“A place that feels like home”: Jack Mahoney wants to help you find yours

This article is sponsored byJack Mahoney, affiliate broker with Compass Real Estate

Before he ever planned to live in Kingston Springs, Jack Mahoney was just a visitor – driving the scenic back roads near the Harpeth River with his wife during a trip to Nashville. But one thought stuck with him that day in 2016: “I want to live here.”

Years later, that feeling became reality.

Now a local real estate agent with Compass Real Estate and a soon-to-be familiar name in this paper, Mahoney is launching a column called “Mahoney Knows Homes” – and he’s making it his mission to become Kingston Springs’ go-to expert in the housing market.

Mahoney grew up in the Chicagoland area, but he and his wife, both musicians, felt a calling to Middle Tennessee. “We were drawn to Nashville by music, like so many people,” he said.

But what sealed their commitment to the area wasn’t music – it was the community, the natural beauty, and the quieter pace of life west of the city.

“You’re 30 minutes from a major metro area, but you’ve got this small-town lifestyle, a private setting, friendly people and incredible outdoor spaces,” he said. “Kingston Springs has everything.”

After settling in Kingston Springs in 2021, the Mahoneys put down roots. “It’s home to me,” Mahoney said. “I may not be a lifelong resident, but of all the places that I’ve lived, this is home.”

Though music was a big part of Mahoney’s life early on, fatherhood and family have shifted his focus. “These days, music’s more of a hobby. I’m a new father, happily married, and I’m passionate about my career in real estate – helping people through some of the biggest decisions in their lives.”

Initially drawn to real estate by the appeal of being his own boss, Mahoney quickly realized the career offered much more. “The thing that keeps me passionate is being able to use my knowledge to truly help people. If we face an obstacle in the buying or selling process, I am able to walk my clients through situations using my experience. When it's all said and done, the moment when I get to hand them the keys and experience the joy of witnessing them realizing their goal? That's the part of my job that I love the most."

As Mahoney sees it, real estate is about far more than listings and lockboxes – it’s about people, community and careful strategy. “No two transactions in real estate are the same,” he said. “I always start by understanding the client’s ‘why.’ What are your goals? What are you really trying to accomplish?” From there, Mahoney crafts a tailored approach – one grounded in data, not guesswork.

“If you want someone who’s going to analyze the data, not just throw a sign in the yard and hope it sells, I’m your guy,” he said. “My mission is to make this a smooth, stress-free process that’s 100% focused on the client.”

As technology develops and the industry changes, Mahoney stays on top of trends to ensure he is bringing value to his clients. In the last six months, he’s helped his clients save or retain $143,000. “That’s the value of expertise,” he said. “Whether it’s helping a buyer avoid overpaying or guiding a seller to retain more equity, I take that seriously.”

One of the biggest challenges of working in Kingston Springs’ housing market, according to Mahoney, is its unique inventory. “This isn’t a cookie-cutter town,” he said. “You go to a place like Lebanon and there are subdivisions with 200 homes built from the same floor plans. You know exactly what they’re worth.”

“In Kingston Springs, we don’t have anything like that. You need hyper-local knowledge to understand what buyers are willing to pay a premium for – and that kind of insight comes from living here,” Mahoney said.

He believes deeply in the value of local presence. “It’s important to me to get my name out there, not just because I want to grow my business, but because this is home. In real estate, it’s all about community,” he explained. "It’s a very unique area, and I think to really understand it and serve your clients best, you need to live here and be in tune with the market."

Mahoney holds a designation as a Certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) – a credential he’s proud of, and one that complements his personal interest in psychology and communication. “I love negotiations,” he said. “I’m always studying sales tactics, behavioral patterns, how to read a situation. That’s one of my greatest strengths.”

Technology also plays a major role in how he operates. Through Compass, his brokerage, he’s able to track advanced analytics on buyer behavior – who’s looking, where they’re from, how long they’re viewing listings and more. “That backend data gives me an edge,” he said. “It helps me position properties better and provide clients with real-time insights.”

Compass also offers nontraditional listing options, allowing clients to privately market homes to a wide network of qualified buyers without going public – an advantage Mahoney says can make a real difference.

With Nashville’s expansion continuing to push westward, Mahoney is watching Kingston Springs closely, and wants to help residents stay informed. “Growth is happening. We all see it,” he said. “But from what I’ve read and heard, people want to manage that growth without compromising what we know and love about Kingston Springs.”

That’s the heart behind his new Gazette column, “Mahoney Knows Homes.” Beginning this month, readers can expect regular updates on the Kingston Springs market, insights into trends and pricing, interviews with locals and answers to reader-submitted questions.

“I want this to be a valuable, engaging column – not just dry stats,” Mahoney said. “Whether it’s breaking down why property values are shifting or just sharing a fun story from around town, I’m excited to keep the community in the know.”

Despite his professional edge, Mahoney remains grounded in what matters most. His favorite coffee? “A black dark roast from Turnbull Provisions.” Favorite local food finds? “The sourdough from Turnbull and the rotisserie chicken at Lawrence’s – people sleep on it!”

And when it comes to advice for buyers: “Be thorough in your due diligence. And remember: everything is negotiable.”

“Mahoney Knows Homes” debuts this week in the Kingston Springs Gazette. If you have real estate questions or topics you’d like to see covered, email Jack at jmahoney.realestate@gmail.com.