FAQ
Answers to the questions buyers and sellers ask most often. Don't see what you're looking for? Reach out. Ryan gets back fast.
Ryan McCord is a Nashville-based real estate agent with Compass. He represents buyers and sellers across Nashville, Tennessee and the greater Middle Tennessee area, including East Nashville, The Gulch, Germantown, 12 South, Sylvan Park, the Nations, and Franklin. Originally from Wilsonville, Oregon, Ryan played college soccer before moving to Nashville and building his real estate career around responsiveness and local market knowledge.
Yes. Ryan is licensed in Tennessee and works under the Compass Real Estate brokerage in Nashville. You can also find him on his official Compass profile at compass.com/agents/ryan-mccord.
Yes. First-time buyers are a big part of Ryan's business. He walks clients through the entire process from pre-approval to closing: getting connected with a lender, understanding what neighborhoods fit your budget and lifestyle, touring homes, writing an offer, and navigating inspections and closing. He's known for being patient with questions and quick to respond when you need answers fast.
You can request a complimentary home value analysis directly on ryanmccordrealestate.com. There's a "What's Your Home Worth?" section on the homepage. Submit your address and Ryan will prepare a personalized market analysis based on recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, current market conditions, and the specifics of your property.
The fastest way to reach Ryan is to call or text him directly at (971) 303-3895. You can also email ryan.mccord@compass.com or fill out the contact form on this site. Ryan typically responds within an hour during business hours and within 24 hours otherwise.
Ryan is active across Nashville and Middle Tennessee, with particular knowledge of Green Hills, East Nashville, The Gulch, Germantown, Sylvan Park, 12 South, the Nations, and Franklin. He also frequently helps clients relocating from out of state evaluate which Nashville neighborhoods match their lifestyle, commute, and budget.
Yes. Whether you're upgrading, downsizing, relocating in or out of Nashville, or doing both at the same time (selling your current home while buying a new one), Ryan can represent you on either or both sides of the transaction.
Ryan takes a relationship-first approach to real estate. Clients consistently mention that he responds within minutes (not hours), treats them like people rather than transactions, and brings a level of energy and Nashville-specific knowledge that's hard to match. Most of his business comes from referrals, which says more about working with him than any pitch could.
It depends on zoning, lot size, frontage, overlays, and what builders are paying nearby versus what a renovated or move-in-ready home would sell for. I compare both values for free so you can decide with real numbers. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/nashville-teardowns-lots-guide
There is no single price per lot. Value depends on the zoning district, size, frontage, overlays, and neighborhood demand. Recent comparable lot sales are the best guide. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/nashville-teardowns-lots-guide
Sometimes: each new lot must meet the zoning minimum and have street frontage. In Neighborhood Maintenance policy areas, Metro also compares each new lot with up to five lots on each side along the same block face: its frontage must be at least 70% of their average frontage or at least equal to the surrounding lot with the least frontage, whichever is greater, and its lot size must be at least 70% of their average lot size or at least equal to the smallest surrounding lot, whichever is greater. A split that fails these tests can still go to the Planning Commission, which may approve it after a public hearing but doesn't have to. Rule: Metro Subdivision Regulations, Section 3-5.2. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/nashville-teardowns-lots-guide
RS districts (RS80 to RS3.75) are intended for single-family homes. R districts (R80 to R6) are intended for single-family and two-family homes. In both, the number is the minimum lot size in square feet, so RS7.5 means 7,500 sq ft. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/nashville-teardowns-lots-guide
Search your address in Metro's Parcel Viewer (maps.nashville.gov/parcelviewer) and look for the zoning code marked "Current." Also check the zoning layers for overlays such as historic, conservation, or contextual overlays, which add their own rules.
Yes. Metro Codes requires a permit to demolish a structure. In Neighborhood Conservation and Historic overlays, demolishing a contributing building also goes through the Metro Historic Zoning Commission. For buildings eligible for the National Register, the Historical Commission or the district councilmember can request a 90-day hold.
They're a starting point. Automated estimates can't see your home's condition, updates, lot or exact block, and in Nashville those details can swing value a lot. A personal market analysis built on recent comparable sales nearby is more reliable. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/sell-your-nashville-home-guide
Sometimes. Some fixes pay for themselves and some don't, especially if a builder is the likely buyer. I'll tell you which updates are worth it for your home before you spend anything. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/sell-your-nashville-home-guide
Often, yes. Older ranches on generous lots are regularly bought for rebuilding. Value depends on zoning, lot size, frontage and neighborhood demand, so compare the home value and the lot value before you list. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/green-hills-neighborhood-guide
Outside historic and conservation overlays, you need a Metro Codes demolition permit. Inside an overlay, a contributing building needs Historic Zoning Commission review. Check the address in Metro's Parcel Viewer first. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/east-nashville-neighborhood-guide
Usually not as a pure investment. Metro doesn't issue new non-owner-occupied short-term rental permits in R, RS, RM or AR2a zones, and existing permits don't transfer when a property sells. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/east-nashville-short-term-rentals-2026
Brentwood's R-2 Suburban Residential district requires a minimum lot area of one acre, with a 125-foot minimum lot width at the building line, a 75-foot front setback, a 30-foot rear setback and 25% maximum building coverage. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/brentwood-tn-neighborhood-guide
East Nashville is the area just east of downtown Nashville, across the Cumberland River, which wraps around much of it on the south, southwest and east. Its core is ZIP 37206, and greater East Nashville extends into 37216 and 37207. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/east-nashville-neighborhood-guide
They include Edgefield, East End, Lockeland Springs, Shelby Hills, Eastwood, Maxwell and Greenwood in 37206, Rosebank and Porter Heights to the east, and Inglewood, Cleveland Park and McFerrin Park to the north. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/east-nashville-neighborhood-guide
Yes. Metro lists Neighborhood Conservation overlays for Lockeland Springs-East End, Eastwood, Greenwood, Maxwell and Inglewood Place, and a Historic Preservation overlay for Edgefield. Demolishing a contributing building in these overlays goes through the Metro Historic Zoning Commission. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/east-nashville-neighborhood-guide
Use the official MNPS Zone Finder at https://zonefinder.mnps.org. School zones are assigned by address and can change. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/east-nashville-neighborhood-guide
12 South is centered on 12th Avenue South, generally between Wedgewood Avenue and Gale Lane, south of downtown. Sevier Park is at its southern end, and Belmont University is nearby. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/12-south-neighborhood-guide
The neighborhood association uses areas adjacent to 12th Avenue South between Wedgewood Avenue and Gale Lane. Metro's corridor plan used Wedgewood, 10th Avenue South, I-440 at Sevier Park and Cedar Lane, and Belmont Boulevard. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/12-south-neighborhood-guide
Parts of the area are. Metro lists the Belmont-Hillsboro and Waverly-Belmont Neighborhood Conservation overlays nearby, and Metro's corridor plan notes a historic overlay for areas west of 12th Avenue South. Check any address in Parcel Viewer. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/12-south-neighborhood-guide
12 South grew out of the older Waverly-Belmont community along Granny White Pike, now 12th Avenue South. The neighborhood association traces today's "12South" identity to the revitalization work local businesses, MDHA and residents started in the 1990s. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/12-south-neighborhood-guide
Sevier Park is at the south end of 12 South and holds Sunnyside, an 1852 Greek Revival house. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/12-south-neighborhood-guide
Use the official MNPS Zone Finder at https://zonefinder.mnps.org. MNPS assigns school zones by address, and they can change. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/12-south-neighborhood-guide
Green Hills is along Hillsboro Pike (U.S. 431) south of downtown, just south of I-440. It's commonly described as bounded by I-440, Harding Place, Estes Road and Lealand Lane. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/green-hills-neighborhood-guide
Green Hills roughly matches the northern half of ZIP 37215, served by the post office's Green Hills Station. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/green-hills-neighborhood-guide
It was originally mostly brick-veneer ranch houses on large lots. In recent years many of those larger lots have been redivided for infill and higher-density homes. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/green-hills-neighborhood-guide
Yes. The Mall at Green Hills is at 2126 Abbott Martin Road, Nashville, TN 37215. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/green-hills-neighborhood-guide
Use the official MNPS Zone Finder at https://zonefinder.mnps.org. MNPS assigns school zones by address, and they can change. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/green-hills-neighborhood-guide
Sylvan Park is about four miles southwest of downtown, between Charlotte Pike and West End Avenue. The neighborhood association gives its boundaries as Charlotte Avenue to the north, Richland Creek to the west, and the railroad tracks to the south and east. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/sylvan-park-neighborhood-guide
According to the neighborhood's history, some streets were named for the states developers hoped to draw residents from, including Nevada, Wyoming, Dakota and Idaho. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/sylvan-park-neighborhood-guide
The Nashville Land Improvement Co. founded Sylvan Park in 1887 as New Town. The Sylvan Park Land Company was organized in 1906. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/sylvan-park-neighborhood-guide
McCabe Park, with a community center and golf course, and the Richland Creek Greenway, a 3.8-mile paved loop. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/sylvan-park-neighborhood-guide
Sylvan Park isn't named on Metro's list of historic or conservation overlays. Check any address in Metro's Parcel Viewer, since other overlays such as a Contextual Overlay can apply. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/sylvan-park-neighborhood-guide
Use the official MNPS Zone Finder at https://zonefinder.mnps.org. MNPS assigns school zones by address, and they can change. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/sylvan-park-neighborhood-guide
Crieve Hall is in South Nashville, east of Franklin Pike. The neighborhood association puts it about nine miles south of downtown and two miles north of Brentwood. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/crieve-hall-neighborhood-guide
The neighborhood dates to the early 1950s. After Herbert Farrell died in 1947, the Crieve Hall estate was sold to developers, and the mansion was razed for the subdivision by the early 1950s. The neighborhood association describes many of the homes as original 1950-era ranches. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/crieve-hall-neighborhood-guide
Mostly one-story ranch homes on large lots, including original 1950-era homes, many of which have been renovated or updated. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/crieve-hall-neighborhood-guide
Crieve Hall is in 37220 and 37211. 37211 extends well beyond the neighborhood, so ZIP-wide data is only rough context. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/crieve-hall-neighborhood-guide
Use the official MNPS Zone Finder at https://zonefinder.mnps.org. MNPS assigns school zones by address, and they can change. Crieve Hall sits about two miles north of Brentwood, so also confirm the property is in Davidson County. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/crieve-hall-neighborhood-guide
Franklin is the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/franklin-tn-neighborhood-guide
The 2020 Census counted 83,454 people in the city of Franklin. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/franklin-tn-neighborhood-guide
Franklin Special District serves pre-K through 8th grade in its part of Franklin, and its students go on to Williamson County Schools high schools, usually Franklin or Centennial. Williamson County Schools serves the rest of the city. School assignments are by address. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/franklin-tn-neighborhood-guide
In Franklin's Historic Preservation Overlay, partial or full demolition of a building needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Zoning Commission. Franklin's Historic District Design Guidelines say demolition of a historic structure is not permitted unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/franklin-tn-neighborhood-guide
No. Franklin has its own zoning ordinance and planning department, separate from Metro Nashville. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/franklin-tn-neighborhood-guide
Brentwood was incorporated on April 15, 1969. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/brentwood-tn-neighborhood-guide
Brentwood's 2020 Census population was 45,373. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/brentwood-tn-neighborhood-guide
Williamson County Schools. Assignments are by address, so check the WCS school zones lookup for a specific property. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/brentwood-tn-neighborhood-guide
The City of Brentwood lists 14 parks, and its Parks and Recreation Department maintains parks and greenways totaling 1,027 acres. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/brentwood-tn-neighborhood-guide
Hendersonville sits on Old Hickory Lake, with more than 26 miles of shoreline and three marinas: Creekwood, Drakes Creek and Anchor High. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/hendersonville-tn-neighborhood-guide
Hendersonville is in Sumner County, Tennessee, and borders northern Davidson County. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/hendersonville-tn-neighborhood-guide
Hendersonville's 2020 Census population was 61,753. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/hendersonville-tn-neighborhood-guide
Sumner County Schools. Assignments are by address, so check the district's official school zone lookup for a specific property. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/hendersonville-tn-neighborhood-guide
Hendersonville's own zoning ordinance, not Metro Nashville's. The version the city posts now is the 2026 Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance 2026-10, adopted September 22, 2026), which also lists Ordinance 2025-19, effective November 18, 2025. Its residential districts are Rural, Estate, Suburban, Suburban Preservation, Townhome, Waterfront, Mixed and Multi-Family Residential, plus Dockside Neighborhood. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/hendersonville-tn-neighborhood-guide
Often, yes. Since BL2025-1006 passed on December 16, 2025, Metro Code 17.16.030.D says two-family dwellings may be permitted in R districts on any legally created lot that meets the district's minimum lot size. The older rules tied to when a lot was created are gone. Overlays and other zoning rules still apply, so confirm with Metro zoning (zoninghelpdesk@nashville.gov) before you buy.
In most R and RS districts, homes are limited to 2.5 stories, with 24 feet to the eave and 35 feet to the roof ridge, under BL2025-1006 (passed December 16, 2025). The large-lot districts (R40, RS40, R80 and RS80) keep a three-story limit. A Contextual Overlay ties height to the neighboring homes, and historic overlays have their own design rules, so check the specific lot. Guide: https://www.ryanmccordrealestate.com/blog/nashville-teardowns-lots-guide
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