In the 12 months ending mid-May 2026, the Tri-Cities closed 7,179 home sales — the region's 11th straight annual increase. It's a middle-market story: the $200,000–$299,999 range was the busiest band in every submarket, and Johnson City alone made up 41% of regional volume. Figures are from NETAR data reported by Don Fenley (CoreData); the read below is mine, NMLS# 2776469.
The volume, by submarket
| Submarket | Homes sold (12 mo. ending mid-May 2026) | Share of region |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson City | 2,940 | 41% |
| Kingsport | 1,950 | 27% |
| Bristol TN/VA | 1,289 | 18% |
| Greeneville | 1,000 | 14% |
| Tri-Cities total | 7,179 | 100% |
It's a middle-market market
The single busiest price range in every submarket was $200,000–$299,999 — about 32% of all regional sales. Add the $300,000–$499,999 move-up tier and those two segments are roughly two-thirds of everything that sold. That's not an investor story at the bottom or a luxury boom at the top; it's working and middle-class households buying.
What that means from the financing seat: this is exactly the price band where the loan decision swings affordability the most. At $200k–$400k, the difference between a zero-down VA or USDA loan, a 3.5%-down FHA loan, and a 3%-down conventional loan — plus how mortgage insurance is structured — can move your monthly payment and your cash-to-close by real money. If you're buying in this range, the program you choose matters as much as the house.
Johnson City is in a category of its own
Johnson City recorded 2,940 sales — 41% of the entire region, more than Kingsport and Greeneville combined, and with the deepest upper-tier. Region-wide, about 920 homes sold above $500,000 and 90 sold at $1 million or more. For a buyer, that depth means more competition and more pricing tiers to navigate in Johnson City specifically; for an agent, it's where the volume — and the move-up and luxury activity — is concentrated.
What it means if you're buying
Figure out your band first. Most Tri-Cities buyers are competing in the $200k–$400k range, where a strong pre-approval and the right loan program are what win offers — not a bigger down payment you may not need. If you're below that, zero-down VA and USDA options still open doors in much of the region. The fastest way to know where you stand is a quick, no-pressure call.
For agents
Use these numbers with your clients — that's why I publish them. If you want the monthly read and a lender who closes in this market, here's how I work with agents.
The home-sales figures above come from Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors (NETAR) data and the TCI Group Annualized Home Sales Tracker, as reported by Don Fenley at CoreData. Don is the Tri-Cities' go-to source for local housing and economic data — read his full breakdown here: “Who's Buying Tri-Cities Homes; What It Means” (donfenley.com). The interpretation and any errors here are mine.