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- What Credit Score Is REALLY Needed To Buy A Home? 🤔
What Credit Score Is REALLY Needed To Buy A Home? 🤔
Giving you an update about what is happening around Putnam County, new listings, and price drops! 🏡
Heather Skender-Newton
November 09, 2026
Meet Corey, our passionate and knowledgeable in-house mortgage officer. He’s here for all of your mortgage questions!
If you are thinking about buying a home in Cookeville, the Upper Cumberland, or East Tennessee, you may be wondering: What credit score do I need to buy a house?
The answer may be different than you think.
Many potential homebuyers assume they need excellent credit before they can qualify for a mortgage. But credit scoring and mortgage requirements are changing, and some buyers may be closer to homeownership than they realize.
Here are three important things homebuyers should know about credit scores in 2026.
Are you in search of a property in Middle or East Tennessee with over 5 acres of land or a budget of under $400k? Look no further! We have meticulously curated lists that are updated daily, making the process of finding your dream home even easier.
UNRESTRICTED LAND | HOMES WITH OVER 5 ACRES |
HOMES UNDER $400k | HOMES UNDER $650K |
🏡 The Market Has Entered Its "Let's Be Reasonable" Era
More homes, more choices, and a little more negotiating power? Tennessee, we're listening! 👀
The housing market is changing, and for once, buyers might actually have time to think before making an offer!
🏠 More Homes, Less Competition: Tennessee had approximately 37,500 homes for sale in October, up 10.2% from last year. Buyers have more options, and sellers have a little more competition.
💰 Home Prices Are Taking a Chill Pill: The statewide median asking price was around $425,000 in October, down 1% from a year ago. No dramatic plot twist here, just a market finding its balance.
⏰ Homes Aren't Flying Off the Shelves: The typical Tennessee listing spent about 69 days on the market in October. That's a reminder to sellers that the right price and a great first impression matter!
📍 East Tennessee Has Its Own Story: While national headlines talk about a slower market, East Tennessee saw stronger home sales in September compared with last year. Proof that real estate is local, and one headline doesn't tell the whole story!
💡 Our Two Cents: Whether you're buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on your home's value, the market isn't on pause. It's simply playing by a different set of rules.
And knowing those rules? That's where we come in. 😉
The Home Value Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you have been thinking about selling your home, one of the first questions you probably have is simple:
How much is my house worth?
Knowing your home's estimated value can help you decide whether now is the right time to sell, how much equity you may have, and what your next move could look like.
With our free home value tool at HighlandsMarketPrices.com, you can get an estimated value for your property and start exploring what your home could potentially sell for in today’s real estate market.
