Hamilton County recorded more than $4.18 billion in property sales during 2025, along with more than $5.09 billion in mortgage loan value, according to the annual Sales & Mortgages Report from the Hamilton County Register of Deeds.
Total conveyance value generated $15.4 million in conveyance tax collected for the state on recorded property sales. Mortgage activity also remained strong, with recorded loan values totaling $5 billion and producing $5.7 million in mortgage tax revenue.
The Register of Deeds office recorded 54,918 documents during the year. Those filings included 14,210 deeds and 14,180 deeds of trust, reflecting sustained activity in both property transfers and financing. The remaining documents included releases, warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, assignments, judgments and notices, with document types recorded fewer than 100 times grouped under miscellaneous filings.
Several large transactions highlighted real estate activity in 2025. The largest sale recorded during the year was a $37.8 million transaction at 6153 Claude Ramsey Parkway in Chattanooga. Other major transactions included a $30.25 million sale tied to Parcel 131 099.08, a $28.75 million transaction at 4513 Access Road North in Chattanooga and a $26.1 million sale at 5555 Hixson Pike in Hixson.
Additional high-value sales were recorded throughout the county, including properties on Riverport Road in Chattanooga and Northpoint Boulevard in Hixson. The top 10 transactions ranged in value from $13.3 million to $37.8 million, reflecting a mix of commercial and industrial properties across multiple locations.
Downtown retail partnership announced
River City Company has announced a strategic partnership with Retail Strategies aimed at attracting new retail and restaurant businesses to Downtown Chattanooga.
Under the partnership, Retail Strategies will support River City Company’s retail economic development efforts by providing market analysis, real estate evaluation and targeted retail recruitment to help fill gaps in the downtown market and strengthen the city’s retail and dining offerings.
“Downtown Chattanooga has tremendous momentum, with distinctive districts that each offer their own unique blend of businesses, retail and restaurant experiences,” says Lacy Beasley, president of Retail Strategies.
Sarah Mattson, senior director of economic development at River City Company, says the partnership will allow the organization to more strategically recruit retailers and restaurants that complement downtown’s unique character and support a vibrant, inclusive city center.
Retail Strategies will conduct market research and retail gap analyses, evaluate priority commercial properties and engage in proactive outreach to national and regional retailers and restaurateurs while representing Downtown Chattanooga at industry conferences.
Signal Mountain takes over arts center
The Town of Signal Mountain has formally assumed operational responsibility for the Mountain Arts Community Center as of Jan. 1, marking a new chapter for the arts-focused facility housed in the former Signal Mountain Elementary School.
According to the announcement, the transition follows a mutual agreement between the town and the Signal Mountain Elementary Preservation Fund to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding and Lease Agreement that previously placed responsibility for MACC programming and preservation with the nonprofit organization.
During a recent meeting, the Signal Mountain Town Council adopted a proclamation honoring Dick and Cheryl Graham for their leadership and stewardship of the MACC from July 2021 through December 2025. The Grahams served as co-directors during a period that included expanded arts programming and continued rehabilitation of the historic building.
In recognition of their contributions, the Town also named the MACC theater in their honor. At Dick Graham’s suggestion, the space will be known as “The Ridge Theater.”
“I’m thankful to the Grahams, the SMEPF board and all the donors and volunteers who supported and enabled the mission to restore and rehabilitate the old Signal Mountain Elementary School,” Vice Mayor Clay Crumbliss said. “Countless people will benefit from the Grahams’ untold sacrifices and hard work to make the MACC so special. The MACC is the crown jewel of our community, and the foundation they’ve laid will endure as we strive to build upon it into the future.”
The Town Council also recognized longtime Signal Mountain residents Art and Anne Hagood for their extensive volunteer service at the MACC, particularly their work maintaining the outdoor gardens and grounds. In their honor, the Town named the outdoor courtyard the “Hagood Community Courtyard.”
Mayor Elizabeth Baker praised the couple’s sustained commitment to the center and its surroundings.
“Anne and Art have been consistent stalwarts of the MACC,” she said. “They’ve brought their deep knowledge of gardening and their passion for the natural environment to make the MACC grounds beautiful in a sustainable and responsible manner. For their immense generosity, dependability and humility, the people of Signal Mountain are grateful.”
Looking ahead, Town Manager Matthew Justice said the Signal Mountain is prepared to build on the foundation established under previous leadership.
“We plan to maintain and build upon the arts-centric foundation while expanding programming and services that appeal to an even broader range of patrons.”
As part of that long-term vision, the Signal Mountain recently hired Chelsea Ryden as its community development director, a newly created position. Ryden, a Signal Mountain resident, will oversee the MACC and the new MACC manager role. Her responsibilities also include planning and coordinating a wide range of community-focused initiatives, including communications, community engagement, economic development, town branding and oversight of community programs and facilities.
Town officials said the changes position the Mountain Arts Community Center for continued growth as a cultural and community hub on Signal Mountain.
CFD issues warning for scald burns
Officials with the Chattanooga Fire Department are urging families to keep children away from stoves and hot liquids after a scalding incident in Chattanooga this week left two young children with serious burns. The children were injured when a pot of boiling water was accidentally pulled from a stove and are receiving treatment at a burn center.
Fire officials said scald burns are the leading cause of burn injuries in children younger than 4, with thousands of young children burned each year by hot liquids. Because children’s skin is thinner than adults’, scald burns can cause more severe injuries and, in some cases, can be life-threatening.
According to the department, these injuries most often occur at home when a child knocks over a hot drink, pulls on a tablecloth or placemat, grabs a pot handle or is splashed by hot liquid carried by an adult.
The Chattanooga Fire Department recommends several safety steps, including keeping hot liquids out of children’s reach, using back burners and turning pot handles inward, avoiding placemats and tablecloths and never leaving children unattended in the kitchen.
Officials also advise against holding children while handling hot food or drinks and encourage the use of travel mugs with tight-fitting lids.