About us
Welcome to GRID!
GRID Smokies is a real estate community built by investors for investors. We are a group of real people doing real deals.
Our core mission is to connect to, learn from, and collaborate with like-minded people interested in building wealth and creating impact through real estate.
We welcome investors of all experience levels. We are life-long learners and believe everyone has value to share.
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How it works
We meet once a month, 12 months a year, on the same day, week, and time of the month. Each month we cover a different investing topic in the Lifecycle of an Investor—ranging from wholesaling to rehabbing to becoming a bank through private lending.
Our meetings are not sales pitches. They are opportunities for us to dive deep into a real estate topic, connect with local experts in our marketplace, and build long-term relationships with other doers and deal-makers.
All of our events are 100% FREE.
Learn more about GRID Investor at www.gridinvestor.com
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Join the GRID Facebook Community online 8K+
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gridinvestor
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Your GRID Leadership
GRID Smokies is led by Vernon Corum and Nathan Gort.
## About Vernon
Vernon Corum, known as “The Short-Term Pro,” is the Founder of Staycating, Realtor, and GRID Coach focused on the Smoky Mountains short-term rental space. He works with investors and agents on building and operating vacation rentals through clear strategy, structured systems, and a strong emphasis on hospitality.
His focus is on helping others better understand how short-term rentals operate, from setup to guest experience, while contributing to a growing investor community in the Smokies.
At home, Vernon is a husband to Jeannette, father to Bryce, Jake, and Seth, and dog dad to Zelda, Winnie, and Koda. He is also involved in the 865 Academy, where he supports youth education around entrepreneurship, homeownership, and investing.
## About Nathan
Nathan Gort, also known as “The Coach,” brings a strategy-focused approach to real estate and lending. Raised on Hilton Head Island, he was exposed early to real estate and construction, which shaped how he evaluates deals and market opportunities.
Nathan works with clients across a range of real estate strategies, including short-term and long-term rentals, house hacking, and lending structures. His approach centers on understanding each situation, analyzing the numbers, and helping clients make informed decisions.
He has experience with traditional financing, non-QM products, DSCR loans, and private capital. His focus is on deal structure, planning, and helping clients navigate options with clarity.
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Our partners:
Casago Smoky Mountains
Casago Smoky Mountains is a locally owned vacation rental management company specializing in luxury cabin getaways throughout the Smoky Mountains.
Their team provides full-service property management while delivering exceptional guest experiences rooted in southern hospitality and local expertise.
Led by experienced East Tennessee investors and operators, they bring extensive knowledge in vacation rentals, real estate development, and property management.
Learn more about Casago Smoky Mountains
https://casago.com/smoky-mountains/
theLender is a direct mortgage lender that provides financing solutions for homebuyers, real estate investors, and self-employed borrowers. The company offers a range of loan programs, including conventional and non-traditional options, designed to accommodate different financial profiles and property types.
Learn more about theLender
https://thelender.com/
Upcoming events
7
Accomplish More Through Relationships
The Pines, 230 Court Avenue,, Sevierville, TN, USReal estate investing is a great business, partly because you have no "boss" and no office politics since the business can be done successfully by one person or a small partnership.
But does that mean you never have to deal with other people?Nope! And you shouldn't want to, anyway.
One of the greatest things about being a real estate investor is that you get to choose who you work with.
Unlike a traditional office where you're at the mercy of whoever else the company hires, being an investor means you can build your own dream team of individuals who work as hard as you do and share your ambition.
We have a team of fellow professionals and others who bring us deals, help our business and get business in return. It's a beautiful circle and it will make you money.
Come find out how at this month's meeting. We will discuss how to build your "dream team" and make it work for you.
Spoiler alert: there will probably be some excellent candidates for your dream team in the room.
Come for the training, stay for the networking!
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Join the GRID Facebook CommunityJoin the online GRID community here to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.
3 attendees
How to Find Deals: Prospecting, Networking, and Marketing
The Pines, 230 Court Avenue,, Sevierville, TN, USWhere do you find these deals?
It's the first question most folks ask us when discussing real estate investing and for good reason: the best deals aren't just sitting out in the open—you have to work for them.
At this month’s meeting, we'll talk about how to choose an area, how to "brand" your message, how to get that message out to the public, how to manage your marketing, and much, much, more.
Hint, hint: It's all about getting the phone to ring.
Come for the training, stay for the networking!
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Join the GRID Facebook CommunityJoin the online GRID community here to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.
3 attendees
How to Save & Make a Fortune in Taxes: 1031's, Depreciation + Self Directed IRAs
The Pines, 230 Court Avenue,, Sevierville, TN, USDid you know your retirement account is good for more than investing in mutual funds?
And did you know the government actually encourages you to make more money on your rental portfolio?
Come out to hear more about making the tax code work for you and creative uses for your IRA that can super-charge your tax-deferred savings, making it easier to invest with other deal-makers.
Come for the training, stay for the networking!
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Join the GRID Facebook CommunityJoin the online GRID community here to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.
2 attendees
Show Me The Money! Where To Find The Money + How To Become the Bank
The Pines, 230 Court Avenue,, Sevierville, TN, USHere’s the short version—the money is the easy part.
Find a motivated seller, get yourself a deal and the money will find you.
Come out to this important discussion to find out how to get money for your deals from lenders, private sources, friends, family, and GRID itself.Doing deals isn’t the only way (and maybe not even the best way) to make money investing in real estate.
This event is also about how YOU can be the bank and how to properly structure loans to other investors that can provide solid, safe returns on your money—without getting your hands dirty.
Come for the training, stay for the networking!
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Join the GRID Facebook CommunityJoin the online GRID community here to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.
2 attendees
Past events
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