February Ushers In Beautiful Weather & An Active Smoky Mountain Market

Posted by Gatlin on

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 >

 

A Very Busy Start For Smoky Mountain Real Estate In 2012

Posted by Gatlin on

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
Get more information >

 

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
Get more information >

 

 

More Positive News For Gatlinburg Investors And Sellers

Posted by Gatlin on

Along with seeing signs of positive trends in the housing market nationwide and a in the Sevier County, Tennessee area, we have just come across more good news.

Frommer’s began as a travel guide-book series that started in 1957 and is one of the best-selling travel guides in America. They have an award-winning travel website, http://www.frommers.com/, that covers over 3,500 destinations. They have just announced that The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the 2012 Top Family Destination in the world. They are giving the Great Smoky Mountains a large amount of publicity with their about the area.  How does this affect you as a seller or investor in Gatlinburg?

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has the highest park visitation in the United States with over 9 million visitors each year. With the help of Frommer’s designation and with the fact that Gatlinburg is the gateway community to the park, we look forward to even more visitors than ever before.

As a seller, this kind of exposure is sure to bring more people to the area. Many visit Gatlinburg and are taken with all that the community offers; easy access to the park, numerous activities, shopping etc. Many buyers we come in to contact with say that they recently visited the area and are now looking to buy a second home here. With more people in the area, interest in real estate will spike and more people will begin to look. If you are thinking of selling let us know, we are happy to provide a to help you determine the potential value of your property.

As an investor, the area is known for beautiful vacation rental properties and mountain cabins with that special Smoky Mountain feel to them. There has been a decline in hotel stays as more people are renting condos or cabins when they visit. They are looking for an authentic mountain experience. As we begin having more and more people visiting the area, now may be a great time to look into purchasing a vacation rental for yourself. We are happy to obtain rental income history for any property you may be interested in as well as providing direction every step of the way. We can assist with statistics, picking a rental management company, a cash flow analysis and more.

Whether you are thinking of buying or selling, this designation is a very positive thing for Smoky Mountain real estate. Stop by our to see what’s going on in the market.

Here are a few of my featured listings:

 

Great Four Level Chalet/Nice Ridge View
Did $25,344 gross rental income in 2010 & $24,445 in 2011. Your own Mountain Escape. Very large 4 level chalet that sleeps 16. Big open space in all rooms and 4 levels of decks. Nice mountain views and walking distance to owners club and pools.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $239,900
Get more information >

 

Busy Location for Office/Residential!
Great, busy location ideal for commercial office site. Has a separate entrance for lower level so could be used for two businesses or in-law quarters if used for residential.
Type: Office
Location: Sevierville,TN
Price: $329,900
Get more information >

 

Mt LeConte View w/Large Open Floor Plan
5 bedrooms all with in suite baths for privacy. Huge great room for those family gatherings and could walk to trolley to take to town or to Nat’l Park.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee
Price: $315,000
Get more information >

 

Are We On Our Way To A Housing Market Recovery?

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As we follow market statistics, news and other sources it seems that we may be headed towards recovery. This week let’s take a look at what everyone is saying, what the trends are and what it all means as you are looking at the purchase or sale of a home.

On January 9th The added 40 new metro areas to its NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index. This is up from  only 41 improving areas  in December, with 31 states represented by at least one entry.The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. In a on January 12th David Crowe, NAHB Chief Economist states “2011 ended on a positive note with economic activity continuing to expand at a moderate rate and the housing sector finally gaining some positive momentum after bouncing along the bottom for most of the year.”

We are seeing banks taking measures to streamline the processing of  backlogged foreclosure inventory and aggressively seeking alternatives to foreclosure. Bank of America and a few other lenders are currently testing a few pilot programs to entice homeowners to pursue a short sale of their property in lieu of letting it go to foreclosure. So what does it all mean?

For sellers:
If you are thinking of selling your Smoky Mountain property, this is all good news. The Smoky Mountain area remained relatively stable throughout 2011, with only minor changes from 2010. You can find the 2011 statistics in our earlier blog post . At the turn of 2012 we have seen a definite spike in activity with interest rates at extreme lows & more qualified buyers entering the market looking for their own Smoky Mountain get away. With the phones ringing, email inquiries pouring in and the influx of people visiting the area to look at property, sellers are seeing a big increase in exposure of their homes to qualified buyers. We would be happy to provide you with a of your property to help you see what it’s true value is in the current market.

For buyers:
Looking to purchase a second home or investment property in the smokies? As mentioned above, we may begin to see less foreclosures, more stabilized prices and a more competitive market as the year progresses. There are many great opportunities still available in the current market and now may be the time to start looking to see what is available. Interest rates are remarkably low & we would be happy to assist you in getting pre-qualified for a mortgage to begin your buying process. For more information about getting pre-approved and why it is so important in today’s market please visit last week’s blog post .

See what opportunities the Smoky Mountain home market has to offer by viewing available homes at our .

Here are a few of my featured listings:

 

Small Price – Large Mountain Home
Almost $27,000 rental income for 2011! Great bargain for future income. Beautiful chalet with lots of room for entertaining.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $189,900
Get more information >

 

Charming & Authentic Log Cabin
Did $22,907 in rental income from April – December of 2011. Charming and authentic log cabin located in desirable Sky Harbor community between tourist centers of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee
Price: $179,900
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 >

 

December Shows Smoky Mountain Homes For Sale Are Still Moving

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We wanted to take this time to look at how the last month of 2011 shaped up for the Smoky Mountain real estate market. We are still seeing a reasonably healthy market with only minor changes from 2010 and plenty of homes in inventory. If you are looking at purchasing investment property now may be the time. A recent article by www.WBIR.com says Pigeon Forge is getting more national attention as a top travel destination.  The article notes that Trip Advisor recently released its 2012 list of the “Top 15 US Destinations on the Rise” with Pigeon Forge making the list at number four. Trip Advisor said one of Pigeon Forge’s advantages is its close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its outdoor activities as well as other attraction options like Dollywood. Let’s take a look at the numbers and see if the Smoky Mountain area may be the perfect place for your next investment.

 In our first category, Total Residences Sold, we see that 2011 is only down by 64 homes from the previous year.

Total Residential Dollar Volume is also down from last year showing a decrease of 9%.

The Average Residential Sale shows only a small decrease of $8,647 from 2010.

Our last category, Active Listings, still shows an increase from last year with 7,071 homes available on the market to choose from. This is a change of 659 homes for sale.

It would seem that the Smoky Mountain area market is still somewhat stable. With plenty of homes on the market as well as all of the national attention as a top destination, this could be the perfect time & place to look at a potential investment home. Get started by looking at the wide array of homes available at .

 Here are a few of my featured listings:

 

Smoky Mountain Views Found Here!
Magnificent mountain views but just minutes to downtown Gatlinburg. This mountain get away is perfect for the buyer looking for a prime location at a great price.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $154,900
Get more information >

 

Beautiful Ridge Top Property! Great Deal
Beautiful ridge top property with level building site. Clear a few trees to have a wonderful mountain view. Gravel driveway to the top of the ridge. VERY MOTIVATED SELLERS!
Type: Land
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Price: $39,900
Get more information >

 

Walk To Arts & Crafts Community
A very unique and artistic log home. Very private yet within walking distance to the arts and crafts community in Pittman Center. Beautiful mountain view from the stone patio,covered front porch w/hot tub, and lots of stained glass throughout.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee
Price: $168,500
Get more information >

 

 

 

 

The Smoky Mountain Real Estate Market Is Active

Posted by Gatlin on

As we take a look at our month end statistics for Smoky Mountain real estate we continue to see a reasonably active and healthy market. Using data published by The Great Smoky Mountains Association of Realtors let’s explore how things are looking as we move towards year-end.  The GSMAR data we use is year to date and it compares this year to the same timeframe for last year. Though come select areas are still outperforming last year, we will look at the overall view of the entire residential market in this area through November.

In the category of Total Residences Sold, this year is down from 2010 by only 69 residences sold or 5% less.

Total Residential Dollar Volume Sold was also lower in 2011 with $225,111,411 or 9% less than the same period in 2010.

The average 2011 residential sale is still not far off from the 2010 average at  5% or $7,577 lower.

In the last category of Active Listings, 2011 shows plenty of inventory available with 6,870 homes available. This is a 10% increase over the same period in 2010 with 641 more homes on the market.

The real estate market in The Great Smoky Mountains is active. With plenty of Smoky Mountain homes to choose from and mortgage rates still very low, it could be the perfect time to start shopping. Contact your lender to see what kind of great rates are available, visit our website to look at the variety of homes available, then contact our team of professionals to take care of the rest!

Here are a few of my featured homes:

 

Functional Work Of Art W/Stunning Views
Once you see this functional work of art that doubles as a spacious home you’ll never want to leave.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $950,000
Get more information >

 

New Construction Full Of Style
Newly built this one is full of style & character. Native stone accents outside with a great exterior color combination. Hand made kitchen cabinets andbathroom vanities crafted from super rare wormy chestnut.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Price: $159,900
Get more information >

 

Handcrafted Custom Home W/Views!
$35,999.58 Rental Income from June 2011 forward. This custom home overlooks the golf course and has amazing mountain views. All the custom features you are looking for are found right here.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Price: $1,500,000
Get more information >

 

Are Homes In Gatlinburg Currently An Unbelievable Buy?

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Mountain homes across the East Tennessee Smokies have been attractive investments for many years. A recent article through the National Association of Realtors cites some evidence that the U.S. housing market could recover in 2012. Everyone knows that 2011 was a tough year for our country’s housing market. The market has been struggling to find a bottom and build some momentum for most of this year. However, there are forces building that will eventually propel sales and improve prices. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun thinks 2012 will show improvement. Currently the Chief Economist feels restrictive mortgage credit conditions are keeping home sales low. In addition, confidence among consumers has been uncertain. These major factors are holding the market back. When new jobs begin to increase an escalating buyer confidence will emerge. Demand will be driven by the increase in human population growth.

If we see the economic improvements in 2012 inventories of homes should decline aided by weak new home construction. The decline in home inventory would stabilize prices and perhaps drive them higher. Mortgage interest rates are also currently projected to move up in 2012.

None of the 2012 improvements are guaranteed to occur. However, our year-end market in 2011 has good factors for home buyers. First, prices are well off of their highs and the inventory of properties for sale is abundant. Second, for qualified buyers, mortgage interest rates are close to historical lows. In addition, many foreclosures and other distressed properties are forcing prices down. When market forces change and buyer confidence rises, demand will lower inventory and prices will rise. If real estate is in your plans go on our website and begin your search at home. When you narrow your possible residences to purchase, call and set up an appointment with our team of professionals. Everything we do is geared to find you the Smoky Mountain home of your dreams. Call today!

Here are a few of my featured listings:

 

Wonderful Family Home/Fenced Yard!!
Great family home with additional space for possible, media room, in-laws quarters, or teenage paradise. 2 car garage, fenced back yard, and close to Knoxville or Sevierville.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Sevierville,TN
Price: $269,900
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: $299,900
Get more information >
Sky Walk To Balcony & Mountain Views
Want a great investment property? Then this is it! Already on a rental program and has a great rental history. Recently updated, offers private bedroom suites, and has a sky walk to balcony and mountain views.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $229,900
Get more information >

 

Homes For Sale In Gatlinburg & Other Select Areas Are Selling

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Our month end look at Smoky Mountain homes continues to reveal areas of strength. We work to give our blog readers helpful material. The Great Smoky Mountains Association of Realtors published their month totals of residential sales through the end of October 2011. The GSMAR data we use is year to date and it compares this year to the same timeframe for last year. As we mentioned in earlier blogs, some areas in GSMAR are outperforming last year by significant margins. Given our current national property market this is great news.

 In the category of Total Residences Sold, this year lags 2010 (1,343) by 114 residences sold or 8% lower in 2011.

Total Residential Dollar Volume Sold was also lower in 2011. 2010 had $224,584,192 or 11% more.

The average 2011 residential sale was close to the 2010 average at  3% or $4,996 lower.

In the last category of Active Listings, 2011 leads 2010 by 572. This 9% gain over 2010 leaves 2011 with 6,628 active listings.

Our local market within GSMAR is reasonably healthy. The change from last year is 11% or less in most categories. This could be a great time for some of our blog readers to pick up some great property. Sale inventory is up and mortgage rates are still very low. Kick things around and begin looking online. You can shop discreetly from your own home. Our team of professionals is ready to assist in many ways to help secure your dream property. Call us today to get started.

Here are a few of my featured listings:

 

Active Location for Office/Residential!
Great, busy location ideal for commercial office site. Has a separate entrance for lower level so could be used for two businesses or in-law quarters if used for residential.
Type: Office
Location: Sevierville,TN
Price: $329,900
Get more information >

 

Fantastic Rental Property/Mtn View
Fantastic rental income in 2010- $94,303!! 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 >

 

WHAT A BARGAIN! JUST REDUCED AGAIN!!!
Formal, custom built home on a very nice and private corner lot in beautiful neighborhood of Belle Meadows. Close to hospital and all the amenities that Sevierville has to offer.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Sevierville,TN
Price: $269,900
Get more information >

 

 

Contemplating That Gatlinburg Home For Sale?

Posted by Gatlin on

Some of my sources suggest that mountain homes could be at a good time to buy. Recently, The Wall Street Journal printed an interesting article by Jack Hough of smartmoney.com. Mr. Hough puts forth some intriguing ideas on why it could currently be a great time to buy a house. United States home prices have dropped almost 1/3 since 2006 and homeownership rates are falling like they were in the great depression. This may appear alarming, but there is a silver lining. First, lower prices are bringing value to home ownership and there is plenty of home inventory to consider. Number crunchers dance the line between renting vs. buying. The benefit of renting over buying changes with current market conditions. Home price/rent ratios are much like stock price/earnings ratios. Lower price/rent ratios favor owners over renters. Moody’s Analytics reports that price/rent ratios at the peak of the bubble were 18.5. Now the ratio is down to 11.3. For comparison from 1989-2003 the national average was approximately 10. Mortgage rates are a primary factor in overall home costs. Rates across the country are close to all time lows. The rates move from 3.94% to 4.12%. This makes house payments more affordable than in years. The hurdle comes in qualifying for today’s tighter lending standards.

It is important to factor in the location of the housing market you are considering. Some, like Detroit or Miami are bargains, while New York or San Francisco are in demand and command a premium. The author favors a “buy and hold” position and discourages an invest and flip position. He also recommends careful shopping as prices could decline farther. However, high yields are challenging in many of today’s investments, so homes offer a firm, reasonable opportunity.

If you want to explore your options in today’s East Tennessee Smokies, begin on our website. There are ample options available to explore at your own pace in the privacy of your own home. Begin today to explore these exciting opportunities.

Here a few of my new & featured listings: 

 

Great Four Level Chalet/Nice Ridge View
Very large 4 level chalet that sleeps 16. Big open space in all rooms and 4 levels of decks. Nice mountain views and walking distance to owners club and pools.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Chalet Village
Price: $279,900
Get more information >

 

A-Frame w/Serene Setting/Incredible View
Total privacy with this A Frame home with incredible mountain vista and mature native mountain laurel. Located in Gatlinburg and walking distance to community pools, tennis courts, and Ski Resort.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee
Price: $159,900
Get more information >

 

Great Price For Beautiful Mountain View
Plenty of community amenities, private, yet close to town. Enjoy nature and wildlife at this tastefully furnished log cabin from three covered decks, all with mountain views. Spacious for family gatherings, with two game rooms as well as a living room.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Pigeon Forge
Price: $325,000
Get more information >

 

Homes For Sale In Gatlinburg Could Be In A Warm Market

Posted by Gatlin on

This blog works to provide relevant data on Smoky Mountain homes  and how that ties to the overall U.S. real estate market. The National Association Of Realtors reported in late September of this year that August 2011 pending home sales had declined nationally. However, the pending home sales index remains above August of 2010. The PHSI is a future oriented market indicator. It focuses upon signed home sales contracts which are not officially closed. These typically close in 1-2 months. Our interest is not centered exclusively upon this news but on material related to this story.

Four regions comprise the PHSI. Pending home sales here in the South was the only region across the country to have an increase in August 2011. NAR Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun feels that Hurricane Irene certainly impacted home sales in some parts of the nation. In addition, Mr. Yun is concerned that overly strict mortgage underwriting standards are rejecting a sizable number of financially qualified potential home buyers. The Chief Economist is hopeful that standards will be relaxed to allow more qualified buyers to enter the market.

For some time , we have advised our blog readers to get pre-approved for financing. This simplifies the home buying process by eliminating some of the guesswork. Go on our website  today to get started finding your dream property in the Tennessee Smokies.

*Information was obtained from: http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2011/09/phs_august

Here are a few of my new listings:

New Construction Full Of Style
Newly built this one is full of style & character. Native stone accents outside with a great exterior color combination. Hand made kitchen cabinets andbathroom vanities crafted from super rare wormy chestnut.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Price: $159,900
Get more information >
Mt. Leconte Views On A Pond
$17,832 rental income for 2010 & $17,444 already for 2011. Fantastic Mt. Leconte & community pond views.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee
Price: $179,900
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 >