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Housing Explained

The Chattanooga-area housing market in plain English — weekly updates, honest guides, and answers to the questions everyone's actually asking.

Investing

The BRRRR Method Explained: A Chattanooga Broker's Take

The BRRRR method explained by a Chattanooga broker: buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat, how it really works here, what it costs, and where it goes sideways.

September 4, 2026

Selling

What to Disclose When Selling a House in Tennessee, Honestly

Wondering what to disclose when selling a house in Tennessee? Here's the plain-English list of what the form asks, what you can skip, and what silence costs.

September 3, 2026

Buying

Buying a House in Cleveland TN: What Nobody Tells You First

Thinking about buying a house in Cleveland TN? Here's the honest rundown on commutes, wells, city vs. county taxes, and what your money actually buys.

September 2, 2026

Market

How Mortgage Rates Are Determined (And Why Yours Is Different)

Here is how mortgage rates are determined, in plain English: the bond market sets the base, and your file sets the rest. A Chattanooga broker explains.

August 30, 2026

Market

Chattanooga Housing Market Check-In: August 2026 Numbers

Chattanooga housing market update for August 2026: homes took 57 days to sell, the median price hit $350,000 region-wide and $365,000 inside the city.

August 29, 2026

Homeownership

Your Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist for Chattanooga

A simple seasonal home maintenance checklist for Chattanooga, Cleveland, and North Georgia homeowners — what to check each spring, summer, fall, and winter.

August 29, 2026

Investing

What Is a Good Cap Rate on a Rental Property? My Honest Take

What is a good cap rate on a rental property? Usually 5% to 10% — but that range hides a lot. Here's how I read cap rates on Chattanooga area deals.

August 28, 2026

Selling

Selling a House As Is in Tennessee: What It Really Means

Selling a house as is in Tennessee? Here's what "as is" really covers, what you still have to disclose, and how to price it so it actually sells.

August 27, 2026

Buying

Down Payment Assistance in Tennessee: How It Actually Works

Down payment assistance in Tennessee is real money, not a myth. Here's how it works, who qualifies, what the catches are, and how Chattanooga buyers use it.

August 26, 2026

Homeownership

Dolly Parton Got Married in Ringgold

Dolly Parton died August 25, 2026. Few people outside North Georgia know that the most important day of her personal life happened twenty minutes from downtown Chattanooga.

August 25, 2026

Market

Renting vs Buying in Chattanooga: The Real Math

Renting vs buying in Chattanooga isn't about feelings or timing the market. It's a math problem — here's the plain-English version, with no sales pitch.

August 23, 2026

Market

Chattanooga Housing Market: Inventory Up 22% in July 2026

Chattanooga housing market update: 4,239 active listings in July 2026, up 22.3% year over year. Median sold price $359,450 and homes selling in 48 days.

August 22, 2026

Investing

Short Term Rental Regulations in Chattanooga: Read This First

Short term rental regulations in Chattanooga decide if your rental cash flows or sits empty. Here's how permits, zoning, and taxes work before you buy.

August 21, 2026

Selling

The Real Cost of Selling a House in Tennessee (No Sugarcoating)

Wondering about the real cost of selling a house in Tennessee? Here's every fee, commission, and surprise line item — and what you actually walk away with.

August 20, 2026

Buying

Closing Costs in Tennessee: What Buyers Actually Pay

Closing costs in Tennessee usually run 2% to 5% of the price. Here's what buyers actually pay, who covers what, and how to keep that number down.

August 19, 2026

Market

Is the Housing Market Going to Crash? A Chattanooga Answer

Is the housing market going to crash? Here's a plain-English look at what actually causes crashes, what I watch in Chattanooga, and why 2008 was different.

August 16, 2026

Market

Chattanooga Housing Market Check-In: July 2026 Numbers

Chattanooga housing market July 2026: inventory up 22% YoY, median sold price $360K, absorption rate 4.74 months — what buyers and sellers need to know.

August 15, 2026

Homeownership

Hamilton County Property Taxes Explained (Without the Headache)

Hamilton County property taxes explained in plain English: how your home's value becomes a bill, why reappraisal isn't a rate hike, and how to pay less.

August 15, 2026

Investing

Airbnb Investment in Chattanooga: Does It Still Cash Flow?

Thinking about an Airbnb investment in Chattanooga? Here's how permits, seasons, and the real costs shake out — and where short-term rentals still pay off.

August 14, 2026

Selling

When's the Best Time to Sell a House in Tennessee?

The best time to sell a house in Tennessee isn't always spring. A Chattanooga broker breaks down the months that actually work, and the one nobody talks about.

August 13, 2026

Buying

The Best Neighborhoods in Chattanooga for Families: Honest Take

An honest look at the best neighborhoods in Chattanooga for families — from Signal Mountain to Ooltewah to Ringgold — and how to pick the right one for yours.

August 12, 2026

Market

How the Fed Affects Mortgage Rates, Explained for Chattanooga

Curious how the Fed affects mortgage rates? Short version: it doesn't set them. Here's what really moves your rate — and what that means around Chattanooga.

August 9, 2026

Market

Chattanooga Housing Market Check-In: July 2026 Numbers

Chattanooga housing market July 2026: inventory up 35% in the city, median price hits $360,400. What the numbers mean for buyers and sellers in Hamilton County.

August 8, 2026

Investing

Best Places to Buy Rental Property in Tennessee: A Broker's Take

Looking for the best places to buy rental property in Tennessee? Here's a broker's honest take on Chattanooga, Cleveland, and the numbers that matter.

August 7, 2026

Selling

How Do I Sell My House Fast in Chattanooga? Here's the Truth

How fast can you really sell a house in Chattanooga? Cash closes in 7–21 days; a financed buyer adds about a month. Real timelines, what speed costs you, and how to sell fast without getting lowballed.

August 6, 2026

Buying

How Much House Can I Afford in Chattanooga? Let's Do the Math

How much house can I afford in Chattanooga? Here's the real math on payments, debt-to-income, taxes, insurance, and the costs online calculators skip.

August 5, 2026

Market

Chattanooga Housing Market Check-In: July 2026 Numbers

Chattanooga housing market check-in for July 2026: city inventory jumped 34.4% YoY, the median sold price hit $360,200, and homes averaged 47 days on market.

August 1, 2026

Buying

Moving to Chattanooga TN? Read This Before You Pack

Thinking about moving to Chattanooga TN? Here's the honest local rundown on neighborhoods, traffic, cost, and what nobody warns you about before you buy.

July 29, 2026

Market

Why Are Home Prices So High in Chattanooga? A Plain-English Look

Wondering why are home prices so high in Chattanooga? Here's how the Fed, banks, rates, and good old supply and demand collide right here on our ridges.

July 27, 2026

Investing

Real Estate Investing in Chattanooga: A Plain-Talk Guide

Real estate investing in Chattanooga: how to spot cash flow, pick the right neighborhood, and skip the costly mistakes. Straight talk, no fluff.

July 24, 2026

Selling

How Much Is My House Worth in Chattanooga? Let's Find Out

Wondering how much is my house worth in Chattanooga right now? Here's the honest, no-pressure breakdown of how that number actually gets figured.

July 23, 2026

Buying

First Time Home Buyer in Chattanooga: What to Know First

Wondering what it really takes to be a first time home buyer in Chattanooga? Here's the down payment, credit, and neighborhood truth, no fluff.

July 22, 2026

Market

Chattanooga Housing Market Update: Week of July 18, 2026

Chattanooga housing market update for the week of July 18, 2026: inventory is up 25.4% YoY, pending sales rose 7.4%, and June's median price held at $350,000.

July 18, 2026

Market

Chattanooga Housing Market Update: Week of July 11, 2026

Chattanooga logged 368 new listings and 237 pending sales the week of July 11, 2026. Here's what it means for buyers and sellers.

July 11, 2026

Buying

Buying a Home in Chattanooga: A First-Timer's Guide

A first-timer's guide to buying a home in Chattanooga: affordability, credit scores, pre-approval, cash needed, TN/GA buyer programs, and where to buy.

June 29, 2026

Market

March 2026 Housing Market Update: Spring Is Coming — And the Data Backs It Up

March 2026 housing market update: rebounding demand after Winter Storm Fern, rising inventory, lower mortgage rates, and record contract cancellations.

March 23, 2026

Market

Why U.S. Home Prices Surprised Economists

U.S. home prices ended 2025 stronger than forecast. Why the market bent but didn't break — rate lock, tight supply, regional divergence, and what's next.

February 24, 2026

Buying

Chattanooga Waterfront Homes For Sale

Explore Chattanooga waterfront homes for sale: costs of ownership, water access rights, flood risks, and why working with a waterfront specialist matters.

February 18, 2026

Selling

What is My Home Worth in Chattanooga TN?

Wondering what your home is worth in Chattanooga TN? Learn what drives market value, how to get an accurate estimate, and how to boost value before selling.

February 18, 2026

Selling

How to Sell a House Fast in Chattanooga: Expert Tips

Expert tips on how to sell a house fast in Chattanooga — pricing, presentation, selling strategy, flexible showings, and a guaranteed cash offer option.

February 6, 2025

Buying

Top 10 Affordable Homes for Sale in Chattanooga TN

Discover the top 10 affordable neighborhoods for homes in Chattanooga TN — from Highland Park to Hixson — plus tips for finding a home in your budget.

February 3, 2025

Selling

Should You Be Fixing Minor Issues Before Listing Your Home?

Is fixing minor issues before listing worth it? Learn which small repairs deliver the best ROI, faster sales, and better offers when selling your home.

January 30, 2025

Buying

The Pros and Cons of Buying New Construction

Weigh the pros and cons of buying new construction — customization, low maintenance, and efficiency vs. higher costs, limited negotiation, and delays.

January 27, 2025

Selling

How to Price Your Home for Maximum Profit

How to price your home for maximum profit in Chattanooga — market research, common pricing mistakes to avoid, and strategic pricing techniques that work.

January 23, 2025

Selling

How to Evaluate a Home's Resale Potential

Learn how to evaluate a home's resale potential in Chattanooga — location, buyer appeal, property condition, and market timing all factor into value.

January 20, 2025

Homeownership

Top 5 Home Improvements That Add Value

The top 5 home improvements that add value: curb appeal, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, usable living space, and energy efficiency for a faster sale.

January 16, 2025

Buying

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

How to get pre-approved for a mortgage: gather financial documents, check your credit, compare lenders, and avoid common pitfalls before house hunting.

January 13, 2025

Selling

How to Declutter Your Home Before Selling

Declutter before selling to attract buyers and boost your home's value — a room-by-room guide covering kitchens, closets, hidden clutter, and staging.

January 9, 2025

Buying

How to Build Your Home Buying Team in Chattanooga

Learn how to build your home buying team in Chattanooga — from choosing a real estate agent and lender to inspectors, attorneys, and insurance agents.

January 6, 2025

Selling

10 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale in Tennessee

Follow these 10 tips to prepare your home for sale in Tennessee — declutter, deep clean, stage, and upgrade to attract buyers and maximize your price.

January 2, 2025