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Use These 75 Tips to Streamline Your Move Into a New House

Written By:  Alison Hunter, Homelight

Congratulations on the new place! Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or you’ve done it all before, getting ready for a move is a super-exciting (and massively stressful) undertaking.

Though it’s considered one of the most stressful events of modern life, remember that the hassle of moving into a new house is balanced by joy and excitement for the adventure of relocation.

To help you focus on positive aspects, we’ve assembled 75 tips for moving into a new house. From pre-move prep to getting cozy in your new abode, this article offers tip-upon-tip, delving into the often-overlooked and obscure tricks you can use to make moving into your new house a streamlined affair.

So kick back and prepare to upload wisdom drawn from data and supported by firsthand experience. We’ll take you from filling your first box to the moment your new home finally feels like home!

A corner view of several three-story, brown and red townhouses.
Source: (Erik Mclean / Pexels)

First things first

John Verdeaux knows real estate. He knows all sides of the business, from buying to selling to financing to HOA BBQs. Verdeaux has seen cross-country moves executed in excellence like a symphony, and cross-town moves go down in chaos like a kindergarten play. The difference, he says, is planning.

So in the spirit of first things first, our first 10 tips focus on preparation.

1. Change your mailing address with the USPS

The USPS will forward mail to your new address for 12 months, but it’s best to get ahead of this by submitting the forms a couple of weeks in advance. You can do this using a form available at the post office, or online.

2. Change your address online

All your credit cards, subscription services, and delivery apps will need to reflect your new digs.

3. Send a moving announcement

Let your friends and family know you’re on the move! They’ll be happy to hear from you. (There are some adorable options on Etsy.)

4. Start packing early

We. Cannot. Emphasize. This. Enough.

Nobody has ever said, “I sure am glad I waited this long to start packing!” Allow plenty of time to organize and get rid of things you no longer want.

Verdeaux’s rule of thumb: Allow at least 30 days to pack, and focus first on the rooms you use least.

Someone in a winter coat and hat looking through some records for sale at a garage sale.
Source: (Clem Onojeghuo / Pexels)

5. Have a garage sale

Total win/win: less stuff to move, and more loot to boot.

6.Register your vehicles

If you move out of state, a trip to your new local DMV may be in order. For a local move, remember that residential parking permits are sometimes necessary.

7. Register to vote

Many states make this an easy part of your DMV registration experience.

8. Find new care providers (if necessary)

From physicians to hairdressers, you’re going to need a new one. And don’t forget to obtain copies of your school/medical/dental records if you’re leaving town, and transfer your prescriptions to your new pharmacy.

9. Transfer utilities

Make sure to have your final bill (if it’s paper) mailed to your new address. Bonus points for having your internet service up and running immediately, along with all the other necessary utilities.

Verdeaux says often, agents will assist with the process for those moving from out of town — so if that’s you, talk to your agent about getting some assistance.

10. Walk through before closing

Make sure everything is as it should be according to your contract. Test light switches, outlets, taps, locks, windows — everything.

If you haven’t already, measure the rooms in your new house to get an idea of what will fit and what you need to donate (or sell at your yard sale!)

A couple preparing things and packing things into boxes for moving into a new house.
Source: (cottonbro / Pexels)

Moving day mayhem, or sweet, orderly harmony?

Whether you’re moving across the country or across the street, somehow, all of your stuff has to get from Point A to Point B, and that can be tricky.

But you packed like a pro! You’re absolutely sure where the coffee maker is and you’re really ready to move into your new house. The following tips take you through everything to do once you’ve arrived.

11. Treat your movers right

Remember to budget in the standard 20% tip (cash) if you hired movers, and offer cold beverages or snacks to help lighten their load.

Verdeaux reminds us that when it comes to movers, you get what you pay for, and that extends to the generous offers you may get from friends and family who offer to help you move for free …but are more likely to ding and dent your stuff than trained professionals.

12. Use a whiteboard or digital whiteboard for organizing tasks

This could be a shared file in the cloud, a big piece of paper taped to the wall, a constellation of Post-Its, or an actual whiteboard. Anything that works for you to synchronize your thoughts, actions, and priorities will help you settle in faster.

13. Make a home maintenance checklist

This is especially useful for first-time homeowners whose former landlords may have taken care of a lot of things behind the scenes: cleaning gutters, trimming trees, exterior maintenance, fixing fences, and so on.

14. Prioritize what repairs you’ll want to make

Make sure you stay in the house for at least a few weeks before you do anything major! There are some minor tasks you can and should tackle immediately, though: dripping faucets, touching up wall paint, and so on.

15. Pace yourself

Temper your enthusiasm with a realistic understanding of what you can get done each day without totally wiping yourself out. Verdeaux reminds us that this is an emotional process, so allow yourself a little slack each day.

Someone using a paint roller to paint a white wall gray after moving into a new house.
Source: (Stephanie Ho / Pexels)

16. Paint

What’s first on the list of “What can I do now with relative ease that will be a huge pain when I’ve unpacked?”

PAINTING! If you want to paint the walls (or, ugh, the ceiling), then the best time to do it is before you have moved anything into the house. Consider whether you want to delay your move-in (or rent a storage unit) so you can paint quickly and easily, let the paint dry, admire your work, then move in.

17. Connect your appliances

You might not think you want your washer and dryer set up already …but trust us. Go ahead and start making this house your home.

And in states where you bring your own fridge, well, you’re going to need to be able to store your food right away!

18. Change your locks

Find a highly-rated locksmith and keep their number handy. Verdeaux also recommends an overall security check: make sure your crawlspace is padlocked, check your window latches, and reset the codes for any keyless points of entry.

19. Check your outdoor bulbs

When the sun goes down, make sure your exterior lights are shining bright. Install motion-activated lights for added security.

20. Unpack your essentials

Resist the temptation to start ripping open boxes. Be mindful of what “essential” means and try to stay focused on big picture stuff.

Hopefully Old House You did a favor for New House You and packed (and labeled!) essentials separately in a handful of boxes you can open first.

21. Childproof and pet-proof

Batten down the hatches before Hurricane Kid or Hurricane Pet make landfall in your new home.

A deep carpet cleaner vacuum for moving into a new house.
Source: (Pixabay / Pexels)

Deep clean

This could be an article unto itself, but some must-dos as you are moving in include:

22. Buy new cleaning stuff

Half-empty bottles of cleaning products and old, musty mops can be left behind in a move. Buy new, high-quality products that will stand the test of time.

23. Dust

Start with the cobwebs on the ceiling and light fixtures, and end with wiping down the baseboards.

24. Clean out the P-traps.

These are the U-shaped pipes beneath your sinks. And trust us — they are filthy. (It’s not a bad idea to snake your drains, too, while you’re at it.)

25. Buy new toilet brushes

There is an unspoken law that states toilets and their brushes are pair-bonded for life.

26. Clean the dryer vent

This often-ignored bit of dryer maintenance can prevent fires, and it’s especially easy to do before you hook up your dryer.

A man cleaning windows after moving into a new house.
Source: (Nathan Cowley / Pexels)

27. Clean the windows

Then you can really enjoy those new views!

28. Service the chimney

Don’t let your plans for your first cozy fire be foiled by a house full of smoke! If it wasn’t part of your inspection, have a professional chimney service take a look at your stack.

29. Clean under the sinks

You’re already down there doing the P-traps! Throw down some contact paper while you’re at it to protect your under-the-sink surfaces.

30. Check your home’s filters

This can include the furnace filter, water filters on taps or your fridge, and air intake filters.  Once you figure out the sizes, buy a few spares and document it in your homeowner file.

31. Find/print/obtain manuals for all the home appliances

Even if you don’t have the original manuals for appliances, most manufacturers provide free PDFs online. Now, where exactly is the printer…?

32. Find the emergency system shutoffs

In addition to your fuse boxes, make sure all the adults know where to find and how to operate gas and water shut-off valves, as well as the home’s electrical breaker box.

33. Introduce yourself to the neighborhood

This may sound more Norman Rockwell than real life, but a quick “hello!” goes a long way. Before you know it you’ll be watering each other’s plants and feeding cats while your neighbors vacation!

34. Use painter’s tape to label your light switches

You’ll eventually learn what does what, but there is no shame in using a cheat sheet until your fingers gain muscle memory.

Source: (Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock)

35. Upgrade to dimmer switches

Do it! The effect on ambiance is amazing. (First, make sure your bulbs are dimmer-compatible.)

36. Consider removable wallpaper

Get a feel for colors and vibes with easy-up, easy-down temporary wallpaper.

37. Buy shims

No matter the age of the house, a slightly sloped floor is a guarantee. Shims are an inexpensive and easy way to keep your furniture level.

38. Get an energy audit

You can do this on your own, you can hire a professional service, or your local utility company may potentially offer this service for free.

39. Figure out what tools and equipment you may need to buy

A lawnmower or weed whacker? A hose or snow shovel?

There may be new things to take care of in your living environment. But before you buy, check to see if your new community has a tool lending library, or use this as an excuse to meet your neighbors.

40. Start a homeowner file

Document repairs, dates you changed filters, and other information you’ll want to remember here. It’s also a great place to store appliance manuals and warranty information.

41. Spend the night before you make final layout decisions

Road noise. A neighbor’s floodlight. Five a.m. tennis practice at the court across the street. There is much you can’t know about the nature of your home’s dusk-til-dawn routine without actually being there for it, so it pays to wait a little bit before you decide what goes where permanently.

42. Tweak your budget

When you’ve been in the house for a month or two, you’ll have a better idea of what utilities cost and how much you can realistically set aside for home maintenance.

43. Test the soil

If you have young children, egg-laying chickens, or plan to grow food, it is important to know your soil is safe.

Source: (Kristina Paukshtite / Pexels)

44. Check your fences

If you’ve got a backyard and a dog, make sure the former can contain the latter. You may also want to make yourself aware of wild predators and protect your pooch accordingly.

45. Install doggy doors

It’s good to get the pooch used to the new routine as soon as possible.

46. Install lights in the closets

Three cheers to the person who lived without them, but let’s be real: You need at-a-glance outfit configuration without pulling garments out into the light.

47. Install outlets

If your new house is an old house, it’s likely it doesn’t have enough electrical outlets for your modern needs. Adding a few outlets is a fairly simple process, but you’ll also want to make sure that your electrical system can handle more outlets.

48. Install ethernet

Most of us make do with one or two wireless routers and live with “offline” areas of our house, but running ethernet cable to support multiple routers is well worth the effort.

49. Test well water

If you’re moving into a new house with well water, and you didn’t do it during the inspection, you should have it tested.

50. Check your septic system

In most states, a septic check-up is not part of the buyer’s inspection; if you didn’t opt to get it done, then now would be a great time to make sure everything is copacetic.

51. Be ready for trash day

Get to know the waste management systems for your area. Do you have curbside recycling? Curbside compost? When is trash day? And when will they drop off your trash cans?

52. Prepare bathrooms for your beauty regimen

If you are a regular multi-product, multi-tool using kind of person, be sure you have the space for the stuff you need.

Adding hooks, shelves, and cabinets in anticipation of your routine will save you from clutter. Consider your lighting and mirror situation, too!

A close up view of a gray tabby cat who could be moving into a new house.
Source: (George Shervashidze / Pexels)

53. Accommodate your kitty

If you’re moving with cats, they will be scared and want somewhere to hide and take in their new surroundings. Help them find a place to acclimate.

54. Swap out the showerheads

This is a super easy upgrade that can change the whole feel of your shower (quite literally).

55. Check your house number

Sometimes a rushed paint job can lead to covered-up house numbers. Make sure yours are high-contrast and easily visible from the street.

56. Audit your breaker box

It is tedious, but a quick circuit-by-circuit check-up can save you from flipping switches at random when a power surge trips a breaker. (A label maker is super-helpful for this task.)

57. Fix squeaks and swinging doors

Every house has at least one door with a mind of its own. Tackle this project while you still have plenty of space to work.

58. Install shelf liners

You’ll thank yourself later when the insides of your shelves are pristine despite years of use (and shelf liners can be cute, too!).

59. Update old light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs

Even if the old incandescent bulbs haven’t burned out, it is advised that you swap them out for energy-efficient ones before they reach the end of their life. RIP, incandescent bulbs.

60. Figure out what your walls are made of

Depending on the material (drywall, plaster and lath, metal studs, cinderblock, and so on) you may need specialized hardware and tools to hang your stuff.

A hand holding some soil and a small plant.
Source: (Akil Mazumder / Pexels)

61. Got plants?

Figure out which rooms and windows will be their happiest homes. And be patient; like your cat, there may be a period of adjustment (and rebellion … maybe even mutiny) before your plants adjust to the new house.

This is also a great time to get to know your local nursery staff. They can often diagnose the cause of a sad plant just from a cellphone picture.

62. Get serious about storage

Invest in high-quality storage racks for places where you plan to stow your less-used items, like the garage, basement, or attic.

63. Invest in curtains

Curtains are excellent insulators! Keep your heat in or keep the sun out with quality window dressings.

64. Open an account on Nextdoor

Even if you just log in to see what everyone else is up to, you can learn a lot about your neighborhood through lurker osmosis.

65. Subscribe to your local paper

Your new hometown paper can be a great guide for local businesses along with community and political events, not to mention new developments and other real estate-related news.

66. Check the batteries

Safety first! Check the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and buy spare batteries for them, then document when you change them out in your homeowners’ manual.

67. Find a go-to handyperson

For projects beyond your abilities (or time, or interest), ask your neighbors for recommendations or try Angie’s List.

68. Get prepared for emergencies

Know the way to the closest ER, have local emergency numbers and first aid handy, and put together a plan for what to do in case of fire or natural disaster.

Review procedures and meeting places with all members of the family (don’t forget pets), and practice the drill. In earthquake country, put together an earthquake kit (and sign up for the MyShake app).

69. Get to know the street sweeping schedule

If you or your guests are limited to street parking, memorize the schedule and put some calendar reminders in your phone with notification alerts. It is less than ideal to allocate part of your monthly budget to parking tickets, though that is what many city-dwellers do.

70. Focus on your front yard first

Spruce it up and kick back with a porch swing on your patio to get to know the friendly faces in your neighborhood.

71. Remove cords, patch holes

The war of words between generations recently gave rise to the term “boomer hole,” which describes any hole left behind when antiquated technology makes way for advances. Chances are good you won’t miss that coaxial cable or telephone jack, so pull it out and patch the holes (but seriously, run ethernet everywhere).

A woman with curly hair carrying moving boxes into a new house, with moving boxes stacked behind her.
Source: (Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels)

72. Figure out what to do with all those empty moving boxes

Even if you have curbside recycling, chances are good you’ll exceed the pick-up limits for the first couple of weeks.

73. Check your oven temperature

Buy an oven thermometer and test it before you bake (or botch) your first meal at your new house.

74. Arrange your furniture

Sometimes you get it right the first time, but sometimes it takes a while. As you settle into the seasons and your patterns of use in your new house, the furniture arrangement will become an extension of the architecture.

75. Reap your rewards!

Truthfully, there are only a few tasks for which the order of operations demands completion before you move in: major renovations, knocking down a popcorn ceiling, installing a moat and drawbridge — those are things that must precede your taking up residence in your new house.

But here’s the thing: It’s important to use the thrill and motivation of moving into a new home to carry you through tasks you may otherwise put off forever.

We all live in places that have tiny blemishes and vexing imperfections to which the eye adjusts and the mind acclimates. So before you find yourself saying, “Well, at least only small bugs can fly through that hole in the screen door”, spring into action!

You will feel the true benefit of your hard work when you sink deeply into your first Sunday-at-home couch session, satisfied and relaxed… and without a single “to-do” in view.

Link to original article:  https://homemarketinggroup.com/wp-admin/post-new

Posted in: Moving Tips Tagged: buying a home, home buying tips, homeownership, moving checklist, moving to a new house, tips for buying a house

How to Decide What Home Repairs Should Fall to the Seller

How to Decide What Home Repairs Should Fall to the Seller

Written by:  Natalie Jones / homeownerbliss.info

Buying a house is a complicated decision, and once you’ve settled on “the one” and are wrapping things up, sometimes there is a hiccup. If there are repairs to be made or maintenance concerns, how do you determine what you should plan on handling yourself, and what falls to the seller? And what about the costs involved?

Start with a Professional Inspection

Right off the bat, one home repair-related expense that falls to the home buyer is an inspection. The cost of a home inspection is based on the size of the home and how long it takes, but it generally will fall in the $278 – $390 range. A small, new house will likely be less than an older, larger house. Typically, the inspection is arranged during contract negotiations.

Along with the many other expenses involved with buying a house, it can be tempting to skip a home inspection. However, there are plenty of good reasons to invest in a professional inspection when you’re buying a house. It’s a chance to ensure the home is up to par, examining the structure and functional elements so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises when you move in. It’s also a chance to back out of the deal if there is something beyond your expectations, and an opportunity to reopen negotiations with the seller.

What if Problems Are Found?

No house is perfect, and it’s not unusual for a home inspection to reveal issues. What then? The home inspection report will indicate what items need immediate repair, and what is less critical. It also might recommend contacting a licensed contractor to examine something specific.

Regarding negotiations, consider what issues are safety concerns and what constitutes cosmetic issues. For instance, you’ll probably need to replace broken doorknobs yourself (you can find new knobs at Home Depot for less than $10), while a termite problem is more serious.

If there is a problem, you should carefully weigh what you would be comfortable asking the seller to fix on your behalf. Think in terms of what is normal wear and tear, and keep in mind you aren’t likely to get those fixed. Instead, focus on repair requests for things like safety issues and structural defects. Sometimes a seller will insist on selling the home “as is.” This means that if you purchase the home, you’ll be responsible for all necessary repairs, including for major fixes such as infestations, roof issues, and mold problems.

In a seller’s market, you shouldn’t be surprised to see all requests rejected, but they might be more readily received if you frame the repairs as an investment opportunity on the seller’s part. You can also ask to get repairs credited off the purchase price. You also might be able to get a home warranty with the purchase.

Plan Ahead

In anticipation of putting a home on the market, professional home sellers and real estate agents often recommend an inspection to help set sellers up for success. It’s a chance for homeowners to avoid deals being delayed, unanticipated expenses, or closings falling through at the last minute.

As Forbes explains, a pre-inspection is essentially a good-will gesture on the part of the seller, suggesting transparency and peace of mind to the buyer. What’s more, it provides the opportunity to make repairs ahead of listing the home, and can also spotlight recent upgrades.

Another key method for showcasing a property’s features is home staging, and professional home sellers and real estate agents are turning to pros for staging more than ever. It’s a chance to give sellers a leg up in a competitive housing marketplace, and often can result in quicker, smoother sales.

A professional home stager knows how to use art, furniture, window treatments, lighting, area rugs, and greenery to bring out the best in a house. They can create a look that appeals to a wide variety of palates, enhance traffic flow, and show a house’s best features while downplaying its faults.

 

Navigating a home purchase is challenging, and home repairs can derail things quickly. A professional inspection can help you decide how to proceed. Ensure you find a dream home to keep you safe and happy, rather than a money pit.

 

Posted in: Home Selling Tips Tagged: help selling my home in koxville, home buying tips, home inspections, home inspections knoxville, home inspectors knoxville, homeownerbliss, natalie jones, negotiating home repairs, should i get a home inspection, what is a home inspection

Buying An Existing Home Versus Building A Home

Does buying an existing home or building a new one better fit your needs?

Holli McCray Home Marketing Group - Buying Versus Building

 

If you’re thinking about buying a home, then this question may have crossed your mind.  Before answering, make sure to consider the pros and cons of building a new home versus purchasing an existing to determine which one fits your needs and budget.  From up-front costs to resale, timeframes, and affordability, there are many factors to consider. 

BUILDING A NEW HOME

 

Primary Costs

In Knox County, the average cost for a new home was $327,202 with a price-per-square-foot of $129.  This is well above the national average.  Based on a recent report from the National Association of Home Builders, the average cost for a new home was $237,760 with a price-per-square-foot of $118. 

Building a new home will also cost you time.  Based on the size and floor plan of the home, construction can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months.  You may also encounter delays along the way that can push back your move-in date.  If your timeframe to move is strict, then building a home is likely not the best option for you. 

Hidden Costs

New construction buyers must also pay for:

  • The land to build on
  • Obtaining building permits
  • Excavation (especially if the land has not yet been developed)
  • Impact & construction loan fees
  • Overage costs related to changes in building materials and/or changes to finishes you make along the way

As a rule of thumb, you will pay more to build a home versus buying an existing one…

Maintenance

One of the primary benefits of building a home is that it is completely move-in ready on the day you move in.  Appliances, systems, and the roof will all be new and under warranty.  You should not have any significant costs or repairs for several years.  In Knox County, builders must provide a comprehensive 1-year warranty on the homes they sell.  This means that if you experience any issues with your home, the builder is required to address them. 

Value Appreciation & Availability

While every real estate market is different, newer homes tend to sell faster than older ones.  There are numerous reasons for this, but as a general rule of thumb, the newer the home, the fewer improvements or updates it needs.  Hence it is more desirable to home buyers.  

Due to the rising costs of materials and lower profit margins for builders, it is harder to find/build new homes at lower price points.  You also need to find land (or a lot) in an area or neighborhood that you want to live in.  In more urban or populated areas, this can be quite challenging.  The land you buy must also be an adequate size to fit the house you want to build.  You may also have neighborhood restrictions you must adhere to.  In some cases, the Homeowner’s Associations must approve your plans before construction can begin. 

 

BUYING AN EXISTING HOME

 

Upfront Costs

In 2018, the average sales price of an existing home in Knox County was $241,853 with a price-per-square-foot of $111.  You’ll notice that this is much higher than the average price-per-square-foot of new homes at $129. 

Maintenance

Depending on the age and condition, there can be major replacements and many repairs required with older homes.  It is far more challenging to get a truly “move-in ready” home when you are buying an existing one.  

Value Appreciation & Availability

In general, it is easier to gauge the value of an existing home because there are more comparable homes that have recently sold.  Existing homeowners gain appreciation from an improving housing market, but also on certain improvements they make (i.e. replacing the roof, finishing the basement, updating the kitchen).

No matter what price point you’re buying in, you should have some existing home options to choose from.  Also, you likely won’t have to worry about adhering to neighborhood restrictions because the home already meets those guidelines.

 

WHAT’S THE VERDICT?

There are many pros and cons for both building a new home and buying an existing home. The right decision will depend on your budget, personal preferences, and timeframes for moving.

Existing home buyers are not only fortunate enough to avoid lengthy construction timeframes, but they also enjoy the advantage of having more control over when they move.  On the flip side, existing home buyers will likely have to settle on things that are not on their house wish list.  In general, they must also be okay with older systems and appliances that will need replacement sooner than in new construction homes.  Those who have very specific wants and needs should strongly consider building a home. 

Ready to purchase your own Knoxville area home?  HMG will be your guide through the process.  Check out the current homes for sale in Knoxville! 

Posted in: New Construction Knoxville TN Tagged: building a home advantages, buy or build a home, buying vs building a home, home buying tips, how do i buy a home, why build a home

6 Tips For Choosing The Right Neighborhood

Choosing the right neighborhood for YOU!

Choosing The Right Neighborhood In Knoxville

 

There are many factors to consider when buying a home, and the neighborhood it’s in is at the top of that list.  Lifestyle can dictate some of your specific criteria, such as choosing a highly-rated school district or having access to a community pool.  In general, your lifestyle requirements are helpful in identifying the type of Knoxville neighborhood you will want to buy a home in and live happily ever after.

 

Crime & Neighborhood Statistics

Living in a safe neighborhood is of the utmost importance to most buyers, especially those with children.  Investigate the crime rates in the areas you are considering, and be sure to drive by at night to see what the vibe is like.  Social media is also a great place to get more information about crime in an area.  Many cities have pages/accounts where people post crimes and disturbances that occur throughout that city.  While theft, burglary, or vandalism can occur anywhere, today’s technology makes it fairly easy to see how common these types of activity are to determine whether a certain neighborhood is right for you.  No matter what the crime rate is in a given area, it’s always a good idea to drive through the entire neighborhood of any home you are interested in.

Proximity To Work

The location of your workplace also plays a role in choosing a neighborhood to buy a home.  How far is the commute in the morning and after work?  Will you be going with or against the flow traffic?  It pays to drive your intended route one or two times at peak traffic times so you know what you’ll be up against.  Public transportation may also be an option, so be sure to look into bus and commuter train routes that are in close proximity to where you plan to live.

School District

Whether you have children or not, a neighborhood with a good school district is important because it impacts the resale of the homes in that community.  Using a site like Great Schools can be helpful to research area schools to see what the school zoning is for various neighborhoods and confirm whether or not a certain home falls within your desired school zone.  KGIS is also a great tool that lists the school zones for any address within Knox County.

Access to Amenities

One of the most important things to consider when buying a home is how close it is to certain things. Is the neighborhood close to hospitals, grocery stores, ball fields, parks and/or bodies of water?  Does the neighborhood have its own amenities such as a community pool, clubhouse, a workout facility and/ or walking trails?  Make a list of the amenities that are most important to you and ensure that whichever home you choose to buy, the neighborhood is relatively close to those things.

The Neighbors

In our last blog, we discussed how neighbors can affect the sale of your home. The same can be said for the impact neighbors can have on your quality of life after you buy a new home.  Take note of the condition of neighborhood homes.  Are they clean and well-kept or are they visible eyesores?  Ideally, you want a good curb appeal to be consistent throughout the neighborhood.  It also pays to drive by on weekend nights to see if the noise levels are under control.  Lastly, pay close attention to how close the houses are to each other.  Make sure the proximity of the home you’re considering to the neighbors is acceptable, especially from the backyard. 

Knoxville Subdivisions

There are many great neighborhoods in the Knoxville area.  Explore some of our favorite subdivisions here, and don’t hesitate to call or text our buyer team anytime at (865) 335-0542 if you need more details on a certain neighborhood.  We can also schedule a private showing on any of the homes that interest you.  If you just need more information, our buyer team can provide you with past sales, neighborhood restrictions, HOA fees, community lifestyle and proximity to major landmarks for just about any neighborhood in the area.

Posted in: Knoxville Real Estate Agent Tagged: benefits of living in a subdivision, best neighborhoods in knoxville tn, buying a home in knoxville tn, home buying tips, neighborhoods in knoxville tn

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