(CHEROKEE LAKE REALTY WRITES A WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE GRAINGER COUNTY JOURNAL NEWSPAPER. THIS WAS A RECENT QUESTION ASKED BY A READER.)
I take it from your question that your home is a lakefront property and are not happy with how the lake levels drop every year? I say this, because properties that are lakeview are not impacted as much. Yes, you do view more of the exposed shoreline, but the expansiveness of the lake can still be viewed and appreciated. There are some, that because of this, prefer a lakeview property over lakefront. Sometimes the advantages of owning a lakefront home during this time of the year are diminished as TVA reduces lake levels. Whereas, if the property has a bit of elevation, majestic views of the lake will still be visible.
By the way thank you for the “guru” compliment, don’t know if I agree with that, but a question and observations that may not help you today but might down the road. Did you purchase your home during the summer or the winter months? A lakefront property can look very different during these months. I realize that late spring and summer months are the busiest real estate months, but I always advise a potential buyer to look at lake properties during the winter months. If you are happy with what you see during this period, you will be even happier during summer. Now, if you viewed your property and purchased it during summer, what we refer to as the “full pool” months, hopefully you did some research as to what happens during TVA’s annual drawdown period. If you didn’t do your research, then I sincerely hope you hired a real estate agent that knew the region where your house is located. My number one recommendation when asked what to look for in a real estate agent is to find someone that knows your area. You don’t hire a divorce attorney to represent you in a criminal proceeding. You don’t hire a foot doctor to work on your heart. If the real estate agent tells you they know the ins and outs of your property’s location, ask for proof. Where is your office, where do you live, how many houses have you sold in this neighborhood? One, two, ten, more? Show me, don’t tell me. With my firm the name, Cherokee Lake Realty, says it all. Unless you are referred to us by a previous client, and you are located in Knoxville, we will decline to represent you. All we service is the region that surrounds Cherokee Lake. Grainger, Jefferson, Hawkins, and Hamblen counties. We know this market extremely well and can make sound recommendations.
Now, regarding your question about TVA possibly changing their lake policies. No, I don’t believe their policies will alter dramatically. There is quite a bit of research online as to why TVA annually adjusts lake levels, which I would recommend reading. I also moved to this area from Florida thirty plus years ago. There, I also dealt with the threat of sea levels rising. And hurricanes. And alligators. And python snakes. And lots of traffic. And lots of crime. And a higher cost of living. So, when I came to grips with TVA’s annual policies I grew to embrace them. And, for us, we don’t play in the water when It’s cold. We don’t miss Florida. Except for maybe the warmer winter months. If we had those here, then I would seriously be griping about lake levels.
