As we shift our lives to stay home as much as possible and flatten the curve, I wanted to check in and share some info. Amid this health crisis, I have actually been very busy with real estate. Buyers are still calling me to start the home buying process and houses are still closing. As long as banks stay open there is a lot we can do!

The info below is an economic update from a major US investment bank Investor call yesterday where 1,500 companies dialed in. The following are the key economic takeaways from that call.

50% of Americans will contract the virus (150m people) as it’s very communicable. This is on a par with the common cold (Rhinovirus) of which there are about 200 strains and which the majority of Americans will get 2-4 per year.

70% of Germany will contract it (58M people). This is the next most relevant industrial economy to be affected.

Peak-virus is expected over the next eight weeks, declining thereafter.

The virus appears to be concentrated in a band between 30-50 degrees north latitude, meaning that like the common cold and flu, it prefers cold weather. The coming summer in the northern hemisphere should help. This is to say that the virus is likely seasonal.

Of those impacted 80% will be early-stage, 15% mid-stage and 5% critical-stage. Early-stage symptoms are like the common cold and mid-stage symptoms are like the flu; for these, it is recommended to stay at home for two weeks and rest. 5% will be critical and highly weighted towards the elderly.

The mortality rate on average of up to 2%, heavily weighted towards the elderly and immunocompromised; meaning up to 3m people (150m*.02). In the US about 3m/yr die mostly due to old age and disease, those two being highly correlated (as a percent very few from accidents). There will be significant overlap, so this does not mean 3m new deaths from the virus, it means elderly people dying sooner due to respiratory issues. This may, however, stress the healthcare system.

There is a debate as to how to address the virus pre-vaccine. The US is tending towards quarantine. The UK is tending towards allowing it to spread so that the population can develop a natural immunity. Quarantine is likely to be ineffective and result in significant economic damage but will slow the rate of transmission giving the healthcare system more time to deal with the caseload.

China’s economy has been largely impacted which has affected raw materials and the global supply chain. It may take up to six months for it to recover.

The Global GDP growth rate will be the lowest in 30 years at around 2%.

S&P 500 will see a negative growth rate of -15% to -20% for 2020 overall.

There will be economic damage from the virus itself, but the real damage is driven mostly by market psychology. Viruses have been with us forever. Stock markets should fully recover in the 2nd half of the year.

In the past week, there has been a conflating of the impact of the virus on the developing oil price war between KSA and Russia. While reduced energy prices are generally good for industrial economies, the US is now a large energy exporter, so there has been a negative impact on the valuation of the domestic energy sector. This will continue for some time as the Russians are attempting to economically squeeze the American shale producers and the Saudi’s are caught in the middle and do not want to further cede market share to Russia or the US.

Technically the market generally has been looking for a reason to reset after the longest bull market in history.

There is NO systemic risk. No one is even talking about that. Governments are intervening in the markets to stabilize them, and the private banking sector is very well-capitalized. It feels more like ‪9/11‬ than it does like 2008.

I hope that assessment is helpful to you. The last paragraph is the most important takeaway. More like 9/11 than 2008. Even more so in Nashville since we just had the tornado as well. There will be a time of rebuilding but that can also mean opportunity for those investing in real estate.

If you have any questions or would like to speak more about Nashville’s real estate market from the buying or listing perspective, I’m happy to speak to you. Just call me at (615) 500-9513.

Be well and take care!

Sincerely,
Sarah Jane Nelson
(Nashville Realtor and Founder of EverybodyLovesNashville.com)

Located in the lobby of the building that houses the Country Music Hall of Fame, I highly recommend that any visitor to Nashville takes The Hatch Show Print Tour. Even if you haven’t heard of Hatch, you will recognize their work when you see it. The artisans at Hatch are still doing what they did 140 years ago, and the history of this letterpress shop is a walk through American art and history. 

The golden age of Hatch Show Print began in the 1920’s when the shop moved to 4th Avenue, just behind the Ryman Auditorium where the Grand Ole Opry was bustling with the top performers of the day. Hatch designed and printed all the posters for the Ryman shows and also for the acts that played there like Minnie Pearl, Hank Williams, Bill Monroe, and countless others… Today, Hatch operates their busy shop in the building shared with the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Anyone can shop in the gift shop, but on the Hatch Show Print Tour, you get a look into Music City History as all the country music greats built their brands on this iconic letterpress style. You’ll learn how the Hatch employees use the letterpress to roll ink on hand-set wood and metal type and hand carved imagery. The pressure of the press then transfers the ink from the blocks to the paper, one color at a time, one piece of paper at a time. You’ll even get to operate the letterpress and take a commemorative print home with you. 

The Hatch Show Print gift shop sells prints, cards, and other items with the iconic Hatch Show Print designs. I’ve bought several posters in the bargain bin as you never know what you’ll discover in there. If you’re on the hunt for other Hatch Show Prints, you can also find a great selection at the Ryman Auditorium gift shop and the Grand Ole Opry gift shop.  www.HatchShowPrint.com 

https://amzn.to/2NFj32L

The bars on Lower Broadway are the top attraction in Nashville for good reason. Walk down Broadway between the Bridgestone Arena and the River, and you’ll see that Music City lives up to its name with an incredible level of musicianship spilling out of the windows of the Nashville Broadway bars.

Don’t expect to hear just country music. Classic rock is also very popular down there along with some excellent blues and occasional jazz. The musical acts do sets from 10am-2pm, 2pm-6pm, 6pm-10pm, and 10pm-2am. Yep, there is music on lower Broadway  almost ALL DAY. The early sets are usually more acoustic and the late night sets get wild and loud with inebriated patrons (and lots of bachelorettes) dancing into the wee hours.

There are no cover charges but BRING CASH to fill the tip buckets for the hard working musicians who are going to entertain you all night long. Give them some love! If you tip them a $20 they’ll play just about any song you want (within reason).

FAMILY TIP – Most of the Nashville honky tonks allow all ages before 6pm so it’s fine to bring the kids to hear some music. After 6pm, most of them are 21 and over.

Nashville Broadway Bars

Everyone has their favorite honky tonk spots on Lower Broadway and you can’t go wrong with any of them, but I’ll share my top picks.

Robert’s Western World –  For legit country music, Robert’s Western World is my favorite. It started out as a boot store and eventually added a jukebox and then live music. They still sell apparel and boots as well, but this small venue is some of the best country music you’ll find in Nashville, if you ask me. Find a seat and be sure to tip the band when the jar passes around. If you’re on a budget for food, try the Recession Special which is a Fried Bologna Sandwich, chips, and a PBR for just $6.

Tootsies Orchid Lounge –  Tootsie Bess bought the place in 1960, and since then, Tootsies has been the gold standard for Lower Broadway honky tonks. Toosie’s back door is across the alley from the Ryman Auditorium stage door, and many legends would duck into Tootsies after their show. Famous early customers were Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis, Roger Miller, Webb Pierce, Walon Jennings , Patsy Cline, and many more. It’s said that Willie got his first songwriting job after singing at Tootsies. Today, many of the top up-and-comer singer/songwriters play here. If you want your shot, they have an open mic every Saturday from 12-5. Just get there early to sign up and you can say you performed at Tootsies!

The Stage – Because Tootsie’s and Robert’s are so famous and so small, they are sometimes WAY too crowded for you to really have fun. If that’s the case, there are many other venues on lower Broadway to check out. Next door, you find The Stage. I like to grab a table up on the balcony which overlooks the stage and dance floor. The dancefloor is big and crowded, so it’s a fun place to dance and socialize. Fun Fact: The Stage is where Hank Williams, Jr. filmed his video for “Why Don’t We All Just Get a Longneck.”

Legends Corner – Right on the corner of Broadway and 5th, Legends is another solid option for live country music. It’s not as throwback as Toostie’s or Robert’s, but it’s a good place for contemporary country music.

Nudie’s is a newer music venue, but SO GOOD. Nudie Cohn was a legendary clothing designer who outfitted bedazzled looks for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Sr., Bob Dylan, and Elton John. Nudie’s 1976 Cadillac El Dorado is hanging on the wall in the bar and all three floors of this 12,000 square foot venue feature displays with vintage suits and country music artifacts. Nudie’s also boasts the longest bar on Broadway at over 100 ft. in length. And the music? It’s fabulous, of course. We’re talking about Nashville after all.

ACME Feed & Seed – Located at Broadway and 1st overlooking the river, this beautiful, historic building was built in 1893 and housed a number of different business including a grocery store, flour company, buggy shop, and a feed store. Today, all three floors are beautifully renovated with wonderful food and top-notch music that’s a lot more than just country with great Jazz, Gospel, Americana, Folk, R&B, and Rock. ACME has a passion for giving voice to local musicians who are not in the mainstream. I recommend you also check out their radio station (Acme Radio). When you’re at ACME, don’t forget to head up to the 4th floor rooftop bar for a great view of the river.

Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar – If you want to hear some blues, head a couple of blocks over to Printer’s Alley and you’ll be transported to my home state of Louisiana. Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar not only has excellent cajun inspired bar food, the music will get you dancing all night long. The weekends are a blast and the blues jam on Monday nights is a great time to show your stuff or just watch talented players in the Nashville Blues Scene. I like to sit upstairs for a great view from the balcony seats. Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Honky Tonk Disneyland

The newcomers to Lower Broadway are the branded honky tonks owned by big country stars. Some say these bars are remaking Nashville into a “country music Disneyland” and I agree with them in some ways. They don’t have the history or charm of the original honky-tonks and from what I’ve sampled, the food is more mass-produced, chain restaurant style than you find at Merchants or Jack’s BBQ. The upside of these bars is that they are beautifully designed and spacious for larger groups.
Ole Red – owned by Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar
Redneck Riviera – owned by John Rich
AJ’s Good Time Bar – owned by Alan Jackson
FGL House – Florida Georgia Line
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse

Eating on Lower Broadway

Jack’s BBQ – This popular Nashville BBQ joint, is right next to Tootsies and Robert’s Western World and you’ll often see lines out the door as it’s very popular with tourists and hungry bar-hoppers. The pulled pork is excellent.

Merchant’s is my favorite sit down meal in the lower Broadway area.  The fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese are amazing.

Woolworths on 5th was the site of the first lunch counter sit-ins in the 1960’s Civil Rights movement. It’s recently been beautifully renovated and is now a restaurant with fantastic food. The sweet potato pancakes are crave-worthy.  Be sure to read the back of the menu for more info on the history and walk upstairs to see some photos from the sit ins.

ACME Feed and Seed (mentioned earlier for their music)  has fabulous food as well. ACME is owned by the same group who owns The Loveless Cafe, Woolworths on 5th, and The Southern, so good food is something they know a lot about.

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant – Puckett’s is 2 blocks from Broadway on the corner of 5th and Church, and I have a special place in my heart for their Fried Green Beans with BBQ chipotle ranch. They also have lots of other great food choices like the BBQ platter, Smoked Meatloaf, Shrimp and Grits, Fried Chicken, and good burgers. If you’re looking for a break from the cover bands of Lower Broadway, Puckett’s has top-notch music in the evenings.

Parking on Lower Broadway

When you go downtown, I recommend you Uber or Lyft. Besides the fact that drinking and driving is NEVER ok,  the parking can be quite expensive and traffic is sometimes bad. If you have a designated driver or are a non-drinker, and want to drive down, a clean, dependable parking garage is located at the Nashville Public Library at 6^th between Church and Commerce. Watch out for the parking lots that are outdoors. They are often $30-50 to park and you won’t know that until you park and walk to pay at the machine! The best kept secret for parking (I can’t believe I’m telling you this) is a parking garage that is located on 3^rd between Broadway and Commerce and it’s often only $15. That’s the one I use when I go to the Symphony, The Ryman, Bridgestone, or any of the venues on Lower Broadway. It’s not fancy (kinda looks like a cave inside) but the price is right and its steps from all the action.

Fun for Families and Large Groups

Bar hopping on Lower Broadway can be tough for groups since many of the spaces are small and crowded. If you’re looking for a great spot for a large group or a family with kids of all ages, get a FREE Country line dance class at The Wildhorse Saloon.

The Wildhorse Saloon is thought of as one of the more touristy music destinations in the lower Broadway area because, in the 90’s,  it was the site of the Wildhorse Saloon Dance Show on The Nashville Network. It’s the Nashville home of country line dancing, an artform that is not as trendy as it used to be in Billy Rae Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart” days. Still, the Wildhorse is a lot of fun, especially if you have kids or big group. Go early, before they start charging a cover. Have dinner (the BBQ is quite good), do the line dance lesson, and then, when the band starts, you’re ready to dance the night away. All ages are welcome until 10pm. While you’re there, don’t forget to explore all three floors of this beautiful 66,000 square foot venue. There are pool and foosball tables upstairs, and throughout the building, look for the horse sculptures for fun photo ops!

The Wildhorse Saloon is located at 120 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 902-8200

Most of you know I love walking around this town and Radnor Lake is my FAVORITE hiking spot in Nashville! The video below takes you on a walk with me at the 1,332-acre Radnor Lake Nature Preserve.  Located just 15-20 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Nashville, Radnor feels like you’re a world away. The Lake Trail hike is quite easy with a wood chip path for most of the trail. Dogs and jogging are not allowed in this section and that’s why you’ll find SO much wildlife.

For a more advanced hike, the Ganier Ridge trail will add 1.65 miles and give you a great workout. If you want to bring your dog or take a run, Otter Creek Road which runs along the south side of the lake does allow jogging and dogs, and it’s beautiful as well.

For parking, I recommend that you park in the West Parking Lot off Granny White Pike on Otter Creek Road. There, you’ll find the Walter Criley Visitors Center with an introductory video, a display of information and artifacts from the area, nice bathrooms, and vending machines. There is also an information desk where you can get trail maps and ask questions.

My video tour below has some cute animals including my little squirrel friend eating a nut at 2:02, a blue heron at 2:30, an owl at 4:00, and also a snake, chipmunk, turtles, flying geese, and more. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading and watching. If you would like to learn more about Nashville real estate just steps from Radnor Lake, let me know! The neighborhood of Oak Hill has some incredible properties that are so close to Radnor, you’ll feel like it’s your own backyard. Call me at (615) 500-9513.

All the best,
Sarah Jane