Moving to Tennessee

Worried about how your kids will make it in a new school in a new state? Did you know there are quite a few parents waiting for kids to graduate high school before making the move out of California? Many parents have reached out to us to request some perspective from kids who moved out here and survived the big changes. So, we decided to start by interviewing the youngest of our family who made th...

What are you waiting for? July 2023   There's good reason this episode is our number one downloaded episode of all time. The struggles that keep your feet planted in California are the same today as they were when this episode first aired.    Have you analyzed and researched a hundred reasons to leave California but still haven't packed a box? Do you share all those reasons to leave the Golden Sta...

We're sharing six of our favorite day trips in Middle Tennessee! The Nashville area, also known as; Middle Tennessee, is ripe with fun places to visit for the day.  When you visit Tennessee, you're going to want to carve out a few of these day trips for your family. You can't spend all of your time trying to find that perfect home. If you want to convince your kids and the in-laws to make the move...

Do lower salaries in Tennessee have you pumping the breaks on a move? Researching where to live should include a lot more than your salary. We're talking about quite a few things that are free in Tennessee. Paul and Joanne break down the differences in cost of living in the Golden State vs. the Volunteer State. When you begin to research making a move out of state, too often, we only look at the s...

Thinking about moving to Tennessee? Then you're probably wondering if you'll fit in.  There's a lot to love about making the move, we highly recommend it. As born and raised Californians, we know all about California culture. It's easy for us to spot one in a crowd of Tennesseans. Tune in today and learn all the ways folks from California don't blend in as effortlessly as you might think.   We've...

Thinking about buying a home in Tennessee? Then, you're probably wondering if you should sell or keep your California home to make that happen. The problem is, everyone you're talking to is telling you to never sell your home in California, or you'll never be able to come back.  Learn today all the reasons why you should or shouldn't keep your home in California. Educate yourself with many of the...

Dreaming of living on land? Hoping to build a custom home exactly the way you'd like it? Paul and Joanne's dream to build a farmhouse on acreage was a bit delayed when they moved from California to Tennessee. Their hopes to have everything just the way they wanted it, hit a few snags. Learn what held up their plans and why. Discover what surprised them during their building process, and find out j...

NEW EPISODE  - Are you watching mortgage interest rates climb, frozen with the fear of buying this year? Or, maybe you think you can time the market and have a plan to jump back in at the perfect time - whenever that is? If you've put your moving-to-Tennessee plans on hold, this may be your favorite episode yet.  Kevin Watson with Churchill Mortgage  has a lot to share about what's happening in th...

What's Your WHY?   NEW EPISODE  --Why are you daydreaming of moving to Tennessee? What exactly has you up all night looking at homes for sale in the southern state and watching Tennessee weather like a hawk? If you're looking for perfection, you're going to be disappointed. There is no perfect place this side of heaven. If you believe your relationship with California has become toxic and you need...

Meet Our Agent - Robert O'Brien!   NEW EPISODE  --Did you know we have agents who are real estate investors, too? Today we're talking with Robert O'Brien from Maplewood Realty and hearing just what he has to say about some of his favorite ways to invest in the real estate market. Robert is a favorite among our clients and has a gift for analytics that calm even the most anxious Californian making...

We're Baaaaaaack! With Our 5 Most Asked Questions January 2023   NEW EPISODE  --Your favorite podcast is back! Just when you buried your dream of moving out of California, we're here to remind you not to give up. Find out the answers to our top five most asked questions and be encouraged not to cancel that Uhaul. Learn what we've been up to, and discover some great things that have been happening...

How To Work With US - AND - One Very Very Very Cool Story! September 2021   NEW EPISODE  -- You've made the decision to move. Now what? Did you know that we're not just an amazing podcast and a couple of pretty faces? We're a real estate company that specializes in helping out of state families make their way to Tennessee! If you've finally decided to pull the trigger and move your family to Tenne...

Purchasing Your Tennessee Home -- Part II August 2021   NEW EPISODE  -- When you dream about moving to Tennessee, you're idea of a new home is new construction all the way! Or, maybe you're wondering how you can get a few acres on a sweet piece of land and build your dream home.  In this episode Paul & Joanne share how to get into a new construction home. These are the homes in developments going...

Purchasing Your Tennessee Home -- Part I March 2021   NEW EPISODE  -- Do you fall asleep every night to Zillow and Redfin searching for the perfect Tennessee home? You've decided to make the move out of California, now comes the fun part, figuring out how you'll buy that house. In this episode Paul & Joanne share how to purchase a pre-existing home in Tennessee. You'll learn all kinds of things, l...

What are you waiting for? March 2021   NEW EPISODE (PLUS) BONUS INFO! Have you analyzed and researched a hundred reasons to leave California but still haven't packed a box? Do you share all those reasons to leave the Golden State with anyone who'll listen, yet, make excuses to stay? In today's episode Paul & Joanne share and debunk the  8 excuses they hear over and over again from Californians. **...

Great Expectations - Tennessee Real Estate February 2021   NEW SEASON! Paul & Joanne are back! One of their favorite things is to show clients real estate, the other is to talk about real estate. Which makes this episode extra special. Are you wondering what the real estate market is really like in Tennessee? Worrying yourself sick searching Zillow and Redfin?  Discover how an out of state move is...

You've been thinking about it and maybe even dreaming about it - your great escape from California. But, like most great escapes, there's got to be a plan in place to make it work out well.  Paul and Joanne share the importance of how to prepare for your exodus from California and even share a few stories about what they did wrong and what they wish they'd done a lot sooner.  Download your very ow...

Every place is NOT for everyone. If you're dreaming of barbecue and green rolling hills, there's still a few things left to consider. Paul & Joanne share three things that set Tennessee apart from California living and encourage you to ask yourself, "Would I really be happy there?" Before you quit your job and pack up that Uhaul you need to consider this: Tennessee may NOT be for you.  Meet your h...

Talk to most life-long Californians about moving to Tennessee and you'll hear a lot of the same concerns: humidity, racism, and poor education to name a few. Paul and Joanne bust those myths and more as they share what it's really like to live in Tennessee.  Meet your hosts and Tennessee Real Estate Professionals: "In 2012 we packed up our life and came to make a new one in the rolling hills of Te...

Episode [06] Is Moving to Tennessee Right for You? Thinking about escaping California for Tennessee? Then you probably need to know a little more than you do. Is moving to Tennessee right for you? Before Paul and Joanne uprooted their family in California, they spent weeks discussing all the pros and cons about their move. Real estate professionals Paul & Joanne Kraft walk you through creating you...

Episode [05] Tennessee Property Taxes - Geography - Utilities and more! Thinking about escaping California for Tennessee? Then you probably need to know a little more than you do. In this episode Paul & Joanne Kraft share a little bit about a lot! Learn about property taxes and what you can expect to pay when you buy your first home. Find out what the Kraft family pays in utilities compared to wha...

Episode [04] Kids & Moving to Tennessee Thinking of moving with kids? Worried about how they're going to do in Tennessee?  Paul & Joanne Kraft brought their kids (11, 13 & 17) with them when they escaped California for the rolling hills of Tennessee. Their oldest was a college graduate living in Southern California.  Learn how they handled making the move from the only states their kids ever knew,...

Episode [03] Boots on the Ground - Visiting Tennessee to spy out the land. Once you've looked at enough articles, stats, and weather apps, you've decided Tennessee might be your future home. Now, it's time to put boots on the ground. This episode shares how to make your first trip here as informative as possible. Besides reaching out to have coffee with Joanne and I in Franklin... Discover what yo...

Episode [02] California vs. Tennessee What do you know about Tennessee, anyway? How's Tennessee different than California? On this episode you'll learn about things like: DMV registration, State Government, Smog Checks, State Parks, how Tennessee handles protesters and what the church culture is really like in the belt buckle of the Bible belt. Be encouraged by the many reasons why Paul and Joanne...

Episode [01] Our Story - What made us pick Tennessee? Are you thinking of leaving California? We were lifelong Californians who left the Golden State and moved to Tennessee with no friends, no family and no job waiting for us. In 2012 we packed up our life and came to make a new one in the rolling hills of Tennessee. This is our story.  Meet your hosts: Paul Kraft is a real estate broker and attor...