A newly reported analysis shows that vacation-home purchases in Asheville have fallen 66.3%, signaling a major shift in one of Western North Carolina’s most closely watched real estate segments.
The decline points to a cooling second-home market after several years of intense demand for mountain properties, short-term rental investments and lifestyle-driven purchases across the Asheville area. While Asheville remains a nationally recognized destination for visitors and relocation buyers, the drop suggests that higher ownership costs, elevated interest rates and affordability pressures are reshaping buyer behavior.
For local residents, the slowdown could have mixed effects. Reduced vacation-home buying may ease some competition for available housing, but the broader market remains shaped by limited inventory, high prices and continued interest in Asheville as a destination. For sellers, the data underscores the need for realistic pricing and a clear understanding of how buyer demand has changed since the pandemic-era real estate surge…