New Short Sale Guidelines Bring Changes To The Market

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In the past if you were upside down on your mortgage but still current on your payments you may have been told you would not qualify for a short sale. This could cause further hardship if you had experienced  a divorce, job transfer or other life changing event that was going to make it increasingly difficult to maintain your payments. Or, as a potential buyer interested in a short sale property listed on the market you may have heard how difficult and time consuming the process would be while waiting on the bank to make a decision. We have maintained in several previous posts that approving more short sale applications and improving the process will impact the market in a significant way by keeping foreclosures out of the market place. With encouragement from the National Association of REALTORS it seems that this is exactly what the FHFA is accomplishing. For many these situations may be a thing of the past with new guidelines being put into place as of November 1st of this year by the Federal Housing Finance Authority. Let’s see what a few of the changes are and how they will help change the situation of home owners, buyers and the market.

Certain home owners do not have to be delinquent to qualify:

The new guidelines will allow certain home owners who are still current on their mortgage to qualify for a short sale. To qualify you must have a mortgage that is insured by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. To verify if your mortgage is backed by one of these agencies you may visit http://www.FannieMae.com/loanlookup or https://www.FreddieMac.com/corporate/. 

After determining this you must have one of the following hardships:

• Death of a borrower or death of the primary or secondary wage earner in the household • Unemployment • Divorce • Long-term disability • Distant employment transfer/relocation (more than 50 miles one way) • Increased housing expenses • Disaster (natural or man-made) • Business failure

Less required documentation and faster processing:

In an effort to expedite the approval of more short sales many guidelines are being put into place to streamline the process. One key change is that home owners who have low credit scores and have missed several payments will be required to provide little or no documentation to prove the need for a short sale. This will also help buyers in the market as much of the delay in getting an approval has been waiting on the collection and review of endless amounts of documentation. To keep the process moving lenders will be required to adhere to strict time lines for considering short sales. They must review and respond to a short sale offer within 30 days, provide weekly status updates if an offer is under review for more than 30 days and submit a final decision within 60 days of receipt of the offer and completed documentation.

Financial changes:

Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac will waive their right to pursue a deficiency judgement after a completed short sale in exchange for a financial contribution towards the difference when the owner has the income or assets to enter into such an agreement. Evaluating this situation will now be part of the approval process. Special consideration will be given to military personnel who are being relocated. Service members will be automatically eligible for short sales whether they are delinquent or not and will not be required to contribute funds to cover the short fall on the mortgage. The last major financial change is that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer up to $6,000 to pay off secondary liens on the property. In the past negotiating a second mortgage could drastically slow the process down and this change will help to keep things moving forward.

These changes have the potential to benefit numerous people and we ask that if you or someone you know may benefit from a short sale of their home please reach out to us. A short sale has the potential to change someone’s financial outlook and will certainly help the real estate market by keeping a foreclosure from happening. I am a Certified Short Sale Specialist and our team has the dedication, sincerity and experience to successfully negotiate a short sale. More information about the new guidelines may be found at this website.  

Not Short Sales But Still Great Deals:

Beautiful Honeymoon Cabin Produced right at $16,000 in rental income for 2011. Tidy and cute one bedroom honeymoon cabin all on one level. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge Price: $109,900 Get more information >

 

Great Home Or Home Away From Home Custom built home in desirable Norton Creek. It is in such good condition, you’ll think it was just finished. Thoughtful design for year around low maintenance make it suitable for retirement, second home use or as a family home. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $259,900 Get more information >

 

Custom Built Home On The River Custom built home on the Pigeon River with year around mountain views in one of Sevierville’s most sought after neighborhoods. Type: Single Family Home Location: Sevierville,TN Price: $379,700 Get more information >

 

What If It Isn’t Perfect? Should You Buy That House?

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As we watch prices rising in some areas, mortgage rates staying low and foreclosures being liquidated from the market it is a perfect environment for purchasing real estate. But what if you can’t find your dream home? Let’s take a look at a few things to consider if you are torn between buying now or waiting for the perfect property to come along.

The first thing to consider when you are thinking of entering the market is financing. It is crucially important to have your financial “ducks in a row” and a mortgage pre-approval in hand before starting to look at homes. In a we explain in depth why this is so important but an additional reason is that you want to be able to make a move if you do find your dream home. As the market continues to improve houses are spending less time on the market and you will not want financing to be the only thing standing between you and your new home.

Next, make a list of your “must haves”, the things that will make a home perfect for you. From there narrow the list down. Explore why each item is a must have and decide if it is really just a want that can be worked around if the other terms outweigh not having that criteria met. Place the biggest concern on items that cannot be changed like location or in some cases square footage. When you are finished with this process you will have a list of “absolute must haves” and will be opening yourself to a wider range of possible homes to consider. Once you have found a home that meets the criteria you absolutely must have you will be able to determine if there are inexpensive ways to add the other items over time. When you visit homes remember things like furniture, appliances and decor can usually be changed inexpensively to better suit your tastes. Try to look beyond these things to the condition of the property, the potential future value and if it meets the criteria you have set on your list.

When you have found a property that is suitable for your current needs we will help you in determining the financial value of the purchase. When you combine your must haves with the financial value of a particular home you will many times find that it makes sense to move forward with an offer while rates are still low and prices have not completely recovered. Make a sound investment now and it will put you one step closer to owning a home that is perfect in every way in the future.

There are so many homes to choose from in the Smoky Mountain region at this time that we are confident once you are armed with your “absolute must have” list and your pre-approval letter you will have no trouble finding a home that is so close to perfect you will know it is time to purchase. Please take some time at our to explore some of the many options available.

Here Are A Few Of My New Listings:

Smoky Mountain Charm Has produced right around $15,000 in gross rental income for each of the last two years! Three level chalet with a bedroom and bathroom on each floor for maximum privacy. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $189,900 Get more information >

 

Breathtaking Mountain Views Gorgeous home in Cobbly Nob with an equally gorgeous Smoky Mountain view. Enjoy a spacious floor plan, currently configured with three bedrooms, level parking, a four seasons room and a two car garage with an attached car port. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Price: $298,500 Get more information >

 

Totally Updated & Great Views Almost $30,000 in rental income for 2010 & 2011! High quality construction and a great view combined with tasteful updates should put this one on your short list. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $229,900 Get more information >

 

A Brand New Event Comes To Gatlinburg

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One of the many reasons the Great Smoky Mountains are such a great place to visit and a great place to invest are the wide variety of special events hosted in the area. There is a broad spectrum of events throughout the year that appeal to a wide variety of interests. This month Gatlinburg will host a new event; the . The event will be held from August 23rd – August 25th and like many events in the area will spread out over multiple venues.

So, what’s it all about? The event is designed to “Celebrate Our Appalachian Musical Roots” and allows songwriters to perform their original songs, attend workshops and get guidance on how to get their songs published. It is no secret that many top singers, songwriters and other musical performers have blossomed out of the Tennessee region and this event centers around promoting new talent. Slated as “one of the most entertaining shows you will ever see”, many of the venues that are hosting the performers are free. Many songs are easily recognized as “hits” and the artists will not only be performing their songs but also telling you the stories behind the music.

Things will kick off at Ober Gatlinburg at 4:00 PM on the 23rd with a special meet and greet with the performers. Tickets for this VIP event are $25.00. Throughout the event there are numerous shows and workshops. On the 25th, will be performing at Mills Auditorium. Tickets are $20.00 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Gatlinburg Garden Club’s Lucinda Ogle Oakley Log Cabin Restoration Fund. A full schedule of events may be found at the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival .

Whether you are an aspiring songwriter looking for information to help you along, just interested in Appalachian musical history or looking for a great reason to visit the Smokies this event is sure to please. 

These types of events add to the growing number of annual visitors to the Gatlinburg region and help to keep it as a top vacation destination. There are plenty of reasons to visit the National Park and they add to the reasons to invest in real estate in the area. Imagine owning a beautiful vacation rental home in the Smoky Mountains that not only puts money in your wallet but also provides you with the chance to visit the area more often. There are plenty of investment opportunities available on the market. Take a look at our to explore the options then plan a visit, take in this brand new event and give us a call to start looking at homes.

Here Are A Few Of My New Listings:

Close To The National Park Did right at $18,000 in rental income for both 2010 & 2011! Three level chalet only 2.5 miles to Gatlinburg, 2 miles to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 7.5 Miles to Pigeon Forge. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $149,900 Get more information >

 

Value Priced Investment Did almost $20,000 in rental income for 2011! Value priced three level home fully furnished and ready for rental. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $159,900 Get more information >

 

Peace & Serenity Await Produced almost $24,000 gross rental income in just 11 months of 2011! This recently updated cabin is only minutes to Gatlinburg but offers the peace and serenity that you expect from your mountain get away. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $179,900 Get more information >

 

 

As The Market Improves, Warren Buffett Says Buy Houses

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We have seen many positive reports and predictions for the American housing market so far in 2012. Both nationwide and locally we continue to see positive signs of recovery and a slow but steady climb towards market stability. Some markets are seeing values rise as inventory decreases.

In an earlier in the year Warren Buffett praises owning homes as an investment, saying “Well, if I thought I was going to live, if I knew where I was going to want to live the next five or ten years, I would buy a home and I’d finance it with a 30-year mortgage, it’s a terrific deal. And if, literally, if I was an investor that was a handy type, which I’m not, and I could buy a couple of them at distressed prices and find renters, and again take a 30-year mortgage, it’s a leveraged way of owning a very cheap asset now and I think that’s probably as  attractive an investment as you can make now.”

Buffett also said “If I had a way of buying a couple hundred thousand single-family homes and had a way of managing—the management is enormous—is really the problem because they’re one by one. They’re not like apartment houses. But I would load up on them and I would take mortgages out at very, very low rates.”

Though most of us are not looking to purchase “a couple hundred thousand” homes, with interest rates at all time lows, it is a great time to consider adding investment homes to your portfolio. Mr. Buffett touches on the challenges of the management of investment properties, however, in the Smoky Mountain real estate market there are several options for handling the day to day care of your property. As this is a prime vacation spot, a large number of properties are used as overnight rentals which opens the door to not only making a great investment but also having a Smoky Mountain get away of your own. If you prefer a more hands on approach many investors in the area have had success with using online marketing tools and handling the rental and management of their properties themselves. With this option you may also consider the use of a company such as , which offers customized care plans for absentee owners. They work both with homes that are vacation rentals by owner and second homes that are not used as rental. They offer a wide variety of services from cleaning and maintenance to just stopping by to open the windows and make sure everything is in order. If you prefer to be less involved there are a number of vacation rental management companies in the area that will handle the daily details and offer a wide variety of services. Our team has great relationships with these companies and we will assist you in identifying the management solution that will be a fit for your investment goals.

The Smoky Mountain real estate market offers a wide variety of choices in investment properties. Why not take a look at our to see all that is available? If you see a property that looks like it has potential to add to your investments, let us know, we are here to help you obtain additional information about rental income history, market statistics and monthly expenses.

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Investment Properties:

Private Chalet Minutes To Downtown Produced $23,207 rental income for 2010 & right at $20,000 for 2011! Great location only a mile from the 441 Parkway and about 1.5 miles to downtown Gatlinburg. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $189,900 Get more information >

 

Close To Downtown Well over $30k rental income in both 2010 & 2011! Well built cabin in excellent condition within the city limits of Gatlinburg. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $289,900 Get more information >

 

A View From Above Did over $94K in rental income for 2010 & over $97K in 2011!!! Outstanding view of Mt LeConte in Smokies, with 5 master suites, media room, close to Gatlinburg, ski resort and National Park! Fully furnished! Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $699,900 Get more information >

 

Smoky Mountain Real Estate Continues To Gain Ground In July

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The year has been positive so far for the Smoky Mountain real estate market. Looking at the market statistics through July we see continued improvement in most categories for single family homes in Sevier County with some areas showing huge gains over last year. Buyers are very active and properties are moving. Let’s see what the numbers have to tell us.

The category of Total Residences Sold shows that buyer activity remains strong with a 15% increase from 2011.

Total Dollar Volume Sold goes hand in hand with the last category and reports $5,203,117 more real estate sold than last year. We are also seeing homes in higher price ranges selling this year which will continue to push the increases in volume.

The Average Sold Price still lags behind 2011 but continues to improve every month. With the balancing of inventory occurring as distressed sales leave the market and homes in higher price ranges are selling we believe this category will continue moving towards being stabilized.

The Average Days On Market lets us know that sellers are ready to sell and buyers are ready, willing and able. From last year homes are spending 6% less time on the market and the number has shown gains from 2011 each month.

The Smoky Mountain region is a hive of real estate activity and opportunities. If you have been dreaming of owning a home near the National Park now is a great time to take a look at the and find your perfect get away. Our team is ready to help you every step of the way.

Here Are A Few Of My New Listings:

Fantastic Rental Income!! Fantastic rental income! Produced over $26,000 in rental income in both 2010 & 2011! Lots of features you want in a Smoky Mountin retreat. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $185,000 Get more information >

 

Quality Features & Mountain Views If you are looking for your own home away from home you must see this quality three bedroom. Fantastic Smoky Mountain Views, attached garage, workshop & much more. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $349,900 Get more information >

 

Great Price On A Gatlinburg Home Cute vintage chalet practically walking distance to Gatlinburg. Always used as a second home and perfectly suited for a weekend family get-away. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $89,900 Get more information >

 

Is A Condo The Key To Your Smoky Mountain Dream?

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Considering a purchase in the Smoky Mountains but feel that owning a single family home will require too much upkeep or is out of your budget? A condo may be a great ownership solution. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of owning a condo.

Most condos require very little maintenance, making it a convenient choice for many buyers. Yard work, snow removal and building upkeep are usually included in your association fees and managed by the owner’s association. This is a great perk if you are looking for a Smoky Mountain get away and are worried about who will take care of things while you are away. Many condo communities also offer a pool, clubhouse, workout facility and sometimes a barbecue area for your use. When you come to relax at your Smoky Mountain home these extra amenities can go a long way to giving your vacation a resort like feeling.

In the Gatlinburg area many condo units come with a huge benefit – astounding Smoky Mountain views. Imagine coming to visit your private mountain oasis and knowing that it will be an entirely stress free vacation surrounded with amenities and the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Your yard is already well manicured, perhaps a balcony overlooking the mountains awaits and later you can enjoy a dip in the pool.

As we can see there are many benefits that purchasing a condo may offer but there are also several things to consider prior to a purchase. These are some important questions that our team will assist you with when you have identified a potential property:

How much are the condo fees and how often are they billed? This is an important factor when you are calculating your purchasing budget.

What do the condo fees include? It will be important to know what amenities and services are included as you are trying to identify a community that will fit your needs. Some associations also include certain utility costs which will be helpful information when determining the cost of owning.

What are the restrictions of the community? Many associations have by-laws that must be followed by all unit owners. These can include a number of things pertaining to pets, renting out your unit and more. These will factor in to your choice of locations to purchase.

Does the association collect reserve funds for big repairs and improvements? If so how & when are they collected?

There are  many different condo options available in the area and we are happy to answer any questions you may have as you determine if one of them may be a fit for you. Why not start by browsing our website to see all of the opportunities that are available for purchase? If you are ready for a Smoky Mountain home that will provide you with the luxuries of a true vacation it may be time to look more closely at how a condo purchase could benefit you.

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Condo Listings:

Worry Free Home In The Mountains Best views anywhere in the county. Really close to Great Smoky Mountain Nat’l park with direct views of all the big peaks plus the ski resort and the city lights of Gatlinburg. Type: Condo Location: Chalet Village Price: $94,900 Get more information >

 

Affordable Mountain Get Away Perfect affordable family mountain get-away in this first level studio unit at the Gatlinburg Summit Condominiums. Cozy fireplace, private balcony and great view. Type: Condo Location: Chalet Village Price: $45,900 Get more information >

 

Affordable Studio Unit In The Mountains Perfect affordable family mountain get-away in this totally refurbished studio unit at the Gatlinburg Summit Condominiums. Type: Condo Location:
Price: $39,900 Get more information >

 

A Prime Time To Invest In Smoky Mountain Real Estate

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We know from experience and previous articles that the Great Smoky Mountains are a top tourist destination. There are over 9 million annual visitors and the numbers keep climbing. Aside from those facts there are many more reasons why we believe the Smoky Mountain area is a great pick for a real estate investment. The area boasts the largest collection of independent artisans and hosts numerous events like this week’s Annual Craftmens Fair in Gatlinburg. There are numerous attractions and it is all within a days drive for two thirds of America. Now, both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have big projects going on that are going to make the list even longer. Let’s see what they have planned.

Over the last few months, Gatlinburg officials have held numerous meetings to explore and discuss the possibility of constructing a youth sports complex. On Tuesday evening it was decided that they would move forward towards making this a reality. The city entered into agreements with the Sports Facility Advisory and the consulting firm Conventions & Leisure to conduct feasibility  studies and a business pro-forma analysis. The findings were positive, showing that Gatlinburg had adequate accommodation choices and entertainment venues to attract major sports tournaments and other sports events. The facility would include a 79,000 square foot indoor complex with five basketball courts, eight full sized multi-use soccer fields and 600 new parking spaces. The effect would be more vacationers drawn to the area and planning their trips around sports tournaments. The studies reveal that the project would bring more than $34 million to the area.

In September of 2013, Pigeon Forge will open the LeConte Center. Located near Pigeon Forge attractions, shows and shopping this will be a multi-use event center that will attract many new events to the area. The facility will include a 100,500 square foot assembly hall, numerous multi-purpose rooms, catering, concessions and 1,600 parking spaces. It is expected to be home to numerous assemblies, competitive events and trade shows.

Both of these facilities will add jobs to the area and increase the already high tourism to the area. At this time we see a real estate market that is improving from last year and the addition of these new attractions for the area are on track to keep that trend going. There are numerous investment properties available on the market and we believe now is the time to start exploring the option of purchasing a home in the area. Not sure where to start with owning a vacation rental property? Our team is dedicated to providing you sound information and guiding you through every step of the process. Start at our to get a feel for what is available and when the time is right we are ready to answer your questions and assist you on the path to owning a Smoky Mountain home.

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Investment Properties:

Picture Perfect Views Beautiful and private 2 acre site with postcard views. Literally, we have post cards from the 70’s that have the view from this home’s deck on them. A picture perfect view for sure. Type: Multi Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $475,000 Get more information >

 

Consistent $$$ Maker At A Great Price!! CONSISTENTLY RENTED OVER 200 DAYS PER YEAR FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WITH REVENUE RANGING FROM $38,000-$41,000! Wonderful and spacious 3-level cabin tucked away in Gatlinburg and only a short drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $250,000 Get more information >

 

Smoky Mountain Money Maker Smoky Mountain money maker did over $26,000 in rental income for both 2010 & 2011. Nestled in a resort like neighborhood this large cabin is filled with amenities & is close to Dollywood. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge Price: $179,900 Get more information >

 

The Truth About These Common Homebuying Myths

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Buying a home can seem like a daunting process. With the wide variety of information readily available on the internet it is easy to be left wondering what is true and what is not. Let’s take a look at a few of the prevailing myths about purchasing a home that may be holding you back from taking the first steps towards owning a home.

Myth 1: Owning a home is more expensive than renting. Mortgage rates are at all time lows making home ownership more affordable than ever before while rental prices are on the rise. It is true that owning your own home will mean that you are responsible for repairs but in exchange for that you gain the freedom to make your own choices about your living space.

Myth 2: You have to have perfect credit to buy a home. It is correct that the higher your credit score the more options you will have in choosing a mortgage. However, having a score in the lower ranges does not mean it is impossible to obtain a loan. If you are thinking of a purchase talking with a lender will help you to navigate your credit report and verify the loan options that are available to you.

Myth 3: You must have a 20% down payment. Sure, having a large down payment will lower your payments but is not always necessary. Many loan programs are available that will allow as little as a 3.5% or in some cases no down payment. We recommend talking with your lender about options such as an FHA or Rural Development loan.

Myth 4: Getting a mortgage is too complicated. Although lending guidelines have gotten tighter than they used to be, with the help of your lender and your real estate agent navigating the process is made much easier. There are some hoops to jump through and it may seem that your lender is asking for an endless supply of documentation but your agent and lender will assist you in making sense of it all and getting you to a successful closing on your home.

Myth 5: Foreclosures need a lot of work. Though some foreclosed homes are left in a state of disrepair this is certainly not the rule. Your agent will assist you with obtaining home inspections to determine the true condition of the property. In many cases you will find that like other homes a foreclosure just needs a little TLC. If the inspection reveals major items that need repaired your agent will be looking out for your best interests and help you negotiate through the inspection results.

Myth 6: Buying a foreclosure will get me a huge discount. Yes, the banks are looking to thin their inventory but they are also trying to protect their interests as well. Though some foreclosed properties are offered at lower than market value prices this is not always the case. The bank obtains a market analysis of the property and sometimes a full appraisal prior to listing it on the market and price it accordingly to see what the market will bear. In most cases the bank would prefer to lower the price in small increments until they obtain a reasonable offer rather than accept a cut rate offer.

Myth 7: The perfect home is out there if I just keep looking. Homes are a lot like people, none are perfect in every way but when we love them we accept the flaws. When you step into the house that is right for you for the first time you will know it. Prior to viewing homes make a list of the things that are most important to you in a home and of what things would be a deal breaker. Once you have an accepted offer we encourage you to have a home inspection which will reveal if any of your deal breaker items exist or if there are simple maintenance items that you are willing to address so that you do not lose the opportunity of owning the home that was meant for you.

The goal of our team is to make your home buying process as easy and stress free as possible. Armed with a great agent and accurate advice you will find the home that is right for you and be at the closing table before you know it. Take some time at to see the wide variety of homes that are available and when you are ready to take the next step we are available to assist with every aspect of the process.

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Listings:

View City Lights Against The Mountains Absolutely amazing views of downtown Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Incredible close up night lights view, you can actually see people on the sidewalks with a dramatic mountain backdrop. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $359,900 Get more information >

 

180 Degree Mountain & City Light Views $14,300 rental income in 2010 with 2011 already ahead at $14,500 through October. Very private ridgetop retreat w/ wraparound covered deck that has amazing 180 degree views of the mountains & city lights. Type: Single Family Home Location: Price: $189,900 Get more information >

 

Mount Leconte Views Beautiful mountain home with view, wrap around decks, updates throughout including kitchen, new appliances, quartz counter tops and glass tile back splash. Great for permanent residence or rental. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $239,900 Get more information >

 

Continued Improvement For The Smoky Mountain Real Estate Market

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Nationally the real estate market is improving and the statistics for single family homes in Sevier County show that the Smoky Mountain region is no exception. The numbers show strong improvement over last year in most categories for the first half of the year, let’s take a look.  

June’s numbers keep 2012 ahead of last year in the category of Total Residences Sold. With a difference of 21% or 111 more homes sold than the same period last year we see that buyer activity continues to be strong.

In the Total Dollar Volume Sold category 2012 outperforms 2011 with a 7% increase. This is just under seven million dollars more real estate sold than in the first half of 2011.

The Average Sold Price is still behind 2011 but shows improvement from last month. Through June the average price is down 11%, last month it was a 14% decrease from 2011. The number of foreclosures that are being sold and leaving the market continues to help with improving this number.  

In the last category of Average Days On Market we see signs that buyers are in the market and ready, willing and able to buy. With a 7% decrease in time on the market there is no doubt that the Smoky Mountain real estate market is active.  

The market is changing for the positive at a steady pace and we believe this trend will continue. Considering the purchase of a Smoky Mountain home? This is the time to take advantage of current mortgage affordability and the wide variety of available homes for sale. Spend some time browsing to see everything the area has to offer. When the time is right we are ready to assist you on your path to owning a mountain home.

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Listings:

Private Chalet Minutes To Downtown Produced $23,207 rental income for 2010 & right at $20,000 for 2011! Great location only a mile from the 441 Parkway and about 1.5 miles to downtown Gatlinburg. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $189,900 Get more information >

 

Two Acre Mountain Retreat Charming log cabin on a private two acres. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge Price: $189,900 Get more information >

 

Great Home Or Home Away From Home Custom built home in desirable Norton Creek. It is in such good condition, you’ll think it was just finished. Thoughtful design for year around low maintenance make it suitable for retirement, second home use or as a family home. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $269,900 Get more information >

 

 

Owning A Home And The American Dream

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National Association of REALTORS President, Moe Veissi, said “Homeownership is an investment in our future, but it’s also a gateway to our past. The homes of our country’s founders offer insights into their characters and values and reflect the spirits of their owners, just as our homes do for us today”.  As the Fourth of July steadily approaches we turn our thoughts to fireworks, parades and other traditions that are carried out each year in celebration of Independence Day. Today we would like to reflect on how homeownership has played a part in the history of our nation and the phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.

The American Dream is a set of ideals which allows everyone the opportunity for prosperity and success according to their abilities and hard work. From early settlements in America forward to today, owning a home has been seen as a building block in achieving the height of these ideals. Certainly owning your own home creates freedom and independence simply by having a place to call your own. Along with pride of ownership you gain the freedom to choose the elements that go in to making your house a home. Economic changes have delayed this dream for many but surveys show most Americans still wish to own their own home. In a recent National Housing Survey from Fannie Mae we see that Americans still view owning a home as a positive thing. 64% of those surveyed said that if they were going to move they would be more likely to rent rather than buy. Why? Although modern day America is much different than it was in the 1800’s our ideals have remained fairly constant. A large number of those surveyed cited control over what you do with your living space, freedom to choose a community where people share your values and motivation to become a better citizen as top reasons they aspire to owning their own home.

Owning a home has numerous benefits not only to the owner but to the entire nation. Many have quoted Abraham Lincoln as saying, “The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people”. This simple truth is still valid today. Owning a home provides security and stability as well as enhances communities. It encourages participation in schools, government and community because owners have a vested interest in improving their homes and neighborhoods. All of these things work to strengthen the social fabric of the nation. The overall value to the nation’s economy from increased homeownership is priceless.

The dream of homeownership has not changed in America. With the low interest rates that are currently available housing affordability is at an all time high making the American Dream obtainable for more and more citizens. We wish everyone a happy Fourth of July and as you are celebrating our nation’s independence we hope that you will take a moment to consider how much owning your own home could add to your own pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. There are numerous available and we are here to help through every step of your journey towards being a homeowner.

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Listings:

Custom Home On Douglas Lake Custom built home on a lake front peninsula surround by water on three sides with expansive views. Type: Single Family Home Location: Douglas Lake Price: $975,000 Get more information >

 

A Taste Of Appalachia Consistently produced $21,000 in rental income over the last few years. A log home with true Appalachian feel. Take a look and fall in love. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $149,900 Get more information >

 

Close To Downtown Well over $30k rental income in both 2010 & 2011! Well built cabin in excellent condition within the city limits of Gatlinburg. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $289,900 Get more information >