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Strategies & Opportunities for Investing with Compass

Looking to Invest in the Smokies? Explore how Compass unlocks real estate opportunities across short-term rentals, workforce housing, and downtown redevelopment. From high-performing cabins to transformative multifamily projects, discover the strategies—and the numbers—behind our most successful.
Strategies & Opportunities for Investing with Compass

The Smoky Mountain region offers unrivaled potential for real estate investors — combining stable tourism, robust development, and workforce housing demand. At Compass, we identify and execute on opportunities spanning short-term rentals, multifamily housing, mixed-use, and hospitality assets that deliver strong returns and local impact.

1. Short-Term Rentals & Cabin Developments

  • Lodges at Reedmont – This modern-style cabin community launched in mid-2022, offering 184 modern, upscale units across 113 acres adjacent to Sevierville Golf Club. Investors benefit from high-demand lodge-style rentals that capture steady tourist traffic year-round.
  • Investment Properties Listing – Compass presently lists select turnkey short-term rental homes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville. These properties, ranging from 3-bed cabins with hot tubs to multi-unit estates, continue to perform strongly on rental platforms.

Strategic Approach: Focus on fully furnished, high-amenity short-term rentals positioned in established tourist corridors — delivering passive income through proven occupancy and nightly rates

2. Workforce & Multifamily Housing

  • Acquired & Ground Up Apartment Complexes
  • RiverPark Apartments (Sevierville) & Meadow Creek Apartments (Pigeon Forge)
    These income-based communities provide affordable 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units to working families. With utility allowances and professional management, both communities are nearly always at full occupancy.
  • Milligan Portfolio (Johnson City & Elizabethton)
    A collection of elderly-designated and workforce-friendly properties offering accessible living options in high-demand neighborhoods. These assets combine local familiarity with long-term cash flow and appreciation potential.
  • Living Fully (Sevierville)
    A $63M, 400-unit workforce housing development designed to serve the essential workforce of Sevier County. Currently under development, this project integrates wellness-focused amenities, walkability, and long-term rental stability.
  • The Grand Appalachian (Downtown Sevierville)
    A flagship apartment hotel offering flexible extended-stay and long-term accommodations tailored for traveling professionals, seasonal workers, and regional relocators. With its unique hybrid model, this project blends rental revenue with hospitality-level service.

Strategic Approach: We focus on acquiring and enhancing existing properties while developing ground-up communities in high-need areas. By aligning thoughtful design with affordability and operational efficiency, Compass creates lasting impact—and measurable returns.

3. Mixed-Use & Downtown Revitalization

  • Downtown Sevierville Condos & Retail – Compass is actively investing in downtown properties — renovating historic buildings into condos and leasing retail space.
  • Commercial Leasing Portfolio – Ongoing leasing opportunities in downtown Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg show steady demand for commercial storefronts and restaurant venues

Strategic Approach: We revitalize underutilized assets with a focus on walkability, historic preservation, and mixed-use potential. These projects not only deliver financial returns but also contribute to Sevierville’s cultural and economic momentum.

Regional Market Snapshot

  • Investment Appeal – Smoker Mountain real estate continues to outpace national trends, with Sevierville’s housing market leading annual gains over 10% through 2024.
  • Tourism Tailwinds – The region draws over 13 million visitors annually, with Sevierville alone generating $3.4 billion in tourism spending in 2022

What’s Listed Now

The Investments page features 20+ “Available / Pending / Sold” MLS listings — a mix of short-term cabins, single-family and multi-family homes. Highlights include:

  • Turnkey multi-unit vacation estates in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg—with proven rental histories.
  • Luxury cabins like those on Burning Oaks Drive (4,670 sq ft, 6-bed estate) and Parkway Terrace (3,600 sq ft Gatlinburg cabin) .
  • Retail-commercial property at 109 Bruce St, a 3,760 sq ft historic restaurant space now available for lease.

These active listings offer investors a range of entry points — from operational passive-income properties to redevelopment-ready assets.

Investment Strategies That Work in the Smokies

  • Buy & Hold Cabins
    Target fully furnished short-term rentals in high-occupancy tourist zones.
    → Compass Strength: Revenue-managed properties with legal compliance and strong platform performance.
  • Stabilize Workforce Housing
    Acquire and upgrade multifamily communities to serve local workers in education, healthcare, hospitality, and public service.
    → Compass Strength: Deep understanding of local housing needs and zoning environments.
  • Mixed-Use Revitalization
    Transform underutilized or historic downtown buildings into vibrant mixed-use developments.
    → Compass Strength: Local relationships, community-aligned design, and branding expertise.
  • Ground-Up Developments
    Build new apartment, hospitality, or hybrid assets in underserved or high-growth areas.
    → Compass Strength: In-house development team including architecture, civil, engineering, and leasing.
  • Why Partner with Compass

    • Full-service capacity: In-house development, civil engineering, project management, and property management expertise.
    • Proven track record: From workforce units to over $300M in tourism development.
    • Data-driven site selection: We screen for demand, zoning feasibility, infrastructure, and impact.
    • Community-centric vision: We pursue projects with long-term value — economically and socially.

    Next Moves for Savvy Investors

    1. Browse our current Investments page (or contact Macy@CompassVentures.Net) to see live, income-producing opportunities.
    2. Schedule a portfolio review — match your return and risk goals to local assets.
    3. Partner in new ground-up or adaptive reuse projects — early involvement offers alignment of vision and returns.

    Let Compass guide your entry into the Smoky Mountain market — where stable tourism, workforce demand, and revitalization drive both impact and profit. Ready to explore? Reach out today.