Winter Fun in the Smokies

Posted by Gatlin on

Lights, (bring your) Cameras, Action!

A seven-time award winner of America’s Best Christmas Event, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival Nov. 4 -Jan. 3, 2018, features 4 million holiday lights and spectacular performances including It’s a Wonderful Life.   Dollywood brings a Christmas classic story of love and generosity to life.

 

The Slopes are open at Ober Gatlinburg

 For many people, winter in the Smokies means one thing: skiing and snowboarding at Ober Gatlinburg. There are 10 different ski trails at the park with varying levels of difficulty.  Everyone, from beginners to experts, can have a great time.

Not up for skiing, but still love the snow? Snow tubing is a great option for everyone.  The Ski Mountain Coaster is open in the winter when the tracks aren’t frozen. You can also head inside to check out the plethora of shops, the food court, or even go ice skating!

Ring in the new year in the Smokies!

Gatlinburg will welcome the arrival of 2018 in unique style with its Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show around the intersection of Parkway and Historic Nature Trail at the base of the Space Needle late Sunday night, December 31.

Nearly 50,000 people will gather around the intersection at the base of the Space Needle late Sunday night, December 31 to ring in the New Year.  At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2018, fireworks will blast off the rooftop of the 400-foot tall Space Needle with special music choreographed for the show.  The Space Needle has added rhythmic LED lights to the tower, making for a spectacular display.

 

 

 

Featured Properties:
Amazing Views, Great Income

1437 Arbon Drive,  Gatlinburg, TN 37738
$329,900   ID#: 213518
5 BR/BA Chalet. 51K+ Income, Close to Ober, a walk to the pool.  Summer and winter fun.  More info

 

 

 

2215 Lone Eagle Drive,  Sevierville, TN 37876
$314,900   ID#: 213544                                                                                             2 BR/2 BA Log cabin. 43K+ Income. Close to Dollywood, minutes to Gatlinburg.  More info

Local musician is rebuilding after the fires

Posted by Gatlin on

Local musician is rebuilding,
creating new songs and a new home:

Last November, Kirk Fleta came back to the Smokies from a trip to Nashville to find that he lost everything: family heirlooms, guitars and dozens of journals and recordings of his songs, photos and recordings of his mother (famed Spanish singer Paloma Fleta) and his grandfather (world famous opera tenor Miguel Fleta), all of the songs he had down on paper, the audio and video recordings of his performances, and journals of his travels from all over the world.

Fleta is slowly rebuilding. He got money from FEMA, crowdfunding and other organizations.

“Everybody’s really wanting to chip in and help the recovery process,” Fleta said. “It’s kind of reinstated my faith in humanity because there’s so much kindness…We’re a strong, mountain tough community. It’s real.”
He says he wants to write songs that stand the test of time and wants to build a house that stands the test of time, too.

Fleta is writing songs for a new album, some of which are inspired by the fires. He is an optimistic guy and says he says he doesn’t like to dwell too much on the past.  Fleta says he is ‘leaning on a promise of a bright future’ with new songs and a new house.

Here is a link to his website, and here is a link to his fundraising fund:  https://www.crowdrise.com/kirk-fletas-wildfire-recovery-fund

–Stephanie Haines interviewed Kirk Fleta for WBIR Ch 10 news.

Featured Properties:

Remarkable Houses, Remarkable Land

1215 Wiley Oakley Dr.
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
$799,900   ID# 205840
4 BD/3.5 BA, 2,800+ sq ft mountain chalet, sitting on 14+ acres, complete with amazing mountain views. More info

 

2924 Nuns Cove Rd.
Sevierville, TN 37876
$495,000   ID#  211855
3 BD/3 BA, 2,200+ sq ft, contemporary-style mountain chalet on 76 acres.  More info

Happy Thanksgiving from the Jason White Team

Posted by Gatlin on

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving day full of joy and happiness with your families and friends.  Today we just want to say thank you in appreciation of your business, trust, and loyalty with us.

Sincerely,

The Jason White Team

                   .
.
.

Featured Listings:
40K+ Income Cabins

$279,900   ID#: 213277

Private and spacious 3 BD/3 BA Private cabin in scenic Sky Harbor.  3 levels with covered decks.
More info
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
$299,900   ID# 208150
4BD/4BA Mountain chalet with incredible views.  Large open rooms, great for large family gatherings.

 More info

Is history repeating itself?

Posted by Gatlin on

Rapid price increases will not last forever.

The current growth in home prices is echoing the lead-up to the recession.  Is history repeating itself?

 

The answer is likely not, according to a recently released realtor.com® report.  Building is lacking in many markets—one hallmark 10 years ago was over-construction—and credit standards are more stringent, says Danielle Hale, chief economist of realtor.com.

“As we compare today’s market dynamics to those of a decade ago, it’s important to remember rising prices didn’t cause the housing crash,” Hale says.  It was rising prices stoked by subprime and low documentation mortgages, as well as people looking for short-term gains—versus today’s truer market vitality—that created the environment for the crash.”

In 2016, home prices (the national median home sales price) were 2 percent higher than they were in 2006, the report reveals. Pre-recession prices have returned in 31 of the 50 largest metropolitan areas.

In contrast with 2006, however, are today’s credit conditions. Currently, the median FICO score for a mortgage is 734; the median in 2006 was 700.

Builds and flips are also different from 2006—starkly.  The credit environment, among other factors, is keeping a lid on unfettered flipping and over-construction.  In 2006, one household formation generally equaled 1.4 single-family housing starts; in 2016, that number shrank to 0.7 single-family starts.  Flips accounted for 5 percent of sales in 2016; in 2006, they comprised 8.6 percent.

“Lending standards are critical to the health of the market,” says Hale.  “Unlike today, the boom’s under-regulated lending environment allowed borrowing beyond repayable amounts and atypical mortgage products, which pushed up home prices without the backing of income and equity.”

Additionally, economic indicators point elsewhere.  Employment was healthy then and is now, but inventory is limited more today—at a 20-year low.  Presently, the average months supply is 4.2; in 2007, the average months supply was 6.4.

 

Featured Listings:   Price Reductions

Beautiful one level brick 3 BD/2 BA complete w/incredible views of the Smokies & of a beautiful pond adj. to this property.  More info
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

$458,800   ID#: 212271
Resting atop 1.49 beautiful acres you’ll discover an architectural gem of 5000+ sq ft, 4 BD / 3 BA.   Views of Mt. LeConte & Clingman’s dome.  More info

National Real Estate Market

Posted by Gatlin on

Prices are up, homes selling faster, new listings slightly up

Autumn began in September, but activity in the housing market remained at summer-like levels through October, according to realtor.com’s latest data preview. Prices in October were 10 percent higher than those one year ago, with the national median at $275,000 and the national median age of inventory at 73 days.

“This month we aren’t just experiencing still-summery weather—we’re also seeing a sizzlingly competitive housing market at a time when things are usually cooling off for the fall,” says Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com. “With not enough homes on the market to meet the high demand, homes are selling 8 percent more quickly than a year ago even though prices are as high as they’ve ever been.

“For potential buyers who waited until fall hoping to score a bargain, the pickings are disappointingly slim,” Hale says, “but one potential bright spot for market-fatigued buyers is that new listings are up slightly from one year ago. While new listings declined in the first four months of the year, they have increased on a year-over-year basis in five of the last six months.”

Would you ever buy a haunted home?

Posted by Gatlin on

A new survey from Realtor.com shows most folks won’t shy away from a spooky space–so long as the price is right.

In September, Realtor.com surveyed more than 1,000 online respondents. The verdict? Thirty-three percent were open to living in a haunted house, 25 percent might be, and 42 percent are not open to the idea.

What factors impacted these results? Let’s explore:

  • 40 percent of respondents indicated that they need a price reduction in order to choose a haunted home over a non-haunted home;
  • 35 percent require a better neighborhood;
  • 32 percent need larger square footage;
  • and 29 percent would do so if more bedrooms are involved.

Who minds a few spooky spirits if there’s a third bedroom?   From the survey, 47 percent of participants indicate they would live in a home where someone died, 27 percent said they might, and 26 percent said they would not.

The survey also showed certain paranormal activities are preferred over others. Forty-eight percent of those surveyed didn’t mind a few cold or hot spots in their home, whereas 45 percent could get down with unexplained noises, and 39 percent are willing to tolerate strange, freaky feelings in certain rooms. Thirty-five percent of folks could deal with shifting shadows, but only twenty percent were alright with levitating objects or the sensation of being touched.

Of those surveyed, 28 percent believed they already have lived in a haunted house, with 14 percent unsure and 58 percent quite sure they’ve never been haunted.

 

Featured Listing:

This lot was issued a 5 bedroom septic permit, which is increasingly rare. Great opportunity to build a 5 bedroom vacation rental cabin.   Located in very desirable Pinnacle Vista subdivision in Pittman Center.

Don’t miss OktOBERfest!

Posted by Gatlin on

                Enjoy Oktoberfest in Ober, Gatlinburg though Oct. 29th

OktOBERfest is being celebrated with Gatlinburg-style roots of merrymaking from September 22 through October 29th.  Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort commemorates the 207th anniversary of the popular festival held in Munich, Germany.

One of the highlights of OktOBERfest is the food.  Most of the food is German inspired and is derived from recipes and cuisine from traditional Bavarian festivals.  Cuisine includes but is not limited to schnitzel, bratwurst, strudel, turkey legs, pretzels and sauerkraut.  During this month-long celebration, along with multiple daily shows, the Seasons Of Ober Restaurant switches to their OktOBERfest menu.  Special Oktoberfest Biers will be served including several local favorites.  If German food isn’t for you, there are other eateries on site that will offer meals suited to your taste and overall budget.

And, of course, along with great memories, you’ll want to take home souvenirs of this month-long celebration. They have a wide variety of OktOBERfest  souvenir apparel, gifts and accessories available in the outdoor vendor tent.  Inside the mall, you’ll also want to check out the retail shops… most especially the unique and specific  Beer Necessities kiosk,  which provides an eclectic selection of gifts and accessories for the true beer aficionado.

Enjoy the Bier Garten!
An Outdoor Bier Garten is open for beer sampling for festival-goers who are 21 and over. Different featured breweries will be included each weekend, with a company representative from each of these present on Saturdays.

 

Along with the authentic German cuisine and beer, you can also look forward to outdoor games and the Bavarian Fun Makers Oompah Band.  The band dresses in authentic lederhosen while performing traditional Bavarian folk dances, oompah music, sing-a-longs, yodels, and more!

 

Featured Listings

Three Charmers Near Ober:

Beautifully crafted 2 BD/1.5 BA, 1,400+ sq ft, mountain chalet.  Ideally suited as a permanent or 2nd home, or as an overnight rental.   More Info

2220 St. Moritz Court , Gatlinburg, TN 37738   $219,900  ID#: 211874

1 BD/2 BA, 1,350+ sq ft, contemporary-style mountain chalet. Spectacular mountain & city views.  Currently on a well-established rental program.  More Info

 1536 Zurich Road   Gatlinburg, TN 37738
$215,000     ID#: 208705
3 BD/2 BA, 1,600+ sq ft mountain chalet with amazing mountain & city views.  Ideal as a permanent or 2nd home, or as an overnight rental.   More info

 

Outdoor fun this weekend in the Smokies

Posted by Gatlin on

Kick up your heels!

Sugarlands MountainFest, a music and outdoor festival (September 28 – October 1, 2017) produced by Sugarlands Distilling Company, is a spirited celebration of the great outdoors. For four days this fall, outdoor enthusiasts will gather to enjoy over 30 live musical performances, running, biking, & fishing competitions, craft cocktails, award-winning spirits and brews—all in the breathtaking mountains of East Tennessee.

Experience the world class attractions and shopping of downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  Enjoy the natural splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Featured Properties:

413 Hick Dr.   Sevierville TN, 37862
$ 474,500   ID# 212271
5000+ sq ft, 4 Bedrooms & 3 Baths.   Views of the mountains, convenient location. Lovely home. 1.49 acres includes another lot.  What more can you ask for?  More Info
304 Village Way  Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
$265,000  ID# 212285
4 BD/3 BA, 2,200+ sq ft, mountain chalet. Currently a well-established VRBO rental.  Walking distance to shopping and dining.    More info