Franklin
A historic town with a charming Main Street, Franklin is famous for its preserved antebellum architecture, boutique shops, and cultural events; it’s a town that takes pride in its rich history and community engagement.Homes for Sale in Franklin, TN
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HOWDY FROM FRANKLIN!
Franklin covers nearly 45 sq. mi. of land, located almost at the very heart of Tennessee and only 25 miles south of Nashville. It’s a modern city in many respects, but due to its sizable collection of Victorian-era buildings and historic neighborhoods, exploring Franklin might make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.Once upon a time in Franklin
In the 16th and 17th centuries, seven Native American tribes used to call Franklin home until only one group remained: the Cherokees. They were soon joined by European settlers; the first to arrive was Ewen Cameron, a Scotsman. After a brief stay in Virginia, Ewen Cameron moved to the Franklin area and built a log cabin where he lived with his family until his death in 1846. Modern-day Franklin, however, was only established and incorporated in 1799. The city’s founder, Abram Maury, Jr., named it after Benjamin Franklin. Agriculture was Franklin’s bread and butter, with tobacco, hemp, livestock, and corn as some of the city’s main products. But the Civil War transformed this otherwise peaceful county seat into a battlefield in 1864. Franklin was so devastated by the Civil War that it took more than 100 years for the city’s economy to recover. Nashville’s growth helped boost Franklin; by the end of the 20th century, the city became a hub for many businesses.HOMES FOR SALE IN FRANKLIN, TN
Franklin, TN real estate consists of a wide range of housing options, all of which contribute to a median home value of around $814,000. Of the many residential typologies available in the city, single-family homes are the most prevalent: they make up more than half of the local housing stock. The rest of the real estate market consists of apartments, condos, and townhomes.Quick facts about Franklin, TN real estate
- Franklin may be a historic city with strong protective ordinances, but homes here tend to be on the newer side. In terms of age, homes for sale in Franklin, TN are a good mixture of older homes that date back to the 1970s and 1990s and newer construction built in the 2000s or later– these properties slightly outnumber the former.A smaller portion of the market consists of what can be considered historic homes that were built in the 1960s or older.
- People love living in Franklin and the strong homeownership rate attests this fact. More than half of Franklin, TN real estate is owner-owned and occupied, while 36.5% is rented. The city also has low vacancy rates.
- The prices of homes for sale in Franklin, TN may be relatively high compared to the rest of Tennessee and the country, but with local properties appreciating an average annual rate of nearly 5%, your investment is well worth it.
- When it comes to architecture, you’re spoilt for choice in Franklin. Your options include Greek Revival, Victorian, Cape Cod, Tennessee Federal, Georgian, and Neo-Colonial.
Where to live in Franklin
The following are some of the notable developments and neighborhoods where you’ll find the best homes for sale in Franklin, TN:- Forrest Crossing is a 650-home development where properties start at 1,200 sq. ft. in size and were generally built in the late 1980s to the 2000s. The subdivision offers plenty of open green spaces and a clubhouse with a pool, a tennis and pickleball court. Part of Forrest Crossing’s appeal is the access to Franklin Bridge Golf Club, which is located within the community.
- Breezeway, which is located just off of Clovercroft Road, offers a more “country” feel despite being only minutes away from downtown Franklin. Many of the housing options here are single-family homes built in the 2000s and 2010s, with approximate living spaces that range from 2,900 sq. ft. Community features include winding streets and walking trails.
- Fieldstone Farms is recognized as the largest neighborhood in Franklin, with an inventory of over 2,000 homes to its name. It’s located in the northern section of the city and includes a gated area and a 55-plus community. Homes for sale in this part of Franklin, TN can feature up to 6,700 sq. ft. of living space (especially at The Reserves). Residents also enjoy a slew of amenities, including acres of green space and a swim and tennis club.
- Westhaven is a village-style development located west of Franklin. Due to this designation, the neighborhood offers a wide variety of real estate options. These include single-family properties, townhomes, condos, luxury houses, as well as a dedicated 55+ area with serviced rentals. At its heart is the 15,000-sq. ft. Residents Club, which is just one of Westhaven’s many community amenities.
- Downtown Franklin is where you can find a large bulk of the city’s historic properties, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Homes for sale here come in a dazzling array of architectural styles, including Cape Cods and restored Colonials. Due to their prime location, these properties can command as much as $3.5 million.
LIVING IN FRANKLIN, TN
Accessibility
One of the highly touted advantages of living in Franklin is how accessible everything is from the city. Commuting to Nashville takes just around 25 to 30 minutes. Many other popular Tennessee destinations are great for a day trip; Memphis and Knoxville, for example, are only approximately three hours away. Residents typically get around Franklin by taking their personal vehicles, but the city also makes available other transportation options. Franklin Transit offers a bus service with two routes. The Red route takes you along the west side of the city, while the Blue route travels from the Downtown Transit Center to the Galleria Mall all week and serves a longer route on Monday to Friday.Education
Franklin is served by two school districts: Franklin Special School District (FSSD) for K-8 and Williamson County School District (WCS) for high school. Some of the public schools located within the city include:Shopping
Whatever you’re looking to buy, you’re bound to unearth more than a few gems in Franklin. Native Matter offers products such as candles, home decor, accessories, pet goods, and clothing, taking pride in using clean ingredients and materials. You can also get lost in the stacks at Landmark Booksellers, which is found in an Antebellum Greek Revival building from the 1820s. This bookstore carries thousands of books, from classics to limited-edition releases to first-edition copies to new books, as well as vintage magazines and newspapers. Made in TN at The Factory at Franklin brings together a wealth of products that are made in Tennessee, giving you a sampler of the talents and tastes of the state. Meanwhile, you can find national name brands and shops at CoolSprings Galleria. This mall is anchored by Macy’s and JCPenney and includes shops such as Ann Taylor, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma and more.Dining
You can have all the barbecue and Southern comfort food you want when you’re in Franklin, and there’s a lot of other cuisine to experience and enjoy. Visit Fox & Locke, which was established in 1947 and has undergone changes from being a grocery to now being known for its incredible Southern meals and live music. If you’re in the mood for bread and pastries, Franklin Bakehouse is where you want to go. Aside from offering fresh bread daily, this is also where you can get some great sandwiches and salads. Franklin is also home to a number of breweries and distilleries, and one place you shouldn’t miss is Stable Reserve, which was once a livery stable and now serves up locally distilled drinks. Hogwood BBQ at Thoroughbred Square is the place to go for smoked meats, pulled pork, beef brisket, and sausages. And this is just a small sampling of all the amazing food you can enjoy in the city.Outdoor recreation
When talking about outdoor recreation in Franklin, there are many facets you can experience. You might want to explore the local farms, such as Mistletoe Farm, where you can hang out with alpacas and purchase wool products; Stoney Creek Farm, where you can pick your own vegetables and learn more about sustainable living and agriculture; and Gentry Farm, which has been owned by the same family for generations for more than 165 years and is open for summer day camps and for tours for a few days during fall. Or you may want to experience the natural beauty in and around Franklin. Wilkins Branch Mountain Bike Park provides trails for beginners to advanced cyclists. It spans more than 150 acres and is characterized by hilly, wooded land. Stop by Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary in nearby Brentwood (approx. 16 minutes away) to enjoy its expansive green space. It houses thousands of flora and fauna, as well as several species of owls, hence its name. Visit the Natchez Trace Parkway, which cuts through Franklin as it traverses several states, and you’ll find Timberland Park, where you can go for a hike and enjoy the view from a double-arch bridge at Milepost 438.