Mountain Living - Smokies
Blount County, Real Estate Guide

Escape to the mountains

It’s as much what Tennessee has as what it doesn’t that fans the flames of mountain home construction.   

“We don’t have a state income tax, and prices [for homes in this area] are much lower than people from the North or Florida are used to,” says Richard Maples, co-owner with Jeff Bailey of Townsend’s 547-acre Kinzel Springs development.

“We have four seasons, lower taxes and a lower cost of living,” notes Cathy Ackermann, who is developing Norton Creek in Pigeon Forge, along with her partner, Robin Turner.

“It is also a chance to get away from natural disasters,”  -  mainly hurricanes  -  she adds.

“We have a lot of people who are getting the heck out of Florida,” agrees Ron Morton, who is overseeing public relations and marketing of The Summit on Bluff Mountain, which will offer up to 1,400 home lots when completed.

Prices are relative, too.

“Within five minutes, we sold our highest-priced property first,” Morton says, noting that the Florida resident didn’t blink or balk at the asking price.

Not surprising since many Floridians expect choice properties to begin in the millions.

“We also have some unbelievable views,” Morton says, adding that some are 300- and 360-degree views of Mount LeConte and Cove Mountain. “And we have the best location, period  -  five minutes from the Parkway  -  and for that reason we booked $20 million in real estate in the first five weeks.”

Property has not been so accessible  -  or available  -  this side of the Smokies until recently. Buyers will find that prices tend to be much lower, too.

Ackermann says Western North Carolina mountain properties have long been higher than similar properties in Tennessee.

“Just the land in Western North Carolina has not been available for less than $1 million,” she says. “We have the same gorgeous views, and we [also] have a lot of undeveloped  -  and underpriced  -  land.

“It is a great opportunity for property valuation,” says Ackermann.

Baby boomers in the 50-65 age group are accounting for many property and home sales, with mountain homes serving primarily as a second residence or vacation getaway.

This group is looking ahead to retirement, and has targeted mountain property as a future home place and an investment.

And apparently, the surface has yet to be dented.

“I read a major marketing research survey that surveyed baby boomers, and of those who can afford second homes, 90 percent have not bought one yet,” says Ackermann. “And 70 percent of that number is looking in the Southern highlands. There are just a huge number of people looking at this region.”

She says the views, distinctive four seasons, recreational opportunities and location have driven sales in Norton Creek.

“It is also the prettiest piece of property in East Tennessee,” she says. “As soon as people see it, they want it.”

Besides Norton Creek and The Summit, several other Sevier County mountain developments are attracting interest. They include Laurel Oaks and White Oak Flats Settlement in Gatlinburg, The Preserve at English Mountain near Jones Cove and RiverStone in Pigeon Forge.

Also in the foothills on the East Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains are The Farm at Tralee at Strawberry Plains and The Homestead near Wears Valley.

Families are putting down roots in other mountain communities within a short drive of Knoxville. James Ridge in Loudon County features the Cumberland Mountains to the north and the Smokies to the south. Closer to the Cumberlands, The Docks at Caney Creek is sprouting on the shores of Watts Bar Lake.

One of southeast Tennessee’s best-kept secrets may be the stretch of territory between Tellico Plains and Etowah. Known as the Tennessee Overhill, the area lies in the 640,000-acre Cherokee National Forest.

“The amenity is the river,” says Tom Cormier, who is developing Telliquah Preserve near Tellico Plains. The waters lure locals and tourists alike as a playground for fishing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking.

In addition, the mountains attract hikers and campers. And the scenic 50-mile Cherohala Skyway appeals to bikers and drivers seeking a retreat. The skyway traverses the Cherokee and Nantahala national forests, and connects Tellico Plains with Robbinsville, N.C.

Major developments lie across the state line in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Queen’s Gap at Rutherfordton, southeast of Asheville, may be the most upscale mountain neighborhood taking shape in the Southeast, according to its developers.

Location:
Middle Eastern Tennessee
Mountain range: Part of Appalachian Mountain range, runs from Maine through Georgia. Includes Great Smoky Mountains, heights up to 6,643 feet.
Nearby cities: To the north, the tourist towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, also the government seat; to the northwest, tourist town of Townsend; to the northeast, Newport and Cosby; to the southwest, Tellico Plains. Nearest large town: Knoxville. Nearest commercial airport: McGhee Tyson.

Attractions:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park; numerous amusements, outlet shopping and other attractions in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville; Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge; Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville Zoo, James White Fort and other historic sites in Knoxville; Fort Loudoun State Historic Site and Sequoyah Birthplace Museum near Vonore.

Recreational opportunities: Hiking, camping, fishing in Great Smoky Mountains and Cherokee National Forest. Fishing and water sports on TVA lakes, including Douglas, Cherokee, Loudon, Tellico, Watts Bar, Norris. Whitewater rafting on rivers, including Ocoee (site of 1996 Whitewater Olympics), Pigeon and Hiwassee. State parks such as Norris Dam, Cove Lake, Big Ridge, Panther Creek, Frozen Head offer variety of recreational opportunities.

For more information:
East Tennessee Development District, 865-273-6003 or www.discoveret.org;
UT Center for Business and Economic Research, 865-974-5441 or http://cber.bus.utk.edu; East Tennessee Marketing Partnership, www.easttnvacations.com.