HOUSE + SANCTUARY was created on accident by Sarah McConnell Umstead's love of travel, real estate and interior design. Once she stumbled on Leiper's Fork in 2010, Sarah, a California native, couldn't stay away. "It’s Americana without the city promise, a place where the road winds so subtle you’d think it rolled in with the breeze." After purchasing a second home in the area, Sarah wanted to share the home and experience with other guests and turned it into a part time vacation rental. "There was such a wonderful feeling hearing from our guests about the memories they made while staying at our properties, that I wanted to go out of my way to discover other fully curated properties to share." said Sarah. One thing led to another and before she knew it she had carefully selected and taken on management responsibilities of other properties and went from a part time resident to a full time resident in 2015. She now lives in a restored 1900 farmhouse on 100 acres just outside of Columbia in Culleoka, Tennessee with her husband Mike and their blended family, made up of seven kids ranging from six to twenty-nine along with their seven horses, three dogs and chickens. In addition to managing properties, Sarah also is a real estate agent with Synergy Realty Network and is available to help you with all of your real estate needs.

Sarah has built her business by caring for her guests and personally selecting the homes that she manages. She won't just take on any vacation rental property and truly enjoys building relationships with her guests. It's no wonder that HOUSE + SANCTUARY has so many returning guests.  "Our loyal guests know that our homes are not only clean and comfortable, but they are impeccably designed, unique and well appointed with all the amenities you will need to create an unforgettable experience" 

HOUSE + SANCTUARY features eighteen distinctive vacation rental properties scattered about the area, all of which appeal to both the tourist and local traveler alike. Seriously perfect for group getaways, intimate gatherings and romantic escapes; each is as charming as the next and each one has a different story and different vibe - making it easy to select the property that is right for you. You could settle into one for a few days and head to the next one for a really fun and unique progressive group gathering or take a weekend, or a week or even a mid-week escape. It’s a getaway without all the hassles that often go hand in hand with a big trip. While we do advertise both peak and non-peak rates, these rates do fluctuate up and down and can change at any time prior to booking. Feel free to ask for a quote prior to booking.