Spring is in full swing in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and the GreyBeard Realty team is back with insights on what has been happening in the real estate market in 2026 for the first few months of the year. Numbers through March reveal a continuation of a theme that was a large part of the narrative of 2025: A shift from a [...]
Previous month’s trends have shown the Western North Carolina real estate market is experiencing a cooling phase, and Q3 of 2025 is a continuation of that pattern with our once tight seller’s market shifting to a more balanced market – now in favor of a buyer’s market. The one data anomaly is a sharp increase in pending sales. While the 64% [...]
In January’s outlook, we suggested that trends were pointing towards a more balanced market with flatter prices. This shift in market trends isn’t a direct result of Helene’s impact–contrary to what might be assumed. Even as of July 2024, before the hurricane, we were noticing indications of a more balanced market as supply was on the [...]
For those who have been spending the winter months pondering listing their Asheville homes for sale, it is not uncommon to list in spring, just before what some have termed the "summer selling season." For Asheville, the spring and summer months are a popular time to sell due to the warmer temperatures. However, Asheville's tourist economy also tends to center around the summer months, making it the perfect season to get more eyes on your home as folks visit the area from out of town.
If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need a plan that goes beyond listing it on the market. Staging your home can turn it from "just another house" to a "must-have property," especially in the Asheville real estate market.
In this post, we’ll explore why home staging is a game-changer for sellers in Asheville, NC. We'll break down the fundamentals and offer tips for specific rooms in your house, giving you the tools you need to make a lasting impression on potential buyers.
Staging a home can significantly impact its market performance. In Asheville, where the real estate market is vibrant yet competitive, staged homes can often sell faster and for higher prices. Buyers in this scenic city have high expectations, and a well-staged home can meet or even exceed those expectations.
While it is not the most common form of buying real estate in our area, our Asheville realtors at GreyBeard Realty can often recount sales in which the buyer purchased a home without setting foot on the property. This reality can make putting your "best foot forward" with staging even more important.
Studies consistently show that staged homes sell for more than non-staged homes. In Asheville, where properties often feature diverse architectural styles and stunning views, staging can showcase these elements to their fullest potential.
The time a home spends on the market can significantly affect its final selling price. Homes that linger tend to attract lower offers. Proper staging can create a sense of urgency, making buyers more likely to submit strong offers quickly.
With its eclectic mix of historic and modern homes, Asheville's real estate market is diverse. Staging helps your home stand out by highlighting its best features, ensuring it appeals to a wide range of buyers no matter how they are viewing the home -- whether by video tour or in person.
One of the first steps in staging is to declutter. Remove personal items, excess furniture, and anything that doesn't contribute to a clean, cohesive look. Depersonalizing the space allows potential buyers to envision themselves living there rather than feeling like they're intruding into someone else's home.
First impressions matter. Make sure the exterior of your home is inviting and well-maintained. Simple fixes like a fresh coat of paint, trimmed bushes, and a new welcome mat can make a huge difference.
Use natural light to your advantage by opening curtains and blinds. Arrange furniture to create a sense of spaciousness. Neutral colors are universally appealing and can make rooms feel larger and more inviting.
In the living room, arrange furniture to create a cozy yet open space that encourages conversation. Use area rugs to define spaces and add warmth. Fresh flowers or plants can bring life to the room.
Kitchens and BathroomsThese are key areas that buyers scrutinize. They are also the areas that have likely undergone higher value updates if they have been renovated. Keep countertops clear and store away small appliances. In the bathroom, new towels, a clean shower curtain, and a few select decorative items can create a spa-like feel.
Create a serene, inviting atmosphere in the bedrooms. Use neutral bedding and minimal decor. Ensure closets are tidy and not overstuffed, as ample storage space is a big selling point.
Professional stagers have the expertise to highlight your home's strengths and appeal to potential buyers. They can provide furniture, accessories, and a fresh perspective that you might not achieve on your own. In Asheville, professional stagers are familiar with local buyer preferences and can tailor their services accordingly.
If hiring a professional isn't in your budget, you can still stage your home effectively. Use what you have creatively. Rearrange furniture to improve flow, and use inexpensive items like throw pillows and mirrors to enhance the space. Decluttering costs nothing but has a massive impact.
Staging is a crucial step in the home-selling process, especially in a competitive market like Asheville. By following these tips and understanding the local market, you can enhance your property’s appeal and maximize its value.
Ready to elevate your home selling game and achieve the best possible outcome? Reach out to the dedicated and experienced agents at GreyBeard Realty, who are ready to provide you with expert tips, personalized advice, and strategies tailored specifically to your unique situation. With our extensive knowledge of the local market and a commitment to your success, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate—contact us today to start your journey toward a successful Asheville sale!
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The question that has been reverberating across our brokerage walls and in GreyBeard agents’ conversations with friends and clients over the past few months is one you might have yourself – how has Hurricane Helene impacted the Asheville and Western NC real estate market? While the full answer will take [...]
If you've spent any amount of time considering listing your Black Mountain home for sale, it is not uncommon for sellers to feel the process is daunting at first. Should you renovate your home before selling? What kind of prep work is required? With all the other homes on the market, how do you ensure yours stands out online and offline? [...]
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The Greater Asheville area is no stranger to a real estate market influenced by a chronically low inventory of homes for sale. In the past few years, low inventory, combined with the area's growing demand, merged with even greater demand over the pandemic years. During these years, people sought to [...]
As the summer months heat up, the typical seasonal increases in inventory have occurred in the Greater Asheville Area real estate market. However, supply is still low. Second-quarter real estate numbers have largely mimicked the previous quarter in a home sales landscape of persistently high-interest rates, questions about the economy, and fewer homeowners looking to sell.
Buncombe County
The Buncombe County market has seen a 23% decrease in home sales year to date compared to 2022. Inventories remain low. As of this update, there are only 650 homes for sale in Buncombe County, less than the already low 662 homes that were available in 2022. The cause of the inventory difference is a decrease in new listings. We speculate that homeowners are (still) reluctant to list their homes and give up the lower mortgage rates they currently enjoy. Average and median sales prices have remained slightly above 2022 in correlation to the low inventory. In June, the average sale price was around $595,000.
View our Asheville and Black Mountain homes for sale.
McDowell County
McDowell County trends mirror Buncombe County except for the average sales price which is down 15% year to date, compared to 2022. The average price in June was $337,000. Median prices are also down 9%. There is not a clear indication of what is causing the decrease in prices given that supply is down–with only 80 homes on the market. The trend with pricing activity in correlation with inventory will be an important metric to track in the coming months.
View our Old Fort homes for sale.
Burke County
Of the three counties reviewed in this market update, Burke County’s real estate market appears the strongest. Average prices are up 9% over
2022. June’s average prices ended at nearly $295,000. Inventories are down 19%–102 homes on the market last year compared to 83 this year. Closings are down nearly 17% year to date, while new listings are 12.6% lower than last year. Burke continues to operate as a seller’s market.
View our Lake James homes for sale.
Conclusion
Unlike previous real estate slowdown cycles, sales prices, for the most part, have remained steady or slightly up. Supply has remained low as fewer homeowners list their homes as they attempt to wait out interest rate increases. With interest rates approaching 7%, we do anticipate this trend to continue for the next few months.
To view all of our homes for sale in these areas, click here.
After a few record-setting years for the Western North Carolina real estate market, the latter months of 2022 and early 2023 have left many questioning if the narrative might be shifting, if only slightly. Inventories have remained low which has kept prices relatively stable in our market, even amidst the ongoing backdrop of economic and [...]
Hindsight is 20/20, and with 2022 in the rearview mirror, the climate of the Western North Carolina real estate market is becoming clearer as we kick off the first quarter of 2023. In 2022, we began to see increasing signs of an overheating market that was beginning to cool amidst the backdrop of sharply rising interest rates – not to [...]
