“Lightly Restricted” — Straight Talk from The Don
Alright, Family — let’s clear this up before more folks get their feelings hurt. Everybody wants “unrestricted land in Tennessee.” I hear it every week. You show up with a list, big dreams, and bigger expectations.
But let me be real with you: “unrestricted” means you can do whatever you want — and so can your neighbor. You might picture peace and mountain views… but ol’ boy next door might picture rusted fridges, a tied-up hound, and a burn barrel that never quits. Welcome to “freedom.”
The Reality
After three stops and half a tank of gas driving the Plateau, most people start realizing what that word really looks like. Tennessee’s wide open, sure — but if you want clean, stable, appreciating land, you’re not chasing unrestricted, you’re looking for lightly restricted.
That’s where the smart money moves.
Here’s the Breakdown
Light restrictions aren’t control — they’re protection. They keep your property from turning into a landfill investment.
- Use: Single-family homes and small biz? Fine. You just can’t turn it into a flea market or pig farm.
- Home Size: 1,200 sq ft or better. Keeps things respectable.
- Noise: Target practice? Go for it. Raves and megaphones? Not so much.
- Animals: Chickens, cows, horses? Cool. 300-head goat operation? Nope.
- Looks: No junkyards, no trash heaps, no dead cars “for parts.”
- Build Rules: No mobile homes. Barndos and modulars? Allowed if done right — solid foundation, not duct tape and prayers.
- Finish Fast: Got a year to build. Don’t half-step it.
The Don’s Advice
Stop running from rules — run toward the right ones. These light restrictions are guardrails that keep your investment worth more tomorrow than it is today.
When I’m walking a piece of land, I’m not looking for what I can’t do… I’m checking what keeps my neighbor from tanking my resale value.
Bottom line?
You can still hunt off your back porch, raise some chickens, and live how you please — you just won’t have a washing-machine graveyard next door.
That’s what lightly restricted means, Family.
It ain’t limitation. It’s preservation.
— The Real Estate Don™
“Protect the value. Control the chaos. Make the offer they can’t refuse.”
Buying a Home After Foreclosure: The Don’s Guide to a Comeback Story
Deals, loyalty, and leverage — the Don’s way.
Took a hit? Join the club. Foreclosure stings, but it’s not your obituary. Around here we don’t mourn lost escrows — we rebuild empires. Here’s how you get back in the game and buy again, smarter.
Step 1: Know the Waiting Game
Lenders want proof you regrouped. The timeout depends on the loan:
Conventional: 3–7 years (shorter if hardship was beyond your control).
FHA: 3 years from the completion of foreclosure.
VA: 2 years for eligible service members and vets (entitlement may be partially reduced).
USDA: 3 years (rural-area focus).
Non-QM: No official wait — but expect higher rates and fees. Fast isn’t always smart.
Step 2: Rebuild Your Credit Reputation
Pull reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, fix errors, and settle legit collections. Then stack wins: pay on time, pay more than the minimum, and use autopay so “I forgot” never tanks you again.
Step 3: Re-Establish Income Stability
Money talks, but consistency sings. Show steady income (ideally 2 years). If employers or lenders see the old foreclosure, own the story and the lessons. The Don respects accountability.
Step 4: Stack Cash Like a Wiseguy
Reserves calm lenders — and future you. Trim subscriptions, renegotiate bills, cook more, and stash the difference. A modest cushion turns “emergency” into “inconvenience.”
Step 5: Choose the Right Lender — Not Just Any Lender
All lenders fish the same pond; the good ones use better bait. Work with pros who understand your lane (VA, FHA, USDA, Non-QM) and can tailor the fit.
Step 6: Ask Yourself — Are You Ready?
Ownership isn’t just the payment — it’s upkeep, taxes, surprises. If the same problems linger, rent longer, regroup, then re-enter on your terms.
The Don’s Final Word
Foreclosure doesn’t define you — your response does. Learn, rebuild, and step back in with your chin up and your credit clean. In this business, it’s not about the fall — it’s about the rise.