I hadn’t set foot in Big Ed’s Pizza in at least five years, and I hadn’t planned to fix that on this particular Saturday either. I was driving back from a showing in Oak Ridge when I passed the place, neon OPEN sign in the window, that hand-painted cartoon of Big Ed picking his teethContinue reading “Big Ed’s Pizza: an Oak Ridge icon”
Tag Archives: Knoxville
If You Don’t Like the Weather: An East Tennessee Winter Tale
by Rob Howard – Knoxvillerob.com There’s a saying around here that folks claim about a lot of places, but in East Tennessee, it actually holds true: if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes. Right now, Knoxville sits under an icy glaze. The trees—mostly barren this time of year—glisten as much asContinue reading “If You Don’t Like the Weather: An East Tennessee Winter Tale”
New Year’s Eve in Knoxville!
Toss the egg nog and pass the champagne! One of my favorite clients just asked me for a suggestion of the greatest spots to ring in the New Year. I dug through my usually bag of sources and then dug a little deeper to curate this list of can’t miss date nights for that allContinue reading “New Year’s Eve in Knoxville!”
Principles of Real Estate and … Ice cream!
Earlier this year, I did a TikTok about one of my Knoxville real estate listings being “dangerously close” to the Cruze Farm flagship out in Strawberry Plains. I went full Dateline spoof—dramatic music, ominous voiceover, the works—warning potential buyers about the lethal proximity to Tennessee’s best ice cream. “The House That Came Too Close!” ThatContinue reading “Principles of Real Estate and … Ice cream!”
Knoxville Ranked #1 City Americans Are Moving To in 2026: Here’s Why
by Rob Howard, @knoxvillerob I’ve been selling real estate in Knoxville since 2003. Over those two decades, I’ve watched our city transform from a well-kept secret into one of the Southeast’s most dynamic markets. But even I wasn’t quite prepared for what moveBuddha announced in their 2026 forecast: Knoxville now holds the #1 spot inContinue reading “Knoxville Ranked #1 City Americans Are Moving To in 2026: Here’s Why”
When Real Estate Requires Detective Work: Unexpected Skills for Unexpected Challenges
In my 20+ years as a real estate professional, I’ve discovered that success often hinges on skills you wouldn’t find in any training manual. This realization inspired a key theme in my novel, “Principles of Real Estate & Murder.” Former Knox County sheriff’s detective Frank Merchant transitions into a real estate career only to findContinue reading “When Real Estate Requires Detective Work: Unexpected Skills for Unexpected Challenges”
“Principles” Restaurants: A Culinary Tour of Knoxville Part 2
“A Taste of Knoxville: Culinary Hotspots in ‘Principles of Real Estate & Murder’” Follow Frank Merchant’s journey through Knoxville’s vibrant dining scene in this local thriller: Click here to buy it now! UNION JACK’SThis British-style pub in Bearden becomes a gathering spot for Frank’s retirement party. It’s a friendly spot at the foot of BeardenContinue reading ““Principles” Restaurants: A Culinary Tour of Knoxville Part 2″
Frank Merchant’s Knoxville: The World of “Principles of Real Estate and Murder
The post discusses the personal exploration of themes in “Principles of Real Estate and Murder” and the connection to the author’s life. It introduces Frank Merchant as a character and promises to explore his world and the author’s own experiences in Knoxville. The post also offers recommended music and real estate help in Knoxville.
WhyKnox? Hutch & Howard at Visit Knoxville
Not too long ago I had the opportunity to sit down with one of my favorite Knoxville podcasters – literally and figuratively Jody Collins of Feral Giant towers over the competition. Standing at 6’7″ smart, funny and infectiously engaging, Jody has recorded hundreds of hours with a wide range of Knoxville people from all walksContinue reading “WhyKnox? Hutch & Howard at Visit Knoxville”
Realty Mad Season in the Age of Coronavirus
As an “on the ground” REALTOR (one who actually works with real estate clients in an age of people who purport to be your agent while having a crew of 20+ agents covering all aspects of the agency with the “lead agent” just serving as a figurehead) for the past 17 years, I have learnedContinue reading “Realty Mad Season in the Age of Coronavirus”