At the end of 2025, the Smoky Mountain short-term rental (STR) market continued to show resilience, balance, and long-term investment potential. The December 2025 STR sales tracker provides valuable insight into pricing trends, supply and demand dynamics, and inventory levels that matter to investors. Here’s what the data reveals about STR sales in the Smokies:
Average Sold Price by Bed Count and City
One of the clearest trends for December 2025 is the strong relationship between bedroom count and sale price across Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. 1-bedroom STRs sold in the $420,000-$460,000 range across all three cities, making them an accessible entry point for new investors. As bedroom counts increase, prices rise steadily. 5-bedroom units show a noticeable jump in value, with Sevierville properties selling just over $1.5 million and Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge trailing behind. Gatlinburg leads with average sold prices in the 6+ bedroom category, at over $1.7 million. This STR sales data confirms that large-capacity units remain premium assets in the Smoky Mountain market.
Supply and Demand Effects on Sale Price
The December 2025 STR sales tracker highlights how pricing responded to supply and demand throughout the year. Supply steadily increased from January through the summer, peaking around mid-year, before tapering off toward December. At the same time, demand remained relatively lower early in the year, gradually strengthening in the fall. As the gap between supply and demand widened (especially around February and August), average sold prices declined, reinforcing the inverse relationship between inventory levels and pricing power. However, by December, demand showed a noticeable uptick while supply declined, contributing to an increase in the average sold price to $872,597. This late-year shift reflects renewed buyer activity and a more balanced market heading into 2026.
Average List and Sold Price
Pricing data in the December 2025 STR sales tracker indicates a healthy and realistic market. The average list price for STR properties this month was $903,572, while the average sold price came in at $872,597. This results in a sold-to-list ratio of 96.3%, signaling that sellers are pricing competitively and buyers are willing to meet market value. Throughout the year, list and sold prices closely tracked one another, with predictable seasonal dips during slower months and rebounds in the fall. December’s pricing rebound suggests confidence among buyers, particularly those closing before year-end for strategic or tax-related reasons.
STR Inventory
Inventory trends further reinforce this balanced market narrative. Active listings climbed from just over 1,100 at the start of the year to a peak near 1,600 during the summer before declining to 1,364 active listings in December. New listings steadily decreased throughout most of the year, while sold listings stayed relatively flat before rising toward the year’s end. This indicates consistent absorption. In December 2025, 129 STR properties were sold, with 235 pending, signaling continued momentum moving into the new year. Meanwhile, 764 active listings remain available, providing buyers with options without tipping the market into oversupply.
Quick Stats for December 2025 STR Sales
- Absorption Rate: 9.1 months
- Average Sold Price: $872,597
- Average List Price: $903,572
- Sold-to-List Ratio: 96.3%
- Average Price Per Square Foot: $373.80
- Average List Price Per Square Foot: $388.98
- Sold Units: 129
- Pending Units: 235
- Active Units: 764
Invest in Smoky Mountain Short-Term Rentals
The December 2025 STR sales tracker confirms that Smoky Mountain short-term rentals remain a solid investment opportunity. Strong pricing for larger cabins, improving demand, and a healthy sold-to-list ratio all signal market confidence. Whether you’re seeking your first STR investment property or expanding your portfolio, understanding these trends will help you invest strategically. With demand rebounding and inventory leveling out, the Smokies continue to offer an attractive short-term rental market as we head into 2026.
Are you ready to invest in Smoky Mountain real estate? Check out our current Smoky Mountain properties for sale to find the right opportunity for your next investment.
