Episodes

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 th...

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 ...

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 Episode What an estate sale actually is and who i...

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,...

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...

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...

Selling Your House for Cash or Retail: What Every Chattanooga Homeowner Should Know If you have owned a home in the Chattanooga area for any length of time, chances are you have received a postcard or letter promising a fast cash offer with no repairs and no hassle. But what does that actually mean, and is it the right move for you? In this episode, Blake Watson with Epique Realty breaks down the three main ways you can sell your home and helps you understand the real differences between them ...

In this episode, Blake Watson breaks down what really happens when you inherit real estate, with a focus on Tennessee and Georgia. Whether you are dealing with the process right now or just want to be prepared, this episode walks you through the legal, financial, and practical steps involved. Topics Covered: What probate is and why it matters for inherited property Probate is the court-supervised process that validates a will, confirms a death, and formally transfers ownership of real estate to...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, host Blake Watson breaks down the latest Chattanooga MLS data to explain where the local housing market has been and where it may be headed in 2026. Looking back at 2025 and comparing historical trends, Blake walks through inventory levels, days on market, sales activity, home prices, and mortgage interest rates. He also shares realistic expectations for buyers, sellers, and homeowners as the market continues to shift toward a more balanced ...

As we head into 2026, many homeowners are asking the same question: Which home improvements actually pay off? In this episode of Let’s Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, host Blake Watson breaks down the home upgrades that deliver the highest return on investment, based on the latest cost versus value data and real-world trends in the Chattanooga and North Georgia market. From curb appeal and kitchens to energy efficiency and long-term strategy, this episode helps homeowners avoid overspending on pr...

Discover why Chattanooga has become one of America's top cities to move to in 2025. Host Blake Watson breaks down the latest migration data and explains who's moving to Chattanooga, where they're coming from, and what this means for the local real estate market. This episode analyzes current 2024-2025 data from the PODS Moving Trends Report and county-level migration estimates to reveal the forces driving Chattanooga's continued growth. Key Topics Covered Chattanooga's Rising National Profile ...

In this episode, Blake Watson breaks down the latest MLS market data for Chattanooga Tennessee from November 2025 and compares it with November 2024. Inventory is rising, sales are shifting, and different neighborhoods are performing very differently. Whether you are buying, selling, or planning for 2026, this is an episode you will want to hear. Key Market Highlights: MLS-Wide Overview Inventory up 21 percent, reaching the highest level since 2016 Closed sales down 19 percent (785 to 636) M...

Feeling like you’ve missed your chance to buy your first home? You’re not alone—and you’re not behind. In this episode, Blake Watson of Epique Realty breaks down the real reasons why so many people in their 30s and 40s are still renting in the Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia area, and what you can do to take your first step into homeownership. He talks about how rising prices, debt burdens, and outdated beliefs about down payments are creating roadblocks for first-time buyers, and how to over...

In this episode of Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, host Blake Watson is joined by Nate Thomasson, an Energy Pro from EPB, to talk about a smart, simple way for local homeowners to lower their energy bills. Nate breaks down how EPB’s free Home Energy Checkup works, what the visit includes, and how it can lead to long-term savings. You’ll also learn about the limited-time energy savings kit available for customers who complete a checkup, and how EPB is making it even easier to identify energy...

In this episode of Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, host Blake Watson sits down with Andy Woodman, Director of Mortgage Lending, and Cynthia Blackwell, Mortgage Marketing Specialist from Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU), to explore unique lending opportunities available in the Chattanooga and North Georgia region. From land loans and construction to perm financing, to low down payment mortgage options and creative pathways to credit union membership, Andy and Cynthia break down ...

Selling your home? This episode is packed with practical insights that can help you present your house in the best light and make it attractive to buyers. Blake Watson sits down with Emily Wattenbarger of Epique Realty to talk about the often overlooked—but critically important—role of home staging in the selling process. As both a real estate professional and experienced stager, Emily shares expert advice on how to make any property feel more welcoming, valuable, and market-ready. In this epi...

Is now a good time to buy a home in Chattanooga, or should you wait until spring? In this episode, Blake Watson breaks down why October might be one of the most overlooked, yet strategic, months to make your move. You’ll learn: What current home prices and trends tell us How much competition buyers are really facing this fall Where mortgage rates are headed and how they affect affordability What inventory looks like across Chattanooga How down payment assistance programs could make buying ...

Chattanooga’s real estate market has officially entered a new era. In this episode, Blake Watson of Epique Realty breaks down the biggest shift we’ve seen in nearly a decade: a dramatic increase in housing inventory, rising days on market, and cooling prices. Whether you're buying your first home or preparing to sell, this episode explains why the old rules no longer apply—and what you need to do to win in this balanced (and possibly tipping) market. This episode covers: Why inventory has jum...

Selling a home can feel overwhelming, but with the right plan, it becomes a clear and manageable process. In this episode of Let's Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, Realtor Blake Watson walks you through the first four essential steps every homeowner should take to successfully sell their home. You will learn how to decide when and why to sell, prepare your house to impress buyers, set the right price, and market your home effectively. These strategies will not only help you avoid costly mistakes b...

Chattanooga’s housing market is shifting. Nearly half the homes in the city are now rentals, with many owned by investors and out-of-state landlords. In this episode, we unpack the data behind rising absentee ownership, what it means for local buyers and renters, and how the trend compares across Hamilton, Walker, and Catoosa Counties. Whether you're buying, renting, or investing, here’s what you need to know about who really owns Chattanooga. Blake Watson, of Epique Realty, is the show host. B...

Welcome to Let’s Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, hosted by Blake Watson with Epique Realty. In this episode, Blake covers the biggest myths surrounding buying your first home—and reveals what’s actually true in today’s real estate market across Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia. This episode is packed with essential advice and practical tips for first-time homebuyers in 2025. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the 20 percent down payment myth is outdated. You’ll discover how loan options tod...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, host Blake Watson demystifies the often misunderstood topic of flood zones and flood insurance. From FEMA flood maps to elevation certificates and building restrictions, Blake breaks down what homebuyers, sellers, and builders need to know when dealing with properties in flood-prone areas across Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia. He also shares local flood history, how infrastructure like the Brainerd Levee came to be, and how smarter develo...

Did you know the average homeowner is 43 times wealthier than the average renter? In this episode of Let’s Talk Chattanooga Real Estate, host Blake Watson of Epique Realty explains the surprising and powerful link between homeownership and wealth creation. Discover why homeowners significantly outpace renters financially, how Chattanooga's growing real estate market is creating tremendous equity gains, and whether buying or renting makes sense for you today. Beyond the dollars, Blake explores th...

Host: Blake Watson, Epique Realty Episode Focus: Exploring the top reasons why people across the country are relocating to Chattanooga, TN Episode Summary: Thinking of making a move? In this episode, Blake Watson breaks down why Chattanooga, Tennessee is quickly becoming one of the Southeast’s most desirable places to live. From unbeatable natural beauty to affordable living and a growing tech scene, Chattanooga offers a compelling blend of lifestyle, opportunity, and connection. Whether you'...