Hot Prop: Literal Legacy in Sale Creek, TN

This month’s Hot Prop is a slice of Tennessean history and a local seasonal attraction in Sale Creek. Established 200 years ago in 1821, the property (16705 Coulterville Road, Sale Creek) has been in the hands of the McDonald family for eight generations, and consists of a working farm plus main house, second and third residences, pool house, barns, and more, with plenty of space to envision something new.

Situated between Walden Ridge, Sale Creek and HWY 27, McDonald Farm represents a rare opportunity to own over 2,000 acres in Hamilton County, Tennessee – boasting both stunning vistas and indigenous wildlife. Sale Creek itself is a small community, and the area is most highly associated with American history and recreational pursuits, including paddling.

Nurture new dreams

The historic main house on the property is almost 4,300 SF and was originally built in 1868. It was since renovated in 1950. The additional family residences and staff homes are generously sized, with gentle lawns and shaded porches – just the touches you associate with “Southern charm”.

The farm is well equipped with its own private well, private septic sewer, and electric power board. It even has public restrooms installed! Yes, until quite recently the farm opened its doors annually in Fall for family-centered activities like hayrides, corn mazes, a petting zoo, and pumpkin picking.

Together, these features – plus proximity to Chattanooga (32 minutes), Knoxville (90 minutes) and Nashville (150 minutes) – mean this property has immense potential to attract tourists, tenants, or to welcome its new residents. The possibilities are endless.

Fertile spaces

A section of the property (434 acres) is under cultivation by a third-party tenant. An additional section lies in Rhea county. This area represents approximately 590 acres and is contiguous. Another 350 acres lie to the east of the highway and are accessed via Cap Elsa Road. NAI believes this site is well suited to and could make for a charming residential development. The remaining acreage is a mix of flat farm land, rolling hills, natural woods, timberland, and creekside spaces, and the Norfolk Southern Railway bisects the property.

Hamilton county is reportedly eyeing the property with a view to developing an industrial park, while others have suggested it could be the perfect site for a major employer to set up shop.

Looking to the future

Tennessee itself is much more than music and football; today, it is an area primed for growth.

New data from September 2020 found that the state has had the 13th largest increase in home prices since 2010. Furthermore, Chattanooga home prices rise on average 22% faster than the national mean.

Demand is high too for suitable commercial property. The top real estate transaction in the region last month was the sale of an apartment complex in nearby Soddy Daisy for some $18 million.

The low down

NAI Charter are the listing agents for the property. For further information, as well as photographs, please visit www.naicharter.com and the listing on Crexi which includes a video.