January 30, 2026

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Region housing market closed out 2025 with signs of stability, as improving buyer engagement, moderate price growth, and a more balanced supply defined the year’s performance. Data in this report comes from Canopy MLS and includes single-family homes, condos, and townhomes across Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties.

Buyer activity strengthened over the course of the year. Pending sales for the region rose 4.8 percent year-over-year in 2025, totaling 4,283 contracts compared to 4,087 in 2024. Notably, this total was just 189 fewer contracts than in 2021 during the post-pandemic surge, though substantially higher inventory levels in 2025 helped prevent the extreme competitive conditions seen during that period.

Closed sales followed a similar trajectory, increasing 7.7 percent annually to 4,306 transactions. These gains signal a gradual return of buyer confidence as mortgage rates settled in the 6 percent range later in the year and households adjusted expectations around pricing and timing.  Annually, there was a 15.5 percent increase in closed sales for 4-bedroom or more homes, while there was a 4.6 percent decline in transactions for 2-bedroom or less properties. Distressed sales increased 21.4 percent, accounting for 0.8 percent of the market.

Compared to last year, the median number of showings per listing before pending remained the same, at 7 showings. Interest was strongest in mid-range price points, particularly homes priced between $300,000 and $500,000, where both demand and available inventory increased compared to 2024.

“We saw the Catawba Valley market regain its footing in 2025,” said Natalie Armstrong, Realtor®/broker with Coldwell Banker, Boyd & Hassell, and 2026 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®. “Buyers adjusted to the new rate environment, sellers became more realistic with pricing, and inventory finally began to catch up. That combination laid the groundwork for a healthier, more predictable market heading into 2026.”

Pricing trends reflected a more measured pace of appreciation. The region’s median sales price increased 3.4 percent year-over-year to $299,990 compared to $290,000 in 2024. Notably, the median price is nearly $70,000 more than in 2021. Nationally, the median price is approximately 50 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. This increase, coupled with high interest rates, has driven the median age of first-time homebuyers to a record high of 40.

The average sales price edged up 2.3 percent to $364,369 compared to $356,019 in 2024. However, this is a 27.1 percent increase since 2021’s average sales price of $286,567. Sellers received an average of 94.2 percent of original list price in 2025, down modestly from 95.1 percent in 2024, as negotiations normalized amid expanding inventory and longer decision timelines.

Supply conditions continued to improve throughout the year. Inventory ended 2025 up 6.8 percent from the prior year, with 1,081 homes available for sale. Notably, this is a 214.2 percent increase from 2021, when supply was minimal. Months supply increased to 3.0 months, up from 2.8 months in 2024. This shift marks a healthier balance between supply and demand compared to the tighter conditions seen earlier in the decade.

New listings activity remained supportive of that balance. The region recorded 5,833 new listings in 2025, a 5.6 percent increase from 2024, extending a multiyear trend of improving seller participation. The region listed nearly 1,000 more properties in 2025 than it did in 2021.

Homes spent more time on the market in 2025 as conditions normalized. The average days on market increased 26.2 percent year-over-year to 53 days. Properties priced at or below $100,000 sold the fastest, while properties above $500,000 spent an average 62 days on the market. These longer timelines reflect a shift away from the rapid pace of recent years, giving buyers more room for due diligence and pricing discussions without signaling a loss of underlying demand.

“As we move into the new year, the outlook is encouraging,” Armstrong continued. “Lower mortgage rates and a more balanced inventory should bring additional buyers off the sidelines, while sellers who price to align with the current market are better positioned to capture demand. This year’s market rewards preparation, realistic pricing, and thoughtful strategy.”

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 posted notable year-over-year gains in overall transaction activity in 2025. Pending sales increased 15.7 percent year-over-year to 295 contracts, while closed sales rose 18.1 percent to 294 transactions. Pricing remained relatively stable, with the median sales price edging down 1.4 percent to $289,900, while the average sales price increased 2.7 percent to $372,988. Homes spent more time on the market, with average days on market rising 19.1 percent to 56 days, reflecting a more deliberate pace of buying. New listings increased 3.5 percent for the year, supporting continued market activity.

Burke County experienced mixed but stabilizing conditions over the course of 2025. New listings declined 6.3 percent year-over-year to 1,018 homes, while pending sales fell 5.4 percent to 760 contracts. Closed sales dipped slightly by 2.5 percent to 770 transactions. Despite softer sales totals, pricing remained resilient, with the median sales price rising 5.4 percent year-over-year to $274,000 and the average sales price increasing 1.9 percent to $336,458. Homes spent more time on the market, as average days on market increased 41.5 percent to 58 days, reflecting easing competition and expanded buyer choice.

Caldwell County recorded solid year-over-year growth across most key metrics in 2025. New listings rose 12.8 percent to 1,075 homes, while pending sales increased 5.4 percent to 785 contracts. Closed sales climbed 3.7 percent year-over-year to 776 transactions. Pricing trends were positive, with the median sales price rising 4.3 percent to $267,000 and the average sales price increasing 3.7 percent to $329,616. Inventory growth contributed to longer timeframes, with average days on market increasing 23.7 percent to 47 days, signaling a more balanced market environment.

Catawba County led the region in overall activity and year-over-year growth during 2025. New listings increased 7.8 percent to 3,386 homes, while pending sales rose 7.0 percent to 2,443 contracts. Closed sales increased 11.4 percent year-over-year to 2,466 transactions. Pricing remained steady, with the median sales price up 2.1 percent to $316,500 and the average sales price rising 1.5 percent to $382,990. Homes spent more time on the market, as average days on market increased 20.5 percent to 53 days, reflecting normalized buyer behavior amid improved inventory levels.

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 MLS is a wholly-owned subsidiary corporation of Canopy Realtor® Association and is the private broker cooperative used by Realtors® to bring buyers and sellers together with access to thousands of residential listings in a multicounty service area, including Charlotte, Asheville and Catawba Valley regions spanning across North Carolina, South Carolina and outside of the Carolinas. Canopy MLS, which has 21,000 subscribers, provides the most trustworthy, timely, accurate and complete property data along with proprietary tools for showings, market stats, predictive analytics, and more. Canopy MLS is used by its members to support consumers in their residential real estate transactions, whether selling, buying, investing or renting.