Local Information - Smok Mountains

[Vincent M.]

Hi Everyone, 

I continue to dig into the Smokey Mountain region for STR's and am trying to learn more about the local areas before I commit to a visit down there. I would love some feedback from you all.

There are a couple different areas that seem to be where the actions is - Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley etc - can anyone share a bit about the pros/cons to each area. Is it a case where one area is saturated and people are moving to other areas to meet a need?  Is there an area that's up and coming and why?  Is there one area that I should be focused on over an other?   

Second question is more historical, how did the STR strategy in this area fair during the last downturn.  I know money is made generally based on the purchase price, but how impacted was the rental market from 2007-09?  Is there any information / stats available about this?

Thanks also for suggestion to connect with @Avery Carl. Very helpful so far.

Vincent

[Avery Carl]

We have 3 in the Pigeon Forge area, 1 in the Gatlinburg area, and 1 in the Wears Valley area.  All of them have Sevierville addresses, so the Sevierville dot on the map is a little deceiving as far as actual cabin locations are concerned.  If a cabin isn't directly inside the city limits of either PF or Gatlinburg, it's going to have a Sevierville address.  My rule of thumb is as long as the cabin is within a 15 minute drive of either the attractions in Gatlinburg or the attractions in Pigeon Forge, you're in good shape, just buy where the best deal is, the rents and occupancy rates are going to be comparable.  Hope that helps!