What are you looking for in TN? (Knoxville, Kingsport: condos, houses)

[sliverbox]

Well, off the beaten path is ultimately what I'm seeking. I grew up 30 minutes from the closest city- Knoxville. The property was a fixer-upper and it took my parents YEARS to get it to where they wanted it. I'm certainly not afraid of fixing things. One of the rental homes my parents own had an entire addition with severe termite damage. We had to gut two whole walls.

I've noticed that it seems like any rehabs are sometimes 50% LESS than a similar home totally restored. my only requirement is that the home be older, interesting, and in either the sticks or an older (perhaps weirder) neighborhood. My requirements for the condition of the home are low.

That's really different compared to CA where EVERYTHING is very expensive. Teardown or not. Any neighborhood at all that has character is immediatly bumped into million dollar territory.

[Rapunzll]

Wow, a gated community is the last thing I want. I want a community with all sorts of people, young and old, primarily middle class. I'm not looking to move into an area populated by people just like where I'm moving from.

I too am going to be running from a state that is on a fast downward slide.... but I am moving to get down to one job, have a better climate and have time for a social life. I also like the fact that there is a lot of stuff to do in middle TN, both outside and events wise. I can't wait!

[hoosier07]

Originally Posted by jmarkey

Older homes are wonderful - so much more character than new construction.

There are a couple of reasons people may love them, but choose not to buy one. Though our last two homes were great old houses, the last one being circa 1890, this time we went for as close to new as we could get.

First reason: If the home isn't updated, Mr. Husband-person has to be at least marginally handy. To contract out for work that needs to be done gets pricey. Some homes are listed low, needing lots of structural or cosmetic work. That's great if you have the money and time and motivation to do extensive work on the house. Lots of people do and jump on good deals like this one.

Second reason: Even if the home IS updated (hopefully in a decor that's consistent with it's era), there will always be something that needs work or repair. Once again, if the owner is handy it's not too big an issue. If not, it's time to shell out more money. The work never ends on older homes.

My husband is good at just about all kinds of home improvement. This time around, with being in his 50s, he's done. He's been working on houses since we were first married. I don't blame him for being tired of it and wanting to spend more time fishing than building or repairing.

We both still love to look at old houses. The designs and materials can't be duplicated today.

Jmarkey...your comments are so helpfull and really true....it's a great hobby to restore a home however you need to be inspired, have the time and the money to do it....with these 3 ingredients, the result will be astonishing. For now, I'm also looking for a newer home, I have a 3 year old son, I'm looking into a subdvision where he can play with other children and that houses are closer to each other. Diversity is also very important and we're looking for a middle class neighborhood. I agree that what you want in a home today, most likely will be different 10 or 15 years from now, that's life. So, we should also respect and understand that living in the country with privacy and no neighbors next door or having to drive 30 minutes for groceries is not for everybody.

[jmarkey]

I think (hope) you'll find that at this point in your life a subdivision will give you that sense of community that many people are looking for - neighborhood get togethers, spending time with other families that are at the same life stage you are.

It was wonderful at the time and so good for the kids. We were lucky to live in an older development with half acre lots, lots of trees, a creek in the back and many different races and personalities. Everyone had a front porch and most people were out in the evening.

Good luck in your search!

[northcountrygirl]

I'm looking for an older existing house with a front and/or back porch. I would really love to have a farm house but they seem to be out of reach. I definetly want rural. The house I had originally looked at was built in 1940 and was definately in need of restoration. I would like to acquire a property like this with some acreage and save it. This house deserves to be saved. If our offer isn't accepted I'm afraid someone is going to come in and buy it for the 10 acres that comes with it and level the house and rebuild. That is my biggest fear. There is history in that house and it has stood for a long time. Also the land that goes with the house wraps around a church. I wanted to give that piece of land to the church. I am desperately trying to get them to sell at a price I can afford. I think of the house as a part of Tennessee history and I would be more than happy to do the work that's required to save it. It has always been a dream of mine to live on a farm again and this would be close. I also love barns. I have a photo collection I have put together of just barns in rural NH and northern Maine. Why do people keep up their houses but let the old barns fall down? I don't understand why they don't know that these barns are a part of american history that is dissapearing. Well, way off the subject I guess but that's what I'm looking for.

[casey]

We were looking for a fixer upper in the country. We did find one that is need of major restoration. The most important thing is the area and land. You can always change a house but not the land. The neighbors are the most helpful people I have ever met. People were stopping by to ask if we needed anything on a daily basis.
We got lost all the time! People would stop whatever they were doing to chat ,welcome us and give directions. Our real estate agent is now a friend.

[northcountrygirl]

Originally Posted by casey

We were looking for a fixer upper in the country. We did find one that is need of major restoration. The most important thing is the area and land. You can always change a house but not the land. The neighbors are the most helpful people I have ever met. People were stopping by to ask if we needed anything on a daily basis.
We got lost all the time! People would stop whatever they were doing to chat ,welcome us and give directions. Our real estate agent is now a friend.

Hi Casy!! Good to see you back

[jguillot]

Originally Posted by Kpt.

LauraC; Excellent post. I've been monitoring this site for several weeks and the theme seems to be focused on getting away from high taxes, high cost of living, traffic, etc... and very few questions or comments on what is available for day to day living.

I would like to hear some comments on what people are looking for in a community. How many are looking for a gated, age restricted, self contained community that consist primarily of like-minded newcomers...and how many want to integrate into existing communities, join local churches, civic clubs, become involved in volunteer organizations...etc.

I would also like to hear some comments on what a community can do to make newcomers feel welcome...especially about some positive experiences.

I am interested in property on which I can build my retirement home, but I want no part of a retirement community. I don't want to be restricted by their CC&R's or pay for amenities that I will not use through homeowners association dues. I'm looking for a community that offers the goods and services that I might need without having to drive to Nashville or Knoxville. I'm looking for a community that offers opportunities for hiking and boating, beautiful surroundings, friendly people who care about their neighbors, streets and highways that are not crowded, and low taxes. I want to be involved with my community and with volunteer organizations. I want to take pride in my community and I promise not to try to change the way you do things in Tennessee. I want to leave things as they are.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by jmarkey

There are a couple of reasons people may love them, but choose not to buy one. Though our last two homes were great old houses, the last one being circa 1890, this time we went for as close to new as we could get.

Welllll, if we are talking about a properly equipped dream house in a dream location, mine would be a one level, 2 bedroom/2 bathroom with a huge den on 5 acres of land. It would look totally old (style) on the outside (with a front porch and a back porch) and would have every gadget/gizmo on the inside and have a big kitchen. It would be furnished casual/country nerd. It would have to have a self cleaning toilet and refrigerator to go along with a self cleaning oven. It would be cricket-proofed. It would have a lot of pine trees and other trees around it and a REALLY BIG barbecue grill. There would be a split rail fence around the back where a German Shepherd and hound would run. I could walk to a pond filled with humungous largemouth and smallmouth bass that would jump on every topwater lure I presented and I would be without the fear of coyotes, recluse spiders, venomous snakes, tics, or stinkin' mosquitos.

Chain gangs would be re-introduced in the region where I lived for moving violations. Illegal immigrants would be replaced in the fields picking fruits and vegetables, by home-grown American motorists who cut people off on the road, were DUI, changed lanes at the last minute to exit off the highway, tailgated, used the entrance ramp for a passing lane and/or who didn't use their turn signal or turn their lights on when it was raining. The judge would make them do their time in August if they tried to appeal, were using their cell phone at the time of the violation or if they had out of state plates. This would be the region's response for cheap labor.

Most of all my house would have a talking robot (with no whiner chip...or, you know, terminator chip) that would not be in any robot union and would fix everything, clean everything, cook everything, mow everything, lift everything.

Obstructed only slightly by trees, my home would face some mountains in Tennessee and as the sun went down, I would sit on my porch sipping my new love (sweet tea), reading, listening to some guy wailing on the radio about a girl who left him and watch the bugs fly into the electronic bug zapper.

Oh yeah, one more thing...in the garage, next to my new jeep, would be my money making machine.

[hiknapster]

Can I be your roommate?