All Forum Posts by: JD Martin

Would not recommend the East TN region to anyone right now. We have a few properties there. There is such a massive oversupply of units in that region that it will likely affect other neighboring regions for the next few years.

Hello there,

My husband and I are investors with a few LTRs in the Midwest. I am from North Carolina originally and looking to buy our next property in eastern Tennessee. We have been in touch with a few investor realtors in the Knoxville area, which seems to be largely discovered now. The Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlingburg area seems very overblown these days, so I'm not keen on the region. We want a slightly less discovered region. I'm more a fan of Boone rather than Asheville (in NC speak) - the smaller, more authentic mountain experience rather than the touristy mountain regions. Roan Mountain and Watagua Lake are also favorites. Thus, we are looking into the Johnson City-Elizabethton area or the Kingsport-Bristol area. We are leaning more toward Johnson City just due to location, size, and economy/industries that are there. This next investment for us will be our first venture into STRs (or even a MTR). We travel for work (healthcare) and chronically live out of MTRs, so it will be our first time operating a shorter term, but won't be an entirely foreign situation to us. This STR would also be a place for us to block dates off for ourselves between work contracts (if we want to), which adds a slightly more personal investment in this one.

My question is this - does Johnson City receive enough visitation to justify a successful STR? I know the university, the med school, and the hospital are there, so surely an MTR would work well. Though what about STR? Does anyone know stats on this or have personal experience in this region? We would love and welcome any feedback! Thank you.

I’m navigating a divorce and need advice on handling rental properties we co-own. My spouse was the primary decision-maker, and I’m unsure whether to keep my share, sell, or hire a property manager.

For those who’ve faced similar situations, what worked best for you? Any tips on managing joint ownership or deciding to hold or sell would be greatly appreciated.

 Remember that disclosure laws vary greatly by state, with roughly 50% of states operating under Caveat Emptor...which means no disclosure at all. A quick search shows that Ohio is a Caveat Emptor state with only 1 exception, latent defects. A roof extending over a lot line would not be latent, as it is observable with the naked eye.

I just replied that encroachment was shown on previous survey. 

Why This Matters: A Cultural Heritage Endowment Leveraging Time for Economic Growth

The purpose of this initiative extends beyond creating affordable housing or financial returns—it’s about leveraging time, the most valuable resource, to create enduring cultural and economic value. This is a cultural heritage endeavor that integrates the principles of time, value creation, and sustainable growth.

Much like pension funds hedge risks by leveraging long-term investment horizons, this model uses time as a financial and strategic asset. By focusing on incremental growth over decades, it mitigates short-term volatility while building a foundation for sustained impact.

How This Model Works

1. Leveraging Time = Money
   Time is the ultimate hedge against risk. By spreading the investment horizon across decades, this initiative builds resilience into its model. Long-term planning allows for steady growth, compounding returns, and the flexibility to adapt to economic and societal changes. This isn’t about immediate affordability; it’s about creating a sustainable system that gradually reduces costs and increases accessibility through scale and efficiency.
2. Institutionalizing Cultural and Economic Value
   Similar to how pension funds and university endowments operate, this model institutionalizes cultural value. Real estate serves as the foundation, generating the income needed to reinvest in initiatives that preserve cultural heritage, create jobs, and support community growth.
3. Diversified Value Creation
   • Real Estate Portfolio: Profits from rental income, property flips, and value-add projects fuel the system.
   • Trade Development: Integrating businesses like plumbing companies creates a pipeline for stable, high-paying careers while addressing labor shortages.
   • Cultural Growth: Revenue is reinvested into programs that promote education, workforce development, and cultural preservation. This aligns with the principle that you earn 10% of the value you create.
4. Hedging Risk Through Long-Term Strategy
   Just as pension funds mitigate risk by diversifying and committing to long-term growth, this model spreads risk across various income streams and a timeline that prioritizes adaptability and stability. Time allows for adjustments, scaling, and reinvestment in ways that short-term projects simply can’t achieve.

 Value Creation Framework