My wife and I are members of the Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church (BCCPC) in Powell, Tennessee where I am currently serving a term as a Session Member (basically the Session is the Board of Directors of our church). Our church, like other Cumberland Presbyterian churches, participates in sending the youth to a retreat at the church owned Camp Chilhowee, a 106 acre retreat in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. There are several cabins, an amphitheater, mess hall, swimming pool, and lots of beautiful grounds to hike, play, worship, and enjoy. We feel it’s important to provide this setting away from the distractions of modern life to allow the youth to bond together, to reflect, and to find their own, closer relationship to God. I’m not sure when the buildings at Camp C... 04/20/2009

    Should I buy a home in Knoxville, Tennessee now? A question lots of potential buyers are asking themselves now. So what’s the answer? The answer depends a lot on you and the reasons you’re thinking of buying. Generally if you plan to live in any home you buy in Knoxville for at least the next 3 years now might be a good time for you to buy for the following three reasons: You may be eligible for a new federal tax credit of up to $8,000 that is only available this year for home purchased and closed before December 1st. After that this credit goes away. You can also collect that credit this year even if you’ve already filed your 2008 return by filing an amended return (form 1040X) or you can wait until next year and collect it on your 2009 return. Here’s how that $8,000 tax credit wor... 04/15/2009

This Easter Sunday is a bright sunshiny day with clear blue skies overhead although it’s still a bit chilly at 52 degrees outside. This week’s property transfers from the Knox County Registrar of Deeds office brings the biggest numbers of the year with a total of 187 pieces of real estate finding a new owner. As has been the trend all this year, most of the activity is in the low to lower middle price ranges, that is from $100,000 to $300,000. 22.8% of last week’s total were in the $100,000 to $150,000 range, 19.57% in the $200-300,000 range, and 14,67% from $150,000 to $200,000. The $50,000 to $100,000 range also had 16.3% of the total transfers.   Here’s another graph arranged by total units in each price range.   In all price ranges in Knox County the Knoxville Area Association of Re... 04/12/2009

One of the things I enjoy doing and that helps my listings not only sell but stand out from the others is to produce inexpensive and eye catching printed materials like flyers, just listed & sold post cards, brochures, and other printed items. You don't have to hire a graphic artist or expensive custom printing to produce your own distinctive flyers, post cards, ete., all you need to do is learn how to use a desktop publishing program like Microsoft Publisher. If you don't have Publisher even Word or Power Point can be used to turn out some beautiful and effective pieces of printed materials. After you create your item you can then transmit it to an online printing company like Kinko's or Express Copy who can turn it into the finished product you're looking for. Below is an example of a... 04/10/2009

As I was walking into my office today I noticed a yard sign standing beside the front entrance. Nothing unusual there; other agents drop them off all the time from closed listings. But this one was a little different and too rare these days; it had a big SOLD sign sticking on top. I often wonder what makes a house sold, what caused buyers to choose this house over the multitude of choices they have in today's market. Then at the bottom I saw a sign rider that I believed to be the answer to my question. The rider simply said "REDUCED" If you're a seller in today's market you're far better served to price your house aggressively, that is, a little below what the market value was a few months ago because chances are it's lower now. If you're had your house on the market for a while now and... 04/10/2009

There is no denying that the same home can be viewed differently by different people.  Often times Sellers view their home as much more grandiose than the average Buyer- sometimes causing overpriced properties.  Well here are some examples that will hopefully provide some pictorial insight into how a home is viewed through the eyes of ....   a Seller....     a Buyer....     a Lender...       an Appraiser....     the County Tax Assessor....   termites....     Visit Christine McInerney and Jennifer Halinkowski with Southland GMAC Real Estate on-line at:www.HomesForSaleKnoxville.com and www.KnoxvilleReal-Estate.comOffice: (865) 237-5289Christine (865) 237-5289 and Jennifer (865) 621-3658Mail to: McIn-Kowski@HomesForSaleKnoxville.com Instantly Search For All Knoxville, TN Homes For Sale!!    04/08/2009

Relocation.com which surprisingly is not a real estate firm or a relocation company, but rather a clearing house for people needing actual moving services, insurance, storage, and related, also keeps track of not only who's moving but where they're going to and from. Here's their research statistics from last year. "Research Statistics Relocation.com analyzed nearly 500,000 moving quote requests in 2008 to determine where people are moving. Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that 34 million people moved between 2007 and 2008; assuming 2.6 persons per household, Relocation.com's moving data represents nearly 3.5 percent of people making moves in the country. The Census Bureau says the vast majority of movers in the U.S. make local moves; according to 2006 data, 62 percent of pe... 04/06/2009

Knoxville’s Summer Series  Part 2 Farragut Neighborhoods With Swimming Pools If you want a neighborhood with a swimming pool, look to Farragut TN - they have alot of them! Here is a list of all of the Farragut subdivisions that have neighborhood swimming pools. This list includes Farragut City and the subarea of Northshore / Choto. Admiral’s Landing Inverness Amberwood Jefferson Park Andover Place Mariner’s Pointe Bayou Bend Montgomery Cove Berkeley Park Old Stage Hills Bridgemore River Club Bridgewater Riversound Brixworth Rockwell Farm Chapel Glen Saddle Ridge Chestnut Grove Sheffield Concord Hills Smithfield Copperstone Sugarwood Country Manor Glen Abbey Cottages at Pryse Farm The Battery Falcon Pointe The Cove at Turkey Creek Farragut Crossing The Woods at Montgomery Cove Fort West ... 04/06/2009

If you have ever had any aspirations to own your own home, NOW is the time. Economic factors have all came together to create the proverbial “perfect storm” in the home buying market. Here's what's going on right now and how it will benefit you as a new home buyer. First, the nation’s financial crisis has driven mortgage interest rates to their lowest levels ever; currently you get fixed rates below 5% all over Knoxville. A glut of houses has increased inventories of both new and resale homes providing a huge selection to choose from. Currently just in Knox County there are almost 2,000 homes for sale priced under $200,000 The federal government, in an effort to stimulate the economy is providing up to $8,000 as a fully refundable tax credit to encourage you to buy a home. The State of ... 04/04/2009

Knoxville Summer Series 2009 Part 1: West Knoxville Condos with Swimming Pools The weather is getting warmer, flowers are blooming, trees are budding, and with summer just around the corner it is time to start planning for summer.  Swimming and/or basking in the sun has and will continue to be an ever popular summer activity.  Now that the real estate market is also becoming revitalized, interest rates are at a historic low, and the government is offering that sweet $8000 tax credit there has been no better time to take the leap into homeownership.  Curious about what West Knoxville Condos have swimming pools?  Well look no further your comprehensive list of West Knox Condos and PUDS with swimming pools in these West Knoxville Neighborhoods: Westmoreland / Riverbend / Sequoyah Hills /We... 04/02/2009

In addition to the Robins in our backyard another sure sign that spring is here is the beginning of Knoxville’s annual Dogwood Arts Festival now beginning it’s 49th year. Best described as a month long celebration of spring, the annual Dogwood Arts Festival offers plenty of excitement and things to do for everyone with dance, film, literary arts, music, theater and visual arts. This are my two dogwood trees in the front yard with neighbor's redbuds in the background. According to the Festival website the Dogwood Arts Festival is "a celebration of the region’s natural beauty as well as its rich cultural and artistic offerings in all their vast varieties." One of my favorite things to do is tour the many "Dogwood Trails" which are typically residential areas of the city rich in Dogwood bl... 04/02/2009

Knoxville TN Real Estate Market Minutes Whether you are looking to Sell, Buy, Invest-in, Relocate, or simply want to know more about Knoxville TN Real Estate, you have come to the right place. Well, February has come and gone and we have seen quite an increase in sales since January.  It seems that the $8000 tax credit and historically low interest rates have played a major part in this.  Here is a breakdown in stats for February 2009 Knoxville Home Sales (Knox County Only): Total # of Single Family Home Sales in Knoxville, TN: 246 Lowest Sale: $9,900- Fairgarden Addition (East Knoxville Foreclosure), 37914 Highest Sale: $926,013- Jefferson Park, 37922 (Northshore/Choto Luxury Home, New Construction in Knoxville) Average List Price: $203,844 Average Sale Price: $199,131   ***Average Kno... 04/01/2009

TOP Selling Knoxville TN Neighborhoods in February 2009 While other areas of the country are struggling with sales the Knoxville TN Real Estate market is healthy and homes are still selling.  Below is a break down of the 3 hottest neighborhoods in Knoxville TN in regards to the number recent home sales.  This month we had a tie for 1st place. #1 Tie: Concord / Bluegrass - 23 Home Sales                  Average List Price: $259,973             Average Sales Price: $250,427             **Average Home Sold for 96.3% of List Price**     ***Concord / Bluegrass is a centrally located West Knoxville community that has easy access to Interstates, Lake Loudon, Knoxville Public Parks, Pellissippi Parkway, Turkey Creek, and has some of the highest rated schools in all of Knox County.  Click here t... 04/01/2009

Relocating to Knoxville? Visit Knoxville's great neighborhoods!   Farragut - Western most suburb of Knoxville with mainly upscale homes. Concord/Bluegrass - Heart of the "West Knoxville" community and home to some of the best schools such as A.L. Lotts Elementary. Hardin Valley - Knoxville's fastest growing suburb located between West Knoxville and Oak Ridge. Karns - A peaceful, quiet suburb in northwest Knoxville. Powell - The small town of Powell sits just to the north of Knoxville. Halls - Want that country feel, but not feel like your out in the middle of nowhere? Fountain City - A quaint suburb oozing with history.  Take a step back in time at this northern neighborhood. North Knoxville - Is restoring an old historic house your dream?    Team McIn-Kowski of Southland GMAC Real Est... 03/26/2009

Yesterday when I went to school to pick up my 6 year old Daughter I was greeted by her shrieks of excitement "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, look my tooth is loose...I am going to lose my 3rd tooth by tomorrow".  I congratulate my daughter and notice that her tooth is barely doing little more than just a slight wiggle.      My daughter then waves goodbye to her friends and tells them that by tomorrow her tooth will be gone.  We get in the car and my daughter continues to tell me to call the Tooth Fairy to let her know that she will need to come collect her tooth that night.  Knowing that the tooth was doing just a little bit more than a small wiggle I cautiously tell my daughter that her tooth is probably not quite ready to come out and that while I know she is excited about losing it will proba... 03/25/2009

We have all been working with cleints and or properties that are a little different than say 5 years ago. Every other e-mail I get is about how to become a "REO" Mega Lister. Here are 10 ways to determine if you are ALREADY an REO Agent. Number 10: The recommended price of the home you are listing is less than the car you bought in 1995. Number 9: The words " AS-IS WHERE AS" have become very familiar to you. Number 8: You are not sure that there is a yard sign because the grass is so high. Number 7: You never speak to an actual person - e-mail only PLEASE. Number 6: You prepare more BPO's, reports and updates than actual contracts. Number 5: You have more deadlines than a newpaper reporter. Number 4: You think "Is this 1,000 commission a downpayment on the full commission"? Number 3: Yo... 03/25/2009

One of the most read pages on my website, www.KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com is my list of 40 free or inexpensive thigns you can do to make your house sell for more money. No rocket science or hard things to do here; just a list of commonsense things as simple as keeping your garage door closed for better curb appeal. Before putting your home on the market a little advance preparation will pay big dividends not only in a faster sale but usually also nets a seller more money at closing.  Some fix up things pay huge dividends. For example painting is one of the biggest returns on investment you can get; some experts say for every dollar you spend painting you get five dollars back in increased sale price.  Get a FREE copy of my new booklet titled "450 Ideas To Help Your Home Sell FASTER!" Dress ... 03/24/2009

As a lifelong animal lover and leader of the pack of 4 rescue dogs the warming trend and emergence of spring is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with my dogs. Knoxville, TN is a very dog friendly area and has some great designated places for dogs and their owners to socialize and enjoy the great outdoors. Some of my favorite places to spend time with my dogs are as follows: Downtown Knoxville Market Square- while dogs must be kept on leashes, this is a great place to get out and enjoy a day or evening with your dog.  Many of the restaurants offer outside patio seating or you can get your food to go and sit at an outdoor table with your 4-legged furry friend at your feet.  Adjacent to Market Square you will find Krutch Park that is complete with water features, beautiful landscapes... 03/21/2009

My family moved to Knoxville, TN in 1985 and almost every single year we attended the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine's Open House.  Now as a Mother this is an event that I look forward to every year to enjoy with my children.  Not only is this event incredibly fun and enjoyable, but you will walk away learning lots of new information, and enjoy a full day of fun for Free (snacks and merchandise are however available for purchase and benefits the Vet School).  Where: University of TN, College of Veterinary Medicine Annual OPEN HOUSE When: Saturday, April 19th 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM What: Tour the UTK Vet School (one of the top ranked in the Nation) and view all types of exhibits ranging from: a huge anatomy and physiology exhibit, teddy bear clinic, parade of horses, p... 03/20/2009

The chart below represent the February average sales price of 3 bedroom homes in the greater Knoxville, Tennessee area for the past 10 years. As you can see average sales prices started accelerating in 2003 building to a peak in 2007. In February of 2007 that represented a total of 645 3 beroom homes sold and closed. In February 2009 we had a total of 342 3 bedroom homes sold, or 46.9% fewer than 2007. It appears the average days on market (that's time from listing to closing) has risen pretty steeply since last February as well rising from 100 days in February of 2008 to 120 days this just past February. After reviewing these numbers it appears that if you have a home in the Knoxville area you need to sell, there are 3 things you probably need to do to ensure your house stands out from... 03/20/2009