865 Real Estate

East Tennessee Real Estate & Neighborhood Source

Stunning Farragut Dream Pool Home with Backyard Oasis in Rockwell Farm!

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Welcome to your dream home, perfectly nestled in the heart of sought-after Farragut, TN. Located at 436 Rockwell Farm Lane, Knoxville, Tennessee, this beautiful 2-story residence offers 4 spacious bedrooms and a large bonus room that easily serves as a 5th bedroom, providing the perfect mix of comfort and flexibility. With 2.5 elegantly updated bathrooms, this home exudes modern charm. Step inside to an inviting open floor plan, where the family room’s cozy fireplace is framed by custom built-ins, creating an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation. Hardwood floors grace most of the main level, leading to a kitchen with ample counter space, and an eat-in nook perfect for casual meals. For those who need space to work from home, the main level includes a large dedicated office, and when it’s time to entertain, the formal dining room is the ideal setting. Take advantage of both front and rear staircases for easy access to the second floor. The backyard is an outdoor oasis. Imagine cooler evenings by the firepit, or summer days spent in the refreshing inground gunite pool, or hosting gatherings or eating alfresco on the spacious patio, with plenty of grassy areas left for play and relaxation. Recent updates include brand-new HVAC units installed in July 2024, ensuring year-round comfort. The extra-large driveway and 2-car garage offer ample parking and storage space. Zoned for all Farragut schools, this home is just minutes from shopping, dining, golf courses, and the lake. Downtown Knoxville is a quick 25-minute drive, and the majestic Smoky Mountains are only 45 minutes away. Have questions? Want to schedule a tour? Need to your your home sold or help finding a home? Contact Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates at 865-999-0925 today.

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!

Year Over Year Change in Rent Prices in Tennessee’s Biggest Cities

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The latest insights from Rentometer.com reveal that the average rent for three-bedroom single-family rentals (SFRs) in Knoxville hit $2,235 in Q3 2023, marking a 3% increase from last year. In contrast, a 3-BR apartment averaged $1,799 during the same period. Notably, Knoxville leads the five largest Tennessee cities with the largest year-over-year rent increase for single-family units!

The trend highlights Knoxville’s growing appeal and rising housing costs, especially when compared to other cities. For instance, renting a single-family home in Nashville used to be 23% more expensive than in Knoxville in Q2 2022; now, that gap has narrowed to 17%. Meanwhile, Chattanooga’s rental prices are now 12% cheaper than Knoxville’s, a notable increase from 7% last year.

U.S. Average 30-Year Mortgage Rates and the Outlook for 2024

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As a real estate professional, it’s important to understand the dynamics of mortgage rates and their impact on the housing market. This year, we’ve witnessed U.S. mortgage rates soar to their highest since 2001, culminating in a significant quarter-point increase from last year, even jumping over 8% in October. This uptick has directly contributed to one of the lowest home sales records in history, as higher borrowing costs have deterred many potential buyers.

However, there’s a silver lining. The rates have seen a decrease of over one percent from the highs of late October. This downward trend as well as recent news from the Fed indicates a potential easing of mortgage rates in 2024. As rates become more favorable, borrowing becomes less expensive, thus encouraging home buying. This expected shift can revitalize the housing market by increasing demand, stabilizing prices, increasing affordability and encouraging a resurgence in home sales. In essence, while 2023 has been challenging due to high mortgage rates, the anticipated fall in rates in 2024 is likely to bolster the housing market, providing a more favorable environment for buyers and sellers alike.

Understanding Real Estate Affordability at the End of 2023 in Knoxville TN and beyond: A Deep Dive

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As 2023 draws to a close, the real estate market continues to be a hot topic, especially concerning affordability. Troy Stavros has recently shed light on the current state of affordability in the real estate market, referencing a comprehensive Redfin research article. This blog post delves into the key points from that discussion, providing insights into where we stand, how we got here, and what the future may hold for prospective homeowners.

Affordability Crisis in 2023:

The year 2023 has been particularly challenging for homebuyers. According to the Redfin research highlighted by Stavros, only 15.5 percent of homes were affordable for the typical U.S. household — the lowest share on record. This stark decline in affordability is a significant drop from 20.7 percent in 2022 and over 40 percent before the pandemic-induced home-buying boom. The factors contributing to this downturn include soaring home prices, elevated mortgage rates, and a general tightening of the housing market.

The Research’s Premise:

The Redfin article digs into the affordability of homes across the 97 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas. It defines an affordable listing as one where the estimated monthly mortgage payment is less than 30 percent of the local county’s median household income. This metric is a standard guideline for housing affordability and reflects the financial strain many families face in the current market.

Spotlight on Metropolitan Areas:

Stavros highlights the significant disparities in affordability across different areas, with a special focus on Tennessee cities like Nashville and Knoxville. For instance, Nashville saw a mere 3.4 percent of homes deemed affordable in 2023, a dramatic decrease from 8.8 percent in 2022. Knoxville experienced similar trends where they saw a 10.7 percent of homes deemed affordable in 2023, a dramatic decrease from 22.7 percent in 2022.. These figures illustrate the severe affordability issues plaguing not just these cities but many metropolitan areas across the country.

Looking Ahead:

Despite the grim current state of affordability, there is a glimmer of hope. Discussions around potential federal interest rate reductions in 2024 could lead to lower mortgage rates, possibly increasing the share of affordable homes. This prospect offers some solace to those struggling to find affordable housing in today’s market.

Conclusion:

The current state of real estate affordability is undeniably challenging, with 2023 marking a record low in accessible housing options for many Americans. However, understanding these trends is crucial for navigating the market effectively. As we look forward to potential economic shifts and policy changes, staying informed and prepared is key to capitalizing on future opportunities in the real estate market.

Have questions? Want to talk about your specific situation? Contact Troy Stavros with Cornerstone Realty Associates at 865-977-9700 or text him at 865-999-0925 today. We look forward to serving you!

JUNE 2023 Knoxville Real Estate Market Update: Rising Rents, Home Prices, and Mortgage Rates

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Welcome to the Knoxville Real Estate Report! In this video, we’ll dive into the latest trends and insights shaping the housing market in our beautiful city.

First, let’s talk about apartment rents. Over the past year, Knoxville has seen a remarkable increase of 9.2% in apartment rents, outpacing the national average growth of 2.3%. This means that finding a place to rent in Knoxville has become more competitive, and prices are on the rise.

In June, the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates steady after a string of ten consecutive rate increases. However, officials hinted that future rate hikes may be necessary next month if inflation doesn’t continue to decrease. This decision has implications for the housing market, as higher interest rates can impact the affordability of homes and influence buyer behavior.

Speaking of the housing market, East Tennessee has experienced a notable increase in housing inventory throughout June. However, the number of homes listed for sale remains approximately 60% lower than pre-pandemic levels. This shortage of available homes contributes to the high prices and rents we are currently seeing in the region.

The recently released “The State of the Nation’s Housing 2023” report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies confirms that home prices and rents remain high in East Tennessee. With higher interest rates locking homeowners in place and slowing construction, the market faces challenges in meeting the demand for affordable housing.

Home sales in Knoxville saw a boost in May, partly due to a temporary decline in mortgage rates the previous month. Buyers in today’s market are highly sensitive to mortgage rates, and their fluctuations can impact home sales in the coming months. Additionally, the lack of inventory and new listings has intensified competition, especially for homes priced under $400,000.

In summary, while market activity has somewhat normalized, the housing market in Knoxville is still far from ordinary. Higher mortgage rates and historically low inventory levels create a dynamic that is unfamiliar territory for many. Although the situation may seem unsustainable, data suggests that these market conditions are likely here to stay.

Looking at housing inventory, we observed a modest increase over the past month, which is typical for this time of year. Active listings in June were up around 20% compared to the previous year. However, inventory levels remain well below pre-pandemic averages across all counties in the East Tennessee region. Although most counties experienced month-over-month increases in inventory, the growth was relatively subdued compared to historical trends.

Now, let’s talk about mortgage rates. Currently, rates are just over one percentage point higher than they were a year ago, resulting in a 20% increase in the required monthly payment for the median-priced listing. These higher rates have led many homeowners to hold off on selling their homes and moving, contributing to the low inventory we’re seeing in the market. As a result, prospective buyers are increasingly turning to the new-home market.

Looking ahead, the outlook for mortgage rates remains uncertain. Despite the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause rate hikes in June, there is a possibility that rates will resume their upward trend in the near future. With inflation still above the Fed’s target, it’s likely that rate increases will be on the horizon. As a result, mortgage rates are expected to hover around 6.5% throughout the summer months.

In Knoxville, only a small percentage of homes listed for sale have a lower estimated monthly payment compared to a year ago. This indicates that while home price growth has slowed, it remains positive, and lower monthly payments are limited to a few listings at the top end of the market. That wraps up our Knoxville Real Estate Report. Stay tuned for more updates on the local housing market. If you found this information valuable, be sure to like this video and subscribe to our channel for future updates. Thanks for watching!

Have questions? Need a market analysis on a particular part of town or home? Need help buying or selling a home in East Tennessee? Contact Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates at 865-999-0925 today!