As summer begins to give way to fall, we’re looking forward to squeezing the most out of what many of us affectionately call “leaf-peeper season.”
For years, Lake Lure’s busiest stretch seemed to run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. But we’re seeing signs that the rhythm is changing. Increasingly, visitors and prospective buyers are coming from closer to home — Greenville, Spartanburg, Charlotte, Columbia and Charleston, as well as Raleigh and Winston-Salem. And many aren’t coming just once a year.
More frequent visits, even during what was once considered the “shoulder” or “off” season, are helping create a steadier flow of activity for local businesses. Golf continues to be a major draw, while events, live music and dining give people even more reasons to return — and stay a little longer.
After a challenging few years, it has been especially encouraging to hear from local business owners who feel momentum building. This first full summer back after Helene has brought more people out and about, more families enjoying the lake and mountains, and more of the energy that makes this community so special.
There’s something rewarding about seeing people immersed in their surroundings — phones in hand primarily to capture a beautiful view or family memory rather than buried in a screen. They’re hiking trails, taking boat tours, trying water sports, playing golf, listening to live music, sharing meals and simply enjoying being together. To see the lake in action — boats moving across the water, paddleboards gliding by and the mountains rising behind it all — is a beautiful thing to behold.
That changing pattern of visitation is worth watching from a real estate perspective, too. A community that attracts people repeatedly, rather than only during one concentrated season, can build a stronger year-round connection with both visitors and prospective homeowners.
While August statistics were not yet available as we prepared this column, the January-through-July numbers offer some encouragement. In the 28746 ZIP code, there were 46 residential sales through July 2025 compared with 74 during the same period in 2026. June was particularly strong, with 20 sales in 2026 compared with just 5 in June 2025. July slowed, with 8 sales this year versus 13 last year, however we expect to see August and September numbers to come in strong.
And despite the increased number of price reductions we’re seeing, the closed-price-to-original-list-price ratio has actually improved — from 92.29% in 2025 to 93.63% in 2026.
As we head into September, there’s plenty to look forward to: cooler temperatures, changing leaves and a little more breathing room on the calendar. The summer crowds may begin to thin, but the reasons to come here certainly don’t.
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.
Lake Lure Homeowners Since 2002
