East Tennessee

  PIGEON FORGE Considering the history of Pigeon Forge, it is highly appropriate that one of the first businesses in this East Tennessee town was a furnace and iron forge. In fact, the name Pigeon Forge is a combination of the iron works and the Little Pigeon River that meanders through the town. This river soon became a natural stopping point for huge flocks of passenger pigeons. Pigeon Forge remained a sleepy rural community for several decades. In 1907, population records show Pigeon Read more [...]

Ready to close the deal? Maybe not. Sometimes unforeseeable issues arise just prior to closing the sale. Hopefully, with negotiation, most of these have a workable solution. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. But don't panic. Another buyer might still be found who is willing to accept the house as is. Imagine that your prospective buyers are a couple with young children. They envision your unused attic as the perfect playroom for the kids but, before closing the deal, they request an inspection Read more [...]

CMA is real estate shorthand for "Comparative Market Analysis." A CMA is a report prepared by a real estate agent providing data comparing your property to similar properties in the marketplace. The first thing an agent will need to do to provide you with a CMA is to inspect your property. Generally, this inspection won't be overly detailed (she or he is not going to crawl under the house to examine the foundation), nor does the house need to be totally cleaned up and ready for an open house. It Read more [...]

June and Fred Smith were diligent about getting their home ready for sale. They ordered a pre-sale termite inspection report. The report revealed that their large rear deck was dry-rot infested, so they replaced it before putting their home on the market. The Smiths also called a reputable roofer to examine the roof and issue a report on its condition. The roofer felt that the roof was on its last legs and that it should be replaced. The Smith's didn't want buyers to be put off by a bad roof, so Read more [...]

As an alternative to working with an experienced real estate agent, you might consider selling your home yourself; however, if you choose this option, be prepared for a lot of work! It can and has been done, of course, but if you don't have the time and energy to commit to it (or need to sell in a hurry), this option might not be for you. If selling your home on your own sounds like too much work, you might want to consider assist-to-sell programs, which most agents offer and can include yard signs, Read more [...]

Most cities require that homeowners obtain a building permit before making modifications to their residence. Which modifications require a permit vary by city. Also, some cities are more vigilant than others in enforcing permit laws. In order for the homeowner to receive a permit, the homeowner or his/her designee are required to file plans and pay fees to the city. In addition, the improvements are given a value. If they increase the value of the property, this may result in an increase in property Read more [...]

Congratulations, you are on your way to owning your very own home! Follow these suggestions (and your realtor's advice) so that escrow and settlement with go as smooth as possible. You will be asked for a down payment on the home you are purchasing. You can choose to put down as much or as little as you want (depending on your mortgage), but remember, the more you put down toward the total price of your home, the less time it will take you to pay off and the less your mortgage payments will be every Read more [...]

Buying a home is one of the most important purchases most people will make. In order to make the right decision the first time, potential buyers need to be prepared. Consider the following before starting negotiations: •Be prepared Research the housing market in the target area. Once you have information about the general area, focus on the particular property and seller. Look for answers to questions such as: 1.Why is the homeowner selling? (If they're moving because they find the area undesirable, Read more [...]

Fortunately for buyers, there are a variety of mortgages to choose from. It is in your best interest to investigate each of them to determine which is the best for your situation. You probably won't qualify for all of them. In fact, you may only qualify for one. But if you do qualify for more than one, you may save yourself money (and worry) in the long run if you do your homework before signing on the dotted line. Fixed-Rate Mortgages Adjustable-Rate Mortgages The Convertible ARM FHA and VA Loan Fixed Read more [...]

Naturally, you want to get the best deal for the least amount of money. This holds true for mortgage rates as well. A lower interest rate means a lower monthly mortgage payment, which can save you money in the long run. Also, it is easier to qualify for a lower payment than a higher one. You basically have two routes to finding the best rate. The first is to do all the research on your own. The second is to use a mortgage broker. Do-It-Yourself With the advent of the Internet, much of this information Read more [...]