Check-out this home that offers a gentle slope to the water, private boat dock and panoramic views:
Norris Lake – Main Channel
Category Archives: Real Estate
How to Pack Like a Pro
Plan ahead.
Develop a master to-do list so you won’t forget something critical heading into moving day. This will also help you create an estimate of moving time and costs.
Discard items you no longer want or need.
Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer had it. Sort unwanted items into “garage sale,” “donate,” and “recycle” piles.
Pack similar items together.
It will make your life easier when it’s time to unpack.
Decide what you want to move on your own.
Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you. Pack a moving day bag with a small first-aid kit, snacks, and other items you may need before unpacking your “Open First” box.
Know what your movers will take.
Many movers won’t take plants or liquids. Check with them about other items so you can plan to pack them yourself.
Put heavy items in small boxes.
Try to keep the weight of each box under 50 pounds.
Don’t overpack boxes.
It increases the likelihood that items inside the box will break.
Wrap fragile items separately.
Pad bottoms and sides of boxes and, if necessary, purchase bubble-wrap or other packing materials from moving stores. Secure plants in boxes with air holes.
Label every box on all sides.
You never know how they’ll be stacked. Also, use color-coded labels to indicate which room each box should go in, coordinating with a color-coded floor plan for the movers.
Keep moving documents together in a file, either in your moving day bag or online.
Include vital contact information, the driver’s name, the van’s license plate, and the company’s number.
Print out a map and directions for movers and helpers.
Make several copies, and highlight the route. Include your cell phone number on the map.
Back up computer files on the cloud.
Alternatively, you can keep a physical backup on an external hard drive offsite.
Inspect each box and piece of furniture as soon as it arrives.
Ahead of time, ensure your moving company has a relatively painless process for reporting damages.
Source: National Association of REALTORS®
Watts Bar Lake – House For Sale
Check-out this lakefront home that’s located on 4.2 acres with awesome views:
Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®
Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® is a network of 550 of the very best real estate firms that are located in over 55 countries. These firms have 4,000 offices with 128,000 sales associates. In 2015 these firms had sales valued at over $351 billion dollars, representing over one million transactions, which placed Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® #1 in sales volume in the United States.
Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® outperformed all other networks by 48% among the top 500 U.S. real estate firms.
When buying or selling property, select a member firm such as Ferguson Realtors to assist you.
Home For Sale – Fort Loudoun 2.9 AC
Check-out this lakefront home that offers a gated entry, two boat docks and privacy:
What to Know About Home Hazards
Radon
A colorless, odorless gas that can seep into your home from the ground, radon is often referred to as the second most common cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
What to look for: Basements or any area with protrusions into the ground offer entry points for radon. The Environmental Protection Agency publishes a map of high-prevalence areas. A radon test can determine if high levels are present.
Asbestos
A fibrous material once popular as fire-resistant insulation, asbestos was banned in 1985. However, it’s often found in the building materials, floor tiles, roof coverings, and siding of older. If disturbed or damaged, it can enter the air and cause severe illness.
What to look for: Homes built prior to 1985 are at risk of having asbestos in their construction materials. Home owners should be careful when remodeling because disturbing insulation and other materials may cause the asbestos to become airborne.
Lead
This toxic metal used in home products for decades can contribute to several health problems, especially among children. Exposure can occur from deteriorating lead-based paint, pipes, or lead-contaminated dust or soil.
What to look for: Homes built prior to 1978 may have lead present. Look for peeling paint and check old pipes. To get a HUD-insured loan, buyers must show a certificate that their older home is lead-safe.
Other hazardous products
Stockpiles of hazardous household items — such as paint solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, or motor oils — can create a dangerous situation if not properly stored. They can easily spark fires and can cause illness or even death if ingested, even in small amounts.
What to look for: Check all the corners, crawl spaces, garages, or garden sheds in the home. If these products are found, make sure you ask for their removal and get a disposal certificate prior to closing.
Groundwater contamination
When hazardous chemicals are disposed of improperly, they can seep through the soil and enter water supplies. A leaking underground oil tank or septic system can contribute to this.
What to look for: Homes near light industrial areas or facilities may be at risk, as are areas once used for industry that are now residential.
Source: National Association of REALTORS®
How to Lower Homeowners Insurance Costs
The first step is to shop around; quotes on the same home can vary significantly from company to company.
Review the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange report.
CLUE reports detail the property’s claims history for the last five years, which insurers may use to deny coverage. Make the sale contingent on a home inspection to ensure that problems identified in the CLUE report have been resolved.
Seek insurance coverage as soon as your offer is approved.
You must obtain insurance in order to buy your home. And you don’t want to find out at closing time that the insurer has denied you coverage.
Maintain good credit.
Insurers often use credit-based insurance scores to determine premiums.
Buy your homeowner’s and auto policies from the same company.
Companies will often offer a bundling discount. But make sure the discount really yields the lowest price.
Raise your deductible.
If you can afford to pay more toward a loss that occurs, your premiums will be lower. Also, avoid making claims for losses of less than $1,000.
Ask about other discounts.
For example, retirees who tend to be home more than full-time workers may qualify for a discount on theft insurance. You also may be able to obtain discounts for having smoke detectors, a security system, and high-quality locks.
Seek group discounts.
If you belong to any associations or alumni organizations, check to see if they offer deals on coverage.
Conduct an annual review.
Take a look at your policy limits and the value of your home and possessions every year. Some items depreciate and may not need as much coverage.
Investigate a government-backed insurance plan.
In some high-risk areas, the federal or state government may back plans to lower rates. Ask your agent what’s available.
Insure your house for the correct amount.
Remember, you’re covering replacement cost, not market value.
Source: National Association of REALTORS®
Home For Sale – Farragut
Check-out this home that’s located in the Cottages at Pryse Farm:
Questions to Ask When Considering a Condo
Condominiums, townhomes, and properties located within a homeowner association offer certain perks, but it’s important to consider them in your decision process.
How much storage is available?
Some properties include storage lockers, but there may not be attics or basements to hold extra belongings.
How’s the outdoor space?
Your yard may be smaller than you’d find in a traditional single-family home, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. But if you dread yard work, it may be the perfect option.
Are amenities important?
Many properties offer swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would cost much more in a single-family setting.
Who handles maintenance and security?
Property managers often hire professionals to care for common areas and perform in-unit repairs. Keyed entries and doormen may regulate access to your home when you’re not there (good news if you travel).
Are there required reserve funds and association fees? How much are they?
Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, the HOA or condo board determines these fees, and you’ll have to pay them even if you’re not in favor of the improvements.
What are the association rules?
Although you have a vote on future changes, association rules can dictate how you use your property. Some condos prohibit home-based businesses; others prohibit pets or don’t allow owners to rent out their units. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws carefully before you make an offer.
What’s the average vacancy rate?
It’s never too early to be thinking about resale. The ease of selling your unit may depend on what else is for sale in your building, since units are similar.
How many units are owned by investors?
Some lenders require a certain percentage of the building to be owner-occupied and may not be able to offer you financing if the ratio is too low.
Can I meet other residents before making an offer?
You will share space and decision-making duties with your neighbors when part of a homeowner association, so it’s important to make sure you can work together. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors before you decide on a place.
Source: National Association of REALTORS®
35 Acre Farm – Norris Lake Area
This home offers a variety of outdoor activities all at your backdoor; so check it out: