RE/MAX Preferred Properties, Inc. — Sevierville, TN
A RE/MAX franchise operation based in Sevierville — the county seat of Sevier County, Tennessee, and the gateway community to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most visited destinations in the United States.
About This Brokerage
RE/MAX Preferred Properties operates along the Winfield Dunn Parkway corridor — the primary commercial spine connecting Sevierville to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This location places the firm at the center of one of the most distinctive real estate markets in Tennessee: a tourism-driven economy that has created a massive cabin and chalet short-term rental investment market alongside its year-round residential community.
The Sevier County market is nationally known among vacation rental investors. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO show dense inventory in the mountains surrounding Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and a significant percentage of real estate transactions in this market are investor-driven purchases of income-producing cabin properties.
The Sevier County Real Estate Market
Sevier County hosts approximately 14 million visitors per year — driven by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood, and the commercial resort corridors of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This tourism economy underpins a large and active short-term rental investment real estate market, with cabins ranging from small studio units to large group lodges grossing $50,000–$150,000+ annually in gross rental revenue at the upper end of the market.
Tennessee’s lack of a state income tax is a consistent attraction for both retirees and investors evaluating STR income properties. Combined with Sevier County’s established vacation rental market infrastructure, the area remains one of the most cited short-term rental investment markets in the Southeast — though the market has matured and competition among listings has increased significantly since the 2020–2022 STR boom.
What to Know Before Buying in Sevier County
STR income projections require independent verification. Many Sevier County properties are marketed with historical or projected gross STR revenue figures. These projections can be optimistic, and do not account for management fees (typically 20–30% of gross revenue), cleaning costs, maintenance, seasonality, or increasing competition from new supply. Independent underwriting of realistic net income is essential before acquisition.
Wildfire risk is a genuine hazard. The 2016 Chimney Tops 2 fire destroyed over 2,400 structures in Gatlinburg and is a reminder that mountain properties in the Smokies carry real wildfire exposure. Insurance costs for mountain cabins reflect this risk, and buyers should verify insurability and current premium levels.
HOA and resort community rules govern many properties. A large segment of the Sevier County cabin market sits within gated resort communities with HOAs that regulate use, rental management requirements, and capital assessments. Understanding HOA governance documents before purchase is non-negotiable for investment buyers.