If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
If you're looking to buy a home in Tennessee, your goal should be to lock in one of the best mortgage rates. Applying with a variety of mortgage lenders will help you determine what rates you might qualify for, since each lender has its own requirements. Doing so within a short period of time will help you avoid a hit to your credit score during that process. Ready to get started?
Home to a number of thriving cities, Tennessee is a great place to call home. Here are some lower-cost areas to focus your home search.
Just 40 minutes from Nashville, Murfreesboro is known for its parks, greenways, and music and arts scene. It's also home to great shopping and museums. The median home value in Murfreesboro is $238,000, according to Niche. That’s a bit below the median home value for all of Tennessee -- $277,805, according to Zillow. Also of note, Tax-rates.org lists the average property tax rate in Rutherford County at 0.74% of a home's assessed value. That's just above Tennessee's average property tax rate -- 0.68%.
When you think of Nashville, it's easy to conjure images of bands, music festivals, and more bars and restaurants than you can count. Nashville is perpetually hopping, and tourism is a large driver of the city's economy. The median home value in Nashville is $239,000, while the average property tax rate in Davidson County is 0.96% of a home's assessed value. That's a bit high on a statewide level, but it buys you proximity to great food, culture, and entertainment.
About an hour northwest of Nashville, Clarksville is known for its impressive network of parks, and it attracts families as well as young professionals. The median home value in Clarksville is $154,300, while the average property tax rate in Montgomery County is 0.86% of a home's assessed value.
About an hour south of the Kentucky border, Knoxville is also about an hour from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And, it's home to the University of Tennessee, known for its athletics. The median home value in Knoxville is $136,300, while the average property tax rate in Knox County is 0.72%.
Minutes from the Georgia border, Chattanooga is known for its riverwalk and attractions -- most notably, the Chattanooga Zoo. The median home value in Chattanooga is $167,500, while the average property tax rate in Hamilton County is 0.86% of a home's assessed value.
The more appealing a mortgage candidate you are, the greater your chances of snagging a great rate. Before applying, make sure your credit score is strong, and work on paying off any existing debt to lower your debt-to-income ratio. Also, have proof of steady income that supports the mortgage you're looking for. These steps will help you lock in a mortgage rate that makes your Tennessee home more affordable in the long run.
If you want to uncover more about the best mortgage lenders for low rates and fees, our experts have created a shortlist of the top mortgage companies. Some of our experts have even used these lenders themselves to cut their costs.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.