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Living In Downtown Knoxville

An urban lifestyle in Downtown Knoxville

Have you been considering a more urban lifestyle? Downtown Knoxville is experiencing huge growth right now, making it an ideal time to buy downtown. New construction options, along with historic staples of the Downtown Knoxville area, provide many different living options to fit your needs and budget. Here are some of the hottest condominium communities in the Downtown Knoxville area right now:

Regas Square

Regas Square is a new, $40 million dollar mixed-use development at the end of Gay St that is “built to offer you the style of living you want. Atmosphere, amenities, proximity, all in a neighborhood setting that allows you to play or just relax.” Residences are located on the second through sixth floors with one, two, and three-bedroom options. It also includes 20,700 square feet of restaurant, entertainment, and retail space on the street level.

The Residences At The Tennessean

Perfectly situated alongside the city center’s largest public greenspace at World’s Fair Park, The Residences at The Tennessean offers 12 discerning buyers an unrivaled opportunity in vibrant downtown Knoxville. This limited collection of personal luxury residences redefines the city’s standard of urban living, with contemporary style and superior finishes.

The Candy Factory

Sitting on World’s Fair Park Drive, this historical five-story brick structure was built circa 1916. It was home to the successful candy manufacturers, South, Littlefield & Steere Company until the business closed in 1933 and moved to Clinch Avenue. The building was renovated in 2007 is now a $10 million mixed-use development, sitting adjacent to the Waters of the World water feature and the Knoxville Museum of Art. The building includes ground-floor retail with 47 contemporary residential condominiums that are some of the most affordable in Downtown Knoxville.

The Holston

Luxury living in the heart of Downtown! The Holston is a historic, one-of-a-kind landmark that touts itself as having stunning residences with extraordinary views. The building has been converted into 42 luxury condominiums and sits right along Gay Street. One, two, and three-bedroom floor plans are available, with all units boasting an abundant amount of windows with unobstructed views of Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains.

Visit downtownknoxville.org to stay current on upcoming events, places to eat, shopping, and what’s new in the Downtown Knoxville area. Interested in browsing what’s for sale downtown? Check out the latest listings in downtown Knoxville!

5 Reasons Why Living in Knoxville ROCKS!

This list could go on forever, but here are some of our favorites…

#1: Affordable Living

The cost of living in Knoxville is low compared to other parts of the country. In fact, Knoxville just ranked #8 on Realtor.com’s list of the 10 Best Affordable Small and Midsize Cities to Live In 2018. Simply put, you’ll be able to enjoy a higher quality of life for much less money than you would in other cities and states. That means more opportunities for travel, housing upgrades, and much more.

#2: Outdoor Activities

Knoxville’s proximity to areas such as Big South Fork National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park allow for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, breathtaking views, unique wildlife, and many other fun activities. Our next blog will cover in more detail some of our favorite places to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air in the area. Until then, check out our list of 6 state and national parks close to Knoxville.

#3: Tennessee Sports Culture

The sports scene is alive and well in Knoxville. US News & World Report points out that sports enthusiasts will enjoy cheering on the Tennessee Smokies (AA affiliate for the Chicago Cubs), the Knoxville Ice Bears professional hockey team and the very popular SEC-affiliated University of Tennessee Volunteers. You’ll find our tailgating tips helpful once football season rolls around again!

#4: Moderate Climate, Minimal Snow

This is a selling point that anyone in New England or the Midwest will appreciate. Sperling’s Best Places offers a nice snapshot of the overall climate and weather in Knoxville. To sum it all up, on average there’s less rain and far less snow in Knoxville than in other parts of the country, and an average of 204 sunny days per year. The July high temperature is around 87 degrees, and the January low is 28 degrees on average. Not too shabby when you consider the Arctic Winter experienced in many parts of the country last year!

#5: History, Dining, and Culture

Knoxville boasts a rich history and cultural scene. It’s fun to explore how Knoxville got to where it is today at one of 20 local museums, numerous performing arts venues, and historic neighborhoods. Local restaurants and breweries offer plenty of options for residents and visitors of all ages! Downtown Knoxville’s Market Square is one of our favorite places to enjoy a good meal and take in a night on the town. You’ll also love the local events offered in Knoxville, particularly in the springtime. Click here to discover 14 East Tennessee spring festivals to check out in 2018.

Sidenote: Local Love

Have you searched the #KnoxRocks tag on Instagram? It’s a fun way to get a visual perspective on why we all like to call Knoxville “home.” We also recommend connecting with local bloggers to stay updated on the latest local happenings. Here are a few of our favorites:

Knoxville Moms Blog

Visit Knoxville Blog

Knox Foodie

Investment Property Tips

Buying investment property: What you need to know!

Follow these tips to find the right investment property…

We firmly believe that real estate is one оf the best ways to build your wеаlth. Aside from helping to diversify your investment portfolio, most investors tend to have more control over their returns from real estate than from other investment types. If handled соrrесtlу, thе right dеаl саn a yield huge return on your investment. That said, before buуіng any investment рrореrtу, fоllоw thеѕе tips to hеlр уоu gеt ѕtаrtеd.

Be Prepared

It is important to have your financing and/or available funds in place BEFORE you start looking to purchase an investment property. If the right property hits the market, you want to be able to jump on it immediately. To be a successful real estate investor, you should get pre-qualified for an investment property loan through your bank and have a separate account with your investment funds before making any purchases.

Set Realistic Goals

Another key step to making smart real estate investments is making sure you know exactly what your long-term plans will be. Are you planning to buy the property, renovate it, then sell it (a flip)? Do you plan to hold onto the property and rent it? Do you have sufficient funds to complete the renovations and repairs on the property you’re looking to buy? These are all questions you should answer BEFORE making any offers.

Do the Research

Rеѕеаrсh іѕ еѕѕеntіаl whеn buуіng investment рrореrtу. You need to have a solid grasp on the local real estate market conditions, current comparable home values and rental rates in the locations you want to invest in. This is the step that will determine how much profit/return you’ll make from your investments.

PRO TIP: It is generally NOT a good idea to purchase an investment property in your own name. You’ll want to consult with a qualified attorney to set up a special type of legal entity (LLC or Corporation) to hold your real estate investments to lessen the risk to your personal assets and provide you with certain tax benefits.

Establish a Budget

Make a budget to see if you can actually afford the risks associated with the investment while still maintaining your current quality of life. Prepare to have a large down payment (typically 15% to 25% of the purchase price) and a good credit score. If you are buying a property that you plan to rent, be sure you have the available funds to cover the mortgage payment and upkeep while the property is vacant.

You also need to put together a project budget for each investment property you want to buy! Start by determining how much you want to make from either the sale of the property or from the rent received each month. You’ll then need to accurately determine the various costs involved for renovations, routine maintenance, taxes, insurance, utilities and loan interest. We always recommend having a competent contractor give you an estimate for the scope of work BEFORE you make an offer on any investment property. Once you’re confident in your budget, then you can make a smart decision on whether to move forward with purchasing the investment property. Don’t forget to build in at least 10% for unforeseen costs within your budgets!

Call The Experts

HMG can help make sure the investment properties you buy are the right ones. We have extensive experience working with real estate investors. We can also provide you with first-hand knowledge of our own real estate investment projects to ensure you’re maximizing your returns. Send us a message or call us at (833) HMG-SOLD to set up a consultation!

Home Staging Tips To Help Sell Your Home

Maximize the appeal of your home…

What is Home Staging?

Home staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money. –Wikipedia

Home staging, when done correctly, is a valuable tool that can lead to more money in your pocket at the closing table. Whether you do it yourself or hire a home staging company, you absolutely MUST invest some time (and possibly money) into staging your home for sale. Trust us, you’ll be happy with the outcome!

Should I Hire a Professional Home Stager?

There are definite benefits to hiring a professional to help stage your home. Aside from making your home look better in photographs and open houses/showings, the return on this investment will be seen in the price that your home commands when the offers start coming in. Here are a few reasons why you should consider a home staging consultant or company:

Perspective – A professional does not have the same personal attachment to your belongings and furniture and will be able to create a clear and defined “look” that is more attractive to buyers and less personalized to your taste. The goal will be to create a look that speaks to your home as a whole, not just one room at a time.

Experience – Reputable home stagers are very good at their jobs and have most likely done it for a long time. Not only do they know exactly what to do, but they will also be able to get your home ready to bring buyers in faster than you’d expect. The home stager’s expertise in traffic/crowd flow and design fundamentals lend themselves to success when attempting to get top-dollar.

Resources – A professional home stager will know exactly what they need to improve your space, and exactly where to get it. From furnishings to art, an expert stager will acquire everything needed to make their vision a reality and get positive feedback from potential home buyers.

DIY Home Staging – Where to Begin?

Contrary to popular belief, home staging does not require a huge investment but it will take some time if you’re doing it yourself. These simple tips can be very helpful to get your home market-ready:

Clean & De-clutter – This tends to go without saying. Perform a deep cleaning of your home that includes the insides of cabinets and closets and all those corners you tend to ignore. Put personal items away in storage boxes and try to maintain a neutral look that isn’t overly tied into your personal tastes.

Make it Cozy – Home staging is successful when potential buyers can already envision themselves living in the space. Set the table, bake some cookies, and place fresh flowers around the home to give it a warm, happy atmosphere. Be sure that lighting around the home is adequate and always open the blinds/curtains for showings. A clean and well-lit home that smells nice is always more appealing than the alternative.

Furniture and Walls – Move furniture away from the walls to make each room appear larger. Consult the web if you need some inspiration! Opening the space will help the flow through your home and make it seem less “boxed-in.” A new coat of paint is also not a bad idea, keeping in mind that neutral colors always work best.

HMG works with some great local home stagers, so hen you’re ready to sell your Knoxville-area home, contact us so we can help you get started on the path to home selling success!

Pricing Your Home Correctly: Why It Matters

How much should you ask for your home?

Pricing a home correctly is the main factor that determines how fast and how much money it will sell for. Of course one wants to get the full value for their home, but overpricing it can have unintended consequences. The first step to getting the best price is to determine your home’s value by taking the following factors into consideration:

Your home’s value may depend on the recent sales prices and current list prices of comparable homes in your area. After reviewing these prices, your price can be properly adjusted according to current market trends and the specifics of your home (ex. square footage, bedroom count, age, certain improvements).
Buyers tend to look in the price range determined by their monthly budget. They’re are often very knowledgeable about the homes in their price range and purchase one by comparison. Above market asking prices tend to be an immediate turnoff and will turn away most buyers.
Inviting a potential buyer to make an offer shows that you are willing to negotiate. However, if your asking price is too high, then the buyer may not see the point in even making an offer and move on to another property.
It’s necessary to offer pricing, terms and conditions that are competitive in your market. This will help you sell faster and for more money.

Accurate pricing sells homes faster and for more money

If your home is priced below market value it will generally sell faster. However, leaving money on the table doesn’t usually sit well with most sellers.

Pricing your home too high typically results in far less showings, and most of those do not generate offers. It also results in a lower sales price when the house finally does sell. According to extensive research done by Keller Williams Realty International, homes that required 1 or more price reductions sold for less money than homes that required no price reductions! For example, homes that required 3 price reductions sold for 88% of the original list price and took, on average, 146 days to sell. Homes that required no price reductions sold for 99% of their original list price and took, on average, 40 days to sell.

The conclusion? Pricing a home correctly from the start ensures that your home will sell in the shortest time possible and for the best possible price. Sounds great, right?!

Selling your Knoxville area home for the highest possible price

The Holli McCray Group consistently sells homes faster and for more money because we know how to properly price our listings. Our honest and accurate approach to pricing homes in the Knoxville area provides our clients with a solid understand of what their property is truly worth in today’s market. We have a team of experts who have provided values for hundreds of properties in our area using the most accurate and relevant data, so you can feel confident in our home value opinions. We offer no-obligation home valuations, so you find out your home’s current value even if you don’t plan on selling it right now.

Learn more about selling your home in Knoxville, TN and contact us when you’re ready to sell. Curious about your home’s value? CLICK HERE for a general idea of what your Knoxville area home is worth.

7 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Value On A Budget

7 Home Improvement Ideas Under $1,000

Implementing one or more of these affordable upgrades can help increase your home’s value…

1. Install programmable thermostats

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating your home accounts for more than 40% of its total energy usage. Adding programmable thermostats help to maintain a consistent temperature in your home to avoid costly highs and lows. Remember to drop the temperature inside your home by a few degrees while sleeping or when you’re out of town. This strategy can lead to huge monthly savings. The long-term savings in utility costs will be also appealing to potential buyers when your house is on the market.

2. Updated fixtures

It’s amazing how much a new fixture can breathe new life into any space. Both your kitchen and bathrooms will benefit from items such as new drawer and cabinet handles. When new cabinets for the kitchen aren’t an option for your budget, new hardware and possibly fresh cabinet paint are simple (and affordable) ways to update the overall look of the room. Other items such as faucets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, and doorknobs also help create a fresh new look for a home. Just make sure the new fixtures you install match and are the same style throughout…

3. New tile floors

Bathroom a bit “blah?” Install a brand new tile floor to breathe life into the space for an instant upgrade. Tile is easy to clean, low maintenance and also resists germs as well as allergens. Tile is also ideal for high-traffic areas both in the bathroom and throughout the home. There are thousands of tile options out there that can fit almost any budget. If you’ve never installed tile before, we recommend a professional tile installation contractor, so please let us know if we can refer one to you.

4. Replace old toilets

The overall visual appeal of your bathroom can be enhanced by simply replacing an old, cracked, or outdated toilet. It only costs a few hundred dollars to purchase a new one, and the impact will be worth every penny. Also, many newer toilets use less water than older ones, which will help to reduce your water bill.

5. Updated window treatments

New window coverings are an easy way to enhance a room. We love the look of plantation shutters and upgraded blinds! We recommend the faux wood blinds, not only because they are cheaper than traditional wood blinds, but because they tend to last a lot longer. Standard width windows are easy to shop for, so check any large home improvement store for basic blinds (most allow you to customize the length right in the store). For custom or irregular windows, odds are you’re looking at a special order situation. If your budget allows, definitely consider plantation shutters for that upscale vibe — they can be a major selling point when it comes time to sell…

6. Replace the front door

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Curb appeal is everything, and the front door is one of the first things a potential buyer will see! It’s also the outdoor focal point of your entryway. Give your home a facelift and replace (or re-paint) the front door. Keep in mind practicality and safety when choosing a door, and don’t skimp on the hardware.

7. Create a walkway

There are many options when it comes to adding a new walkway path leading to the front door of your home, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Brick pavers add a classic look to the exterior of your home, but depending on your budget you may also consider stone, concrete, or even rocks. Just make sure the walkway falls within the overall style of your home. You only have one chance to make a first impression! It can be easily elevated when walking up a pretty new pathway to the front door.

Have you recently made budget-friendly improvements to your home? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below! When you’re ready to sell your home in the Greater Knoxville area, reach out to our team of experts and let us know. We’ll be glad to come out and provide some ideas to help get your house ready to put on the market…

Throw A Flawless Event At Your Home

Curate to Your Crowd. Give Them What They Want…

These 4 tips for throwing a great party in your home will make sure your guests are comfortable and having fun…

It’s time to celebrate! Whether it’s a housewarming party with friends and new neighbors in your new home, a family event, birthday party or summer barbecue, keep your guests and your goals in mind when you’re planning. Knowing your “audience” when hosting a party is crucial. Remember–the party isn’t always about you (unless of course, it is, in which case you should share this link with someone planning it!).

CLEAN & NEAT

Cleaning your home is obvious when hosting a party, but don’t skimp on the details. Make sure everything from your landscaping to your toilets are spotless before the first guests make an appearance. Short on time? Consider a cleaning company to come in and handle the big stuff so you can focus on the event.

FOOD & DRINKS

If you wine and dine them they will come! Anticipating dietary restrictions and allergies when planning your menu can save you from awkward apologies and hungry guests on the day of your party. Always order or prepare more food than you think you will need. Give your guests what they want and don’t forget the non-alcoholic beverages! Remember, not everyone partakes in the drinking of adult beverages. For most adult parties, a 70/30 split of alcoholic to non-alcoholic beverages is a healthy balance. Those non-alcoholic drinks can also serve as mixers for your guests’ cocktails.

If you want to do a cocktail party theme, keep it traditional with finger food options. If a self-serve buffet is more your style, then make sure you have enough space to set all of the food out and plenty of room for guests to sit and eat. If you can’t, don’t want to or don’t have time to cook, then hire a caterer to put together a spread that fits within your budget for the event.

ENTERTAINMENT

From a specific music playlist, a night of fun board games, or even an adult-themed pinata, you will want to give your party-goers something to do that will keep the vibe warm and fun. You want your guests to have an opportunity to “break the ice” with each other, especially in larger settings most people don’t know each other. Try and keep the flow of people spread out, so all your guest are not concentrated into one area to help encourage people to mingle.

PRO TIP: Casino parties are one of the best ways to get a larger diverse group of people to mingle with each other. Guests can play for prizes. Most cities have companies that will bring in the tables and dealers for you.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Is there a theme to your event? Try to stay true to the concept from top-to-bottom, so you can enhance the guest experience. Let’s say you’re throwing a housewarming party. It could be fun to have a keepsake for your guests to sign. You may also consider a small takeaway or party favor so your guests will remember the event for a long time.

Setting-up an Instagram-style frame and displaying a party hashtag will encourage your friends to get social and will help get people taking pics in case you don’t have time. Renting a photo booth with props such as mustaches and party hats can also add to the party atmosphere.

And don’t forget to enjoy the party alongside your friends and family!!

6 Tips For Choosing The Right Neighborhood

Choosing the right neighborhood for YOU!

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 of 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, 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.

Are The Neighbors Affecting The Sale Of Your Home?

Your neighbors can sometimes make or break a deal on your home…

It’s official! The “for sale” sign has been placed in your front yard and you’re ready for showings to start. You’ve taken all the steps to get your home “market-ready” and it’s looking great. Curb appeal? Check! Repairs and new paint? Check! But wait—there may be one factor that you haven’t considered: The neighbors….. The way your neighbors behave could have a serious impact on your home sale. Why? Buyers know that once they purchase, your neighbors become their neighbors. If you didn’t already address any potential neighbor situations before you put your home on the market, it’s time to assess the situation and take the appropriate actions if needed.

Ways Neighbors Can Sabotage Your Home Sale

No one wants to live next to a noisy neighbor. If you have a neighbor that is always playing loud music, hosting parties, and causing a nuisance, you could have a serious issue at hand. Buyers can be very responsive to this, and that type of behavior could chase them away. It’s not uncommon for potential buyers to drive by on evenings and weekends to see what the neighborhood vibe is like at different times.

Neighbors with a messy or poorly maintained yard can also cause distress to potential buyers. Nobody wants to live next door to a home with overgrown landscaping and weeds everywhere. Many times this is the result of an absent neighbor, who could potentially be as dangerous as the dirty ones if they are away for months. Leaving the house for an extended period of time can cause the grass to get high, infestations and other issues. Imagine if the sprinkler system started leaking, the owner couldn’t be reached, and it caused a flood on adjacent properties? Yikes!

How to Prevent Your Neighbors from Derailing Your Home Sale

A sensitive approach is necessary when dealing with neighbors whether you are selling your home or not, but if it is on the market, then exercise even more caution. You don’t want any retaliation or resentment to escalate the situation and create a worse scenario that could impact your open houses, showings and ultimately the sales price of your home. Noisy neighbors that argue on the lawn, fight, or have teenage children that like to party can be hard to deal with and difficult to approach during such volatile situations. Depending on the laws in your state or community, you can report certain incidents to the authorities so proper action can be taken.

Messy neighbors? The approach may depend on the size of the mess. If the mess is an issue of public safety, qualifies as a code violation, or goes against HOA rules, you can report the situation to the proper outlets. With the Knoxville city limits, visit the City of Knoxville Neighborhood Codes Enforcement Page to learn more about codes violations regarding dilapidated buildings, dirty or overgrown lots, illegal dumping and abandoned vehicles.

A face-to-face conversation may be in order if the mess doesn’t qualify as a public nuisance. Stop by and explain to your neighbor that it would mean a lot if they could address the mess at least while the home is on the market. During your conversation, make sure you are polite and reasonable. Of course, if you find the situation to be uncomfortable or unsafe, then it may be better to step back and re-think the approach for another day.

It’s rare to live next door to the perfect neighbor (and if you do—consider yourself very lucky). In day-to-day life, you may be willing to overlook certain things, but when it comes to finances and the sale of your home, sometimes the situation calls for a remedy. We have a team of experienced listing advisors that are available to help guide you through any potential neighbor issues BEFORE selling your home so that you have the best chance to sell it for the highest price possible in the shortest amount of time. Contact us today for a consultation!

Home Improvements That Can Help Sell Your Home

Are you ready to take the next step and sell your home?

There are many things to consider when putting your home on the market, one of them being home improvements and upgrades. Sellers often ask us what home improvements they should do to help get top-dollar for their home. From small updates to major projects, knowing where to allocate your time and money to attract the right buyers is crucial, so that you can sell your home for the most money in the shortest amount of time.

It’s the Little Things

Before buyers even come to see your home, they get their first impressions from the listing photos. Making small changes to the home’s interior can help bring about a more clean and cohesive look. Consider having your home professionally cleaned before the photos are taken. Get rid of faded curtains and/or broken blinds for an instant refresher that won’t break the bank. Replace dated fixtures and appliances to provide a more updated look to the house. Potential buyers can be easily turned off by small details. Some buyers may even assume that since the little things around the home weren’t taken care of, then it’s likely there are issues with some of the bigger items such as the roof, HVAC system, and plumbing.

Paint, Paint, Paint

Painting is a relatively inexpensive way to improve the look of your home. Freshly-painted walls with neutral colors will definitely help to enhance the overall appearance of the house. Painting is generally a MUST if there are bright or bold colors that may not be attractive to most buyers. Keeping a neutral color palette is essential so that potential buyers can picture themselves and their own furnishings in the home. These colors also tend to make rooms look more spacious. If the home’s exterior is faded, consider a pressure washing or a fresh coat of paint. Be sure to stick to neutral color combinations outside as well to maximize curb appeal.

Major Projects: Worth it or Not?

While there’s no tried-and-true formula to guarantee that any home improvement will yield a higher selling price, there are definitely some that will help sell a house more than others. For instance, if the roof is leaking this could potentially lead to more issues during the home inspection, so take care of it before that “for sale” sign hits the front yard. On the flip side, adding a new media room, steam shower, or a pool may not be as prudent when considering your return on investment. Certain upgrades such as a new HVAC unit conditioning can add a lot of value and appeal. In Knoxville, temperatures can get up into the ‘90s, so many home buyers would prefer having an HVAC system is in good working order. Other upgrades that typically yield a positive return for sellers are minor updates to the kitchen (example: adding new countertops), adding new bathroom fixtures and installing new flooring. As a general rule of thumb, away from major upgrades that are deemed more of an “option” than a “must” when selling your home.

According to Remodeling Magazine, you’re less likely to recoup your investment in a full kitchen remodel than you are on basic home maintenance such as new siding. That said, homes with updated kitchens typically sell faster and for more money than comparable homes that do not have updated kitchens. If you do opt to remodel, whether you plan to sell your home or not, make sure the style and finishes you select match the rest of the home. Again, keeping the overall look somewhat neutral can help command a higher price at the time of the sale.

HGTV points out that, “What you’ll get back on your investment depends on the value of your house, the value of houses in your immediate neighborhood, the housing market where you live, how soon you sell after making improvements, and the quality of the project itself. Installing a $10,000 stove in a $200,000 house, for example, ‘just doesn’t compute.’” Before making the decision to any major home improvement, carefully consider whether it’s a necessity. Is it something that will actually increase the value and overall desirability of your home? Don’t go overboard!!

Go Green!

Many of today’s home listings highlight green and eco-friendly features because sustainability is becoming more important to home buyers. Which of these types of improvements will help sell your house? One of the most effective improvements to make is adding energy-efficient windows, which could help recoup up to 70% of the cost when selling a house. Other popular green features that are desirable to buyers include programmable smart thermostats, energy-efficient water heaters, high-efficiency appliances and landscaping with native plants that are easy to maintain, which also help improve curb appeal.

In today’s market, especially in the Knoxville area, buyers will pay a much higher price, even over the list price in some cases, to purchase a home that is updated and considered move-in ready. We strongly recommend discussing any potential improvements or home staging ideas with your real estate agent before making any final decisions. The Holli McCray Home Marketing Group listing team is always available to answer any questions you may have about what improvements to make to help sell your house. Contact us today!