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Knoxville Real Estate Outlook: Navigating the 2024 Market for Homeowners, Buyers, and Sellers (DECEMBER 2023 UPDATE)

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1. Understanding the 2024 Housing Market: A Turning Point for Knoxville Home Buyers

Recent findings have highlighted a pivotal shift in the housing market, particularly relevant for those in Knoxville, Tennessee. While 2023 saw a daunting surge in U.S. mortgage rates, peaking since 2001 and even surpassing 8% in October, there’s now a glimmer of hope for 2024. This spike in rates led to one of the lowest home sales records in recent history, primarily due to the inflated borrowing costs dissuading potential buyers.

However, as we look towards 2024, a silver lining emerges. The latter part of 2023 experienced a significant drop in mortgage rates, over one percent from the October highs. This decline, coupled with recent Federal Reserve announcements, signals a probable easing of mortgage rates in 2024. As borrowing costs decrease, the barriers to home buying diminish, heralding a potential rejuvenation of the housing market. This anticipated change is set to bolster demand, stabilize prices, enhance affordability, and stimulate home sales. For Knoxville residents, this means 2024 could offer a more favorable landscape for both buying and selling properties.

2. Tennessee’s Real Estate Boom: Knoxville Leading the Charge

According to the U-Haul Report, Tennessee has emerged as one of the top growth states in the U.S., climbing to the 5th position in 2023 from its previous 6th rank. This upward trend reflects the state’s increasing allure, particularly significant for those eyeing real estate prospects in Tennessee. U-Haul’s analysis, based on over 2.5 million one-way rentals, offers insight into the attractiveness of states and cities for new residents.

Knoxville, Tennessee, stands out in these rankings, leading the state and placing 17th nationally. Additionally, other Tennessee cities like Murfreesboro and Clarksville have shown commendable performance. These rankings underscore Tennessee, especially Knoxville, as an increasingly popular destination, which could profoundly impact the local real estate market dynamics for homeowners, buyers, and sellers.

3. Knoxville’s Rental Market: A Comparative Analysis The latest data from Rentometer.com indicates a significant trend in Knoxville’s rental market. The average rent for three-bedroom single-family rentals (SFRs) in Knoxville reached $2,235 in Q3 2023, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. In comparison, the average rent for a 3-BR apartment stood at $1,799 during the same period.

This trend not only highlights Knoxville’s escalating appeal but also points to rising housing costs, especially when compared to other major Tennessee cities. For instance, renting a single-family home in Nashville, which was previously 23% more expensive than in Knoxville, now sees a narrowed gap of 17%. Similarly, Chattanooga’s rental prices are currently 12% less than Knoxville’s, a noteworthy shift from last year. This data is crucial for those considering the Knoxville real estate market, whether for investment or residence, indicating a dynamic and evolving landscape.

Have questions? Want to discuss your specific real estate needs and goals. Contact me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates in Farragut at 865-999-0925 today. I look forward to talking with you!

Farragut TN Housing Market Update: July 12th Edition | Prices, Sales, Inventory, and Future Outlook

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Welcome to our latest Farragut TN Housing Market Update! In this video, we’ll provide you with comprehensive insights into the local Farragut, Tennessee real estate market, focusing on key metrics such as prices, sales, inventory, and future projections. Whether you’re a homeowner in Farragut, buyer in Farragut, seller in Farragut, or simply interested in the Farragut TN housing market trends, this video is packed with valuable information to help you make informed decisions.

Our expert analysis takes into account the latest data available up to July 12th, offering you an up-to-date snapshot of the Farragut TN housing market. We’ll delve into the current pricing trends, examining how Farragut home prices have changed and what factors are influencing these fluctuations. Additionally, we’ll explore the sales activity, highlighting any notable patterns or shifts in demand.

Furthermore, we’ll discuss the inventory levels in Farragut TN and how it impacts the market dynamics. Understanding the supply of available homes in Farragut is crucial for both buyers and sellers, as it influences pricing and negotiation power.

To provide you with a well-rounded view, we’ll also engage in future casting, giving you our expert insights and predictions regarding the direction the Farragut TN housing market may take. We have thoroughly analyzed various factors such as economic indicators, local developments, and regional trends to offer you a glimpse into what the future may hold for the Farragut Tennessee real estate landscape.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor, a first-time homebuyer, or someone looking to sell their property, staying up-to-date with the local Farragut TN housing market is essential. Watch our video to gain a competitive edge and make informed decisions. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to understand the Farragut TN housing market better!

Remember to like this video, subscribe to our channel, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with the latest market updates. If you have any questions or want us to cover specific topics in future videos, please leave a comment below. Let’s dive into the Farragut TN housing market together!

Have questions? Need help buying or selling a home in Farragut or anywhere in East Tennessee? Want to know what your home is worth? Contact (call or text) Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates today at 865-999-0925.

It Pays Off to Sell in Knoxville with a Real Estate Agent [INFOGRAPHIC]

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It Pays to Sell with a Real Estate Agent [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

  • Today, it’s more important than ever to have an expert you trust to guide you as you sell your house in Knoxville.
  • From your safety throughout the process to the complexity of negotiating the deal, you need a professional on your side.
  • Before you decide to take on the challenge of selling your house in Knoxville on your own, let’s connect to discuss your options.

Call/Text me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates today at 865-999-0925 today!

Chances of Another Foreclosure Crisis in Knoxville? About 0%

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There seems to be some concern that the 2020 economic downturn will lead to another foreclosure crisis in Knoxville like the one we experienced after the housing crash a little over a decade ago. However, there’s one major difference this time: a robust forbearance program.

During the housing crash of 2006-2008, many felt homeowners should be forced to pay their mortgages despite the economic hardships they were experiencing. There was no empathy for the challenges those households were facing. In a 2009 Wall Street Journal article titled Is Walking Away From Your Mortgage Immoral?, John Courson, Chief Executive of the Mortgage Bankers Association, was asked to comment on those not paying their mortgage. He famously said:

“What about the message they will send to their family and their kids?”

Courson suggested that people unable to pay their mortgage were bad parents.

What resulted from that lack of empathy? Foreclosures mounted.

This time is different. There was an immediate understanding that homeowners were faced with a challenge that wasn’t of their own making. The government quickly jumped in with a mortgage forbearance program that relieved the financial burden placed on many households. The program allowed many borrowers to suspend their monthly mortgage payments until their economic condition improved. It was the right thing to do.

What happens when forbearance programs expire?

Some analysts are concerned many homeowners will not be able to make up the back payments once their forbearance plans expire. They’re concerned the situation will lead to an onslaught of foreclosures.

The banks and the government learned from the challenges the country experienced during the housing crash. They don’t want a surge of foreclosures again. For that reason, they’ve put in place alternative ways homeowners can pay back the money owed over an extended period of time.

Another major difference is that, unlike 2006-2008, today’s homeowners are sitting on a record amount of equity. That equity will enable them to sell their houses and walk away with cash instead of going through foreclosure.

Bottom Line

The differences mentioned above will be the reason we’ll avert a surge of foreclosures in Knoxville. As Ivy Zelman, a highly respected thought leader for housing and CEO of Zelman & Associates, said:

“The likelihood of us having a foreclosure crisis again is about zero percent.”

Have questions? Need to start the process of buying or selling a home? Call/Text me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates at 865-999-0925 today!

Chances of Another Foreclosure Crisis? “About Zero Percent.” | MyKCM

Homes for Sale in Knoxville Are Disappearing Rapidly

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Through all the challenges of 2020, the Knoxville real estate market has done very well, and purchasers are continuing to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates. Realtor Magazine just explained:

“While winter may be typically a slow season in real estate, economists predict it isn’t likely to happen this year…Low inventories combined with high demand due to record-low mortgage rates is sending buyers to the market in a flurry.”

However, one challenge for the housing industry heading into this winter is the dwindling number of homes available for sale. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), recently said:

“There is no shortage of hopeful, potential buyers, but inventory is historically low.”

In addition, Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, notes:

“Fewer new sellers coming to market while a greater than usual number of buyers continue to search for a home causes inventory to continue to evaporate.”

One major indicator the industry uses to measure housing supply is the months’ supply of inventory. According to NAR:

“Months’ supply refers to the number of months it would take for the current inventory of homes on the market to sell given the current sales pace.”

Historically, six months of supply is considered a normal real estate market. Going into the pandemic, inventory was already well below this mark. As the year progressed, the supply has was reduced even further. Here is a graph showing this measurement over the last year:Homes for Sale Are Rapidly Disappearing | MyKCM

What does this mean if you’re a buyer?

Be patient during your home search. It may take time to find a home you love. Once you do, be ready to move forward quickly. Get pre-approved for a mortgage, be prepared to make a competitive offer from the start, and understand how the shortage in inventory has led to more bidding wars. Calculate just how far you’re willing to go to secure a home if you truly love it.

What does this mean if you’re a seller?

Realize that, in some ways, you’re in the driver’s seat. When there’s a shortage of an item at the same time there’s a strong demand for it, the seller is in a good position to negotiate. Whether it’s the price, moving date, possible repairs, or anything else, you’ll be able to ask for more from a potential purchaser at a time like this – especially if you have multiple interested buyers. Do not be unreasonable, but understand you probably have the upper hand.

Bottom Line

The Knoxville housing market will remain strong throughout the winter and heading into the spring. Know what that means for you, whether you’re buying, selling, or doing both.

Have questions or need to get the process of buying or selling started? Call/Text me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates at 865-999-0925 today!

Why Working from Home in Knoxville May Spark Your Next Move

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If you’ve been working from home in Knoxville this year, chances are you’ve been at it a little longer than you initially expected. Businesses all over the country have figured out how to operate remotely to keep their employees healthy, safe, and productive. For many, it may be carrying into next year, and possibly beyond.

While the pandemic continues, Americans are re-evaluating their homes, floorplans, locations, needs, and more. Some need more space, while others need less. Whether you’re renting or own your home, if remote work is part of your future, you may be thinking about moving, especially while today’s mortgage rates are so low.

A recent study from Upwork notes:

“Anywhere from 14 to 23 million Americans are planning to move as a result of remote work.”

To put this into perspective, last year, 6 million homes were sold in the U.S. This means roughly 2 – 4X as many people are considering moving now, and there’s a direct connection to their ability to work from home.

The same study also notes while 45.3% of people are planning to stay within a 2-hour drive from their current location, 41.5% of the people who are citing working from home as their primary reason for making a move are willing to look for a home more than 4 hours away from where they live now (See graph below):Why Working from Home May Spark Your Next Move | MyKCMIn some cases, moving a little further away from your current location might mean you can get more home for your money. If you have the opportunity to work remotely, you may have more options available by expanding your search. Upwork also indicates, of those surveyed:

“People are seeking less expensive housing: Altogether, more than half (52.5%) are planning to move to a house that is significantly more affordable than their current home.”

Whether you can eliminate your daily commute to the office, or you simply need more space to work from home, your plans may be changing. If that’s the case, it’s time to connect with us to assess your evolving needs and determine your path together.

Bottom Line

This has been a year of change, and what you need in a home is no exception. Let’s connect today to make sure you have expert guidance on your side to help you find a home in Knoxville or beyond that fits your remote work needs.  Call/Text me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates at 865-999-0925 today!

Why Working from Home May Spark Your Next Move | MyKCM