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Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Blake Watson
Listening to this podcast will make you smarter, save you money, help you make more informed decisions about your home, and help you through the home selling or buying process. You’ll be armed with knowledge about the Chattanooga real estate market, and you’ll be able to move forward in any real estate transaction with more confidence.If you own real estate in the Chattanooga Tennessee area, or want to own real estate here, then this podcast is for you.Your host, Blake Watson, is a licensed real estate agent in Tennessee and Georgia with Epique Realty.Blake is also a real estate investor in Chattanooga Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.This podcast is about buying and selling homes in the Chattanooga area. Through expert interviews and real-life experience, we’ll be covering all the details you need to find and purchase your next home, resources and tips for your home maintenance and home improvements, and best practices, tips and advice for selling your home. We’ll keep you infor
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- 2 weeks ago10 min
Why Buying a Home In Chattanooga Feels So Much Harder Now. The Housing Affordability Index.
Why does buying a home in Chattanooga feel so much harder than it did a few years ago? The Housing Affordability Index helps explain the relationship between household incomes, home prices, and mortgage rates.In this episode of Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, Blake Watson breaks down the index in plain English and explains what an August 2026 reading of 88 means for local buyers and sellers. Drawing on data from Greater Chattanooga Realtors, Blake compares today's affordability challenges with conditions before the Great Recession, during the early 2010s, and through the pandemic.Blake also discusses how growing inventory and longer marketing times can create negotiating opportunities, even when affordability remains challenging. For sellers, the conversation highlights the importance of realistic pricing, recent comparable sales, and understanding what buyers can afford.Whether you are considering East Ridge, Signal Mountain, Ooltewah, North Chattanooga, Ringgold, or another Chattanooga or Northwest Georgia community, this episode offers practical perspective for planning your next move.Have questions about buying or selling in Chattanooga or Northwest Georgia? Call or text Blake Watson with Epique Realty at 423-315-1815.Visit www.AtHomeChattanooga.com.Connect with Blake Watson on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow @rocknrollblake on Instagram.office: 888-893-3537.
- Sep 23, 202616 min
How Did Homeownership Become Part of the American Dream? Is It Still Possible Today?
As America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Blake Watson looks at how homeownership became such a central part of the American dream. The opportunity to own a home did not develop through individual effort alone. Laws and public policies shaped who could own land, how families could finance a home, and who had access to those opportunities.In this episode of Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, Blake traces that story from the Homestead Act through the creation of FHA loans, the GI Bill, fair housing protections, and efforts to stabilize the mortgage market. He also discusses people who were excluded from those opportunities.If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Chattanooga or Northwest Georgia, contact Blake Watson at 423-315-1815 or visit www.AtHomeChattanooga.com.You can also find Blake on Facebook and LinkedIn as Blake Watson, and on Instagram as @rocknrollblakeEpique Realty 888-893-3537
- Aug 3, 202621 min
Up to $21,000 for First Time Homebuyers! Chattanooga’s New Down Payment Assistance Program Explained
In this episode of Let’s Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, Blake Watson talks with Don Oakes of Highlands Residential Mortgage about a new City of Chattanooga down payment assistance program designed to help qualified first-time homebuyers overcome one of the biggest obstacles to purchasing a home: the upfront cash needed for the down payment and closing costs.The Chattanooga program works alongside financing through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, commonly known as THDA. Depending on the buyer’s qualifications and loan structure, the combined programs may provide enough assistance to cover most of the down payment and closing costs.Blake and Don discuss how the program works, the assistance that may be available, income and credit requirements, the $400,000 purchase-price limit, and the requirement that the property be located within Chattanooga’s city limits. They also explain that “first-time homebuyer” generally includes someone who has not owned a home during the previous three years.The conversation also covers the required homebuyer education course, home inspection, minimum buyer investment, employment history, and how deferred assistance is handled when the home is eventually sold. Don also briefly discusses THDA’s special options for qualifying first responders and teachers, along with USDA Rural Development and Georgia Dream programs for buyers considering homes outside Chattanooga.Program requirements, assistance amounts, income limits, and interest rates can change. Be sure to contact a qualified lender to confirm current terms and determine whether you are eligible.To speak with Don Oakes at Highlands Residential Mortgage, call 423-624-0448 or visit HighlandsMortgage.com.If you are ready to begin searching for a home in Chattanooga, Northwest Georgia, or the surrounding area, contact Blake Watson, a Realtor with Epique Realty at 423-315-1815 or visit AtHomeChattanooga.com. Blake is licensed in Tennessee and Georgia. You can find him on Facebook or LinkedIn as BlakeWatson, Instagram as @rocknrollblake, and YouTube @realestatebyblakeEpique Realty: 888-893-3537.
- Jul 15, 202615 min
4,120 Homes For Sale in Chattanooga: Mid-Year Market Update and What to Expect For the Rest of 2026
We're just over halfway through 2026, so this week, host Blake Watson of Epique Realty breaks down the data from the first half of the year to see where the Chattanooga real estate market really stands, and what to expect for the rest of the year.In this episode, Blake looks at the latest numbers pulled from the Chattanooga MLS, operated by the Greater Chattanooga Realtors, comparing June 2026 to June 2025 and the first half of 2026 to the first half of 2025.Topics covered:Why real estate doesn't behave like the stock market, and what the 2007 to 2010 housing crisis really tells us about long term home values, including how the VW plant announcement helped soften that downturn locallyInventory update: total listings jumped from 3,334 in June 2025 to 4,120 in June 2026, a 23.6 percent increase year over year, the highest inventory level in more than 10 yearsWhat rising inventory means if you are buying: more homes to choose from and more time to decideWhat rising inventory means if you are selling: the importance of pricing your home correctly and presenting it wellMedian sale price update: up from 347,000 dollars in June 2025 to 355,000 dollars in June 2026, a 2.25 percent increase that tracks close to the national inflation rateSales activity: just over 1,000 homes sold in June 2026 versus 978 in June 2025, a 3.6 percent increase. For the first half of the year, sales rose about 5.5 percent, from 5,024 homes in the first half of 2025 to 5,300 in the first half of 2026Why Chattanooga has shifted from a seller's market to a balanced market, and what months of inventory tells us about thatAverage days on market: up slightly from 54 days in June 2025 to 57 days in June 2026Interest rate trends in 2026, including the dip below 6 percent early in the year and the increase tied to the war with Iran, plus rising oil and fertilizer pricesBlake's prediction for the rest of 2026: interest rates holding around 6.5 percent, home sales up roughly 5 percent year over year, and prices remaining steady to slightly higherWhether you are thinking about buying, selling, or just want to understand what is happening in the local market, this episode gives you a clear, data driven look at the Chattanooga real estate market at the midyear mark and where things are headed.Contact Blake WatsonPhone or text: 423-315-1815 Instagram: @rocknrollblakeFacebook and LinkedIn: Blake Watson Website: athomeChattanooga.com Epique Realty office: 888-893-3537 Licensed realtor in Tennessee and Georgia
- Jun 19, 202624 min
An Estate Sale Worthy of A Plane Ticket? Even Better! It's Robins Nest Estate Sales in Chattanooga
In this episode, host Blake Watson of Epique Realty sits down with Robin Leach, owner of Robin's Nest Estate Sales, for a warm and candid conversation about a business that does much more than sell household contents. Robin shares how estate sales help families close one chapter of life while opening a new one for buyers, and why the heart behind the work is what has kept her thriving in Chattanooga for 13 years.What You Will Learn in This EpisodeWhat an estate sale actually is and who it serves:Robin explains that estate sales are not just for families dealing with the loss of a loved one. They also serve people who are downsizing, moving to assisted living, transitioning to a condo, or businesses looking to move inventory. The common thread is helping people close a chapter with dignity and care.How Robin got started:What began as a spontaneous stop between youth soccer games turned into a career that found her. After working for another Chattanooga estate sale company for three years, a friend handed her the keys to her aunt's home and asked her to take care of a sale. That moment gave birth to Robin's Nest Estate Sales 13 years ago.What sellers can expect:Robin and her team go into a home after the family has removed what they want to keep. From there, the team empties every cabinet, drawer, and closet, cleans and polishes furniture, and stages the home like a store so that buyers and the family alike can feel good about how things are presented. Robin's company takes a percentage of the sale and covers all associated costs including advertising, labor, and hauling, so families receive a check without worrying about fees. A separate crew can also empty whatever remains after the sale so the home is ready for its next stage.What shoppers can expect:Robin's Nest typically draws lines of 100 to 400 people at opening. Sales generally run three days with full price on the first day, 30 percent off on the second, and 50 percent off on the third. Robin emphasizes that her team is known for fair pricing, great customer service, and a fun atmosphere where regulars get to know each other. Shoppers who prefer to avoid crowds are welcome to come later in the day.The social media strategy that reaches buyers across the country:Robin works Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok actively, teasing items with live videos ahead of each sale. Her reach has drawn buyers from Mississippi who drove through the night, a shopper who flew in from Pennsylvania, and a bride who postponed a wedding dress fitting in New York City to secure a Lenox canister set.A remarkable story from a recent sale:While working an estate in Ooltewah, Robin discovered she had been corresponding with Debbie McKee Fowler of the McKee Bakery family, makers of Little Debbie snack cakes, without realizing who she was. The moment Robin recognized the signature on a Little Debbie doll in the home moved her entire team to tears.Robin's philosophy on working with families:Robin describes herself as transparent and approachable from the very first phone call. She is honest about what will and will not sell, treats every family's belongings with respect regardless of monetary value, and stays focused on the mission of honoring the lives that were lived in each home.How to Connect with Robin's Nest Estate SalesPhone: 423-443-7029Facebook: Robin's Nest Estate Sales, ChattanoogaInstagram: Robin's Nest Estate Sales, ChattanoogaHow to Connect with Blake WatsonPhone: 423-315-1815Epique Realty Office: 888-893-3537Website: athomechattanooga.comFacebook and LinkedIn: Blake WatsonInstagram: rocknrollblakeThank you for listening to Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate. Until next time, we wish you the best in your real estate journey.
- Jun 2, 202611 min
The 20 Year Story Behind Chattanooga's Housing Market: How Housing Demand Exploded
In this episode, host Blake Watson takes a detailed look back at two decades of growth in the Chattanooga housing market. How did prices get to where they are today? Was this boom sudden, or has it been building for years? Blake walks through the key economic turning points, migration trends, and supply and demand forces that have shaped the market we are living in right now.What you will hear in this episode:How Chattanooga navigated the 2007 and 2008 housing crash better than most markets, and why that matters.The game-changing impact of Volkswagen's decision to build its only US manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, announced in 2008 and operational by 2011.How employment growth throughout the 2010s outpaced national trends, according to research from UTC, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.Why Chattanooga's citywide gig-speed internet, launched in 2010, generated billions in economic impact and put the city on the national map.The structural housing shortage that developed as household growth outpaced housing unit construction throughout the mid-2010s into the early 2020s.How the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of remote work turned Chattanooga into a migration destination, with the metro area growing at more than twice the national population growth rate between 2020 and 2025.Why demand spilled outward into surrounding areas like Catoosa and Walker counties in Georgia and Bradley County in Tennessee as prices rose in Hamilton County.What accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are and how the City of Chattanooga has introduced them as one tool to address the housing shortage.Where the market stands today, with inventory improving, homes taking longer to sell, and the region still on track to surpass 600,000 people by 2026.What all of this means for buyers, sellers, and anyone watching the market from the sidelines.If you have questions about buying, selling, or figuring out your next move in the Chattanooga area, reach out to Blake Watson directly. Blake is a real estate agent in Tennessee and Georgia.Phone: 423-315-1815 Website: athomechattanooga.comFacebook and LinkedIn: Blake Watson Instagram: @rocknrollblake Brokerage: Epique Realty, 888-893-3537If this episode helped you understand what is happening in our market, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
- May 13, 202614 min
Chattanooga’s Real Estate Micro Markets: Where Prices are Rising and Where They are Slipping
In this episode of Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, Blake Watson breaks down the latest Chattanooga MLS data from April 2026 and explains what is really happening in the local housing market this spring.The Chattanooga market is shifting away from the fast-paced seller frenzy of the past few years and moving into a more balanced market. Inventory is rising across much of the region, homes are taking longer to sell, and price growth has slowed to a more normal pace. But despite these changes, the market is not crashing.One of the biggest themes in this episode is that not all of Chattanooga is the same market anymore. Different neighborhoods and zip codes are performing very differently depending on inventory levels, buyer demand, and pricing trends.Blake takes a closer look at several local areas including Hixson, East Brainerd, Southside Chattanooga, Ooltewah, East Ridge, Highland Park, Orchard Knob, Catoosa County, and Walker County. Some areas are still showing strong seller market conditions while others are becoming more favorable for buyers.You will learn:How rising inventory is affecting Chattanooga home pricesWhy some neighborhoods are still seeing strong appreciationWhich areas are shifting toward buyer-friendly conditionsWhat absorption rate and days on market tell us about the marketHow sellers should position their homes in today’s marketWhy buyers may have more negotiating power in certain areasWhy Chattanooga is now a collection of micro markets instead of one single marketWhether you are thinking about buying, selling, investing, or simply staying informed, this episode provides valuable insight into the current state of Chattanooga real estate in Spring 2026.For questions about your neighborhood or your real estate goals, contact Blake Watson with Epique Realty at 423-315-1815, or office 888-893-3537.Visit AtHomeChattanooga.comFollow Blake Watson on Facebook and LinkedIn as Blake Watson, and Instagram @rocknrollblake
- Apr 28, 202617 min
Why Homeowners Insurance Keeps Going Up and What You Can Do About It
Episode Description Homeowners insurance costs have been rising fast, and many homeowners are feeling the pressure. In this episode, Blake Watson breaks down why premiums have increased so dramatically and what homeowners in the Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia area can do to manage and potentially reduce those costs. From understanding rebuild values to avoiding costly coverage mistakes, this episode offers practical strategies to protect your home and your finances.What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why homeowners insurance premiums have increased by nearly 70 percent in recent years How rising construction costs directly impact your insurance rates The role of severe weather and national risk trends in local premiums What reinsurance is and why it affects what you pay How stricter underwriting is changing the way homes are insuredKey Strategies to Save Money Review and shop your insurance policy every year Compare bundled vs separate home and auto policies Evaluate whether raising your deductible makes financial sense Work with your insurance agent to adjust coverage and structureSmart Homeowner Upgrades That May Lower Risk Installing a new or more durable roof Adding monitored security systems Upgrading windows, doors, and electrical systems Improving drainage and storm resilience around your propertyCommon Mistakes to Avoid Letting your policy auto renew without review Switching from replacement cost to actual cash value coverage Underinsuring your home based on market value instead of rebuild cost Overlooking exclusions like sewer backup or flood damageImportant Coverage Insights Replacement cost coverage helps fully restore your home after a loss Actual cash value policies may leave you paying large out of pocket costs Flood insurance may be worth considering even outside high-risk zones Wind and hail deductibles may differ from your standard deductibleLocal Perspective This episode highlights real examples from the Chattanooga area, including storm damage, flooding, and insurance challenges homeowners have faced in recent years.Bottom Line Homeowners insurance is no longer a set it and forget it expense. Active management, regular reviews, and informed decisions are essential to controlling costs and avoiding major financial setbacks.Connect with Blake Watson from Epique Realty Call or text (423) 315-1815 Visit athomechattanooga.com Follow on Facebook and LinkedIn as Blake Watson Instagram: @rocknrollblake Office phone (888) 893-3537Podcast Let’s Talk Chattanooga Real Estate Hosted by Blake Watson, Epique Realty
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About Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate
Listening to this podcast will make you smarter, save you money, help you make more informed decisions about your home, and help you through the home selling or buying process. You’ll be armed with knowledge about the Chattanooga real estate market, and you’ll be able to move forward in any real estate transaction with more confidence.If you own real estate in the Chattanooga Tennessee area, or want to own real estate here, then this podcast is for you.Your host, Blake Watson, is a licensed real estate agent in Tennessee and Georgia with Epique Realty.Blake is also a real estate investor in Chattanooga Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.This podcast is about buying and selling homes in the Chattanooga area. Through expert interviews and real-life experience, we’ll be covering all the details you need to find and purchase your next home, resources and tips for your home maintenance and home improvements, and best practices, tips and advice for selling your home. We’ll keep you infor
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