With summer in full swing, it’s been wonderful to watch families, vacationers, and seasonal residents return to enjoy our restaurants, shops, local events, and, of course, the lake itself. Seeing boats back on the water pulling tubers and water skiers, hearing laughter echo across the shoreline, and watching bald eagles soar overhead remind us why we fell in love with this community so many years ago.
The Fourth of July was especially meaningful. Welcoming friends back and sharing in the excitement of a busy holiday weekend felt like another milestone in our community’s recovery. While there is still work to be done, the energy around Lake Lure continues to grow, and it’s encouraging to see so many familiar faces making new memories once again.
One of the things we’ve always appreciated most about Lake Lure is the peace you can find on the water. There are moments when the lake becomes remarkably quiet, making you feel as though you have it all to yourself. Some of our favorite memories have been late-night boat rides idling across the glass-like water beneath a sky full of stars. Those quiet moments are part of what makes this place so special.
One thing that continues to surprise us, however, is how many people—even those living as nearby as Hendersonville—still believe the lake is closed or that access to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock remains limited. We understand that not everyone follows the latest community updates, but it’s important to keep spreading the word: Lake Lure is open, beautiful, and welcoming visitors.
While parts of Chimney Rock Village continue rebuilding, many restaurants, shops, attractions, and local businesses are open and welcoming guests. Vacation rentals are filling up, wedding celebrations are taking place every weekend, and seasonal homeowners are returning. It’s exciting to see this positive momentum continue.
We’re seeing that same optimism reflected in the local real estate market. Multiple properties have gone under contract recently, including five of our own listings. Inventory remains higher than it has been in many years, giving buyers more choices, but homes are beginning to move more quickly as confidence returns to the market.
For buyers, this is a reminder not to assume that a home you’ve been watching will still be available weeks from now. As activity increases, desirable properties may not remain on the market for long. For sellers, renewed buyer interest is another encouraging sign that the market continues to strengthen.
Lake Lure has always been more than a beautiful place to visit. It’s a community built on resilience, friendships, and generations of memories. Watching neighbors, business owners, visitors, and homeowners come together over the past year has been inspiring, and we believe the best days are still ahead.
If you have questions about the local real estate market, would like current market statistics, or have a topic you’d like us to cover in a future column, we’d love to hear from you.
Wes & Cathy Cleary are Broker/Owners of Team Cleary Real Estate, Inc. and Lake Lure Homeowners Since 2002
