About this assignment

We have an 75 acre property with a solid but very little cottage home in East Tennessee. Nearby towns and cities include, Knoxville, Morristown, and Gatlinburg. However, we are not ready to move there yet, as both of us like our jobs and wish to remain in DC working for the time being.

So were looking for a caretaker who wants to get out of the rat race for awhile and live in the beautiful foot hills of the Smoky Mountains. Ill describe the property below, but first Id like to outline what we are looking for.

The ideal candidate would be honest, hardworking, drug-free, and handy around the house, to do some work in exchange for a place to stay. Carpentry and building skills are a plus. Mature and trustworthy. Owns a reliable vehicle, and has some sort of income or financial means is necessary. While the Rent is Free, there are all the other usual expenses that will need to be covered. We will be doing a Reference check and a credit check so please be upfront about anything we might find.

The cottage is in pretty good shape and we would like to keep it that way so handyman skills while a bonus. These days it seams the biggest chore around the place is cutting up the occasional tree that falls across the driveway. So a chainsaw and chain sawing skills are a great thing to bring. Other than that if you are handy and willing to do some routine maintenance around the house. Nothing major, mowing the lawn, basically keeping it in good shape.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

There is about two acres of yard that needs to be maintained (mowed) but the pasture and woods can be left alone. Firewood cut and stacked, and there are a few jobs like that to do. This is all work that can be done here and there. We dont expect a caretaker to spend more than a few hours a week helping out. Your main job will be to make sure the place doesnt fall down, that nobody breaks in, vandalizes the property, etc.

We do have a Building project or two we are contemplating so bring your building skills, and we can work out some payment for projects over and above normal care taking duties.

Thats enough about the property for now. We can discuss more details later. Please E-mail if you are interested. Tell us about yourself and how we should contact you.

What are the good features of the property and location

75 Acres in East Tennessee hill country about an hour North East of Knoxville. The house is 475 sq. ft. total. It has one main room which functions as a living room, bed room and kitchen. Then there is a large (126 sq ft) combo bathroom/laundry/closet. If you picture a large hotel room with a bed and a sitting area and a compact Kitchen and a big bathroom with its own laundry. Then add a 330 sq ft screened in porch, then set it out in the woods on 75 acres you just about have pictured our place.
The home has electric heat and AC, but there is also a wood burning stove for auxiliary heat. There is an Electric continuous flow water heater. Electric range, This is not a rustic cabin, it has charm and character, and is finished out in a cottage style. The screened porch is 330 sq ft. There is a 1000 ft pole barn on the property that we currently use. There is plenty of room for an RV. There is a small stream running through the center. About a quarter of the property is pasture and the rest is mature hardwoods and cedar. The property is perfect for Hiking, Hunting, and any and all outdoor activities. As secluded as this place is, there is a good neighborhood grocery store only 5 minutes away which is pretty convenient. It is quiet here. With deer and turkey. No traffic noise, No neighbors in sight. The cabin is about a quarter mile back from the road. In actuality it is the topography of the land, the hills and hollows that provide the seclusion. Actual distance wise we are only 5 or so miles from town. Hiking distance in a pinch.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

There is plenty of room for a small garden area. Verizon 3g internet works well at the cabin. So all you need to be online is a Verizon air card for your computer. We have Dish TV installed with the basic channels. We were thinking about getting satellite Internet installed, but have not done so yet. Mainly because we are not there to meet the installer. We would consider splitting the bill. One of your responsibilities as caretaker would be to meet the cable guy, and make sure any contractors we get out to do work on the place end up doing their job.

If you are an RVer looking for a home base this place would be perfect.
Use the cottage as extra square footage.

You really need to be into small house living. Living small has a lot of advantages, but there are tradeoffs. Being neat is a must. We have found that with a small place things need a place and need to put away otherwise it gets cluttered real fast. If you are into owning a lot of stuff, and having a lot of stuff then this place probably wont work for you.