08/17/2026
🏡 The real estate market isn’t bad — it’s just different.
And lately, I’m seeing one thing over and over again:
The properties priced right from DAY ONE are the ones getting the attention.
Buyers have choices right now. They’re looking, comparing, watching price reductions, and taking their time before making a decision.
That means simply putting a property on the MLS and hoping the right buyer eventually comes along isn’t enough anymore.
You need a strategy.
✔️ Price for TODAY’S market
✔️ Know your competition
✔️ Make the property stand out
✔️ Market it where the buyers actually are
✔️ Be willing to adjust when the market gives you feedback
And pricing competitively does not mean giving your property away.
It means positioning it so buyers recognize the value — instead of pricing based on what a neighbor sold for two years ago, what you have invested in the property, or what we wish the market would pay.
There ARE buyers out there.
Homes ARE selling.
And there are absolutely opportunities for sellers.
But in this market, strategy matters.
Especially here in the mountains, every property is different. Location, access, views, acreage, condition, restrictions, water, septic, and even the road getting there can change what a buyer is willing to pay.
You don't have to fight the market. You just need to understand how to work WITH it. 🏡⛰️
Esther Ban
REALTOR® | Investment Solutions
Realty ONE Group Vibe
📍 Franklin, NC & Western North Carolina