Real Stories: How This Family Built With Red Door, a Custom Home Builder in Knoxville

When Mike and Donna decided it was time to leave Long Island, New York, they didn’t just move; they completely changed their way of life. Today, they’re enjoying mountain views, fresh air, and a home built just for them by a custom home builder in Knoxville.

Their journey from city life to country living wasn’t always easy, but choosing the right custom home builder in Knoxville made all the difference. In this article, we’ll take a look at how this family customized their dream home and discovered a new beginning in East Tennessee.

Mike and Donna lived their entire lives in New York. They were used to the busy pace, the dense neighborhoods, and homes packed closely together. But soon, their son moved to Maryville and started a new chapter, and they found themselves visiting often. Before they knew it, they were falling in love with Tennessee too.

The biggest thing that stood out to them? “The beautiful nature of the people,” Mike said. “The cost of living, the beautiful mountains… We decided that we’re gonna leave New York. Let’s go to Tennessee.”

They knew they were ready to trade traffic for trees and start fresh in a place that felt more peaceful, and being able to be closer to their son was the icing on the cake.

Like many families relocating from out of state, Mike and Donna started their search by looking at existing homes. However, they found that the existing houses either needed too many repairs or kept getting outbid on the ones they liked. They quickly started to feel stuck. 

“I spent a lot of money on having people go out and assess the home for me only to tell me that it needed a lot of work,” Mike said. 

They were also coming from a city full of cookie-cutter homes, and they wanted something different. “We come from neighborhoods in New York where every house looks the same. I didn’t want that,” he added.

That’s when they thought to themselves: what if they built instead?

At first, Red Door Homes wasn’t even on their radar. Mike’s bank gave him a list of twelve different builders to choose from, but his real estate agent was the first to mention Red Door Homes. Mike called and spoke with the team, and from that first call, he felt a sense of trust. 

He and Donna visited the showroom in person and were instantly impressed. “I’m a great judge of character,” Mike said. “And we felt so comfortable right away… Why look anywhere else when I’m in love here?”

While Mike had talked to other builders on the phone, Red Door was the only one they met face-to-face. That personal touch made all the difference.

Building a home from out of state can be stressful, but Mike and Donna said Red Door Homes made it as smooth as possible. Even though they weren’t in Tennessee during the build, they felt included every step of the way. 

Their project manager stayed in close communication and was quick to answer any questions. “Most people would be intimidated and very uncomfortable with not seeing what’s being done… That’s a very hard transition for someone to go through,” Mike said, adding that the team shared daily photos and updates of progress through the Buildertrend app. “But they made it so easy for us… I felt like I was actually there every day, even though I wasn’t.” 

One of the biggest perks of working with a custom home builder in Knoxville is the ability to personalize every detail. 

Donna said she likes everything to match. “I was able to customize my kitchen, which I love. I added the bar, and I was able to customize the colors and also the fireplace.”

But their biggest customization was for Donna’s mother, who moved in with them. Red Door adjusted the blueprint and helped them transform what would have been a garage into a full in-law suite, complete with expanded living space and two separate entrances for privacy.

They also added a covered back porch, which quickly became Donna’s favorite feature. “I like looking at the view of the mountain underneath my porch,” Donna said.

Donna also got a home gym upstairs, which was one of her must-haves. “One of the things I wanted was a gym in the house… I’m a group fitness trainer,” she said.

Mike and Donna’s home build started in September and ended in mid-April, just seven months from start to finish. The quick turnaround impressed them. 

When the movers scuffed a wall or if something needed tweaking, Red Door sent someone out promptly to fix it. “They told us, ‘If anything happens, let us know.’ And they meant it,” Mike said.

In addition to great service, the home came with warranties on the structure, appliances, and more, adding an extra layer of peace of mind.

Now fully settled into their new home, Mike and Donna couldn’t be happier with their decision. They love their neighborhood, the people of Maryville, and most of all, the quiet and privacy that’s so different from where they came from.

Mike said this is their fifth home, but it’s the best one. “All the other homes were old. Stuff needed to be replaced, stuff needed to be fixed. I probably never have to do anything here ‘til I retire in five years from now or maybe longer.”

If you’re thinking about relocating or building in East Tennessee, Mike and Donna have one piece of advice: don’t be afraid to build.

“If anyone's thinking about building from out of town, don't be afraid,” Mike said. “Red Door, they’re the best. Made me feel comfortable the whole way… They did such a great job for us, for my family.”

“If you wanna choose a builder, choose Red Door,” Donna added.

Mike and Donna’s story is about starting a new chapter closer to family, in a home that fits their life perfectly. And with the right custom home builder in Knoxville, that chapter started off on the right foot.

Whether you’re from East Tennessee or planning a move here, Red Door Homes makes it possible to build a house that feels like home from day one. If you’re ready to start your own story, explore Red Door floor plans or reach out to us today.