July 29, 2026
Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Housing inventory continued to expand across the Catawba Valley Region in June, giving buyers more choices as the market settled into a more balanced summer pace. While sales activity moderated from the busy spring market, home prices remained resilient and sellers continued to receive strong offers, demonstrating that demand remains steady even as the market continues to normalize. Data in this press release is sourced from Canopy MLS, a subsidiary corporation of the Canopy Realtor® Association, and reflects existing-home sales of single-family homes, condos, and townhomes only.

Inventory continued its steady climb in June, reaching 1,343 homes available for sale, a 3.9 percent increase compared to one year ago and a 4.6 percent increase from May. Months supply of inventory also increased 5.6 percent month over month to 3.8 months, giving buyers more options while gradually moving the market toward a healthier balance between supply and demand. Although inventory remains below the six-month level generally considered indicative of a balanced market, June was another step in the region's steady inventory growth. New construction represented 25 percent of all active listings for the region on Canopy MLS, further expanding opportunities for buyers across the four counties.

As inventory expanded, buyers appeared to take a more measured approach to their home search. New listings held steady compared to June 2025 at 564 properties while increasing 3.5 percent from May, with new construction accounting for 18 percent of those listings. Pending sales declined 11.2 percent year over year and 5.6 percent month over month to 371 transactions following a particularly active spring market. Closed sales increased 6.4 percent from May and remained unchanged from one year ago at 381 transactions, demonstrating that demand continues to support a stable housing market.

"We're seeing the market move toward a healthier balance as inventory continues to improve. Buyers have more choices than they've had in recent years, while sellers who price their homes competitively are still attracting strong interest," said Natalie Armstrong, Realtor®/Broker with Coldwell Banker Boyd & Hassell and 2026 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®.

Home values remained resilient despite the shift toward a more balanced market. The median sales price increased 1.6 percent year over year to $320,000, although it moderated 1.5 percent from May. The average sales price declined 4.3 percent year over year and 4.8 percent month over month to $371,257, while the average list price increased 12.3 percent compared to last June despite a 5.4 percent month-over-month decline. The difference between the median and average sales prices reflects the mix of homes sold during the month rather than overall declines in home values, reinforcing that pricing across the region remains stable.

Homes averaged 47 days on market in June, 4.4 percent longer than one year ago but 9.6 percent fewer days than in May. Sellers received 95.9 percent of their original list price, an increase of 0.4 percent year over year and 1.4 percent month over month. As inventory has expanded, buyers have gained additional choices, while well-priced homes continue to attract strong interest from motivated buyers.

Buyer interest remained healthy throughout the region despite moderating from the active spring market. The Catawba Valley recorded 5,038 showings in June, averaging 3.3 showings per listing. Newton generated the strongest buyer interest with 4.7 showings per listing, followed by Hickory at 4.0. Catawba County also led the region with 2,685 total showings during the month. The continued showing activity underscores that buyers remain engaged despite taking a more measured approach to purchasing decisions.

Armstrong continued, "This market rewards preparation and realistic expectations from both buyers and sellers. With more inventory available, having a local Realtor® who understands neighborhood trends can help consumers make informed decisions and take advantage of new opportunities."

As buyers continue adjusting to today's housing market, many are discovering opportunities they didn't realize were available. Through Canopy MLS, Realtors® have access to Down Payment Resource (DPR), a tool that helps identify properties that may qualify for thousands of down payment assistance programs. More than 80 percent of active residential listings on Canopy MLS may qualify for some form of assistance, including grants, forgivable loans, tax credits and other programs available to a wide range of buyers.

Assistance is not limited to first-time buyers and may also be available to repeat buyers, veterans, healthcare professionals, educators, public servants and other qualified purchasers for homes up to $800,000. Buyers who have already secured down payment assistance often enter a transaction with financing resources firmly in place, which can reduce uncertainty and help keep transactions on track through closing. These programs can help bridge affordability gaps while allowing qualified buyers to remain competitive in today's market.

A closer look at sales across the four counties:
(Due to smaller sample sizes in counties where there is a smaller pool of listings, percentage increases or decreases may seem extreme)

Alexander County recorded 27 new listings in June, matching last year's pace. Pending sales declined 27.3 percent to 16 transactions, while closed sales remained unchanged at 29. The median sales price jumped 32.2 percent to $349,000 while the average sales price increased 13.2 percent to $408,797. Sellers received 96.2 percent of their original list price, up from 95.7 percent one year ago. Homes averaged 37 days on market, down 5.1 percent year over year. The average list price rose 14.3 percent to $426,050. Inventory totaled 78 homes, down 12.4 percent from last June, representing a 3.3-month supply of homes.

Burke County welcomed 116 new listings, an 18.4 percent increase compared to June 2025. Pending sales declined 10.0 percent to 72 transactions while closed sales fell 13.5 percent to 64. The median sales price decreased 4.3 percent to $285,950, and the average sales price declined 5.7 percent to $354,185. Sellers received 95.6 percent of their original list price, up 1.3 percent from one year ago. Homes averaged 50 days on market, a 16.3 percent increase. The average list price climbed 10.3 percent to $408,027. Inventory expanded 22.3 percent to 285 homes, representing a 4.6-month supply of inventory.

Caldwell County added 118 new listings in June, up 16.8 percent year over year. Pending sales increased 13.4 percent to 76 transactions while closed sales climbed 21.5 percent to 79. The median sales price declined 4.9 percent to $290,000, while the average sales price dipped 3.1 percent to $346,596. Sellers received 95.0 percent of their original list price. Homes averaged 39 days on market, up 14.7 percent from last June. The average list price increased 33.1 percent to $466,477. Inventory rose 5.4 percent to 252 homes, representing a 3.7-month supply of inventory.

Catawba County recorded 303 new listings, down 10.4 percent from one year ago. Pending sales declined 16.9 percent to 207 transactions while closed sales slipped 1.9 percent to 209. The median sales price remained relatively stable at $339,000, down just 0.3 percent from June 2025 while the average sales price decreased 6.0 percent to $380,596. Sellers received 96.4 percent of their original list price, up 0.9 percent year over year. Homes averaged 51 days on market, a modest 2.0 percent increase. The average list price rose 7.1 percent to $429,514. Inventory remained essentially unchanged at 728 homes, representing a 3.6-month supply of inventory.

*Data Note: Canopy MLS is the primary source for existing-home sales data. Because builders are not required to list new construction in the MLS, MLS data reflects only a small portion of the overall new construction market. For a comprehensive view of new construction activity in the Hickory-Lenoir MSA, please visit FoothillsHBA.com.

For more residential-housing market statistics, visit www.CarolinaHome.com and click on “Market Data.” For an interview with the 2026 president of Catawba Valley Association of REALTORS®, Natalie Armstrong, Realtor®/Broker at Coldwell Banker Boyd & Hassell, please contact Kim Walker.

Canopy Realtor® Association owns and operates Canopy MLS, the region’s primary source for accurate and timely property data in a multicounty service area including the Charlotte MSA, Asheville MSA, and the Hickory-Lenoir MSA spanning across North Carolina and South Carolina to outside the Carolinas. Canopy MLS provides the latest technology, tools, and analytics that real estate licensees utilize to support consumers with their residential real estate transactions.