State & National Parks Near Knoxville, TN

6 Beautiful Parks Close to Knoxville, TN

Parks Near Knoxville TN

One of the main reasons many people move to Knoxville from other places is so that they can take advantage of the breathtaking outdoors that East Tennessee offers.  Living in Knoxville means access to 4,500 acres of green and open spaces and a short drive to many state and national parks. These are a few of our favorite places to visit:

Seven Islands State Birding Park 

Located just 19 miles east of Knoxville along the French Broad River in Knox County, Seven Islands State Birding Park is a premier birding destination with more than 180 species of birds sighted. This wildlife refuge offers views of the Smokey Mountains and eight miles of natural trails for hikers. Paddlers and anglers will appreciate the canoe/kayak launch, providing access to the French Broad River.

 

Norris Dam State Park

Miles of Norris Lake shoreline allow for fishing, paddling, and hiking. The state park also features sporting amenities, a swimming pool, and activities for the family. In the spring, check out the guided wildflower hikes! 

 

Big Ridge State Park

Just a 30-minute drive from Knoxville, this heavily forested park sits on over 3,600 acres in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley range. Hiking trails for all levels, a sandy beach, and various sports offerings make it easy to please children and adults alike.

 

Cherokee National Forest

Camping, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking are among the outdoor activities at this 650,000-acre national forest located just 50 miles southeast of Knoxville. Gold pan in the summer or snowshoe in the winter; there’s something for everyone all year-round. Also note that the Cherokee National Forest is divided into northern and southern sections by the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

 

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park

Drive an hour from downtown Knoxville, and you’ll find yourself in the largest National Historic park in the county! Covering 21,000 acres, this scenic destination offers picnic areas, running/biking/horseback riding trails, and is also rich in Native American history. Everyone will love the famed mile-long tunnel through a mountain. 

 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture.  This is America’s most visited national park!

 

For a comprehensive list of all Knoxville-area parks,visit: http://www.visitknoxville.com/things-to-do/parks/  

The Holli McCray Group on WOKI & WIVK in Knoxville

The Holli McCray Group is Endorsed on the Radio!

 

You may have heard Holli McCray’s name on the radio.  That’s because Holli McCray and The Holli McCray Group are the real estate agents who are endorsed by Phil Williams and Hallerin Hilton Hill on NewsTalk 98.7 | WOKI.  They are also endorsed by Andy & Alison on 107.7 | WIVK.  The reason these reputable radio personalities have agreed to talk about HMG on the air is because we are the top selling real estate team in the Knoxville area and we deliver results.  Phil, Hallerin, Andy and Alison have brought up countless stories of our happy clients who have sold their homes fast and for top-dollar.

To find out if The Holli McCray Group is the right real estate team for you, contact us today!  You can also check out our website to find out how much your home is worth or to see what homes are currently for sale in the Knoxville area.


The Benefits of Having a Basement

5 Reasons to Buy a Home With a Basement

Benefits of Basement Homes

If you’re thinking about buying a home with a basement in the Knoxville area, you’re in luck!  Homes with basements are very common in this area and area available in all price ranges.  That said, the question you need to ask yourself before considering a home with a basement is whether or not you need one.  While basement square footage is less expensive than “above grade” square footage,  it is still an added cost.  Make sure you have a reason for purchasing the basement space before you make an offer on home that has a basement.  Below are 5 benefits to having a basement to help you decide if you actually need or want one!

1.  Storage:  Basements (both finished and unfinished) make great storage areas.  It allows you to keep the garage (and your home) less cluttered.

2.  Privacy:  Basement rec rooms, playrooms or media rooms make great places for kids to play away from the adults, relax and watch a movie without distractions or shoot a game of pool. 

3.  Separate Living Quarters:  If the basement includes a bedroom, bathroom and possibly a kitchenette, it can make a great separate living space for a friend or family member.  Some people even rent out their basements if it has its own exterior door. 

4.  Accessibility of Major Systems:  Typically, basement homes give you easier access to to pipes, wires and ducts than homes  on slabs or crawl spaces.  Basements are an ideal location for water heaters, water pressure tanks, water softeners and furnaces as well.  Having basement access to all of these items makes repairs/remodeling cheaper and easier.

5. Hobbies:  A basement provides many people with the needed space to partake in things they love to do such as woodworking, brewing beer, yoga or holding the monthly card game. 

There are definitely more benefits to owning a home with a basement.  The question is whether or not they are a priority to you!  Should you decide that now is the time to buy a basement home or would like more information on whether or not a home with a basement is a good investment, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

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Why Live in a Ranch Style Home…

The Benefits of a Living in a Ranch

 

We’re sure you’ve heard the term, “ranch-style home” before.  For those who don’t what this means, the term is used to describe a one-level single-family home that typically has a covered front porch and possibly a basement.  This type of home is very common in the Knoxville area, and for good reason.  There are many benefits to a ranch-style home.  Here are a few that we thought were the most notable….

  • No Stairs – The convenience of having your living area, kitchen, and bedrooms all on the same level is an important feature for many people.  This is especially true for people who struggle with going up and down stairs every day such as those who are elderly or disabled. 
  • More Energy Efficient – One-level homes typically cost less to heat and cool than homes with 2 or more stories.  Most single-story homes only require one HVAC unit.  Larger homes with multiple stories need a separate unit for each floor.   It’s also generally easier to moderate the temperature inside a one-level house as opposed to a home with 2 or more stories.
  • Safer for Kids – We’ve all heard of or seen situations where kids get hurt playing on stairs.  When you live in a one-level home, you don’t have to worry about this!
  • Better for Resale – On average, ranch-style homes sell for a higher price per square foot and in a shorter amount of time in the Knoxville area.  The same holds true with basement ranch homes.  It’s clear that there is a huge demand for one-level living in our area.  Buying a ranch-style home will give you an advantage when it comes time to sell it down the road.

If you’re curious about what ranch-style homes are for sale in the Knoxville area, view current listings on the market. 

 

 

8 Things To Do Before You Pack!

ways to make your move less stressful…

 

So your house is sold and the closing date is set.  Now it’s time to coordinate your move!  While this is typically a stressful part of the home selling process, the right preparation goes a long way to making your move as smooth as possible.  Here are some key items to address before you even think about packing any boxes…

 

1. GET ORGANIZED

Create a “master list” of everything that needs to be done before, during, and after the move to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

2. FIND A MOVING COMPANY

If you’re using a moving service, get estimates from a minimum of three companies.  We’ll be happy to provide you with some referrals if you don’t know any good moving companies in the area

3. DE-CLUTTER

Try to get your house organized and de-cluttered so it will be easier to pack when the times comes.

4. PURGE

Get rid of the things that no longer serve you. Take an inventory of your belongings and determine what you want to keep. Donate, sell, or trash the unwanted items.  Some organizations like KARM will even come to your house and pick up any large items you want to donate.

5. NOTIFY

Notify the post office, banks, credit card companies, utility companies, past employers (for tax return purposes), subscriptions, family and friends, etc. of the address change and estimated move-out date.  Schedule utilities and installation appointments at your new home BEFORE you move into your new place.

6. FIND RELOCATION RESOURCES

If you’re moving to the Knoxville area, contact us and request a relocation package.  It will give you a good start towards understanding what’s available and where things are.

7. EMBRACE THE CLOUD

Moving is the perfect time to make sure all of your computer and electronic devices are properly backed-up in case anything gets lost or damaged during the move. Use a cloud-based system (i.e. Dropbox or iCloud) or a portable hard drive to backup all of your files.

8. VISUALIZE YOUR NEW HOME

When the going gets tough and the move gets tricky, remember to take a deep breath. Before you know it, you’ll be sleeping soundly in your beautiful new home!

Why Sell Your Home With The Holli McCray Group

The Holli McCray Group Performance Numbers 2015 | Best Real Estate Agents in Knoxville

Most of our clients decide to do business with The Holli McCray Group because we can prove to them that we are good at what we do.  HMG did not become the top selling real estate team in the Knoxville area by chance.  We continue to be committed to providing the highest level of customer service and relevant marketing options for our clients.  Our value proposition continues to be that we will sell your home for more money in less time because of the resources and expertise we have at our fingertips. 
 
With that said, I am pleased to announce Holli McCray Group had another record breaking year in 2015 by selling just under $75,000,000 in real estate.  We sold a property every 22 hours based on the total number of closings we had last year.  Here are some other statistics from 2015 that show why using The Holli McCray Group to sell your home is “The Smart Move”!
 
– The average days on market for properties sold by HMG was 38% lower than the average days on market for the rest of the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors (KAAR)
 
– HMG sold properties for 10.5% more money compared to KAAR
 
– The average real estate agent in Knoxville sold around 5 listings in 2015.  HMG sold 221 listings!
 
– When an offer came in on a property, HMG was able to negotiate 3% more money for our clients’ properties compared to KAAR.  On a $250,000 home, this is the equivalent to $7,500 more money in our clients’ pockets.
 
So when we say we can sell your home for more money in less time, we can back it up!  I’m very proud of what HMG continues to accomplish, but we’re not done yet!
 
If you think now is time to sell your home, work with the best Knoxville has to offer.  Call us today at (865) 291-0355.  Or send us an email!  We’ll be glad to discuss with you if now is the right time to sell and provide you with an honest value of your property. 
 
If you aren’t quite ready to sell, but want to know the value of your home, click here to get a free online estimate. It only takes a few minutes!
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