Tennessee Real Estate buyers and sellers are assisted by many of the best-known real estate firms in the nation, as well as by locally owned real estate offices. The market is busy and expanding, with most properties selling in a not unreasonable length of time. Some are snapped up very quickly by eager buyers wanting the city lights, or by those tired of the fast lane and ready for the opposite, the relative peace of the suburbs or the total quiet of the countryside.

Tennessee real estate includes land, houses and apartments. The variety of architectural styles in Tennessee is surprising to the newcomer, including as it does, Plantation Style, Federal, Greek Revival, Traditional, Farmhouse, Contemporary, Ranch, and so forth. Building materials include clapboard from earlier decades, stone, traditional brick, or cypress, pine or cedar logs, and other materials. Steel is not usually cost-effective for residences but is used a lot in commercial buildings.

The price of Tennessee real estate that includes a new house or apartment building varies widely with the amenities a buyer is requesting, or that a builder is offering. Three houses the same size in the same neighborhood can have a very big difference in price. One example is that increasing a 9-foot ceiling to a 10-foot ceiling may add $15,000 to the cost.

The Lot Comes Before the House in Tennessee Real Estate

Unless a buyer has found a house "in place" that suits the family's needs and wants, he and the family will be looking at building plans to pick out what they want. A better route to take is to find the lot first and have the house designed to fit that. As for cost, it is less expensive to build on level ground. For example, a hilly site may require a retaining wall, among other essential considerations.