By DON FENLEY

The Tri-Cities housing market closed in 2025 with 7,992 home sales, up 3.2% from last year. It confirms the region didn’t just hold its footing – it expanded modestly.

But the bigger story wasn’t the gain in total sales. The big story is where the growth happened.

Johnson City emerged as the urban market’s standout sales growth rate performer. Kingsport had more total sales, but the total was down from the previous year.

Beyond the core cities, 2025 showed growing strength in several commuter and outer ring communities. Bluff City, Mount Carmel, Piney Flats, and Blountville all recorded significant gains. That growth is a loud signal that affordability pressures and buyer strategy continue to push demand outward while remaining connected to the Tri-Cities employment base.

Not every market moved higher. Greeneville and Church Hill softened, while smaller markets like Bulls Gap and Surgoinsville posted sharper percentage declines due to their lower sales volume.

The Tri-Cities’ annual sales pattern illustrates that the Tri-Cities Housing Market doesn’t move as a unified system. Total sales improved, but performance varied widely by submarket. It’s a market flag that signals  2026 success will increasingly depend on understanding where demand is growing, where it’s flattening, and where pricing friction is building.

Categories: REAL ESTATE