Region posts broad gains as Kingsport, Johnson City lead market activity

Don Fenley 

Home sales across the Tri-Cities region rose 11.8% in February compared to the same month a year ago, with 532 transactions recorded as buyer activity picked up across most community markets, according to regional real estate data. The number of sales in the mid-month county is 1`2 higher than the early count and the median sales price did not change.

The region’s median sales price climbed 5.6% year-over-year to $275,000, suggesting modest but steady appreciation even as individual markets showed wide variation.

Kingsport and Johnson City drove the bulk of regional sales, accounting for nearly one-third of all sales. Kingsport led all markets with 89 sales, an 18.7% increase from February 2024, at a median price of $250,000, up 6.4%. Johnson City posted 85 sales, a 39.3% jump, though its median price of $320,000 edged down 1.5% from a year ago.

Jonesborough recorded the second-highest median sales price among established markets at $420,000, a 37.7% increase year-over-year, on 39 transactions. Blountville’s median hit $460,000 – the highest in the region –  though sales there fell 41.7% to just seven transactions, limiting its broader market impact.

Greeneville was among the most active outlying markets with 47 sales, up 20.5%, at a median of $278,500.

Several smaller communities posted sharp percentage swings, though analysts typically caution that low transaction volumes can distort month-to-month comparisons. Bulls Gap recorded just four sales but saw a 300% increase from one transaction a year earlier, while Surgoinsville’s three sales reflected a 200% jump. Mount Carmel’s median price of $295,000 more than doubled year-over-year, driven by just four transactions.

On the softer side, Mountain City sales fell 44.4% and Blountville dropped 41.7%, while Telford posted the region’s lowest median price at $145,000 across three sales.

NETAR is the voice for real estate in Northeast Tennessee. It is the largest trade association in the Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia region, representing over 1,800+ members and 100+ business partners involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. Weekly market reports and information for both consumers and members are available on the NETAR website at https://netar.us