All Forum Posts by: Saunya Wenger

@Maj Valero   I would agree with James Allen on the neighborhood being the most important factor. I live in West Knoxville where the prices are stable. I am baffled that my "nice" home isn't valued as highly per foot as much as some transitional neighborhoods closer to the city where there are more crimes (look at a crime heat map), not close to shopping, the schools aren't as strong as the ones I'm zoned for, etc. There are many intangibles that go into valuing. Even the nice neighborhood across the street from mine goes for more than mine, but it has a neighborhood pool and seems to be really popular with young families who want to be a little closer to the elementary school. 

I'm looking for a bargain like everyone else to get started in this side hustle (or business). I hope you find some to get your business going. If you want to come to Knoxville to tour around, I'd be happy to meet you and rattle off my thoughts on the parts of Knoxville. I've been to your area every year for the past 30 years visiting my husband's family. SoCal is so much more uniform in home appearances until you get to the really nice homes. $50K in Knoxville makes a huge difference in neighborhoods.

@James Allenundefined

I live in Knoxville and know the Northwest area, but what is an SFH rental?

I live in Knoxville and visit family in Nashville often.  I like Nashville, but it's gotten way too crowded. Knoxville is more affordable, has good employment rates (big industries within 30 minutes are ORNL, Denso, Arconic, Pilot, the University of Tennessee, and the hospitals to name a few), and low property taxes. The UT students are a little snobby on what they will live in so the student rentals are pricey near campus. My son paid $515 for a bedroom and bathroom in a 4 bedroom apartment in a student community behind the university hospital, which is full of students. A four bedroom house a bit further off campus would cost the student less, but they wouldn't have sand volleyball and a pool. Within 15 minutes of downtown you can find a wide range of property prices, but some are not good rental areas. I looked at buying one near campus that was cheap and to quote my son, "You would only live there if you're cooking meth". I guess my living standards were lower as a student!

Sevier County next to Knoxville is amazing for short-term rentals and is next to the most visited national park in the county, though our beloved Smokies are not as grand as your Rockies.