As we approach the holiday season and reflect on the many blessings that surround us in this special part of Western North Carolina, we look forward to rounding out the year with an abundance of community events and activities that bring a renewed sense of appreciation for our neighbors and visitors.
While this region has traditionally been a second home market, we have seen the demographic of buyers changing. We see more buyers who stay full-time. Most come with more disposable income and typically have one or more homes located within a few hours from here. They have the flexibility to visit more often, and many will come for the holidays to entertain friends and family. Ultimately, this process gets the seed of interest planted among their guests, prompting a new influx of prospective buyers seeking their lake retreat or mountain getaway.
Of course, there are always more people in town in the spring, summer, and “leaf-peeper” fall seasons, however we see more consistent activity each year, and the wintertime has its own unique set of recreational options and advantages for buyers and sellers.
Buyers who make appointments in the winter season frequently are closer to making a purchase decision, because they’ve had a chance to check things out during previous visits, while on “vacation” and are now ready to throw their hat into the ring.
Once deciduous plants lose their foliage, it’s much easier to get a feel for the contours of each property and see just how close neighboring homes are situated. Scheduling professional service providers during the inspection period is easier, as their schedules aren’t as booked out this time of year. Plus, making a day of showing appointments isn’t pulling buyers away from vacation time – entertaining, boating, swimming, or other warmer weather activities.
This winter season is also a great time for sellers to list homes for sale. Less new listings will be coming onto the market, providing each listing with more prominence online and within other media outlets.
An exciting new development launched October 1st now provides increased exposure for sellers’ listings. The Southeast MLS Alliance is a new data share system throughout the southeast states integrating all the systems for members of Realtracs, Canopy MLS (our regional MLS), Georgia MLS, and Charleston Regional MLS, providing a comprehensive feed of more than 85,000 accurate listings across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Each of the MLS systems is now serving a combined 100,000+ real estate agents in over 11,000 offices, providing agents and brokers with a live data feed of all listings as well as creating opportunities for cross-MLS collaboration. For more information about the Southeast MLS Alliance, feel free to reach out at your convenience.
Wes & Cathy Cleary of Team Cleary Real Estate, Inc. are experienced Realtors® who work full-time as a full-service Real Estate team serving NC/SC. They have invested, rented, bought, and sold real estate in the Carolinas since 1997. Lake Lure’s #1 Team since 2018. Lake Lure homeowners since 2002. TeamClearyWNC@gmail.com; Wes 828-785-2115; 828-808-6790 Cathy; www.TeamCleary.com.
