1. Be there. If you have questions or concerns about the condition of the home you are buying, it is important to be there during the inspection to make sure all your questions get answered. Plan a day and time that you are able to be there. If it means taking the afternoon off work, the peace of mind will be worth it. In addition to getting questions answered, you will learn a lot from the inspector about your home.
2. Don’t wear your Sunday best. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you are not afraid to get dirty. Dust, cobwebs, and dirty are always present in basements and attics, which are all areas that your will be going with the inspector. Don’t let the way you are dressed prevent you from getting the answers you need about the home you are buying.
3. Take note and ask questions. Be sure to list out any questions or concerns you have about the property prior to the inspection, that way you don’t forget to ask while the inspection is taking place. Also, don’t be afraid to take notes. You could be getting a lot of information about your home and you will want to make sure you remember all the details.
4. Limit extra guests and schedule a babysitter. You may feel like this is a time you want an extra set of eyes and someone else to help you understand the inspection information. Still, you want to make sure you are not distracted by questions or observations that can be addressed at another time. Also, be sure to schedule a babysitter for the kids, that way you give the inspection your full attention.
5. Consider optional inspections and testing. When buying your home, you will want to make sure all your concerns are addressed prior to closing. Ask the inspector if there are any other additional inspections or tests he/she would recommend.

A home inspection is an important part of the home buying process. Please let me know if there is any information I can provide you about getting the most out of you West Knoxville home inspection. Give me a call at 865-696-9002 or send an email to Rick@TheBigOrangePress.Com.

Are you considering buying a home in West Knoxville? What concerns do you want addressed during the inspection?

List Price: $294,000

Details: 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths

This Autumn Ridge home for sale has beautiful hardwoods on the main level and a spacious open foyer. The kitchen has center island and eat-in area.  The kitchen also has granite counter tops and dark cabinets. The master suite is spacious with sitting area and vaulted ceilings. The master bath has also granite counter tops and separate spa tub. This Autumn Ridge home for sale also has a large private backyard and a large deck.

Autumn Ridge is a relatively small West Knoxville neighborhood, located off of the rolling hills of Bluegrass Road, right near I-140 and Northshore Drive, where enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Loudon and the Great Smokey Mountains. Residents of this West Knoxville neighborhood are located right near Northshore Town Center, where there is currently a new Publix and Target put in, along with quite a few restaurants. Residents of this subdivision attend A.L. Lotts Elementary, West Valley Middle School, and Bearden High School, which are all part of the Knox County School System.

Does this West Knoxville home for sale interest you? Please let me know if there is anyway that I can assist you in your West Knoxville home search, feel free to give me a call at 865-696-9002, or send an email to Rick@TheBigOrangePress.Com. Also, be sure to check out the links below to see more homes for sale in the Autumn Ridge  Subdivision.

Disclaimer: This property is listed by Susan Osborn of Coldwell Banker: Wallace & Wallace — 865-584-4000. Information for this post was gathered from the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors MLS. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

1. You are ready to make a long term commitment. That means you are planning to stay at least 3 to 5 years in the home, which is typically how long it takes to earn the money back that it cost to purchase the home. If you don’t plan on staying long in your West Knoxville home, renting may be a better decision.
2. Your finances are in order. You will want to make sure you have your debts under control and you’ve taken a recent look at your credit report to make sure everything is in order. [A free copy can be obtained here or through any of the three major credit bureaus.] Also, you will want to talk to a loan officer about getting pre-approved for a loan, so you know what price range you can afford.
3. You are prepared to be your own landlord. Are you prepared to deal with the costs of replacing a broken furnace? Or, to deal with the basement flooding? Owning a home comes with many benefits, however, home repairs can be expensive and unexpected. You will want to make sure you are ready to deal with the good and the bad of homeownership.
4. You have a stable source of income. Buying a West Knoxville home is a long term commitment. You will want to make sure that you have enough income to cover the payment now and in the future. Major life changes like going back to school, changing jobs, or having kids can all play a big role  in your finances.
5. You have an emergency savings fund. Life can throw you curve balls and you will want to make sure you are ready for the unexpected. Will you be prepared if you unexpectedly lose your job? You will want to have 3 to 6 months worth of emergency funds on hand just in case. That way, you will know you have a reserve of funds to cover your monthly bills, just in case.

Right now is a great time to buy a home in West Knoxville, if you are personally ready to. Please let me know if there is any information I can provide for you, feel free to give me a call at 865-696-9002, shoot me an email, or leave a comment on this post. Do you think you’re ready to buy a home?

List Price: $159,900

Details: 4 Bedroom, 3 Baths

This Lakeshire home for sale has recently undergone many renovations, making it move-in ready for any buyer looking for home in West Knoxville. There are beautiful hardwood floors and neutral paint throughout the home. The kitchen is nice and open, with beautiful new cabinets and countertops. There are also new stainless steal appliances. The master suite has connected bathroom and a huge custom built walk-in closet. This home for sale in Lakeshire also recently got a new roof, siding, along with new doors and windows.

Residents of the Lakeshire neighborhood will enjoy its beautiful wooded lots and spacious,  private backyards. This West Knoxville neighborhood is convenient to many locations and offers affordable 3 and 4 bedroom homes. There are no homeowner’s association fees for this West Knoxville neighborhood. Residents of this subdivision attend A.L. Lotts Elementary, West Valley Middle School, and Bearden High School, which are all part of the Knox County School System.

Residents of this subdivision enjoy a great location in Knoxville. They conveniently to the Northshore Town Center, where there is currently being a Target and Publix put in. There is also a Kroger and quite a few restaurants in the Northshore Town Center area.

Does this West Knoxville home for sale interest you? Please let me know if there is anyway that I can assist you in your West Knoxville home search, feel free to give me a call at 865-696-9002, or send an email to Rick@TheBigOrangePress.Com. Also, be sure to check out the links below to see more homes for sale in the Lakeshire Subdivision.

Disclaimer: This property is listed by April Lester of Realty 1 – 865-376-1211. Information for this post was gathered from the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors MLS. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

So what makes this such a strong selling point for your West Knoxville home? Think about it. The kitchen is essentially the heart of every home. It is where meals are cooked and families come together to eat and share their day. When entertaining guests the kitchen is one area of the home guests are likely to see. And, in many new floor plans the kitchen is one of the main focal points of the home, opening up into family rooms and other areas of the house, making it an area where entertaining  guests happens.

Wondering how you can make your kitchen a strong selling point of your West Knoxville home?

Do your research. You want to have a great kitchen for your price range. Spending costless dollars on an upgraded kitchen is great, but if it increases the price of your home significantly compared to others in your West Knoxville neighborhood, it could have a hard time selling. Check out MLS listings, open houses, or talk to a realtor in your area to see what these homes have to offer. What upgrades do they have? What upgrades don’t they have?

Match the competition. By doing research of homes prices in your West Knoxville neighborhood, you will learn what upgrades you do and don’t need to make. Do they have upgraded appliances? What type of cabinets and countertops do they have? Or, does you kitchen just need some de-cluttering and a fresh coat of paint? Figure out what changes you need to make and find the most cost effective way to make the changes. And, you may be able to do some of the work yourself.

The key to achieving a great kitchen is know your market and make the necessary changes. Spending the time and the money making the necessary upgrades can make all the difference in selling your West Knoxville home. Please let me know if there is any information I can provide about selling your West Knoxville home, you can give me a call at 865-696-9002 or shoot me an email. What are you doing to make your West Knoxville home more marketable?

• A well-maintained yard is a crucial and easy fix. Take care of the little aspects that make a difference: mowing and edging you yard, trimming the hedges, pulling weeds, and making sure your grass is well watered.
• A fresh paint job can make all the difference. Look for peeling or chipped paint on the outside of your house. Are doorway and windows free of chipped paint? Touching up a little paint on the outside of your home can make all the difference in how you home looks.
• Simple touches like flowers can make your West Knoxville home all the more inviting. During the spring and summer months, consider planting or potting flowers around your house, to make it look more inviting.
• Cracks in the foundation can make your home look significantly less desirable. Is the walkway up to your house cracked and old looking? Does the foundation look like it is crumpling? Consider filling them in before putting your house on the market.
• Little details like inspecting your gutters can make a difference. Are they clean? Are they aligned? Buyers will notice key details when visiting your house.
• Keep the outside of your house free of clutter. Park your boat or RV elsewhere while your house is on the market. Also, keep your front porch and yard free of children’s toys, debris or other clutter.

There is a lot of preparation that comes with selling your West Knoxville home. If there is anything I can do to help make this process easier, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 865-696-9002 or send me an email.  Are you considering selling your West Knoxville home? What are you doing to make it market ready?

Pros of Buying a Condo in West Knoxville

• Condominiums offer many amenities. Many condos offer swimming pools, fitness centers and other facilities for residents.
• You do not have to worry about maintenance of common areas. In many condos, the common areas are maintained for you. So, there will be no worrying about cutting the grass. Residents pay a monthly or yearly homeowner’s association dues that covers the maintenance of these areas.
• Security. In a condo, you are much closer to neighbors. You may share common hallways or common walls.

Cons of Buying a Condo in West Knoxville

• Storage can be limited. You may have a storage locker or closet space, but most condos lack an attic for storage.
• Outdoor space. Condos typically have a smaller backyard or outdoor area compared to single family homes. They may lack the privacy of a single family home.
• Reserve funds and homeowner’s association fees. As a resident of a condominium, you are required to pay certain fees that your might not necessarily agree with. These funds may go into a savings account for future repairs or may go towards the cost of future repairs. Regardless, of how you feel about these fees, you are still required to pay for them.
• Condo Rules and Restrictions. Prior to moving into a condo, you will want to make sure you are familiar with the restrictions of the complex. Everything from how you dispose of you trash, the type of family pet you are allowed to have, or painting regulations can be dictated by these restrictions.

Buying a condo in West Knoxville can be a great decision for some and not such a great decision for other. Prior to buying a condo, you will want to make sure it suits you lifestyle. Is buying a condo a good idea or bad idea? Let me know if there is anything I can assist you with, give me a call at 865-696-9002 or shoot me an email.

So what are they predicting for 2012?

Fannie Mae economists recently predicted that home sales will increase 3.5% this year to 4.74 million home sales, in a recent news release. The release cites employment growth and housing affordability as key reasons for the predicted growth. Though, the first six months of the year are predicted to be slower than the last six months of the year, and consumer confidence will be greatly driven by political uncertainty, with the upcoming presidential election. The report also predicts a larger increase in home sale for 2013, with sales up 5% to nearly 5 million. Refinance originations are expected to drop to $540 billion from $894 billion, while, purchase mortgage originations are expected to increase. Fannie Mae also predicted a 2.3% growth in the overall economy this year.

Freddie Mac predicts positive outlook for this year as well in a recent report. In the recent report, Freddie Mac’s U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook, it predicts that homes sale will increase 2 to 5% over the next year. The report predicts an increase of 2.1% of growth in the overall economy during the first quarter of 2012. The growth in the economy and with mortgage rates expected to remain low, an increase in home sales is expected, according to the report.

Another report release by CoreLogic, also predicts growth in the housing sector also. The  2012 MarketPulse Report predicts with housing sales up 12% in November 2011 compared to those of January 2011 and new single family home construction up by 15% in November 2011 compared to those of January 2011, the report says that conditions improving at the end of the year open up positive opportunities this year. The report also predicts a housing market turn around with increased job growth, record home price lows, and low mortgage interest rates.

What do you think of these statistics? Will the Knoxville real estate market see growth in 2012?

List Price: $264,900

Details: 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths

With beautiful hardwood floors on the main level and lots of upgrades, this Williford home for sale is a great find. The kitchen has beautiful granite counter tops and dark wood cabinets. The kitchen also has new black appliances and opens up into a kitchen eat-in area. With high 9 foot ceilings and adjoining great room and dining room, the lower level has a great spacious layout. The master suite is roomy, with trey ceilings and a large attached bath. New front-loading washer and dryer also stay with this house. For anyone looking for a home that is like new, this West Knoxville home is worth considering.

The Williford Subdivision is a small, relatively new neighborhood that is composed of 52 homes. Residents of this West Knoxville neighborhood attend Blue Grass Elementary, West Valley Middle School, and Bearden High School, which are all part of the Knox County School System. Williford is located off of Bluegrass Road, near I-140 and Ebenezer Road, making it close to many West Knoxville locations. Residents of Williford are about 10 to 15 minutes away from Turkey Creek and about 15 minutes away from West Town Mall.

Does this West Knoxville home for sale interest you? Please let me know if there is anyway that I can assist you in your West Knoxville home search, feel free to give me a call at 865-696-9002, or send an email to Rick@TheBigOrangePress.Com. Also, be sure to check out the links below to see more homes for sale in the Williford Subdivision.

DISCLAIMER: This property is listed by Jenny Snodgrass of Alliance Sotheby’s International – 865-256-2726. Information for this post was gathered from the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors MLS. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

According to results of the poll, 3 out of 4 people, including both people who rent and own their homes, support tax incentives for people who own their homes. These results were found to be true for people of all political backgrounds, including 84% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans, and 71% of Independents. These same people would strongly oppose measures that impede people from obtaining mortgages or limiting tax breaks for those people who own homes.

The poll also showed that two out of three people believed that the government should help home buyers afford 30-year or fixed rate mortgages. Also, it showed 73% of people support the mortgage interest rate tax deduction, including 77% of  Republicans, 71% of Democrats, and 71% of Independents. And, 68% of those same people, would not vote for a presidential candidate that was wanting to eliminate those deductions, including 69% of Independents and 68% of Democrats and Republicans.

The poll also found that a 96% of homeowners are happy with the fact they bought a home and 74% said that despite the real estate market turmoil, they believe buying a home is still a worthy investment. Also, 78% of respondents said that owning a home is important to them and 74% would advise a friend or family member to purchase a home. The full results of the poll can be viewed here.

So what does this mean for those wanting to buy or sell a home in Knoxville? With such an overwhelming of Americans still placing importance on homeownership and predictions of market growth [Fannie Mae economists are recently predicted home sales to grow 3.5% this year], hopefully this year will show some stabilization and growth in the housing market.

What do these results mean to you? Do you think it is a good time to buy a home in Knoxville?