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
6
Authority Creates Opportunity
The Pines, 230 Court Avenue,, Sevierville, TN, USThe biggest opportunities rarely go to the most talented person in the room.
They go to the person people know, trust, and remember.
In today's world, authority is the new currency. Investors, clients, partners, lenders, vendors, and referral sources are all looking for experts they can trust.
The question is: Are you positioning yourself as the go-to authority in your market?
Join us for an inspiring and practical evening as we explore how to build credibility, influence, and authority that attracts opportunities instead of chasing them.
During this event, you'll discover:
✅ How to become the recognized expert in your niche
✅ Why authority attracts deals, investors, clients, and partnerships
✅ The difference between being busy and being visible
✅ How top investors and entrepreneurs build trust at scale
✅ Strategies to leverage social media, content, networking, and personal branding to expand your influence
✅ How to create a reputation that opens doors before you even walk into the room.Whether you're a real estate investor, agent, entrepreneur, business owner, property manager, lender, contractor, or service provider, your ability to create authority directly impacts your ability to create opportunities.
At GRID Smokies, we believe that relationships create opportunities, but authority accelerates them.
If you're ready to stop competing on price, stop chasing leads, and start attracting the right people into your business, this event is for you.
Come network with like-minded professionals, learn from industry leaders, and discover how to become the trusted expert people think of first.Because when authority grows, opportunities follow.
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.
9 attendees
4C's Content Strategy
The Pines, 230 Court Avenue,, Sevierville, TN, USDid you know your next client, referral, investor, deal partner, or business opportunity could come from a simple piece of content you post online?
And did you know most people are losing opportunities because they are not starting the right conversations or following up the right way?
Come out to hear Lauren Hammond share her 4C’s Content Strategy — Content, Conversation, Convert, and Close — and learn how to create authentic posts, engage your ideal audience, use a CRM to stay organized, and turn online visibility into real business opportunities.
Whether you are an investor, agent, lender, contractor, property manager, entrepreneur, or local business owner, this session will help you build trust, create better conversations, and turn relationships into results.
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
How to Maximize your Income Through Property Management
The Pines, 230 Court Avenue,, Sevierville, TN, USA lot of the success of your rental property is determined before you cash your first rent check.
Let's talk about the ways you should set yourself up for success from finding great tenants, managing the day-to-day and squeezing extra profits out of your portfolio.
This event is all about "properly" management.
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
2
