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

January 10, 2024 By Troy Stavros

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!

Expert Forecasts on Mortgage Rates for 2022 and 2023

September 7, 2022 By Troy Stavros

If you’ve been thinking of buying a home in East Tennessee, you may have been watching what’s happened with mortgage rates over the past year. It’s true they’ve risen dramatically, but where will they go from here, especially as the market continues to slow?

As you think about your homeownership goals and decide if now’s the time to make your move, the best place to turn to for that information is the professionals. Here’s a summary of the latest mortgage rate forecasts from housing market experts.

Experts Project Mortgage Rates Will Stabilize

While mortgage rates continue to fluctuate due to ongoing inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty, experts project they’ll start to stabilize in the months ahead. According to the latest projections, mortgage rates are expected to hover in the low to mid 5% range initially, and then potentially dip into the high 4% range by later next year (see chart below):

Expert Forecasts on Mortgage Rates | MyKCM

That could bring you some welcome relief. So far this year, mortgage rates have climbed over two percentage points due to the Federal Reserve’s response to inflation, and that’s made it more expensive to buy a home. And wondering if the rise in rates will continue is keeping some prospective buyers on the sidelines.

But now that experts say mortgage rates should stabilize, this gives you a bit more certainty about what they think the future holds, and that may help you feel more confident about your decision to buy a home.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re looking to buy your first home in East Tennessee, move up to a larger home, or even downsize, you need to know what’s happening in the East Tennessee housing market so you can make the most informed decision possible. Let’s connect to discuss your goals and determine the best plan for your move.

Have questions or want to talk about buying or selling a property in East Tennessee? Contact the Troy Stavros TEAM today at 865-999-0925. We look forward to serving you!

East Tennessee Homebuyers: Be Ready To Act This Winter

December 21, 2021 By Troy Stavros

To succeed as a buyer in today’s East Tennessee market, it’s important to understand which market trends will have the greatest impact on your home search. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, says there are two factors every buyer should keep their eyes on:

“Going forward, the conditions buyers face are primarily dependent on two things: mortgage rates and housing supply.”

Here’s a look at each one.

Mortgage Rates Projected To Rise in 2022

As a buyer, your interest rate directly impacts how much you’ll pay on your monthly mortgage when you purchase a home in East Tennessee. Rates are beginning to rise, and experts forecast they’ll continue going up in 2022 (see graph below): As the graph shows, mortgage rates are expected to climb next year. But they’re still low when you compare to where they were just a few years ago. That presents today’s buyers with some motivation to lock in a low mortgage rate before they climb higher.

More Homes Are Expected To Be Available This Season in East Tennessee

The other market condition buyers need to monitor is the number of homes available for sale today in East Tennessee. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the current supply of inventory sits at just 2.4 months. To put that into perspective, a 6-month supply is ideal for a balanced market where there are enough homes to meet buyer demand.

However, there may be good news for buyers in East Tennessee who are waiting for more options. A recent realtor.com survey shows more sellers are planning to list their homes this winter, meaning more choices will likely be available soon.

What Does That Mean for You?

Even if your options improve some this season, it won’t significantly shift market conditions overnight. According to NAR, MANY more listings need to be available to move closer to a more neutral market:

“Given the average monthly demand . . . , 3.55 million homes should be on the market to meet a level of inventory equal to six months of demand, implying a shortage of homes for sale of 2.24 million.”

So remember, even with more homes expected to come to market this season, competition among buyers in East Tennessee will remain fierce as there still won’t be enough homes for sale to meet the current demand. That means you’ll need to act quickly when you’re ready to make an offer.

Bottom Line

If you’re planning on buying a home in East Tennessee this winter, more options are welcome news, but it doesn’t mean you should slow down. Let’s connect today so you have an expert on your side to help act as quickly as possible when the right home for you hits the market.

How Smart Knoxville Home Buyers Are Approaching Rising Mortgage Rates

November 29, 2021 By Troy Stavros

How Smart Buyers Are Approaching Rising Mortgage Rates | MyKCM

Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022:

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2021. We forecast mortgage rates to increase slightly through the remainder of the year and reach 3.0%, rising to 3.5% for full year 2022.”

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Knoxville, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can succeed even as mortgage rates rise.

Taking Time Off Can Be Costly

Mortgage rates play a significant role in your home search. As rates go up, your monthly mortgage payment increases if you’re buying a home, directly affecting how much you can afford. And even the smallest increase can have a large impact on your monthly payment (see chart below): With mortgage rates on the rise, you’ve likely seen your purchasing power in East Tennessee impacted already. Instead of waiting and hoping rates will fall, today’s rates should motivate you to purchase a home in Knoxville now before rates increase more.

Smart Buyers Can Succeed by Planning Ahead

You can use your newfound motivation to energize your Knoxville home search and plan your next steps accordingly so you’re prepared to act no matter what happens with mortgage rates. One way to do that: take rising rates into consideration as part of your budget.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, puts it best, saying:

“Smart buyers should consider calculating a monthly payment not only at today’s rates, but also at rates that are a bit higher so that they won’t be derailed by a sudden upward move. . . .”

You should also be ready to act when you find the home in Knoxville that meets your needs. That means getting pre-approved with a lender so there won’t be any delays when the time arrives.

The best way to prepare is to work with a trusted real estate advisor now. An agent can connect you with a lender, help you adjust your search based on your budget, and be ready to act quickly when it’s time to make an offer.

Bottom Line

Serious buyers in Knoxville should approach rising rates as a motivating factor to buy sooner, not a reason to wait. Waiting will cost you more in the long run. Let’s connect today so you can better understand your budget and be prepared to buy your East Tennessee home even before rates climb higher.

Contact the Troy Stavros TEAM at CornerStone Realty Associates today at 865-999-0925.

Knoxville Home Sellers Are in a Sweet Spot [INFOGRAPHIC]

August 16, 2021 By Troy Stavros

Sellers Are in a Sweet Spot [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

In today’s sellers’ market, you’re set up to win big when you list your house in Knoxville.
That’s because Knoxville homes are selling fast, receiving 4.4 offers on average and often selling above the asking price. Then, when you buy your next home, you’ll also win by addressing your changing needs and taking advantage of near historic-low mortgage rates.
If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect so you can capitalize on today’s market and find your next dream home. Contact me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates today at 865-999-0925. My team and I look forward to serving you!

Why Not to Wait Until Spring to Sell Your Home and Make A Move in Knoxville

January 22, 2021 By Troy Stavros

The housing market recovery coming into the new year has been nothing short of remarkable. Many experts agree the turnaround from the nation’s economic pause is playing out extremely well for real estate, and the current market conditions are truly making this winter an ideal time to sell and make a move. Here’s a dive into some of the biggest wins for homebuyers this season.

1. Mortgage Rates Are Historically Low

In 2020, mortgage rates hit all-time lows 16 times. Continued low rates have set buyers up for significant long-term gains. In fact, realtor.com notes:

“Given this means homes could cost potentially tens of thousands less over the lifetime of the loan.”

Essentially, it’s less expensive to borrow money for a home loan today than it has been in years past. Although mortgage rates are expected to remain relatively low in 2021, even the slightest increase can make a big difference in your payments over the lifetime of a home loan. So, this is a huge opportunity to capitalize on right now before mortgage rates start to rise.

2. Equity Is Growing

According to John Burns Consulting, 58.7% of homes in the U.S. have at least 60% equity, and 42.1% of all homes in this country are mortgage-free, meaning they’re owned free and clear.

In addition, CoreLogic notes the average equity homeowners gained since last year is $17,000. That’s a tremendous amount of forced savings for Knoxville homeowners, and an opportunity to use this increasing equity to make a move into a home that fits your changing needs this season.

3. Home Prices Are Appreciating

According to leading experts, home prices in Knoxville are forecasted to continue appreciating. Today, many experts are projecting more moderate home price growth than last year, but still moving in an upward direction through 2021.

Knowing home values are increasing while mortgage rates are so low should help you feel confident that buying a home now, before prices rise even higher is a strong long-term investment.

4. There Are Not Enough Homes for Sale

With today’s low inventory of homes on the market in Knoxville, which is contributing to this home price appreciation, sellers are in the driver’s seat. The competition is high among buyers, so homes in Knoxville are selling quickly.

Making a move while so many buyers are looking for homes to purchase may mean your house rises to the top of the buyer pool. Selling your house before more listings come to the market in the traditionally busy spring market might be your best chance to shine.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering making a move, this may be your moment, especially with today’s low mortgage rates and limited inventory. Let’s connect to get you set up for homebuying success in the new year.

Call/Text me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates at 865-999-0925 today with any questions or to get the process started!