Early April data from the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors® (NETAR) show home sales are up 10.2% from last year. The gain is consistent with typical spring seasonality, and final totals are expected to rise as all the closings are counted.
April’s gains were concentrated in the move-up and luxury markets, while the affordable market held essentially flat.
An additional 72 sales between $100,000 and $159,999 are reported separately and not included in segment totals.
Market Segment Summary
| Price Range | Apr 2026 | Apr 2025 | Change | % Change |
| Affordable ($160K–$299K) | 288 | 287 | +1 | +0.3% |
| Move-Up ($300K–$499K) | 259 | 213 | +46 | +21.6% |
| Luxury ($500K+) | 91 | 69 | +22 | +31.9% |
Affordable Market ($160,000–$299,999)
The affordable price segment, the broadest slice of the Tri-Cities market, was virtually flat from last year’s sales. The segment’s stability masks meaningful divergence within its price bands.
The entry-level portion of the affordable range showed strain. That signals that limited supply in the lowest price tiers is constraining volume even as buyer demand persists. The $180,000–$199,999 band was unchanged at 36 sales.
Gains came from the upper affordable range. The $200,000–$249,999 band added six transactions to reach 117 sales, and the $250,000–$299,999 band ticked up by three to 110 sales. Together, the upper half of the affordable segment accounted for over 78% of all affordable sales.
Field reports from agents point to multiple-offer activity in affordable price zones, an indicator that demand is outrunning supply in the most accessible price tiers. If that pressure persists, expect continued upward drift in sale prices and further erosion of listings priced below $180,000.
| Price Range | Apr 2026 | Apr 2025 | Change | % Change |
| $160,000–$179,999 | 25 | 33 | -8 | -24.2% |
| $180,000–$199,999 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 0.0% |
| $200,000–$249,999 | 117 | 111 | +6 | +5.4% |
| $250,000–$299,999 | 110 | 107 | +3 | +2.8% |
| Total Affordable | 288 | 287 | +1 | +0.3% |
Move-Up Market ($300,000–$499,999)
The move-up segment was the volume story of April. At 259 sales, it surged 21.6%, the strongest absolute gain of any tier.
The $300,000–$399,999 band, the largest single price band in the market, held steady. The standout performance came from the $400,000–$499,999 band. It nearly doubled year-over-year.
The move-up segment’s share of tracked sales reflects a market that is gradually trading up. As affordable inventory tightens, buyers with equity and financing capacity are moving into the $300,000–$499,999 range in greater numbers.
| Price Range | Apr 2026 | Apr 2025 | Change | % Change |
| $300,000–$399,999 | 154 | 151 | +3 | +2.0% |
| $400,000–$499,999 | 105 | 62 | +43 | +69.4% |
| Total Move-Up | 259 | 213 | +46 | +21.6% |
Luxury Market ($500,000 and Above)
The luxury segment has the smallest share of total sales, but its growth rate is the second-strongest among the three market segments.
The Tri-Cities luxury market has benefited from sustained in-migration of buyers from higher-cost markets, local equity gains, the local wealth transfer, continued new construction activity at elevated price points, and a broadening definition of luxury housing. The segment’s year-over-year acceleration suggests those drivers remain intact heading into the summer selling season.
| Price Range | Apr 2026 | Apr 2025 | Change | % Change |
| $500,000 and above | 91 | 69 | +22 | +31.9% |
Below-Segment Sales ($100,000–$159,999)
Seventy-two sales recorded between $100,000 and $159,999 are excluded from segment analysis. This tier totaled 72 sales. It was essentially unchanged from 73 in April 2025. The $140,000–$159,999 band accounted for 32 of those, and the $120,000–$139,999 band for 26. Sales in this price range often involve distressed properties, land, or transactions requiring cash financing.
Outlook
April’s early data aligns with the typical seasonality and continuation of a market in transition. Volume growth is real, but unevenly distributed. The affordable segment is running low on fuel in its lowest price bands.
The move-up tier is absorbing buyers who can no longer find viable options at affordable price points, and its rapid growth may indicate that workforce and trade-up buyers are stretching further than in previous cycles.
Luxury activity reflects both organic regional demand and continued interest from out-of-market relocators. As final April data are submitted and tabulated, these early trends are expected to hold directionally, with overall volume likely settling higher once late-reporting transactions are added.
(C) 2026 donfenley.com
This report is a combination of human and AI writing and analysis.