Across the Upstate, buyers are behaving differently because the market is giving them something they didn’t have much of the last few years: choice. And when buyers have more choice, they compare harder, negotiate more confidently, and move slower unless a home feels like the clear best option.
The market data explains the mood shift
In the Greater Greenville market, inventory rose 26% year-over-year and Days on Market increased to 63 days (Dec 2025). (scr.stats.showingtime.com)
In the Western Upstate market, Days on Market increased to 80 days and months supply rose to 4.1 (Dec 2025). (westernupstatemls.com)
And statewide, South Carolina reported 78 Days on Market and 3.6 months supply (Dec 2025). (scr.stats.showingtime.com)
Translation: buyers don’t have to panic-pick anymore. They can pause, revisit, bring a parent back through, and say, “Let’s see two more before we decide.”
What buyers are doing differently right now
1) They’re shopping “side-by-side,” not “first-come”
Today’s buyers don’t compare your home to what sold last month—they compare it to what they can tour this weekend.
They’re asking:
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“Why is this one priced higher than the other two?”
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“Which one feels move-in ready?”
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“Which one is going to nickel-and-dime us after inspection?”
If your home isn’t the obvious “best value” in its bracket, buyers don’t reject it—they delay it. And delayed listings usually invite negotiation later.
2) They’re using days on market as leverage
When DOM rises, buyers interpret time as information:
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“If it’s been sitting, we can negotiate.”
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“Maybe there’s something wrong.”
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“Let’s come in under asking and see what happens.”
That doesn’t mean your home is wrong—it means buyers assume the market is giving them permission to push.
3) They’re writing cleaner offers on the homes that feel “safe”
Buyers still move fast when a home checks these boxes:
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Looks turnkey online (strong photos + clean presentation)
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Feels maintained in-person (no obvious deferred items)
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Priced credibly (not “hope pricing”)
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Easy to say yes to (clear disclosures, simple showing access, obvious value)
Those homes get the best version of buyers: fewer demands, better terms, less drama.
4) They’re negotiating more on “total deal,” not just price
Even when buyers accept your list price, they may negotiate through:
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repair requests
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seller-paid closing costs
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rate buydown requests
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appraisal buffers (depending on financing)
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longer due diligence windows
Nationally, Redfin reported 13.8% of homes had price drops in Dec 2025 and the sale-to-list ratio was 98.2%, which reflects how frequently sellers give a little back somewhere in the deal. (Redfin)
What this means for sellers in Anderson + the Upstate
Your listing has to “win the comparison game” immediately
The first impression is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s the filter buyers use to decide what to tour and what to ignore.
Positioning wins:
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the right price band (so you show up in more searches)
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launch-week presentation (photos, descriptions, condition, showing flow)
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removing obvious objections (small repairs, clutter, old odors, poor lighting)
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clarity (buyers trust what feels straightforward)
Pricing isn’t about being “high” or “low.” It’s about being the obvious yes.
In a higher-inventory environment, the goal is not “test the market.”
The goal is:
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be the best choice in your bracket
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create urgency with credibility
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earn stronger terms by reducing buyer doubt
Seller checklist: how to match today’s buyer behavior
If buyers are picky, you don’t fight it—you design for it. Here’s how:
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Pre-list prep that removes objections: fix the items buyers will definitely notice (water stains, loose fixtures, peeling paint, old caulk, HVAC service receipts).
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Launch quality: professional photos + clean, bright spaces + simple staging so rooms read correctly online.
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Condition signals: small upgrades that “read” as maintained (lighting, hardware, fresh neutral paint where needed).
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Pricing strategy: hit the bracket where your home looks like the strongest value today, not where you hope negotiations end.
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Offer-ready posture: be prepared for inspection negotiations and have a plan (credit vs repairs vs “as-is” strength).
The bottom line
Buyers aren’t gone. They’re selective.
And in markets where inventory is up and DOM is longer, sellers don’t get paid extra for optimism—they get paid for strategy, clarity, and clean execution.
If you want to sell without leaving money on the table, book a Seller Clarity Call before the market tells you what to do with Realtor David Locke at 864-940-0575. Call or text me today.
