Touring homes for sale in Knoxville can be a confusing process.  There are many great homes for sale.  Often real estate agents schedule viewing appointments one after another for their clients.  This series of appointments are groups of homes that fit the buyer’s criteria.

Visiting one home after another is an efficient use of time as well as beneficial to the decision making process.  It is easier for buyers to compare properties against each other when they are viewed on the same day.  However, viewing several homes on the same day can become a confusing and even overwhelming process.  Troy Stavros, Knoxville real estate expert suggests creating a list such as the one in the example below to help you keep organized while touring potential homes for sale in the Knoxville area.  If you bring along a digital camera, take a snapshot of the listing sheet given to you by your real estate agent prior to each home tour.  If your camera has voice recording or video capabilities consider recording a few notes for yourself after each home tour.  This tip will help you remember the differences between each house choice.

List 1 - Your Wish List

Make a realistic list of what your ideal home will be.  The key word for this list is, “realistic.”  If a lakefront mansion is not within your budget, don’t include this on the list.  Examples of a realistic wish list for the average homebuyer include:

- Single family home
- Attached garage
- Three bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Two-story home
- Walking distance to schools
- Near post office, stores
- Hardwood floors
- Dish washer
- First floor laundry room
- Master bedroom near other bedrooms
- Master bedroom away from other bedrooms
- Color palette

Note:  Although many items on your wish list may be fairly easy and/or inexpensive to change (such as wall color or carpeting,) if a home already fits your criteria, that is one less item you would need to change.  In the end, if you are torn between two properties, the little details may be what make your decision.  Troy Stavros, real estate expert, has seen many home buyers torn between two properties.  The home that comes closest to the buyer’s wish list is the one that they eventually will call home.

Troy Stavros