Sevierville, TN

it's the 75th anniversary of the Park this summer, and we did 2 fun things to celebrate. One was the annual night-trip to see the synchronous fireflies--this year we got smart and did it out of a campsite, so we were able to have a great grilled supper before hiking up to see the flies...actually I have to admit that one family member had a sore knee so I stayed in the campsite with him. Everybody left, it got perfectly quiet except for the rush of the stream below, and then all the firelies came--a private showing just for us! We saw as many as I have ever seen before---so fun!

Then this weekend we went to the performance of the Kxonville Symphony Orchestra in Cades Cove--we got there early and got a spot under a huge Maple tree--perfect shade for the day. The rain held off and we were able to listen to the music and soak up the Cove. Most of us were selecting spots where our ashes will be spread, we love it so much there. Torrential rain on the way home--so glad it waited!

There are so many reasons I think this is the perfect place to live--I just have to keep adding to the list!

• They let school out early and close the streets, print "We Love You Dolly" Posters in the newspaper to wave at Dolly when she leads the parade.

• The Home Depot lets you take carpet samples out on "The Honor System".
• You really CAN smell the honeysuckle while you are eating roasted corn and listening to country music at the Bloomin' BBQ festival.

• I saw 5 bears in Cades Cove this week!

I'm always looking to market my work (http:www.Knoxtours.net), and provide services that will benefit people. I found another one -- My wife and I own a log cabin (http://www.thedancingbearcabin.com) in Wears Valley, in Sevierville, in East Tennessee. It's a great place! but, affording a couple of homes these days gets kinda hard, so we started looking for ways to ease up our tight money situation. Our cabin is managed by Brothers Cove Cabin Rentals (http://www,brotherscove.com). They've been looking for ways to expand their rental marketing, they wanted pictures of their people doing what their people do, show off their facilities and showcase the cabins using my virtual tours; so I gave them my offer -- a few ideas on how best to use my services and a few discounted incentives. I'm photographing everything now, it's going to take a little while, but I'm enjoying myself -- and it's a great way to get Knoxtours.net known to the Wears Valley area. The best part is I'm providing help to all the other cabin owners, assisting them in getting their cabins rented more often and maybe even help get several of them sold, and also a great chance to help Brothers Cove while I'm helping myself. It is a win-win situation for everyone; to me, its just good business to help the people who help you. I'm getting Knoxtours.net out there, doing good business!

It's so easy to get overwhelmed---switch your TV from channel to channel and one is worse than the next..Warren Buffet says we've fallen off a cliff, the wars continue, polar bears are challenged, real estate sales are in the dumps....it seems everywhere we turn there is just more and more. I was feeling this way, on this early spring morning in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, when I looked out my window and saw 100 robins in my front yard---OK I stopped counting at 86 but I know the rest of them were there! In an eternal symbol of spring's imminent arrival, they had stopped to give me the boost I needed! We'll make our way through these challenges, and be better, more grounded people for it! The robins will come and then the spring!

Sevier county like most other parts of the country, have been hit hard by the economic down turn, but things are starting to look up, especially if you are an investor. I am a realtor with Re/max Prime Properties in sevierville. I cover the areas of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and surrounding areas. There are so many deals to be had, its not funny. For example a 3br.3.5ba 2800sf. 3 story cabin that sold new for $425,000 1.5 years ago, is now in forclosure and being sold for $199,900, now that is a deal. The resort it is in, is close to town, has easy access, great views of the Smoky Mountains and the only Zip line east of the mississippi.

If you are interested in more info on investment properties like this or are a realtor with an investor client please let me know. You can email me at wanngays@yahoo.com or call me direct at 865-414-6080 I would be happy to talk to you and help you sort theough the maze of investments and find the righ one for you. don't miss out, there are bargains in most price ranges.