About us
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 us at gridinvestor.com](http://www.gridinvestor.com/)
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Join the GRID Facebook Community online 8K+
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gridinvestor
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Did you miss it?
Watch all GRID event playback on YouTube
www.youtube.com/gridinvestor
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Your GRID Leadership
GRID Smokies is led by Vernon Corum and Nathan Gort.
Vernon Corum, known as “The Short-Term Pro,” is the Founder of Staycating, Realtor, GRID Coach, and a driving force behind the Smoky Mountains STR space. He helps investors and agents build profitable vacation rental businesses through clear strategy, strong systems, and a focus on hospitality excellence. His vision is simple. Build the premier STR investor ecosystem in the Smokies.
At home, Vernon is a devoted husband to Jeannette, a proud father to Bryce, Jake, and Seth, and dog dad to Zelda, Winnie, and Koda. He believes success starts at home and extends into the community. Through his work with the 865 Academy, he pours into the next generation, teaching entrepreneurship, homeownership, and investing so they can build lives rooted in purpose and long-term growth.
Nathan Gort, also known as “The Coach” or “Batman,” brings a sharp, strategy-first approach to real estate and lending. Raised on Hilton Head Island, he grew up around real estate and construction, shaping how he sees value, opportunity, and deal structure.
With a background as a competitive athlete, Nathan approaches every client situation like a game plan. He studies the details, breaks down the numbers, and builds winning strategies tailored to each investor. His experience spans short-term rentals, long-term rentals, house hacking, and private lending, giving him a full view of how to build and scale wealth.
Known for solving complex deals others cannot, Nathan works across traditional financing, non-QM products, DSCR loans, and family office capital. His focus is not just on rates, but on structure and long-term strategy, helping clients treat wealth like a business.
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Our Partners
Staycating, LLC and our short term pros serve as trusted advisers to provide a full end-to-end turn-key property acquisition, management, and marketing system to assist investors, owners, guests, and sales teams with all of their short-term rental needs.
We have assembled a team of professionals who are partnered to serve the East Tennessee area.
We are excited to help our guests at one of our many properties we market, manage and/or maintain. Please feel free to look around and let us know if you have any questions about one of our properties. We have served over 2000 satisfied guests, and we are happy to assist you with your booking to the Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and East Tennessee area.
We also offer many curated services for our guests; just ask and we will help you plan your trip, get tickets and offer in-property services like honeymoon packages and food deliveries by one of our short-term pro partners in the area.
Approach The Lender
The Lender is a forward-thinking mortgage company built to serve investors, entrepreneurs, and borrowers who need more flexible financing solutions. Created by experienced industry leaders, the company was designed to simplify lending and expand access to capital, especially for clients who do not fit traditional lending boxes.
With a strong focus on non-QM and investor-friendly loan products, The Lender provides solutions such as DSCR loans, no-income verification options, and other creative financing structures tailored for real estate investors and business-minded borrowers. Their platform supports everything from short-term rental financing to long-term portfolio growth strategies.
At its core, The Lender is committed to delivering a streamlined, relationship-driven mortgage experience, combining innovative products with a deep understanding of real estate investing. Their mission is to help clients move faster, structure deals smarter, and build scalable wealth through strategic lending.
Upcoming events
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