Springfield is the county seat of Robertson County, near Tennessee’s northern border. It was laid out in 1798 to serve as the seat of county government, and it still does. That’s handy when you buy here, because the county offices that handle your taxes and your deed are right in town. I’m Jeff Lucas with Jeff Lucas Homes at Benchmark Realty, and I’ve been in real estate since 2015. Here’s a look at Springfield and the details that matter when you buy or sell a home here.

Springfield Basics

The Square and the historic district

The Robertson County Courthouse, built in 1879, sits in the middle of a traditional courthouse square that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Robertson County History Museum is in the Old Post Office building at 124 Sixth Avenue. Next to the Square is the Springfield Historic Preservation District, a walkable neighborhood of older homes that also takes in Springfield Middle School, Cheatham Park Elementary, the Stokes Brown Public Library and Garner Street Park.

Parks and the greenway

The Springfield Greenway runs about three miles along Sulphur Fork Creek, connecting Garner Street Park and J. Travis Price Park through the historic district and the Square. J. Travis Price Park on Wilks Road has ball fields, trails, fishing, disc golf and a historic cabin, and hosts the city’s Fourth of July fireworks and summer concerts. The city also runs The Legacy, an 18-hole municipal golf course.

Roads, schools and government

U.S. 41 and U.S. 431 both run south to Nashville. State Route 76 runs east to White House and I-65, and State Route 49 runs west toward I-24. Public schools are part of Robertson County Schools. The city has used a council-manager form of government since 1990, with a seven-member Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

What to Check When You Buy in Springfield

City utilities: one office for most services

Springfield is a full-service city that runs its own electric, natural gas, water and wastewater utilities. To start service, apply with the city’s Customer Service Department at City Hall, 405 N. Main Street. The city asks for a valid picture ID and your Social Security card. For homes outside the city’s service area, electric may come from Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC), which has a Springfield office. Water may come from a different provider, and some rural properties are on wells. Confirm for the specific address.

Two tax bills, two deadlines

Homes inside city limits pay both city and county property taxes, and the deadlines are different:

• City of Springfield taxes are paid at City Hall, by mail, online or by phone. The city says they must be paid by December 31 to avoid penalty and interest.
• Robertson County taxes are paid to the County Trustee at 515 S. Brown Street, or online. The Trustee says they’re payable from the first Monday in October through the last day of February.

A few points from the county’s own pages that buyers and sellers should know:

• The owner as of January 1 is responsible for that year’s taxes, though a real estate contract can shift that between the parties. The Trustee’s office has no record of those contracts.
• After a deed is recorded, the Assessor says it takes about 90 days for the record to move into the new owner’s name. The tax bill goes to whoever owned the property on January 1.
• The Assessor’s office says tax bills are not mailed to your mortgage company, so make sure you know whether your lender is paying from escrow.

To look up a parcel, the Robertson County Assessor points people to the state’s Tennessee Property Assessment Data site. Choose Robertson County and search by owner, address or parcel ID.

Land, greenbelt and rollback taxes

If you’re buying acreage around Springfield, ask whether the land is enrolled in the state’s greenbelt program for agricultural, forest or open space land. If land comes out of greenbelt, the Assessor calculates rollback taxes, the taxes saved over the prior years. For agricultural and forest land, that covers the preceding three years. Who pays rollback taxes is something to settle in the contract.

Sewer or septic

Confirm whether the home is on city wastewater or a septic system. For new construction in the county, Robertson County requires a septic permit or sewer tap receipt before it issues a building permit. Septic in Robertson County falls under the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Tennessee rules require the agent writing an offer to make the buyer aware that a state septic inspection letter is available for a fee.

School zone

Robertson County Schools has an interactive zoning map. Type in the address and it shows your assigned elementary, middle and high schools.

Permits, flood zone, trash and HOA

• Permits: The City of Springfield Building and Codes Department at 405 N. Main Street handles permits and inspections inside city limits. In the county, Robertson County Planning and Zoning issues building permits. Ask whether additions and major updates were permitted.
• Flood zone: With Sulphur Fork Creek running through town, check FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for any property you’re considering.
• Trash: The city provides trash carts and once-a-week collection inside city limits.
• HOA: Tennessee’s disclosure form asks about HOA authority, dues and special assessments. Get the documents early.

What Closing Looks Like in Robertson County

Your deed is recorded with the Robertson County Register of Deeds at 525 S. Brown Street in Springfield, and the office’s records can be searched online. The title company handles the recording. Tennessee’s transfer tax is 37 cents per $100 of the price or value, whichever is greater, and state law places it on the buyer unless your contract says otherwise. Financed purchases also pay a mortgage tax of 11.5 cents per $100, with the first $2,000 of the loan exempt. Sellers need to complete Tennessee’s Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement before the contract is fully signed, unless an exemption or waiver applies.

How I Help Buyers and Sellers in Springfield

I’m a Middle Tennessee native and have helped sell over 720 homes here since 2015, with more than 300 client reviews along the way. My approach is pretty simple: answer your questions, give you straightforward advice, and help you make a good decision. For a Springfield home, that means confirming the utilities, both tax bills, sewer or septic, greenbelt status on land, and the school zone before you’re committed, then keeping the title company, lender and inspectors on schedule through closing. Use me as a resource whether you’re buying or selling. Call or text 615-207-5602 or email jeff@jefflucashomes.com. Let me know what questions you have.