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THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION LAST WEEK. IF POSSIBLE, COULD YOU ALSO PROVIDE SOME ADVICE ON WORKING WITH CLIENTS THAT ARE SELLING THEIR PROPERTIES?
MY HUSBAND IS A REAL ESTATE AGENT. HE IS NEW AT THIS AND IS STRUGGLING. I AM WRITING THIS ON HIS BEHALF AS HE DOES NOT WANT HIS NAME DISCLOSED. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND. HE WORKS PRIMARILY WITH BUYERS. I KNOW THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN WRITE IN YOUR COLUMN BUT ANY ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL.
WE ARE ALSO MOVING HERE FROM FLORIDA. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT SPECIAL TYPES OF INSURANCE WE ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY THERE, IS THERE ANY TYPE OF INSURANCE THAT IS REQUIRED WHEN LIVING NEAR CHEROKEE LAKE?
WHY DOES TVA BRING DOWN THE LAKES SO MUCH? WE OWNED A HOUSE IN FLORIDA WHERE WE HAD TO LIVE WITH SEA LEVELS RISING. NOW WE OWN A HOUSE ON THE LAKE AND HAVE TO LIVE WITH LAKE LEVELS FALLING? YOU’RE DARNED IF YOU DO AND DARNED IF YOU DON’T. YOU’RE THE REAL ESTATE GURU DO YOU SEE THIS EVER CHANGING?
I’VE BEEN TOLD THAT WE ARE IN A “BUYERS MARKET” NOW. WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON A “BUYERS MARKET” VS. A “SELLERS MARKET” IN REAL ESTATE? (Continued from last week.)
I’VE BEEN TOLD THAT WE ARE IN A “BUYERS MARKET” NOW. WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON A “BUYERS MARKET” VS. A “SELLERS MARKET” IN REAL ESTATE?
WE’VE SEEN SOME REAL ESTATE ADS WHERE THE SELLER IS FINANCING THE PURCHASE? HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THAT WORK AND HOW IS A BUYER PROTECTED?
YOU WROTE IN THE NEWSPAPER THAT YOU SELL REAL ESTATE AS WELL AS ANSWERING WEEKLY QUESTIONS. AND THAT THERE’S SOME THINGS THAT YOU DO THAT OTHER REAL ESTATE AGENTS DON’T DO THAT HELP YOU SUCCEED IN SELLING HOMES. HERE’S A DIRECT QUESTION FOR YOU THAT I HOPE YOU WILL ANSWER HONESTLY IN THE PAPER. DO YOU SELL EVERYTHING THAT YOU ADVERTISE FOR SALE?
MY WIFE AND I PICKED UP A LOCAL NEWSPAPER AND READ YOUR COLUMN. WE’RE HERE FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEK AND ARE SCOUTING THE AREA. WE’VE DONE SOME RESEARCH, LIKE CHEROKEE LAKE AND WANT TO RELOCATE HERE. IT’S A BIG LAKE, UNLIKE SOME OF THE LAKES WE HAVE IN FLORIDA. WHAT PARTS OF THE LAKE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND WE DEFINITELY CHECK OUT?
FELIX, YOU DO A FINE JOB WRITING ABOUT REAL ESTATE. TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU. DO YOU WRITE THE COLUMN YOURSELF OR DOES AI OR THE NEWSPAPER HELP YOU? DO YOU SELL REAL ESTATE YOURSELF?
WE HAVE DECIDED TO MOVE TO TENNESSEE, ACTUALLY TO ONE OF THE COUNTIES OUTSIDE KNOXVILLE, CLOSE TO CHEROKEE LAKE. DO YOU RECOMMEND PURCHASING LAND AND HAVING OUR HOME BUILT OR TO BUY AN EXISTING HOME?
FELIX, YOU ARE LISTING OUR HOME FOR SALE AND I ASKED YOU A QUESTION FOR YOUR WEEKLY COLUMN. WHY HAVE THERE BEEN SO MANY CAMPGROUNDS BUILT IN OUR AREA? THEY ARE FULL OF CAMPERS, DO YOU SEE MORE BEING BUILT?
ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE NOW FROM OTHER STATES. WHICH IS GOOD, BUT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD DOES NOT HAVE THE PLEASANT FEEL OF A LOCAL COMMUNITY LIKE IT ONCE HAD. TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU. WHAT ARE THE REAL REASONS WHY FOLKS HAVE PICKED OUR AREA TO MOVE TO? AND DO YOU SEE THIS CONTINUING?
ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE NOW FROM OTHER STATES. WHICH IS GOOD, BUT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD DOES NOT HAVE THE PLEASANT FEEL OF A LOCAL COMMUNITY LIKE IT ONCE HAD. TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU. WHAT ARE THE REAL REASONS WHY FOLKS HAVE PICKED OUR AREA TO MOVE TO? AND DO YOU SEE THIS CONTINUING?
YOU WROTE EARLIER THAT IT’S BEST TO LIST A HOME FOR SALE WHEN THE FURNITURE IS STILL IN THE HOME. WE BUY FIXER-UPPERS, REMODEL THEM AND THEN FLIP THEM. THESE HOMES NEVER HAVE FURNITURE IN THEM. SHOULD WE CONSIDER ADDING FURNITURE WHEN WE LIST THESE HOMES FOR SALE? DO YOU SEE THIS HELPING WITH THE SALE?
WE’VE ALREADY BOUGHT ANOTHER HOME AND ARE GOING TO SELL A SECOND HOME THAT WE USED AS A RENTAL OVER THE YEARS. IS IT BETTER TO ADVERTISE AND SELL IT WITH THE FURNITURE IT HAS, OR TO SELL IT TOTALLY EMPTY?
MY HUSBAND AND I WANT TO BUY LAND AROUND CHEROKEE LAKE. THIS WAY WE HAVE THE LAND NOW, BEFORE PRICES KEEP GOING UP. AND, WHEN WE RETIRE IN A FEW YEARS, WE CAN JUST CONCENTRATE ON BUILDING OUR HOME. WE DON’T KNOW IF WE WANT TO GO WITH LAKEFRONT OR LAKEVIEW LAND. BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF EACH?
WE READ YOUR COLUMN EVERY WEEK AND WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE DISCUSSED PRICING A HOME SEVERAL TIMES AND PERHAPS REDUCING THE PRICE IF IT DOESN’T SELL. WE BELIEVE OUR HOME IS PRICED PROPERLY. WE KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE INVESTED IN UPGRADES, IT’S IN A GREAT LOCATION, AND ACTUALLY HAVE IT LISTED FOR LESS THAT WHAT IT HAS RECENTLY APPRAISED FOR. IT’S BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR OVER SEVEN MONTHS AND STILL HAS NOT SOLD. WE DON’T BELIEVE WE SHOULD DROP THE PRICE. PLEASE TELL US WHY WE SHOULD EVEN CONSIDER DROPPING THE PRICE?
WE WROTE YOU A QUESTION A FEW WEEKS BACK ON MANUFACTURED HOMES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DETAILED ANSWER. WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DIFFERENCES WITH GOING WITH A SINGLE WIDE AS OPPOSED TO A DOUBLE WIDE? WE ARE NOT SURE WHICH MODEL TO GO WITH.
WE’VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE LONGER OUR HOME STAYS ON THE MARKET WITHOUT SELLING THE LESS INTEREST IT WILL RECEIVE BECAUSE BUYERS WILL THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS?
OUR AGENT HAS SUGGESTED THAT WE DO A “POCKET LISTING.” WE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THAT. IS THIS LEGAL? WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?
WE ARE CONSIDERING BUYING A MANUFACTURED HOME INSTEAD OF A SITE-BUILT HOME. WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF GOING IN THIS DIRECTION?
OUR REAL ESTATE AGENT IS NOW ASKING US TO DROP THE SALES PRICE ON OUR HOME. AGAIN. THIS IS NOW THE THIRD TIME IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO THIS. IS THIS NORMAL?
WE LIVE IN AN HOA COMMUNITY. I WISH TO KEEP THEIR NAME PRIVATE. THEY HAVE TOLD US AND HAVE NOW SENT US A LETTER THAT WE CAN NOT PARK IN THE STREET FACING OUR HOME. IS THIS LEGAL?
LAST WEEK YOU ANSWERED A QUESTION ON NOT LISTING A HOME IN CROSSVILLE. SO EXACTLY WHAT PART OF TENNESSEE DO YOU WORK?
WE OWN A SECOND HOME IN CROSSVILLE. OUR PRIMARY HOME IS IN BEAN STATION. WE READ YOUR COLUMN EVERY WEEK AND ARE VERY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF REAL ESTATE. WOULD YOU CONSIDER LISTING OUR SECOND HOME IN CROSSVILLE?
WE WERE HOPING THAT THE FED WOULD CUT INTEREST RATES. SHOULD WE WAIT FOR THE FED TO REDUCE RATES OR MOVE FORWARD ON PURCHASINGA HOME?
PREVIOUSLY YOU ANSWERED A QUESTION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DISCLOSED TO A POTENTIAL BUYER. WE HAVE A “PROBLEM” NEIGHBOR. FREQUENT NOISY WEEKEND PARTIES WITH LOTS OF GUESTS, PARKING ISSUES, AND EVEN SOME FIGHTS WITH OTHER NEIGHBORS. THE POLICE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN CALLED SEVERAL TIMES. DO WE HAVE TO DISCLOSE THIS SITUATION?
IS AN UNRESTRICTED PIECE OF PROPERTY WORTH MORE THAN A PROPERTY THAT HAS COVENANTS?
WE ACCEPTED AN OFFER ON OUR HOME. NOW THE APPRAISAL REQUESTED BY THE BUYER HAS OUR HOME WORTH LESS THAN WHAT WE AGREED TO SELL IT TO THEM FOR. WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS?
OUR HOME HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND IT HAS NOT SOLD. SHOULD WE REDUCE THE PRICE?
THE FOLKS THAT ARE BUYING OUR HOUSE WANT TO MOVE INTO THE HOUSE BEFORE CLOSING. OUR AGENT DOESN’T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
WE’VE BEEN RENTING AND ARE THINKING OF BUYING OUR FIRST HOME. WE CAN’T AGREE ON WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?
LAST MONTH YOU ANSWERED A QUESTION AS TO WHAT PROBLEMS AND DEFECTS MUST BE REVEALED TO A BUYER WHEN SELLING A PROPERTY. THERE IS A PLANNED CAMPGROUND GOING UP DOWN THE ROAD, AND THERE IS A ROCK QUARRY CLOSE BY, WHERE OCCASIONALLY, THEY USE EXPLOSIVES AS THEY BREAK UP THE ROCKS. MUST THIS INFORMATION BE DISCLOSED?
I’M LOOKING AT PURCHASING A HOME AND EITHER RENTING IT OUT, OR DOING OWNER FINANCING, AS AN INVESTMENT. WHICH DO YOU RECOMMEND?
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS IF I RECEIVE AN OFFER TO BUY MY HOUSE THAT I THINK IS TOO LOW?
HOW MUCH WILL MY HOUSE BE WORTH NEXT YEAR? WHAT PERCENTAGE DO YOU SEE IT INCREASING? WE’RE TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WANT TO PUT IT ON THE MARKET NOW OR WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
YOU HAVE WRITTEN IN SEVERAL COLUMNS THAT AS A SELLER WE ARE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DISCLOSING HOW MANY BEDROOMS OUR SEPTIC SYSTEM IS APPROVED FOR. WHAT IF WE DON’T KNOW THIS INFORMATION?
WHAT INFORMATION MUST WE REVEAL WHEN SELLING OUR HOME ?
WE DON’T LIVE IN TENNESSEE AND ARE LOOKING AT ADS ONLINE FOR A HOME TO PURCHASE. WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR BEYOND THE PHOTOS?
WE HAVE DECIDED TO MOVE TO THE CHEROKEE LAKE AREA FROM PENNSYLVANIA. WE ARE AT THE AGE WHERE THE COLD BOTHERS US MORE THAN IN THE PAST. BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE, DO YOU THINK IT IS BETTER FOR US TO BUILD A NEW HOME OR BUY ONE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN BUILT?
OUR SON WANTS TO BECOME A REAL ESTATE AGENT. ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE HIM WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE. DO YOU RECOMMEND INVESTING IN LAND OR A HOUSE?
MY WIFE AND I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOUR COLUMN. YOU’VE PROVIDED SOME GREAT REAL ESTATE INFORMATION AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WE DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. DO YOU ONLY LIST LAKE PROPERTIES FOR SALE?
WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE US IN CHOOSING A REAL ESTATE AGENT TO LIST OUR HOME?
WE’VE HAD OUR HOME ADVERTISED FOR SALE FOR QUITE A WHILE AND IT HAS NOT SOLD. THE LISTING IS EXPIRING, AND WE DON’T KNOW WHETHER WE SHOULD RENEW IT OR JUST TAKE IT OFF THE MARKET UNTIL THINGS IMPROVE ECONOMICALLY. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE BETTER OPTION?
MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY AND I WILL DO WHAT HE ALWAYS RECOMMENDED AND INTERVIEW THREE COMPANIES BEFORE I MAKE A DECISION ON WHO TO LIST OUR HOME WITH. I WAS PLANNING ON HAVING YOU AS ONE OF THOSE THREE. BUT MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME YOU TURNED DOWN HER LISTING? THAT’S UNUSUAL TO TURN DOWN WORK WHEN IT’S OFFERED. WHY DO YOU TURN DOWN A LISTING?
WE MADE A MISTAKE IN PURCHASING A HOME. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE CLOSING PROCESS BUT HAVE NOT MOVED IN YET. HOW MANY DAYS DO WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR MIND AND GET OUR MONEY BACK?
WE’VE BEEN READING YOUR COLUMN AND APPRECIATE ALL THE INFORMATION YOU’RE PROVIDING. WE WATCH ALL THE HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOWS AND ARE GOING TO LIST OUR HOME FOR SALE. IN VISITING YOUR WEBSITE IT MENTIONS THAT YOU ONLY TAKE 5 HOME LISTINGS AT ONE TIME. IS THAT CORRECT AND IF YOU DON’T MIND US ASKING, WHY ONLY 5? IF WE WANT YOU TO LIST OUR HOME, AND YOU HAVE 5 ALREADY, IS THERE A WAITING LIST FOR EXAMPLE?
YOU WROTE A COLUMN A FEW WEEKS BACK ON HOME INSPECTIONS. YOU RECOMMENDED THAT SOMEONE BUYING A HOME SHOULD HAVE IT INSPECTED BEFORE PURCHASING. AS A SELLER, SHOULD WE GET OUR HOME INSPECTED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT ISSUES MAY COME UP?
MY HUSBAND AND I KEEP GOING BACK AND FORTH ON SELLING OUR HOME. ONE DAY WE AGREE, NEXT DAY WE DISAGREE. SOUND FAMILIAR? SO, OUR QUESTION IS, IF WE DO LIST IT, WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO LIST OUR HOME FOR SALE?
WE READ ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT YOU DO NOT PUT A KEY LOCKBOX ON YOUR CLIENT’S DOOR TO ALLOW BUYERS TO VIEW YOUR SELLERS’ HOME AT THEIR CONVENIENCE, THAT YOU NEED TO BE PRESENT FOR EVERY SHOWING, IS THIS ACTUALLY CORRECT?
WE WILL BE SELLING OUR HOME SOON. HOW DO WE DETERMINE WHAT TO PRICE IT AT? WE DON’T WANT TO OVERPRICE IT, BUT WE ALSO DON’T WANT TO SELL IT FOR LESS THAN WHAT IT’S WORTH.
WE PURCHASED A HOME EARLY THIS YEAR AND FOUND OUT AFTER THE FACT THAT WE CANNOT BUILD A DOCK ON OUR LAKEFRONT PROPERTY. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? ALSO, THE WATER LEVEL KEEPS DROPPING. WE WERE RECENTLY TOLD THAT IT WILL KEEP DROPPING AND MOST OF OUR LAKEFRONT WILL BE DRY. COMING FROM FLORIDA WE ARE AWARE OF SEA LEVELS RISING BUT WERE NOT AWARE OF LAKE LEVELS DROPPING. WHY?
WE’VE READ YOUR COLUMN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS ABOUT BEDROOMS AND SEPTIC TANKS. WE ARE GETTING READY TO LIST OUR HOME AFTER WE TIDY UP A FEW THINGS (IN FACT WE WILL BE CALLING YOU) AND HAVE SEVERAL ROOMS IN OUR HOME THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED BEDROOMS. PUTTING ASIDE THE SEPTIC REQUIREMENT FOR LISTING BEDROOMS, WHAT CONSTITUTES A BEDROOM? WE’VE HEARD THAT A BEDROOM MUST HAVE CLOSETS. IS THIS CORRECT?
PART II ANSWER: WE HAVE 4 BEDROOMS AND 3 BATHROOMS, BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT BECAUSE OUR SEPTIC SYSTEM IS ONLY APPROVED FOR 3 BEDROOMS, WE CAN’T LIST OUR HOME FOR SALE AS A 4 BEDROOM? AND WHY ARE SEPTIC PERMITS BASED ON BEDROOMS AND NOT BATHROOMS?
WE HAVE 4 BEDROOMS AND 3 BATHROOMS, BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT BECAUSE OUR SEPTIC SYSTEM IS ONLY APPROVED FOR 3 BEDROOMS, WE CAN’T LIST OUR HOME FOR SALE AS A 4 BEDROOM? AND WHY ARE SEPTIC PERMITS BASED ON BEDROOMS AND NOT BATHROOMS?
OUR REAL ESTATE AGENT IS MAKING A BIG DEAL ABOUT WHAT THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF OUR HOUSE IS. IS THIS REALLY IMPORTANT?
IS BUYING LAND STILL A GOOD INVESTMENT IN THE CHEROKEE LAKE AREA OR HAS IT TOPPED OUT?
OUR HOME HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR SIX MONTHS AND IT HAS NOT SOLD. WE’VE NOTICED ON ZILLOW THAT THE VIEWS HAVE DROPPED. WHY, AND IS THERE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO TO GET IT SOLD?
AS A BUYER, WHAT SHOULD MY OFFER BE ON A PROPERTY THAT’S FOR SALE?
WHAT SHOULD I DO TO MY HOUSE BEFORE LISTING IT FOR SALE?
WE WANT TO PURCHASE LAND WITH VIEWS OF CHEROKEE LAKE AND HAVE SEEN THAT PRICES VARY. WHAT DETERMINES PRICING?
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO SELL MY PROPERTY?
DO YOU RECOMMEND GETTING A HOME INSPECTED BEFORE PURCHASING IT?
MY WIFE AND I ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MOVING INTO AN HOA COMMUNITY. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?
WE SOLD OUR HOME WITHOUT HIRING A REAL ESTATE AGENT. THE BUYERS ARE GETTING A LOAN, AND THEIR BANK HAS APPRAISED THE HOME VALUE AT LESS THAN WHAT THE BUYERS AGREED TO PAY US FOR IT. WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS?
SHOULD WE FIRST SELL OUR CURRENT HOME BEFORE PURCHASING OUR NEW ONE OR SHOULD WE BUY THE NEW HOME FIRST AND THEN SELL OURS?
DO YOU ONLY WORK WITH LAKE HOMES?
WHAT AREAS DO YOU COVER?
WHAT COMMISSION DO YOU CHARGE ON A LISTING?
EVENTS
Upcoming Events
ARTICLES
The Princeton Review: Carson-Newman a “Best in the South”
Locked out: 3 outdated myths about manufactured homes
Mystery in the Mountains: Government UAP discussions renew interest in local Blaine sightings
Dollywood named America’s favorite theme park
Cherokee Lake Realty Scholarship recognizes Grainger High students for excellence in writing
Cherokee Lake Realty Scholarship recognizes Jefferson County High School student Halle Hutchins
High rent and home prices are pushing neighbors out of Knox County
Knoxville tops list of popular cities for relocation, study finds
This Theme Park Is Ranked No. 1 Above Disney and Universal by Travelers — and It’s Not in California or Florida (HINT: think Dolly Parton)
2025 Cherokee Lake Realty awards college scholarship to Grainger High School student
2025 Cherokee Lake Realty awards college scholarship to Jefferson County High School student
2024 Cherokee Lake Realty awards college scholarships to Grainger High School students
2024 Cherokee Lake Realty awards college scholarships to Jefferson County High School students
2022 Cherokee Lake Realty donates to protect Sheriff’s K-9s
10 Things To Avoid Before Your Closing
Cleaning up after Helene
5 Reasons Retirees Are Fleeing to Tennessee
A boomer who moved from California to Tennessee said the slower pace of life and lower cost of living are big pluses
A Home Appraiser Spotted a 500-Year-Old Brueghel Painting in a Family’s T.V. Room. They Just Sold It for $845,000
A stunning discovery made in the Tennessee River
Go deep for smallmouth, shallow for largemouth at Cherokee Lake
2019 Cherokee Lake Polar Plunge
Man reels in potentially record-breaking fish on Cherokee Lake
Oregon slapped with lawsuit over ‘love letters’ ban in hot real estate market
Sometimes wanting to keep personal property in a sale can kill the sale.
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MICHAEL R. – OCTOBER 2026
MICHAEL R. – OCTOBER 2026
I would like to thank Felix and Cherokee Lake Realty for representing us successfully.
