STR Purchase in the Smokies

[Shane Miller]

We are looking to purchase a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. I am interested to hear your opinions. Would it be best to buy a REALLY nice 2 bedroom cabin, or an OK 4 bedroom? Or, does it just come back to the location? This is obviously an investment, so I'd like to maximize the income we can produce with this property. 

Also, I am under the impression that it MUST be a cabin......I mean, you go tot he mountains to stay in a cabin, not in a house, right?

What amenities are must haves for these properties?

Thank you all for the help, I really appreciate the support.

Shane

[Collin Hays]

I've been investing in the Smokies for 17 years. You do not have to have a "cabin" to do well in the Smokies.  The most common amenities are:  Hot tub, pool table, arcade, large TVs, firepits, and jacuzzi tubs.  But those just put you in the "average" category.  What will set your property apart is one that has an incredible view or is on water.  You can't go to Lowe's and buy a trout stream.  And God isn't currently making any more of those, either.

Buy a property that cannot be easily duplicated, and you've already won a chunk of the battle.

As for size, it doesn't really matter.  There are millions of visitors to the Smokies every year from all shapes, sizes, and walks of life.  There will be plenty that your cabin is perfect for.  A large cabin doesn't necessarily yield more than a small cabin.  I have 900 square foot cabin in Gatlinburg that does $60,000 per year.