October 28, 2025

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Region’s housing market strengthened in September, with rising home prices and steady buyer demand reflecting renewed optimism after the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cut. The sales data in this report is sourced from Canopy MLS and encompasses single-family homes, condos, and townhomes sold in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties.

Prices led the way, with the median sales price up 5.6 percent year-over-year to $309,000, while the average price climbed 2.4 percent to $369,101. Both measures rose compared to August, underscoring steady price appreciation even as buyers gained more options. Sellers also listed homes with confidence, as the average list price reached $410,542—up 4.1 percent from last year and 1.0 percent higher than in August. The percent of original list price received held steady at 93.9 percent, reflecting modest negotiating room in a market that continues to rebalance.

Inventory rose 22.3 percent year-over-year to 1,296 homes, though it slipped 1.9 percent from August. New construction accounts for 28 percent of available properties. This marks the fifth consecutive month with inventory above 1,200 homes—one of the most balanced levels the region has seen since 2020. Months supply also increased 12.5 percent to 3.6 months, reinforcing that balance.

New listings increased 10.2 percent year-over-year to 508, reversing August’s decline and signaling renewed seller confidence as borrowing costs ease. Builders remained active, with new construction accounting for 28 percent of new listings—up from 25 percent a month earlier. Pending sales rose 13.2 percent year-over-year and 2.2 percent month-over-month to 377, extending a six-month streak of strong contract activity.

 “With mortgage rates finally easing after the Fed’s rate cut, buyers are stepping back into the market with confidence,” said Dawn Kilby, Realtor®/broker with Realty Executives of Hickory and 2025 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®. “We’re seeing well-priced homes move quickly again, and sellers who had been hesitant are recognizing that now may be the best time in years to make their next move before further rate adjustments later this year.”

Closed sales jumped 21.6 percent year-over-year to 360, one of the region’s strongest September performances despite seasonal slowing, though activity fell 10.2 percent compared to August. New construction accounted for 27 percent of all September closings.

Kilby continued, “This more balanced environment—where inventory is catching up to demand and rates are softening—creates a healthier marketplace for everyone. Buyers have more time and choice, and sellers are benefiting from continued price appreciation.”

Homes spent an average of 54 days on market, up from 37 days last September, reflecting steady buyer interest at a calmer pace. This was an 8.0 percent increase from August. Across the region, showing activity totaled 5,140 appointments—up 22.1 percent year-over-year—with buyers averaging 3.4 showings per listing. Hickory led all submarkets with an average of 4.0 showings per listing, followed by Newton at 3.2. The rise in showings indicates that buyers were more engaged this September than in previous late-summer periods.

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 New listings dipped 3.8 percent to 25, while pending sales increased 50.0 percent to 27 and closed sales climbed 26.1 percent to 29. Prices reflected that demand, with the median sales price rising 11.2 percent to $332,500 and the average sales price at $369,014, down slightly 3.2 percent from a year ago. Sellers received an average of 95.9 percent of their original list price, up from 94.0 percent last year. Homes averaged 48 days on market until sale, unchanged from last September. The average list price jumped 20.2 percent to $503,594, while inventory grew 20.0 percent to 78 homes, resulting in 3.4 months of supply—an indicator of improving market balance.

Burke County New listings increased 12.0 percent to 103, and pending sales were up 18.3 percent to 71, though closed sales slipped 7.7 percent to 48. The median sales price dipped slightly by 1.9 percent to $257,450, while the average sales price fell 12.6 percent to $351,362. Sellers received 93.3 percent of their original list price, compared to 95.2 percent last year. Homes took longer to sell, with days on market rising 30.8 percent to 51. The average list price increased 6.7 percent to $395,604, and inventory rose 16.4 percent to 263 homes, bringing months of supply up to 4.1, the highest among the four counties.

Caldwell County New listings inched down 1.1 percent to 86, while pending sales slipped 3.9 percent to 73 and closed sales rose 11.1 percent to 60. Prices strengthened, with the median up 18.3 percent to $290,000 and the average up 8.6 percent to $353,286. Sellers received 94.2 percent of original list price, down slightly from 94.6 percent in 2024. Homes spent an average of 43 days on market, up sharply from 23 days last year. The average list price increased 0.6 percent to $384,024, while inventory expanded 37.9 percent to 240 homes, raising months of supply to 3.9.

Catawba County New listings climbed 14.8 percent to 294, while pending sales rose 15.1 percent to 206 and closed sales surged 33.5 percent to 223. Prices remained stable, with the median sales price up 1.6 percent to $320,000 and the average price increasing 5.9 percent to $377,186. The percent of original list price received declined slightly to 93.6 percent, compared to 94.9 percent last year. Homes took longer to sell, averaging 59 days on market, up 47.5 percent from a year ago. The average list price reached $415,473, up 2.8 percent, while inventory rose 20.2 percent to 715 homes, maintaining a healthy 3.5 months of supply.

For more residential-housing market statistics, visit www.CarolinaHome.com and click on “Market Data.” For an interview with 2025 president of Catawba Valley Association of REALTORS® Dawn Kilby, Realtor®/Broker at Realty Executives of Hickory, 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.