Wilder Mountain (Chattanooga, Central: home, buy, live in)

[cuke]

My husband and I toured Sequatchie Pointe last week and thought the land was very nice but over-priced. The advertisement said lots from $39,900 and we did not see any land under $170,00. We also were disappointed that none of the land was actually on the TN river. Some of the lots overlooked the river but not actually on it. The flyer was very misleading. Also, it concerns us that lots are priced in this range when the roads are not finished, utilities are not in, etc. You would be stuck if you bought and these things were never completed. Who knows, the developer could just pull out after selling off all of the land.

We did have a wonderfule sales person, John. He was very knowledgeable and not at all pushy. He was born and raised in the area.

We are going to look at other property and would not consider this area until the area is more developed or unless the prices were a lot lower.

[hiknapster]

There are several of these "developments" that they are selling to Floridians, just like they did decades ago in Florida. No one is falling for that anymore.

In fact, there are lots of people in Florida, trying to get out and these developers have bought up this land and are overpricing it to people that don't know any better. A lot of these developers are actually FROM Florida.

[jdf39]

We bought at SP and are very comfortable with our decision.

Yes, it might be overpriced if you are on flat land with no views and have to develop everything yourself...utilities, water etc.

And the developer, Detwiler isn't a floridian but an Ohioan. He has developed many projects and this is one of latest.

The trip was paid for (they even sent flowers and Omaha steaks). See if a floridian developer will do that!

Anyway, the roads are gravel and not finished, the utilities aren't all in and we can get screwed. But we wish we HAD bought in florida years ago! To each there own.

[hiknapster]

Not a Floridian but an Ohioan? That is suppose to be better? Most Floridian developers were not from Florida.

If they are sending you flowers and steaks I would be worried. If the property was that attractive they wouldn't have to entice anyone with bouquets and meat. You'd all be tripping over each other to get to it.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Not a Floridian but an Ohioan? That is suppose to be better? Most Floridian developers were not from Florida.

If they are sending you flowers and steaks I would be worried. If the property was that attractive they wouldn't have to entice anyone with bouquets and meat. You'd all be tripping over each other to get to it.

You got that right. I would be extremely cautious of any developer who has to bribe you with Omaha steaks, free plane tickets, and bouquets of flowers to just come and take a look. Why aren't those developers spending that money on the road and utility improvements they insist they're going to make?

It does remind me of soooo many real estate scams that took place in Florida in the 70s and 80s when unsuspecting Northern retirees (many from UAW plants) sunk their life savings into promised Shangri-La type developments. Take a look around places like Citrus County, you can see the remnants of those Shangri-La type developments which are now nothing more than sandy mangrove patches with a few trailers, er, prefab houses on them and a lot of very disgruntled UAW retirees who end up having to work at Publix or Wal-Mart to make ends meet.

[DuckDavidson]

Six months ago purchased 2.7 acres in sequuatchie Pointe. We liked chattanooga and want to slow down in TN. We will be traveling up in August to check on the progress with the roads, etc.

[rick-FL]

Okay, let's try to clarify a few things. I did a great deal of research of Sequatchie Pointe in December, looked at Sequatchie Pointe in January, and bought a little over 3 acres shortly thereafter. I visited again in May and significant progress has been made in the infrastructure as expected. It is easy for people to speak of "real estate scams", etc. without any knowledge or justification but JJ Detweiler is a very reputable organization and I have been quite pleased with the organization and property to date. If you are going to make a statement such as "bribes" and "suckers losing their life savings" I would suggest before comments such as these are made to do a little research. Second comment made is one of "very expensive". "Expensive" is a relative term based on a price of which a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to sell. Yes, I could have bought 3 acres for less in the area but it will not be in a development with utilities (water, electric, hiking trails, amenities, etc.) and could/would require significant dollars to get a well and electric run to the property. My wife and I analyzed significantly and found Sequatchie Pointe was perfect for us. I would suggest that any person interested in Sequatchie Pointe to research the company and property and make a decision based on your needs. If you decide not to buy in Sequatchie Pointe then I would certainly understand. If you do decide to buy in Sequatchie Pointe then I look forward to having you as a neighbor. Those who want to scrutinize without any knowledge would be better off holding off criticism until finding out more.

[Grizzlybear34]

Originally Posted by skinnybob

There's approximately 48 lots with unsuitable soils at Sequatchie Pointe, Phase 1, as per the Recorded Plat, Plat Book 5 Page 26-35, R.O.M.C.T.(pending further review by a soil consultant for the State of Tennessee lots 5,11-13,15-17,22-26,29-44,46-65,69,70,74 and 77 are not suitable for septic tanks. Some lots are restricted to 2 bedroom homes, others 3 & 4 bedroom homes. I would check with the proper authorities before purchasing any of these lots as you may not be able to obtain a building permit.

We bought at SP but have not closed yet so they just have our deposit. This post by skinnybob has me concerned as our lot falls into this range and I will make a phone call as he later follows up a post later.

Anyone else have soil stories about SP? Someone also posted that if there are lots of trees on a lot, it should perk fine, and the lot we got is loaded with trees and a mountain and lake view.

[Grizzlybear34]

We'll be travelling back to SP later this month and can give a road update.

[Grizzlybear34]

Originally Posted by rick-FL

Okay, let's try to clarify a few things. I did a great deal of research of Sequatchie Pointe in December, looked at Sequatchie Pointe in January, and bought a little over 3 acres shortly thereafter. I visited again in May and significant progress has been made in the infrastructure as expected. It is easy for people to speak of "real estate scams", etc. without any knowledge or justification but JJ Detweiler is a very reputable organization and I have been quite pleased with the organization and property to date. If you are going to make a statement such as "bribes" and "suckers losing their life savings" I would suggest before comments such as these are made to do a little research. Second comment made is one of "very expensive". "Expensive" is a relative term based on a price of which a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to sell. Yes, I could have bought 3 acres for less in the area but it will not be in a development with utilities (water, electric, hiking trails, amenities, etc.) and could/would require significant dollars to get a well and electric run to the property. My wife and I analyzed significantly and found Sequatchie Pointe was perfect for us. I would suggest that any person interested in Sequatchie Pointe to research the company and property and make a decision based on your needs. If you decide not to buy in Sequatchie Pointe then I would certainly understand. If you do decide to buy in Sequatchie Pointe then I look forward to having you as a neighbor. Those who want to scrutinize without any knowledge would be better off holding off criticism until finding out more.

I have done some research on the company and the area also. Can you share with me what you found? If the utilities all come through, the roads are paved, the EQ Center and Clubhouse, etc, then we got into a property that we would not be able to afford in 5 years. My wife and I are looking to move there in 5 years and work in Chattanooga.

Rick - What part of Florida are you in?