Striking a balance between home renovations that enhance the enjoyment of living in your home while also adding value to your home can be tricky. In order to achieve the highest return on dollars spent, it's important to know which home improvements best retain their value and attract prospective buyers. There are some common home improvements that are worth considering.

Backyard Pools

Pools are luxury items, and installation price is sometimes only the tip of the iceberg. Ongoing maintenance and upkeep boost the cost over time, and heating a pool can be quite expensive and the initial thrill of a backyard pool tends to fade quickly. Pool season is typically limited; heating costs can be a burden. Add the cost of landscaping and outdoor

Anyone who needs to liven up their day may stop for Thai food during their lunch hour, while those who love to enjoy a spicy meal that is filled with flavor from across the globe may prefer to grab an authentic Thai dish for dinner with friends. It seems there's always a good occasion to grab Thai food in Nashville, where there is no shortage of excellent restaurants featuring traditional and contemporary Thai meals.

These are the best Thai restaurants in Nashville TN:

International Market and Restaurant

International Market and Restaurant is a Thai restaurant that offers both dine-in and takeout for its customers. A popular place among the students who are studying in Nashville, this restaurant has long been considered one of the best

Home buyers entering the real estate market should be aware of certain market conditions and trends before they consider making any offers. Understanding the real estate market can help home buyers make good decisions that will lead to a successful home purchase. If you're a new home buyer who is just now entering the market, here's what you need to know about the areas where you're trying to buy a home.

Buyer Competitiveness

A home seller's market is a market condition that occurs when inventory is low, prices are high and buyers must compete against one another to make a successful home purchase. Under these circumstances, sellers must make their offer quickly. Negotiating for a lower price is not usually an option in a seller's market.

When homeowners decide to sell, one of the first considerations usually concerns making preparations to speed the selling process and help obtain the best possible price. But existing homes are somewhat like used cars - they often show signs of wear and tear that can devalue them or have design issues that will need to be overcome to get the most attention from qualified buyers.

Some good examples of this include the presence of pet odors, stale cooking smells, or smoke, as well as worn or faded walls and ceilings or stained or damaged windowsills or trim. In addition, homes may also have negative design issues that may discourage buyer interest, such as rooms that appear too dark or very small, oddly constructed areas due to past additions or

Most people know that home appraisals can be a tricky business because it's the act of forecasting the value of a property. However, in reality, everything for sale is subjective because the value of it can change from day-to-day and person-to-person. However, even if an appraisal isn't an exact science, it's still an important component of selling or buying a home. Learn more about what exactly it involves and how sellers can use this information to their advantage.

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

Assessing the Home

An appraiser is an expert who will examine a property and then place a value on it. They consider everything from the

Hill Center Green Hills is a relaxing and comfortable sidewalk shopping experience in Nashville. Shopping here will mean unexpected finds, the latest trends and an upscale attitude. You’ll love the Main Street atmosphere and classy shopping environment. Rather than shop in a crowded, loud, indoor mall, check out the lifestyle center of Nashville’s one-of-a-kind shopping at Hill Center Green Hills. Here is a look at what you can find at Hill Center and what new retailers are coming to the center.

Hickory Hollow Mall

Although Hickory Hollow more is one of the smallest shopping malls in Nashville, it nevertheless offers a fantastic shopping experience. There are several department stores located here, as well as around a dozen or so specialty

Also known as ‘Music City' and more recently earning the nickname ‘Smashville'—thanks to the notoriety of the Nashville Predators hockey team—this impressive city is an excellent place to call home. Beyond entertainment, Nashville is known for having incredible sports teams, great schools, a solid economy, nationally recognized music and an affordable cost of living. In fact, Nashville maintains its status as one of the top places to live in America according to U.S. News. Here are just a few aspects of the city that make Nashville, TN a great place to call home.

Nashville's Educational Edge

An integral aspect of city statistics that keeps Nashville ranked so high for livability is the fact that numerous schools and universities here are

With a wide variety of education options for children and college students alike, Nashville schools can provide students with the proper and exceptional education they deserve. Acknowledging the fact that students are the country’s future, the city of Nashville strives to keep the younger residents well educated and ready for the real world. The list of quality schools in Nashville is extensive, and the list of college opportunities is quite large as well. For anyone looking for real estate in Nashville can rest assured that their family will be well provided for in the city’s quality school system.

In Nashville, there are a variety of educational options available for parents. This allows residents to select a school that will meet the needs of

It seems as if almost everyone uses a different standard when evaluating a Chinese restaurant, but some Nashville favorites score high in many categories, including ambience, price, quality of the food, service and speed of take-out order preparation.

Based on a number of different reviews, here are the winners of a recent ratings review:

China Spring

Located in the Belleview area, this community favorite features online ordering and speedy delivery as well as a convenient dining-in location at 8165 TN-100. Classic dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients and contemporary flair, and daily lunch specials are available daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Portions are large, prices are reasonable, and the restaurant is typically crowded in the

Nashville is special in a lot of ways. The "Music City" was once known as the "Athens of the South," and its reproduction classical Greek Parthenon is now one of the city's prime attractions—a gathering spot for residents and tourists alike. Then there's the Tomato Art Fest and the city's famous cinnamon bun, along with a zany eye-popping pink bus comedy tour. All good reasons to love this funky American hot spot!

But Nashville also rivals better-known Chicago as a great spot to grab a dog. It's true, and you can pretty much orders yours any way you want it in Nashville. Here are some places that earn consistent raves:

Hot Diggity Dogs

(edit: permanently closed)

This familiar favorite at 614 Ewing Avenue serves up Nashville Dogs