Back to Knox (Knoxville, Hendersonville, Bristol: homes, neighborhood, college)

[BGCTFL]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Here's the thing. I used to be an agent in Knoxville. I was asking because I was happily offering to be your guide.

Hik, It always strikes me how something posted or texted can be read so differently from how it was intended.

[Beretta]

Hik - I was interested to see how this one played out.

I am also so very disappointed to hear, and get DMs, from people all the time about realtors that waste peoples times. Conversely there are real estate agents who say that they are hungry for business but yet we hear these stories. I just don't get it.

Long standing, ethical realtors do exist in Knoxville. They will work with serious, out of town buyers. However, the Lucy Lookers that aren't serious are going to get left by the wayside if a sure thing pops up for a realtor that needs to put food on their table and doesn't have a large portfolio going for them.

Good luck with your search and getting back!

[DaveinMtAiry]

Maybe the former real estate agent can offer an opinion. But I'm thinking a day or two spent driving around people who are not even committed to moving to the area may not be the best way to spend their time and gas money from an agent's perspective. It's kind of difficult to say "I'm not wasting my time with you" when you contact them so they have no other choice but to lie. Crappy for sure but I'm thinking this may be the reason for the pattern of behavior.

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

Maybe the former real estate agent can offer an opinion. But I'm thinking a day or two spent driving around people who are not even committed to moving to the area may not be the best way to spend their time and gas money from an agent's perspective. It's kind of difficult to say "I'm not wasting my time with you" when you contact them so they have no other choice but to lie. Crappy for sure but I'm thinking this may be the reason for the pattern of behavior.

Some realtors just aren't in it for what can be a long haul in an out of state relocation. But we are perhaps getting way off topic. Still sorry for what happened to this OP and I have heard it for others. It cuts both ways for them and our local realtors.

[BGCTFL]

Well, this might be both a learning experience and an opportunity.

I fully understand that a realtor doesn't want to drive someone around who just wants to get a tour. I used to get that with NYC folks that just loved Ct in the Fall and would want to "see the area". But, when someone says they are driving 6-8 hours and staying in a hotel for a few days to learn about the area (after doing a lot of online research), that is a bit different.

Perhaps a realtor, likely one not tied up with a large portfolio, could agree to take prospective, serious folks for a tour of the area and charge a reasonable fee for doing so (perhaps refundable if they buy). Or, that agent could figure (after doing some screening) that taking a chance on spending some time with a prospective out-of-towner just might turn out to be more productive than sitting an Open House and ...hoping.

In any case, my wife and I will be back in Knox in Feb. and we'll do what we can to learn as much as we can in the time we have.

And, sorry if my reply to Hik sounded snarky. It was not meant to be.

[LookingatFL]

BFCTFL, Feb isn't so far away. I am looking forward to reading about your second opinion.

Have you been to the grocery stores to check price differences between Knoxville and Jax?

[BGCTFL]

We went grocery shopping up in Sevierville. The prices were not much different, maybe a bit less. Interestingly, the check out lady offered me a shopping discount card to save some money. I said, sure, and instantly saved about $12. Not bad for an order under $80. Then, with the same card, our hosts, that were also shopping, used my card and they saved a similar amount plus got a discount on their gasoline. All in all, I'd say price and quality compared pretty well to the big chains here in Jax. The cashier, after inquiring if I was looking to move there, told me that I'd love it in Sevierville, there was lots to do and the taxes there are low. This lady should be with the local Chamber of Commerce - she was a great ambassador for her town.

I'm really looking forward to our upcoming second visit. I'm sure it will be much better.

[LookingatFL]

I am looking forward to your trip too. Have a good time :-). I've developed an interest in Sevierville because I like being in tourist locations. There is always a lot to do.

[Serious Conversation]

My recommendation would be to make a list of the top five or so things you want, then start centering neighborhood and property searches around those amenities.

For instance, if you want to be close to shopping and medical, focusing on properties around Farragut and West Knoxville may be the place to start. There is also a hospital in Turkey Creek, a shopping district in Farragut/Knoxville. If you want mountain views, that area might not be the best fit. If you want lake views or access, that's going to necessitate an entirely different set of properties than if you want to be five minutes from downtown Knoxville.

Take some Google street view "tours" of areas.

Also, there are going to be a lot of things a realtor can't or probably won't tell you. Dandridge has some beautiful homes on Douglas Lake, but Jefferson County has a lot of drug and crime problems that probably wouldn't be mentioned.

[BGCTFL]

"Also, there are going to be a lot of things a realtor can't or probably won't tell you. Dandridge has some beautiful homes on Douglas Lake, but Jefferson County has a lot of drug and crime problems that probably wouldn't be mentioned."

I understand that and faced the same issues when I was in RE.

However, having had a career in LE, I know how to approach local PD and ask the right questions. It's amazing the info that is available, free and legal if you just ask.

I'd say some type of view is really more important than being within 10-15 minutes from a hospital. Either Mts. or river/lake would be nice.

One question I do have is which areas have both public water and sewer, which may have public water but septic and which have only wells and septic. We'd desire both public utilities but can manage with only public water. Wells, for a variety of reasons would be a real obstacle for us. Is this a map or anything I could refer to for this info? This is one of the reasons I was hoping to have a knowledgeable realtor show us around.