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Oftentimes, when we think about a mortgage payment, we think of it as a fixed cost. You have the principal-- the amount borrowed to purchase a home— and the interest, the fee charged by the lender. But when you look closer at your monthly statement, you’ll see that your total payment also includes property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Every year, REALTORS® from across Tennessee convene at the State Capitol for the annual Day on the Hill, meeting with lawmakers to advocate for issues impacting the real estate industry and highlight the important role REALTORS® play in strengthening their communities.

Late last month, unprecedented ice, snow, and prolonged below-zero temperatures from Winter Storm Fern left hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans without power. As temperatures plunged and conditions worsened, homes and properties across the state sustained widespread damage, creating significant challenges for families and communities alike.

A long-standing pathway to building wealth in the United States has been homeownership. Right after World War II, Congress passed what’s commonly known as the G.I. Bill in an effort to avoid a postwar return to mass unemployment.

As we end this fall season post-Thanksgiving, it’s a good time to pause with grateful hearts. We’re blessed to live in a country where—despite our challenges—we enjoy freedoms, opportunities, and the ability to build a life rooted deeply in the place we call home. For many families, including our veterans and active-duty service members, that dream of homeownership is one of the greatest blessings of all.

Purchasing or selling a home is one of the largest financial transactions most people will ever make. Today, much of that process happens online. For many buyers and sellers, it may also be the first time navigating a complex, fast-moving transaction—one that can be exciting, emotional, and unfamiliar.

Purchasing a home is often seen as one of life’s most meaningful milestones. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, the journey requires thoughtful planning, research, and a clear understanding of each step along the way. It’s easy to focus on the big moments—the excitement of finding the home that feels just right, securing a contract, reaching the closing table, and finally receiving the keys before making the space your own. Yet many of the finer details are just as important and deserve careful attention.

Safety is always top of mind for Realtors, but it’s not something we often talk about out loud. The truth is, our work puts us in vulnerable positions regularly because we typically broadcast our schedules publicly through open house announcements, get calls from strangers asking us to meet at properties with little notice, and even sometimes drive clients whom we have only just met in our own vehicles. Because of these realities, it’s critical to put safety measures in place and stick to them.

Every September, Greater Nashville REALTORS®, alongside the National Association of REALTORS®, recognizes Realtor Safety Month to raise awareness about the risks real estate professionals face in their daily work.

Celebrating homeownership began in 1995 under President Bill Clinton, aimed at increasing homeownership across the nation. It started as a week-long event. Several years later, in 2002, George W. Bush expanded it to a month-long recognition. Homeownership Month is an opportunity to remind and educate people about the benefits that accompany owning their own home. Those benefits vary in importance depending on one’s goals and dreams. They range from independence in choosing paint colors, to developing equity and wealth. It’s known as the American Dream and it is achievable with some forethought, planning and guidance by professionals that know how to assist in piecing the plan together.

Last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., with Greater Nashville REALTORS® staff and leadership to attend the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2025 Legislative Meetings. We joined thousands of REALTORS® from across the country to meet directly with members of Congress, advocating for policies that support the housing market, protect property rights, and help make homeownership more attainable for more Americans.

Originally launched as National Homeownership Week in 1995 under the Clinton administration, this initiative aimed to expand access to homeownership nationwide. In 2002, it was extended to the full month of June under President George W. Bush, emphasizing the importance of homeownership through new programs and outreach efforts.