Tennessee Real Estate For Sale

Looking at homes for sale in Tennessee will reveal lower prices than much of the country, with a median price of $231,000. While it varies greatly by region, real estate in Tennessee is a great investment, especially as new construction increases. With a combination of historic homes and chic condominiums, there is Tennessee real estate for every buyer.

The state of Tennessee is uniquely shaped as a thin and wide state. Because of this geography, Tennessee is usually split into three sections known as the Grand Divisions- East, Middle, and West Tennessee. These distinct areas are geographically and culturally unique, and the same is true of the real estate in each area.

This area includes the Great Smoky Mountains, the eastern Tennessee River Valley, and a portion of the Cumberland plateau. Historically, the soil in East Tennessee was less suited to agriculture than the rest of the state, with smaller farms. While some farmland is still present today, this area includes many major cities like Knoxville and Chattanooga. The median home price of $324,000 in Knoxville outpaces some of the smaller areas.

The largest of the Grand Divisions, Middle Tennessee houses about 41% of the state and includes the largest city of Nashville. This area also includes the Nashville basin and the Highland Rim. The median sale price of homes in Middle Tennessee far exceeds the state average, coming in at $430,000.

Bound by the Mississippi River, West Tennessee was the last part of the state to be settled and has the richest soil, meaning much of the real estate there is farmland and plantations. The largest city in the area is Memphis, but most of the rest of West Tennessee is small towns with low populations and real estate costs below average.

For anyone with children or looking to build a family, the quality and availability of schools is an important factor in choosing a home. Tennessee real estate has access to a school system that serves 993,000 students across 141 school districts, many of which have achieved high rankings and accolades. In addition to a robust public school system, Tennessee is also a state with school choice available and many private and charter schools.

Greeneville City School District is known as one of the state’s best. On the northeastern border of Tennessee, the district operates seven schools, including the very successful Eastview Elementary School, which has tested above 95% on some standardized tests. Greeneville High School is also the state’s only school to be named a Blue Ribbon school, and it has partnered with local community college campuses to offer credit to high school students.

One of the largest districts in the state is Williamson County School District, encompassing areas like Franklin and Brentwood. With around 35,000 students across 41 schools, the district has a graduation rate of 94%, well above the national average. This is undoubtedly due to the low student-to-teacher ratio, which gives students a personalized experience and additional attention to help them excel.

Tennessee also boasts a vibrant higher education community, with 105 colleges and universities throughout the state. This includes 23 public schools, as well as extremely well-regarded institutions like Vanderbilt University. Tennessee also offers a unique opportunity known as the Tennessee Promise Program, which is available to anyone who graduates high school as a state resident. They are then given a scholarship to be used at one of 13 community colleges or 27 technical colleges in the state while being provided mentorship during their studies.

Tennessee real estate has access to five major airports in the state. Nashville and Memphis both have international airports, and three other major commercial airports are spread throughout the state.

Tennessee has the most visited of all national parks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which offers views of beautiful wildlife, waterfalls, and fog-covered mountains. For those who want to spend more time outdoors, the state also boasts 10,000 caves and caverns, many of which can be toured.

Nashville houses a lot of music history, including the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame, though many would say the best way to experience the city is to visit open mics and small venues each night. Music lovers can also visit parks like Dollywood or Graceland to experience some of the city’s biggest names.

Tennessee has a generally moderate climate, with four distinct seasons. However, the summer months can be particularly warm, with an average temperature of 92 degrees, alongside high humidity. The state also gets about 52 inches of rain throughout the year and has the potential for snow, even up to 10 inches a year in some places.

While large cities are always more costly, retirees are drawn to Tennessee real estate for its lower cost of living than the country’s average in the majority of places. Additionally, Tennessee is one of the few states that does not have a state income tax at all, which saves residents money.

While agriculture generates more than any other industry in the state, young professionals are moving to Tennessee real estate for the wide variety of jobs and employers. Health care, transportation, banking and finance, and music and entertainment are all large sectors in the state, along with higher education.

No matter where you buy real estate in Tennessee, the state has a rich cultural history and the ability to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Music specifically is intricately tied to Tennessee’s identity and is present wherever you go. Nashville, in particular, is often called Music City or even the world’s greatest city for music lovers. Famous artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton had their first success in the area, and while it is normally associated with country music, all genres are available throughout Nashville. You can even visit the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame as often as you like as a resident!

On the nights you explore local concerts and bars, you will notice another piece of Tennessee culture: whiskey. The types of grains and barrels used to distill whiskey in Tennessee are distinct, with Jack Daniels the most popular variety. In addition to enjoying whiskey throughout the state, you can also visit Lynchburg for tours and tastings at the Jack Daniels factory. You’ll find many more local brands as you travel throughout the state to find your next favorite.

While the music, whiskey, and nightlife are all classic parts of Tennessee’s charm, many people don’t realize just how much natural beauty there is in the state. In fact, it is home to over 10,000 caverns and caves that serve as tourist destinations and endless sources of adventure for residents. These caves are not only marvels to look at but often have rich histories and serve as time capsules of a sort. You can even catch a concert at The Caverns, an underground amphitheater.

Once you’re above ground, you’ll see that Tennessee is one of the best places to enjoy the changing colors of leaves in the fall. For even more foliage, you cake drive or hike along the Great Smoky Mountains to catch a glimpse of the famous smog surrounding the range. Don’t be surprised if you also run into a bear, elk, coyote, fox, or bobcat as they make their home in these mountains. The Cherokee call this area the “Land of Blue Smoke” as a reference to the blue-tinted haze, which you can enjoy during a hike or in a rented cabin for a weekend getaway.

If that doesn’t give you enough to do, you can also enjoy attractions like Dollywood and Graceland or spend time at Tennessee’s many annual fairs and festivals. You’ll find many Tennessee residents at a football, hockey, or rugby game, followed by a meal of Memphis-style barbeque on most weekends.

Overall, Tennessee is often noted for the southern charm the state exudes, both in its cities and its people. Even the larger cities offer the feeling of a small town where you know your neighbors, and it is easy to be comforted by the kindness and warmth others offer in Tennessee. Unlike other states that often prefer locals and natives, Tennessee is known to be open to newcomers, making it easy to acclimate.