On this episode of the series, Luke sits down with Smoky Mountain agent and long-time investor Matt Castle to break down what's happening right now in the Smokies market, including a surge in pending contracts and how shifting Fed policy and mortgage rates may impact short-term rental buyers. They talk through timing purchases and listings around tax strategy and seasonal slowdowns, why winter months can be prime time for both buyers and sellers, and how fundamentals like strong photos, themed design, cleanliness, and strategic deep cleans separate top-performing cabins from the rest. Matt also contrasts turnkey vs. value-add STR opportunities, shares how serious multifamily/commercial investors are adapting to the unique metrics of short-term rentals, and emphasizes not overthinking it—focusing on “heads in beds” and guest experience.

How to connect with Matt Castle
Best way to reach him: matt@theshorttermshop.com

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
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Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
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Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

• (00:00:02) - Smoky Mountain Real Estate Podcast
• (00:00:22) - Matt Castle Discusses the Smokies Real Estate Market
• (00:01:23) - Real Estate Listings in the Great Smoky Mountains
• (00:02:23) - Pending vs Sold Home Loans
• (00:08:48) - President Trump's policy on monetary policy
• (00:09:40) - Economist: Expect another rate drop in December
• (00:10:48) - Are Commercial Real Estate Sales Up?
• (00:17:22) - January and February: Are they a good time to buy a house
• (00:23:23) - Smoky Mountains Real Estate Update
• (00:23:52) - When to Sell Your Cabin?
• (00:26:06) - How to Buy a Cabin in the Smokies