Looking back on 2025

Herlong Sothebys International Realty blog 2025

Before we shift into full focus on 2026, I want to recognize what the amazing group of Associates at Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty  accomplished together in 2025.

In short, we did REALLY WELL in 2025. 

First, our year-over-year performance as a company (2025 vs. 2024). These statistics come from Brokerage Engine, and therefore account for our performance in both of our main MLS markets, WUAR and GGAR, without duplication. All percentages referenced are year-over-year growth.

  • 419 total transactions (+14.48%)
  • 450 total sides  (+14.80%) 
  • $329.91M in total sales volume, (+12.75%)
  • Average sales price: $754,590 (+3.93%)
  • $9.29M in total GCI (+17.39%)
  • $9.07M in adjusted GCI, (+18.75%)

Said plainly, our agents did smarter, higher-quality business in 2025

Now, let’s put that in context.

Across the Upstate MLS regions (Greater Greenville and Western Upstate), 2025 was a “normalizing” market: closed sales were up roughly 6–8% year-over-year, and prices rose about 3–4%, while inventory and months’ supply increased significantly.

Here’s how we stacked up against the rest of the market in general: 

  • While the market grew 6–8% in units, we grew nearly 15%, roughly DOUBLE THE MARKET’s PACE. In other words, we EXPANDED OUR MARKET SHARE.
  • Market pricing rose around 3–4%, we slightly exceeded that, while operating at a dramatically higher average price point. Our client service, our local reputation, and our truly international, luxury brand ELEVATES our clients’ values. 
  • Market-level dollar volume growth was under 10%, while our GCI grew 17–19%. This reflects stronger listings, higher-value transactions, and disciplined execution from HSIR agents, as compared to the average agent / the market itself.

None of this came easy. We accomplished this in a year where inventory increased and competition intensified. Our Greenville agents worked out of a temporary office for part of the year, and then out of a semi-destroyed space under a giant blue tarp (courtesy of Hurricane Helene 16 months ago). I’ve always said that when top agents are working, they’re in someone else’s house, or in their car, or on their computer, and/or on their phone. We don’t need fancy offices to EXCEED THE MARKET, but having a fancy new GVL office (and a new lake office soon….) won’t hurt our performance in 2026 either. 

Results like this don’t just “happen.” It comes from:

  • Honor and Advocacy, in the way HSIR agents interact with outside agents and advise our clients.
  • Expertise: in the form of disciplined pricing and adept negotiation strategies. 
  • Reputation: storytelling and brand alignment that earns and builds trust. 
  • Relationship-based client service. We are not transactional, our clients rely on us way beyond the closing, and we feel privileged to be their first call with any kind of question, not just real estate. 

In short: while the pendulum swung, and the market normalized, we only got better.

That’s the difference between a brand that participates in the market, versus a brand that LEADS it. 

We don’t just meet the standard, we set it. 

I’m excited to see us carry this momentum into 2026.

Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty adds acclaimed Upstate Meteorologist

Christy Henderson, Herlong Sotheby's

 Last week, beloved award-winning Upstate meteorologist Christy Henderson announced she was leaving her post with WSPA after 21 years.

This week, Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce it has hired Henderson, who will be using her legal name of Christy Ross when she lists and sells homes for her clients, full-time as a Realtor Associate.

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Ross grew up among conversations about ranching, mineral rights, and owning land. Though most of her family has been involved with real estate, she chose an initial career path that followed her love of math and science. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Meteorology. Her on-air debut was at KCEN-TV in Waco, Texas, followed by stints in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Atlanta (where she did weather segments with guests such as The Rock, Kevin Bacon and Ed McMahon), Washington, D.C., and Dallas.

She is a six-time winner of the South Carolina Broadcasters Association’s “Weathercaster of the Year” award, and three-time winner for the SCBA’s “Personality of the Year” award.

“Christy’s honors underscore the trust she has earned among her viewers and colleagues,” said Joan Herlong, CEO of Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty. “Through her ability to connect, a deep-rooted understanding of the value of owning a home, and a passion for the area she serves, Christy serves as an incredible Realtor for her clients.”

We’ve Rebranded!

Herlong Sotheby's International Realty

With an eye toward the future growth of the company, Joan Herlong announced the rebranding of one of the Upstate’s premier real estate companies Wednesday morning.

Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty will be the new name and brand for the agency that has been one of the top producing real estate firms in the region since its inception in 2011. Joan Herlong, the company’s founder and CEO, said a new brand was needed in order to take the company to the next level.

“We have developed an amazing group of Associates and want to attract more, and we want to create a brokerage that goes beyond just being my name out front,” she said. “We already have been heading in that direction, and this brand change signifies this new direction.”

Herlong stressed the new name did not signify a change in ownership or her taking a permanent step back from selling and listing, but added that was the ultimate goal for the company in the next 10 years.

“We remain a woman-owned business, but this change frees us up to be so much more,” Herlong said. “This change further empowers our Associates to build their own brands and identities. My goal is to strengthen them by being their leader and mentor.” 

In choosing a new brand name, Herlong praised working with Sotheby’s International Realty as a resource. The Sotheby’s International Realty affiliation is one of the few that puts the local owner’s name and brand first, which helps show buyers they are working with someone who knows the market.

The company has tripled in sales and the number of staffing since affiliating with Sotheby’s International Realty in 2017, she said.  It also has led to many of the company’s successes in the past few years including David Vandeputte setting a new Upstate record for a single-home sales price earlier this year and the numerous business accolades it has earned.

“This is an exciting new era for us and for me,” Herlong said. 

Herlong Sotheby's International Realty
Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty