NORRIS LAKE RESOURCE CENTER

Blooms

Shirlee Grabko — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:51:00 GMT

The snowdrops are in full bloom and the daffodils have poked their little heads out of the ground all around Norris Lake. They are in full bloom in Knoxville, but Norris Lake is a little higher elevation and 50 miles further north. Spring comes 1-2 weeks later and fall generally a little earlier.

CASH buyers driving down home prices

Shirlee Grabko — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:47:00 GMT

A December survey by Campbell Inside Mortgage Finance found that cash buyers are driving down home prices, with investors accounting for one out of three transactions last month.

Nearly three-quarters of investor home purchases for the month were all-cash transactions. The poll also determined that cash buyers were able to make purchases at much lower prices on many houses due to shorter and more reliable closings.

The Campbell survey is taken monthly and polls more than 2,500 real estate agents doing business across the U.S., which has been taken since 2001.

[SOURCE: Housing Predictor]

LOW RATES to continue

Shirlee Grabko — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:46:00 GMT

The Federal Reserve announced that it intends to keep rates at their record lows at least through the end of 2014 and that their targeted inflation rate is to be 2%. The Fed announced its intention to be more transparent in communicating the direction of its rate guidance and the factors that it uses to measure the economy's performance.

The news that rates will stay low will help most every facet of the economy including housing. News out this past week that first time claims for unemployment rose unexpectedly in the previous week adds fuel to those who believe that the economy is a long way from being cured.

[SOURCE: REAL Trends]

Single Story For Sale in Sharps Chapel

Shirlee Grabko — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:26:00 GMT

• 1,056 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $79,900 - Near 2 marinas

Sharps Chapel, Union County - PRICED LOW FOR QUICK SALE. Site-built, 8-year old ranch home at end of cul-de-sac on one-lane county road - perfect 1st home, retirement home or potential rental property.

Close to Route 33; 15 min to either Tazewell or Maynardville. Very near 3 marinas.

Home has Master BR with bath, guest BR, office/additional BR, guest bathroom, kitchen w/ dining area, living room. No stairs! All rooms on one floor. Good well. Front deck overlooks cul-de-sac, back deck overlooks trees.

Generous dry crawl space large enough to stand up in and storage. Home has been well-maintained, very clean and ready to move in.

Property occupied. Appointments to show 48 hours in advance

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Short Sales

Shirlee Grabko — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:30:00 GMT

First, the facts still speak for themselves. Distressed properties account for approximately 30 percent of the U.S. residential real estate market. While the percentage of homes actually underwater is 15.8 percent, 49 percent of today's homeowners believe their home is underwater. And an estimated two million homes are currently in the foreclosure pipeline.

Second, and extremely important to note, is the fact that lenders are finally realizing that short sales are really the lesser evil. Loan modifications are few and far between--not because the lender doesn't want to accommodate them, but because most of these loans have been packaged and sold three or four times over. The rate of return is so small that it's just not worth it. And, of course, foreclosure is the ultimate fail for the lender.

Third, there is increased pressure on lenders to start moving short sales through the pipeline coming directly from Washington.
*** END QUOTE ***

To read the entire article, go to: http://rismedia.com/2012-01-07/the-real-estate-educator-given-up-on-short-sales-why-you-need-to-reconsider/

[SOURCE: RISMedia]

So far, however, there have been very few short sales or bankruptcies of lakefront or lakeview homes around Norris Lake. There are quite a few foreclosures of lots in Rock Harbor and Sunset Bay.

Rates Continue to Fall

Shirlee Grabko — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:26:00 GMT

Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to a new low this past week, averaging 3.88 percent, which is down a notch from 3.89 percent a week earlier! The benchmark rate has been below 4 percent for seven straight weeks. Meanwhile, the average interest on 15-year loans bumped up to 3.17 percent from 3.16 percent last week. Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft said mortgage rates were basically flat in lieu of a mixed bag of economic data reports.

[SOURCES: Freddie Mac; Information, Inc.]

Home Builders More Confident

Shirlee Grabko — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:23:00 GMT

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes continued to climb for a fourth consecutive month in January, rising four points to 25 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. This is the highest level the index has attained since June of 2007.

"Builder confidence has now risen four months in a row, with the latest uptick being universally represented across every index component and region," noted Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev. "This good news comes on the heels of several months of gains in single-family housing starts and sales, and is yet another indication of the gradual but steady improvement that is beginning to take hold in an increasing number of housing markets nationwide -- and that has been shown by our Improving Markets Index. Policymakers must now take every precaution to avoid derailing this nascent recovery."

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Geotourism

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:04:00 GMT

The Tennessee River Valley is now on the National Geographic geotourism map! For more information, go to www.TennesseeRiverValleyGeotourism.org. The interactive map will give you an idea of some of the outdoor opportunities in the area.

Zillow

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:32:00 GMT

Boating and tubing on Norris Lake during record breaking heat wave

Shirlee Grabko — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:30:00 GMT

The only way to be outside in the south in the Summer of 2011 is to be in the water as much as possible.

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Calling all quilters

Shirlee Grabko — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 11:21:00 GMT

The annual quilt show at the 2011 Union County Heritage Festival is gearing up and quilts are needed. The show will be held from 10 am to 5 pm October 1 at the Union County Historical Society and presented by the Norris Lake Quilting Bee.

The show is open for all levels of quilters with multiple categories for winning. Quilts will be judged for overall appearance, construction techniques, colot, design and quilting stitch. Ribbons will be awareded for first, second, and third place for each category or technique, Best of Show and Viewer's Choice.

Quilts will need to be preregistered by Sept 16 in order to arrange the quilts for display. Entry and registration information can be found online at www.UnionCountyHeritageFestival.com , at the Union County Historical Society Museum and Library or the Maynardville Senior Center.

Free Bluegrass Concert at Big Ridge Park, Norris Lake, Union County

Shirlee Grabko — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 11:05:00 GMT

The annual bluegrass concert will be held on August 19th at the Ranger Station at Big Ridge State Park. This event is free to the public, appropriate for families. It is suggested that you bring lawn chairs. Friends of Big Ridge State Park will have concessions for sale. Big Ridge State Park offers limited tent and RV camping as well as rustic cabins for rent. For more information, go to http://tn.gov/environment/parks/BigRidge/ or call 865-992-5523

Fishing Report

Shirlee Grabko — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:56:00 GMT

The water elevation is 1019.8 feet above sea level, which is 8" lower than it was last week. The water level is expected to drop another 3" over the next two days. The main channel surface temperature is 84 degrees in the morning, but rises to 89 degrees by late afternoon on sunny days. Hot surface water temperatures have slowed cathces from afternoon 'til dusk. Early morning hours have been the most productive for all species.

CRAPPIE: Fair. Best at night under lights or at dawn.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Moderate at dawn thrugh the early daylight hours in coves. Afternoon catches are slow. Hot afternoon temps have these fish moving into deeper water. Crawfish pattern lures are working best on the flats and rocky areas.

SMALLMOUTH BASS: Fair on points that extend into the deep main channels and on mid-lake humps at 25-35 feet

SPOTTED BASS: Crawfish pattern crankbaits and Finesse-worm rigs fished on the rocky banks near wood structure. They're hitting plastic grubs on leadhead jigs tipped with an inch of nightcrawler.

STRIPED BASS: Good but the locations are scattered. In late afternoon and especially at dawn: the Powell River arm from Point 10 to Point 11; in the Loyston Sea / Bear Hole Bend areas. Some have been caught near Point 9 and Boy Scout Hollow

WALLEYE: Pre-dawn or night fishing action is best on the lower third of the reservoir with jigged Mann O'Lures or equivalent. Anchor in 28-35 ft of water for night fishing.

BLUEGILL: Good hitting popping bugs, crickets and worms on the steep rocky shoreline. Dawn is best time.

REDEAR (SHELLCRACKER): Moderate, but slowing. Near the bottom, less than 10 ft deep near flodded brush and small trees or button bushes.

Bubba's Brews

Shirlee Grabko — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:06:00 GMT

Located in Union County at the Beach Island Marina, Bubba's Brews is open 7 days a week at noon - in season. Full bar and Sunday beer. Live bands every Saturday night. Karaoke every Friday night. Inside dining, outside patio or carry out. 19 Big screen TVs

Price Reduced on 1860 Leadmine Bend Road in Sharps Chapel

Shirlee Grabko — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:50:00 GMT

Sharps Chapel, Union County - Announcing a price reduction on 1860 Leadmine Bend Road, a 1,400 sq. ft., 3 bdrm ranch. Now MLS® $149,999 - REDUCED ! 15 acres.

NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED! Gentleman farm. Cute, well-built, well-insulated home on gently sloped hillside back from a country rd. Views of pastures/hills/woods. 2 min. fm Norris lake access.Large LR. Home has laundry room/pantry, 10x15 shed. Both LR and large MBR open out to 12x18 covered front porch. BR#3 has 2 closets. New stove, new microwave; Washer/dryer and 1 refrigerator will convey. Approx 5 acres cleared and in Greenbelt. 10 acres are wooded;

INCLUDED with FULL price offer: 17 ft, 1984 Norris Craft w/ 140 Johnson, stainless prop, trolling motor, drive-on Hustler trailer

DIRECTIONS: From Tazewell, travel south on Route 33 and turn RIGHT at the Union/Claiborne county line onto Sharps Chapel Road. At the bottom of the hill, turn RIGHT onto Leadmine Bend Road. Bear LEFT at A.T.Cole Store and property is approximately 6 miles from Route 33 on RIGHT.Sign on property.

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Beautiful, Immaculate 90+ Acres Borders Wildlife Management Area!

Shirlee Grabko — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 01:10:00 GMT

• lot / land - MLS® $399,000 - RARE parcel of land

Sharps Chapel, Union County - RARE FIND. Remarkable, well-maintained 90+ acre property consists of many gorgeous fields and pastures previously held in crops. All of property is gently sloping open and wooded. Approximately 0.66 miles of property borders the 22,000 acre Chuck Swan Wildlife Management property. Wildlife abounds. Secluded, private and tucked into the woods, approach is through the wildlife area.

PERFECT property for horse farm, hunting camp, campground, retreat, private home or family compound. Feels remote, but only 30 minutes from town. Short distance from Norris Lake access within Chuck Swan WMA. No tall tale - some of the prettiest property you'll ever see! Property has been surveyed. Barn on property. Old house dates back to 1900, probably not habitable. UNRESTRICTED!

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Sun and rain

Shirlee Grabko — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:47:00 GMT

Strange weather we are having with hot, sunny days and almost daily showers - some torrential. The end result of all this is a HUGE garden. Some plants have doubled in size over last year's growth and are overhshadowing other plants that were meant to compliment them. Pastures and lots have grown up tremendously. Norris Lake is very full - the ferry hardly has any ramp to load and unload cars.

Price Reduced on 307 Beech Grove Loop in Union County

Shirlee Grabko — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:46:00 GMT

Union County, Tennessee - Announcing a price reduction on 307 Beech Grove Loop, a 3,040 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story. Now MLS® $449,000 - .

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Houseboat destroyed by fire near Lakeview Boat Dock in Sharps Chapel

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:45:00 GMT

According to the Union News Leader in their June 21, 2011 edition, "Firefighters responded to a houseboat fire last week near the Lakeview Boat Dock in Sharps Chapel. The boat was occupied when the fire occurred, according to reports from the scene.

The incident took place on Saturday evening June 11 at 7:30 pm when Union County 911 dispatchers received the call. Units from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department and Union County Rescue Squad were dispatched to the baot dock where firefighters where told that people on the boat had jumped off ato get away from the fire.

Captain Mason Simpson of the Sharps Chapel Fire Department said that apparently 3 males were on the boat and they all made it away without any injuries. Simpson said that when the fire department arrived on the scene, the house boat was fully involved with flames. Firefighters stood by at the scene to make sure no other structures were in danger. According to reports, the fire appeared to have started from a room that contained a generator unit. The houseboat was owned by a family from KY."

Businesses in Knoxville Area are increasing

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:31:00 GMT

New companies are making Knoxville their home. Publix grocery stores, with headquarters in FL, is opening its first Publix at the Northshore Town Center at the intersection of Pellissippi Parkway (I-140) and Northshore Drive. The 56,000 sq ft store is expected to open this time next year. Earlier this month, Target paid $2.5 million for a 10.74 acre tract at this same commercial development.

In addition, a new grocery tenant is expected to open in Turkey Creek in West Knoxville.

And upscale organic Whole Foods also recently annouced plans for its first Knoxville store to be located at the corner of Kingston Pike and Lovell Road. Costco Wholesale Club is in negotiations to build a new store at this same intersection.

Sierra Nevada Brewery is looking at Alcoa TN for a brewery and distribution center as well as a figt shop, restaurant and music venue.

Lot / Land For Sale in Lone Mountain Shores

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:29:00 GMT

• lot / land - MLS® $152,000 - Main Chanel lot

Lone Mountain Shores, New Tazewell - NEVER before offered at this price and that's no hype! Fantastic opportunity to take advantage of bargain-basement pricing of this gently sloped, wonderful 1-acre MAIN CHANNEL LAKE FRONT lot w/754 ft of lakefront on Norris. Easy, gentle access from the left side of the lot to an almost flat property w/several excellent building sites.

Property has the added interest of a small old graveyard on a finger of land that juts out into the lake. Very unusual + interesting property priced ‘way below market value. Year-round water property priced at seasonal lakefront prices. If you are SERIOUS about lakefront property, give this one a good look! Compare with all other flat lakefront lots on Norris Lake and you'll agree that this property is the BEST LAKEFRONT DEAL on the lake today!

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2 1/2 Story For Sale in Norris Shores

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:26:00 GMT

Your Piece Of Paradise!

• 3,432 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 1/2 story - MLS® $649,900 - REDUCED below cost

Norris Shores, Sharps Chapel - FABULOUS lakefront log home in quiet wooded community features spectacular HUGE main channel views of Norris Lake. Gentle slope on the quiet side of Norris Lake. Now is the best time to own your piece of paradise. This beautiful and unique log home situated on the shores of Norris Lake can make your retirement and vacation dreams come true. Featuring high quality kitchen with rich cherry cabinets, gorgeous quartz countertops and breakfast bar. Unique copper ceiling in kitchen. The open floor plan with grand entry features hand hewn hickory flooring. Master bedroom ensuite is on main. Both sleeping quarters upstairs feature private decks.

Lower level of home has additional sleeping quarters and is plumbed for a second kitchen! Perfect for a mother-in-law suite or game/entertainment room. Two massive stone fireplaces. All on year round, deep water - and the premium dock IS INCLUDED! Lots of windows and decking to take advantage of gorgeous lake views. Easy, gentle access to water. Phenomenal part of Norris Lake. Luxurious lake living at its best.

Directions: From Knoxville Hwy 33 thru Maynardville cross bridge turn LEFT onto Sharps Chapel Rd. Follow road around sharp curve, past school and the LEFT onto Old Valley (white fence at turn). Take next LEFT onto Tanglewood xand then RIGHT onto Norris Shores Dr. Go around Marina turning RIGHT onto Lakeview Dr. and then LEFT onto Pearl Pointe. House on LEFT. ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: Take Sharps Chapel Road past the Old Valley turn and go straight onto Big Valley Rd. This turns into Russell Brothers Road and Sunset Bay. Follow Russell Brothers Rd and take a LEFT onto Kite Pass then LEFT onto Lakeview and RIGHT onto Pearl Pointe.

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Gone Fishin' - Free annual event

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:09:00 GMT

According to Cindy Taylor in the June 18, 2011 Shopper News, "Anglers of all ages headed to Big Ridge State Park on June 11 for the yearly TN Wildlife Resource Agency Free Fishing Day in all TN state parks. More than 200 hopefuls had picked thir spots by 10 am, each planning to out-fish their neighbors and pull in the biggest catch.

TWRA released more than 1,500 pounds of catfish inside 370 feet of net on June 6, but the fish proved to be lazy this day. There were catches made, but many participants left disappointed and without their planned supper. TWRA officers provided bait and also had extra rods and reels for any who did not bring thier own. They also brought free water, ice cream sandwiches and prizes for all who participated."

Price Reduced on 1211 Goin Rd in New Tazewell

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:59:00 GMT

New Tazewell, Claiborne County - Announcing a price reduction on 1211 Goin Rd, a 1,538 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm single story. Now MLS® $150,000 - .

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Cottage at Flat Hollow Marina in Speedwell REDUCED !

Shirlee Grabko — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:39:00 GMT

Cute A-Frame Cottage!

• 1,152 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm 2 story "With Loft" - MLS® $109,000 - Affordable!

La Follette, Campbell County - Who says you can't afford a place at the lake? Cute A-Frame cottage overlooking Norris Lake and within walking distance to full service Flat Hollow Marina! House has been totally updated in and out and has a good vacation rental history. 2 levels of huge wrap around decks, plenty of level parking and all furishings are available. Perfect week-end getaway. Flat Hollow Marina offers fuel, great dockside restaurant with entertainment, boat and jet-ski rentals and much more. Don't wait. You could be living at the lake this Summer.

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