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Before You Start Touring Homes, Take This First Step
Before You Start Touring Homes, Take This First Step
Here’s a question we hear all the time: “Should I get pre-approved before I start looking at houses?” Our advice: talk with a lender before you begin serious house hunting. It can make the search clearer—and help you feel better prepared when you find a home you love. A pre-approval generally means
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Love the House? Take a Second Look at These Everyday Details
Love the House? Take a Second Look at These Everyday Details
A house can look wonderful in photos—and even better when you walk through the front door. But before you decide it’s “the one,” take a moment to picture an ordinary Tuesday there. Where will you put the groceries? Can two people comfortably work in the kitchen? Is there a place for muddy shoes, the
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Friday Market Update: What September Means for Northeast Tennessee
Friday Market Update: What September Means for Northeast Tennessee
September brought different stories across the five Northeast Tennessee counties we serve. For buyers and sellers, the useful question is what is happening with homes like yours, in your price range and location. Across Washington, Greene, Carter, Sullivan and Unicoi counties, FlexMLS Market Trends
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Mortgage Rates Are High — But Here’s What You CAN Control
Mortgage Rates Are High — But Here’s What You CAN Control
Mortgage Rates Are High — But Here’s What You CAN Control If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably noticed the headlines: Mortgage rates are back above 7%. And yes—that matters. A higher interest rate affects your monthly payment and how much home you may comfortably afford. But
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Moving to Northeast Tennessee? Start With Our Free Relocation Guides
Moving to Northeast Tennessee? Start With Our Free Relocation Guides
There’s a lot to love about Northeast Tennessee. Finding the place that feels like home takes a little exploring. Maybe you’re drawn to Johnson City, curious about Kingsport, or picturing an afternoon in historic Jonesborough. Perhaps you’re still figuring out where Bristol, Greeneville, and Elizabe
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What Can Buyers Negotiate Besides the Price?
What Can Buyers Negotiate Besides the Price?
What Can Buyers Negotiate Besides the Price? When buyers think about making an offer, the first question is usually: “How much should we offer?” That matters, of course. But the purchase price is only one part of the negotiation. Depending on the home, the seller, the market, and your financing, the
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September Tri-Cities Area Market Update
September Tri-Cities Area Market Update
**More Homes to Choose From — But Prices Are Still Holding** The August real estate numbers are finally in, and they paint an interesting picture of the Northeast Tennessee market. If you’ve been wondering whether the market is slowing down, the answer is: **Yes — but that doesn’t mean prices are co
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The Best Time to Sell a House in the Tri-Cities, TN Region
The Best Time to Sell a House in the Tri-Cities, TN Region
Imagine waking up on a crisp spring morning in the Tri-Cities—sunshine pouring through your windows, the dogwood trees just starting to bloom, and a gentle buzz in the neighborhood as families prepare for a new season. For many homeowners here, this moment sparks a big question: Is now the right tim
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Price Reduced! But Is It Really a Good Deal?
Price Reduced! But Is It Really a Good Deal?
Price Reduced! But Is It Really a Good Deal? You’re scrolling through homes online and suddenly see those two magic words: PRICE REDUCED! It catches your attention, doesn’t it? Maybe the home was $325,000 and now it’s $309,900. That sounds like a bargain. But here’s the important question: Was the h
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The Price Isn't the Only Number That Matters
The Price Isn't the Only Number That Matters
The Price Isn’t the Only Number That Matters Over the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about creative ways buyers may be able to make homeownership work. We’ve covered: Lower down-payment options Seller-paid closing costs Ways to reduce the amount of cash you may need upfront For the last part of
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Think You Need 20% Down to Buy a Home? Think Again.
Think You Need 20% Down to Buy a Home? Think Again.
Think You Need 20% Down to Buy a Home? Think Again. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about ways buyers may be able to make homeownership work—even when they’re not sure they have enough cash saved. This week, let’s tackle one of the biggest myths in real estate: “I need 20% down to
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Moving to Bluff City, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Bluff City, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Bluff City, Tennessee? Bluff City is an incorporated Sullivan County community on Boone Lake, positioned between the Bristol, Piney Flats, and Johnson City sides of the region. Buyers may compare in-town homes, lake-oriented properties, subdivisions, and rural options. This
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Buying a Home in Blountville, TN: A Local Area Guide
Buying a Home in Blountville, TN: A Local Area Guide
Thinking about moving to Blountville, Tennessee? Blountville is the Sullivan County seat and sits between the Bristol and Kingsport sides of the Tri-Cities. Buyers may compare established homes, subdivisions, newer construction, and properties with larger lots while maintaining regional highway and
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Moving to Mosheim, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Mosheim, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Mosheim, Tennessee? Mosheim is an incorporated Greene County town west of Greeneville. Buyers may compare in-town homes, newer properties, manufactured homes, farms, and acreage while maintaining access to Greeneville and the Interstate 81 corridor. This guide explains the l
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Buying a Home in Hampton, TN: A Local Area Guide
Buying a Home in Hampton, TN: A Local Area Guide
Thinking about moving to Hampton, Tennessee? Hampton is a Carter County community southeast of Elizabethton, where buyers may compare homes near established local roads, mountain properties, cabins, and rural acreage. Its location can appeal to buyers who want access to Elizabethton and regional out
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Moving to Erwin, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Erwin, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Erwin, Tennessee? Erwin is the county seat of Unicoi County, located along Interstate 26 south of Johnson City. Its market includes in-town homes, established residential areas, mountain properties, and rural options extending through the county. This guide explains the loca
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Moving to Unicoi, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Unicoi, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Unicoi, Tennessee? The Town of Unicoi offers a mountain setting between Johnson City and Erwin, with access to Interstate 26 and a mix of residential and rural properties. Buyers often compare it when they want regional access with more land or a less urban setting. This gui
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Buying a Home in Limestone, TN: A Local Area Guide
Buying a Home in Limestone, TN: A Local Area Guide
Thinking about moving to Limestone, Tennessee? Limestone is an unincorporated Northeast Tennessee community where buyers may compare rural homes, farms, acreage, and properties positioned between Jonesborough and Greeneville. The mailing area can extend across local service and county boundaries. Th
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Buying a Home in Telford, TN: A Local Area Guide
Buying a Home in Telford, TN: A Local Area Guide
Thinking about moving to Telford, Tennessee? Telford is an unincorporated Washington County community between Jonesborough and Limestone. Buyers often include it when they want access to Johnson City or Greeneville while comparing rural and semi-rural properties. This guide explains the location, ho
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Buying a Home in Fall Branch, TN: A Local Area Guide
Buying a Home in Fall Branch, TN: A Local Area Guide
Thinking about moving to Fall Branch, Tennessee? Fall Branch is a smaller Northeast Tennessee community where buyers often look for a quieter setting, larger lots, or convenient access between the Johnson City and Kingsport sides of the region. Property details can vary widely because the community
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Moving to Jonesborough, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Jonesborough, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Jonesborough, Tennessee? Jonesborough is the Washington County seat and is recognized by the town as Tennessee’s oldest town. Its market includes historic properties, established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, and county homes extending toward Johnson City, Telford, and
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Moving to Greeneville, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Greeneville, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Greeneville, Tennessee? Greeneville is the county seat and primary town of Greene County, offering an established downtown, residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and access to a large surrounding rural market. Buyers can compare in-town convenience with properties
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Moving to Elizabethton, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Elizabethton, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Elizabethton, Tennessee? Elizabethton is the Carter County seat and a Northeast Tennessee market connected to Johnson City and the wider Tri-Cities. Buyers can compare older city homes, established residential areas, newer properties, and homes extending toward mountain, riv
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Moving to Kingsport, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Kingsport, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Kingsport, Tennessee? Kingsport is a principal Tri-Cities market with established residential areas, regional employment connections, river and park access, and a broad mix of housing. Buyers can compare central-city homes, subdivisions, townhomes, newer construction, and pr
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Moving to Johnson City, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Johnson City, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Johnson City, Tennessee? Johnson City is a principal Tri-Cities market with an established downtown, regional healthcare and education connections, and access to outdoor recreation. Buyers can compare in-city neighborhoods, suburban-style subdivisions, older homes, townhomes
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Moving to Bristol, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Moving to Bristol, TN: A Practical Homebuyer’s Guide
Thinking about moving to Bristol, Tennessee? Bristol offers a distinctive location in Northeast Tennessee, with a downtown that meets Bristol, Virginia, at State Street. It is part of the larger Tri-Cities region and provides access to Interstate 81, nearby employment centers, parks, shopping, healt
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Big VA Loan Guideline Change
Big VA Loan Guideline Change
BIG VA LOAN GUIDELINE CHANGE From: Gregg Pechmann with Ross Mortgage This is a HUGE win for VA borrowers. VA has updated its guidance in the VA Lenders Handbook, VA Pamphlet 26-7, Chapter 4, regarding how non-medical collections are calculated. Previously, lenders could be required to count 5% o
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