house hunting

[kag]

As much as I adore my house, Jon and I have come to the conclusion that we are either going to have to make it bigger or buy a new house.

So here's what we are looking for and if anyone knows of such a house -- maybe FSBO or about to go on the mkt or whatever (we are already searching MLS listings) - please let us know.

We want to stay near downtown, preferably within 2 miles of downtown. We need at least 2000 sq feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and a real front porch. Hardwood floors a must.

Also, it does look like my house may be going on the mkt soon. So if you know anyone looking for an adorable 3 bedroom, 1 bath craftsman cottage in an awesome neighborhood with sidewalks, near downtown, with wonderful woodwork and a very nice, big yard-- all at a really affordable price, please have them get in touch with me :-)

[gypsy]

kag and jah, hunting their elusive quarry (domicilius familius knoxvillicus):

http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/images/photos/appeal/hunters-small.jpg

[power5483]

You failed to mention price. There is a nice colonial on Hillsboro Heights in the Island Home area. 1/2 acre, over 2,000 sq ft. $289,900.

[Tess]

Does school district play into your decision making?

Also, if you live outside the city limits, you pay only County taxes and are not double taxed (city and county).

[kag]

You failed to mention price. There is a nice colonial on Hillsboro Heights in the Island Home area. 1/2 acre, over 2,000 sq ft. $289,900.

Yeah, I guess that price sorta matters ;-)

170K or less, preferably less. I love Island Home but I can't imagine finding anything in Island Home we could afford....

[he who]

hey KAG---I just sent you an email---you may want to talk to me---I might have something that is right up your alley.

I tried to PM you but it was full so I hope that gets to ya....I includeed my number--call me if you wanna come see...

[jah]

hey KAG---I just sent you an email---you may want to talk to me---I might have something that is right up your alley.

I tried to PM you but it was full so I hope that gets to ya....I includeed my number--call me if you wanna come see...
well, I bite. you could pm me, too, you know....

[he who]

done bro---am aware of the connection but was unsure if you were on...

so I just replied to KAG---I hope none of this is on the test...:-P

[jah]

done bro---am aware of the connection but was unsure if you were on...

so I just replied to KAG---I hope none of this is on the test...:-P
I like to be invisible. Not sure why.

Anyway, I will fwd the information to kag.

(you always have to keep in mind who's in charge....)

[me]

My experience has been that the best way to find a house is driving around. Pick out the neighborhoods you are interested in, and drive through them on a regular basis, even once a week. You will find houses before they get on the MLS (good ones sometimes sell before they even make it) and you will find the FSBOs.

A buyer's agent might be OK for the relocating executive's wife who is coming into town to look at a dozen places and pick one and make an offer that day. For most people, doing your own search is better. You know what you want. Generally, buyer's agents know what they want to sell.

Once you find something, work with the listing agent directly. Ask them to discount their fee, since they won't have to split it with a buyer's agent.

Before making an offer, use KnoxGIS to find out what the owners paid and how long they lived there. Look at comparable recent sales in the neighborhood to make sure their price is reasonable.

Also, make any offer contingent on an inspection, and get an inspection before you buy. A few hundred dollars can save you thousands in grief.

My two cents worth, for what it's worth.

[jah]

I think you're exactly right. The best part about house hunting is the driving around looking part. Kate & I both enjoy a good house hunt, even if we're not in the market for a new home.

And thanks for the kgis reminder. Kate is at a house right now and I was getting online to look it up, but I completely forgot what I was here for.

You really think it's better to work with the listing agent directly? That wouldn't be a conflict of interest for the agent?

[me]

You really think it's better to work with the listing agent directly? That wouldn't be a conflict of interest for the agent?

Nah, their interest is to sell a house. So is the buyer's agent's. They are both looking for a commission, and neither is looking out for your best interests, generally. That's what title company lawyers and state regulations are for. The mortgage company is going to look out for their interests, which also happen to be yours.

[he who]

(you always have to keep in mind who's in charge....)


That is why I started with her...I am engaged too.

[jah]

That is why I started with her...I am engaged too.
heh.

[Georgia]

We've bought and sold four homes in 14 years due to Rick going back to school, clerkships and jobs-
I'll agree that driving around potential neighborhoods is a good way to scope out houses- plus the fact that you are familiar with the area you're checking out-that will make a huge difference. It's really difficult to determine if you have found an area that is a good match if you're doing the "drive up on a weekend" and buy a house deal.

me is right about the importance of an inspection. We've gotten really, really good bargining leverage from our inspections. On our first house, we gave them two offers...one was if we did all the work ourselves and the other was if the repairs were made using contractors we approved.

If you can catch a house that hasn't gone on the market-that would be great. We sold the house in SC that way. A family was renting a house down the street and wanted to stay in the neighborhood-they asked if we were staying in town after school and from there it just worked out.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you'll find the perfect place.

[Quince]

If you can catch a house that hasn't gone on the market-that would be great. We sold the house in SC that way. A family was renting a house down the street and wanted to stay in the neighborhood-they asked if we were staying in town after school and from there it just worked out.

Ah! Just like job hunting!

[jah]

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't consider buying a house without getting a good house inspector in there. Luckily, I know some very good house inspectors in town who I very much trust. The other side of house inspectors, too, is that kag & I are both huge fans of older houses, and it would be ridiculous to put that much money in an old house and not have someone look at it first.

[heyannie]

Do you know what you will be asking for your house yet? I know a buyer or two that might be interested. Also, what is the square footage?

...And these questions are for Jon OR Katie. :)

[stiqit]

Katie or JAH get in touch with me about the house you are moving out of I might be intrested in it. Thanks
joystiq@hotmail.com

[kag]

Well, we think we found a house over the weekend - technically in Old North but honestly, it feels to me like it's in 4th and Gill. It's awesome and I hope we can make it happen. The backyard is bordered by 1st creek and the Greenway.

If so, I'll be in touch with anyone and everyone who expresses interest in buying my current house - with full details.

:-)

[zoomfactor]

Well, we think we found a house over the weekend - technically in Old North but honestly, it feels to me like it's in 4th and Gill. It's awesome and I hope we can make it happen. The backyard is bordered by 1st creek and the Greenway.

If so, I'll be in touch with anyone and everyone who expresses interest in buying my current house - with full details.

:-)

Doncha know Old North is "technically" superior to 4th and Gill in every way? You lucked out!
:-) :-) :-)

[kag]

PS: There are some photos of the house we just made an offer on on my blog, if anyone is interested: www.katieallisongranju.com

[Georgia]

PS: There are some photos of the house we just made an offer on on my blog, if anyone is interested: www.katieallisongranju.com

Wow- you found something really quickly! It looks great- really pretty windows, woodwork, and a fantastic porch.

I love that feeling of re-doing potential that comes when you move into an older home. You stay awake at night and try paint colors and furniture placement in your mind.

[jah]

Wow- you found something really quickly! It looks great- really pretty windows, woodwork, and a fantastic porch.

I love that feeling of re-doing potential that comes when you move into an older home. You stay awake at night and try paint colors and furniture placement in your mind.
Yeah, we found this house about a week ago, and I had trouble sleeping the night after we first were able to get inside. It's not only incredible, it's just about perfect.

and it'll be perfect for combining two households as well, esp with the 3 kids, who will love growing up there, I'm sure. I know I would have. :)

[jah]

Yeah, we found this house about a week ago, and I had trouble sleeping the night after we first were able to get inside. It's not only incredible, it's just about perfect.

and it'll be perfect for combining two households as well, esp with the 3 kids, who will love growing up there, I'm sure. I know I would have. :)
Incidentally, it'll be even more perfect when the day comes when First Creek won't kill you if you touch it.

How to tell an 8 year old that he can't play in the creek?

[spinetingler]

OK, I'll marry either one of you for the house.



On a more serious note, that upstairs room with the fridge - I'd have to call that the suicide room if I lived there. I would sustain major head injuries within the first week.

[kag]

OK, I'll marry either one of you for the house.



On a more serious note, that upstairs room with the fridge - I'd have to call that the suicide room if I lived there. I would sustain major head injuries within the first week.

I've always liked the idea of having two or three husbands... hmmm ;-)

Your wife might object, however.

That upstairs room is only all crazy in the ceiling on the edges, which is where the photos are (because I wanted to get pix of those amazing windows). The central area is probably 300 sq feet of nice open space with 12 foot ceiling. It will make a great kids' wing, because all the children's rooms would open onto that upstairs room and then Jon and I will have our room downstairs.

[DanceDiva]

I think you're exactly right. The best part about house hunting is the driving around looking part. Kate & I both enjoy a good house hunt, even if we're not in the market for a new home.

And thanks for the kgis reminder. Kate is at a house right now and I was getting online to look it up, but I completely forgot what I was here for.

You really think it's better to work with the listing agent directly? That wouldn't be a conflict of interest for the agent?

FWIW, I have to respectfully disagree with the whole "agents are only on the lookout for their own buck." That's like saying that all attorneys care about are their own fees.

Wait. . .

Seriously though, I'm an agent and to address your question, no, it isn't a conflict of interest per se. Think of the agent as the trainer in a boxer's corner. It's his or her job to look out for the boxer's interest. The boxer across the ring may or may not have a trainer too, but your job is to protect your boxer. Buyer's agents are useful for people who haven't bought a home before; it's nice to have someone walk you through the process. Besides which, as the buyer, you don't worry about the commission--the seller pays it. That said, if you've bought a home before, you don't necessarily need someone to tell you all this stuff. You already KNOW you need an inspection and better yet, you know who to use.

Back to the conflict of interest thing, the only time it WOULD be is if you've signed with him or her as a buyer's agent and he or she has a listing that you want to buy. Then the agent would likely become a facilitator--gets the job done but isn't in anyone's corner.

I LOVE the house. I really hope y'all get it!!

[metulj]

I recommend zillow.com in combination with a public GIS app like Google Earth . We were really able to pick out our new place (or the general area) without the leg work.

Get a buyer's agent. You need someone to go to bat for you. Our agent sure did. I don't think we would have got the place we did without her keeping at it.

[carmelita]

Well, KAG, its officially time for us to become friends! We are now going to be neighbors. I live a block from the park and go there very frequently with Cash. PMT lives on my street and we've been threatening to have a progressive dinner for a year now. Maybe your move will be the piece that pushes us into action! Welcome to the cool end of the world... and to a lovely place you can sit on your front porch and drink beers and then walk to buy more when you and your friends drink it all!!! Aaah, urban life... :)

[carmelita]

Ok, so I checked out your house. Here's my story of that house.

Last spring when I was house hunting for the first time, I really really really wanted to be in Old North/Fourth and Gill. Not only was a relatively poor, but also I was a single girl looking for an old house not knowing squat about fixing old houses. I found a "perfect" house for me in the neighborhood. New(ish) but fit into the old neighborhood with its style (bay window and wrap around front porch!). I desperately wanted my family to see, approve and ultimately fall in love with my neighborhood and my house as I had. I drove my mom, and realtor aunt (who really wanted me to buy out west, of course) around the old houses hoping to get them excited before I went to mine. They weren't sold yet though. When I drove onto Grainger, we heard music (it was spring, our windows were down) we looked to the left and one the porch of "your" house was a group of musicians playing BEAUTIFULLY. There was a flute, a violin, stand up bass, at least ten musicians total, and we just stopped in the road. My mom, a talented musician in her own right, didn't say anything for a while. Then we slowly drove toward my new home and she simply said, "You're right. You are HOME."

Welcome and enjoy!

[jah]

when you said "here's my story of that house" my heart skipped a beat. heh.

With luck, then, we will be neighbors in about a month.

With luck. :)

[Gnaw Parker]

I hope you get the house. It's no fun getting your hopes up and having a great house fall through.

[Georgia]

That upstairs room is only all crazy in the ceiling on the edges, which is where the photos are (because I wanted to get pix of those amazing windows). The central area is probably 300 sq feet of nice open space with 12 foot ceiling. It will make a great kids' wing, because all the children's rooms would open onto that upstairs room and then Jon and I will have our room downstairs.


I like all the angles of the ceilings...it makes a really cozy space. I bet at least one of your children has already picked a room based on the the alcoves.

Oh, Jon- if you couldn't sleep the first night or two because you were thinking of how great the house would be...what holidays spent there would be like...that kind of stuff....that's a really good sign.

(I always think it's a good idea to have a bedroom on the first floor- that was one of my Momma's rules to house buying along with buying the smallest house in the best neighborhood.)

[Lee G]

when you said "here's my story of that house" my heart skipped a beat. heh.

I never bought a house until I was in my late 30s, but it remains one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. It was all worth it, though. Good luck.

[kag]

Well, the offer has officially been made, the earnest money proffered... now we wait...tick, tick, tick .... we should hear back by noon tomorrow.

It really is nervewracking when the house is one you know you really SHOULD inhabit. A few times in my life, I've walked in a place - a house or building - and known I belonged there, and I felt that way about this house right away.

As my mother reminds me, however, if it isn't meant to be, it isn't meant to be.

I must say, I will really, really miss my beloved Oakwood-Lincoln Park house. It's got seriously great house karma and we've been so happy there. If only it were bigger.

And Carmelita, that's the loveliest story! And I hope we'll be neighbors soon.

[edens]

Should you need one, Steve Hancock in 4th and Gill is a great home inspector. And, unlike most, he doesn't freak out about old houses.

[Georgia]

Incidentally, it'll be even more perfect when the day comes when First Creek won't kill you if you touch it.

How to tell an 8 year old that he can't play in the creek?

What's up with the creek? Is there a coliform issue?

[kag]

What's up with the creek? Is there a coliform issue?

I am told, by someone in the know, that First Creek is still so dirty with sewage runoff, that if a child with, say, a cut on his hand or foot got into the creek, he could get really sick with a bad infection.

It's a lovely creek that borders the back side of the property, but we really are going to have to get more info before I'm comfortable with the kids so much as sticking their fingers in it.

If anyone knows where I should look for more info on the creek's relative safety, I'd love to get this info.

[Georgia]

I am told, by someone in the know, that First Creek is still so dirty with sewage runoff, that if a child with, say, a cut on his hand or foot got into the creek, he could get really sick with a bad infection.

It's a lovely creek that borders the back side of the property, but we really are going to have to get more info before I'm comfortable with the kids so much as sticking their fingers in it.

If anyone knows where I should look for more info on the creek's relative safety, I'd love to get this info.

That's a shame.
My Dad kept a check on the creeks near the house I grew up in...(when your Dad's a microbiologist it takes some of the fun out of childhood-no eating raw cookie dough, homemade ice cream made with uncooked eggs, no playing in the creeks with high coliform levels- couldn't swim with friends in the Oconee River).

Are there farms upstream? I'm sure someone could give you the lowdown on the levels. It may be a situation that levels would be within a safe zone at different times of the year. Dad would do a quarterly check (at least) and if the levels were ok we could go to the creek.

Children and creeks just go together.

[market square district]

http://static.flickr.com/55/186732878_d89a12dffc.jpg

[zoomfactor]

Should you need one, Steve Hancock in 4th and Gill is a great home inspector. And, unlike most, he doesn't freak out about old houses.

You won't find Steve H. in 4th and Gill. He is firmly entrenched in Old North Knoxville and would be baffled (and perhaps a little insulted) over this ongoing confusion about the neighborhoods of North Knoxville. :-) :-) :-)

[edens]

Didn't he used to live across from Whetsel?

Oh, and Scott, I was wondering if those craftsman details were new additions...

[kag]

Oh wow! Seriously? Can you tell us more about the house and what it looked like before the work was done? Did you do other work on the house?


http://static.flickr.com/55/186732878_d89a12dffc.jpg

[zoomfactor]

Didn't he used to live across from Whetsel?

Sorry. There must be two Steve Hancocks that deal in the building trades. I see on KGIS that there is a person with that name on Luttrell.

[edens]

Dunno...maybe I always just assumed the Steve Hancock on Luttrell was the home inspector.

Anyway, Old North, Fourth and Gill, all those old neighborhoods look the same to me...

[DnB]

Woo hoo. That's a great house. I hope you two (well, you five) get it!!!

(aside: nice to meet you the other night MSD. And if you feel like doing any more inside work on houses, just let me know!!!)

Good luck!!!!

[jah]

http://static.flickr.com/55/186732878_d89a12dffc.jpg
Yeah, more info would be good. Very cool, btw. We knew that the part that juts out into the room was new, but our understand was the other parts were original. Either way, they look very good and really add to the house.

[me]

I am told, by someone in the know, that First Creek is still so dirty with sewage runoff, that if a child with, say, a cut on his hand or foot got into the creek, he could get really sick with a bad infection.

It's a lovely creek that borders the back side of the property, but we really are going to have to get more info before I'm comfortable with the kids so much as sticking their fingers in it.

If anyone knows where I should look for more info on the creek's relative safety, I'd love to get this info.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has this info:

http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/wpc/publications/2004303dListFinal.pdf

FIRST CREEK Knox
Miles impaired: 16.1

Causes:
Nitrates M
Loss of biological integrity due to siltation H
Other Anthropogenic Habitat Alterations H
Escherichia coli NA

Sources:
Discharges from MS4 area
Urbanized High Density Area
Collection System Failure

Comments:
Water contact advisory. This
stream is Category 5. The
stream is impaired for one or
more uses. However, EPA
has approved a fecal coliform
TMDL that addresses some of
the known pollutants in this
stream.

According to another report:

http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/wpc/publications/2006305b.pdf

the stream has been posted with a "Bacteriological Advisory", which I believe means "avoid human contact."

You can contact the TDEC for more info, and I'm sure they can direct you to the right person to answer your questions, and maybe even have somebody come out and test it.

http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/wpc/

[~Rumormonger~]

If you need a listing agent for your house try:

Jennifer Montgomery
Wallace & Wallace, Realtors
124 N. Winston Road
Knoxville, TN 37919

(865) 693-1111 - O
(865) 406-4364 - C

jennifer.montgomery@coldwellbanker.com

http://www.buyhistoriccallme.com

I believe she sold Edens house and found homes for a few of our lurkers.

[kag]

I know Jennifer through a mutual friend and she's great.

And RN, thanks for that good stream info. My kids' father is the Knox County hydrologist and he's also helping me track down some info on the creek water issue, as well as making sure there isn't going to be a need for flood insurance since the back of the yard may technically be in a floodplain... The house has a very large backyard up a long slope from the creek, so I don't actually think water would ever get anywhere near the house, but apparently we might have to get s survey to prove this and avoid having to pay this special insurance (just found all this out this morning).

[Milo Bloom]

Congrats on the house! Maybe later I will post a thread detailing our never-ending obsession/frustration with trying to find some land to purchase. For a reasonable price.

[metulj]

If you need a listing agent for your house try:

Jennifer Montgomery
Wallace & Wallace, Realtors
124 N. Winston Road
Knoxville, TN 37919

(865) 693-1111 - O
(865) 406-4364 - C

jennifer.montgomery@coldwellbanker.com

http://www.buyhistoriccallme.com

I believe she sold Edens house and found homes for a few of our lurkers.

Get on the Coldwell Banker mortgage preapproval program. If the buyer uses CB for their mortgage, closing costs and closing dates become much, much clearer. This is what we did. It is a vertical system that does all of the underwriting, title work, etc under one roof. We closed in 4.5 weeks. No shit. The only real hassle was a mortgage from the 1950s that was paid off but not closed by a previous owner. A quick bit of lawyer work did the trick on that.

[metulj]

And RN, thanks for that good stream info. My kids' father is the Knox County hydrologist and he's also helping me track down some info on the creek water issue, as well as making sure there isn't going to be a need for flood insurance since the back of the yard may technically be in a floodplain... The house has a very large backyard up a long slope from the creek, so I don't actually think water would ever get anywhere near the house, but apparently we might have to get s survey to prove this and avoid having to pay this special insurance (just found all this out this morning).

My secondary specialty for my PhD is hazards. I suggest that you buy flood insurance. The NFIP program is damn near insolvent and the insurance industry is hot and bothered to force flood riders on people in Lousiana AND Nevada. They will push flood insurance on everyone soon.

Also, just because the yard has a long slope up from the water course doesn't mean that the earth is of a type that will prevent flooding of a basement or house, which leads to interesting assessments by insurance adjustors like "well, the water came to 70 feet of your footers so that's not our problem." All you need is a nice unbeknownst bed of gravel or a predor (limestone tunnel in beautiful karstic E. Tenn) under your house.

[kag]

Chris just sent me the floodplain map for that neighborhood and the back of the yard does indeed technically fall within the First Creek floodplain. Thus, we will need to buy the special insurance. I am curious why the seller/agent did not mention this in their disclosure. Seems like it would be something you would tell people. Now we need to find out how much this insurance would cost.

And we will know by noon whether our offer was accepted.

[metulj]

And we will know by noon whether our offer was accepted.

Finguhs crossed here in Joisey City.

[Headless Geisha]

Fingers are crossed for ya!

[jah]

Yeah, if I were her (the seller), I wouldn't make a decision until the last possible minute. But as the buyer, it's driving me nuts!

Every time the phone rings, my stomach does a flip.

[me]

I'm thought the seller was required to disclose this, too. Here's the disclosure form:

http://www.knoxville-tn.com/forms/tndisc.pdf

See items 10, 11, and 12:

10. Flooding, drainage or grading problems?
11. Any requirement that flood insurance be maintained on the property?
12. Is any of the property in a flood plain?

Did you get this form? If they left this out, what else did they leave out?

Although, people aren't always forthcoming, even with the form. We got one one time that said no evidence of termites. On inspection, we found infestation so bad it had undermined the structural integrity of floor joists, the subfloor, wall studs, and more. The inspector took a photo of his screwdriver jabbed through the rotted floor in a spot in the kitchen. When we gave the owners the report, and said they would have to make repairs before we would go through with the sale, they got a "termite letter" saying there was no infestation and refused to make the repairs. Needless to say, we withdrew our offer.

[metulj]

The inspector took a photo of his screwdriver jabbed through the rotted floor in a spot in the kitchen. When we gave the owners the report, and said they would have to make repairs before we would go through with the sale, they got a "termite letter" saying there was no infestation and refused to make the repairs. Needless to say, we withdrew our offer.

Needless to say: There are scumbag bug inspectors that will give you a termite cert for a fee, no matter that termites are eating the house with a fava beans and a nice chianti.

[kag]

The seller checked "no" to both those items on the disclosure.

It looks like flood insurance isn't very expensive, so not a biggie, really.

[jah]

Needless to say: There are scumbag bug inspectors that will give you a termite cert for a fee, no matter that termites are eating the house with a fava beans and a nice chianti.
That's why it's good to have a home inspector who really knows what he's doing and whom you can trust.

[me]

The seller checked "no" to both those items on the disclosure.

It looks like flood insurance isn't very expensive, so not a biggie, really.

Check the legal notes at the bottom of the form. They are required to report this stuff by TN law. You could probably negotiate some kind of discount. The agent probably doesn't want to be reported.

[pixeljockey]

The inspector took a photo of his screwdriver jabbed through the rotted floor in a spot in the kitchen. When we gave the owners the report, and said they would have to make repairs before we would go through with the sale, they got a "termite letter" saying there was no infestation and refused to make the repairs. Needless to say, we withdrew our offer.

i think i bought that house. anyway, i think termite letters refer to current, live termites being found, through fairly casual observation... not damage.

[metulj]

It looks like flood insurance isn't very expensive, so not a biggie, really.

Trust me: Well, worth it. I did a paper on flood insurance claims in Bound Brook, NJ after a tropical storm. NFIP coverage saved a lot of people, but people who were marginally in the defined flooding areas but not under the purview of NFIP got burned if they didn't have flood riders. Saving 5 bucks a month on insurance then losing your home because the 5 bucks you saved was the flood rider is a tough matter to eat. Very sad. Get flood insurance no matter what.

[metulj]

could probably negotiate some kind of discount. The agent probably doesn't want to be reported.

I was going to suggest that, but didn't want to seem like the hard-driving capitalist roader number 2. Thanks RN! ;)

[me]

i think i bought that house. anyway, i think termite letters refer to current, live termites being found, through fairly casual observation... not damage.

That's a good point. Our inspector (Jack Feldman at Clayton Home Inspections) was pretty adamant about not commenting on whether it was active or not because it was outside the scope of his service (he's a straight shooter that way) and just noted the damage in his report in great detail. I guess we could have gotten somebody licensed and qualified to determine if it was active or not, but either way the damage was done and they refused to pay for the repairs, so that was that.

[DanceDiva]

Fingers are crossed. Clock says 11:23.

[kag]

We got the house! Yay!

And the agent says the owner bought the house one year before NFIP requirements kicked in, meaning she didn't have flood insurance and didn't know whether the house was technically in a floodplain.

In any event, we'll be signing on for the insurance.

Thanks for all the great advice, blabbers. Look for a housewarming party in the fall :-)

(That is, if the house passes inspection...)

[DanceDiva]

Yay!!!!!!

[Georgia]

We got the house! Yay!

And the agent says the owner bought the house one year before NFIP requirements kicked in, meaning she didn't have flood insurance and didn't know whether the house was technically in a floodplain.

In any event, we'll be signing on for the insurance.

Thanks for all the great advice, blabbers. Look for a housewarming party in the fall :-)

(That is, if the house passes inspection...)


Congrats!!!

[kag]

Is this the Steve Hancock folks are recommending as the home inspector for historic houses?

http://www.npiweb.com/hancock/

[me]

Congratulations and good luck.

[Milo Bloom]

Good News!!!

Good luck selling the old place.

[jah]

Thanks, guys.

I'm beside myself. I don't even know what that means, and I'm sure it's true.

This is unbelievably exciting. I completely expected the owner to make a counter offer or something, but apparently she just decided to be done with it.

now for the home inspection....

:)

[flypony]

Gosh, I remember the song and dance associated with buying our house. It was a hot property (nice house/property and priced well) and there were several subsequent offers that came in immediately after ours, as we had a contingency that we had to sell our other house. I've never experienced such a range of emotions as I did during that whole process, as we had our hearts set on this house/farm from the moment we saw it (although my husband jokes that it was weeks before I realized that a house came with the deal, I was so focused on the barn!). We were on pins and needles for a few weeks, afraid that we might lose the farm, but were lucky when our old house sold within a week of putting it on the market. It was one of the scariest and most exciting experiences of my life, all rolled up into one.

HUGE congrats on the house! It looks like a place made for happy times!

[binR Bishop]

Congrats, Katie & Jon! Since you've bought an older house before, you probably know not to be shocked if the inspector finds a bunch of little things that need fixin' (we still haven't gotten around to all those and we've been here 9 years). Just don't buy it if there's a BIG thing.

I have to go to a meeting on Grainger tomorrow night, so I'll drive by and take a look. That's a great street, except that the traffic moves really fast, so your kids will need to keep their bikes out of the street.

[carmelita]

That's awesome guys! Really it is. Its such a great house. I know you've been a nervous wreck (jah!) but it looks like it'll have been worth it. Congrats, and welcome! I say its BLOCK PARTY time!!! :)

[DnB]

Yay for you. Congrats!!

[gypsy]

yah, congratulations. it looks like a sweet place. the porch! i want a porch.

[~Rumormonger~]

Congrats KJAAGH!

If you're worried about the traffic speed there are ways to slow it down (http://www.trafficcalming.org/).

The City probably wont be to keen on this, especially if you ask for bumps or tables, but roundabouts, islands, chokepoints or other chicanery might be winnable. If they don't go for that you can talk to your neighbors about parking a little farther out in the street than normal. That usually serves as a pretty good ad-hoc calming device.

[jah]

Congrats KJAAGH!

If you're worried about the traffic speed there are ways to slow it down (http://www.trafficcalming.org/).

The City probably wont be to keen on this, especially if you ask for bumps or tables, but roundabouts, islands, chokepoints or other chicanery might be winnable. If they don't go for that you can talk to your neighbors about parking a little farther out in the street than normal. That usually serves as a pretty good ad-hoc calming device.
Hey! My car is even in one of those pictures!

[jah]

That's awesome guys! Really it is. Its such a great house. I know you've been a nervous wreck (jah!) but it looks like it'll have been worth it. Congrats, and welcome! I say its BLOCK PARTY time!!! :)
indeed and indeed!

[metulj]

yah, congratulations. it looks like a sweet place. the porch! i want a porch.

You can buy one, install it at my house, and use it anytime you wish.

[metulj]

indeed and indeed!

Cestitam!

(that's the mother tongue for 'mazeltov!')

[Milo Bloom]

Congrats KJAAGH!

If you're worried about the traffic speed there are ways to slow it down (http://www.trafficcalming.org/).

bumps or tables,

Bumps and tables add NOISE to speed. Especially tables. Imagine a landscaping trailer hitting a speed table at 30mph and the resulting cacophony. I recommend other ways.

[Headless Geisha]

My crazy redneck neighbor just stands in the yard and screams at speeders when they go by. I'm not sure they actually slow down so much as they take a different route to avoid crazy-redneck-screaming-man.

[kag]

My crazy redneck neighbor just stands in the yard and screams at speeders when they go by.

(Sheepishly) I do that, too ;-)

[jah]

(Sheepishly) I do that, too ;-)
I keep telling you....

[metulj]

(Sheepishly) I do that, too ;-)

There's nothing quite like the Snake Pliskin approach to neighborhood watch activities. I recommend brandishing a nasty yard implement like a mattox or a maul for effect. Being drunk helps too.

[~Rumormonger~]

See Itchy...I tol' you that kid who threw that can o' cream'corn atcha wuz jes' tryin' a' tell ya' ta' slow th' eff down.

Li'l nayby'hood act'vist I tell ya' ;~)

[Headless Geisha]

He's never drunk. He's actually a pretty cool guy, as far as crazy redneck neighbors go. And with my doggies, I'm glad someone is screaming at speeders. I can't imagine the person I'd be if I actually had to fear for living human children. God help us all.

[metulj]

He's never drunk. He's actually a pretty cool guy, as far as crazy redneck neighbors go. And with my doggies, I'm glad someone is screaming at speeders. I can't imagine the person I'd be if I actually had to fear for living human children. God help us all.

When I was living on Ledgerwood, I yelled at a couple of the local yeoman burghers to slow the fuck down in their ridiculous Honda Accord hotrod. Dimwit circled back around (I was raking) and asked me if I had a problem. I told him to slow down or he'd have a problem. Of course, Einstein says "Oh, yeah. Well, I've got a gun." Sweet! A certified wimp. Called in the license plate number after he sped away when I charged the vehicle brandishing said rake. KPD swung by his house and let him know that "Well, we have guns too. So, why don't you come out here, we'll talk about it?" Terroristic threats against a guy watching out for his kids do not go over well with KPD. His father showed up the next day with the little asshole in tow. I was expecting an apology, but his dad asked me if I wanted to beat his ass. Seriously. I politely demurred as it looked like the kid had already taken a good pounding at the hands of Pop. Ah, North Knoxville...

[Hildegard]

I was expecting an apology, but his dad asked me if I wanted to beat his ass. Seriously. I politely demurred as it looked like the kid had already taken a good pounding at the hands of Pop. Ah, North Knoxville...

I do love it so.

[Pan]

Certain people speed through our stretch of Hiawassee on a regular basis.

And with the hills here, it's impossible to see a speeder while pulling out of our driveway until it's too late. Hell, if there's a speeder coming over the hill while we're pulling out onto the road, they'd be airborne by the time we saw each other. Our landlord warned us about it repeatedly.

Are there no steps residents can take? Can I call in a license plate # of a speeder through a residential zone? I've always assumed something like that is hearsay.

Personally, I've always dreamed of carrying a paintball gun in the car for just such an occasion...

[Tess]

From our nabe's dealing with the County, my take is that you are on your own. My snake eye works pretty well when I'm walking the pups. I'm pretty proud of myself. Most of the little mufflerless buggers slow down when I give them the evil eye. I've gotten pretty good over the years with the technique.

[Quince]

a public GIS app like Google Earth

Google Earth has changed my life.

[metulj]

Google Earth has changed my life.

Fascinating. How? I am using to teach this Summer. Hey, we're talking about the Kalahari and how indigenous people are being forced out of traditional lifestyles. Let's fly over there and check it out. The students love it.

[kag]

Google Earth has changed my life.


Metulj turned me on to Zillow.com and now I'm addicted.

[metulj]

Metulj turned me on to Zillow.com and now I'm addicted.

It's fun to play with West Knoxville addresses.

[bookeddy]

We had someone going down Fairmont on a motorcycle at about 80 most mornings between 6:30 and 7:30am for the first part of the summer.

Told a friend on KPD the details and... come to think of it, I haven't heard him go by since.... Yes I am making a gender assumption.

[Eldo]

We had someone going down Fairmont on a motorcycle at about 80 most mornings between 6:30 and 7:30am for the first part of the summer.

Told a friend on KPD the details and... come to think of it, I haven't heard him go by since.... Yes I am making a gender assumption.

F&%^ing snitch.

[~Rumormonger~]

We had someone going down Fairmont on a motorcycle at about 80 most mornings between 6:30 and 7:30am for the first part of the summer.

Told a friend on KPD the details and... come to think of it, I haven't heard him go by since.... Yes I am making a gender assumption.

I'm tellin' ya', a can o' cream'corn'll take care that, no problem ;~)

[edens]

There's nothing quite like the Snake Pliskin approach.

I've found that Lee Marvin cancels out Snake Pliskin, don't you agree?

[Lee G]

The folks in my neighborhood in Balto have tried to get the city to install speed humps on our narrow little kid-lined street at least three times over the past four years; each time, no dice. But people keep zipping down our street way too fast as a cut-through between main roads, so we keep trying. The mayor was on a radio show a coupla years ago and a caller asked about getting speed humps; dude actually said, all coy, that if concerned citizens wanted to build their own speed humps, it might take the city a few years to tear them out. What a city.

Congrats on the house, kids.

[kag]

Steve Hancock inspected house this morning. He said it's a very, very solid old house at an awfully good price for that neighborhood. His only concern is the roof, which will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

The process inches forward....;-)

[~Rumormonger~]

The folks in my neighborhood in Balto have tried to get the city to install speed humps on our narrow little kid-lined street at least three times over the past four years; each time, no dice. But people keep zipping down our street way too fast as a cut-through between main roads, so we keep trying. The mayor was on a radio show a coupla years ago and a caller asked about getting speed humps; dude actually said, all coy, that if concerned citizens wanted to build their own speed humps, it might take the city a few years to tear them out. What a city.

Congrats on the house, kids.

Seriously Lee, you should try talking to the folks in your neighborhood about parking their cars "a little to far from the curb." Stagger the cars irraticaly so you don't get any kind of defined line of where the parking space is in relation to the driving space. Also, park some of the cars on little angles (some more nose in and some more tail in). Anything confusing like that tends to make drivers wary and their natural inclination will be to slow down. It's pretty much just a psychological trick but it does work for slowing people down.

Another trick I saw on a heavily kid-trafficed street in Philly was a hockey stick glued to the middle of the street. The residents all know it's just glued there but to drivers that don't live there it looks like something that a kid might suddenly run out in the street to grab so they all slow down just in case.

[~Rumormonger~]

I've found that Lee Marvin cancels out Snake Pliskin, don't you agree?

But Chuck Norris' chin trumps all ;~)

[Michael]

But Chuck Norris' chin trumps all ;~)
Kirk Douglas' chin could beat up Chuck Norris' chin any day of the week.
~m.

[edens]

Kirk Douglas' chin could beat up Chuck Norris'

Shit, the cleft alone... Although, technically, there is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard, there is only another fist.

[metulj]

Shit, the cleft alone... Although, technically, there is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard, there is only another fist.

I see your Chuck Norrises, Kirk Douglases and Lee Marvineses and raise you one Abe Vigoda.

[DnB]

One word...

Leno.

[kag]

I trump all of you with....

.... a pre-cosmetic surgery John Kerry....

[metulj]

I trump all of you with....

.... a pre-cosmetic surgery John Kerry....

BUT ABE VIGODA LIVES!!!!!

http://www.abevigoda.com/ffb.php

[~Rumormonger~]

I trump all of you with....

.... a pre-cosmetic surgery John Kerry....

Check mate!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/acarmichael/bruce-campbell1.jpg

[Tess]

Steve Hancock inspected house this morning. He said it's a very, very solid old house at an awfully good price for that neighborhood. His only concern is the roof, which will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

The process inches forward....;-)

Maybe she will adjust the price based on roof replacement (which is a ton for a roof with a lot of angles and a steep pitch.) Mine was 10K to do about 3 years ago.

[edens]

Chins, schmins, when it comes to general bad-assedness, I'm standing pat on my original bet:

http://www.hollywoodusa.co.uk/images/Outleemarvingrave.jpg

[flypony]

Steve Hancock inspected house this morning. He said it's a very, very solid old house at an awfully good price for that neighborhood. His only concern is the roof, which will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

Our home inspector told us the exact same thing, and we discovered the first weekend we were here that "sooner," meant "now!" An impromptu monsoon resulted in buckets everywhere, and hubby and I scratching our heads, hoping that we hadn't bought a money pit. Several weeks later, we took the new roof plunge, and all was well!

What an exciting time for you guys! The house is gorgeous and has enough character for three houses.

[Tess]

But, if you can't negotiate the price, write the price of a roof into the mortgage. I am sure you've already thought of this. But, that is a high ticket item.

[Rose]

Kag your never gonna belive, but I was looking at mls listings on knox news before I saw the house you were going to buy and I picked the same one! Beautiful!

[kag]

Well the house we love needs a new roof. And when we sent roofer to give us bid, we are told the old roof may be asbestos, meaning major remediation that very likely will kill the deal.

We are waiting now for final word on whether it is asbestos and if so, what it would cost to fix the probelm and get new roof on the house.

I am feeling heartbroken :-(

We just LOVE this house.

[skirob]

Well the house we love needs a new roof. And when we sent roofer to give us bid, we are told the old roof may be asbestos, meaning major remediation that very likely will kill the deal.

We are waiting now for final word on whether it is asbestos and if so, what it would cost to fix the probelm and get new roof on the house.

I am feeling heartbroken :-(

We just LOVE this house.
Ahhhh, lovely asbestos on the roof. My grandparents old house had the same thing. My better half and I lived there for 7 years and we had one or two roofing issues that needed to be addressed. It was a pain in the ass to get anyone to deal with it. My mom and stepfather have spent the past 2 years remodeling that house and the first thing done was replacing the roof. I think they found someone that did a good job and didn't rob them blind. Let me know if you need any contact info and I'll see what I can do.

[kag]

Rob - We need to get second opinion, so we would love your roofer contact.

[Georgia]

Isn't it true that asbestos is only a problem if it is broken up/airborne. Could a new roof be placed over the old roof (can't you put up to 3 on a house without an issue?) and not touch the existing shingles?

Williamsburg has asbestos shingles in the historic district...and, I'm guessing it'll stay that way for a while.

Usually, I'm a tear is down to the bones and redo kind of person but this might be an issue that you wouldn't have to do that-

[JohnT]

A second opinion?

Don't fall in love with a house pre-purchase. Step back, look at it, and ask yourself "What do we love about this house?" Then find other houses, without 5-figure roofing jobs and potential carcinogens, to fall in love with. ;)

[kag]

A second opinion?

Don't fall in love with a house pre-purchase. Step back, look at it, and ask yourself "What do we love about this house?" Then find other houses, without 5-figure roofing jobs and potential carcinogens, to fall in love with. ;)

Oh! You are sooooo practical!!!

Seriously, though, this house is absolutely perfect for us in every way....but for this one teensy problem ;-)

And Georgia, it apparently already HAS three layers of shingles and it's one of these that may very well be asbestos.

[JohnT]

"Oh! You are sooooo practical!!!"

It's my blessing and my curse. ;)

[skirob]

Oh! You are sooooo practical!!!

Seriously, though, this house is absolutely perfect for us in every way....but for this one teensy problem ;-)

And Georgia, it apparently already HAS three layers of shingles and it's one of these that may very well be asbestos.

I have to agree with JohnT simply because I've dealt with the asbestos roof situation. As much as it sucks, you are probably going to have to start looking for another house. It's going to cost you dearly to get that roof fixed right.

Still waiting on the roofer contact. I'll PM you with the info.

[Georgia]

Your offer was contingent on the inspection-right?

Well, whoever buys the place is going to find the same thing out during their inspection....

Make a counter-offer based on the findings from the inspection and see if the seller will either deduct or meet you halfway for the proper replacement of the roof.

[jah]

Well, it will cost a lot for someone. Our only hope (other than that the roofer could be wrong - slim hope) is that now that it's out in the open it will have to be dealt with by somebody before the house can be sold. The seller is most likely going to have to absorb most of the cost, so I don't know why she couldn't absorb it for us!

(cross your fingers)

[DnB]

that's a good point, Jah. I hope it works out for you all.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[JohnT]

so I don't know why she couldn't absorb it for us!

The seller can, quite easily.

But if you want to do this, you're going to have to

1. Get three repair and/or replace estimates (I'll assume $10,000, but it will be a lot more)
2. Take the highest one, add 50%. ($15,000)
3. Tell the seller you'll take the price, less $15,000
4. Hope the repairs cost less than $15,000

[JCWhite]

Well the house we love needs a new roof. And when we sent roofer to give us bid, we are told the old roof may be asbestos, meaning major remediation that very likely will kill the deal.

We are waiting now for final word on whether it is asbestos and if so, what it would cost to fix the probelm and get new roof on the house.

I am feeling heartbroken :-(

We just LOVE this house.

Hang in there.
My wife & I searched for over a year for the right house.
It was well worth the wait!
I can't tell you how many houses we looked at that we thought was the house and it would always turn out that it had some major problem.
After the said year, we found a house that couldn't be better & one that actually is way better than the so called 'house for us' that we looked at so many times.
If you think that it is an awsome house than most likely it has a problem, due to the fact that it has not already sold.
As I said, hang in there.
-JCWhite

[pixeljockey]

Hang in there.

don't steal her sorrow! sorrow stealer!

[Tess]

The seller can, quite easily.

But if you want to do this, you're going to have to

1. Get three repair and/or replace estimates (I'll assume $10,000, but it will be a lot more)
2. Take the highest one, add 50%. ($15,000)
3. Tell the seller you'll take the price, less $15,000
4. Hope the repairs cost less than $15,000

Since my non-asbestos roof was replaced 3 years ago for 10 grand, I would imagine this one will be a lot more than your quesstimate.

[JohnT]

In regards to guesstimates, I try to use basic powers of 10 as to keep the calculations as clear as possible. :D

[edens]

I betting no on the asbestos (unless it is in some small area...). Who flagged it as a possibility, anyway, Hancock?

[~Rumormonger~]

I betting no on the asbestos (unless it is in some small area...). Who flagged it as a possibility, anyway, Hancock?

'Care to expand on that? Is there a low probability for some reason?

[Tess]

KAG, JAH, I didn't want to say anything before, but since you are stepping back a bit--have you called KUB to get the high/low utility bills for this address? You can do that, you know. My late great-aunt lived in a house of that size and vintage on Armstrong, and her winter gas bills were in the $700-800 range. That would hurt my feelings, don't know about you all.

I occasionally get the itch to move, and it is usually that phone call to KUB that makes me a lot happier where I am. My house is snug and the utility bills are crazy low compared to everybody else I know.

Anyway, that is one of the first things I do, after looking a the mechanicals such as roof, plumbing, wiring, etc. You might be surprised, pleasantly or not.

Another thing, if you need to roll out your equity from the old house into the new, you might want to get a better head start on selling the old one before you get into buying a new one. It is tricky, but I've been through it a few times, and sometimes houses sell immediately, and sometimes, they don't sell for 8 months. I have been in both situations, and ended up renting one that stayed on the market for a long time. Don't recommend that, either.

[kag]

M.E. -

We sent a roofer to give us an estimate on putting a new roof on the house (which we want to do as part of sale/loan) and that roofer got up there and poked around and said there are already three layers of shingles on there and one layer - or at least part of it - looks like it might be asbestos. He is making some more calls to check manufacturer info, etc and we have our fingers crossed.

Steve Hancock said that except for the roof and some minor things, the house looked very solid.

By the way, if anyone needs a home inspector, we really liked Steve.

And Tess, we got the KUB bills and they look about right for a house of that size/vintage. Meaning, higher than a nice, snug, newer house ;-)

[Georgia]

http://www.baltimorecountyonline.info/Agencies/environment/asbestos_removal.html

http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/781.html

Like I mentioned earlier, offset the bid for the house with the repair costs.

(If everything else checked out ok- foundation, wiring, plumbing,...then I wouldn't let the roof automatically do the deal in. If you really love the house and can see yourself growing old there then use the roof situation to you advantage.)

[jah]

Excellent news! It's NOT asbestos!

Not-so-excellent news: the new roof we will need to put on will be twice as much as we thought.

But we love the house and are gonna go ahead and do the roof and buy it.

So if all goes as planned, it will be ours on 8/4

[Georgia]

Excellent news! It's NOT asbestos!

Not-so-excellent news: the new roof we will need to put on will be twice as much as we thought.

But we love the house and are gonna go ahead and do the roof and buy it.

So if all goes as planned, it will be ours on 8/4


YES!
Good deal-
Glad things fell into place for ya'll.

(the whole it being twice as much as expected kinda goes with the territory of an older home- but, it sounds like ya'll realize it's well worth it.)

[jah]

(the whole it being twice as much as expected kinda goes with the territory of an older home- but, it sounds like ya'll realize it's well worth it.)
Our roofer says that between the pitch of the roof and the gables up front, there is more square footage on the roof than in the house. Plus some of the wood will need to be replaced under it, etc, etc. It's a reasonable price, but it still hurts.

And even after you factor in the cost of a roof, I still think the house is a steal.

I'm very excited!

[kag]

Well, today is the very exciting day that the house becomes officially ours! You are all invited over for a beer. I'm serious. Can't wait to meet you blabbers who will now be our neighbors in Old North/4th and Gill:

http://static.flickr.com/64/185912408_b8c33e6fde.jpg

[DnB]

Congratulations. That is very exciting!
:)
And that's a way, way cool front door.

[metulj]

Well, today is the very exciting day that the house becomes officially ours! You are all invited over for a beer. I'm serious. Can't wait to meet you blabbers who will now be our neighbors in Old North/4th and Gill:

http://static.flickr.com/64/185912408_b8c33e6fde.jpg

Since you've closed before, this is just reinforcement:

* prepare to cry
* bring your checkbook
* bring something to eat or nibble on
* be prepared for the house to not be in the condition expected
* don't move in right away (unless you have to)
* isometric exercises are excellent for signing cramps
* make sure you get the meter readings off all of the utilities when you get there

[jah]

Since you've closed before, this is just reinforcement:

* prepare to cry
* bring your checkbook
* bring something to eat or nibble on
* be prepared for the house to not be in the condition expected
* don't move in right away (unless you have to)
* isometric exercises are excellent for signing cramps
* make sure you get the meter readings off all of the utilities when you get there
You know, this isn't a normal closing, where you've been in the house 3 times before you get the key. I've spent the week there. I'm not so concerned about crying or moving in later.

[carmelita]

I saw a Uhaul truck...I guess its on! Congrats...I'd do the neighborly thing and drop in with some beers for ya, but I drink crappy beer. :)

[kag]

I saw a Uhaul truck...I guess its on! Congrats...I'd do the neighborly thing and drop in with some beers for ya, but I drink crappy beer. :)

No, no! Come by any time! I love crappy beer too. Give me a PBR or Rolling Rock any time. Jon's the beer snob in the family :-)

Can't wait to meet you and seriously, we'll have a housewarming partay soon.

[jah]

But we do need to note that the Uhaul is the seller leaving, not us moving in. :)

(and I'll take crappy beer if you're buying.)

[carmelita]

Yeah I figured it was the leavers not the comers. I'm sure you'll be seeing us soon. My brother and I always walk our dogs that way (its on the way to the beer store!) So if you see a tall guy with a chocolate lab, introduce yourself, thats my brother. If its me, I'll introduce myself, obviously.

[jah]

http://static.flickr.com/55/186732878_d89a12dffc.jpg
Hey MSD - if you notice this - did you help build both of them for real? (for reals, yo.) A contractor we had swing by tonight (for the bathroom upstairs) said the one on the right in the picture is way old, so I'm curious. I'd be very surprised if he's right, but if you built it five years ago, we'd know for sure!

[catpinw]

Details
Address: 310 Stone Road, LOT: 6, Knoxville, 37920
Listing Number: 597232
Beds: 4
Full Baths: 2
Half Baths: 0
Square Feet: 2,223
Age (years): 53
# Rooms: 9
Sub-Area: South Knoxville
Subdivision: none
First time on the market! This charming, stone & cedar shake cottage offers additional living quarters, large family room, built in china cabinet, workshop, detached storage, and a large, level, wooded yard with tons of perrenials and blooming trees. Two refrigerators, washer & dryer to convey. Newly painted exterior. This well-cared for home is a jewel. Must verify square footage-taken from recent appraisal.


the list price $154,937

it looks there is carpet in there, but who knows, there might be hardwood underneath.

[Randall]

Details
Address: 310 Stone Road, LOT: 6, Knoxville, 37920
Listing Number: 597232
Beds: 4
Full Baths: 2
Half Baths: 0
Square Feet: 2,223
Age (years): 53
# Rooms: 9
Sub-Area: South Knoxville
Subdivision: none
First time on the market! This charming, stone & cedar shake cottage offers additional living quarters, large family room, built in china cabinet, workshop, detached storage, and a large, level, wooded yard with tons of perrenials and blooming trees. Two refrigerators, washer & dryer to convey. Newly painted exterior. This well-cared for home is a jewel. Must verify square footage-taken from recent appraisal.


the list price $154,937

it looks there is carpet in there, but who knows, there might be hardwood underneath.

I think I drive by that house all the time, too.

[max's mom]

kag,

check your email. I just sent you soem info n a house about to go on the market in Island Home that fits the bill.

i tried to PM you, but got a message that you had too many messages, so I could not send that way.






As much as I adore my house, Jon and I have come to the conclusion that we are either going to have to make it bigger or buy a new house.

So here's what we are looking for and if anyone knows of such a house -- maybe FSBO or about to go on the mkt or whatever (we are already searching MLS listings) - please let us know.

We want to stay near downtown, preferably within 2 miles of downtown. We need at least 2000 sq feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and a real front porch. Hardwood floors a must.

Also, it does look like my house may be going on the mkt soon. So if you know anyone looking for an adorable 3 bedroom, 1 bath craftsman cottage in an awesome neighborhood with sidewalks, near downtown, with wonderful woodwork and a very nice, big yard-- all at a really affordable price, please have them get in touch with me :-)

[Randall]

kag,

check your email. I just sent you soem info n a house about to go on the market in Island Home that fits the bill.

i tried to PM you, but got a message that you had too many messages, so I could not send that way.

I think Kag and Jah found a bigger house since they originally launched this thread.

[catpinw]

I think Kag and Jah found a bigger house since they originally launched this thread.

you know... i was thinking the same thing. i reckon they did too. nevermind...

[Michael]

Yes. This thread was begun in 2006.
~m.

[kag]

I sure do love Island Home, though! We tried to find a house there when we were looking and there was nothing available in our price range that was big enough.

Speking of houses for sale, there are several really nice ones currently for sale on our street in Old North- Grainger Avenue....in case any Blabbers are looking.

Katie
www.KnoxvilleTalks.com

[jah]

Sorry, y'all. I bumped the thread to see if Market Sq District could answer a question about our house, but he obviously doesn't check the blab too often. I'll have to remember to ask him in person.