Looking for General Contractors, & Inspectors in Knoxville, TN

Looking for General Contractors, & Inspectors in Knoxville, TN

Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 4 votes

Hello BP community.  

I've used the realtor I'm currently working with to get a list of inspectors and also reached out using Angies List for inspectors. But the more time I spend looking at that market of SFH, and Condo's within 10 minutes of the UT Knoxville campus, I'm finding that there is a good chance I'm going to need a GC. As an out of state person looking to buy something for my daughter that will be attending Law School there this fall (acceptance pending), I want to put her somewhere close, safe, clean, & comfortable that I can then hold and use as a rental after she moves out a couple years down the road.

Assuming her acceptance comes in before the end of March, I'm looking to close on a property in March, April, or May.  Assuming it will need some GC work, that gives us about 2-3 months to complete the work before she moves in in July.

Please let me know if you know any good GCs and inspectors in the area. I'm using a HELOC to fund the purchase and any potential repairs. The HELOC was approved last month, I'm only waiting on the UT School of Law acceptance. I've analyzed close to 50 properties (MLS) in the last month or so (and will continue to do so) and the ones I thought were good deals have indeed sold fast. Several of the ones I thought were over priced are still sitting there.

I'm primarily looking within the 640 corridor, in west and north (not so much east) and maybe south of the river if the house or condo is close. The Condo HOA's are killing me because most of them are not adding much other then cost to the equation. Having said that, there are a few condo complex's I would still consider buying into, but most of what I've seen make sense is in the small SFH market.

Please let me know if you know reliable GC that would be willing to talk with me or if you think there is anything else I should know/consider regarding this out of state adventure I'm about to dive into.  

Just for context I currently own 1 rental home in Colorado Springs (where I live).

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Rental Property Investor · Knoxville, TN · Member since 2011 · 701 posts · 531 votes
5y

I lived in the Cherokee at Westcliffe condos for a couple years while attending UT. Very convenient. Really enjoyed it. Seem to be reasonably priced but haven't evaluated as a rental. 

I know of a 2 unit condo build currently under construction in the Parkridge area. Fees are $25/month as it is just 2 units, concept is being so small two owners can more easily work out the common area costs  It's east so may not meet your criteria but it is in a revitalizing neighborhood near UT and downtown.

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  • Rental Property Investor · Knoxville, TN · Member since 2011 · 701 posts · 531 votes
    5y

    I lived in the Cherokee at Westcliffe condos for a couple years while attending UT. Very convenient. Really enjoyed it. Seem to be reasonably priced but haven't evaluated as a rental. 

    I know of a 2 unit condo build currently under construction in the Parkridge area. Fees are $25/month as it is just 2 units, concept is being so small two owners can more easily work out the common area costs  It's east so may not meet your criteria but it is in a revitalizing neighborhood near UT and downtown.

  • Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 4 votes
    5y

    @Christopher B. thanks for the heads up about the East side condos, do you know where I can see a listing for them?  I'll take an online look at anything and then send the realtor out for his thoughts if it seems like it might work.

  • Investor · Franklin, TN · Member since 2017 · 112 posts · 77 votes
    5y

    For an inspector, contact Rich Hatter (PM me for his contact info).   He lives in Lenoir City and covers Knoxville and up into the Smokies.  We randomly found him when the mortgage company just put a cabin inspection up for grabs and he got it.  Great guy, walked me through the whole inspection and had some good follow up calls with my questions.  Since that random selection we requested him on 2 more inspections.

    Besides a cabin, we have owned a condo next to UTK for 6 years now and our 3rd kid started at UT this past fall.  It was our first purposeful real estate investment and happy we did it.

  • Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 4 votes
    5y

    @Ken Dillard thank you for the inspector referral, I will follow up with a PM.  Where did you buy your condo?  Do you feel the HOAs have been worth their cost?  Have you used the condo just for your kids while they are going to school?  If so, I'm guessing no property manager.

  • Rental Property Investor · Knoxville, TN · Member since 2011 · 701 posts · 531 votes
    5y

    They're under construction right now. PM me if you're interested and I'll provide more details 

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