16 Feb The Nation Is Searching Our Region for A New Place to Live
New Residential Development Is Another Reason to Make It Unicoi County
Northeast Tennessee continues to be a hot spot for families in search of a better place to live. The latest Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com’s Emerging Housing Markets Index that has just been released proves it. For the first time, both Tri-Cities metro areas are ranked in the nation’s Top 10!
A deeper dive into Realtor.com’s data on searches made across America for a new place to live offers insights on where new residents might be coming from. The map below of listed markets who are searching for a home in the Johnson City area shows that the Chicago, New York, and Indianapolis markets are the most active in home searches, followed by Washington DC/Northern Virginia and Atlanta area to complete the top 5.
Realtor.com data points to regions searching for homes in the area.
While searches within our region are at an all-time high, home builders are busy at Fishery Village, Unicoi County’s first residential development in decades. Developer and home builder Kelly Wolfe is optimistic.
Fishery Village is buzzing with new home construction activity with available lots for more.
“I have seven new homes under construction and other home builders have a dozen underway,” says Wolfe. “Erwin and Unicoi County has a lot of potential in capturing its fair share of those moving to the region. Even our employees and subcontractors have commented on how beautiful the setting is as we work to complete the new homes. The mountains and natural beauty of what some call ‘The Valley Beautiful’ is incredible.”
Some Fishery Village homes are nearing completion.
Homes within Fishery Village range from 1,500 to 2,200 square feet at prices ranging from $399,000 to $450,000. Many of the new homes offer one-level living. “We’ve seen interest from locals who are wanting to downsize and eliminate stairs in a brand-new home,” Wolfe explains. “The Town of Erwin and Erwin Utilities have been super proactive and helpful with this project, knowing full well that success here will lead to future growth and development.”
Most homes within the village should be completed by summer 2023.
Wolfe Development and Orth Homes are the two companies actively engaged in a rush to finish homes in the village ahead of the influx of new homeowners in Unicoi County.
According to Don Fenley, a regional data analyst, the region is welcoming about 34 new residents per day. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1,564 single-family building permits were pulled last year in the region, up by 66 permits over the previous year.
As for more new developments in Unicoi County, Wolfe had this to say. “If the right property came on the market, we would be interested. We like what we are seeing and where Erwin is going, so yes, it can happen.”
