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East Tennessee Real Estate & Neighborhood Source

Why This Summer Is the 2020 Real Estate Season in Knoxville

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With stay-at-home orders starting to gradually lift throughout parts of the country, data indicates homebuyers are jumping back into the market. After many families put their plans on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what we once called the busy spring real estate season is shifting into the summer. In 2020, summer is the new spring for real estate.

Joel Kan, Economist at The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) notes:

“Applications for home purchases continue to recover from April’s sizable drop and have now increased for five consecutive weeks…Government purchase applications, which include FHA, VA, and USDA loans, are now 5 percent higher than a year ago, which is an encouraging turnaround after the weakness seen over the past two months.”

Additionally, according to Google Trends, which scores search terms online, searches for real estate increased from 68 points the week of March 15th to 92 points last week. As we can see, more potential homebuyers are looking for homes virtually.

What’s the Opportunity for Home Buyers in Knoxville?

Another reason buyers are coming back to the market, even with forced unemployment and stay-at-home orders, is historically low mortgage rates. Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac indicates:

“For the fourth consecutive week, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has been below 3.30 percent, giving potential buyers a good reason to continue shopping even amid the pandemic…As states reopen, we’re seeing purchase demand improve remarkably fast, now essentially flat relative to a year ago.”

With mortgage rates at such low levels and states gradually beginning to reopen, there’s more incentive than ever to buy a home this summer.

What’s the Opportunity for Home Sellers in Knoxville?

Finding a home to buy, however, is still a challenge, as this spring sellers removed many listings from the market. Though more people are now putting their houses up for sale this month as compared to last month, current inventory is still well below last year’s level.

According to last week’s Weekly Economic and Housing Market Update from realtor.com:

“Weekly Housing Inventory showed continued tightening. New Listings declined 28% compared with a year ago, as sellers grappled with uncertainty and hesitated bringing homes to market. Total Listings dropped 20% YoY, a faster rate than in prior weeks, leaving very few homes available for sale. As Time on Market was 15 days slower YoY, asking prices moved up 1.5% YoY.”

If you’re thinking of selling your house this summer, now may be your best opportunity. With so few homes on the market for buyers to purchase, this season may be the time for your house to stand out from the crowd. Trusted real estate professionals can help you list safely and effectively, keeping your family’s needs top of mind. Buyers are looking, and your house may be at the top of their list.

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking of selling, many buyers may be eager to find a home just like yours. Let’s connect today to make sure you can get your house in on the action this summer.

Call/Text me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates today with any questions!

VIDEO TOUR: Take a walk through 216 Howard Street in Clinton, TN!

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SOLD! Adorable, meticulously maintained and updated Craftsman style home located at 216 Howard Street in Clinton, Tennessee on a large lush lot with storage shed and walk in workshop/storage below the home. Natural light streams into the sunroom where you enter the home and spills into the family room. Hardwood floors and tile adorn the floors throughout the main level which includes the sunroom, family room, formal dining room, kitchen, bath, laundry room and 2 bedrooms. Well lit kitchen features a large window over the double sink, plenty of counter space for cooking, and stove with microwave above. The updated full bath features a custom vanity and walk-in shower. Separate main level laundry room just off the kitchen. Up a quaint set of stairs you’ll find the 3rd bedroom and bonus room. Large deck overlooks the big yard. 100% LOAN ELIGIBLE! OFFERED AT $189,900. Call/Text Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates at 865-999-0925 today!

Interest Rates Hover Near Historic All-Time Lows [INFOGRAPHIC]

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Interest Rates Hover Near Historic All-Time Lows [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • Mortgage interest rates have dropped considerably this spring and are hovering at a historically low level.
  • Locking in at a low rate today could save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home loan.
  • Let’s connect to determine the best way to position yourself for a move in today’s market.

Call/Text me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates today!

6 Reasons Why Selling Your Knoxville Home on Your Own Is a Mistake

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There are many benefits to working with a real estate professional when selling your house in Knoxville. During challenging times like the one we face today, it becomes even more important to have an expert help guide you through the process. If you’re considering selling on your own, known in the industry as a For Sale By Owner or FSBO, please consider the following:

1. Your Safety Is a Priority

During this pandemic, your family’s safety comes first. When you FSBO, it is incredibly difficult to control entry into your home. A real estate professional will have the proper protocols in place to protect not only your belongings, but your family’s health and well-being too. From regulating the number of people in your home at one time to ensuring proper sanitization during and after a showing, and even facilitating virtual tours for buyers, agents are equipped to follow the latest industry standards recommended by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to help protect you and your family.

2. A Powerful Online Strategy Is a Must to Attract a Buyer

Recent studies have shown that, even before COVID-19, the first step 44% of all buyers took when looking for a home was to search online. Throughout the process, that number jumped to 93%. Today, those numbers have grown exponentially. Most real estate agents have developed a strong Internet and social media strategy to promote the sale of your house. Have you?

3. There Are Too Many Negotiations

Here are just a few of the people you’ll need to negotiate with if you decide to FSBO:

  • The buyer, who wants the best deal possible
  • The buyer’s agent, who solely represents the best interest of the buyer
  • The inspection companies, which work for the buyer and will almost always find challenges with the house
  • The appraiser, if there is a question of value

As part of their training, agents are taught how to negotiate every aspect of the real estate transaction and how to mediate the emotions felt by buyers looking to make what is probably the largest purchase of their lives.

4. You Won’t Know if Your Purchaser Is Qualified for a Mortgage

Having a buyer who wants to purchase your house is the first step. Making sure they can afford to buy it is just as important. As a FSBO, it’s almost impossible to be involved in the mortgage process of your buyer. A real estate professional is trained to ask the appropriate questions and, in most cases, will be intimately aware of the progress that’s being made toward a purchaser’s mortgage commitment.

Further complicating the situation is how the current mortgage market is rapidly evolving because of the number of families out of work and in mortgage forbearance. A loan program that was there yesterday could be gone tomorrow. You need someone who is working with lenders every day to guarantee your buyer makes it to the closing table.

5. FSBOing Has Become More Difficult from a Legal Standpoint

The documentation involved in the selling process has increased dramatically as more and more disclosures and regulations have become mandatory. In an increasingly litigious society, the agent acts as a third-party to help the seller avoid legal jeopardy. This is one of the major reasons why the percentage of people FSBOing has dropped from 19% to 8% over the last 20+ years.

6. You Net More Money When Using an Agent

Many homeowners believe they’ll save the real estate commission by selling on their own. Realize that the main reason buyers look at FSBOs is because they also believe they can save the real estate agent’s commission. The seller and buyer can’t both save the commission.

A study by Collateral Analytics revealed that FSBOs don’t actually save anything by forgoing the help of an agent. In some cases, the seller may even net less money from the sale. The study found the difference in price between a FSBO and an agent-listed home was an average of 6%. One of the main reasons for the price difference is effective exposure:

“Properties listed with a broker that is a member of the local MLS will be listed online with all other participating broker websites, marketing the home to a much larger buyer population. And those MLS properties generally offer compensation to agents who represent buyers, incentivizing them to show and sell the property and again potentially enlarging the buyer pool.”

The more buyers that view a home, the greater the chance a bidding war will take place.

Bottom Line

Listing on your own leaves you to manage the entire transaction yourself. Why do that when you can hire an agent in Knoxville and still net the same amount of money? Before you decide to take on the challenge of selling your house alone, let’s connect to discuss your options. Contact me, Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates today at 865-999-0925!

VIDEO TOUR: Take a walk through 1633 Hart Road in West Knoxville

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Adorable modern farmhouse feel in this highly sought after West Knoxville location in the Benington Subdivision. You’ll have trouble picking your favorite spot to spend time when you are enjoying your new home. Will you have your coffee on the covered front porch in the front, the screened porch or large deck in the back overlooking the oversized, fenced yard, or inside next to the wood-burning fireplace? It’s good to have choices! The main level also features an updated kitchen, new mudroom, and a main level bedroom with its own private bath, plus an additional 1/2 bath on the main level as well. Venture up the quaint staircase to find an updated master bedroom complete with a sliding barn door to the private bath plus 2 more bedrooms. There’s a storage shed out back for your mower and toys. Offered at $300,000. Contact Troy Stavros with CornerStone Realty Associates at 865-999-0925 for more information.

2020 Homeowner Wishlist (INFOGRAPHIC)

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2020 Homeowner Wish List [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • In a recent study by realtor.com, homeowners noted some of the main things they would change about their homes to make them more livable.
  • Not surprisingly, more space, an updated kitchen, and a home gym rose to the top of the list.
  • If you’re thinking of selling this year, having these items in your listing might make your house more desirable than ever to potential buyers.

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