I am very new to real estate investing and I was just wondering if there were any local investors on here that could help share some knowledge about the market around the area. Meaning any trending areas in population, best school districts, best areas to look for, etc. Any information shared would be extremely helpful, thank you!
Investor · Franklin, TN · Member since 2017 · 112 posts · 77 votes
6y
Probably the best advice I can give is take a step back and define what real estate investment strategy you will have - flips, single family, multifamily, price points, short term rentals, etc.; this will point you into a more specific path and focus. The area around Ijams has been hot, Oak Ridge and Maryville can be good, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for short term rentals, and lots of other options.
As far as neighborhood stats on crime and appreciation, etc I have found Neighborhood Scout gives a good overview:
Investor · Franklin, TN · Member since 2017 · 112 posts · 77 votes
6y
Probably the best advice I can give is take a step back and define what real estate investment strategy you will have - flips, single family, multifamily, price points, short term rentals, etc.; this will point you into a more specific path and focus. The area around Ijams has been hot, Oak Ridge and Maryville can be good, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for short term rentals, and lots of other options.
As far as neighborhood stats on crime and appreciation, etc I have found Neighborhood Scout gives a good overview:
I echo @Ken Dillard's advice. I have properties in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Mt. Juliet. Knoxville is an interesting market with the University. You will need to define what type of property you want to purchase and the type of renter. Having purchased a property in Pigeon Forge, I would advise against that short term rental market since the management companies are unreasonable with their management fee- nothing is left over for the property owner after they get their fees.
It may be worthwhile to look in Maryville since there is a college there, its a nice bedroom community from Knoxville, and has all the amenities but far less of the problems that Knoxville has. Good Luck!!
Real Estate Agent · Sevierville, TN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
@John Porter@Brian Boyd I self-manage three STRs in the Pigeon Forge area, and one in California - no need to pay a PM an exorbitant amount! If you're paying a PM, all your profit is going to them - but if you're not, STRs in that area are cash flow monsters.
Real Estate Agent · USA · Member since 2016 · 909 posts · 1k+ votes
6y
I second @Julie McCoy. I would say about half of the STR's in the Smokies are self managed by remote owners now. With Airbnb and VRBO, there's really no need for a PM anymore. You just need a local cleaner and a local handyman and you're off to the cash flow races.
But you asked about Knoxville. There is lots of opportunity for cash flowing investments in the LTR market in Knoxville. I don't personally own anything there, mine are spread out across PF/G-Burg, Chattanooga, and Nashville, but have kept an eye on it for a few years. If something came across my desk there I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
@John Porter@Brian Boyd I self-manage three STRs in the Pigeon Forge area, and one in California - no need to pay a PM an exorbitant amount! If you're paying a PM, all your profit is going to them - but if you're not, STRs in that area are cash flow monsters.
Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2019 · 16 posts · 0 votes
6y
Hey John,
I'm finishing up my first property in Knoxville and intend to AirBNB. It's a great option, but just be sure to look into the local regulations if you decide to go that way, Knoxville is fairly strict.
Contractor · Sheboygan, WI · Member since 2016 · 917 posts · 266 votes
6y
@John Porter , you can earn 10-15% cash on cash net with STVRs in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area with Master lease/ triple net lease of property to a business manager. No different than owning a building and leasing it to Walgreens or CVS.
If you are self employed consider using Solo 401k to invest in STVRs. Allows for tax free cash flow and capital gains.
Knoxville, TN · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 3 votes
6y
Hey John I currently have a dozen STR's in Knoxville. Most of them are walking distance to campus or downtown. I just purchased a few apartments near campus (about a 20 minute walk to Neyland Stadium) and they are doing 4x what the long term apartments are getting in the building. I started them at the beginning of football season so the numbers are a little inflated but they should average out to about 3x long term rental rates.
Realtor · Pigeon Forge, TN · Member since 2018 · 230 posts · 111 votes
6y
@John Porter For long term A friend just purchased a home in Concord with so many homes on or near lake front is a bonus. Farragut and also Turkey Creek seems to be where the younger Knoxville crowd seems to be compared to further out in the county, that and also downtown Knoxville. With the plans to revitalize the downtown area that plus the UT campus hopefully means continued growth. In Knoxville for STR you are supposed apply for a permit. http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/Finance/business_license_tax_office/short_term_rentals
@Jake Smith May i ask how you went about permitting for those 12? Do you have them under multiple peoples names? I only have one but have looked into expanding
Knoxville, TN · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 3 votes
6y
I manage several of them for others so those owners all got their own permits. For my own units I just make sure they are commercially zoned and you can have as many as you like. You just have to set up a new LLC for every two commercially zoned units you get. There are also a lot of good options for houses just outside of the city limits. Knox County doesn't have any regulations on STR's.