Never Saw That One Coming—Their Real Estate Agent Talked Them Out Of Buying A Lake House, Saying Vacation Home Prices Are About To Drop

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A Tennessee couple procuring for a lake home says their own real estate agent suggested them to pump the brakes on shopping for—and not because they weren’t certified.

Posting in the r/RealEstate subreddit lately, the customer explained they’d been wanting at properties on a lake in Tennessee for months, focusing on properties with docks. After touring two properties, they have been shocked at the costs.

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Their realtor gave it to them straight: “Honestly, it is crazy to me how fast the prices have climbed,” he said, including that “not one of these homes on the lake were built to my personal standards of quality unless you get into the brand new multi-million homes. I would advise you wait a year or two and see what happens with prices. I think they will drop substantially.”

This shocked the customer, who had a mortgage pre-approval and was prepared to buy. “What realtor does this unless their subconscious is bugging them?” they wrote. “We’ve only spent maybe 2 hours total with this guy so not like he was sick and tired of showing us properties.”

Commenters on Reddit have been largely supportive. “He’s doing what we ethical and professional agents do. Giving you his opinion and trying to protect you,” one individual wrote. Another agent said, “If a person who stands to make money off you is actively trying to not take your money, they are probably worth listening to.”

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Many commenters noted that vacation properties tend to drop first in a downturn. Some even confirmed seeing price cuts in Tennessee lakefront areas, particularly on homes that had doubled in value since 2020.

“Lake homes in central-eastern Tennessee are definitely seeing price drops of $25,000 to $100,000 since 2024,” one added.

Others brought up broader economic issues like inflation, interest rates, and slowing demand. “Homes are sitting longer… more price drops… more owners realizing a 7-8% mortgage is a lot to carry depending on finances,” another commenter said.