Gatlinburg Cabin Investments...

[Justin Blackman]

Hi All,

I'm looking to network with other investors that own properties in the Great Smokey mountains. I'm an investor in Columbus, OH. I love the south and a recent visit to the mountains spraked some interest in that market. I'd like to start a dicussion with other investors that have invested in rental Cabins to see what their experience was like.

[Doreen M ODonovan]

I closed on our first short term rental (ever) and in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg in early December 2019. I looked all over the US for a property. We were doing a 1031 exchange from a long term rental. I didn't want to do Florida and the Gatlinburg area shows up as one of the top areas to invest. We have an outstanding, more than full-service Realtor, Crystal Johnson at the Jason White Team. She patiently worked with me long distance as I waited for the first property to sell, including sending videos of properties. Most importantly she understands my insistence on a good ROI and my exhaustive spreadsheet with ever possible expense accounted for. Which wasn't a problem as she owns her own rentals. She has contractors, and one of them was able to the required work done for us to get our short term rental permit in just two weeks. Our first renters arrive on 12/26. With the help of Crystal and the team at our property management company, TimberTops (as known as Amazin View Cabin Rentals), the cabin will be ready in time. TimberTops is a full-service management company that does take more than 20% but they have their own cleaning and maintenance staff with 24-hour guest support. They helped me set up the cabin by accepting furniture deliveries, installing TV's, meeting the cable guy, etc. They also do all of my marketing and set my nightly rates. Many of the listings here include verified income but for those that didn't, I had the property manager provide an estimate of gross income.  My realtor has a friend who decorated the cabin for Christmas for me. It has been an amazing, crazy, exciting and exhausting month.