Nestled In The Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge Is A Great Place To Call Home

This month we would like to shine the spotlight on the quaint mountain town of Pigeon Forge. Let’s take a look at some of the history of this town and everything it has to offer to today’s home buyer.

Surrounded by the blue mist of the Great Smoky Mountains, the community of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is filled with rivers and streams, waterfalls and native flowering plants and trees. Pigeon Forge is packed with southern hospitality and as many as 11 million tourists visit each year making the town not only one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the southern states, but a charming real estate market with a strong economy.

Located along Highway 441 only five miles from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge is an action-packed town nestled in the breathtaking setting of eastern Tennessee. It is a wonderful place to call home, or to invest in a home away from home. Some of the more popular attractions in Pigeon Forge are the Dollywood theme park and water park, golf courses with rolling hills, tubing, hiking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding and helicopter rides over the misty blue mountains. Follow any of these activities with dinner at one of many diverse restaurants offering cuisines to inspire all tastes.

Ultimately, the greatest appeal of Pigeon Forge is the natural surroundings that boast four distinct and mild seasons to satisfy the lifestyles of all residents and visitors alike. If the never-ending recreational opportunities of this outdoor mecca do not inspire homebuyers, perhaps they will be by the distinction given by Southern Living Magazine Readers™ Choice Award in 1996 as being the shopping paradise of the south, with unlimited outlet malls and retail shops, surrounded by a thriving real estate market.

One of the earliest settlers to the Little Pigeon River in the Sevier County region was a man named Richard Fanshiers, and the town held his name, Fanshiers, until the early 1800s. Along the beautiful river that flowed through the land grew beech trees and the beech nuts feed the now extinct species of Passenger Pigeons that flocked to the river. In 1820, Isaac Love built an iron forge along the river, and in 1841 a post office was established under the name of Pigeon Forge. In 1885, a mill was built in the location and is still in operation today, using the same machinery. is a National Historic Landmark and a proud part of the history of Pigeon Forge.

In 1946, changing the face of history, an old tobacco barn was sold and became Pigeon Forge Pottery. This sale officially marked the first tourism-related business in the region and the beginning of what would transform cornfields into tourist attractions to create the backbone of the local economy. This once sleepy mountain community is now a bustling real estate market in Pigeon Forge offering single family homes, cozy or resort style log cabin homes with stunning mountain vistas, gated communities, condos and townhomes, golf course homes and large estate homes. Sevier County is proud of its low crime rate, exceptional educational systems and healthcare, along with a booming work environment.

The small town atmosphere of Pigeon Forge, filled with genuine southern charm and hospitality, is one of the other many reasons to call this community home. in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee are reasonably priced and exceptional in value. Buyers looking to relocate or invest in a second home, will find the real estate market in Pigeon Forge to be varied in styles and amenities, offering mountain charm and modern conveniences, surrounded by the tranquility and hanging blue mist of the Great Smoky Mountains.

With something for everyone, why not take a look at all the real estate choices Pigeon Forge has to offer. You can start by browsing available homes at our .

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Pigeon Forge Listings:

Private Log Cabin In The Mountains Did over $20K in rental income in just six months of 2011! This is a really fantastic log cabin. Huge rooms, great lay out, high ceilings and all wood interior. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge Price: $275,000 Get more information >

 

Enjoy A Mountain Sunset From Here Incredible large diameter log construction creates a special, solid, and timeless appeal. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge Price: $450,000 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 Forecast Calls For An Improving Housing Market

As we have mentioned in previous articles, this year has remained steadily busy and we are seeing higher home sales prices than have been evident in quite some time. We see the Gatlinburg and Sevier County markets moving steadily and economists are pointing to improvement in the national real estate market as well. We would like to apologize for not providing the monthly market statistics for March. Our local MLS system is experiencing technical difficulties and is not reporting accurate numbers. We hope this issue can be remedied soon. In the meantime we would like to share a little bit about what is going on overall in the real estate market.

In a recent , Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, said the recovery is in the process of settling into a higher level of home sales. Existing home sales were slightly down in March but are still 5.2% above the same period in 2011. The National Association of REALTORS reports that inventory has tightened and home prices continue to show signs of stabilizing. Mr. Yun stated, “The recovery is happening though not at a breakout pace, but we have seen nine consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases. He went on to say, “Existing home sales are moving up and down in a fairly narrow range that is well above the level of activity during the first half of last year. With job growth, low interest rates, bargain home prices and an improving economy, the pent-up demand is coming to market and we expect housing to be notably better this year.”

Nationally, the median existing home price for all housing types was just under $164,000 in March. Short sales and foreclosures made up 29% of March sales compared with 40% in March of 2011. In the South, existing home sales are reported at 3.6 percent higher than one year ago.

Freddie Mac reports that the national average commitment rate for a 30 year, conventional, fixed rate mortgage was 3.95 percent in March, down from 4.84 percent in March of 2011. This makes financing very attractive for homebuyers and is opening up options for many.

All of this points to a steady move towards a positive outcome for the 2012 real estate market. Locally we are seeing a shift in buying patterns with more buyers present in the market and able to procure financing. Now is the time to enter the market, take advantage of extremely low mortgage rates and great housing deals available in inventory. With many financing options it may be a prime time to speak with a lender, see what is available and get pre-approved. Having a pre-approval in hand will put you in a great position when you find your “Smoky Mountain Dream”. There is a lot to choose from, start at our and view all that the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer.

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Listings:

Heirloom Quality Throughout Not often does a living piece of history come available for sale, perhaps once a generation. Such a time is this. Heirloom quality throughout this solidly built stone cottage boasts quality not often seen in homes built today. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pittman Center Price: $395,000 Get more information >

 

Private Mountain Retreat Private three bedroom, three bath Log Cabin with great mountain views from three decks. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge Price: $320,000 Get more information >

 

Character, Details & Views! Pictures do not do justice to the view! Picturesque home with tons of space and lots of windows. Wine cellar/tasting room are just one of the many unique features you will enjoy. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $384,200 Get more information >

 

You’re Pre-Approved To Purchase A Home:What Happens Next?

In a previous we went in-depth about pre-approval, what it is, how to get it and why it is a very important first step to buying a home. So you have gathered your financial documents, talked with a and have your pre-approval in hand, now what? Let’s talk a little bit about a few things you can do to prepare further for your home purchase and a few things you can expect along the way.

We believe that with a large amount of inventory to choose from in the Smoky Mountain region it is important for you to start by making a list of your needs/wants in your future home. This list should include number of bedrooms, location, type of view and any other items that are important to you. Will the home be a second home or investment? If so will you be using it as a vacation rental? This will play a factor when your agent is helping you to locate a home and needs to help you analyze rental income history of prospective property.

Once you have narrowed down your criteria let us know the most important characteristics your future home needs to have. This will assist us in setting you up to automatically receive listings that may be of interest, letting you know as soon as we come across a home that may fit the bill and also in preparing for your first meeting to view homes.

When the time is right we will make an appointment to view property. You will want to bring along the list you have created as well as a notepad or electronic device to use for jotting down notes about homes you see. This will come in handy at the end of the day when houses seem to be blending together. You will know when you step in to the perfect home. When this happens be prepared to write an offer. The Smoky Mountain market is moving pretty steadily with a large number of buyers in the market. Remember, if you are rating a house at an 8, 9 or 10 someone else probably will too. This is where your pre-approval letter comes in to play because:

*Being pre-approved may expedite the acceptance of your offer to purchase. Many sellers will not respond to an offer to purchase without a pre-approval letter. In the meantime, they can continue to consider other offers.  

 *You will be in a much better negotiating position with a pre-approval in hand especially in the case of multiple offers on the same property.

Once you have identified that perfect Smoky Mountain home and are ready to make an offer we will assist you in preparing the offer by providing current market data to detail what the pricing trend for similar homes is indicating, thoroughly going through the required documents for your offer then preparing it and presenting it to the seller’s agent to begin your negotiations.

With a little bit of preparation and the guidance of our dedicated real estate team the journey from pre-approval to accepted offer will be much easier to navigate. As you are working on your list take a look at our and get a feel for all that the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer.

Here are a few of my featured properties:

Wears Valley Dream Come True You’ll notice the unusually high quality construction from the moment you pull in the driveway. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge Price: $597,000 Get more information >

 

Unbelievable Price On A Mountain Home Opportunity knocks with this can’t be beat price on a Smoky Mountain home. Just minutes from Ober Gatlinburg & tucked away on a wooded lot with level parking. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $129,900 Get more information >

 

Pigeon River Right Outside Your Door! This remodeled riverfront home is a sure to please. With the calming sounds of the Pigeon River right outside your door this completely remodeled home complete with sauna and hot tub are sure to take the stress away! Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $289,900 Get more information >

 

Great Things Happening For The Gatlinburg Real Estate Market

It has been not only an exceptionally busy year but also a year that has brought great news for the local housing market. Many sellers fear that buyers are not willing to spend much money and many buyers fear that banks are not willing to lend much, especially on investment or second homes. Recent events point to a very different story for both buyers and sellers. On March 14th, our team closed the largest residential real estate transaction that our local MLS service has seen in over five years. This was not a cash deal nor a distressed sale. It is simply a feel good story of willing buyer, seller and lender coming together. The home pictured above is a twelve bedroom vacation rental property here in Chalet Village above Gatlinburg. Many thought it would be impossible to sell in today’s market. With conventional bank financing and a willing and able buyer we were able to gain an acceptable offer and successfully close the transaction with a purchase price of $1,750,000. What does this mean for your real estate plans? The fears of a slow market are becoming a thing of the past. The market is saturated with buyers and banks are lending money. If you have been considering putting your home on the market, now may be a great time to .

This kind of market movement is combined with recent attention for the area from Forbes magazine. In a recent article they have named Gatlinburg one of the Top 10 Prettiest Towns In America. Calling upon experts from the Travel Channel, National Geographic, travel authors and others to bring the list together, Forbes cites many reasons why Gatlinburg made the list. Zain Habboo, National Geographic’s director of travel stated “The wildflowers around Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are absolutely spectacular in the spring as they burst with wildflowers at their peak.” Others pointed out access to whitewater rafting, hiking and the dramatic mountain backdrop as reasons Gatlinburg has become a hotspot. It is truly a beautiful mountain town filled with charm, history and nature. As a top tourist destination we believe the Gatlinburg area is one of the best places in America to consider purchasing an investment property.

There is plenty of inventory available, homes are moving and banks are lending. Is now your time to purchase that Smoky Mountain dream property? Take a look at to browse all that the Smoky Mountains have to offer. When the time is right our team is ready to help you turn dreams into reality.

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Gatlinburg Properties:

Travel Through Time Take a walk in the park just by stepping off of the deck. Perfectly preserved, this mountain home is just steps from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Boundary and will take you back in time. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $179,900 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 >

 

Unparallelled View of Great Smokies!! Contemporary home with many interior updates and incredible view of ski slopes at Ober Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $224,900 Get more information >

 

High Above Gatlinburg: What Makes Chalet Village A Premiere Mountain Community?

Last week we talked about my experience on  with the annual helicopter supply drop and ended with a note about being able to see Chalet Village from that high vantage point. Today I would like to explore more facts about Chalet Village and why I think it is a great place to consider for your mountain home purchase.  One of the great advantages is being able to have a view like the one you see pictured above, but let’s take a closer look at this beautiful community above Gatlinburg.

Easily accessible from four major roadways on Ski Mountain in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the mountain resort community of Chalet Village. Residents are close to countless opportunities available at Ober Gatlinburg Mountain Ski Resort, Ripley’s Aquarium, Dollywood, Outlet Mall shopping, Splash Country, numerous restaurants and other attractions. Many recreational options are also available at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which lies adjacent to Chalet Village. It is not unusual to see people hiking, biking, rafting, fishing or enjoying any number of other activities. Chalet Village is in the center of all the fun of the eastern Tennessee mountains.

Chalet Village offers homeowners exclusive resort communities that are great for second homes, investment properties for rentals, or full-time residency. Homebuyers in Chalet Village can find older single family homes, chalets, condos or breathtaking new and luxurious log cabin homes. If you are wishing to build a custom home, lots and land are readily available and provide breathtaking views of the mountains surrounding Chalet Village.

The prestigious Chalet Village, with around 2,000 residential/rental lots, is the last community before entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Not only do residents enjoy breathtaking views of mountain peaks, but also spectacular views of Gatlinburg and the ski slopes at Ober Gatlinburg Mountain Ski Resort, which is located in the village. A route of the Gatlinburg Mass Transit runs over Chalet Village and makes stops within the national park.

Despite its close proximity to Gatlinburg, the community is nestled and secluded in the never-ending mass of forests for the ultimate in privacy and peacefulness. Three main sections make up Chalet Village, and these neighborhoods offer the best amenities including tennis courts, swimming pools and playgrounds. The main subdivisions of the Chalet Village area adjacent to Gatlinburg are Alpendorf, Chalet Village North and Tryolea.

Residents of Chalet Village are served by the Sevier County School System. For residents of all ages, The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, established in 1945, is world-renowned for arts and crafts instruction. It is located within minutes of this charming mountain hideaway.

Set in a serene and quiet environment, yet surrounded by big city amenities and recreation, Chalet Village offers the finest choices in mountain living amidst the blue mist of the Great Smoky Mountains range. Our office is also located here in Chalet Village, give us a call anytime to explore the neighborhood and all it has to offer. With many Chalet Village homes available, you can visit our website to .

Here Are A Few More Featured Chalet Village Listings:

 

Views Of The Highest Mountain Peaks
Over $24,193 rental income for 2010 & $9,956 for only 5 months of 2011! At the very top of Gatlinburg at around 3200ft in elevation sits this gem of a cabin along the boundary line of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $399,900
Get more information >

 

Wide Open Spaces
Dances With Bears is a spacious chalet with soaring ceilings and an open floor plan.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $179,900
Get more information >

 

Everything You Are Looking For
You will find all the features you are looking for right here in Creekside Serenade. Make this one your personal mountain retreat or your personal income producer. Consistent rental income & tons of amenities!
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $205,000
Get more information >

 

 

Are Short Sales The Best Way to Get A Great Deal On Smoky Mountain Real Estate?

As we have all watched the national housing market work through difficult times in the last few years many have realized it to be a good time to buy. With mortgage rates at all time lows and a wide variety of inventory we agree that it is a great time to consider purchasing. There has been a lot of buzz that purchasing a short sale home is the best avenue for getting a deal. Although it is possible to get a great deal on a short sale, we believe there are numerous other avenues to finding a great home at a great price. Let’s explore some common questions and answers about short sales.

What is a short sale? A short sale occurs when the current owner of a home is negotiating with their current lender to accept less than the full amount of what is owed on their mortgage as a payoff. This gives homeowners the opportunity to put their home on the market at prices that may be lower than when they purchased and helps them to avoid a foreclosure if they are having trouble making their monthly mortgage payments.

Are short sales deeply discounted? Not in most cases. When a homeowner begins the process of negotiating a short sale with their lender the first thing they are usually told is get an offer to purchase and then we will negotiate. Often, homes will be put on the market at a lowered price to encourage offers with a disclaimer that the final price will have to be approved by the seller’s lender. Once there is an offer on the table the bank will usually request a comparative market analysis from two different agents to determine the current fair market value of the property. Most agents do price short sales at the current market value but this is not always the case. Though the seller is selling for less than they owe on the property the banks still look for offers that reflect the current value.

How long does it take for the bank to respond to an offer? This is the question with no true answer. Once you submit an offer the wait time for a response can range from thirty days to several months. There are many factors that go in to their decision-making process. They will require a large amount of financial information from the seller, the above mentioned comparative market analysis from an agent and sometimes an appraisal just to begin the approval. As they move forward other things may come in to play, such as a second mortgage or past due property taxes that will also have to be negotiated.

Will the bank or seller make repairs to the property? Not usually. In a short sale situation the bank does not own the property and cannot make repairs. Most homeowners in this situation do not have additional funds available to make repairs. In most cases a short sale property will be sold as is. We always recommend a home inspection by a qualified home inspector prior to purchase.

We still find that there are a wide variety of homes on the market that can be purchased at a great price whether they be short sales, foreclosures or  traditional listings. Sevier County Tennessee has held a reasonably stable market through 2011 and moving in to 2012. There are a lot of properties to choose from and homes are moving. In an active market with low mortgage rates available it will be easy to find your Smoky Mountain home or investment property. Take a look at our  to see all that is available in the Sevier County real estate market.

Have other questions about short sales? I am a Certified Short Sale Specialist and would love to hear from you! Call, email or post your questions on our Facebook page.

Here are a few of my featured listings:

Mountain Chalet With A View Over $20,000 rental income in 2010 & 2011! Nice spacious chalet with fantastic Mt. Leconte views. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $139,900 Get more information >

 

Hot Buy On Authentic Log Cabin Over $30,000 in rental income for both 2010 & 2011!! Soaring ceilings and three walls of glass create a dramatic feel and bring the expansive views into the living space of this modern day cabin. Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge Price: $149,900 Get more information >

 

Wide Open Spaces Dances With Bears is a spacious chalet with soaring ceilings and an open floor plan. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $179,900 Get more information

 

February Ushers In Beautiful Weather & An Active Smoky Mountain Market

As we move out of February into March we are seeing amazing spring weather with temps in the 60’s and above. February’s real estate market in The Great Smoky Mountains also closed out with some positive activity and movement signaling good things to come for home buyers & sellers along with the spring weather. Let’s take a look at what the numbers have to say.

In the first category of Total Residences Sold, we see an increase from last year of 9% with 186 homes sold.

In the category of Total Residential Volume Sold, we have a slight decrease of 10%. We believe this relates to the number of lower priced foreclosures the banks are still working to liquidate from the market.

Relating to the previous category, the Average Sales Price also shows a small decrease of 17%. As more of the lower priced properties are closed and off the market we will begin to see these numbers move closer to positive.

In the last category of Number Of Active Listings we show an increase of 330 homes available on the market over last year.

With signs of spring all around and plenty of deals still available on Smoky Mountain homes, this is a great time to plan a visit and start searching for your Smoky Mountain dream. There are almost 3,000 homes to choose from making it easy to find the Smoky Mountain cabin, chalet or other residence that is perfect for you. Begin at our   to view all of the Sevier County, TN homes available.

Here are a few of my featured listings:

Your Smoky Mountain Dream
Smoky Mountain dream cabin for a great price. Wrap around covered decks w/vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. Level yard, patio, spacious rooms and walking distance to Arts & Crafts shops.
Type: Single Family Home
Location:
Price: $239,900
Get more information >

 

High on a Ridge outside of Gatlinburg
Log cabin high on a ridge with spectacular views of the Smokies. Excellent location- only 5 mins to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. Cozy log construction.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Price: $129,900
Get more information >

 

Fantastic Rental Income & Mtn View!
Almost $37K rental income for only 8 months of 2011! Furnished rental with fantastic Mt LeConte view. Lots of decks w/hot tub to enjoy the view. Bedroom suites w/rec room and kitchenette for entertaining. Lots of room for large groups. Sleeps 18.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Sevierville,TN
Price: $399,900
Get more information >

 

Pittman Center, A Gem In The Great Smoky Mountains

Once a month we are going to feature fun facts and amenities about many of the different areas around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville. This month we are featuring the quaint mountain community of Pittman Center. Let’s take a look at what makes this beautiful location so special.

Just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg is where you will find Pittman Center, a small community of roughly six square miles, which perfectly blends nature, mountain culture and Appalachian history. There is truly something for everyone, from golfing & fishing to visiting the . Being just minutes from the Greenbrier entrance to The Great Smoky Mountains offers easy access to wildlife viewing and hiking as well.

In 1784, this mountain region was settled by Frederick Emert and known as Emert’s Cove. The name Pittman Center became official in 1974. In the early 1900s, a Methodist missionary named John Burnett oversaw the construction of a community center & school that were named after a friend, Reverend Pittman. The school supported itself by canning tomatoes & growing apples, with the students doing the maintenance work. In 1955 the Sevier County Board Of Education purchased the Pittman school, combining it with Gatlinburg’s Pi Beta Phi High School in 1963. The only building remaining from the Pittman School is the home economics building which was placed on The National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

The community has resisted commercialism and maintained its roots and mountain heritage. It was awarded the Distinctive Destination award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are many great homes available tucked in to this secluded mountain region. All have been designed with an eye to respecting the surroundings and preserving the past. Pittman Center, Tennessee is truly a mountain getaway in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains offering homebuyers the best options in modern living with every possible amenity and convenience, yet in a setting so relaxing and quiet, it is a well-planned step back in time. See what gems in the smokies are available here at our .

Here are a few of my featured Pittman Center listings:

Prestigious RiverSong With A View
$20,330 gross rental income in 2010 & $17,432 in 2011! Wonderful location in the prestigious community of Riversong and only one mile from The Great Smoky Mountain National Park entrance at Greenbriar.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Pittman Center
Price: $319,900
Get more information >
Mountain Streams/View/Private Home
Fantastic creekside location on 1.84 acres in beautiful Pittman Center. Enjoy the ridge top views and private mountain stream from this log cabin. If privacy is what you want this is it. Even a level driveway and easy parking. Comm swimming pool access.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Pittman Center
Price: $249,900
Get more information >
One Of A Kind On The River!!
Located on the state’s most pristine river this is truly a one-of-a-kind property. Listen to the sounds of the river on this 2.8 acres in upscale subdivision of Riversong. This home offers a gourmet kitchen, huge game room and even a playroom for the kids
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Pittman Center
Price: $1,290,000
Get more information >

 

 

 

Saddle Up & Come Visit The Great Smoky Mountains In February

 As many of you know The Great Smoky Mountain region boasts numerous festivals and events to celebrate the Appalachian heritage. No matter what time of year you find yourself visiting you can be sure there is something exciting going on. February is no exception, with the event beginning on February 23rd. Let’s take a look at what all the buzz is about.

 There is truly something for everyone at this four-day celebration. It has been listed in American Cowboy Magazine’s list of “Top 101 Western Events”. You can start things off at 10:00 AM on Wednesday with a cornbread tasting at Old Mill Square. From there you have your pick of locations and artists for dinner and intimate concerts on Thursday evening. Friday features three concerts throughout the day featuring top western artists. Many of the artists at the newest addition to the event, the “Stories & Strings” concert, have never performed together and it may truly be a once in a lifetime event. Saturday offers a wide variety of activities including western dance and things finish up on Sunday with a chuck wagon breakfast and cowboy church service. You can find the full schedule of events .

 We have had a remarkably warm winter here in the Great Smoky Mountains and now is a beautiful time to visit the area. In addition to the Saddle Up event, it is a great time to get into the outdoors. With the weather this nice there are beautiful hiking opportunities and plenty of wildlife sightings. Ober Gatlinburg is open as well and offers a multitude of activities from ice skating, a ride up the mountain side on the aerial tram to skiing & snow boarding (weather permitting). Visit to see the wide variety of year round fun in the mountains they have to offer.

 We are seeing a large number of new listings come on to the market as activity has picked up and the Smoky Mountain market has remained reasonably stable. Now may be a great time to plan a get away to the mountains to take advantage of all the activities and to begin the search for your home away from home in the mountains. Start by visiting our to begin your search or by emailing us for a free area information packet.

 Here are a few of my featured listings:

Private Log Cabin In The Mountains
Did over $20K in rental income in just six months of 2011! This is a really fantastic log cabin. Huge rooms, great lay out, high ceilings and all wood interior.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Pigeon Forge
Price: $275,000
Get more information >

 

Picture Perfect Country Cabin
Over $20,000 rental income for 2009, 2010 & 2011. Well built high quality cabin in the country with all the modern conveniences.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Pittman Center
Price: $189,900
Get more information >

 

Views Of The Highest Mountain Peaks
Over $24,193 rental income for 2010 & $9,956 for only 5 months of 2011! At the very top of Gatlinburg at around 3200ft in elevation sits this gem of a cabin along the boundary line of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $399,900
Get more information >

 

 

 

A Very Busy Start For Smoky Mountain Real Estate In 2012

2012 saw a flurry of activity in January with February picking up even more momentum. There was a marked increase in the number of buyers in the area looking at property and offers being written. So how did January end up for the Smoky Mountain real estate market? Let’s take a look at the numbers released by The Great Smoky Mountain Association of REALTORS. Please note that in an effort to provide the most accurate data available with a focus on our specific area, going forward our monthly market statistics will exclude any properties outside of .

In the category of Residences Sold we see great numbers with only 7 less residences sold than the same month last year.

Residential Dollar Volume for January is down $3,911,688. This may seem like a large number however, with the end of the year this may be largely attributed to foreclosure listings that went under contract in December and closed in January or received price reductions as the banks work to get them off the books. This is actually positive news, knowing that other properties on the market will be competing with less foreclosures in inventory.The Average Sold Price was also down somewhat from last year with a 17% decrease. This may also be related to the liquidation of foreclosure properties.

The category of Active Listings for January 2012 shows an increase of 13%. With the increase of buyer activity and the relative stability of our market the beginning of this year has proven to be a great time to list property for increased exposure to qualified buyers.

As we see lending rules getting tighter we are seeing that getting a property from accepted offer to closing has been taking a little longer than it used to. Because of this we would also like to note that an additional 97 properties went under contract in January but have not yet reached closing. Most will likely close in February and we will begin to see the positive effects of how busy January turned out to be in terms of buyer activity.

 Are you thinking of purchasing your own Smoky Mountain dream? Now may be a great time to start looking. With the expansive inventory of property available and extremely low mortgage rates there are many great opportunities to take advantage of. Take the first step by visiting our to see if your perfect Smoky Mountain get away is already on the market waiting for you.

 Here are a few of my featured listings: 

Hot Buy On Authentic Log Cabin
Over $30,000 in rental income for both 2010 & 2011!! Soaring ceilings and three walls of glass create a dramatic feel and bring the expansive views into the living space of this modern day cabin.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Pigeon Forge
Price: $149,900
Get more information >

 

Smoky Mountain Dream Come True
Produced $24,329 in rental income for 2011! This is what Smoky Mountain dreams are made of, the perfect mountain get-away that combines the best features the area has to offer.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Price: $259,900
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Come Home To A Resort Setting
Just one mile from Ober Gatlinburg is where you will find this super affordable condo. Nestled in a resort like community you will enjoy all of the best amenities the Smoky Mountain area has to offer.
Type: Condo
Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee
Price: $75,000
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