We have been looking in the smoky mountain area, Florida, and north/south Carolina.

I am in a similar boat as you, I currently have 5 properties about an hour north in Sheboygan County. 

Initially I’m wanting to start in the local Chattanooga/North Georgia area

I've been researching and viewing properties throughout the South end area and a little bit on the North end. 

There's of course North Myrtle Beach as well. 

All the high tech stuff is happening north of Bend by Redmond and east.

Can you guys please offer me some expert guidance when it comes to evaluating finished basement square footage in my comp analysis in North Carolina?

There are also case by case opportunities within the North Phoenix market where rental rates are stronger. 

Right now there's huge concentration, but as this continues to build out and we see north of the high 30s GW by 10 years from now it'll be almost a requirement to keep some type of locality based risk assessment and to diversify. 

IF it is a real problem, then yes, fix it.I would build a fir-in wall out of 2x2s and insulate it heavily (Rockwool comes to mind https://www.rockwool.com/north-america/) There is also drywall that is made for this.