Chattanooga Real Estate
Barry & Diane Evens
(423)664-1700

Chattanooga is named to the top “Comeback Cities” for 2011. We knew it all along and now have unbiased numbers to back it.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Chattanooga has added 4,300 jobs in the last year and the future looks bright for even more growth.

Future hiring prospects:

Volkwagen-Approximately 1000 more employees.

Amazon-1600 full time and 2000 part time.

Wacker Chemical-650+ employees.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Moody’s Analytics, Kiplinger Letter

Know what you want. Before you start looking at houses you need to decide what you want and need for your new home. Has your lifestyle changed? Does Chattanooga fit your needs or is Hixson better for your new lifestyle, or do you prefer the schools in Ooltewah? The answers to these questions will help you find the perfect home.
Get a realtor. Buying and selling a home is far more complicated then you may think. Barry Evans can help you get through the process smoothly. You will receive information about the current market condition, and the strategies that need to be applied to negotiations. Information you wouldn’t be privy to if you didn’t have a realtor.
Choose a home. No aspect of the home buying process is more complex, personal or variable than bargaining between buyers and sellers. Deciding on a home is a huge decision, and you want to make the right one. Ask yourself if this is THE home for you. Then figure out if you can really afford the home.
Make an offer. In practice, the offer depends on the basic laws of supply and demand: If many buyers are competing for homes, then sellers will likely get full-price offers and sometimes even more. If demand is weak, then offers below the asking price may be in order. In Tennessee its best if the realtor contacts the seller with the offer.
What’s next? Moving in. The sellers leave the house ready to be painted and cleaned for you, not spotless. The house is the single largest asset that most people own so Enjoy your new home in TN!

First time homebuyers can make serious mistakes, however with these tips and Barry Evans’s help you can get through buying your first home in Chattanooga with ease.

Don’t make a frivolous offer on the house you want. The market is definitely a buyers market, but that doesn’t mean that houses in great neighborhoods are getting several offers. Put in some research to figure out what a good offer is, don’t try to shortchange the seller. Houses in Hixson are desirable, so make sure you put in the right offer so you can get the house of your dreams.

The market still benefits the buyers, but there are a few simple ways to get a better price for your Chattanooga Tennessee home.
10 ways to boost a home’s sale price in TN
1. Retouch the front shell:
If the exterior of your home isn’t appealing, no one is going to want to go inside and see all the upgrades you’ve made in there. You want your home to project a cozy feeling. The outside front of a house is the most important area for improvement. New paint outside makes the house more inviting.
2. Trim the Trees:
Making sure that the lawn, garden and trees are well maintained helps make your home more alluring to buyers. It doesn’t matter if you hire a professional or do it yourself, also try adding some color to the flower beds.
3. Paint Interior:
New paint inside is a cost effective way to make the home more appealing to buyers. Be sure to stick to neutral colors, like light cream. This will make the house look crisp and fresh.
4. Floors:
Improving floors is a great move. Simple things like buffing hard wood or having the carpets cleaned can help boost sales, and you don’t need to replace the carpet or refinish the wood.
5. Make Major Repairs:
No one has extra money anymore, there is no cash left for the buyers to make major repairs like fixing the leaking roof. This will make your house stand out from the others that need repairs.
6. Get Warranty for appliances:
Put your appliances under warranty to give buyers confidence that they wont break down quickly, and if they do, they are covered.
7. Make your home Energy Efficient:
Energy Efferent homes are more attractive, getting new windows and better insulation are small changes, that make a big difference to potential home buyers.
8. New Light Fixtures:
You can add value to your home simply by replacing old or broken light fixtures. Pay particular attention to the entry way of the home, if it’s inviting, buyers will want to see the rest of the house.
9. New Stove:
Instead of upgrading the entire kitchen, just a new stove helps potential buyers take interest in the kitchen. You get the look of a new kitchen to entice buyers without shelling out too much extra money.
10. Freshen up the Bathrooms:
Mildew stains aren’t attractive, it makes potential buyer think you didn’t take care of your home. Replace the caulk with new mildew-resistant caulk. And replace the sink if it’s cracked.
Making these small, affordable changes can really boost your sale price in Hixson. Simple touches show a potential buyer how much you have cared for your home. If you would like a few more suggestions ask Barry Evans, they would be happy to give a few pointers. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Chattanooga, Hixson or Ooltewah small upgrades can help you get the sales price you want.

Whether you’re buying your first TN home or moving to a new home due to size or neighborhood constraints, there are a number of things you’ll want to think about before you even start your search. Location, age, style…these are all important considerations that will impact your home purchase.

However, no matter if you’re searching for condos in Chattanooga, luxury homes for sale in Hixson, or more family-oriented real estate in Ooltewah, one of the biggest selling points will be size. How much home you buy will impact your ability to accommodate your family, your belongings, and your life, and square footage is often one of the best ways to maintain resale value. Many homebuyers in the Tennessee region adhere to the adage that “bigger is better,” and the homes for sale in the market today reflect that.

If you’re planning on selling a house in Chattanooga, there are several ways to go about it. The most traditional, of course, is to work with a real estate agent like Barry Evans to prepare, list, and sell your home. Another option that many people consider is for sale by owner, or FSBO, which bypasses the agent and puts you in charge of all the details.

Many people looking to relocate to Chattanooga are drawn to Southeast Tennessee’s topography and abundant natural beauty. Some years ago civic leaders and conservationists realized the regions rich asset of mountains, rivers and rolling hillls and nick named Chattanooga the “scenic city.” There has also been a great effort made to develop at least 88 miles of greenway space for walking, running, roller blading and biking around the greater Chattanooga area. Whether you live in Hixson, Ooltewah, Harrison, Red Bank or even down into Ft. Oglethorpe, Chickamauga, Rossville, residents will have close access to some part of the greenway system. Since it will all be connected in the end, people wanting to use this unique recreation system will be able to get on close to home and go anywhere within the 88 miles. Even all the condos and townhomes downtown will be connected as the trails extend from there and the Walnut Street Bridge. To read about the latest development of this great scenic city asset, go to http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/oct/12/trail-link-grows-between-cloudland-st-elmo/

Buying a new home in Chattanooga can be an incredible experience – especially if you’re a first-time buyer or if you’ve finally found the house of your dreams after a long search. You may have spent months finding the perfect home, weighing your options and working with a real estate agent to find the best match. It could be the result of a last-minute decision that was too good to pass up. Either way, it’s not uncommon to have feelings of regret soon after the house purchase is finalized. Known as “buyer’s remorse,” it’s that sensation many people get when they realize they’ve just made a major commitment to a new home.

Choosing a real estate agent in Chattanooga is a lot like shopping for the new home of your dreams – you have to find that right blend of personality and professional experience to get the fit that’s right for you. And just like shopping for a new house, finding this perfect fit isn’t as easy as flipping open the phone book and choosing the agent with the biggest ad or best picture.