Bloodgood is an upright tree. It sounds as though what you want is a weeping one, of which there are many, with variations in leaf shape and degree of variegation and color. Height and width are also variable, from a maximum of no more than 4', to a mature height of over 15', and from 3-5' in width to 25'. As Shortleaf suggested, do look carefully at any tree offered to you. While seedlings can be very attractive trees, if it is a named form, it SHOULD be grafted. And if it is expensive, it should be both named and grafted, or very old/big and very attractive. Any of the bigger/better nurseries in your area should stock and carry various named forms of JM - big and little, upright and weeping varieties. I can think of 8-10 off hand in this area who have good selections or who specialize - "this area" includes 3 decent cities within an hour's drive, in 4-5 different directions. Prices range from just under $1,000, for a very large, very attractive weeping, red, cut-leaf one (at a high-dollar nursery), to $20 for a one gallon 18" red-green variegated, cut-leaf seedling (from a back-yard grower). Most are in the $75-300 range. Sources range from 3 people with "hobby" nurseries in their back yards, growing their own, to professional full-service nurseries, who buy from growers, and from very pricey to very reasonable. Look around, ask around, and you should find a good, reliable source. Wallie's World or the big box stores can give you a relatively inexpensive source for the common ones, but look at them carefully as the level of care may be pretty poor - try to get them fresh off the truck. One way to get a few names in your area may be to ask at your county extension agent's office. The local Master Gardeners are the ones who usually "man" the desk/phone, and they frequently have a list of local nurseries and sources. They may not rank them (opinions are verboten), but they can probably give a list - I know the ones here have one, at least.

I don't know where you are in terms of proximity to towns/cities, but a good nursery that has a wide range of plants should also have larger JMs. Around here, I can think of 4-6 nurseries off hand, in 3 different cities, that would have 3-6' weeping JMs - at a suitable price of course! I think the biggest one I saw a few weeks ago, which was gorgeous, was just under $1,000. Mostly, the smaller ones run from $150 to $600, depending on size, form, the rarity, and the nursery! If there is a particular nursery you have a relationship with, ask if they can find one - just give them a budget and size first. There are also any number of back-yard growers, especially around Hendersonville and Asheville. I think I would call the local county extension agent - s/he oversees the local Master Gardeners group - around here anyway - and the one here keeps track of nurseries of interest. Wherever you find it, you will probably have to pick it up yourself, or PAY to have it delivered, depending on distance. Don't forget that JMs are very sensitive to wind, so wrap it well in a tarp so it doesn't get burned if it will be in the back of an open truck. And don't even bother to bring it home until you are ready to plant it, after you have moved in and any workmen have moved out - you KNOW it will be the one tree a contractor's truck will back into! Acer palmatum is the species - there may be a specific cultivar name for your variety, which is why I suggested posting on the Maple Forum.

I have had this japanese maple planted for about three years now. I am pretty sure the variety is called "Seiryu". I think the lace leaf types take the sun better the the others. I am in Ocala so our climate is pretty similar and it is in pretty much full sun. I do get some slight burning in the dead of summer, but it has done really well for me. If you are looking for more of a red/purple type you might want to try "Crimson Queen". They are supposed to handle the sun pretty well also.

Large, mature specimen-sized trees have a limited market but there is also a strong demand. For those that want immediate impact and can afford to pay the very high prices that accompany it, $7500 for a 50 y.o. Japanese maple is chump change. A local, high-end landscape architect runs a nursery sideline that specializes in these impressive specimens and they can run multiple thousands of dollars even before the additional cost (sometimes equal to or more than the cost of the tree) of transport and planting. I recall one on display at the NW Flower and Garden show several years ago that had a $80,000 price tag. Generally the more sculptural and intricately branched the tree, the higher the price. While the example is not overly distinctive, its size, canopy spread and apparent good health would justify the price tag, provided there was an interested buyer. btw, there is no particular reason why a weeping Japanese maple should be worth more than an upright form - both have their place and their value depending on the specific characteristics of the tree. Here is a link that might be useful: big trees = big bucks