All Forum Posts by: Saranya Sundararajan

Deals can still be had in the Smokies, but it will require you to find a property underperforming, and with a cause that you can readily fix. Maybe a property needs trees cleared for a good view; maybe the owner has allowed the furnishings to become old and worn-out; maybe it has been mismanaged.

All of my purchases except one have been from self-managers. I can usually find one or two crazy things they are doing to significantly drag down returns that are easily remedied:

One guy I bought from wouldn’t rent to anyone from Florida or Ohio because of he had something damaged in the past from guests of FL and OH. Another cabin, they required a $500 damage deposit for every guest.

One strategy I’ve used is to go on VRBO and just start contacting owners through the communication portal and ask them if they want to sell. You’ll be shocked at how many owners are fed up and ready to sell.

Good luck !

would you consider a 2Bed + 1 loft as a 3 bedroom or a 2 bedroom?

1 Vote

Knoxville, Tennessee

Quote from @Kevin Luttrell:

Here are some links that may help.

https://comptroller.tn.gov/off...

It's tough to estimate though because property taxes in TN do not get reassessed when there's a change in ownership (only reassessed once every 4 years I believe), and the county appraised value used for assessment is usually much lower than the property's actual appraised value. So you'll really just have to look up the taxes for each property you're analyzing, which you can do here: https://tennesseetrustee.org/?...

Thanks a ton for these resources!

0 Votes

Smokies Cash Flow Model

We are looking to buy a 3bedroom in the Smokies and this is the model we came up with. Occupancy rates + Average Daily Rate - taken from Airdna 2019 data + assessing the airbnb/vrbo listings rate for these months

Can the experts/pundits as someone called it here, tell us if this is realistic , too conservative, too optimistic? I know it is property dependent but trying to guage if this a conservative estimate or not?

0 Votes

Quote from @John Underwood:

Vrbo and Airbnb.

Just look at the competitions calendar.

Is this only if you have listings on airbnb/vrbo?

0 Votes

I tried searching on the forum and couldn't find this. What's a good tax rate to use in my cashflow model for my STR in the smokies>? also what's an estimated snow removal/landscaping per year - $1000?

0 Votes

Quote from @Michael Baum:

Listen to the STR whisperer.

Is this a podcast? book?

0 Votes

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hi there,

I am looking for a realtor who can help me find a cabin in the Smokies. Here's what I am looking for in the realtor

1) Has deep experience over multiple years

2) Has closed scores of deals in the past

3) Is data driven - as an example, someone who can bring to me trends in the market, comps

4) someone who will walk me away from a deal if they consider it bad

5) blunt and honest

I reached out to an agent who fit these but she isn't taking any new clients. Any recommendations welcome :)

2 Votes

Knoxville, Tennessee

Quote from @Luke Carl:

Kind of sick of the saturation word.

Did you come to that conclusion because every house in the neighborhood is on vrbo? It’s been like that since the beginning of time. You have to see that market to understand it. If you’ve never been there it’s not possible to comprehend.

Just contact Avery she’s easy to get ahold of

Thanks Luke. Your perspective is helpful. I was saying "saturated" based on reading posts on the Smokies STR on this forum but my conclusion are not based on boots on ground. I did reach out to Avery and team. I have been assigned a realtor but waiting to hear from the realtor. I am looking to move fast and hopefully be operational by July

1 Vote

Quote from @John Underwood:

Are you financing the 500k?

How much are you putting down?

I would definitely get as many bedrooms as possible. I'd shoot for 3 to 6 bedrooms.

The smokies or PCB would both be great areas if you find a great property and great location.

Yes financing the $500K with a loan

0 Votes

All Forum Posts by: Saranya Sundararajan

Saranya Sundararajan has started 9 posts and replied 42 times.

Post: What metrics/calculations do you use to determine if a market is oversaturated?

Post: Return Expectations for Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Wears Valley

Post: What tax rate to use for the smokies?

Post: Feedback on my cashflow model for the Smokies ?

Post: Short term rentals Occupancy rate, Avg Daily rate, revenue, etc.

Post: What tax rate to use for the smokies?

Post: Recommendation for a realtor in the Smokies

Post: Recommendation for a realtor in the Smokies

Post: First time investor - need advice on price expectations

Post: First time investor - need advice on price expectations