#23 It’s One of the Best Places in America to raise a family

• We’re 8th on Forbes magazine list because of education, community and low rank in crime.

#22 It’s pretty hard to miss your connection at the Airport

• There are only 12 gates and two conveyor gates at McGhee Tyson airport.

#21 We’ve got Pat Summitt

• Over 1,000 wins as the Lady Vols basketball coach.
• Most wins in history.
• With the opening of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999, Knoxville became the unofficial Mecca of women’s basketball fans.

#20 Our Folk Hero’s are one of a kind

• Iconic moonshiner Popcorn Sutton made national headlines.

#19 Our area code is 865

• Because of the Vols, Knoxville moves from third to the second largest city in Tennessee on Saturdays.

#18 All roads lead to Knoxville

• Canada to Florida and Atlantic Ocean to Pacific Ocean hubs (I-75 and I-40) intersect here.

#17 Our music scene makes waves

• National headlines with historic venues like the Tennessee and Bijou Theatres and festivals like Big Ears and Sundown in the City.

#16 Knox County Commission meetings are almost as entertaining as episodes of Jersey Shore

• With antics and erratic behavior from the likes of “Lumpy” Lambert.

#15 It’s going to the dogs

• Four large/small segregated leash-free dog parks and more planned.
• More and more restaurants are allowing canines to join their owners in outdoor dining places.

#14 You’ll never go hungry

• Hundreds of restaurants to choose from including Italian, Mexican, Thai, deli delights, baked goods, barbeque and more.

#13 Celebrities love it so much

• Homegrown stars like Johnny Knoxville, Quentin “Tarantino, Kenny Chesney and David Keith to name a few continue to visit their Knoxville.  We all love Peyton Manning!

#12 We have a lot of streakers

• Nicknames like The Marble City, The Streaking capital of the World, the Red Panda Capital of the World, the Scruffy Little City, the Underwear Capital of the World and the Couch.

#11 We help solve murders all over the world                             

• The world-renowned research facility of Dr. Bill Bass and the Body Farm at UT have trained other forensic anthropologists and criminologists.

#10 Our local businesses are National Heavy Hitters

• Regal Entertainment Group, HGTV, Bush Brothers beans, Petro, Pilot Ruby Tuesday and Sea Ray all call Knoxville their business home.

#9 It’s easy to escape

• Short drives to Nashville, Atlanta, Lexington and Asheville.

#8 We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – four seasons

• Knoxville’s temperate climate is one of the biggest draws to living in the area.

#7 We don’t tolerate hate

• When the KKK came to town for a rally, peacemakers everywhere came out in full force downtown chalking side walks with messages of tolerance and acceptance, and denouncing racism and supremacy. In Knoxville, love wins.

#6 Our roads are in great shape

• Potholes are rare and road work is completed in an efficient and timely manner.

#5 Downtown is thriving

• Market Square, The Old City and Gay Street are now the places to go and be seen.

#4 Rolling hills and valleys = great calf muscles

• From the UT campus to the many greenways across town…Feel the Burn. Not to mention, quick access to the Smokey Mountain National Park.

#3 Our Mayor was so badass, he became governor

• Not since Lamar Alexander’s years in office has the Volunteer State elected a born and bred East Tennessean to the coveted role of governor.

#2 Even though we had a less-than-perfect season on the gridiron, Coach Dooley have us back a little of our self-respect

• Although our young squad had struggles, they did have flashes of brilliance.

#1 Our skyline is one of a kind

• The Sunsphere has been putting Knoxville on the map since it was erected for the 1982 World’s Fair. Add that to the mountains in the distance, Neyland Stadium and the Tennessee River, and you’ve got a pretty sweet vista.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

Mortgage Rates Lowest Since Thanksgiving

June 3, 2011

Mortgage rates fell for an eighth consecutive week, with the benchmark conforming the 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 4.69%, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.39 discount and origination points.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage dropped to 3.88% and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate retreated to 5.16%.

Adjustable rate mortgages were mostly lower, with the average 5-year ARM resetting a record low of 3.39% and the 7-year ARM plunging to 3.64%, also a new low.

More weak economic data is increasing evidence that a summer soft patch has arrived — again. The loss of momentum means an even more sluggish recovery than was expected and that interest rates won’t be rising any time soon.

Fixed mortgage rates are at the lowest levels since last Thanksgiving. For many would-be refinancers, the turkey is indeed on the table with the opportunity to refinance at sub-5% rates. But with lower federal loan limits scheduled to take effect in October, waiting too long could mean missing the chance to lock in historically low fixed rates if the loan amount becomes ineligible for government guarantees.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6% was Nov. 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.33%, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 4.69%, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,036.07, a difference of $205 per month for anyone refinancing now.