MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - Homeowners in Rutherford County are seeing their property values hold strong as the local housing market shows continued resilience. A new report from the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University reveals that Tennessee’s housing market stayed stable during the first quarter of 2026. While home prices kept up their steady climb, researchers noticed that housing permit activity actually slowed down across the board compared to the previous quarter.

MTSU Business and Economic Research Center Director Murat Arik says both the housing and labor markets showed general stability despite signs of a modest slowdown in a few areas. Local buyers and sellers felt that stability firsthand, as the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area—which includes Murfreesboro and the rest of Rutherford County—posted a solid quarterly price increase of one-point-one percent.

Statewide, home prices grew by point-eight-two percent over the quarter, beating out the national average of point-seven percent. Clarksville saw the biggest quarterly jump at three-point-six percent, while Memphis experienced the largest drop with prices falling half a percent. On a year-over-year basis, Tennessee home prices jumped three-point-three percent, proving that local real estate remains a steady investment for families in Middle Tennessee.