGEOUS TILE, MODERN LIGHTING & BEAUTIFUL GLASS BLOCK ARE JUST A COUPLE OF THE ACOUTREMENTS YOU WILL FIND HERE	COME SEE WHY PATINA IS THE NEXT "IN" PLACE TO LIVE!

Vanessa Stalets

Brentwood's Real Estate Expert!

RE/MAX Elite

615-661-4400

Brentwood Real Estate

	Residential	MLS No. 914332
	Status Active	Area 10	List Price $1,125,000
	Type Site Built	Er/Ea Exc. Right to Sell	Media
	Address 3010 JUBILEE RIDGE RD	City FRANKLIN	Zip 37069
	County Williamson	Sub/Dev JUBILEE RIDGE	MLS Map
	Lot Number	Tax ID 039 027.07	Deed Book/Page 3949/815
	Directions Hilsboro Rd to Old Hilsboro Rd (46) West on Old Hilsboro to Right on Barrel Springs Hollow. Right at stop sign is High Ridge follow to top, Right at Jubilee Ridge(dead end). Home on Right.

WELCOME TO YOUR TREE TOP HIDE AWAY! ALMOST 6 ACRES OF PRIVACY, GORGEOUS!	THIS IS JUST PART OF THE OVER 2700 SQ FT OF COVERED WRAP AROUND PORCH/DECK THIS AMAZING ESTATE OFFERS! SUROUND SOUND INCLUDES OUTDOORS! INCREDIBLE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING AS WELL!
THIS KITCHEN IS SPECTACULAR! ANY CHEF WOULD DROOL AT THE THOUGHT OF COOKING HERE! SUB ZERO, AWESOME GAS BURNER, DOUBLE OVENS AND MORE!	HUGE PANTRY A PLUS, ALSO AMAZING DINING AREA! MORE DOORS AND WINDOWS THAN YOU SEE HERE! INCREDIBLE NATURAL LIGHT,AND A VIEW TO DIE FOR OUT OF EVERY DOOR & WINDOW! TRULY INSPIRED DESIGN!!
OPEN AND AIRY ARE JUST THE BEGINNING HERE! SO MANY DETAILS, NOTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE WAS LEFT UNDONE!	INCREDIBLE STACKED STONE FIREPLACE GOES ON FOREVER! THIS VIEW FROM THE UPSTAIRS LOFT AND 2ND,3RD MASTER SUITES IS BREATH TAKING! NOTICE THE WALL OF WINDOWS! CUSTOM DESIGNED, REMOTE CONTROLLED BLINDS REMAIN!!
PERFECTION ON EARTH! WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR? THE VIEW ALONE MAKES THIS A FAVORITE PLACE TO BE! LUXURY PAIRED WITH INCREDIBLE DETAIL MAKE THIS MASTER BATH SUITE(ONE OF 3!) A SURE FIRE WINNER!	UPPER MASTER SUITES EACH FEATURE PRIVATE BALCONIES. THIS IS AN ENTERTAINERS DREAM HOME! A MUST SEE UNIQUE PROPERTY, FOR THE DISCERNING BUYER!
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT TO HAVE! TALK ABOUT AMAZING! THIS BASEMENT IS DISNEY LAND TO ALL! FEATURING A TOOL ROOM, FULL KITCHEN & FULL BATH, IT ALSO HAS EXCERCISE ROOM & EXTRA BEDROOM AREA, LIVING ROOM & DINING,PLUS SEVERAL CARS	THIS IS THE ULTIMATE HOME FOR THE BUYER WHO HAS CHOICES AND KNOWS HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT ONE!

Vanessa Stalets

Brentwood's Real Estate Expert!

RE/MAX Elite

615-661-4400

Ok, ok, juvenile I admit it.

 I am tired and just got home from being out in "the Holiday rat race". Ick! People cutting people off, honking and hollering. Nice little old ladies snatching the last sale sweater out of your hands and retail clerks who seem to need a large dose of Valium and a stiff drink.

And so this is Christmas(la,la,la,la,la,la).

Yep, right about now I am truly missing the Christmas's when I was young and dirt poor and we had no stress over what to buy because we each got one thing and that was fine. There was no running willy nilly, it snowed feet usually and we would be snowed in by now. Having little money did not seem to matter so much(although honestly when I was a kid all I wanted was the fancy store bought clothes and cookies etc that the other kids had). Looking back I value those times so much more than I did then. I now can see the wondrous ingenuity of my parents as they became inventive to turn one item into another to re-gift it. The food was always superb, home grown with plenty of spice. We always decorated the tree with popcorn and cranberry chains. Lord how we would laugh as small fingers tried to put needles through cranberries and more popcorn ended up in our bellies than on the tree.. One year I left Santa a carrot..laughing..Mom apparently forgot to get cookie stuff or maybe did not have the money, I don't know and it does not matter. The point is she went through this long rather complicated story about how Santa was overweight and his Dr told him he must lose some. So Mrs. Claus put him on a diet and sent letters to all the parents asking them to put out healthy food instead. Santa got a carrot and some apple juice from me that year. Yuck right? Of course it was gone come morning(buried in the trash no doubt)

           I bet Santa was not expecting that one eh? Or maybe he/she was..

Things were simpler  without so many choices. Sometimes I miss that.....

Vanessa Stalets

Brentwood's Real Estate Expert

RE/MAX Elite

615-661-4400

Brentwood Real Estate ; Top Home Security Problems

Unless you already spent some time ensuring that your house is completely secure, there are probably several security problems with your house that need your attention. These security problems severely endanger the safety of your home, your family and your belongings. This article will discuss several of the possible security problems and steps that need to be taken to fix these problems. The type of solution that you will select will probably depend on the type of house that you have and the amount of money that you can afford to spend. However, there are solutions for all types of houses and all budget levels.

1. The first problem deals with the situation when you are away from your home for an extended period of time. Do you have all your mail and newspapers pile up in the mailbox? Does your house look like it is unoccupied? Do you have deliveries left on your door steps? If you answer yes to any of these questions, your house is in a lot of danger and you have a big security problem. If a burglar believes that the owners of the house are gone for a long time, he or she will assume that there is less risk to try to break into this house. You can fix this security problem and protect your house by making sure that your house looks occupied even when you are not at home. You can ask someone to pick up your mail, newspapers and deliveries. You can also make sure that someone that you know or an automated system turns on and off the lights inside your house. There are many other ways to make your house look occupied.

2. Another problem happens when you don't have any alarm system installed inside your house. Even a simple alarm with a siren will increase the level of your security. If you can afford to sign up for the alarm system monitoring service, you should definitely consider that. With alarm monitoring, if someone does break into your house, the security company that offers your alarm monitoring will notify the police department of the possible burglary attempt. The type of alarm that you install can also vary. For example, it is a good idea to install an alarm system with motion detectors. Also, a more expensive system may include a video surveillance component which will record any activity when a motion is detected. Audio surveillance options are also available for your use.

3. Did you ever catch yourself leaving a note on your door that you are away and will return at a certain time? Or may be you left a voice recording that you are gone for several days? May be you made your daily schedule known to everyone you know?  In this case you have another security problem. You should never tell someone whom you don't completely trust when you will be leaving your house or arriving back home. If a burglar finds out your exact schedule, he or she can try to break into your house at a time when you are not at home. Keeping your schedule a secret is always good for your home security. Also, if you participate in a neighborhood watch program, ask your neighbors to look after your house when you are not at home.

4. Another security problem deals with situations when home owners are not careful about who they let inside their house. For example, if an agent of the utility company knocks and tells you that he or she is there to fix something and you let that person inside without even checking his or her identification - you have a big security problem. There is a type of criminals called bogus callers who will try to trick you to get into your house. They can try to identify themselves as representatives of security companies, utility companies, government or police officials, repairmen or even your new neighbors. Their goal is to get inside your house, distract you and still your valuables. Make sure that you always check the identification of strangers who ask to come inside your house. If in doubt, you can also contact the company that they claim to represent and check if such employees do, indeed, work for the company.

It is not as hard as you think to make your home more security "wise" and less of a security risk!

Vanessa Stalets

Brentwood's Real Estate Expert!

RE/MAX Elite

615-661-4400

This morning I woke up humming the Scarecrow's famous song "If I only Had a Brain"
(I would have put a cool you tube vid of the scarcrow song but don't know how yet, hint, hint)

Now, some would argue that this song is apropos for me..lol But what it got me thinking about was the stress of the market currently, the Holidays looming and the general rush and hustle that the whole world seems to go into this time of year. I don't know about you but my attention span (always a bit AD/HD at the best of times) has receded to that of a gnat...Multi-tasking never was my forte you see. But at this time of year it seems that the rushing can cause more trouble than it is worth, so I thought I would write a blog about slowing down, taking a second and being extra careful!

Extra careful of the coffee pot left on and burning away, the curling iron left on,the not so thorough look before pulling out into the Holiday traffic jam when you are running late and have umpteen things on your mind. Safety issues, accidents increase exponentially at this time. 

Or the speeding ticket you so did not need! 

The signature on a contract that gets forgotten somehow, the call that gets misplaced in your mind with good intentions to call later. The mad rush out the door when you miss the step entirely(I have done this) and twist your ankle almost clean off! Whatever the reason, slow down, take a breath, 30 seconds will not change much if you get there a minute later but it could cost a lot if you don't get there at all. Rush, rush, rush  is the tempo of the world at large it seems,  a purposefully taken moment could mean everything. Or you might end up like Dorothy fevereshly clicking your heels together and muttering ...

"There's no place like home" from an Emergency Room.

 Be careful out there and have a safe and happy Holiday!

Vanessa Stalets Brentwood Real Estate

RE/MAX Elite
615-661-4400

Delicious Crab Stuffed Mushrooms!

Ingredients:
8 large mushrooms, fresh and whole
1 package stuffing(herb flavor, no meat flavors)
6 cloves fresh garlic minced
1 sm onion diced 1celery stalk thin sliced
1 stick butter + 3 Tbsp reserved
3Tbl white cooking wine
6-8 oz. crab meat in chunks(if fresh make sure no cartilage remains)
2 sm lemons, juiced
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp sweet basil
4 slices provolone cheese(large round slices)
3oz fresh grated parmesan
1/2 Cup half and half
Salt and pepper to taste  

Cut stems from mushrooms and remove middles(save). lightly grease baking dish(I prefer glass) Sautee 4 cloves garlic, onion, celery and diced mush stems in butter until tender(approx 5 mins) add white wine and 1/2 lemon juice, cream and all spices. bring to boil, add crab chunks and stuffing mix(may need to hold out about 1/2 cup of stuffing mix if gets dry...add a little at a time to get preferred texture) Remove from heat, stir in parmesan cheese set aside.   in sm pan melt 3Tbs butter add remaining garlic and lemon, pour 1/2 of mixture in baking dish. Stuff mushroom caps with crab mixture(overfill and mold) pour remaining butter mixture over caps cover with foil and bake in 400 degree oven for 20-25 mins remove foil add provolone cheese to tops of caps and place under broiler until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with any extra sauce in dish.
serves 4-ish

Vanessa Stalets

RE.MAX Elite

615-661-4400

Brentwood Real Estate

Picking a new floor can be overwhelming.  Even after you've narrowed it down to one particular type, it is still challenging to find the right tile because there are so many different varieties to choose from these days.  And then once you've purchased your new tiles, there are still quite a few things to consider before you begin laying the tile. Here are the top five things you should know before you begin tiling.

1. Is Ceramic Tile Suitable for Your Space?

There are many advantages to ceramic tile.  It is really durable and easy to clean.  It isn't the best option in some spaces though.  During the winter months, ceramic tiles can really hold the cold, so you might not want to use them in a basement space.  Certain types can be slippery, so you if you are considering tile for an entryway, you should go with a more slip-resistant variety. 

2.  Select the right Size, Style and Texture

Ceramic tiles come in all sorts of shapes - anywhere from one inch to two feet.  The most common size tiles are between one and one and a half feet in size.  Choosing the right size is actually easier than you might think.  Just figure out the size of your room and then choose a size that suits it.  For example, if you have smaller room, a large tile would not be the best option because it would look like panels rather than tiles.  A large tile is really best suited to larger spaces because they look less busy than smaller tiles do.

Currently, there are many styles of ceramic tiles to choose from.  The easiest way to narrow down your options is decide on the type of look you are going for.  It you want a rustic, natural look than you might want to consider a rugged, natural looking tile instead of a polished marble.

Choose a tile with the texture that will best suit your rooms theme.  If you go for a rustic, natural looking tile, it will be rougher than a polished marble surface.  When choosing a texture, you do need to take safety into consideration.  The smoother that a surface is the more likely it is to be slippery when wet.  If you have children or elderly people in your home, then a high-gloss tile is not the best option from a safety standpoint.

3. Choose an Appropriate Grout Color and Width

Grout is a cement mix that has color added to it to compliment your tile.  Grout fills the space between tiles so you need to choose a grout width and a color that works in your space. 

4. Installation Materials and Methods

There are different installation methods and a successful installation will really depend on the materials used and the energy and patience put into the project.  You will want to make sure that you do the proper preparation and have all the materials you need at hand.  You will need to make sure that you purchase a high quality bonding material, grout (as discussed above), a sealer and the right tools to get the project done.

Laying tile can be a bit tricky.  You need to make sure that your cuts are correct and that the space around each tile is even.  If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of installing it yourself, then you might want to look at contracting the job out to a tiling professional.

5.  Maintenance

Ceramic tile is one the easiest types of floors to clean and if you take care of them, they will maintain their shiny, new appearance for years to come.  To clean tile, all you really need is water and any household cleaner product.  You can start by removing any dirt and dust with a broom or vacuum and then using a sponge or mop you can apply the mixture of water and cleaner to your tiles.  It's as simple as that!  You will need to be cautious about dropping heavy objects on tile.  If tiles split, crack or chip, it is impossible to replace just one tile.  Odds are you'll have to live with any cracks or chips until you're ready to re-do the entire floor.

Vanessa Stalets
Brentwoods Real Estate Expert!

RE?MAX Elite
 615-661-4400