The Longleaf Pine REALTORS are hosting their annual State of the Market Real Estate Luncheon on Feb. 18, featuring four speakers and covering a review of 2024 trends and 2025 projections for the region's Real Estate market.
David Zeitz, President of Longleaf Pine REALTORS, says that the event is open to the public and will offer a “comprehensive look at the local market and the overall economic landscape.”
He said they will bring together industry experts such as market analysts and economic development leaders to “share insights, navigate challenges, and seize opportunities in the real estate market.”
According to Emily Hroblak, Communications Manager at Longleaf Pine REALTORS, the event is intended to prompt discussion about regional development, housing needs, and solutions.
“Every year we try to bring members of the community together with realtors to update what has happened in the last year and kind of give expert insights into what we're expecting for the future as well,” she explained.
The event will cover not only residential market information but commercial as well, making it a prime opportunity for homeowners and investors alike to acquire valuable information and get questions answered.
“We want everybody to understand the broader economic picture in the region, and we want to work together to foster smart growth and also foster a thriving housing market in our region,” Zeitz shared.
Zeitz says that because Real Estate doesn’t exist in a bubble, they hope the event will foster transparency by offering education and collaboration between Real Estate professionals, local business leaders, policymakers and residents.
“When the broader community is informed about the state of the market, we feel like we can work together to find solutions and support smarter growth and ensure our region remains a great place to live and work and invest,” he explained.
In addition to covering 2024 trends and 2025 projections, the speakers will delve into topics such as the military impact on the local market and the Carolina Core.
Zeitz described the Carolina Core as a “150-mile corridor in central North Carolina, stretching from west of Winston-Salem to Fayetteville, encompassing cities like Greensboro and High Point.”
He explained that the region is a significant economic engine for the state and attracts substantial investments from companies around the world.
He said that 50,300 jobs have been created in the corridor, a number they hope to see increased to 100,000 by 2038. A housing needs assessment on the Carolina Core conducted by Bowen National Research will be discussed at the luncheon.
Hroblak said that the speakers include David Zeitz, President of Longleaf Pine REALTORS; Patrick Bowen, President and Market Analyst at Bowen National Research; David Evans, local REALTOR and former president/current member of Longleaf Pine REALTORS, who will be giving an overview of local MLS statistics and trends; and Robert Van Geons, President and CEO of Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, who will share insights on local economic development.
According to Hroblak, they’ve seen several hundred attendees in past years and hope to see the same this year. While the event is targeted to Longleaf Pine REALTORS members, all stakeholders in the community, from homebuyers or investors, are invited.
“We want them to be updated and informed as well,” Hroblak explained. She added that the event is ticketed, but free and open to the public with lunch provided.
The luncheon will be held on Feb.18 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Crown Complex.

(Photo: Local REALTORS attend the Longleaf Pine REALTOR luncheon in 2024. Photo courtesy of Longleaf Pine REALTORS)