With its big-city energy and small-town heart, Greenville continues to earn national recognition—from a No. 4 ranking on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025–2026 list of the 150 Best Places to Live, to being named one of the top 10 housing hotspots in the country by the National Association of Realtors in 2025. This is the place to be — and the rest of the country knows it. But what makes Greenville the real estate market of choice, especially for those relocating from other parts of the nation? We asked local real estate experts Sharon Wilson and Nick Carlson of Wilson Associates to share their insights on the nuances of Greenville’s housing market, what buyers are looking for, common pitfalls both buyers and sellers may encounter, and strategies for navigating today’s dynamic market.
Ask the Expert with Wilson Associates
What factors make Greenville such an attractive market for out-of-town buyers?
According to recent reports, 28 people move to Greenville each day. This growth is based on the area’s strong job market. With so many opportunities to work remotely people can consider moving to areas based on quality of life. In addition to the things we all love about Greenville, like the lower overall cost of living, the recreational and outdoor opportunities with easy access to both beaches and mountains, mild four-season climate (which is particularly attractive to those from the Northeast and Midwest), and arts and foodie scene, Greenville is also strategically located on the I-85 corridor near other major metropolitan areas. We have also been buoyed by favorable press and national attention we’ve received as a both a tourist destination of choice and a top place to live. We’re a beautiful, friendly smaller city with big city amenities that appeals to a wide range of people.
Where are most of these buyers relocating from and what are they typically looking for in a home?
Buyers are coming to Greenville from all over the country. During Covid, we had a strong influx of new residents from the Northeast. Last year, we saw spike in those from the Richmond/Washington, DC corridor. California and Florida remain popular feeders for our market. Not so long ago, people only moved to Greenville for a job or family, now they are coming because they’ve heard about all that we have to offer and making a lifestyle choice.
In terms of what they are looking for, the basics remain the same: they want higher-end amenities, desirable neighborhoods, access to good schools, easier commutes and less stress. A focus on improving comfort and quality of life is nearly universal.
Are there specific neighborhoods or property types in Greenville that are especially hot right now?
While anything downtown near the city center is very popular, the neighborhood preference really depends on what people are looking for. We see people looking for a bit more land heading towards the Easley and Travelers Rest area in greater numbers. Those seeking a more active lifestyle gravitate toward places near the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Luckily, Greenville has an amazing variety of housing options. We can find a perfect fit for all types of buyers. From large tracts of land to lake or mountain properties, downtown condos to suburban subdivisions with a neighborhood pool, fine older homes on treelined streets to custom new construction, we have it all.
From TALK Greenville archive: 15 Minutes With … Sharon Wilson, founder of Wilson Associates Real Estate
How do expectations differ between local buyers and those moving from other regions?
The key differences show up in terms of timeline and budget expectations.
Out of town buyers are generally “have to move” buyers. They have a new career opportunity or family situation, and they need to make a decision in a timely manner. Its critical for them to work with an agent familiar with all things Greenville, as well as the housing market so they can make the best choice and location for their personal needs.
Local buyers can take longer to make a decision. They know the market and generally know the exact area or house they want to purchase. They move because their family size has changed — they’re getting larger homes or are empty nesters downsizing — or because they’ve been passively looking and the house of their dreams just hit the market
Budget is a double-edged sword. Many coming from much more expensive markets are thrilled with how much more home they can generally get for their money, but we sometime run into those coming from other markets who do not realize how hot this market has become and how much that has driven up home prices in some areas of Greenville.
What are some common challenges when working with out-of-town buyers?
Out-of-town buyers require more handholding and education in terms of creating a thorough understanding of market dynamics and familiarizing them with the area. A lot of them come from areas where an hour commute is normal. When they come and visit the area, they realize that they can be in much closer proximity. Another challenge is that in some of the areas people are interested in, the prices are not very different from what they left. While they know about Charlotte and Atlanta, they have the notion that Greenville’s prices have not risen like they have. That said, a buyer moving from California generally can buy a much larger house here for the same money they sold their home for or buy the size they need and then buy a vacation home, too, or just pocket some cash.
Those coming from more expensive markets are far more likely to put forth an all-cash offer. In fact, roughly a third of all offers in this market are all-cash. While these can be very attractive to sellers, they present challenges because buyers, especially investors, often expect a discount for the convenience and speed of a cash transaction. There are also fewer contingencies, pressure to close quickly, the need to verify funds and the potential for scams. Still, once realistic expectations are set, the opportunities we’ve gained by working with out-of-town buyers far outweigh any temporary challenges.
How can buyers, sellers, and agents stay on the same page and avoid misunderstandings during remote transactions?
Communication at every step of the process is absolutely essential, as is making sure everything is documented in a format that is easy to understand. Tools like FaceTime and Zoom can help maintain a more personal connection and keep all parties up-to-date, especially for new builds, where keeping tabs on progress is critical.
It’s important to begin a sales process and a search with a good comparative analysis of what you’re listing or looking for to level-set the cost of comparable properties.
We urge buyers and sellers to find agents that are not only trustworthy and knowledgeable, but someone to have a connection with and build a relationship. At various times, agents can serve as mediators, marriage counselors, therapists, and personal assistants. Choose wisely!
How have recent interest rate fluctuations impacted buyer behavior in Greenville?
For sellers, interest rates are creating market fluctuations, even in hot markets like Greenville. We have seen properties stay on the market a lot longer. Our average days-on-market rises as interest rates increase. We have also seen some price reductions in the market to entice buyers to pull that trigger.
Interest rates affect buyers, especially first-time home buyers and those at lower price points. We advise buyers to keep these shifts in perspective and avoid trying to time interest rates. Buying as soon as you can makes sense because the appreciation of the house will outrun the cost of the higher interest rate over time — and it’s always possible to refinance when rates drop.
What should sellers understand about how national economic trends are influencing the local market?
Despite any macroeconomic trends, real estate is always local. There are parts of the country in which the real estate market is not rising and demand is not as great as it is here. There are more houses on the market now than we have seen in years. Although the market is not as hot as it has been in the past years, Greenville continues to outpace national sales and demand. Statistics show that we are still very much a seller’s market.
It is so important for sellers to hire an experienced Realtor who will price their home properly and for buyers to work with those who can help educate them on specific market dynamics. In a market with lots of inventory and more competition, the days of aspirational pricing, where sellers could list a house far above market value and hope for the best, are over. However, houses continue to appreciate and sellers continue to profit.
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What are the top features or amenities that out-of-town buyers are prioritizing right now?
For today’s buyers, square footage is king. They’re looking for space, especially for home offices, storage and entertaining. Out-of-town buyers are usually making quality-of-life moves, so spaces to stretch out, relaxation-oriented amenities and convenience are at the forefront when making home choices. They are also wanting to see lower maintenance items and are not as quick to pull the trigger on a property that needs work as they were in the past.
Buyers are open to finding the luxury and space they need in a variety of property types – from condos and townhomes to traditional homes — and Greenville has a wide range of options for every preference and life stage.
What are the best ways to market your home to attract buyers from outside the area?
We have all heard the expression of you have one chance to make a first impression. Your online presence could be your first buyer and that person could live down the street or across the country, so you’d better get it right. The property description and key words that make your house stand out matter a lot. Your marketing is absolutely key to your success. Remember that your first showing will be online, so hiring a professional photographer and developing reels for social media are important.
It helps to remember that out-of-town buyers are not familiar with the area, so you need to offer an accurate description of where you’re located and the advantages of your neighborhood right off the bat. Professional staging and focusing on curb appeal will also go a long way. Spruce up, declutter, depersonalize and paint a lifestyle picture for buyers.
The single best advantage you can give yourself is to find and work with an experienced agent that has global connections for marketing and a large online presence to cover all your bases.
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This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Ask the Expert: Selling Greenville’s big-city energy, small-town charm