December closed the year on a steady note. The latest report from the 
shows another month of gradual improvement in existing-home sales nationwide, the third increase in a row. Locally, more homes came to market and buyers kept moving, which created a setting where shoppers had a bit more to consider and sellers still met qualified interest without the rush of earlier years.
U.S. existing home sales ticked up 0.5% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million, marking the third consecutive monthly increase, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). However, sales were down 1.0% from the same period last year. Regionally, sales rose month-over-month in the Northeast and South, were unchanged in the West, and declined in the Midwest. On a year-over-year basis, sales were flat in the Northeast and South and fell in both the Midwest and West.
New Listings in the Chattanooga region increased 11.6 percent to 882. Pending Sales increased 4.1 percent to 629. Inventory increased 21.7 percent to 3,198.
Median Sales Price increased 7.2 percent from $335,000 to $359,000. Days on Market increased 16.0 percent to 58. Months Supply of Inventory increased 23.3 percent to 3.7.
The national median existing-home price continued to climb, rising 1.2% from a year ago to $409,200, according to NAR. This year-over-year increase—the 29th consecutive monthly gain—reflects ongoing tightness in housing supply. At the end of November, there were 1.43 million units for sale, down 5.9% from the previous month but up 7.5% from the same time last year, representing a 4.2-month supply at the current sales pace.
As we continue into 2026, a clear plan matters. Buyers can watch for new listings and move forward when a home fits both needs and budget. Sellers can prepare well and price with recent activity in mind, so showings translate into strong offers. If you would like help interpreting what these trends mean for your neighborhood, connect with a local Realtor who knows the Chattanooga area #That'sWhoWeR
Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® is The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with nearly 3,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,200 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors service Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee, and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net or call 423.698.8001