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All Forum Posts by: Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith has started 24 posts and replied 217 times.

Post: Indoor pool flooring

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106
Quote from @Ken Boone:

They definitely did some kind of stucco over my last 2 builds.  That stuff is hard.  If you stucco you don't need to do the 1x3 trim I would think unless you just wanted to do that.  But I think if you stucco it you are pretty much sealing it up.  So the problem that I see with the stucco is that it seals it up tight.  Which in one sense you want that, to keep moisture out of the rest of the cabin, however, there is a flip side to that.  One of my pool cabins was not done that way.  I have an exhaust fan and 70 liter dehumidifier going in that place and that place is ALWAYS comfortable and not humid.  Always.  The other two with the stucco finish, I think it is sealed up so tight, the room can't breathe.  It is harder to maintain humidity levels and comfort levels in the later two though.  The first one is over 10 years old and isn't sealed up so tight.  So I dunno man.  I much prefer the feel of the older cabin pool room that is not sealed up so tight, But the stucco route will definitely get it sealed up.

Great insight. Thanks Ken

Post: Looking at adding a Theater Room in STR

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106

Most of these theater rooms are gimmicky rooms with a 65” TV. I can’t see why that’s an appeal since they have a flat screen in every room. I would most definitely put the largest projection screen you can fit on the wall and add a surround sound system with a subwoofer.  The theater chairs would be a nice touch.  I honestly think these flat screen TV rooms have very little impact on the occupancy but that’s me.   They aren’t really theaters. And think about it, people willing to spend $300-500/night on a cabin probably have a 65-75” screen or theater at their own home, and it’s all about giving people experiences they don’t get at home.  My 2 cents

Post: STR in Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge/ Sevierville

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106
Quote from @Collin Hays:
Quote from @John Carbone:

Realtors should also take note as we head into a downturn here. Be careful how you pitch deals to prospective clients. I know of people who were sued in the 2006-2009 era who were both brokers and realtors for misleading clients. A lot of realtors are new to the market since that time period and haven’t seen a downturn. If a client buys a 1m property and they lose half the value, that will likely ruin them financially. Some will try to seek recourse in a last ditch effort to salvage their financial life. Prospective clients are making huge decisions on stuff like this, the stakes are high, act accordingly.

There are a lot of similarities between 2006 and 2021/22:  Everyone had to have a cabin in the Smokies to rent out.  See the price history of this cabin.  There are a number of them in this development - Maranatha - that were built.  All with indoor pools.  This cabin originally sold for $899K in 2006.  What happened in the next few years wasn't pretty.  It would eventually sell for $205,000 in 2010.   A similar outcome for all of the cabins in this resort.  Of course, they've long since recovered, but it took 14-15 years.  

If someone tells you "but this time is different," run Forest, run!   Boom and bust cycles are a part of the deal with vacation homes.  No way around it.  


Hi Collin, is it starting to look pretty bad out there?  You were making comparisons to 2009 which I know was tough in this market but also Gatlinburg wasn’t near as well known and popular back then.  Do you feel a majority of those who ran numbers based on 2018-2019 occupancies are doing okay?   I’m curious because that’s how I’ve been running my numbers for prospective cabins.  thanks 

Post: Indoor pool flooring

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106

I’ve done a little more research during the weekend and I think the current trend is closed cell foam insulation with Hardie 4x10 sheets and 1x3 trim to cover the joints -like a board and batton pattern.   Also, you can use stucco over the Hardie backer.  I think I’m going to go that route. 

Post: Indoor pool flooring

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106
Quote from @Ken Boone:
Quote from @Kyle Smith:

@Ken Boone do you have any thoughts on wall construction?  My builder is talking about green Sheetrock but I was thinking that stuff does nothing for moisture.  He had mention Tyvek or a moisture barrier is required at least.   Thanks


 Man I am not sure what they used.  I do know it was not any type of sheet rock.  On the last one it was some new kind of sheathing material that was made specifically for a pool room environment.  I remember the builder telling me about it but I just can't remember what it is.   I do know that the type of paint or whatever they used on the surface is almost like a hard plaster.  I mean as in hard.  Like I have to use masonry bits to drill in to it to hang things on the walls.  

Hi Ken, I would love to know what it is they used.  I’m at a total loss on this one. 

Post: Indoor pool flooring

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106

@Ken Boone do you have any thoughts on wall construction?  My builder is talking about green Sheetrock but I was thinking that stuff does nothing for moisture.  He had mention Tyvek or a moisture barrier is required at least.   Thanks

Post: Indoor pool flooring

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106
Quote from @Ken Boone:

Thanks for the heads up on the sand filter.  Yes, it’s a fiberglass drop-in.  I’m a little concerned about the cove concrete work.  If it’s not done correctly it could end up looking bad. Also, I’m unsure how I could use the epoxy or granite grip if I have the concrete over the lip of the pool with the coving. 
Have you heard of Florock pool flooring?

Btw, you will love the Air 2S.  I have the Mavic 2S   

Yea I'm not sure about the cove work, one of my fiberglass pools, the one with the flat rocks is actually trimmed in bricks, to the bricks overlay the top edge of the fiberglass shell.  The other two fiberglass pools, don't really have a cove like in a traditional outdoor pool, so the floor finish comes to edge and ends sitting on top of the edge of the round over part of the shell.  PM me and I can send you a link to some pics, that might show you what I am talking about.  Although, I have not updated my pics to show the granite grip on the one place yet, but you will get the idea when looking at the other pics I think.

I do like my air 2s, working on my 107 now so I can do some really cool stuff once I get it.

Yes, thanks @Ken Boone  I would love to see those pics.  I was thinking of getting my 107 as well  

Post: Indoor pool flooring

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106
Quote from @Scott Mac:

Hi Kyle,

That looks nice, 

If it was outside, here's a quick and easy cabana that might attract more customers (I found the pic online).

Maybe face the rear wall to block the July Augustus sun.

Maybe put an electrical outlet in it, and an outdoor fan.

Maybe put a grill out near it.

The roof is corrugated metal (which sounds loud during the rain).

Hi Scott thanks so much for the info. I’m basically installing this pool inside the cabin vs outside.  So, my floors have been a concern due to moisture and cracking. 

Post: Indoor pool flooring

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106
Quote from @Ken Boone:

@Kyle Smith So just make sure that overfill protection is plumbed all the way out of your cabin to get that water away from the foundation.  That looks like a fiberglass drop in right?  The builder left mine sitting in the driveway of the cabin for 3 months before installing, once it finally went into a gravel bed and concrete surface the pool was in bad shape.  Had a fiberglass guy come in and repair like 14 areas of the pool, once that was done had to be re-painted, so he primed and painted that.   Well now I learned after the fact that you have to gelcoat fiberglass pools if you want it to last, my paint is already chipping loose, but no matter, I have to drill more holes into my steps, because either things settled or more than likely the builder did not ensure there was enough gravel backfill under my steps.  So I have to get a company to come in and drill into the steps, pump something in there to support those areas, then have the gelcoat guy come back and refinish it.  It is crazy what I have had to go through with this last build and the builder has basically ignored me.

A few other notes for you.  If you are doing a sand filter, then have them plumb a line right from the start for the backwash.  It just makes life a lot easier than running hoses for a backwash.  If you are doing a cartridge filter you don't have to worry about it.

As far as the granite grip, it was applied right to the edge of the fiberglass.  So without seeing your concrete cove for it not sure how it will work exactly.

As far as surface cracks, both of my pools that had concrete poured after install, developed cracks.  In one case, the granite grip covered them up completely.  In the newest one with the epoxy floor, we had a hollow spot in the floor.  You could rap it with your fingers and  hear how hollow it was.  Told the builder multiple times - just ignored it.  some time after the epoxy went on, the crack developed and crack is complete through epoxy as well.  So I dunno.. I don't think I have ever had large areas of concrete poured anywhere that didn't develop a crack somewhere.  

Love those drones by the way!  Just got the Air 2s.

Thanks for the heads up on the sand filter.  Yes, it’s a fiberglass drop-in.  I’m a little concerned about the cove concrete work.  If it’s not done correctly it could end up looking bad. Also, I’m unsure how I could use the epoxy or granite grip if I have the concrete over the lip of the pool with the coving. 
Have you heard of Florock pool flooring?

Btw, you will love the Air 2S.  I have the Mavic 2S  

Post: Indoor pool flooring

Kyle SmithPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Posts 218
  • Votes 106

 From what I’ve learned from other pool owners, I would say a resounding yes.  We are definitely on the cutting edge here I think.  It’s been very stressful coordinating this myself but I am  learning a lot.  LOL