In 2002, June was declared Homeownership Month to promote meaningful change in the United States to make the dream of homeownership attainable. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest undertakings someone will have to handle in their lifetime. CENTURY 21 Legacy is here to make the process as simple as possible, answering the most pressing and important questions that people like you have before getting their home on the market!
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM READY TO SELL MY HOME?
Knowing when to sell your home is an extremely personal decision that must be made when it aligns with your specific life changes and financial goals. Whatever the reason for selling, success is dependent on having an effective strategy before going live on the market. Some questions to ask yourself include:
Do I need to sell my home to buy another?
Am I planning to upgrade or downsize?
Do I have a necessary or preferred timeline to get the house sold?
All of these allow yourself and your listing agent to fully develop a marketing and sales strategy that meets all of your needs.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE TO LIST IN 2026?
Your house is a place to live - not a showroom. Over time, we become blind to small imperfections caused by active life. While these are normal and expected, taking the time to knock out small home maintenance projects can drastically improve the curb appeal of your home.
INSIDE : Look around for spots where paint has faded, floors have stained, and baseboards were dinged.
OUTSIDE : Examine siding for cracks, freshen the landscaping, and repair any wobbling deckboards.
Before undertaking larger projects or renovations, it is best to meet with your potential listing agent to get their opinion on what projects will provide a return-on-investment and actually aid in getting your home sold.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL HOUSING MARKET OUTLOOK FOR 2026?
Speaking at a National Association of Realtors (NAR) event in mid-June, Dr. Lawrence Yun, the Chief Economist for NAR said the real estate market so far this year has been characterized as “weird”. However, there are still positives for sellers.
Home sales are up marginally year-to-date compared to the previous two years, and despite sluggish sales growth, home prices continue to increase. Looking toward the remainder of 2026, Dr. Yun says the continued uncertainty around oil prices and inflation will keep interest rates higher than previously projected for the year. With fewer buyers expected to enter the market because of this, an effective marketing strategy in line with your local markets supply and demand is paramount.
WHAT WILL THE HOUSING MARKET IN EAST TENNESSEE LOOK LIKE IN 2026?
For a local perspective, Matthews Smith, Managing Broker of CENTURY 21 Legacy’s Knoxville office had this to say:
“Knox County's housing market opened 2026 slowly, with buyers holding more leverage than they'd had in years, but by spring the shift was clear. Inventory tightened, homes started moving faster, and sellers regained the upper hand on price. If that momentum carries into summer and fall, 2026 is shaping up to favor sellers — with interest rates as the only real wildcard.”
One of CENTURY 21 Legacy’s top corporate listing agents, Shana Wilcox (Johnson City Office), is seeing a more balanced market in the Tri-Cities area, reemphasizing the need for a strong sales plan for your market:
“The East Tennessee market has shifted toward a more balanced environment in 2026, with buyers having more options and taking more time to make decisions. While homes are still selling, success depends more than ever on proper pricing, strong marketing, and a thoughtful sales strategy. Sellers who position their homes competitively from the start are seeing the best results in today's market.”
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO SELL A HOME?
While there is no ”magic” time to hit the market, most research points to late spring or early summer as the best time to get your home listed. With more time to view homes and a decrease in major holidays, the market sees an increased number of buyers at that time of year. However, a comprehensive and strategic sales plan aligned with the current environment of the local market can get your home sold at its highest potential regardless of the season.
HOW DO I FIND THE BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT?
Real estate agents are not one-size-fits-all and with over 35,000 licensed agents in the state of Tennessee, that choice can be one of the most impactful you have to make. First and foremost, you need an agent knowledgeable about real estate, and also attuned to your local market; understanding the nuances of what it will take to get your home sold.
Additionally, you need an agent adaptable to the obstacles real estate can throw at you, but also honest and dedicated to advocating for you with transparency and integrity. All of these attributes are instilled into agents at CENTURY 21 Legacy through continued training with a focus on delivering the Joy of Home.
WHY SHOULD I USE CENTURY 21 LEGACY TO HELP ME SELL MY HOME IN 2026?
CENTURY 21 Legacy and their agents are wholly focused on providing exceptional service to their clients and surrounding communities. That mission has also been recognized, with CENTURY 21 Legacy being named a Top Workplace multiple years in a row, a RealTrends Verified Best Brokerage, and CENTURY 21 as a whole is consistently recognized as the Most Respected in the Industry.
The recent merger between Compass and Anywhere, gives CENTURY 21 Legacy agents increased resources and pathways to help sellers market their home how they see fit. From Knoxville to the Tri-Cities, CENTURY 21 Legacy agents also have exclusive access to BoldPorch, a listing tool devoted to leveraging the collective power of agent’s marketing and social media to get your property in front of as many serious buyers as possible.
For a more in-depth look into what selling a property entails, including a seller’s roadmap, document information, and a step-by-step overview of the whole process, read our Listing With Legacy Seller’s Guide HERE. CENTURY 21 Legacy has nine offices across East Tennessee with service spanning from Chattanooga to Southwest Virginia. We have been consistently recognized as a Top Workplace by Knox News and are the #1 ranked CENTURY 21 in the state of Tennessee. Each office is independently owned and operated. You can find active listings, blog posts, how to join CENTURY 21 Legacy, and more on our website!
© 2024 Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license by CENTURY 21 affiliated franchise. All rights reserved. CENTURY 21®, C21® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21 affiliated franchisee fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. If you become an independent sales associate affiliated with a CENTURY 21 franchised office, you have a variety of resources, tools, technologies and educational opportunities available to you, including programs and materials. Use of any such materials and any related programs are not mandatory but instead are completely voluntary for you to use at your discretion if they fit your business needs. No tool or program described in herein is intended to imply or create an employment relationship with any CENTURY 21 franchisee or with Century 21 Real Estate LLC.
93 N Rufe Taylor Rd | Greeneville, TN 37745
© 2024 Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license by CENTURY 21 affiliated franchise. All rights reserved. CENTURY 21®, C21® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21 affiliated franchisee fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. If you become an independent sales associate affiliated with a CENTURY 21 franchised office, you have a variety of resources, tools, technologies and educational opportunities available to you, including programs and materials. Use of any such materials and any related programs are not mandatory but instead are completely voluntary for you to use at your discretion if they fit your business needs. No tool or program described in herein is intended to imply or create an employment relationship with any CENTURY 21 franchisee or with Century 21 Real Estate LLC.
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