BY SHAMEKA BRITTON
LETTER
HEART
O F T H E
As we step into the second quarter of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the important themes this season brings—growth, responsibility, and empowerment.
April reminds us of the power of knowledge with Financial Literacy Month, encouraging us to make informed decisions that shape our future. It also calls us to protect and cherish our planet during Earth Month, reminding us that every action, big or small, contributes to a more sustainable world. And with Fair Housing Month, we honor the fundamental right of equal housing opportunities for all, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity and fairness in our communities.
May this season inspire you to invest in your future, nurture the world around you, and uplift those seeking a place to call home. Together, we can create a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable tomorrow.
Shameka Britton
MARKET INSIGHTS
As of March 2025, Nashville’s housing market is still moving, but things have changed Over 2,100 homes sold in February so buyers are still out there but they’re taking their time and being more cautious than in past years.
Nationally, home sales ticked up slightly last month, but they're still lower than they were a year ago. Experts say buyers are slowly coming back as mortgage rates shift, but affordability is still a big challenge.
Here in Nashville, the gap in who can afford to buy a home is becoming more noticeable. A recent study showed that Black and Hispanic families can afford the median-priced home in less than 1% of neighborhoods across the city That’s a real issue and it’s why being strategic with your home search or sale is more important than ever.
https://www nar realtor/research-and-statistics
https://www greaternashvillerealtors org/pages/market-data-news/
http://greaternashvillerealtors org/market-data-monthly/2025/,
https://www axios com/local/nashville/2025/03/28/nashville-housing-study-black-hispanichomeownership-gap
Q1 2025 Market Trends:
Inventory is growing, but sales are slowing.
Total inventory increased each month: Jan (10,371), Feb (11,113), Mar (11,899) → up nearly 15% over the quarter. Closings are trending down: Jan (1,598), Feb (1,878), Mar (2,201) → lower than the same time in 2024, signaling longer decision cycles.
Prices are holding steady, not skyrocketing.
Average sale price stayed relatively flat: Jan: $641,363 → Feb: $634,412 → Mar: $645,757. This shows a stable pricing environment with only small fluctuations (within a 2% range).
Homes are taking slightly longer to sell.
Average days on market rose slightly to 36 in March, up from 35 in January.
Months of supply has increased from 5.28 (Jan) to 4.18 (Mar), suggesting a market leaning more balanced not quite favoring buyers or sellers strongly.
$1,400,000
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$200,000 $400,000
$0
Montgomery Cheatham Robertson Davidson Wilson Williamson Rutherford Sumner
Declutter – Donate or toss unused items.
Deep Clean Floors – Vacuum, mop, and shampoo carpets.
9
Wash Windows – Clean glass, sills, and blinds for a brighter space.
Refresh Bedding – Wash pillows, mattresses, and linens for a fresh feel.
Organize Pantry & Fridge – Toss expired items and wipe down shelves.
ARE TARIFFS ABOUT TO MAKE NEW HOMES MORE EXPENSIVE?
If you're thinking about buying a new construction home in the Nashville area, there’s something big happening behind the scenes that could affect your budget: new tariffs on building materials So, let’s talk about what that means for you and why now might actually be the best time to make your move
What’s Going On With Tariffs?
As of March 2025, the U.S. has put 25% tariffs on materials like steel, aluminum, lumber, and appliances from countries like Canada, Mexico, and China. That basically means it costs more to get the materials builders need to build your future home
According to Real Estate News, these extra costs could raise the price of a new construction home by $7,500 to $10,000 (Source: [Real Estate News]
The Good News: You Still Have Options
Even with prices expected to go up, builders right now are offering solid incentives on homes that are already built or almost done I’m seeing things like:
Rate buy-downs to help you get a lower monthly payment
Closing cost help so you bring less cash to the table
Discounts and free upgrades to sweeten the deal
Builders want to sell these homes before the higher costs kick in which means this could be your chance to save.
According to Real Estate News, these extra costs could raise the price of a new construction home by $7,500 to $10,000. (Source: [Real Estate News]
Should
You
Wait or Buy Now?
If you’ve been on the fence about buying a new construction home, this might be your window of opportunity Material costs are rising, and that usually means home prices follow Right now, the deals are still out there
Want to learn more about new construction incentives? Let’s talk and find the best deals before prices go up!
FARMERS MARKETS
March 25 - November 1, 2025
JOELTON FARMER’S MARKET
Saturdays8AM-1PM Bringpeopletogether,supportour localbusinesses,andthroweventsthatarefun,affordable, andeasyforfolkstoenjoyclosetohome.
April 8th - Oct. 28th, 2025
EAST NASHVILLE FARMERS MARKET
MARKETSCHEDULE2025
3:30-6:30pmApril8th-Oct 28th 3:30-6pmNov.4th-Dec.16th
April 11, 2025
NASHVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET
NashvilleFarmersMarketisBACKforOpeningDay! JoinusFriday,April11,from3:00PM–7:00PMat725S BarnesStreet,Nashville,NCforanafternoonfilledwith amazinglocalvendors,deliciousfood,andlivemusic!
April - September 2025
OLD HICKORY VILLAGE FARMER’S MARKET
Tuesdayfrom4to7PM,startingwithouropeningmarket onApril1st!
April - December 2025
RICHLAND PARK FARMERS MARKET
ShopeverySaturdaymorningwith70+localfarmers, bakers,cheese-makers,producers,chefs,andfood entrepreneursinNashville’shistoricRichlandPark
May - October 2025
GOODLETTSVILLE FARMERS MARKET
TheGoodlettsvilleFarmersandArtisanMarketisbackforits 8thseasonin2025 TheseasonalmarketisheldeachThursday, thefirstweekofMaythruthefirstweekofOctoberfrom3:007:00PM
HIP DONELSON FARMER’S MARKET
Fridays4to7PM.Includingfoodtrucks,Livemusic,andfree parking May - October 2025
May - October, 2025
AMQUI STATION FARMERS MARKET
The11thAnnualAmquiStationFarmersMarketwillbe everySundayfrom10am–1pmbeginningMay4thand continuingthroughOctober26th,2025.
May - October, 2025
12 SOUTH FARMERS MARKET
Aweeklycommunityfarmersmarket,withlivemusicand foodtrucks,EVERYTUESDAYafternoon,4:00PMto7:00PM FROMMaythroughOctober
May 22 -October 2, 2025
BELLEVUE FARMER’S MARKET
BellevueFarmersMarketisextendingourhoursthisyear duringourpeakseason! FromourMay22ndOpeningDay throughAugust,we’llstayopenuntil7:30pm,givingour communityevenmoreopportunitytomakeBFMyour weeklydestinationtoshop
June - October, 2025
PLEASANT VIEW VILLAGE FARMERS AND MAKERS MARKET
SecondSaturdayofeverymonth,9am-12pm.It'safunday forthewholefamilytocomeouttoeat,drinkandsupport localFarmers&Artisans
Spring Food Recipe
O A T M E A L R A I
C O O K I E S
S I N
These oatmeal raisin cookies are a perfect spring treat! Soft, chewy, and naturally sweetened, they’re easy to make and full of wholesome flavor.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat and Prep:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Sugars and Butter:
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 ¾ cups rolled oats (old-fashioned)
1 cup raisins
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
4. Add Oats and Raisins:
- Stir in the rolled oats and raisins until evenly distributed.
5. Bake:
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Spring Drink Recipe:
O L I V E G A R D E N
L I M O N C E L L O L E M O N A D E
Olive Garden Limoncello Lemonade is a refreshing spring drink! With a perfect balance of tangy lemon and sweet limoncello, it’s easy to make and full of bright citrus flavor.
INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:
For the Lemon Syrup:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 4-5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
For the Limoncello Lemonade:
- 1 ounce citrus-infused vodka
- 3 ounces limoncello liqueur
- 4 ounces lemonade (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup ice
- Lemon wedge, for garnish
1. Make the Lemon Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.
- Let it cool.
2. Blend the Drink:
- In a blender, combine the cooled lemon syrup, citrus vodka, limoncello, lemonade, and ice.
- Blend on high speed until you achieve a slushy consistency
3. Serve:
- Pour the blended drink into a glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
SPOTLIGHT Vendor
ErinSmith
Operation Hope Financial Wellbeing Coach
1. Tell us about your role and the services you offer.
As a Financial Wellbeing Coach, I am dedicated to educating and supporting our community in achieving their financial and credit goals Through a combination of workshops and personalized oneon-one coaching sessions, I provide the tools and guidance necessary for financial success Many of my clients refer to me as their accountability partner, a testament to the trust and commitment we build together Our program has consistently delivered impressive results, including significant growth in savings, reduction in debt, and improvement in credit scores
2. How did you get started in your industry, and what inspired you to pursue this path?
With over a decade of experience in the banking industry, I discovered my true calling: helping people I noticed that many clients lacked essential knowledge about money management and credit This gap in financial education was something I personally experienced, having learned through trial and error My mission is to bridge this gap for others, helping them avoid the mistakes I made and empowering them to achieve financial success
3. What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Celebrating every achievement, whether it's clients paying off debt, building their savings, transitioning out of homelessness, or purchasing their first home
4. What do you enjoy doing outside of your profession?
I have a passion for the outdoors, whether it's hiking, camping, gardening, or sitting in a hammock enjoying a good book.
5. What challenges have you overcome, and what has been your biggest successes?
My husband and I have diligently worked to achieve our current financial stability, though it hasn't been without its challenges We've faced payday loans, substantial credit card debt, and unhealthy spending habits However, through persistence, open communication, education, and support, we are only a few months away from eliminating our consumer debt and have bought and sold several properties!
6. What trends are you seeing in your industry that homeowners or homebuyers should be aware of?
We often assume that our health and jobs will be secure tomorrow, but there are no guarantees. Many of us rely too heavily on future paychecks, which can be uncertain
It's crucial to be mindful of our spending habits and avoid using credit cards or buy-now-pay-later services for unnecessary purchases. Additionally, we must plan for life's unexpected events to ensure financial stability.
7. How do your services support local homeowners, homebuyers, or real estate agents?
Approaching homeownership with a strong financial foundation such as a healthy relationship with money, a well-stocked savings account, and a high credit score sets any current or future homeowner up for success This not only alleviates financial stress, allowing you to focus on more important aspects of life, but also improves your chances of securing better interest rates and mortgage approvals
SPOTLIGHT Local
Let me introduce you to a spot that truly impressed us Lighthouse on the Lake in Hendersonville.
My husband and I recently attended their Valentine’s Dinner, and we had such a great time We went with my sister and her husband, and it was one of those evenings that just felt easy and well put together There was a small live band playing, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the food was absolutely delicious every bite hit the mark.
Fun fact: My sister actually got married at Lighthouse years ago, back when it was under different ownership So it was really special to revisit the space
Lighthouse is now a Black-owned restaurant and event space that sits right on the lake, offering gorgeous views and a calm, relaxing vibe And honestly, it’s hard to find a spot that feels more suited for us mature folks somewhere you can enjoy good music, great food, and real conversation without all the noise and chaos.
The current owners have created something really special. They host private events, seasonal dinners, and holiday celebrations that feel thoughtfully curated and welcoming.
With Easter and Mother’s Day coming up, this is the perfect time to check it out Whether you’re planning a celebration or just looking for a great meal in a beautiful setting, Lighthouse is worth the visit I’m already looking forward to going back
Location: 133 Sanders Ferry Rd, Hendersonville, TN 37075
https://lighthouseonthelake.com
@lighthouseonthelake20
