How to Downsize Without Panicking the Pets

A woman downsizing her home with her dog in a moving box.

According to the National Association of Realtors, homebuyers actively search for a house an average of  8 weeks before making a final decision. House hunting requires planning, access to finances, and a balance of present and future needs. Add pets into the mix and each new effort is slightly more complicated.

Realty Executives explores various useful tips to help make your house hunt easy and streamlined for you and the pets. 

Continue reading

Sealing Your Home Before Winter

A man sealing his sliding door from drafts.

Winter is upon us, and depending on where you live, the temperatures can go from hot to cold in an instant. However, before this happens, there are several home maintenance rituals you should partake in, including sealing your home.

There may be poorly insulated areas or drafts in your home, letting the warmth out and costing you extra money on your monthly heating bills. Read on to learn how to avoid it!

Continue reading

Last Minute Holiday Recipes to Save the Day

A group of friends celebrating the holiday season with food.

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. If you’re like most people, you might be scrambling at the last minute to come up with some new recipe ideas. Never fear – we’ve got you covered!

In this article, we will share 25 recipes that will save your holiday feast. From sweet treats to savory dishes, there is something for everyone. So, relax and enjoy the holidays – let us take care of the brainstorming!

Continue reading

8 Best Practices for Hiring a Contractor

A homeowner and contractor shaking hands over a home improvement project.

Home improvement projects help make your dream home a reality, and to do that, you may have to hire a home contractor. A home contractor, or general contractor, is employed by the homeowner to handle the material, labor, and equipment of a home improvement project as well as oversee the day-to-day tasks. This is a huge responsibility, and as the homeowner, you want to make sure you hire the right person for the job. Here are eight best practices for hiring a professional contractor who you can trust.

Continue reading

5 Legal Issues Home Sellers Should be Aware Of

A seller reviewing legal issues with his or her attorney.

If you are working hard to get your home ready to sell, this may be a good time to take a break and learn about a few of the legal issues that await you. The process of selling a home presents you, the seller, with one legal issue after another that must be addressed and resolved. If you fail to do so, you could lose a buyer or, even worse, end up being sued for damages.

That last part about a lawsuit probably got your attention, but keep in mind that most homeowners get through the process of selling a home without a lawsuit or disgruntled buyer. It all depends on taking the time to recognize and fulfill your legal obligations as a seller while also ensuring that your rights are protected.

Continue reading

Winter Heating Efficiency Tips

A woman setting the thermostat to efficiently heat her home.

Home heating costs can quickly skyrocket during the winter. Perhaps you have puzzled over the utility bill, trying to figure out how to keep costs down. Fortunately, there are easy and affordable ways to make the most of the warmth in your home. Before you crank up the thermostat settings, try these 12 tips for efficiently heating your home during winter.

Continue reading

Cultivating Community: Realty Executives Associates Downtown Grows

By: Jay Fitz | Downtown, Our Town Leaders

Bailey Rose and Emily Stevens of Realty Executives Associates Downtown Knoxville.

Realty Executives Associates has opened a downtown office that captures the edgy energy of Knoxville’s center city.

Realtors Emily Stevens and Bailey Rose are the founders/owners of Realty Executives Downtown, located at 323 Union Ave. Both are eager to connect with the downtown community.

“We’ve got three huge windows, said Stevens. “We’re going to showcase an artist each month and on First Friday, we’ll host an open house with the artist.” In September, for instance, they collaborated with the Knoxville History Center to display photos of Knoxville then and now.

Rose and Stevens use the space as a hybrid office for a business they own with Emilie Stooksbury – New2Knox.com and Moving2Knox.com.

Continue reading