Preparing Your Home for Winter: Essential Tips for Knoxville Homeowners
As temperatures in Knoxville drop into the 20s at night, it's crucial to prepare your home to withstand the chill and avoid costly repairs. Follow these essential steps to keep your home safe and cozy this winter:
1. Protect Your Pipes 🧊
- Detach Hoses and Cover Faucets: Since many Knoxville homes lack shut-off valves for external faucets, detach garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets with insulated covers to prevent freezing.
- For Homes with Shut-Off Valves: If your home has shut-off valves for outdoor faucets, locate and close the valve (usually found inside the home near the main water line). After shutting off the valve, open the outdoor faucet to drain any remaining water, then cover it with an insulated faucet cover for extra protection.
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: Wrap exposed pipes in crawl spaces or basements with pipe insulation or heat tape.
- Let Faucets Drip: Keep a trickle of water running on especially cold nights to relieve pressure and prevent freezing.
2. Check Your Heating System 🔥
- Service Your HVAC: Schedule a tune-up for your heating system to ensure it’s working efficiently. Replace filters and clean vents for better airflow.
- Seal Drafts: Use weatherstripping or caulk around windows and doors to keep warm air in and reduce heating costs.
3. Prepare Your Yard 🌳
- Trim Overhanging Branches: Winter storms can cause ice-laden branches to fall. Trim any near your home or power lines.
- Store Outdoor Equipment: Protect patio furniture and tools from freezing temperatures by storing them in a shed or garage.
4. Inspect Your Roof and Gutters 🏠
- Clean Gutters: Remove leaves and debris to prevent ice dams, which can cause water to back up into your home.
- Check Your Roof: Look for loose shingles or other damage to prevent leaks during snow or rain.
5. Test Your Safety Devices 🔒
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Test all detectors and replace batteries to ensure your family’s safety during heating season.
- Fireplace Maintenance: If you use a wood-burning fireplace, have your chimney inspected and cleaned before lighting the first fire of the season.
Join us for a Free Webinar on December 4: Maximize Your Home Sale: Expert Tips & Strategies
Are you thinking about selling your home, or do you just want to better understand the housing market in Knoxville? Join us for an interactive webinar on Wednesday December 4 at 12:00 p.m. EST that covers everything you need to know about selling your home and maximizing its value.
- What's My Home Worth? Learn how to determine your home’s value in today’s market.
- How Fast Can I Get My Home on the Market? From preparation to listing, find out the key steps to a smooth sale.
- Does Staging Matter? Discover how to make your home stand out to buyers.
- What Features Are Hot With Buyers Right Now? Stay up-to-date on the trends that attract today's homebuyers.
- What Improvements Have the Most Value for Resale? Get the inside scoop on home improvements that provide the best return on investment.
- What Are the Best and Worst Times to Sell? Timing is everything – learn when to list to maximize your sale.
- What If I Have a Bunch of Stuff I Need to Get Rid Of? We’ve got tips to help you declutter before you sell.
Register Here: https://soldwithsinclair.com/webinar
Exciting Developments in Farragut: The New Town Center at Biddle Farms
The Farragut Town Center at Biddle Farms is a transformative mixed-use development designed to serve as the heart of Farragut, Tennessee. This ambitious project aims to create a vibrant, walkable community hub featuring residential units, retail spaces, dining options, and public amenities.
Project Overview
Situated across from Farragut High School on Kingston Pike, the development encompasses approximately 43.63 acres. It includes 286 Class A multifamily apartments, 44 townhomes, and over 60,000 square feet of retail space. The design emphasizes a "Main Street" atmosphere, with shops and restaurants lining pedestrian-friendly streets, complemented by walking trails and a public park.
Anchor 934 Apartments
Located at 200 Brooklawn Street, Anchor 934 offers brand-new one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with modern amenities:
- One-Bedroom Apartments: Ranging from 593 to 806 square feet.
- Two-Bedroom Apartments: Between 1,084 and 1,192 square feet.
- Three-Bedroom Apartments: Approximately 1,462 square feet.
Each unit features chef-inspired kitchens with quartz countertops, high-end stainless-steel appliances, in-home washers and dryers, and generous walk-in closets. Community amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor fireplace area, and a rooftop lounge with skyline views.
Biddle Farms Townhomes
The development plans include 44 townhomes, offering a unique residential option within the Town Center:
- Design: The townhomes are designed to be individually owned, similar to a traditional subdivision, providing a sense of ownership and community.
- Pricing: Initial estimates suggest that these units will be priced between $600,000 and $800,000, depending on customizations and added features.
As the townhomes are still in the planning stages, detailed information on square footage and specific layouts is forthcoming.
Construction Progress
As of November 2024, significant strides have been made in the construction of the Town Center. Several buildings are complete, and the first retail spaces are expected to be ready for tenant build-outs by early summer. Businesses will continue to open through the end of the year with additional openings continuing into early 2025.
Retail and Dining Options
The Town Center is set to host a variety of retail and dining establishments. Some of the tenants include:
- Super Chix: A premium chicken concept known for its quality offerings. Open for business as of October 2024.
- Parlor Donuts: An elevated doughnut shop offering a variety of gourmet treats. Expected to open soon.
- Chase Bank: Providing comprehensive banking services, this branch opened in April 2024.
- Tupelo Honey: A well-known restaurant specializing in Southern cuisine, expanding from its downtown Knoxville location. Expected to open soon.
- SWTHZ: Contrast therapy studio offering infrared sauna and cold plunge experience. Coming soon.
Negotiations are ongoing with additional potential tenants, aiming to attract businesses that enhance the community's downtown feel.
Community Impact
The Farragut Town Center at Biddle Farms is poised to become a central gathering place, fostering a sense of community and providing residents with convenient access to shopping, dining, and recreational activities. The inclusion of public spaces, such as the Town Green, is designed to host events and activities, further enriching the local cultural scene.
Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about living, rental, or investment options in the Town Center.
Festive Family Fun: Top 5 Christmas Activities in the Knoxville Area
The Knoxville area offers a variety of festive activities for families during the Christmas season. Here are five notable events featuring holiday shows and light displays:
1. Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
- Dates: November 1, 2024 - January 5, 2025
- Location: Dollywood Theme Park, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Description: Experience a winter wonderland with over six million twinkling lights, festive shows like "Christmas in the Smokies," and holiday-themed rides.
- Cost: Regular park admission applies; tickets start at $84 for adults.
- More Information: Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
2. Festival of Lights at The Cove
- Dates: December 3, 2024 – January 3, 2025 (excluding Christmas Day)
- Location: The Cove at Concord Park, 11808 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922
- Description: Stroll along a three-quarter-mile greenway illuminated by sparkling light displays synchronized to music.
- Cost: Free admission
More Information: 2024 Guide to Christmas in Knoxville
3. Sevierville's Smoky Mountain Winterfest
- Dates: November 8, 2024 – February 17, 2025
- Location: Throughout Sevierville, TN
- Description: Enjoy over 15 million lights adorning the Parkway and downtown areas, creating a magical holiday atmosphere.
- Cost: Free admission
- More Information: Sevierville Winterfest
4. Knoxville's Holidays on Ice
- Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Location: Market Square, Knoxville, TN
- Description: Ice skate under festive lights in the heart of downtown Knoxville.
- Cost: Admission prices vary; skate rentals available.
- More Information: Christmas in the City - City of Knoxville
5. Cherokee Caverns' Christmas in the Cave
- Dates: December 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22, 2024
- Location: Cherokee Caverns, 8524 Oak Ridge Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37931
- Description: Explore the cave adorned with thousands of twinkling lights and holiday scenes; visit with Santa and the Grinch.
- Cost: $15 per person (ages 3 and up)
- More Information: Christmas in the Cave 2024
These events provide wonderful opportunities for families to enjoy the holiday season in and around Knoxville. Be sure to check each event's official website for the most current information and any additional details.
Real Estate Market Watch: Is Knoxville Still in a “Seller’s” Market?
The short answer: “yes, with a but.” Here are a few metrics from October 2024 to help tell the story.
- Months Supply of Inventory: Currently at 2.16, this metric indicates how long it would take to sell all current homes on the market at the current sales pace. A lower number suggests a seller's market, where demand exceeds supply. 12-Month Change in Months of Inventory: Inventory has increased by +27.06% compared to last year, reflecting a shift toward a buyer's market as more homes become available.
- Median Days on Market: Homes are selling in 19 days on average, which is relatively low and indicative of high demand and limited supply. However, this number is trending upward, with some listings becoming “stale,” particularly those that are initially overpriced. That said, a well-priced home can still attract multiple offers and sell within a day.
- List-to-Sold Price Percentage: At 98.5%, homes are generally selling close to their listing price. Sellers should set realistic pricing expectations, while buyers may have room to negotiate slightly below asking.
- Median Sold Price: The median selling price is $411,450, providing insight into current market trends and benchmarks for buyers and sellers.
Summary
The current data reflects a seller's market, but trends are shifting slightly toward more favorable conditions for buyers. While well-priced homes continue to sell quickly, buyers may find increased options and negotiation opportunities over the next 2–3 months.
We’ll revisit the market in spring, when changes in inventory, buyer activity, economic factors, and mortgage rates are expected to significantly impact market dynamics.
