In general, residential real estate is a good investment. I've owned a house (or two) since 1978. Yes, I am old.
But there are a lot of people who think, and for good reason, that housing prices are in a classic bubble right now. The Fed pushing interest rates low and flooding the economy with money has raised housing prices artificially. when you can finance at 5%, prices tend to go up. Funny how that works
Now, as a practical matter, in Tennessee and talking about the level of $$$ you are looking at, it is hard to see how you could lose. And yes, as another poster said, owning is cool - the place is yours and you can do what you want with it.
If I were you, I'd prolly go for it !!!