Visit to Tennessee

We have been researching places to retire, so we planned a quick trip to Tennessee to check out some mountain property.  http://www.tnland.com/

We left on Friday night @ 6:30pm, Arrived in Chattanooga around 9:30pm.
Rented a jeep and checked in to the Marriott - downtown Chattanooga. Jasper Highlands had a deal for people taking the tour of the property $99.00/entire weekend.

Reasons we picked Tennessee

• State Income Tax: None
• Average State and Local Sales Tax: 9.46%
• Estate Tax/Inheritance Tax: No/No

The Volunteer State moves onto our most-friendly list this year for two reasons: It eliminated its inheritance tax as of January 1, and it reduced its tax on stock dividends and interest income--known as the Hall tax-- from 6% to 5%. The state plans to phase out the Hall tax entirely by 2022. Because the state has no income tax on other forms of income, your Social Security benefits, IRA distributions and pensions are unscathed.

The median property tax on the median home value of $142,900 in Tennessee is $1,066, the 13th-lowest rate in the U.S. Gas taxes are 21 cents a gallon, less than the national average of 30 cents.

Tennessee makes up for low taxes in other areas by charging high sales taxes. The combined state and local tax rate of 9.46% is the second-highest in the U.S. Groceries are taxed at 5% by the state, plus whatever local rate is in effect. Prescription drugs are exempt.

 Lot# 152 is acrossed the street from people on the bluff. They own one huge lot (previously three lots bought together) but the house is not across from Lot# 152, so when the trees thin in the fall and winter, we will have mountain views...and only through the trees during the spring/summer.

Lot # 76 is a huge lot with lots of character and lots of trees.
It has an interesting rock wall about half way through the property.

 This is a few of the River Bluff from Jasper, TN (about 2,000 foot difference)

 The old logging road that runs through Lot #152

 The size of the front of the property goes from white marker to the marker where Doug is standing.
The Lot sign (brown stake is about 1/2 way)
We like this lot because of the hardwoods on the property and the fact that it backs up to conservation land that will never be developed.

 The view across the street (folks from Brenham, TX own that lot)

 Drive down the mountain - this is the only place there is a switchback curve.

The view of the Tennessee River as we drive down the mountain.

We left Chattanooga Sunday afternoon and were home before dinner. What a whirlwind trip.

Now to make a decision on purchasing this property.