More choice for buyers. A greater emphasis on preparation for sellers.

If you're considering a move in Asheville or Western North Carolina, you may be wondering whether buyers or sellers have the advantage. The latest quarterly report from my firm, Ivester Jackson Blackstream | Christie's International Real Estate, offers a useful reminder: the answer depends on the location, price range, and property.

Here's my perspective on the Q3 2026 findings and what they could mean for your next move.

About the data: This luxury-focused report covers selected Western North Carolina markets in price bands beginning at $600,000. It does not represent all homes or all price points. Closed-sales comparisons below are Q3 2026 versus Q3 2025.

Read the Full Q3 2026 Western North Carolina Luxury Market Report

A Market With Different Stories at Different Price Points

The firm's report describes a market moving toward greater balance, with elevated inventory and buyers taking a more selective approach. At the same time, several communities recorded strength at the upper end. More available homes and continued luxury demand can exist together.

For me, the useful question is how the homes most comparable to yours are performing. A mountain retreat, a downtown condominium, and a historic neighborhood home may attract different buyers and face very different competition.

Three Numbers Worth Watching in Buncombe County

  • 37 closed sales above $2 million, compared with 20 in Q3 2025. That's an 85% increase in transactions in this segment, according to the report.
  • 74 closings in the $1 million-$1.99 million segment, compared with 86 a year earlier. That contrast with the upper end shows why price-specific comparisons matter.
  • 102 properties pending in the $600,000-$999,999 band at quarter-end, as reported in the county narrative. Pending contracts indicate activity in the pipeline; they are not completed sales.

These figures describe transaction activity. They do not, by themselves, establish that home values rose or fell by the same percentages.

Local Differences Matter

The report highlights upper-end strength in Biltmore Forest, while Asheville's $1 million-$1.99 million segment recorded fewer closings than a year earlier. Downtown Asheville condominiums showed improved sales activity in the $600,000-$999,999 and $1 million-$1.99 million bands. Fairview/Fletcher and Henderson County each had their own mix of results.

If you're comparing neighborhoods or preparing to list, those differences deserve a closer look. Small transaction counts can also produce large percentage changes, particularly in individual luxury communities.

What This Means for Buyers

My advice is to use the available selection to compare carefully. Look beyond the asking price to condition, setting, access, likely maintenance, and the improvements a property may need. My background in homebuilding and renovation helps me bring a practical perspective to that conversation, alongside the appropriate inspections and specialist evaluations.

Negotiating room should be assessed property by property. Recent comparable sales, competing listings, time on the market, and the seller's circumstances can help us shape a thoughtful offer.

What This Means for Sellers

When buyers have more choices, your home's preparation and positioning deserve particular attention. Start with an honest assessment of condition and competition, then decide which repairs or presentation improvements are worth making before listing.

Through Ivester Jackson Blackstream | Christie's International Real Estate, I pair local guidance with regional relationships and broader marketing resources. The goal is to present your home's distinctive qualities clearly and reach buyers whose priorities match what it offers.

Let's Look at Your Part of the Market

After nearly 20 years in real estate, I know how much context matters. Whether you're considering a purchase in Kenilworth, a sale in Fairview, or a move elsewhere in Western North Carolina, I'd welcome a conversation about the numbers relevant to you.

Ask me for a neighborhood and price-range market review, explore available homes, or create your own local market report.

Read the Full Q3 2026 Western North Carolina Luxury Market Report

Source: Ivester Jackson Blackstream | Christie's International Real Estate, Western North Carolina Luxury Market Report & Forecast, Q3 2026 (October 2026). Statistics summarized from the firm's report; interpretation and client guidance by Chris Herndon. Forecasts reflect the report's outlook and are not guarantees.

Chris Herndon, REALTOR® | ALHS®
Asheville Elevated Living
Ivester Jackson Blackstream | Christie's International Real Estate
828.301.4206 | chris@ashevilleelevatedliving.com