Knoxville TN Realtors | Top Real Estate Agents & Homes

📊 **Current Pricing:**

• Entry-level markets: $150K-$250K (condos, starter homes, fixer-uppers)
• Mid-range: $250K-$450K (most active segment, family homes with yards)
• Premium: $450K+ (luxury, waterfront, estate properties)

The numbers tell a story. Average commission rates in Knoxville hover around 5.8%—slightly below the national 6% but higher than Nashville's increasingly competitive 5.2%. Most established agents are holding firm on pricing, especially with inventory this tight. 📈 **Market Trends:** Demand is up 18% from 2023, driven largely by out-of-state buyers discovering Knoxville's cost advantages. But here's what's interesting—days on market averaged just 23 in Q4 2023, down from 31 the year before. Cash offers jumped to 28% of all sales. For realtors, that means faster transactions but more competitive bidding situations. Labor availability among agents is actually improving. The Tennessee Real Estate Commission shows 847 active licenses in Knox County as of January 2024—up from 723 two years ago. New agent training programs at Pellissippi State are churning out 40-50 graduates quarterly. 💰 **What People Are Spending:**

1. First-time homebuyers: $180K-$280K (42% of market)
2. Move-up buyers: $350K-$600K (31% of market)
3. Investment purchases: $120K-$200K (14% of market)
4. Luxury/estate: $600K+ (13% of market)

Knox County's population hit 478,971 in 2023—growing 2.1% annually since 2020. That's sustainable growth, not the crazy boom-bust cycles you see in places like Austin or Phoenix. **Economic Indicators:** Major employers are expanding. ORNL's $2.6 billion campus modernization will add 1,200 jobs through 2026. The University of Tennessee employs 11,800 people directly, with another 8,500 in related businesses. Pilot Flying J headquarters downtown brings in corporate relocations regularly. Amazon's new fulfillment center in Alcoa will employ 1,000+ when fully operational. **Housing Market:** Median home value: $287,500 (up 8.3% year-over-year). New construction permits reached 2,847 units in 2023, but demand still outpaces supply. Inventory sits at 2.1 months—anything under 4 months is considered a seller's market. Average days on market: 23. **How This Affects Realtors:** Simple math. More people moving in + limited housing stock = busy realtors. But it also means agents need to specialize. The generalist approach doesn't work when you're competing for listings in a market this tight. Smart agents are niching down—luxury waterfront, first-time buyers, corporate relocations, investment properties. Pick your lane and own it.

**Weather Data:**

• ☀️ Summer: High 80s-low 90s°F, humid with afternoon thunderstorms
• ❄️ Winter: Lows in 20s-30s°F, occasional ice storms, rare snow
• 🌧️ Annual rainfall: 47.2 inches (above national average)
• 💨 Wind/storms: Tornado risk moderate, severe thunderstorms April-September

**Impact on Realtors:** Spring and fall are peak selling seasons—March through June sees 45% of annual sales volume. Summer slows down when families avoid moving during school months. January and February are dead zones, with just 12% of annual transactions. Weather creates showing challenges. Those afternoon thunderstorms from May through August? They'll kill an open house faster than anything. Ice storms in January 2022 and 2021 shut down the market for weeks at a time. Smart agents build weather delays into their timelines and always have backup showing options. **Homeowner Tips:**

• ✓ Schedule inspections for dry periods—wet basements hide problems
• ✓ List homes in February/March to catch spring buyer surge
• ✓ Avoid closing dates during UT football season (buyers get distracted)
• ✓ Check flood zone maps—even "100-year" areas flooded in 2019

**License Verification:** Tennessee Real Estate Commission handles all licensing. Every agent needs an active affiliate broker license or broker license. Look up any agent at tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec—search by name or license number. Active licenses show expiration dates, any disciplinary actions, and continuing education compliance. **Insurance Requirements:** Real estate brokerages must carry errors and omissions insurance—minimum $100,000 per claim, $300,000 aggregate. Individual agents should have personal liability coverage. Most carry $1-2 million policies through NAR or state association plans. ⚠️ **Red Flags in Knoxville:**

1. Agents pushing dual agency without explaining conflicts (illegal in many states, legal but sketchy here)
2. Pressure to use their "preferred" lender, inspector, or title company (kickbacks)
3. Promises to sell within specific timeframes (market doesn't work that way)
4. Unlicensed assistants handling negotiations or contract details

**Where to Check Complaints:** Tennessee Real Estate Commission maintains complaint records. Better Business Bureau covers Middle Tennessee region. Knox County Consumer Affairs handles local disputes, though they rarely get involved in commission disagreements.