Market Statistics: What Is Changing (a Lot) and What’s Staying the Same (Not Much)

When a market shifts, every buyer, seller, and investor starts asking the same question: what’s actually changing—and what’s still holding steady? In Greenville’s case, the answer is more balanced than most might expect. The Upstate’s real estate scene remains resilient, but beneath that steadiness lies an undercurrent of subtle (and telling) changes.

Greenville Market Statistics: What’s Really Moving the Needle

Each month, the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors releases data that tells the story of how the Upstate housing market is moving—sometimes slowly, sometimes sharply. These latest statistics, drawn from March and April activity, reveal a market still rooted in seller strength, but with signals of buyer hesitancy beginning to flicker.

At the start of April, showings across the region were down by 30–40% from normal spring highs. That kind of dip usually hints at cooling demand—but the surprise twist was in the listings. New listings only dropped about 10–12%. And despite those declines, the number of new contracts on homes stayed consistent with last year’s pace.

Translation? The buyers still shopping weren’t casual browsers—they were serious. These were the ones making offers, securing contracts, and keeping the market afloat even while casual traffic thinned.

(Think of it as fewer window-shoppers, more checkout-line regulars.)

When the Numbers Flip—But Not the Narrative

By mid-April, those numbers began to shift. Between April 9th and 16th, just 373 new listings came on the market—down nearly 35% year-over-year. That’s a steep fall from the 575 homes listed during the same week in 2019. But context matters: that period also overlapped with Easter and Passover, two holidays that reliably slow housing activity even in normal years.

Meanwhile, 77 of those new listings went under contract—fewer than the 86 that sold during the same week in 2019, but not by much. Despite a clear drop in listing activity, buyers were still signing deals. The difference came from the top of the funnel—fewer homes available, fewer to go under contract.

In plain terms: the market wasn’t collapsing; it was consolidating.

And for sellers, that’s important. When fewer homes hit the market, the remaining listings gain leverage. Sellers can hold their ground on price instead of entertaining lowball offers. Buyers may face slimmer choices, but sellers still hold most of the cards.

Showings Rise, Listings Lag—A Strange but Hopeful Mix

Even as contracts dipped, showings quietly began to climb. According to ShowingTime data, every day between April 10th and April 15th had more scheduled showings than the same days a week prior.

• Friday, April 10: 584 showings

• Friday, April 3: 550 showings

That steady uptick suggests something powerful—buyers hadn’t left the market. They were just watching, waiting, and resuming tours once restrictions began to ease.

If that pattern held, contracts were bound to follow. Rising showings are often the first heartbeat of a market rebound, and Greenville’s numbers hinted that the pulse was already returning.

The March Data Still Speaks Volumes

Even with all the uncertainty swirling, March itself painted a surprisingly strong picture. The Greater Greenville Association of Realtors reported:

• New listings: Up 2.6% year-over-year (1,775 homes vs. 1,730 in March 2019).

• Closed sales: Up a stunning 99.2% compared to the previous March.

• Average price: Up 10.5%—the highest in at least a year.

• Percent of list price received: 98.2%, nearly identical to February’s 98.2%.

In other words, prices held strong. Buyers were still paying close to asking. And despite a looming pandemic, the data didn’t show panic—it showed patience.

A Dip in Pending Sales (and Why It Matters)

The one metric that didn’t hold up? Pending sales. March saw them drop 60.7%, meaning fewer deals were set to close in April and May. That was the first real signal of friction in the pipeline—a slowdown not from lack of interest, but from logistical strain.

Lenders were delayed. Closings pushed out. The gears of the process slowed under new restrictions. But it’s worth noting: demand didn’t vanish—it just got jammed in transit.

That’s why the next data release, covering April’s activity, will be crucial. It will show whether Greenville’s real estate machine is simply idling—or already reaccelerating.

Sellers Still Hold the Stronger Hand

Despite temporary dips, the local housing scene remains tilted in favor of sellers. Fewer new listings mean less competition. The most serious buyers are still out there, ready to move. And many sellers who would normally list in early spring are now waiting—creating a backlog that could flood the market later.

For sellers ready now, that’s actually an advantage. Listing before the eventual summer surge could mean faster offers and better prices. (Think of it like beating the rush hour before everyone jumps back on the road.)

The advice for sellers? Don’t wait out of fear—strategize based on timing.

Buyers, Breathe and Be Patient

For buyers, the market is testing patience. Inventory is tight. Multiple-offer situations still happen. And while that might feel frustrating, the fundamentals remain sound.

More homes will come back on the market. Historically, Greenville’s peak season runs from April through August—with May, June, and August as the busiest listing months. But this year, the calendar might shift. If reopening continues and consumer confidence improves, June could see an explosion of new listings, followed by a steadier pace through late summer.

Until then, serious buyers should stay alert, stay pre-approved, and act fast when the right listing appears.

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Bottom Line

When it comes to Greenville market statistics, the takeaway is simple: the market is holding firm, not folding.

Inventory has tightened, but demand hasn’t disappeared. Sellers remain in control, while buyers continue to circle, waiting for the right moment and the right listing. The data from March and April confirms what many feel on the ground—Greenville’s real estate market isn’t in retreat; it’s in a moment of recalibration.

For homeowners, that means opportunity. For buyers, it means timing and patience. And for everyone watching the Upstate closely, it means that resilience—much like real estate here—remains one of Greenville’s defining traits.

Ien Araneta

Journal & Podcast Editor | Selling Greenville