December 18, 2025

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Region housing market entered a period of recalibration in November as buyer activity remained steady and sellers adjusted expectations in response to easing mortgage rates and normal seasonal slowdowns. While activity eased from October, demand remained resilient, supported in part by the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut, which helped stabilize affordability and boost buyer confidence. Data in this report comes from Canopy MLS and includes single-family homes, condos, and townhomes across Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties.

Pricing trends further underscored the market’s ongoing transition. The median sales price declined 0.3 percent year-over-year to $299,000 but rose 3.1 percent compared to October. However, the average sales price decreased 5.9 percent annually to $360,176. At the same time, sellers continued to demonstrate confidence with the average list price climbing 12.9 percent year-over-year and up 4.8 percent from October to $440,491. As negotiations normalized, the percent of original list price received edged down slightly to 93.5 percent, down 0.1 percent both year-over-year and month-over-month.

Inventory trends showed gradual improvement even as monthly totals tightened. The number of homes for sale increased 8.3 percent from last November to 1,208 units, though inventory declined 5.7 percent compared to October as buyers absorbed available supply while potential sellers hold out for the 2026 spring market. Months supply remained unchanged from a year ago at 3.3 months but fell 8.3 percent month-over-month, continuing a pattern of modest tightening since September. New construction accounted for 28 percent of inventory.

New listings slowed further as the year progressed. The region recorded 386 new listings in November, down 9.6 percent year-over-year and 17.5 percent from October. This marks the third monthly decline following nearly two years of consistent annual growth. Builders contributed approximately 20 percent of new listings, continuing to play a stabilizing role in overall supply even as resale activity softened seasonally.

“We’re seeing a much more thoughtful market than in recent years,” said Dawn Kilby, Realtor®/broker with Realty Executives of Hickory and 2025 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®. “Lower rates have brought buyers back into the conversation, but they’re no longer rushing decisions, as we move itno the slower winter selling season. That balance gives sellers realistic expectations while allowing buyers the time they need to make confident choices.”

Buyer demand remained resilient during November. Pending sales increased 17.1 percent year-over-year to 329 contracts but fell 18.2 percent compared to October, reflecting typical seasonal timing rather than diminished interest. Closed sales totaled 303, down 10.1 percent from last November and 21.3 percent month-over-month, ending a streak of five consecutive annual gains. These figures point to longer transaction timelines rather than a retreat from the market. Despite multiple year-over-year dips over the past 12 months, the rolling average for closed sales remains up 6.4 percent.

Homes spent an average of 50 days on market in November, down 2.0 percent year-over-year and 5.7 percent from October. Showing activity remained solid, with more than 3,800 showings across the region and buyers averaging 2.7 showings per listing. Newton posted the highest buyer interest ratio, while Catawba County led total showing volume.

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 22 new listings, down 29.0 percent year-over-year. Pending sales rose 53.3 percent annually to 23, while closed sales increased 3.7 percent year-over-year to 28. The median sales price jumped 29.1 percent year-over-year to $374,500, while the average sales price climbed 39.1 percent to $474,175. Sellers received 96.1 percent of original list price. Homes averaged 41 days on market, down significantly from last year. The average list price was $340,968. Inventory increased slightly to 76 homes, with months supply tightening to 3.1.

Burke County saw 65 new listings, down 1.5 percent year-over-year while pending sales increased 10.4 percent to 53. Closed sales declined 13.1 percent to 53. The median sales price rose 10.2 percent year-over-year to $270,000 while the average sales price fell 13.2 percent to $291,253. Sellers received 92.3 percent of original list price. Homes spent an average of 49 days on market. The average list price was $353,106. Inventory rose to 233 homes, pushing months supply up to 3.6.

Caldwell County posted 80 new listings, down 3.6 percent year-over-year. Pending sales surged 45.8 percent annually to 70. Closed sales increased 23.2 percent year-over-year to 69. The median sales price slipped 1.5 percent to $252,000, while the average sales price fell 6.2 percent to $290,898. Sellers received 90.4 percent of original list price. Homes averaged 58 days on market, up from October. The average list price was $361,601. Inventory grew to 229 homes, with months supply rising to 3.5.

Catawba County recorded 219 new listings, down 11.3 percent year-over-year. Pending sales increased 7.6 percent annually to 183, while closed sales dropped 20.7 percent to 153. The median sales price fell 4.3 percent to $315,000 but improved month-over-month. The average sales price declined 7.2 percent to $394,432. Sellers received 94.8 percent of original list price. Homes spent an average of 47 days on market. The average list price surged to $505,839. Inventory increased 4.4 percent to 670 homes, while months supply eased to 3.2.

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.