Gatlinburg Real Estate Blog

I recently purchased a truck to replace my trusty vehicle that I have enjoyed since buying it new 10 years ago. With VERY few problems and a lot of miles racked up, I decided it was time to trade. In sizing up my options, I ended up with a replacement that I am quite happy with. Funny thing is that I have become quite spoiled. I considered another version of the same vehicle but because that particular truck didn't have a leather interior or heated seats, I decided it just wouldn't work. The fact is that once you have an option, it is very hard to purchase your next vehicle without the same option or accessory. My reason for writing this here is that the same thing is true for homes. Once you are used to certain features, it is VERY unusual to settle for a home without the same options/amenities. People who vacation here expect their getaway home to be at LEAST as nice as the home they live in when they aren't on vacation. For this reason, people considering the purchase of...

I recently purchased a truck to replace my trusty vehicle that I have enjoyed since buying it new 10 years ago. With VERY few problems and a lot of miles racked up, I decided it was time to trade. In sizing up my options, I ended up with a replacement that I am quite happy with. Funny thing is that I have become quite spoiled. I considered another version of the same vehicle but because that particular truck didn't have a leather interior or heated seats, I decided it just wouldn't work. The fact is that once you have an option, it is very hard to purchase your next vehicle without the same option or accessory. My reason for writing this here is that the same thing is true for homes. Once you are used to certain features, it is VERY unusual to settle for a home without the same options/amenities. People who vacation here expect their getaway home to be at LEAST as nice as the home they live in when they aren't on vacation. For this reason, people considering the purchase ...

Once upon a time, many years ago, Smoky Mountain vacation rental cabins and chalets could actually generate enough rental income to pay for themselves.  In fact, several of our clients purchased or had built multiple cabins over a period of years because they not only paid for themselves, but they also created a handsome after-tax return.  Then came the real estate bubble and prices headed out of sight and in many cases went far beyond any reasonable valuation level.  At the height of the insanity, 480 square foot Gatlinburg area studio cabins sold for well over $200,000 and of course this simply wasn't sustainable.  There are only 365 nights in a year and as a cabin owner, one can only reasonably expect to rent your property for around 200 nights a year at best (although I have personally seen rentals that generated as many as 278 nights in a single year).  After the rental management fee which is typically 40% of gross rentals, cabin owners still must pay...

Once upon a time, many years ago, Smoky Mountain vacation rental cabins and chalets could actually generate enough rental income to pay for themselves.  In fact, several of our clients purchased or had built multiple cabins over a period of years because they not only paid for themselves, but they also created a handsome after-tax return.  Then came the real estate bubble and prices headed out of sight and in many cases went far beyond any reasonable valuation level.  At the height of the insanity, 480 square foot Gatlinburg area studio cabins sold for well over $200,000 and of course this simply wasn't sustainable.  There are only 365 nights in a year and as a cabin owner, one can only reasonably expect to rent your property for around 200 nights a year at best (although I have personally seen rentals that generated as many as 278 nights in a single year).  After the rental management fee which is typically 40% of gross rentals, cabin owners still must p...