Chattanooga continues to transform as a tech city in the Southeast.  In mid-November, it was selected as a G20 smart city alliance city. To quote the press release this will help "kickstart adoption of the roadmap, the alliance has recruited a group of 36 “pioneer cities” that will collaborate with global experts to enhance their city policies, in areas ranging from privacy protection and cyber security to better services for disabled people and better broadband coverage."

Chattanooga has evolved tremendously over the past 2 decades since becoming the first gig city in America.

How do you think this will benefit the job market and real estate market for Chattanooga and the surrounding areas? 

Population growth should continue in Chattanooga year over year!

It seems to me like the city is really trying to revitalize and investors are making the most of it. It's a great spot to be right now and hopefully ride the wave up.

This is a big topic with one of the small groups I meet with weekly.  There is definitely a lot of chatter on this city.  I think the real estate market will along with the population growth will see a steady increase over the next 5-10 years. 

If there's more population growth in Chattanooga that means more demand for housing, and the demand is very high now. Houses from the 1950s-60s that I would reasonably price at $150k are going for $200k+. These SFHs go fast, too, so as a newer investor, I think I need to be looking for distressed properties.