Frequently asked
Questions people ask first.
The short answers — each one links through to the page where it's covered in full. If your question isn't here, that's exactly the kind of thing Robert would rather answer for you directly.
Cost & taxes
- Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
- No. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, investment income, or retirement distributions. The Hall tax on dividends and interest was fully repealed effective January 1, 2021. California vs. East Tennessee cost
- How does the cost of living in Knoxville compare to California?
- On overall cost of living, Los Angeles runs roughly 97% more expensive than Knoxville, and a typical California home value is about $787,500 versus about $368,500 in Knoxville (Zillow, 2026). Tennessee offsets its low income and property taxes with one of the nation's highest sales-tax rates, so the full picture is worth working through for your situation. The full cost breakdown
Buying a home
- Can I buy a home in East Tennessee from out of state?
- Yes — many of the people Robert works with buy from California and elsewhere before they ever move. Robert is set up to guide remote buyers through the process: video walkthroughs, honest read-outs on areas and commutes, and someone local to be your eyes on the ground. Buying from out of state
- How long does the inspection or due-diligence period last in Tennessee?
- Tennessee sets no statutory inspection period — it's whatever your contract says, most often 7 to 14 calendar days from the day the contract is fully executed. In that window you complete your inspections, negotiate repairs or credits, and keep the right to walk away with your earnest money returned. Tennessee also has no attorney-review window, so the contract binds at signature. The Tennessee buying process
The move & living here
- What's the weather like in Knoxville?
- It's a humid-subtropical, four-season climate. Summers are warm and humid, with July highs in the upper 80s; winters are short and mild, with January lows near the high 20s and only about 4.6 inches of snow a year. The region averages around 52 inches of rain annually, and spring can bring severe thunderstorms — occasionally including tornadoes — so it's worth having a plan. The honest weather report
- Where should I start looking — what areas?
- East Tennessee spans Knoxville itself, the lakeside communities on the reservoirs, and the foothills running toward the Smokies. Rather than rank places, Robert helps match areas to how you actually want to live — commute, land, water, walkability — and gives you the honest trade-offs of each. Exploring areas the right way
- What should I tackle first after the move?
- Tennessee asks new residents to get a TN driver license and to title and register their vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency — and there's a California-specific motor-vehicle-record wrinkle worth handling before you leave. Beyond that, a simple 30/60/90-day checklist keeps the rest from piling up. Your first 30 / 60 / 90 days
Still have a question?
Ask Robert directly.
No pressure, no listings to scroll — just a straight answer about your move and whether East Tennessee is the right next chapter.