Short Term Rental Cabin in the Smoky Mountains, TN

Short Term Rental Cabin in the Smoky Mountains, TN

Real Estate Agent · Cumming, GA · Member since 2018 · 11 posts · 7 votes

Investment Info:

Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

Purchase price: $545,000
Cash invested: $77,300

The "Knot Too Shabby Chalet" - 3/3 cabin in Pigeon Forge that has a small pool in the basement. My brother and I partner on this property. He brought the bulk of the upfront investment and I bring the setup and ongoing management. Through July 2022, we have grossed $117K. Our monthly operating costs are about $5K which includes paying cleaners and pool service personnel (our electric bill is over $500 every month.. (shock face emoji)). Our 1yr goal is for $130K ($100K net of cleaning fees).

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

I got interested in this type of deal originally from Avery Carl's BP podcast episode and after doing some investigating myself in how much potential there is in STR's in the Smoky Mountains, wanted to run as fast as I could there.

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

My realtor let me know of new build opportunities that were not marketed on the MLS.

How did you finance this deal?

10% down 2nd home loan in my partner's name

How did you add value to the deal?

We added some furniture and entertainment to the space. We also added a hot tub and changed out a lot of the decor to make it unique and stand out.

What was the outcome?

We have maintained a high level of occupancy and have been profitable every month since launch.

Lessons learned? Challenges?

Plan for 15 trips to Home Depot when preparing a short-term rental... :)

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Yes! The Short Term Shop team and specifically Jeana Maddux.

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Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 153 posts · 104 votes
4y
Quote from @Kyle Smith:

Wow, that’s a great investment. You did it right!  The streets of Gatlinburg during peak summer was nothing like last year. If the traffic is any indication I would say there’s been a big drop in vacationers in PF/Gat this year. Several factors for that but they’ll be back.  I figure this year and next will be tough with lower rental numbers but it should creep back up.  


The park numbers are lower, but not by much. They just reported June numbers and the drop was less than 4% https://irma.nps.gov/STATS/SSR...
I know park visitors are not the same as people staying overnight in cabins but there is a strong connection between the two. 

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  • Lender · Orange County, CA · Member since 2019 · 299 posts · 255 votes
    4y

    Congrats Ryan, sounds like an awesome investment! So true on the home depot runs...lol. Always find something else you need as soon as you get back!

    Looks like a very high grossing property! When did you purchase it? Is that $117k YTD so far or since purchase? 

  • Real Estate Syndicator · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2018 · 903 posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Ryan Cushman Way to go! I hear it's getting a bit crowded on supply around there. Not as much as some of the others, but oversupply is causing a drop in occupancy at least for June numbers. About 5% for Pigeon Forge. Of course, Ft. Lauderdale, FL was the winner with 23% drop in occupancy. Much of this is related to supply and not demand however.

    If you do differentiate yourself from the pack, not to worry.

  • Real Estate Agent · Cumming, GA · Member since 2018 · 11 posts · 7 votes
    4y

    @Kevin Luttrell Thank you! Yes, we closed on it late August 2021 and launched it mid-September and those rental figures are since launch through July.  So the target will be $130K by mid-September 2022.. our launchaversary.

  • Real Estate Agent · Cumming, GA · Member since 2018 · 11 posts · 7 votes
    4y

    Thanks @Chris Levarek!  I would agree.. I did have higher expectations for the hot travel months than what we got.  My first cabin which we launched spring of 2021 has seen a decrease in revenue in 2022.  And yes, differentiation is helpful.  I would say we have differentiated a little and having a pool in one of them is a big deal because those aren't super common but even despite that, we've felt it.  

  • New to Real Estate · Member since 2020 · 220 posts · 107 votes
    4y

    Wow, that’s a great investment. You did it right!  The streets of Gatlinburg during peak summer was nothing like last year. If the traffic is any indication I would say there’s been a big drop in vacationers in PF/Gat this year. Several factors for that but they’ll be back.  I figure this year and next will be tough with lower rental numbers but it should creep back up.  

  • Solo 401k Expert · Anaheim Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 18k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    4y

    Wow, nice @Ryan Cushman ! 

  • Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 153 posts · 104 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Kyle Smith:

    Wow, that’s a great investment. You did it right!  The streets of Gatlinburg during peak summer was nothing like last year. If the traffic is any indication I would say there’s been a big drop in vacationers in PF/Gat this year. Several factors for that but they’ll be back.  I figure this year and next will be tough with lower rental numbers but it should creep back up.  


    The park numbers are lower, but not by much. They just reported June numbers and the drop was less than 4% https://irma.nps.gov/STATS/SSR...
    I know park visitors are not the same as people staying overnight in cabins but there is a strong connection between the two. 

  • New to Real Estate · Member since 2020 · 220 posts · 107 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Nathan W.:
    Quote from @Kyle Smith:

    Wow, that’s a great investment. You did it right!  The streets of Gatlinburg during peak summer was nothing like last year. If the traffic is any indication I would say there’s been a big drop in vacationers in PF/Gat this year. Several factors for that but they’ll be back.  I figure this year and next will be tough with lower rental numbers but it should creep back up.  


    The park numbers are lower, but not by much. They just reported June numbers and the drop was less than 4% https://irma.nps.gov/STATS/SSR...
    I know park visitors are not the same as people staying overnight in cabins but there is a strong connection between the two. 

    Thanks for the info. I’m surprised by those numbers. That’s great!



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