East Tennessee Residential Communities : Holrob Communities : Private Communities near Knoxville, Knox County, Blount County, Anderson County, Sevier County

For a limited time, Holrob has agreed to lease this luxury home located in The Cove at Turkey Creek.

11223 MATTHEWS COVE $769,000 or $4,000 / mo. Main-level master bedroom High ceilings Rear courtyard 4 Bedrooms 3 1/2 Baths 3,316 Square feet Contact us

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Downsizing? Thinking of selling your home? Experts offer advice on home updates to maximize your return at sale. Most recommend that sellers not undertake major remodeling as a means to improve sale price as remodeling costs are unlikely to be recovered at sale. However, major remodeling is not the same as repair and sellers should be aware that worn and broken furnishings have a strong negative impact on buyers. Fortunately, many repair costs can be recovered at sale and some updates may help you move your house more quickly, as well.

Photo by massdistraction.

• Before you begin, know that the "secret to successful pre-sale home remodeling is to keep up with the Jones’, but never surpass them. Whether you want to make more money than you spend, or just recoup your remodeling expenses when you sell your home, know what’s standard in the neighborhood." Also, whatever you undertake, keep it "neutral, clean, and classic" - now isn't the time to spring for trendy colors!
• Sellers are likely to recoup most or all of the costs for minor bathroom improvements, such as an updated sink or toilet. By replacing a cabinet sink with pedestal version or replacing the old tub with a nice shower, bathrooms look updated and appealing to buyers. Remodeling Magazine's 2005 data show the average cost recovered for minor bathroom improvements was 102.2 percent.
• Buyers form first impressions when they drive up to the home and worn or drab siding can be a deterrent, even when interiors are attractive. Siding replacement can help move your home and the likelihood of recovering expenses is high. Remodeling lists the average recovered costs for vinyl siding replacement at 95.5 percent and the average recovered costs for fiber cement siding at 103.6 percent.
• A minor kitchen update is a good bet - if you know when to stop. "Reface the cabinets with new doors and drawers, put in new appliances, update with resilient flooring and laminate countertops and finish with neutral wall paint" but, again, don't spring for amenities that surpasses your neighborhood's standards. Average recovered expenses for minor kitchen updates: 98.5 percent.
• If square footage is an issue, consider converting your attic space to a bedroom with a small bathroom. "The payoff for remodeling this existing space is higher than the payback for adding new space. Putting on even a modestly priced master suite addition costs typically costs about twice as much as finishing an attic and the return (82.4%) is lower." Average recovered expenses for attic conversion: 93.5 percent.

Four projects not likely to pay off include remodeling to up-scaled kitchens, home offices, and master bedrooms, and family room additions. Budget tight? Consider snazzy minor repairs such as painting, removing carpet from hardwood flooring, spiffing up the yard, or replacing old light fixtures. A word of caution: Before you break out the hammer, check the data for your area as recovered expenses are national averages.

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No matter how excited you are, moving brings many challenges: a new home means a new mortgage for most; perhaps the move means a new job; old routines are disrupted; and often friends or family are left behind. Even a move across town can bring significant stress. While there's no way to eliminate all the stress from your move, you can certainly minimize it. Here's 5 things you can do to make your move feel less like one of life's major events.


Photo by thornypup.

1.    Sort and dispose of, donate, or sell unnecessary clutter and furniture well before the big day. How to know what is 'unnecessary'? Here's a checklist to help you sort. The big tip here is to know the capacity of your new home and not take too much - and don't move anything dirty or that you'll throw out when you get there! Clean everything before you go and be honest with yourself when struggling with your decision to part with that broken chair you've been meaning to fix!

2.    Start packing really early. My most recent move was scheduled nine months in advance and I began packing six months before the trucks pulled up. Sorting as I went, I packed in this order: Garage first! Sort and pack as much as you can and make sure to save room to store additional completed boxes as you finish them. Next, scour your house for items that you won't "miss," such as extra dishes, files for storage, and decorator items from the tops of cabinets and shelves. As time draws closer, pack up the rooms that are the least used such as formal living rooms, libraries, under-utilized offices, formal dining rooms, and guest bedrooms. Finally, many suggest that you double the time you think you'll need for final packing. There's always more to do than you think and packing all night before the trucks arrive is no way to combat stress. How to pack? There's a guide here and a list of essentials to keep handy here.

3.    If you have children and/or pets, consider their care before you go. Here's a few tips: Young children might be better off with family or friends; besides the additional stress that caring for them while moving will bring, their safety should be considered, as well. Older children might be helpful, but for shorter periods than you would probably like. Patience, food, and entertainment will ease their stress and yours! Pets may need to be kenneled or kept in an empty room in the house with food and water for their safety. Post a sign on the door to remind everyone who's inside!

4.    Consider your family's feelings - and yours, too! Small children, teens, spouses, and extended family are affected in different ways and so need to cope in different ways. Knowing what you are feeling and how to help them is an important part of a smooth transition - before and after the move.

5.    Know your limits. Recognize and acknowledge when you feel anxious or stressed and practice these exercises to reduce your stress response. Keep a sense of humor, too! Laughing lightens any load!

For additional information, submit your questions here. 

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Americans move over ten times during their lives, once every seven years on average. We move to gain access to better health care, closer proximity to family, better jobs, more lively entertainment and social outlets, better schools, or better or more affordable housing. With more than 40 million moves occurring within the United States each year, Americans are among the most mobile in the world. What do we know about these movers?

Photo by hanguklnGilroy.

• Housing is the number one reason for the move. Between March 1999 and March 2000, 52 percent of moves were made to secure better, bigger, and/or cheaper housing. Twenty-six percent of these moves were for family related reasons and 16 percent of the moves were for work related reasons.
• Of the 43.3 million moves that occurred from 1999-2000, over 56 percent stayed within the same county. Twenty percent moved to a different county within the same state and 19 percent moved to another state.
• Young people are more likely to move than their elders. Between 1999 and 2000, one-third of those aged 20-29 moved while only four percent of those aged 65-84 relocated.
• Region matters. Between 1999 and 2000, the South was the only region to experience a significant gain in population. While the Northeast experienced a net loss of over a quarter million residents, the South had a net gain of 227,000.
• According to the American Housing Survey, in 2006, 53 percent of movers saw their expenses increase when they moved. Twenty-three percent saw their expenses decrease and 24 percent saw no change.
• In declining order, the factors which influenced the selection of the home they moved to were (2006): finances; room design/layout; kitchen; size; exterior appearance; yard and view; quality of construction; and availability.

Although many have the freedom and economic means to move, few put real thought into finding a community that fits them best. Where you move may be more important than why you move as place dictates quality of life through economic, recreational, and social opportunities. Click here to learn more.

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After furnishing the model for the Grand Opening, we wanted to share the video tour of the home with you. Enjoy!

If you would like to receive more information about The Enclave, please click here and let us know.

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In his latest book, Who's Your City, best selling author Richard Florida claims that where you choose to live is more important than ever before. Florida points out that economic activity, innovation, types of people, and creativity is concentrated in relatively few places and that those places will offer better jobs, quality of life, and services. Florida uses a series of maps to show how the world's population is distributed, and where the most productive and creative people live and the strongest economies are in the United States. The Southeast shows prominently on these maps.

Photo by sleepless aquarius.

Florida recommends considering a number of factors when deciding on a new community - opportunity and basic services are among the most important. The Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area, home to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and numerous medical and technology-based businesses, reflects our government and community leadership's commitment to quality economic development and quality of life. Recent awards and rankings speak for themselves:

• 2008 - Knoxville ranked 4th on the "Best Cities for Relocating Families" list for Mid-Size Markets. Source: Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation May 2008

• 2008 - Metropolitan Knoxville named No. 10 on the list of Forbes Magazine "Best Places for Business and Careers." Source: Forbes Magazine March 2008

• 2007 - Expansion Management magazine named the Knoxville Metropolitan area 3rd among all mid-sized cities in the nation in its annual "Best Metro for Business and Expansion" competition. Source: Expansion Management Magazine August 2007.

• 2007 - Boating Life Magazine named Knoxville as one of the "10 Best Places to Live And Boat." Source: Boating Life Magazine July 2007

• 2007 - Metropolitan Knoxville named No. 5 on the list of the best metro areas for business and careers by Forbes Magazine. Source: Forbes Magazine April 2007.

• 2007 - Knoxville ranked 1st on the "Best Cities for Relocating Families" list. Source: Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation May 2007

• 2007 - Expansion Management magazine named Knoxville one of "America's 50 Hottest Cities," cities that are best places to expand or relocate a business. Source: Expansion Management Magazine February 2007.

If you would like more information about Knoxville, click here and request more information.

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A recent post by Patrick Beeson on Knoxify inspired me share a few of my favorite non-chain Knoxville coffee shops. Knoxville certainly has its share of Starbuck's and Panera Breads - you can find a decent cup of coffee on any corner - but I prefer to support the locals whenever I can. To establish expertise: I drink it 'black and bitter,' as an ex-boyfriend says they put it in the Navy. The thing about drinking coffee black is that it really does require better quality, so my 'good cup standard' could be higher than some. You can sweeten, cream, froth, and flavor bad coffee and it becomes a completely different beverage, as another ex-boyfriend used to say. Bad coffee can get away with a lot incognito. But it's hard to find a cup of really good coffee... the kind that needs no tampering... the kind you can drink black. Knoxville offers some possibilities; I'll share some of my favorites.

Photo by jeneyepher.

Beeson gave his take on the new shop, Coffee and Chocolate, on Market Square. I stopped in about a month ago and my experience was much like Beeson's: I had a tasty cup of coffee and dessert, appreciated the urban feel, wondered about the minimal seating, but appreciated the coziness. It's a downtown shop and it gives us what we want - a solid cup of coffee; a hip place to hang out; and a respectable addition to the montage of downtown establishments. Other downtown possibilities: Old City Java or the Cafe Gourmet Coffee Shop at the Knoxville Visitor's Center.

Beeson mentioned The Golden Roast which is at the University of Tennessee campus. Because I both attended and taught at UT, I've had more coffee there than I'd like to admit. Coffee quality used to be hit and miss - weaker some days than others -but they've become more consistent in the past few years. It's a cozy college and professor hang-out with wi-fi, typically quiet, with several seating arrangements for individual and group work. Also in the campus area is Sunspot; you might as well stay for lunch while you're there. This restaurant is a Knoxville favorite with friendly service, great food, and an easy atmosphere.

Continue West on Kingston Pike to the Homberg area and you'll find Cosmo's Cafe at the Gourmet's Market. The market itself is worth the trip with specialty food and cooking items that can't be found anywhere else in town. The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating, serves sandwiches, soups, and Sunday brunch. I've been drinking Cosmo's coffee for 14 years and haven't had a bad cup yet.

Another favorite is Maple Grove Coffee on Northshore Drive (formerly Smoky Mountain Coffee). This shop roasts its beans on-site; I think it's the only coffee shop that roasts in Knoxville. The owners also own the Maple Grove Inn, a recommended bed and breakfast for out-of-towners. The atmosphere is a bit stark, more of a lunch cafe feel than a coffee shop; I've never felt the urge to hang out there. But the staff are great and the coffee more than makes up for the lack in decor. Grab a bag of beans for the house while you're there.

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For the past two decades motorcycle sales have been on the rise. Since 2002, new purchases have topped over 900,000 each year, a trend that is likely to continue with rising fuel costs. It's estimated that nearly nine million motorcycles are currently in use in America; with such popularity it's no surprise that bike owners have an annual event to share their enthusiasm. Celebrating its eighth consecutive year in Knoxville, Honda Hoot attendees will soon arrive at Chilhowee Park to "blow out the candles" for the Hoot's fifteenth anniversary.

Photo by goatmanbaldy.

This "Top 20 Event" is much like a reunion, drawing visitors back year after year to visit with old friends, make new ones, and to "enjoy the variety of activities and events - from self guided rides through the serene Knoxville outdoors to demonstration rides that offer exclusive opportunities to experience dozens of brand new bikes." Many daytime activities are suggested, highlighting the area's wonderful attractions and scenery. For instance, bikers might take a ride to nearby Dollywood, go white water rafting, visit the Knoxville Zoo, or take a riverboat cruise on the Star of Knoxville. In past years, the rides through the Cumberland Gap and Cherohala Skyway have been popular. This year, new rides include "Bikes and Boats at the Lake" (in which attendees will visit) Lenoir City for water activities and lunch and the "Capes and Cavern Ride" will provide a day of exploring caves..." Over 200 vendors will participate in the vendor expo and nightly shows, fireworks, and games are planned with Wynonna Judd performing a special private concert to Hoot attendees as a grand finale. The June 18-21 event will bring over 16,000 bikers to the city with an estimated city/county economic impact of over $23 million.

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There's something magical about a blinking bug. The firefly has been a part of many childhoods, a dusk-to-dark distraction for little ones who hop about, filling mason jars to make twinkling lanterns. The Smoky Mountains are fortunate to have 14 species of fireflies, including the only species in the United States that can "synchronize their flashing light patterns." No one knows why these flies synchronize but the effect is otherworldly. For the observer, it looks something like this: "One moment, the forested slope above the clearing would be dark - cavernously dark.  Then, suddenly, a few flashes would appear off to the right, and like a fuse, they seemed to set off a chain reaction.  In a diffuse and unruly wave, thousands of flashes would appear from right to left across the field of vision, lighting up the entire forest in an eerie green light.  It was as if the world’s largest chain of blinking Christmas lights had been turned on and then was suddenly unplugged again.  The forest would return to that deep, cavernous dark for a few seconds… then… a few flashes occurred off to the right and the cycle would repeat itself."

Photo by jamelah.

It's such a beautiful sight that the two mid-June weeks of firefly synchrony have become a busy Smoky Mountain attraction. As one of only two places in the world where such a spectacle can be seen (the other is in Southeast Asia), the event draws around 2,000 people each weekend night to the site near Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Folks spread their blankets and open lawn chairs, maybe pic-nic a bit while the kids squirm in excitement for the start of the show. Then it does and even the little ones are transfixed. Writes Matt Wasson: "As the blue twilight faded toward darkness and dozens of blinking lights became hundreds – and then thousands - the din of conversation gradually faded into a quiet undercurrent of whispers and gasps of wonder." Just one more reason to love East Tennessee.

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