October 23, 2026
Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Buyer activity strengthened across the Catawba Valley housing market in September, even as closed sales declined and home prices moderated across the four-county market (Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties). With inventory remaining higher than a year ago, buyers continue to benefit from more choices and opportunities to negotiate as the market continues to shift. 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.

The increase in pending sales was a notable development following a summer marked by fluctuating activity, rising 13.8 percent year-over-year and 7.8 percent month-over-month to 403 contracts. While contracts rose in September, year-to-date pending sales remain relatively flat compared with 2025. Through the first nine months of 2026, contracts totaled 3,319, down just 0.2 percent from the same period last year. The September increase suggests buyers are continuing to participate in the market despite ongoing affordability concerns and a more measured pace of housing activity.

Closed sales declined 5.2 percent year-over-year and 0.5 percent month-over-month to 363 transactions. Through September, closed sales totaled 3,090 homes, a decrease of 4.6 percent compared with the first nine months of 2025. New-construction homes listed on the MLS accounted for 94 closed sales during September, representing approximately 26 percent of the month's completed transactions. This was also the third consecutive month of annual declines in sales.

Housing inventory continued to provide buyers with a greater selection of properties than a year ago. Inventory across the four-county region increased 10.9 percent year-over-year to 1,531 homes, although it declined 1.9 percent from August. New construction accounted for 379 available homes, or approximately 25 percent of the region's active inventory. Three-bedroom homes represented the largest share of available properties, with 813 listings, followed by 386 four-bedroom homes, 226 homes with two bedrooms or fewer, and 123 homes with five or more bedrooms.

Despite growing inventory, showing activity reflected a more selective buyer environment. According to ShowingTime data, the region recorded 4,633 showings in September, a decline of 9.8 percent year-over-year and 16.9 percent from August. Buyer interest averaged 2.8 showings per listing, down 15.2 percent from a year ago and the lowest ratio this year. Although overall showing activity declined, demand remained strong in certain price ranges, particularly among buyers seeking more affordable properties. Homes priced between $139,000 and $198,999 saw 4.1 showings per listing.

Months supply of inventory increased 10.3 percent year-over-year to 4.3 months, reflecting a market that continues to offer buyers more options than in recent years. A deeper dive shows that supply for the most in-demand price bracket of $139,999 to $198,999 is only 2.7 months, while homes listed above $309,000 are experiencing 5.4 months of supply.

New listings increased 1.7 percent year-over-year to 528 properties but declined 8.3 percent from August, reflecting a typical seasonal slowdown in the number of homes entering the market. New construction accounted for 115 new listings, or approximately 22 percent of September's newly available properties listed on the MLS. Year-to-date new listings totaled 4,816 homes, an increase of 2.5 percent compared with the same period last year.

"Greater housing inventory gives buyers more choices, but understanding affordability and available financial resources remains essential," said Natalie Armstrong, 2026 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors® and Realtor®/Broker with Coldwell Banker Boyd & Hassell. "Realtors® can help buyers evaluate local market conditions, identify potential down payment assistance opportunities, and navigate the purchasing process."

For buyers facing challenges with down payments and closing costs, Canopy MLS offers Down Payment Resource (DPR), a tool that connects eligible properties with available homeownership assistance programs. More than 80 percent of active residential listings in Canopy MLS may qualify for one or more assistance programs, depending on the property and program requirements. These programs may include grants, forgivable loans, tax credits, and other forms of financial assistance designed to help qualified buyers achieve homeownership.

Down payment assistance is not limited to first-time homebuyers. Depending on the program, repeat buyers, veterans, educators, healthcare professionals, public servants, and other eligible households may qualify for assistance. Some programs may be available for homes priced up to $800,000, with eligibility determined by factors such as household income, location, and individual program requirements.

Armstrong continued, “September's increases in pending sales and new listings are encouraging signs that buyers and sellers remain engaged across the Hickory-Lenoir area housing market.”

Home prices moderated in September, with the median sales price declining 2.9 percent year-over-year and 1.9 percent month-over-month to $299,190. While price growth has slowed over the year, this was only the second decline from 2025’s prices. The average sales price decreased 3.5 percent year-over-year and 6.5 percent from August to $358,283. While both measures declined during the month, the region's longer-term pricing trends indicate that home values have remained relatively resilient. The rolling 12-month median sales price increased 1.9 percent, while the rolling 12-month average sales price rose 3.2 percent.

New-construction homes continued to command higher prices than the overall regional median. During September, newly constructed homes recorded a median sales price of $339,000 and an average sales price of $368,803. The average list price for all properties increased 8.6 percent year-over-year and 3.1 percent month-over-month to $428,708, highlighting the continued difference between the prices of homes entering the market and those completing sales.

Despite growing inventory, homes that sold in September spent less time on the market than they did a year ago. Days on market declined 9.3 percent year-over-year to 49 days, unchanged from August. Sellers received an average of 94.1 percent of their original list price, compared with 94.0 percent in September 2025 and 94.9 percent in August. The rolling 12-month average of original list price received was 94.3 percent, remaining relatively stable over the past year.

Affordability remains an important consideration for prospective homebuyers. Although September's median sales price declined, the region's Housing Affordability Index decreased 3.2 percent year-over-year to 90. An index of 100 indicates that a household earning the area's median income has sufficient income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home under prevailing financing assumptions. September's data suggests that affordability challenges persist for households earning the region's median income, even as inventory expands and monthly prices moderate.

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 29 new listings in September, an increase of 16.0 percent year-over-year, while pending sales rose 24.0 percent to 31 contracts. Closed sales declined 3.4 percent to 28 transactions. The median sales price decreased 5.3 percent to $315,000, while the average sales price declined 8.0 percent to $339,659. Sellers received an average of 95.3 percent of their original list price, compared with 95.9 percent a year ago. Days on market increased 4.2 percent to 50 days. The average list price declined 14.1 percent to $419,538. Inventory increased 8.3 percent to 91 homes, representing 3.8 months of supply, an increase of 2.7 percent year-over-year.

Burke County experienced notable increases in buyer activity, with pending sales rising 28.6 percent year-over-year to 81 contracts and closed sales increasing 34.0 percent to 71 transactions. New listings rose 9.8 percent to 112 properties. The median sales price declined 7.7 percent to $240,000, while the average sales price decreased 11.1 percent to $328,909. Sellers received an average of 93.3 percent of their original list price, compared with 93.5 percent a year ago. Days on market remained unchanged at 49 days. The average list price increased 19.2 percent to $454,139. Inventory grew 21.8 percent to 335 homes, with months supply increasing 20.9 percent to 5.2 months, the highest among the region's four counties.

Caldwell County recorded 94 new listings in September, an increase of 6.8 percent year-over-year, while pending sales rose 1.5 percent to 67 contracts. Closed sales increased 3.2 percent to 65 transactions. The median sales price declined 11.0 percent to $258,000, while the average sales price decreased 14.8 percent to $296,943. Sellers received an average of 93.9 percent of their original list price, compared with 94.2 percent a year ago. Days on market decreased 2.4 percent to 41 days. The average list price declined 22.7 percent to $285,914. Inventory increased 7.6 percent to 282 homes, while months supply declined 4.7 percent to 4.1 months.

Catawba County recorded 293 new listings in September, a decrease of 3.6 percent year-over-year, while pending sales increased 12.0 percent to 224 contracts. Closed sales declined 16.4 percent to 199 transactions. The median sales price remained unchanged at $320,000, while the average sales price increased 3.6 percent to $391,420. Sellers received an average of 94.4 percent of their original list price, compared with 93.9 percent a year ago. Days on market decreased 11.9 percent to 52 days. The average list price increased 16.8 percent to $465,833. Inventory rose 8.4 percent to 823 homes, representing 4.2 months of supply, an increase of 13.5 percent year-over-year.

*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.