Historic Neighborhoods in West KnoxvilleSequoyah HillsKnoxville's premier, upscale and most expensive historic hot spot.  It's popularity is due to a number of reasons and the community amenities justify the prices as people are more than willing to pay top dollar to live here. Sequoyah Hills is in an ideal location just west of downtown which makes it perfect for University of Tennessee students, professors and people who work downtown.  It is surrounded by great shopping and boutiques including many upscale restaurants and a Fresh Market natural food store. It is a riverfront community with a huge park, walking and biking trails, a tree lined boulevard, dogwood trails and is near access to the Knoxville Greenway system.  There are several churches nearby including Unitarian Universali... 01/17/2011

Yes, it's true, the FSBO (For Sale By Owner) famed in song and story is now one of a vanishing species on the American landscape. Well, have you seen many FSBO signs lately? According to the NAR 2010 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, FSBO sales declined to less than 1 in 10 transactions in 2010 (around 9% of all sales), down from 1 in 7 in 2004. AND in almost 50% of the successful transactions the seller knew the buyer beforehand; sort of one of those "If you ever want to sell this house I'll buy it" sort of sales. In the difficult markets of the past few years we've been called on more and more to assist sellers in getting the job done. Resort areas, rural areas, and central cities tended to have the highest percentage of FSBO sales with suburban FSBO sales being only 6% of the marke... 01/14/2011

Selling your Knoxville TN home in a buyers market.  As a top producer at Keller Williams Realty in Knoxville TN who specializes in listing and marketing homes in Knoxville TN and surrounding areas I spend a good deal of time in listing appointments.   The dynamics of listing appointments have changed quite considerably in the past couple of years because Knoxville TN is no longer in a "Seller's Market".  When selling in a "Buyer's market" where inventory is high and buyers are at a minimum there are several things that you have to really pay attention to: Pricing The home's condition and staging How the home is marketed Pricing Your Home to Sell In this blog we are going to focus on pricing.  While selling your home during a buyers market may not yield you as much money as it would in ... 01/10/2011

North Knoxville Real Estate and Neighborhood Information North Knoxville is a diverse and urban neighborhood in just to the north of downtown Knoxville, running along Broadway and including zip codes 37917 and 37914. The community prides itself on the inescapable sense of history.  Transplants from all over the country flock to this Knoxville neighborhood to live in this affordable pocket of antique homes.   The area is filled with college students, working class residents and urban professionals who are living their dream of restoring a historic home.  From Fourth and Gill to Lincoln Park to North Hills to the Fairmont/Emoriland area, there is a broad consensus that this is the best, most neighborly place in Knoxville. Housing The architectural styles in the North Knoxville reflect eco... 01/08/2011

TransUnion predicts a double digit decrease in mortgage delinquencies in 2011.  Finally, positive news surrounding foreclosure and mortgage defaults in light of all the gloom and doom that we have become accustomed to.  According to Steve Chaouki, group vice president in TransUnion's financial services business unit, this improvement in mortgage deficiencies is due mostly to the country's improving unemployment condition and finally a stabilization of housing prices. Many consumers are under the false presumptions that foreclosures are the leading sellers in our market place.  However, according to the National Association of Realtors®, the National average of foreclosure home sales was only 4% this past year.  The majority of the Nation's foreclosures take place in Nevada, Arizona, and... 12/10/2010

Historic Homes For Sale in Knoxville - Holston Hills Real Estate From the stately tree lined drive to the breathtaking mountain views, you will be enchanted with this historic home for sale in Knoxville. This beautiful piece of Holston Hills real estate sits on an incredible1.7 acre lot!  This stunning 4 bdrm 2 bath masterpiece teems with antique architectural character!  Charming nooks & crannies abound in this classic colonial from a by-gone era.  The dining room boasts a gorgeous crystal chandelier and two built-in china cabinets.  The country kitchen combines the best of old and new with granite countertops, original cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances.  This Holston Hills beauty also comes with a breathtaking sunroom that boasts original decorative tile flooring and magnifice... 11/18/2010

Knoxville Business Network Groups Want to promote your Knoxville business?  Join a growing number of Knoxville business professionals who help each other by promoting, referring and growing their businesses.  Contact me at jennifer@knoxvillereal-estate.com for more information on this Knoxville business networking group. Below are the current members and businesses.    Knoxville Real EstateKeller Williams Realty Team McIn-Kowski is a cutting edge, technologically savvy Realtor® team who specializes in Knoxville Real Estate. Both Christine and Jennifer possess advanced science degrees and are research driven.  We commit ourselves to diligent research to get our clients homes in front of the most buyers possible through the use of internet technology.  This is probably your largest financ... 11/14/2010

Ranch Homes With Acreage For Sale in Knoxville TN. Wonderful large ranch home with acreage for sale in South Knoxville TN on two private wooded acres. All 2025 square feet of living space is on one level with no steps! This updated rancher has two large family rooms - one would make a perfect game/rec room! Many updates have enhanced this well maintained home including new laminate flooring, remodeled bathrooms, and warm neutral paint throughout. There is an inviting gas fireplace in the living room. The functional kitchen includes a pantry & breakfast nook. Plus there is a formal dining room and a gorgeous sunroom waiting for you to enjoy southern country living to its fullest! Located in South Knoxville just off Chapman Hwy, near John Sevier Highway, this home is literally 15 minutes ... 11/14/2010

South Knoxville Condos For Sale Close to UT Knoxville Perfect starter home in South Knoxville for UT students!  This 2 bedroom detached condo is a low maintenance home just minutes to Downtown Knoxville, UTK Campus and the Pellissippi Parkway. With fresh neutral paint colors, the roomy condo features a stylish trey ceiling in the living area, as well as cooling ceiling fans in all main rooms. The functional kitchen includes all appliances and a good-sized back deck invites neighborhood get-togethers.  This move in ready condo also boasts a large laundry roomand 1 car attached garage with attic storage space.  Don't throw money away on rent when you could OWN while interest rates are at their lowest in history. Low HOA fees, no yard maintenance, and a community pool make this South Knoxv... 11/10/2010

Homes For Sale in Halls on a Cul-De-Sac Immaculate Halls home for sale at the end of a private cul-de-sac in the wonderful established neighborhood of Haynesfield in the heart of the Halls area of Knoxville, TN. Home features a formal dining room, spacious kitchen with breakfast nook, and gas log fireplace in the cozy living room. This 3-bedroom home + huge bonus room boasts a large master suite with an incredible master bath featuring dual vanities, whirlpool garden tub & separate shower. The enormous 20'x20' bonus room is perfect for entertaining, gaming or 4th bedroom. All this with a cul-de-sac location and a private level backyard that backs up to forested woods complete with a tranquil creek! This Halls home is truly a must see! For more info and pictures visit:www.5601StillMeadow... 11/04/2010

Tennessee is a Leading Business Friendly State The Knoxville New Sentinel reports today that according to Site Selection magazine, Tennessee is No.2 in the nation in is 2010 top State Business Climate Rankings. According to the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville is business friendly because of "our location, low business operating costs, lack of personal income tax, attractive business tax credits, training and infrastructure incentives to prospective businesses." The magazine cited state and local taxes, science and technology initiatives and infrastructure investments as the reasons Tennessee is such a business friendly state. One example of the science and technology initiatives in our area is mentioned in another article in the Knoxville News Sentinel. Researchers in Oak Ridg... 11/02/2010

House Values in Knoxville TN Dipped in September 2010 The September 2010 house values plummeted in the Knoxville MLS by 12% from August to September. Not since February had the average sales price been so low, $163,097 for all residential housing, including condos for sale and single houses for sale. The number of sales were down, too, in spite of rosy sales numbers put out in the newspapers, "Home sales blip up---but will it last?" and "Home sales up in Sept., but more troubles ahead." In August the headlines told us "Homes sales plunge, lowest in 15 years."  Well, the September sales in Knoxville went up by five houses, but the price went down by 4.9% from July. The other statistic for home values in Knoxville, TN is the number of houses on the market, 17,095, a whopping 2,267 houses ... 10/30/2010

HOME STYLE AND STAGING  just recently hit the 100,000 points mark !!! Then I discovered that I am in the top 50 in points for HOME STAGERS for all states....  I knew that I could look up and see my rating in my own state ( Which I am # 2 ) just figured out how to look that up...( Yes I am a little slow !!! )                                                                                  So here I go Patting myself on the back AGAIN....I find something new out everyday on ACTIVERAIN...   10/18/2010

I DID IT !!! CROSSED OVER THE 100,000 POINTS LINE !!! HOME STYLE AND STAGING posted first blog in November 2007...and now 3 years later I am going over 100,000 points..I never thought that I would get here !!!   BUT I have.... thinking back to that date in November 2007, I had no idea what Activerain was, what a post or blog was....I have learned so much...gained new friends...gotten exposure I never thought possible... I can google my name and company name and it comes up first...gained new friends ( oh did I say that already ? ) gotten jobs...so much from ActiveRain...thanks to everyone for reading and making comments and I would not have made it without your help....I even started 'STAGING STORIES" group that many of you have joined and posted on...it has been such a learning experi... 10/17/2010

Recently, I was out of town for several days and a dear friend, Kala Brewster (local artist), came in and painted a tree on my wall behind the bed...I had posted a couple of days ago http://activerain.com/blogsview/1863949/a-tree-grows-in-brooklyn-or-rather-a-tree-grows-in-a-nursery, and she knew just how much I loved the black tree... ( minus the monkey for my own space) So 'WHILE I WAS OUT"her own personal version of the TV shown, she came in and painted the dramatic black tree behind the bed in my guest room...I have asked that she paint a small red bird on one of the branches to symbolize my mother and her paintings... So you just never know what is going to happen  "WHILE YOU ARE OUT"     In my situation is was a great additiona to my guest room...so I may just go out again sometim... 09/26/2010

08/24/2010

Holston Hills Subdivision Open House Featuring 22 Homes! Looking for something enjoyable this Sunday, July 25th?  Join us at the Historic Holston Hills SubdivisionOpen House.  This multi-home/agent extravaganza features 22 homes that are currently in search of new owners.   If you have ever been curious as to why the Holston Hills area is sometimes considered Knoxville's Best Kept Secret now is a perfect time to find out why.  This subdivision open house features 22 homes of various size and price.         The Holston Hills Subdivision, named after the Holston River that runs adjacent to the subdivision is well know for it historic and elegant architectural structures.  The Holston Hills subdivisionis conveniently located off of I-40 interstate and is just a short commute from Downtown ... 07/24/2010

Recently I did a short sale and kept a chronological blog post going about how the process was going and what step we were at. This was posted on my flagship blog, KnoxvilleTennesseeRealEstateBlog but I thought it might be beneficial and interesting to some to reblog it here to see how an actual short that closed went. Posted by Jim Lee, REALTOR® @ 7:01 am, June 9th, 2010    Over this past weekend,  I wrote an offer on one of my listings which is going to be a short sale. I thought it would be interesting to keep an online journal of the process to see how it shakes out and if the lender will approve this price. Today is Tuesday, March 30th, 2010, I have just faxed to the lender (who shall remain nameless) all the documentation they requested. As of today they have asked for: A HUD 1 c... 07/10/2010

Link to my profile on Zillow.com Welcome to the first post in my public blog on ActiveRain.... Have you visited www.zillow.com ?  This site is now America's #1 real estate resource website.  Richard Barbee (me) is a Premier Agent on Zillow in zip codes 37921, 37922, 37923, and 37934 . Why do I spend money to advertise on Zillow.com?  Here are a few of the reasons: 1.  Zillow.com has more traffic than any other real estate-related website 2.  I work in specific zip codes as a real estate broker.  Zillow allows me to advertise in those zip codes only.  This help me target my marketing and avoid wasting money.  I am an expert in Farragut, Bearden, Northshore, Concord, Cedar Bluff, West Hills and a few more.  I can serve residential clients best in those areas. 3.  When I list a home in my ... 07/09/2010

3 Steps to Immediately Increase Your Property's Value How can you immediately make your house in Knoxville Tennessee more appealing and more sellable to Knoxville home buyers? In this article, I`ll go over 3 steps to quickly make your house the most attractive house possible to get the highest offer. By the end of this article, you’ll have a great idea of how to increase the perceived value of your home, so you can get the fastest sale for the highest price. Step #1 – The Landscaping The landscaping is an often overlooked part of creating an appealing look for your house. The front yard is the first impression a buyer gets of your home. Imagine what the buyer would think if your garden were poorly kept or in shambles? It’s likely the buyer would assume the house itself was equally uncar... 07/02/2010