Is this a bad street? Sort of East Nashville-ish? (Gallatin: real estate, houses)

[CountryGirl2b=]

My sister is considering moving up to Nashville but wants to live someplace "COOL" and Fieldstone Farms is not going to cut it for her. I told her to look in East Nashville and she found this place. There HAS to be something wrong with the location for it to be so cheap. Any help appreciated:

895 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37206 MLS# 1347826 - Zillow

[BirdieBelle]

You can see on the Zestimate graph that the value has dropped significantly, and it looks like it is the most expensive home in the area, which typically is not good for investment purposes. It looks like they bought it, over-renovated and can't get their $$ back on a sale.

But the best part about Zillow is that Price History feature. Based on the fact that it sat on the market from February through September last year and NO ONE bought it would be a red flag for me.

I don't know this particular street, but I do know that the area across Ellington Parkway, the Lischey Ave./Dickerson Pike area, is still very rough.

Unless your sister is an urban pioneer, this may not be the kind of cool she is looking for.

[CountryGirl2b=]

Thanks much! Yes, I figured there was 'something' wrong with it. The house next door is Zillow estimated at $64,000. I am going to look up the old threads about which parts of East Nashville are 'good'. So the other side of Ellington Pkwy is not desirable. Got it. Thanks again . . .

[steindle]

That immediate area (Douglas between Ellington and Gallatin) is really not unsafe. Its reputation is outdated or undeserved. It's not really any different than Inglewood. I don't think anyone who regularly goes to FooBar or attends Nashville Diesel College is live in fear for their lives or fortunes.

It's cheap because it's working class, which I don't immediately equate to being "undesirable," but your opinion may vary.

[0'Farrell]

Still has a little too much grit.

[Pimpy]

I haven't lived in Nashville for a year, but Douglas was bad news at the time I left. I'm not saying gentrification may not be occurring, but no way it's occurring fast enough to make that street a decent place to live at this point. Check back in 3-5 more years.

[mlp206]

I live in East Nashville and have for a long time ( 14 years ) so I feel qualified to answer this question. It is an area that is fine. I would feel completely safe living there and I have a child. Urban pioneers are purchasing property under 100k and less in areas that are still very transitional and investing in the community which is great.

I would suggest contact a professional who is familiar with East Nashville ( Realtor ) if I am allowed to suggest that here, and let them guide you.

Good luck!

[airen123]

that is definitely a cool house!

[ariesjow]

I don't think that area is bad, but it's probably the wrong side of Gallatin Pike to get the "cool" branding at this time. It is very close to Ellington Pkwy, but I think Douglas on the opposite side of the Ellington would probably have a worse rep. As Wmsm4Life pointed out, it looks like they really renovated the heck out of the home compared to the ones surrounding it and won't reap the benefits any time soon. It's kind of crazy how this same home would probably go for $100k more on the same street east of Gallatin.

If your sister is just looking for a nice, reasonably-priced place in East Nashville a short drive to some of the restaurants, isn't bothered by the transitional nature of the neighborhood and doesn't need to worry about re-sale any time in the near future, then perhaps this is okay. However, if she really wants to be able to walk to the "cool" spots and is concerned about re-sale, then perhaps she will want to concentrate on an East Nashville neighborhood that is a little further along. She may be able to find a steal in the Greenwood or Maxwell area closer to Eastland near the Holland House. Those areas are about a mile south of this house, but seems to be a little further along in the gentrification process to me.

[yank283]

I live near thd area and agree with ariesjow. Douglas on the east side of Gallatin rd is kinda of booming (as is all of Eastwood Neighbors). There have a few houses on the other side of Gallatin Rd. fixed up but probably isn'nt comparable to the eastside of Douglas at this point. That does look like a sweet house though.

If she is determined to buy, I would suggest she get a real estate agent that is familiar with East Nashville (bonus points if they live there as well). I know Village Real Estate has a pretty solid presence on the eastside. Good luck.