COVID-19 impacts Asheville real estate market

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Real estate brokers are feeling the pain of COVID-19, with reports of buyers pulling back on looking at homes and canceling contracts.

For years, Asheville has seen values climb, and some brokers said those prices are holding. But others said COVID-19 measures are hitting the local market.

"It’s dead. The market’s pretty much dead," Premiere Sotheby's Janeth Whitworth said. "I’ve had two contracts fall out. "Phones not ringing, buyers aren’t looking."

The president of Beverly-Hanks said showings are off 30 percent but definitely not dead.

The president of the local realtors association has asked the secretary of state to allow virtual closings so buyers and sellers can close deals under contract.