November 18, 2025

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

Market Activity Surges, Inventory Rebuilds, and Prices Hold Firm Across the MSA

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Home sales across the 13 western North Carolina counties served by Canopy MLS reflected an active and steadily recovering market in October, especially when compared to the same period last year, when Hurricane Helene brought the region to a standstill and sharply curtailed housing activity. As a result, this October’s year-over-year gains appear unusually large and should be viewed through the lens of last fall’s significant disruption and months-long rebuilding. Even so, market momentum was strong: closed sales rose 38.4 percent year-over-year as roughly 950 homes sold, pending contracts nearly doubled, up 99.6 percent, with close to 1,000 homes under contract, and new listings climbed 85.5 percent to just over 1,300 properties. Easing mortgage rates, which settled around 6.2 percent throughout October, also helped draw buyers back into the market, supporting the region’s continued return to more typical seasonal patterns. Data in this report is sourced from Canopy MLS and includes single-family homes, condos, and townhome sales only for 13 counties in western North Carolina, which include: Buncombe, Burke, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell. Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties, referred to loosely as the Asheville region.

The substantial rise in new listings has helped rebuild inventory levels across the region, which increased to nearly 5,000 homes for sale at report time, up 47 percent compared to last year’s unusually low, storm-affected baseline. Months of supply rose 39.5 percent to six months, a level that signals a healthier, more balanced market after nearly a year of disruption. This shift marks a return to conditions that favor neither buyers nor sellers, but instead reflect the steady normalization that has taken place since recovery and repair work accelerated earlier this spring.

“Hurricane Helene had a profound impact on our communities and on the housing market, and last fall’s slowdown is still visible in the year-over-year comparisons,” said Dave Noyes, Canopy MLS Board Director and Realtor®/broker with eXp Realty. “But October’s activity tells an encouraging story of resilience. More listings, steady demand, and a balanced level of supply show that the market is rebuilding in a healthy way. Buyers now have more choice and flexibility in the current market, as we return to normal seasonal patterns after months of repair, rebuilding.

The sharp increases in both inventory and supply this fall have placed mild downward pressure on prices, which is not unexpected given last year’s temporary stall in buyer activity. The median sales price held relatively steady, dipping just 0.5 percent year-over-year to $415,000, while the average sales price declined 1.7 percent to $527,700. Even with softening in some areas, sellers are still receiving most of asking price, as shown by the original list price received at 91.9 percent, a modest 2.6 percent decrease that aligns with the leverage buyers have gained as choices expanded.

With the market returning to more typical seasonal patterns, time on market continues to increase. Days on market rose 40 percent year-over-year to 70 days compared to 50 last October, a reflection not of weakening demand, but of a healthier, better-supplied market transitioning into the slower selling season, typical for the mountains of North Carolina.

The Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Sales across the Asheville MSA (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Madison Counties) reflected similar conditions, as closed sales rose 47.2 percent to 636 homes sold during the month.  Pending contracts soared by 106.3 percent year-over-year as 652 homes went under contract during the month.  Likewise, new listings increased by 103.6 percent compared to last year as sellers brought nearly 900 homes to market in October. 

The surge in new listings led to notable gains in both inventory and supply, which rose nearly 53 percent and 42 percent year-over-year, respectively. As of October 5, there were roughly 3,100 homes for sale across the metro area, representing 5.8 months of supply.  The significant increase in supply compared to last year, caused prices to cool.  The median sales price held steady, dipping 1.1 percent to $442,500, while the average sales price declined 4 percent to $548,800. The average list price increased 20.4 percent to $667,800, bringing the original list price received to 92.2 percent, a decline of 3.2 percent compared to last year, but still a strong incentive for sellers to list.

“Higher inventory levels across the Asheville MSA may look dramatic year-over-year, but that doesn’t mean prices are collapsing,” said Noyes. “Prices have cooled only slightly, and sellers are still receiving strong offers, especially when their homes are show-ready. Buyers now have room to breathe, and while sellers should expect a bit more time on market, especially as we head into the slower selling season. It’s still an excellent time to list if you’re priced strategically and prepared for today’s more balanced conditions.”

County Summaries See data for October 2025

Buncombe County’s housing market showed significant year-over-year gains in October, with new listings up 154.8 percent to 502 and pending sales rising 161.9 percent as 351 homes went under contract. Closed sales also increased sharply, up 79.5 percent with 341 homes sold during the month. The median sales price rose 1.7 percent to $450,000, while the average sales price declined 14.3 percent to $571,671, reflecting a wider mix of homes entering the market. Sellers received 92.7 percent of their original list price, a modest decline from last year, as days on market increased to 64 days compared to 47 days in 2024. Inventory surged 73.7 percent to 1,697 homes, bringing months of supply to six months and pushing the average list price to $715,817.

Haywood County experienced strong listing and contract activity in October, with new listings up 64.3 percent to 138 and pending sales rising 46.5 percent as 104 homes went under contract. Closed sales rose slightly by 2.4 percent to 86 transactions. Prices softened compared to last year, with the median sales price down 11.2 percent to $385,000 and the average sales price dipping 3.8 percent to $483,306. Sellers received 91 percent of their original list price as days on market increased to 65 days, up from 58 last year. Inventory grew 32.4 percent to 507 homes, bringing months of supply to 5.8 and pushing the average list price to $546,792.

Henderson County’s market continued to show strong momentum in October, as new listings rose 52.1 percent to 213 and pending contracts increased 68.6 percent with 172 homes going under contract. Closed sales climbed 26.5 percent year-over-year to 186. Prices remained relatively stable, with the median sales price dipping 3.1 percent to $450,500 while the average sales price increased 9.8 percent to $546,200. Sellers received 92.3 percent of their original list price as days on market rose to 77 days, up from 48 last October. Inventory rose 36.5 percent to 816 homes, raising months of supply to 5.1 and bringing the average list price to $644,825.

Madison County showed large year-over-year gains in activity, with new listings up 127.8 percent to 41 and pending sales up 177.8 percent as 25 homes went under contract. Closed sales more than doubled, rising 109.1 percent to 23 homes sold. Prices strengthened, with the median sales price up 15.9 percent to $475,000 and the average sales price rising 2 percent to $473,779. Sellers received 89.2 percent of their original list price, a decline from last year, while days on market increased significantly to 116 days. Inventory rose 30.1 percent to 147 homes, resulting in eight months of supply and an average list price of $609,642.

Other counties around the region

Burke County’s housing market activity cooled slightly in October, with new listings down 9.9 percent to 64 and pending sales holding relatively steady at 63, while closed sales declined 15.3 percent to 72. Prices softened, as the median sales price dipped 7 percent to $260,500 and the average sales price edged down 1.3 percent to $345,411. Sellers received 93.1 percent of their original list price, as days on market increased to 51 days compared to 39 days last year. Inventory rose 9.1 percent to 239 homes, bringing months of supply to 3.7. The average list price increased 5.5 percent to $376,670, reflecting continued demand for higher-end properties.

Jackson County experienced strong growth in October, with new listings up 84.2 percent to 35 and pending sales up 200 percent as 36 homes went under contract, while closed sales increased 27.8 percent to 23. Prices showed mixed movement, as the median sales price fell 7.2 percent to $355,000 but the average sales price rose 6 percent to $682,783. Sellers received 92.4 percent of original list price, a slight improvement over last year, while days on market remained stable at 49 days. Inventory nearly doubled, rising 85.9 percent to 158 homes, bringing months of supply to 7.5. The average list price dipped 4.3 percent to $636,074 as more mid-range homes entered the market.

McDowell County saw notable increases in activity, with new listings up 48.6 percent to 52 and pending sales rising 225 percent as 52 homes went under contract, while closed sales grew 51.9 percent to 41. The median sales price softened 4.8 percent to $300,000, while the average sales price crept up 2.3 percent to $375,079. Sellers received 90.1 percent of original list price, as days on market increased significantly to 81 days from 47 a year ago. Inventory rose 23.8 percent to 213 homes, resulting in 5.8 months of supply, indicating a more balanced market. The average list price jumped 62.9 percent to $471,710, driven in part by an influx of higher-priced properties.

(Due to smaller sample sizes in counties where there is a smaller pool of listings, percentage increases or decreases may seem extreme.)

Mitchell County posted substantial year-over-year gains in October, with new listings up 525 percent to 25 and pending sales rising 433.3 percent as 16 homes went under contract; closed sales also more than doubled to 17. Prices strengthened considerably, with the median sales price increasing 37.1 percent to $425,000 and the average sales price rising 6.1 percent to $395,176. Sellers received 90.3 percent of their original list price, an improvement over last year, as days on market fell from 111 to 71 days. Inventory increased 34.3 percent to 94 homes, pushing months of supply to 8.7. The average list price climbed 72.3 percent to $426,756, reflecting a surge of higher-value listings. 

(Due to smaller sample sizes in counties where there is a smaller pool of listings, percentage increases or decreases may seem extreme)
Polk County saw significant increases in activity during October, with new listings up 53.6 percent to 43 and pending sales doubling to 30, while closed sales rose 33.3 percent to 28. Home prices strengthened, as the median sales price surged 25.3 percent to $507,500 and the average sales price increased 10.4 percent to $649,357. Sellers received 91.5 percent of original list price, while days on market held steady at 60 days. Inventory rose 57.7 percent to 194 homes, bringing months of supply to 8.3. The average list price fell 9 percent to $636,877 as more moderately priced homes re-entered the market.

Rutherford County posted strong year-over-year gains in October, with new listings up 42.9 percent to 80 and pending sales increasing 83.3 percent to 66, while closed sales grew 27.7 percent to 60. Prices continued to rise, as the median sales price increased 11.9 percent to $330,000 and the average sales price rose 15.9 percent to $373,600. Sellers received 92.1 percent of original list price, though days on market climbed to 82 days, up from 57 last year. Inventory increased 14.3 percent to 352 homes, pushing months of supply to six months. The average list price declined 18.2 percent to $408,992, signaling greater affordability in available listings.

Transylvania County saw substantial increases in October activity, with new listings up 88.4 percent to 81 and pending sales up 85.7 percent to 52, while closed sales rose 28.2 percent to 50. Prices softened, with the median sales price dipping 3.2 percent to $537,500 and the average sales price dropping 21.7 percent to $713,091. Sellers received 88.4 percent of original list price as days on market climbed to 77 days compared to 59 a year ago. Inventory grew 57.5 percent to 285 homes, raising months of supply to 6.8. The average list price increased 5 percent to $1,052,823, reflecting continued demand for higher-end listings despite slower absorption.

For more residential-housing market statistics, visit www.CarolinaHome.com and click on “Market Data.” For an interview with a Realtor®/broker representing the Canopy MLS service area in the western/mountain region of North Carolina, 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.