, brokered by Real Broker

Moving to East Tennessee

Pick the right town before you pick the house.

I spent years researching and visiting before we moved here from California. I'll show you what I wish someone had shown us, then help you buy with confidence from wherever you are now.

Book your Fit Conversation

Our own move

We have absolutely no regrets.

We owned a farmhouse in California, and I had no intention of moving. Then family started moving to the Tri-Cities, and we started visiting.

We ruled places out the way you will: the Knoxville area was getting expensive and busy for us, Johnson City felt too big to me, and we zeroed in on Kingsport. We bought our Tennessee home in 2023, sold our California home in its first week on the market, and moved in June 2025.

The hardest part was leaving friends. With almost all of our family here now, and new friends made, it got easier.

  • “It's a much slower pace of life, and we have absolutely no regrets.”
  • “We have never felt so welcomed and so appreciated in an area as we have here.”

How we work

The No-Regrets Move

Most agents show you houses. We show you the towns and the trade-offs first, so the house fits your life.

  1. The Fit Conversation

    Why you're moving, what kind of home you want, town or country. Each answer shapes the next question.

  2. The Trade-Off Map

    Weather and humidity, traffic, airports, four seasons, country versus city. The things nobody can see from far away.

  3. Area guides

    Information on the towns that match the features on your list, so you can compare them before you visit.

  4. The Vibe Drive

    When you visit, we drive the towns on your shortlist, not just the streets with listings.

  5. The home search

    We set up your search, find the right home, and watch every deadline from offer to keys.

The Trade-Off Map

What's hard to see from far away

These are the questions we walk through before you ever tour a home.

  • Weather and seasons

    Closer to the Appalachian mountains you get true four seasons, and in our experience less humidity than Middle Tennessee near Nashville.

  • Traffic and pace

    Interstate 26 connects Erwin, Johnson City, Gray and Kingsport, and traffic is light by big-city standards. We'll map the real drive for any home you consider.

  • Getting in and out

    Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) sits between Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol. Larger airports in Knoxville and Asheville are within driving distance.

  • Town or country

    Historic downtowns, newer subdivisions, lake homes and acreage are all here. We help you decide which daily life you want.

  • Water and flood history

    Hurricane Helene flooded parts of Erwin and the Nolichucky River valley in 2024. We review flood zones, insurance quotes and past damage on every home near water.

  • Taxes

    Tennessee does not tax wages and relies more on sales tax (Tax Foundation). Property taxes vary by county and city, so we pull the exact figure for any home you consider. For your own situation, talk with your CPA.

Buying from out of state

From offer letter to keys

  1. Check your relocation package

    If an employer is moving you, ask what it covers. Some packages have rules about which agents you can use, so check before signing with anyone.

  2. Get pre-approved

    We'll connect you with local lenders. If you served, ask your lender whether a VA loan fits your situation.

  3. Plan around your start date

    Start dates can shift. We build your contract timeline with that in mind.

  4. Shop remotely

    Live video tours, commute test drives and neighborhood notes help you shortlist homes before you fly in.

  5. The Vibe Drive

    When you visit, we drive the towns on your shortlist so you feel the difference for yourself.

  6. Close from anywhere

    Many closings can be handled electronically or by mail, so you don't have to fly back.

Questions we hear

Moving to the Tri-Cities: common questions

Does Tennessee have a state income tax?

Tennessee does not tax wages. It relies more on sales tax, with a 7% state rate plus local tax (Tax Foundation). For your own situation, talk with your CPA.

Can I buy a home in Tennessee before I move?

Yes. With live video tours, remote document signing and a local agent, many buyers choose a home before they arrive and close without an extra trip.

How do I choose between Johnson City, Kingsport and Jonesborough?

Start with how you want to live day to day: your commute, the kind of home and lot you want, and whether you want town or country. We map the trade-offs, then drive the towns on your shortlist with you.

What airport serves the Tri-Cities?

Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) sits between Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol. Knoxville and Asheville airports are also within driving distance.

My only regret is we didn't do it sooner.

When I asked people who had moved here if they had any regrets, that's what almost every one of them said. Let's find out what your move looks like.

Book your Fit Conversation Call or text 423-218-2110