Waterfront Living
Knoxville, Tennessee - Real Estate Guide

The Permanent Vacation

To borrow from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” “water, water everywhere.” Period.   

East and Middle Tennessee – already blessed with the naturally occurring Tennessee, Holston, French Broad, Cumberland, Emory and Clinch rivers – have TVA and the Army Corps of Engineers to thank for spreading the water wealth around even more. Dams, reservoirs and flood control have given us Tellico, Watts Bar, Douglas, Cherokee, Norris, Dale Hollow and Fort Loudoun lakes as recreational options and residential opportunities.
 
While older, established homes have long held a monopoly on waterfront living, brand-new, modern-day developments have begun cropping up en masse throughout the area.

“Most people don’t want to travel any farther than that” for a weekend getaway, says Scott Harestad, sales manager for McKeough Land Co.’s Kentucky/Tennessee developments. “That way, if they go up on Friday after work, there is enough time to enjoy Saturday and Sunday before heading back home.”

But what is the driving force?

“Water is magic,” says George Wallace, who co-owns Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace, Realtors with his brother Jim. “It has always done well, especially with the emphasis on recreation in this area.

“And more and more farms are becoming available that were previously not for sale – there is nothing else like it.”

Gary Andrews of RE/MAX Preferred Properties, who specializes in Fort Loudoun properties and development, agrees.

“It is a whole different world out there,” says Andrews, who lives on the water. “It is a different way of living – like a permanent vacation.”

But down the road, the homes will also turn out to be “a great investment,” he says. “ Lakefront homes in West Knoxville typically appreciate three times more than non-waterfront homes.

“As long as there is a supply, there will always be a demand.”
Expanding the supply list has been booming development on Cherokee, Douglas, Norris, Tellico and Watts Bar lakes.

Leslie Henderson, president and CEO of the Roane Alliance – a compilation of what was previously that county’s Chamber of Commerce/industrial board and tourism force – says Watts Bar is quickly becoming “the next lake to develop, behind Fort Loudoun and Tellico,” citing statistics from a local development expert.

“I always felt that Roane County was a well-kept secret,” she adds. “I think it has been a case of ‘keeping your best fishing hole quiet, and to yourself,’ but the secret is definitely out.”

In Roane County alone, ongoing developments include Rarity Ridge, Ladd Landing, Emerald Point, Grande Vista Bay, the Docks at Caney Creek and even an upscale RV Resort/Marina in Caney Creek.

“It is set up to serve million-dollar, high-end recreational vehicles,” says Henderson of the newly opened 158-pad park. She notes that Watts Bar brings many tourists to the area, and with a complete renovation of Caney Creek Marina, the adjoining RV park was a natural progression.
She and her husband, Barry, have lived on Watts Bar for about two years. Henderson says it satisfies a “lifelong dream to live on that lake.”

A dream that more and more lake lovers are making a reality all over the map.