Localism: Knoxville, TN

Quick and easy turkey leftover recipes

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:38:05 -0600

If you still have Thanksgiving turkey left over here's a few quick and easy recipes to deliciously get rid of it.

One of my favorites I fixed last night.

Grilled Turkey Rubens, serves 2

4 slices rye bread

1/2 cup sauerkraut

2 slices of Swiss cheese

1,000 island dressing

turkey

Butter or apply spread to outside of rye bread, place one slice butter side down in skillet.

layer on some turkey, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing.

Butter other side of bread and place on top with butter side facing up.

Grilled until toasted on one side, turn over and toast other side.

Enjoy, grilled turkey Reubens are delicious especially with a crisp pickle and some chips.

Crunchy Turkey Salad, serves 2

coarsely chop cooked turkey, from 1/2 cup to 1 cup

Mix in a coarsely chopped tart apple like Granny Smith

Throw in a handful of nuts, pecan or walnuts work best.

Fold in some low fat mayo to taste.

You can either use this on a sandwich, by itself, or put a big spoon on top of some torn salad greens.

Both the Reuben and turkey salad recipes are very easy to prepare and both are very tasty.

Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue, Inc.

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:32:43 -0600

In addition to the University of Tennessee, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Ijams Nature Center, Knoxville is home to several animal rescue organizations. In this post, I want to highlight the good work that the volunteers do at the Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue, Inc. This organization is a 501(c)(3) so all donations, which are the majority of the groups operating budget, are tax deductible.

This dynamic organization found it roots in the heart of two people who were dedicated to rescuing dogs. In the eight years since its inception, the Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue, Inc. has grown to a dedicated group of 45 volunteers. During that time this organization has saved an estimated 250 animals from abuse and possible destruction. This organization and its volunteers and foster families have come to know and understand this breed whose popularity has been spreading in recent years. The popularity of the breed is a double edged sword. On the one hand it is good that more people are wanting this type of dog. At the same time, many irresponsible back yard breeders and puppy farms are cranking these puppies out with little regard for the breeding mother's health, the genetics of the offspring, and overpopulation in general.

The goal of this organization is not to end breed specific breeding. In fact this organization explicitly supports the ethical breeding of Weimaraners from genetically sound animals. They do emphasize that ethical breeding includes the education of potential pet owners about the breed and a commitment to honor all health guarantees.

If you are interested in donating money or your time to this worthwhile organization, click HERE.

See the picture to the left, that is Emmy. She is currently with her foster family but is just waiting to be placed with her loving forever family. If you want to read about her specifically, just click her photo. If you would like to see and read about all the Weimaraners that are currently looking for their forever families, click HERE. If you think that being a parent for one of these loving and beautiful creatures is something you might like to become, you can e-mail the rescue group at info@wcweimrescue.org and you can learn about the adoption process by clicking HERE.

Is your house for sale?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:12:06 -0600

If you are you’re in good company.

Currently the Knoxville Area Association of Realtor’s Multiple Listing System (MLS) has 11,576 active residential listings and 1,743 condos which have all been for sale an average time of 108 days. That’s a very clear sign to me that we’re in a strong buyer’s market.

In the month of October there were 874 closed sales but there were also 2,106 new residential listings plus another 228 condos.

I’m not going to do the math but it’s pretty plain that only about 1 out of every 15 listings sold in October.

As a seller you’re goal is to be that 1 out of 15 that got an invitation to the closing table.

Because I’m in the Knoxville area real estate market on a daily basis I see lots of sellers with houses that are grossly overpriced for various reasons.

Reasons like:

“We really need the money.” Sorry, but buyers don’t care. If you want to sell now you need to have your house priced aggressively and in tip top shape to attract buyers that want to buy now.
“We can always reduce the price later.” Later is often too ‘later’. Buyers are looking to buy now and they’re buying that 1 in 15 house that they feel gives them the most bang for their buck. Buyers pass overpriced houses by and usually don’t come back.
“We’ll just try it at this price for a few weeks and see what happens.” Buyer activity for a new listing is typically highest while it’s still new on the market. After it has set a while buyers start passing it by because it’s stale. Usually a price reduction (a significant price reduction) is what you need to do to invite them back to take another look. Better to price it right from the start and get it sold.
“Buyers can always make an offer if they think our price is too high.” Sounds reasonable but buyers tend to look in certain price points and if you’re so high that you’re out of their price range they’re not even going to look at your house much less make an offer.

Here’s a link back to a posting I wrote a few months ago with 4 quick ways to make your Knoxville area house sell. Not guaranteed to work but it will get you a lot closer to that closing table than you are now.

If your house or condo is currently listed with a Knoxville area Realtor ask them to take you on a CMA (Competitive Market Analysis) field trip to take a look at your competition. Choose 2 or 3 houses similar to yours currently for sale and go visit them to see how yours compares.

Then get a list of what similar houses to yours have sold for in the past 2-3 months; 6 months ago doesn’t count anymore, that’s ancient history. You need to know what is going on with sales now. Have your Realtor call the listing agents for the house that just sold and ask them what they feel made it happen.
Remember, with only 1 out of 15 listings selling last month your listing needs to stand head and shoulders above the crowd to attract buyers.

You can take a look at current homes for sale at www.KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com to see how yours stacks up to the competition.

I’m available to answer any questions you may have by phone, email, or I’ll be glad to come visit you to talk about getting your house sold.

Second Home Lender Requirements

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:48:22 -0600

A local loan officer just informed me that beginning 2009, many lenders are requiring a 6 month reserve before financing a 2nd home. This could be huge on the vacation/rental markets. If you know of anyone thinking of buying a second property they need to do it now.

Past weeks Knox County, Tennessee real estate sales

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:06:38 -0600

The Knox Country Registrar of Deeds office recorded the following real estate transactions in Knox County this past week.

More than $1,000,000 1

$1,000,000 to $500,000 6

$300,000 to $500,000 15

$200,000 to $300,000 36

$150,000 to $200,000 32

$100,000 to $150,000 42

$50,000 to $100,000 29

Under $50,000 15

Total Knox County property transfers for the week of November 16th: 176

Here's some examples of what your money can buy in the greater Knoxville, Tennessee area now.

This historic charmer in north Knoxville's 4th & Gill neighborhood sold for $144,000

Attractive Powell home sold for $189,000

Terrific Karns area home with 5.4 acres closed at $244,000!

This stunning Farragut home sold for $420,000. How would you like to find this under your Christmas tree?

visit KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com to pick a great home out for you and your family. Homes are still selling well in the greater Knoxville area and there are some great buys to be had.

Mortgage money is readily available with 15 to 30 year fixed rates ranging from 5.5 to 6.25%