Flipping houses in Knoxville: North Knoxville Victorians, South Knox ranches and Knox County data
Knoxville has about 199,000 residents and a median home value near $295,000 in recent Census estimates, while Knox County has about 494,000 residents. Homes for sale in Knoxville draw about 8,100 searches a month, so buyer demand is strong, and flipping houses in Knoxville works well for investors who buy carefully.
Most flips fall into three groups: historic homes in North Knoxville, mid-century ranches in Fountain City, South Knoxville and East Knoxville, and cosmetic updates in west Knox County suburbs. This guide uses Census figures and local search data to compare ZIP codes, explains historic overlays and other local factors, and walks through flip math.
Historic overlays, campus rentals and taxes in Knoxville
A few local factors shape Knoxville flip projects.
Historic overlays
Neighborhoods such as Fourth and Gill and Old North Knoxville have historic overlays, where exterior changes may need design review and approval.
- Historic review
- Exterior changes
Check a property's overlay status before planning exterior work.
University demand
The University of Tennessee keeps rental demand high near campus, where owner-occupancy is very low. Some flips there sell to investors rather than owner-occupants.
- Students
- Investor buyers
Know your buyer before you choose finishes.
Delinquent property taxes
The Knox County trustee collects property taxes. Long-delinquent properties can be sold through a court tax sale, and Tennessee generally gives owners a redemption period afterward.
- Trustee
- Tax sale
Tax delinquent owners are often open to an as-is sale.
Regional employers
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the university, healthcare systems and a growing number of remote workers support demand across Knox County and nearby Blount County.
Commuter-friendly locations often resell fastest.
Questions before buying a Knoxville flip
- 1Is the home in a historic overlay?
- 2Will the buyer be an owner or an investor?
- 3Are property taxes current?
- 4What repairs does the home need?
- 5What do renovated homes nearby sell for?
- 6What is the backup exit plan?
Listed and sold 25 properties and personally bought and sold four fix-and-flip properties, all generated from probate leads.
Carolynn Castillo
Realtor & Broker · eXp Realty
Knoxville ZIP codes for flips
Recent Census estimates show lower prices east and north of downtown and higher prices to the west.
Farragut 37922 and Sequoyah Hills and Bearden area 37919
Medians near $524,000 to $527,000, with higher-end flips and demanding buyers.
Hardin Valley 37932, Karns 37931 and west Knoxville 37923
Medians near $333,000 to $463,000, with 1980s to 2000s homes and cosmetic flips.
Fountain City 37918 and Halls and Powell area 37938
Medians near $275,000 to $323,000 and owner-occupancy near 69% to 91%, with ranches and steady family demand.
North Knoxville 37917 and 37912
Medians near $211,000 to $219,000, with historic homes, bungalows and older ranches.
South Knoxville 37920
A median near $268,000, with older homes near the Urban Wilderness trails and growing buyer interest.
East Knoxville 37914, 37915 and 37924
Medians near $211,000 to $251,000, with lower entry prices and older homes that need full renovations.
ZIP medians are recent Census estimates and include condos. Price every flip from renovated comparables nearby.
Shannon Thompson
Investor · Joe Homebuyer of Atlanta
Watch Shannon Thompson share their experience using ForeclosuresDaily.com.
Running the numbers on a Knoxville flip
Start with renovated sales on nearby streets, then subtract purchase price, renovation, holding and selling costs. Older Knoxville homes often need more than cosmetic work.
Profit = ARV − Purchase + rehab + holding + selling
Include financing, insurance and Tennessee recordation taxes.
Confirm comparables, permits and contractor bids before closing.
Basements and crawl spaces
East Tennessee humidity and hillside lots can lead to moisture problems, so inspect basements and crawl spaces closely.
Historic homes need specialists
Victorian and early 1900s homes in North Knoxville may need plaster, trim and window work that general crews avoid.
Ranches are reliable flips
1950s and 1960s ranches in Fountain City and South Knoxville are popular with first-time buyers when updated well.
Price for the street
Over-improving beyond what nearby renovated homes sell for rarely pays off, so match finishes to the neighborhood.
Watch the calendar
Spring and early summer are busy buying seasons in Knox County, so try to list finished flips then.
Check roofs and HVAC
Many older Knoxville homes have aging roofs and heating and cooling systems, which buyers and inspectors look at closely.
Andrew Litchfield
Webinar host
Andrew Litchfield hosted a ForeclosuresDaily.com monthly webinar for real estate investors.
What Knoxville-area buyers search for
Search data shows strong buyer demand. Homes for sale in Knoxville draw about 8,100 searches a month and Maryville about 2,900.
Records research is common
The Knox County property search draws about 2,900 searches a month and the county trustee about 1,000.
West Knox County draws buyers
Homes for sale in Farragut draw about 590 searches a month and Powell about 260.
Market questions are steady
Knoxville real estate draws about 1,600 searches a month.
- 1Homes for sale Knoxville TNAbout 8,100
- 2Knox County property searchAbout 2,900
- 3Homes for sale Maryville TNAbout 2,900
- 4Knoxville real estateAbout 1,600
- 5Knox County trusteeAbout 1,000
- 6Homes for sale Farragut TNAbout 590
- 7Knox County register of deedsAbout 590
- 8Homes for sale Powell TNAbout 260
How flippers can use this data
Use local demand to plan your flips:
Search volumes are approximate. Figures are recent monthly estimates and change over time. Use them to understand interest, not as exact counts.
ForeclosuresDaily.com hosts monthly webinars with investors such as Carolynn Castillo, who share how they find and evaluate flip properties.
Read the webinar announcement →
Anthony Coletti
Real estate investor
Watch Anthony Coletti share their experience using ForeclosuresDaily.com.
How to find flip properties in Knoxville
- 1
Use off-market lead lists
Probate, absentee owner, preforeclosure and tax delinquent lists help you reach sellers before they list.
- 2
Build a local team
Contractors who know older homes, plus agents who know each part of Knox County, help projects go smoothly.
- 3
Line up financing early
Have flip financing ready so you can act quickly when a good deal appears.
Before you buy
- Check historic overlay status
- Inspect foundation and moisture
- Check tax status
- Get contractor bids
- Pull same-street comparables
- Plan your exit
Explore resources such as realtors to sellers in Knoxville and flipping houses in Chattanooga.
Jeremy Resmer
Webinar host
Jeremy Resmer hosted a ForeclosuresDaily.com monthly webinar for real estate investors.
Knoxville and Knox County in numbers
Knoxville has about 199,000 residents, a median home value near $295,000 and a median household income around $57,000 in recent Census estimates, with about 46% of homes owner-occupied and vacancy near 10%.
Knox County has about 494,000 residents, a median value near $321,000 and owner-occupancy near 65%. About 71% of county homes are single-unit houses.
Lower prices than Nashville and access to the Smoky Mountains have drawn new residents from across the country.
Inside the city, many homes are older and need major updates, while the suburbs offer newer homes that need lighter work.
Flippers who understand both parts of the market can choose projects that fit their budget and experience.
Maryville and Alcoa in Blount County, near the airport, also draw many buyers and are a short drive from Knoxville jobs.
West Knox County schools and shopping keep demand high in Farragut, Hardin Valley and Karns.
- Underbudget older homes
- Use county-wide averages
- Ignore moisture problems
- Keep a strong contingency
- Use same-street comparables
- Inspect basements and crawl spaces
Tennessee resources
Antonio Stringfield
Probate investor · Los Angeles
Watch Antonio Stringfield share their experience using ForeclosuresDaily.com.
Nancy Wallace-Laab
Investor · nearly 20 years
Nancy focuses on the best outcome for both the seller and the investor, drawing on nearly 20 years of real estate investing experience.
Phillip Warrick
Full-time investor since 2003
Full-time real estate investor since 2003, with over 20 years of experience.
Flipping houses in Knoxville: FAQ
Short answers for investors flipping houses in Knoxville. Tap a question to open it.
QIs Knoxville good for flips?Yes
QWhat homes are popular flips?
QDo historic overlays affect flips?
QWhich areas have lower prices?Yes
QWho collects property taxes?
QDo campus flips sell to owners?
Get started →
Find your next Knoxville flip
Knoxville rewards flippers who choose the right part of town, respect historic homes, inspect carefully and price from same-street sales.
ForeclosuresDaily.com supplies probate, preforeclosure, absentee owner and tax delinquent leads across Knox County and Tennessee. Explore our lead products.