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

Not having grown up with the Internet, some of us are still a bit stymied by the complexity of social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and Linkedin. With the exception of the latter, these media have the sometimes-reputation that they are for kids who have the time on their hands to keep up with their personal pages and friend requests, along with the willingness to share details about themselves that those over 40 tend to hold close to the chest. What is often overlooked is the utility of social networking sites for grown-ups: moms, retirees, businesses, and other organizations. Additionally, folks who are relocating may find networking sites useful in keeping up with friends and family. Following are some network sites of interest with a short explanation of their intended utility.


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For the uninitiated, a word of advice - Jump in. It looks much more complicated than it is! Most sites provide user-friendly templates to help you set up your own page along with support if you get stuck. All sites have a search bar to help you find other pages of interest; try searching by location, subject, or other keyword. You may get something that you didn't ask for in your search results so be prepared for that. Also, know that you don't have to have an established page to browse. Some sites require you to log in but you can register without working on your own page.

MySpace allows you to design unique pages and post information about yourself or your organizations. You can accept email, set your page to private, or leave it public for all to see. The "friend" section is populated by you; people will send you friend requests and you can choose whether you want to accept them. If you find a MySpace page that interests you, you can often find similar pages or interests by clicking on their friends' pictures. The VolNation has a page as does the Knoxville Coliseum.

Facebook was once a college networking site but now works a lot like MySpace and seems to be gaining popularity. Some say that it tends to have a more grown-up feel and tone than MySpace which they are leaving to the youngsters. Knoxville's United Way has its own page as does Songs of Appalachia, a group that features musicians from East Tennessee. If you look to the right side of their page, you can find related groups that might interest you, like Knoxville's Sundown in the City. Even our governor, Phil Bredesen, has a page on Facebook! Again, use the search bar to find groups or individuals that interest you.

Other sites aren't as well-known but are gaining popularity within specific groups. "Three focused communities have been growing rapidly this year: CafeMom, a network for mothers, Daily Strength, a support community for those with health issues and other life problems, and Eons, a social network for the 50+ set." For a list of 2007's twenty top social networking sites, click here. For another explanation of social networking sites, click here.

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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.

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• 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.


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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?

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• 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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A number of our clients tell us that they worked for years to build a bigger home, and now they simply want less—less space, less maintenance, less headaches.  Downsizing for many is an act of liberation that frees them from unnecessary responsibilities and allows them to be free to travel or do as they please.

As we compile information about this transition, it is apparent that the move to a smaller home is a major life adjustment, which is teeming with excitement and some apprehension. Holrob Communities is preparing a symposium/workshop that details many of the considerations and helpful tips when downsizing, and we would like to hear from you.

Let us know your comments here.

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