In an article dated November 21st, Time magazine listed Pigeon Forge as one of the top nine most “Christmassy” towns in America. When we take a look at all of the events, activities & traditions surrounding  the holidays in The Great Smoky Mountains, there is no room to wonder why.

Just this past weekend, Ripley’s Aquarium of The Smokies presented the 36th Annual Fantasy Of Lights Christmas Parade in Gatlinburg. More than 80,000 spectators were expected for the event. With over 100 parade entries and more than a dozen marching bands from Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Alabama it was a beautiful Christmas event. You can watch the festivities on video at this link. Coming up this Saturday, December 10th you can join The Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the 36th Annual Festival Of Christmas Past at Sugarlands Visitors Center. Focusing on the culture of the Smoky Mountains with an emphasis on Christmas, this is a free event sponsored in cooperation with The Great Smoky Mountains Association. There will be music by the Lost Mill String Band, Boogertown Gap and South of the River Boys, demonstrations of making mountain berry baskets, apple-head dolls, quilts, and apple butter along with many special presentations throughout the day.

In Pigeon Forge you can enjoy over five million lights on display, stop by Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (three-time winner of America’s Best Christmas Event), take a stroll through The Christmas Place (the American South’s largest Christmas store) or spend an evening at the brand new “Smoky Mountain Opry Christmas Spectacular”.

These are just a few of the events that go on in Sevier County during this part of the year. It is truly a special time when The Smoky Mountains come to life with all of the beauty and cheer of the holidays.

Imagine spending your holidays below snow-capped mountain peaks, cozy by the fireplace in your Smoky Mountain cabin. It would be easy to take part in all of these holiday activities and maybe even start a few new traditions of your own. With plenty of homes to choose from, why not get started now towards having your own “Smoky Mountain Christmas” to look forward to? Visit our website to view the wide array of homes available.

Here are a few of my featured listings:

Your Smoky Mountain Dream Smoky Mountain dream cabin for a great price. Wrap around covered decks w/vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. Level yard, patio, spacious rooms and walking distance to Arts & Crafts shops. Type: Single Family Home Location: Price: $239,900 Get more information >

Private Oasis Bordering National Park Private mountain oasis tucked on over an acre bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plenty of amenities & plenty of space. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $369,900 Get more information >

Wonderful Family Home/Fenced Yard!! Great family home with additional space for possible, media room, in-laws quarters, or teenage paradise. 2 car garage, fenced back yard, and close to Knoxville or Sevierville. Type: Single Family Home Location: Sevierville,TN Price: $259,900 Get more information >

As we take a look at our month end statistics for Smoky Mountain real estate we continue to see a reasonably active and healthy market. Using data published by The Great Smoky Mountains Association of Realtors let’s explore how things are looking as we move towards year-end.  The GSMAR data we use is year to date and it compares this year to the same timeframe for last year. Though come select areas are still outperforming last year, we will look at the overall view of the entire residential market in this area through November.

In the category of Total Residences Sold, this year is down from 2010 by only 69 residences sold or 5% less.

Total Residential Dollar Volume Sold was also lower in 2011 with $225,111,411 or 9% less than the same period in 2010.

The average 2011 residential sale is still not far off from the 2010 average at  5% or $7,577 lower.

In the last category of Active Listings, 2011 shows plenty of inventory available with 6,870 homes available. This is a 10% increase over the same period in 2010 with 641 more homes on the market.

The real estate market in The Great Smoky Mountains is active. With plenty of Smoky Mountain homes to choose from and mortgage rates still very low, it could be the perfect time to start shopping. Contact your lender to see what kind of great rates are available, visit our website to look at the variety of homes available, then contact our team of professionals to take care of the rest!

Here are a few of my featured homes:

Functional Work Of Art W/Stunning Views Once you see this functional work of art that doubles as a spacious home you’ll never want to leave. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $950,000 Get more information >

New Construction Full Of Style Newly built this one is full of style & character. Native stone accents outside with a great exterior color combination. Hand made kitchen cabinets andbathroom vanities crafted from super rare wormy chestnut. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Price: $159,900 Get more information >

Handcrafted Custom Home W/Views! $35,999.58 Rental Income from June 2011 forward. This custom home overlooks the golf course and has amazing mountain views. All the custom features you are looking for are found right here. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Price: $1,500,000 Get more information >

Whether you enjoy Gatlinburg homes or other delightful locations in the East Tennessee Smokies, this time of the year is magical! Our blog has spent some time in years past mulling over the awesome beauty of year-end holidays in the Tennessee Smokies. For one reason or another many  of us get caught by the rapid progression of time as our planet completes one more revolution around the sun.For the blog, it seems only yesterday that we shared the incredible progression of spring time beauty overtaking these magnificent mountains. Now we are in the final days of one awesome fall of leaf changing color. Snow has already briefly dusted the highest  peaks of  The Great Smoky Mountains. Within a matter of weeks the leaves will have fallen for most deciduous trees. Our calendars display that the month of November is well underway. This can only mean that Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah & other important year-end holidays are rapidly approaching. So we need to examine the upcoming activities associated with our winter festivals. Sevier County kicks off their fabulous winter lighting displays in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Monday, November 7th, marked Sevierville’s Winter Kick Off with music, lights and magic. This event features free food & entertainment each year. The evening wrapped up with “flipping the switch” to begin the area’s Winter Festival Of Lights. Dollywood began their Smoky Mountain Christmas on November 5th. Sevierville provides 3D glasses in limited quantities for $1.00/pair that give lighting displays a new look. Gatlinburg begins their Winterfest with parades, trolley rides, entertainment & more on December 9th.

Our blogs will continue to skim the primary events as they come on board. For even better planning you can go online and get more details far in advance to better map out family trips. Some of you are still entertaining the idea of a property purchase this time of year. Visit our website, we have geared the
site to help you find the perfect property. You can begin the search at your own speed in the privacy of your own home. When the time is right, our team of professionals is here to help you close the deal.

Here are a few of my featured listings:

180 Degree Mountain & City Light Views $14,300 rental income in 2010 with 2011 already ahead at $14,500 through October. Very private ridgetop retreat w/ wraparound covered deck that has amazing 180 degree views of the mountains & city lights. Type: Single Family Home Location: Price: $189,900 Get more information >

Private Oasis Bordering National Park Private mountain oasis tucked on over an acre bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plenty of amenities & plenty of space. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $379,900 Get more information >

Mt LeConte View w/Large Open Floor Plan 5 bedrooms all with in suite baths for privacy. Huge great room for those family gatherings and could walk to trolley to take to town or to Nat’l Park. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $350,000 Get more information >

The calendar is approaching autumn.  At higher elevations in the Smokies, trees are turning and some are dropping leaves.  It will be some time before the main portion of the area’s forests turn color and drop leaves, but the clock is ticking.  In Gatlinburg, the Fall Festivals kick off, with the 14th annual “Taste of Autumn”.  This fun event allows attendees to spend money to support our local United Way Charities in Sevier County, while enjoying awesome food and entertainment from home town sources.  The “Taste of Autumn” is only the beginning of a fun-filled season to savor.

Many of our blog readers come here from other parts of our country.  Some fell in love with the area and decided to buy real estate here.  Their goals varied.  Others wanted investment property, or rental cabins to shelter money in these turbulent times.  If you or your family are entertaining similar ideas of owning property in the East Tennessee Smokies, your time to buy, may be now.  As everyone knows, real estate pricing is well off it’s highs.  Inventory of property for sale is up.  A good contact in the mortgage business announced some awesome mortgage news.  U.S. MORTGAGE RATES ARE AT HISTORIC LOWS.  Some 30 year fixed mortgages were as low as 3.875% with no discount points.  Get on our website and explore your real estate options.  You can explore infinite possibilities from the privacy of your own computer.  Begin today and find your Tennessee Smokies’ dream.

Here are a Few of My Latest and Current Listings:

Mountain Getaway w/ Spectacular View! Spectacular views from this mountain getaway. Enjoy the vaulted ceilings,walls of glass for viewing the mountains, mtn stone f/p, 3 bedroom suites, theatre room, and level parking. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village, TN Price: $299,900 Get more information >

Price Just Reduced $10,000!!! A very unique and artistic log home. Very private yet within walking distance to the arts and crafts community in Pittman Center. Beautiful mountain view from the stone patio,covered front porch w/hot tub, and lots of stained glass throughout. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $179,900 Get more information >

Just Reduced $10,000!!!! True log home with lots of charm and modern comfort. Only five minutes to Gatlinburg, ski resort and Great Smoky Mountains. Totally updated top to bottom with new appliances, first rate oak floors, fixtures, granite bath counter and much more.Must see! Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $129,988 Get more information >

Our Great Smoky Mountains Association of Realtors unveils their results of Gatlinburg home sales and other areas of interest.  Once again, we reveal the GSMAR totals on residential sales YTD through the month of June 2011.  Keep in mind, that these stats cover; single family homes, condo’s, townhouses, and co-ops.  This data helps to reveal trends in current real estate sales.  Readers must realize that today’s figures are focused on totals for the entire area covered by GSMAR.  Some areas within this survey far exceeded the rest.  It also bears repeating, that last year’s data was hugely influenced by the “federal homebuyer tax credit” stimulus program.  Any of these government incentives tend to skew results in favor of the time period when they operated.  With these items noted, let us look at the data.

In Total Residences Sold, 2011 comes in at 682 vs 2010 at 786.  This is lower by 13% or 104 units total

In Total Dollar Volume Sold 2011 lags 2010 by $22,690,731.00 or 17% ($112,860,980.00 to $135,551,711.00)

The category of Average Price Per Residence Sold comes close to breaking even.  2011 is only $6,973.00 less or 4% lower ($165,485.00 vs. $172,458.00)

In the final category of Active Listings, 2011 trumps 2010 with 596 more or 12% (5,403 to 4,807)

It is still early to tell, but larger home buyers may be getting into the market.  There is ample inventory for a great selection and qualified buyers will find good mortgage rates.  If you are looking for an; investment, retirement, or primary home, hop on our website.  We geared our site for clients.  You set your own search parameters, and look at your own pace.  Our team of professionals are ready when you want to finalize the deal.  Begin today and find your dream in the Smokies.

Here are a Few of My Latest, Current and Sold Properties:

Close to Pigeon Forge Attractions! This quality built home is close to all the attractions in Pigeon Forge, yet very private. Pine tongue and groove throughout, 3 covered decks to enjoy the view, as well as level parking and a 1 car garage. Never on a rental program! Type: Single Family Home Location: Pigeon Forge, TN Price: $299,900 Get more information >

Heritage Log Home w/ Views!! Heritage log home with excellent mountain views and location. Open lot with level parking and great rental history. Did $23,885 gross rental in 2010. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Price: $299,900 Get more information >

CONTRACT IN 37 DAYS! Beautiful home high up in Gatlinburg. Freshly remodeled and includes furniture. Come and enjoy the mountain view from your covered porch or hot tub deck. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Price: $199,900 Get more information >

Smoky Mountain real estate could be your ticket to an extended golfing season.  The beautiful mountains of East Tennessee are well known for a cornucopia of outdoor sports and activities.  Camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, white water rafting, boating, and horseback riding are just a part of the outside action that one can enjoy in this area.  However, golf is not world-renowned in this region.  It is interesting that locally, golf is a growing sport that continues to improve each year.  A lot of money has been spent in Sevier County alone on upgrading existing courses, as well as building new golf links. This investment in golfing has provided local residents and visitors with another attraction that brings people to the area.  As the courses mature and word gets out, this money should prove to be well spent.

Our steep and variable terrain makes building many projects a challenge.  Golf courses are no exception.  However, the difficult topography does provide an awesome backdrop for scenery, and the elevation changes will bring out the best or worst in a person’s golf skills.  Sevierville has the newest courses in the area, which are just being completed.  The Sevierville Golf Club features two championship 18-hole courses.  “The Highlands” is a par 70 built on hills and around fresh water ponds off Old Knoxville Highway.  “The River” is a par 72 course built along the Little Pigeon River that is visible off Winfield Dunn Pkwy (66) as you come south off I-40 into Sevierville.  Sevierville Golf Course offers fine dining including beverage of your choice, and other amenities like a driving range and putting green to sharpen your skills.  Gatlinburg shares the Gatlinburg Golf Course adjacent to Dollywood on the edge of Pigeon Forge.  It is worth a round of golf just to take in the views of the Smokies.  Out on the east side of Gatlinburg and Pittman Center lies Bent Creek Golf Course.  It is close to the Cobbly Nob development and is just across 321 (Foothills Parkway) from the National Park.

For those residents of the area and long-term visitors there are day trips into; Georgia, the Carolinas’, Virginia, and other surrounding states to fulfill your golfing appetites.  If you are considering becoming an East Tennessee resident, or just acquiring a vacation home, venture onto our website.  We geared everything for our clients.  There are links and tons of material on area activities on “Read My Blog“.  Set up your property search criteria at your convenience and contact our team of professionals when you are ready to buy. We are here and available to help in any way.

Here are a Few of My Latest Listings and Properties Sold:

Heirloom Quality/Two Owner Home/Downtown Heirloom quality custom built two owner home in downtown Gatlinburg. Walk 5 min to many restaurants/ shops and Ober Gatlinburg Tramway. Maintance free masonry stucco so you can enjoy your vacation in the mountains. Spacious, storage, level yard, & carport Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Price: $289,900 Get more information >

SOLD-UNDER CONTRACT IN 26 DAYS!!!! Wow!! Rental income of $40,262 in 2010 for this 1 bedroom/1.5 bath makes this custom built log home a fantastic opportunity for someone. 3 levels w/fantastic Smoky Mountain views,private on top of a mountain, but only 5 mins to the center of Gatlinburg Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $199,900 Get more information >

Two Master Suites/Spectacular Mtn View Two master suites with spectacular mountain views of the Great Smoky Mountains and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. Fully furnished for immediate enjoyment of this beautifully decorated chalet. Great for permanent residence or rental. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $229,900 Get more information >

Sales figures on Smoky Mountain Homes year-to-date and annual comparisons can be useful in spotting sales trends in Smoky Mountain real estate.  Often these can assist in the timing of either buying or selling a home.  Our sales team likes to provide blog readers with current data, so everyone can be well-informed in timing a property purchase or sale.  Please be aware that these figures for residences include; single family homes, condos, townhouses, and co-ops. 

In Total Residences Sold through the end of March 2011, there was 117 sold.  In the same time period last year, there were 144 residences sold.  Our current year is lower by 27 units or 19% less.

Total residential Dollar Volume Sold through the end of March 2011 was $20,892,924.00 vs $24,457,044 for March 2010.  Currently our year is off $3,564,120.00 or down 15% from 2010.

The Average Residential Sale through March of 2011 is $178,572.00.  Last year in the same time frame the average residence was $169,841.00.  This year, the average residence sold is $8,731.00 higher or 5% more.

In the catagory of active listings, this year comes in with 3,490.  This compares to the 2010 identical time period with 3,079 listings.  Again, our current year has 411 more at a 13% increase. 

As we mentioned in previous blogs, the full impact of the federal government stimulus may never be realized.  It certainly brought people into the real estate market earlier than many planned.  However, the market is always seeking equilibrium and working toward natural supply and demand.

If you are interested in buying or selling real estate here in the East Tennessee Smokies, start the easy way via our website.  We make everything geared to serve our clients.  So get started online and proceed at your own pace.  Our experienced sales team is available to help you finalize the deal.  Begin today and get your dream property.

Here are a Few of My Latest and Current Listings:

Updated Mountain Home w/ Views! Beautiful mountain home with view, wrap around decks, updates throughout including kitchen, new appliances, quartz counter tops and glass tile back splash. Great for permanent residence or rental. Not currently on rental program. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $249,900 Get more information >

Unobstructed Mtn Views/Immaculate!! Immaculate, custom, well built home with incredible views. Enjoy the sunsets and sunrise from this unobstructed property, owning all the way to the street below. Main floor living on a cul-de-sac and walk to the Owners Club. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $239,900 Get more information >

Fantastic View with Level Lawn Area Lower floor condo unit with a fantastic view and level lawn area. The deck overlooks Mt LeConte and the ski slopes. Type: Condo Location: Chalet Village Price: $76,900 Get more information >

     Seasons Greetings !!

In keeping with last year’s holiday revelation, the Jason White Team is once again, minimizing our carbon footprint on the planet with this electronic      holiday greeting.  The overall impact of eliminating a card is staggering, if you encourage the savings in a large portion of the human population.  Saving trees is only a small percentage of the cost reduction.  Pollution across the board is curtailed essentially from the following eliminated activities; manufacturing, processing, transport, and disposal.

My realty team and our associates derive our livelihood from the sales of property, located in the East Tennessee area surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains.  The awesome natural beauty of the land here, instills a respect in many of us.  It makes conscious people choose to protect the earth in whatever way they can.  Lowering the impact of our carbon footprint is one way to begin helping our planet.

As this year moves toward another calendar ending, the Jason White Team would like to thank everyone from; our associates and assistants, to our friends, customers, and clients.  Your involvement in our business makes all of this possible.  We wish all of you a  joy filled holiday season with a healthy, prosperous New Year in  2011!!

Here are a Few of My Latest Listings:

Outstanding Mtn View/Open Floor Plan! What an outstanding mountain view with this chalet. Fully furnished with beautiful decor. Open floor plan and spacious rooms with lots of windows to enjoy the view. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $389,900 Get more information >

Full Furnished Condo in Gatlinburg Fully remodeled & furnished condo in downtown Gatlinburg area. Walk to all the amenities. Enjoy the community pool. Great rental history! Type: Condo Location:Gatlinburg, Tennessee Price: $149,900 Get more information >

Fully Furnished w/ Balcony in Gatlinburg Fully furnished condo with balcony, in downtown Gatlinburg area. Walk to all the amenties such as restaurants and shopping. Type: Condo Location:Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $149,900 Get more information >

Fully Furnished in Downtown Gatlinburg! Fully furnished and ready to move in! Walk to downtown Gatlinburg to all the shopping and dining. Type: Condo Location:Gatlinburg, Tennessee Price: $149,900 Get more information >

Call today to view any of these or any other listings! 877-678-2121

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

 Like many sale items available after Thanksgiving, Smoky Mountain Real Estate could be an awesome deal.  This concept came from an inspirational article I read.  The author was a San Fransisco CA realtor.  Her writing gets to the essence of the holiday “Black Friday” sales phenomenon.  The article was amusing and insightful.  She examines the motivation that lures buyers by the millions across the country.  People willingly leave the comfort of their homes to endure the challenges of mob mentality.  Their goal is to procure big ticket purchases at deeply-discounted pricing.  Her comparisons of buying flat screen TV’s and other expensive items, to real estate, seem at first glance, to be off the mark.  However, there is a brilliance to her idea that soon hooked me.  Many of us on some level are members of the purchase-hungry multitudes who hurtle out in the pre-dawn hours.  We flirt with mayhem, in order to get a bargain.  The goal is to be among the rare few.  Those few obtain the coveted, limited number, of deep discount high ticket items.      

Instead of spending our time locked into this herd-like trance on a quest to save maybe $1,000.00, think higher.  Real estate is usually the most expensive item that many of us purchase.  My colleague’s perspective is to spend “Black Friday” looking for a great property.  In this arena and in today’s market, the potential savings could total in the $100,000.00′s and higher.  The “feel good factor” you get from a six figure savings makes other purchases look wimpy.  To add to this euphoria, most real estate buying does “not” include the insanity that overtakes most mall shoppers.  Real estate shopping on “Black Friday” allows for far greater reward with way less risk, and you can proceed at a cool, calm, and enjoyable pace.     

 Let us explore the wisdom of  “Black Friday” real estate shopping in greater detail.  Prices on homes here in the Smokies are off their highs.  The wave of buyers from the federal stimulus activated the lower end of the market.  However, a smaller market in higher priced homes has combined with a sizable amount of discounted property (foreclosures & short sales) to trim pricing.  So on average most of the area’s real estate is below the pricing of 2-3 years ago.  Depending upon the property, deeper discounts might be available on foreclosures or short sales.  A second cost savings for today’s real estate buyer comes from reduced property taxes.  Many local areas have not reduced their taxes on existing homes, but buying a home at a lower cost certainly gives you ammo to negotiate for a lower tax bill.  A third benefit is one that we have discussed on several occasions.  Mortgage interest rates have jumped slightly off their lows, but they are still in bargain territory for those buyers with approved credit.  A potential fourth savings comes from closing cost credits.  Retailers save buyers when they pick up at least part of the sales tax.  In some areas, motivated sellers are picking up various items in closing costs.  Some of these get limited by the lender, but everything is potentially negotiable.  A fifth area of savings is much like mall retailing.  Purchase incentives often include bonus items.  Home buyers will find that motivated sellers may include personal property like; appliances and furniture.  This can be a deal enhancer if the seller has no room to further drop their price.  All of these cost savings could make real estate the ultimate purchase deal for “Black Friday”.  Get started online and contact us at 877-678-2121 to help you seal your “Black Friday” property deal.       

Here are a Couple of My Current Listings:   

Spectacular Home w/ Spectacular Views! This spectacular custom built home offers so many unique features. Waterfall shower off master bedroom private deck, atrium green house, and includes all furniture and furnishings. Plus plenty of level parking and only one step into the chalet. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $379,900 Get more information >

Updated with Private Bedroom Suites! Want a great investment property? Then this is it! Already on a rental program and has a great rental history. Recently updated, offers private bedroom suites, and has a sky walk to balcony and mountain views. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $249,900 Get more information >