Selling a home with pets requires some extra care to ensure the home meets buyer standards and that the process does not create undo stress for pets. These tips advise sellers how to minimize problems when selling and keep a home in show-ready condition, even when furry friends are living in their East Nashville homes.

Get Advice on Staging and Cleaning

People who live with pets have become accustomed to a certain degree of odors and messes. Even homeowners who generally keep their homes very clean might not notice how dog toys or a crate can create a visually-cluttered space for buyers to see. Objective advice is best, preferably from a real estate agent experienced in selling homes that have had pets. Sellers should make a checklist of

Nashville is a city full of sports and with sports come mascots. Sometimes the mascot can be the most interesting part of the entire game. Many of these fun-loving characters are found in Nashville including:

• Gnash - This is the mascot for the Nashville Predators and provides a lot of fun. He pulls out many unexpected stunts and helps to keep the crowd entertained throughout the games.
• Mr. Commodore - The mascot for Vanderbilt University, most just call him Mr. C. This multi-talented guy always has plenty of cheerleaders around him and provides all kinds of interesting fun.
• Ozzie - Maybe the most famous local mascot, Ozzie has been entertaining fans for almost 10 years at Greer Stadium. He gets around town quite a bit, as well and Ozzie is

From luxurious swimming pools to on-site dining, retail and fitness centers, some of the most coveted Nashville condominiums are recognizable by their top-rated amenities.

The Viridian

Some of the best amenities can be found at The Viridian, one of Downtown Nashville's newest condo towers. This luxury building offers a large rooftop swimming pool and a fitness center, along with a 24-hour concierge. As well, the high-rise also supplies the luxury of floor-to-ceiling windows, serving up some of the best views of surrounding Nashville.

The 31-story building overlooks the city's central business district, including the choice of one- and two-bedroom floor plans or a penthouse unit, with high ceilings and open floor plans. In addition, the homes

Giving or volunteering your time to help someone who is in need can be so rewarding. The Nashville/Tennessee area has a multitude of non-profit organizations and charities. Here are some of the organizations based in this area.

12Giving

Al Thomas and his wife began 12Giving, because they wanted to integrate a way of giving back through the businesses that they own. Currently, they own the Sperry's Restaurant and co-own Sam's Sports Grill. There charitable accomplishments began locally, and the Thomas's hoped it would continue to advance across the nation.

The concept of 12Giving, is for local restaurants choose a menu item, and give the revenue off that item to a designate a charity. The menu item and charity would change each month. This is a

When selling a home, a cash offer is typically the dream for any home seller. The process is so much more streamlined when a seller doesn't have to hang their hopes on the whims of a buyers lender. While most lenders will go through with their promises, there's always a chance for them to back out at the last minute. Learn more about the benefits of cash offers for a home seller, and how a seller can make it work for their situation.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Closing Confidence

A buyer can technically offer whatever they like for a home, and they just might do that if they're swept away in the excitement of bidding—even if they don't

Nashville goes into party mode during the summer months, which gets its residents out into the streets and its visitors flocking to Music City from all corners of the country. From patriotic celebrations to music-filled festivals, there's always something to do and delicious food to enjoy.

These are the best July events taking place in Nashville this year:

Let Freedom Sing! July 4th in Music City

Nashville has earned a reputation for having one of the best patriotic parties to celebrate Independence Day. The city hosts a free event downtown on July 4, where attendees can enjoy food, live music and of course fireworks at the end of the night. Let Freedom Sing! is a family-friendly event event that takes place all day, and includes activities

Celebrate the diversity of the Nashville community with the largest LGBTQ event coming to Nashville in June, and many other events leading up to it. Nashville PRIDE brings people together from all walks of life to create awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and others in the area while creating a more vibrant community. Live performances, an extensive vendor marketplace, and family-friendly activities provide opportunities to support the goals of Pride events in Nashville. Those that can't make it to Nashville PRIDE can find many other events scheduled throughout the month.

Looking to generate more awareness about this important cause or take part in upcoming events? Learn more about Pride events and have a great time getting out in

Gutters serve an important function, helping to drain runoff away from a roof. A clogged or damaged gutter becomes ineffective at protecting windows, doors, siding and the foundation from potential water damage. When selling a home, dirty gutters often become an inspection item of potential buyers. Explore a few basics when it comes to home gutter maintenance.

When to Clean Gutters

Individuals cleaning their gutters as a DIY project should schedule time to do so at a minimum of twice a year. More frequent cleaning may be required in locations prone to storms or when roofs lie beneath trees. Homeowner may be able to clean a gutter themselves when they can safely use a ladder and access the roof. Individuals with multi-story homes may want to hire

Some may be looking to buy their first home and know little about closing on a home. An approved buyer is quite busy leading up to the closing. From arranging a move to changing utilities, finding new medical professionals and more, there are many tasks that will be done in anticipation of moving into a new home.

Avoid potential disappointment and get all affairs in order to have the necessary funds and make arrangements for closing on a home. Planning ahead can make for a smoother home closing process.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

The Final Step to a Home Purchase

Closing on a home is the final chapter to buying a home. A lender

The right countertop material is not only functional but complements the rest of a room. While some may find a granite or marble countertop an attractive option, others may be open to laminate, concrete and other types of countertop materials. Check out a few of the most common countertop materials used on kitchen cabinetry and more today.

Granite Countertops

Homeowners may find that granite countertops help with the resale value of a home as they are often an elegant touch to a luxury home. Expect granite countertops to be more expensive than many other options. This durable material is made from natural stone, quarried from igneous stone deposits. Many people like the beauty of a unique stone surface. It is also heat and scratch resistance. The