Area Information

Should You Buy Now or Wait? Time In Over Timing the STR Market for Success

5 Signs an STR Property Will Cash Flow Before You Even Buy

The Biggest Mistakes STR Investors Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Smoky Mountain STR Demand: How Seasonality Affects the Short-Term Rental Market

How to Read STR Data Like a Pro

3 Key Takeaways from Last Month’s STR Performance Data

Advanced Smoky Mountain Real Estate Market Report: Q1 2025

What Makes Local Realty Group Different

Sevier County Short-Term Rental Real Estate Update as of April 2025

What Makes a Good Short-Term Rental: 5 Ways to Make Your STR Stand Out

How to Maximize Spring Break Vacation Rental Income

Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Real Estate FAQs Part 2: More Real Estate Questions Answered

Real Estate FAQs Part 1: Common Real Estate Questions Answered

7 Real Estate Shows to Watch for Inspiration

Living in Gatlinburg: Where the Locals Like to Eat

5 Perks of Buying a House in Winter

How to Make an Offer on a House

6 Reasons to Buy Gatlinburg Cabins for Sale

4 Benefits of Using Your Home Equity for a Bigger Down Payment on Your Next Home

8 Home Staging Tips to Help Sell Your House Fast

Should You Buy a House? 6 Questions to Determine If You’re Ready

What You Need to Know About Down Payment Assistance for Home Buyers

What to Expect if Interest Rates Go Down

Pigeon Forge TN Homes for Sale: 4 Reasons to Invest in Pinecrest Townhomes

6 Reasons Why Gatlinburg is a Great Market for Short-Term Rentals

Are Smoky Mountain Airbnbs Making Money in 2024?

The Smoky Mountains have long been a popular destination for travelers seeking a serene getaway amidst nature’s beauty. In recent years, short-term rentals, particularly Airbnb properties, have proliferated in this region, providing substantial income opportunities for property owners. However, with shifting market dynamics in 2024, many investors are asking a crucial question: “Are Smoky Mountain Airbnbs still making money?”

10 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

Living in Pigeon Forge: Where the Locals Like to Eat

Pigeon Forge TN Homes for Sale: 5 Reasons Why Pigeon Forge Is a Great Place to Live

5 Things to Look for When Buying a House

How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent: A Step-by-Step Guide

AirBNB removed 5,000 experiences. Will they remove you next?

Are Pigeon Forge Homes for Sale Good Investments?

RE: Industry changes go live August 17th…what is changing?

Have you heard about the significant changes coming to the real estate industry following the landmark Sitzer-Burnett case? If not, you’re in for some intriguing updates.

7 Benefits of Working with a Real Estate Agent When Buying a Home

How Smoky Mountain STR profits can increase by the end of 2024

4 Critical Drivers Affecting Short-Term Rental Prices in the Smoky Mountains

Understanding the flux of the real estate market requires more than a glance at the current trends; it demands a comprehensive analysis of various contributing factors. For the Smoky Mountains, particularly known for their vibrant Short Term Rental (STR) market, these factors gain an additional layer of complexity. Here’s an insight into how agent commission reform, industry regulations, interest rates, and the broader economy interact to influence the STR scene.

Building a New Cabin vs Buying Pigeon Forge Cabins for Sale: Which Is Better?

Real Estate prices aren’t budging despite pressure – what’s this mean?

6 Reasons to Work with a Real Estate Agent for Selling Your Home

How to Build Wealth with Real Estate Investing: 5 Ways to Make Money in Real Estate

Gatlinburg Cabins for Sale: 5 Benefits of Living in a Log Cabin

5 Reasons Why Gatlinburg Cabins for Sale Are Great Investments

Smoky Mountain Cabins for Sale: 4 Reasons to Own a Cabin at The Lodges at Reedmont

What Is a Home Warranty & Do I Need One When Buying Gatlinburg Homes for Sale?

Investing in Pigeon Forge Cabins for Sale: What You Need to Know About Taxation of Short-Term Rentals

Gatlinburg Homes for Sale: What to Know About Gatlinburg Real Estate

What to Look for in Pigeon Forge TN Cabins for Sale

6 FAQs About Investing in Pigeon Forge TN Cabins for Sale

4 Tips for Investing in Pigeon Forge TN Cabins for Sale

What’s New in Investment Loans?

I recently had the opportunity to meet with Debbie Hill, a local lender at Mortgage Investors Group. Our discussion revolved around the current lending market and the options available for investment and primary home buyers. Originally from Georgia, she made the move to Atlanta in January 1987 where she began her career in the mortgage industry. It was there she met and married her husband, Geoff, and in 1992 they tied the knot and in 1993 made the decision to move to Sevierville. Debbie’s deep-rooted connection to the area makes her as close to a “local” as one can be without being born and raised in the Smoky Mountains. Since 2009, she has been a valuable part of the MIG team after running her own brokerage firm.

Profitability of Short-Term Rentals in the Smokies Broken Down

Hey there! I’m Gracie Mayfield, an agent here at Local Realty Group. When I work with my buyers, I always ask them to ask themselves one question: “If you were a guest here and never stepped foot out of the cabin, would you have a good vacation?” It seems silly, but in reality, it ties all the features I listed above together. You’re on the hunt for the perfect short-term rental property and looking across the market, you notice a recognizable pattern. You’ve scoured the market, sifted through countless listings, and observed similar key features. The properties that consistently go pending and secure their place on the closing table share a few common traits: prime location and accessibility, enticing amenities, generous outdoor space, and ample parking per bedroom. A guest wants a trouble-free, fun, and enjoyable stay. Wouldn’t we all? Let’s break each of these down and wrap it up with an extra key metric to know if an STR will be profitable – the Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM).

STR Zoning Cheat Sheet

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The Smoky Mountain STR Market in 2023: Strong and Resilient

If you’ve recently considered real estate investment in the picturesque Tennessee Smoky Mountains, you’ve likely encountered mixed reports about the state of the market. While some headlines have raised concerns about declining revenues in short-term rentals, experienced managers have a different story to tell. Rather than the alarming 20-50% drops in income that some reports suggest, insiders report only modest reductions of 2-8% over the past year. So, why do seasoned investors still find the Smoky Mountains an enticing prospect? Let’s explore.

5 Questions Every STR Investor Should Ask

As much as I am a fan of black and white answers, this answer lives in the gray area. The decision to self-manage or enlist the services of a property manager is contingent on individual circumstances and preferences.

The Next 10 Things to Do After Buying a Short-Term Rental in Smoky Mountains

Are you the proud owner of a short-term rental property in the picturesque Smoky Mountains? Congratulations on your investment in one of the most sought-after vacation destinations! Now that you’ve secured your property, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the next 10 essential steps to take after purchasing your Smoky Mountains short-term rental.

Top 10 Things to Know About the Smokies

Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains, a place of unparalleled natural beauty, family fun and investment opportunity. Located in the heart of the southeastern United States, the Smokies offer a blend of historic mountains, diverse wildlife, outdoor adventures, and the perfect opportunity to scale your wealth. So hey there, I’m Gracie Mayfield, a Realtor here at Local Realty Group and as a local who was born and raised here, I have narrowed down the top 10 things you need to know about the Smoky Mountains. From the short-term rental opportunities to the unique features of the place I call home, let’s dive into it!

2023 July STR Market Report

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How to Purchase a Short Term Rental in the Smoky Mountains

Benefits of Investing in a STR Opportunity Zone

Opportunity Zones were created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 with the purpose of promoting investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. Investors in Opportunity Zones can benefit from significant tax advantages, including the deferral and reduction of capital gains taxes. This blog post will focus on three key benefits of investing in an Opportunity Zone:

2023 STR Pro-Forma

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2023 Jan STR Market Report

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2022 Q4 Market Report

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2022 Q3 Market Report

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2022 STR Market Tracker

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2021 STR Market Tracker

Click the button below to open the market report as a PDF in a new tab. Once you open it you can go to FILE > SAVE AS and save it to your computer.

The STR Set Up Checklist: FREE Cabin Set Up Guide

How to Reduce Taxes with Short Term Rentals

How to Invest in the Smoky Mountains during a Recession

Why move to East Tennessee?

Best Places in the Smoky Mountains for Families!

How much does it cost to buy a cabin in Pigeon Forge?

So, you are thinking about purchasing a log cabin in Pigeon Forge? Awesome! Pigeon Forge is home to thousands of vacation property owners and it is obvious why. Pigeon Forge sits at the base of the most visited National Park in the United States; <a href="https://smokymountains.com/pigeon-forge/">The Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a>. It is easily accessible, has something the whole family can enjoy, host amazing mountain views, and it is affordable! Thousands of people come to Pigeon Forge every year and leave ready to make it their permanent vacation spot, but how much would it cost to own one of those log cabins?

How to Prepare Your Home for Sale

Did you know that homes sell faster, and for more, in the spring and summer than other times of the year? When selling your home in the spring and summer, you will usually sell for 4% (sometimes more) than you would during other times of the year! I bet you’ve heard that and are wondering if this is the right time to sell your home. This time of year, many of our clients ask what they should prioritize when preparing their home for sale.

Search Properties on SmokyMountainHomesForSale.com

PROPERTY WATCH: Be the First to Know

Did you know the hottest homes on the market often sell within days of being listed? By signing up to receive email alerts you can stay on top of the hottest homes! Click here to create a custom search and set up unlimited Property Alerts!

Search Available Homes for Sale by Map

See available homes for sale by Map! Our Advanced Map search can show you properties using several advanced tools. Zoom in on any area to see homes for sale, draw boundaries around a particular area or select a radius around a certain point.

Top Places to Visit in the Smoky Mountains

If you searched Google for “top places to visit in the Smoky Mountains,” you’d come up with three amazing results: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge. But what’s so special about each of those places, and why are they top destinations for tourists (and even for people <a href="/">moving to the Smokies</a>)?

10-Step Guide to Buying a House

Seller Advice from the Experts

Getting a Mortgage

Knowing you may lose your home because you can’t keep up with the mortgage payments is a terrifying prospect. And if your setbacks are just temporary, it can be even…