Could a major generational shift in America’s housing market affect your Asheville home’s value?

A new October 2026 Realtor.com study projects that approximately 13.9 million homes currently occupied by older Americans will leave older-owner occupancy over the next decade.

This trend, often called the Silver Tsunami, raises important questions for homeowners throughout Asheville and Western North Carolina.

Will more homes become available? Could larger homes face increasing competition? And what should homeowners consider before renovating, downsizing, or selling?

I explored these questions using national housing research and our own Buncombe County MLS data.

Watch my Silver Tsunami market analysis:

What the National Research Reveals

The Realtor.com study projects a significant generational transition between 2026 and 2036.

Of the approximately 13.9 million homes involved, researchers estimate that 9.9 million will be three- or four-bedroom properties, while another 3.6 million will have five or more bedrooms.

By comparison, approximately 380,000 homes will have two bedrooms or fewer.

These projections do not mean all these properties will become listings. Some will pass to family members, become rentals, or remain outside the resale market.

However, the findings suggest that larger family homes could play an important role in future housing supply.

What Buncombe County’s Housing Market Tells Us

I examined September 2026 Canopy MLS data for traditional single-family home sales in Buncombe County.

The differences between bedroom categories are revealing.

Bedrooms	Median Sold Price	Median Days on Market	Original Asking Price Received
0–2	$360,000	24	95.1%
3	$475,000	37	94.9%
4	$730,000	48	93.9%
5+	$1,162,500	59	92.5%

In this market snapshot, larger homes took longer to sell and received a smaller percentage of their original asking prices.

That doesn’t establish that the Silver Tsunami is already affecting Asheville. Larger homes also serve different buyer groups and occupy different price ranges.

But it gives us a valuable baseline for watching how our local housing market evolves.

There’s More to Home Value Than Square Footage

During my years touring homes throughout Western North Carolina, I’ve observed that some established properties offer generous living space but have floor plans that may be less convenient for today’s buyers.

An older home may have separated living areas, awkward room arrangements, or spaces that would benefit from redesign.

Many longtime owners are perfectly comfortable with those layouts. Their homes have served them beautifully for decades, and renovating may offer little personal benefit.

Prospective buyers may evaluate the same property differently.

They may consider the cost of updates, changes to the floor plan, and future maintenance when deciding what they’re willing to pay.

This doesn’t mean every older home needs remodeling. Traditional architecture and established-home character can be highly desirable.

The important consideration is how a property’s features, condition, and asking price compare with buyers’ expectations in its particular market.

Should You Renovate Before Selling?

This is one of the most important financial decisions a homeowner can face.

A major renovation may improve a property’s appearance and functionality without increasing its resale value by the full cost of the work.

For example, suppose a renovation costs $150,000 but increases the home’s estimated selling price by $90,000.

Although the property may become more attractive to buyers, that investment may not provide the best financial return for a homeowner preparing to sell.

Smaller, targeted improvements may sometimes produce a more favorable outcome.

And in other situations, selling the property in its present condition may make the most financial sense.

The best approach begins with understanding the home’s current market value, likely renovation expenses, competing properties, and realistic net proceeds.

What This Means for Your Next Chapter

For many Asheville homeowners, substantial home equity represents an opportunity to make thoughtful choices.

Perhaps you’re considering simplifying your living arrangements, moving closer to family, or choosing a property with easier maintenance.

Or perhaps you love your current home and desire to remain there for years to come.

Staying, improving, and moving can all be worthwhile options.

The goal is to understand which choice best supports your financial interests and the life you desire.

These considerations are also important for families navigating inherited properties, where maintenance, renovations, market value, and family priorities may all influence the decision.

What’s Next for Asheville Homeowners?

I’ll continue watching Buncombe County inventory, median days on market, and the relationship between original asking prices and actual selling prices—particularly among three-, four-, and five-bedroom properties.

National trends are worth understanding. But local market information helps homeowners make practical decisions.

Curious about your Asheville home’s value or whether improvements would make financial sense before selling?

I’d be delighted to help you explore your property’s competitive position and the opportunities available to you.

Schedule a conversation:
https://calendly.com/onealscott

Watch the complete video:
https://youtu.be/48a6EpxsnE8

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O’Neal Scott, REALTOR® | eXp Realty, LLC
NC License #349656
Office: 828-600-5236
Your Asheville Connection
https://yourashevilleconnection.com

Serving Asheville and Western North Carolina. This article provides general real estate information and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Individual property values and market conditions vary.

Sources: Realtor.com Economic Research, Generational Housing Succession, October 2026; Canopy MLS Statistical Analysis Module, Buncombe County, September 2026 traditional single-family sales.