February 25, 2026

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Region’s January performance reflects a market building momentum at the start of the year, supported by steady inventory levels, improving affordability, and a continued recalibration toward sustainable growth. 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.

Home values remained resilient to begin the year. The median sales price rose 7.8 percent year-over-year to $315,000, continuing a steady upward trajectory that has defined the region in recent years. The average sales price was $353,172, nearly flat compared to last year and only slightly less than December 2025, with a 7.9 percent decline. This stability indicates that while appreciation continues, pricing is advancing at a measured pace rather than accelerating sharply.

Sellers maintained confidence in January. The average list price increased 4.4 percent year-over-year and 4.8 percent compared to December, reaching $415,786. Homes sold for 93.5 percent of original list price, nearly unchanged from last year. While negotiations have become more common, sellers are still capturing the majority of their original asking prices when homes are positioned appropriately.

Inventory conditions held steady as the new year began. The region had 1,041 homes available for sale, a 4.2 percent increase compared to last January and the 17th consecutive month with inventory at or above 1,000 active listings. This represents a modest month-over-month decline from December’s 1,127 properties. Months supply held steady at 2.9 months and was slightly lower than December, keeping the market below the six-month benchmark typically associated with full balance.

New listings totaled 392 properties in January, down 4.9 percent from last year and 35.2 percent less compared to December. The opposite held true for buyer activity as pending sales increased 6.9 percent year-over-year and 45.7 percent month-over-month to 341 contracts. Closed sales totaled 203 transactions, a 28.3 percent decline reflecting the typical seasonal slowdown experienced in January.

“January’s performance shows that the Catawba Valley market is entering 2026 with a strong foundation,” said Natalie Armstrong, Realtor®/broker with Coldwell Banker, Boyd & Hassell, and 2026 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®. “With mortgage rates at a three-year low, we’re seeing buyers step back into the market with renewed confidence. Inventory remains steady, and sellers who are pricing appropriately are continuing to see solid results.”

Showing activity further supports the narrative of renewed engagement. Buyer traffic remains consistent with recent months. Engagement is particularly concentrated in mid-range price points where interest and inventory are aligning more effectively. Average days on market rose to 67 days, up 15.5 percent from last year and also from December. This extended timeframe provides buyers with greater opportunity for due diligence and strategic negotiation. At the same time, properly priced homes in desirable locations continue to attract competitive attention.

Armstrong added, “This is a more balanced and sustainable environment than we’ve seen in previous years. Buyers have options, sellers have opportunity, and the foundation is in place for a healthy spring market. If rates hold where they are, we expect activity to build steadily through the first and second quarters.”

New construction continued to play a critical role in supporting inventory and transaction activity to start the year. Of the 1,041 total homes available in January, 315 were newly built properties, accounting for approximately 30 percent of all available inventory. Builders also represented 27 percent of new listings, with 106 of the 392 homes that came to market in January being new construction. Demand for new homes remained steady as 72 homes entered into contracts this month, while 20 percent of closings were new builds. This consistent contribution from the builder sector continues to stabilize supply, provide move-in-ready options for buyers, and prevent the inventory shortages that characterized earlier years*.

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 30 new listings and 25 pending sales, both increases compared to last year. Closed sales totaled 17 transactions. The median sales price was $315,000, and the average sales price was $327,787. Homes received 93.1 percent of original list price. Properties averaged 72 days on market. The average list price was $362,937, which is up 6.2 percent. Inventory stood at 62 homes for sale, a slight 7.5 percent decline representing a 2.5-month supply, keeping conditions relatively tight despite improved activity.

Burke County posted 72 new listings and 61 pending sales, reflecting notable gains in buyer engagement. Closed sales totaled 37 transactions – a 35.1 decline from last year. The median sales price rose to $285,000 (8.6 percent increase), while the average sales price was $351,091 (6.4 percent decrease). Sellers received 92.5 percent of original list price. Homes averaged 83 days on market, up 5.1 percent. The average list price reached $376,448. Inventory totaled 207 homes, which is down 4.2 percent from last year, equating to a 3.2-month supply.

Caldwell County reported 66 new listings (4.3 percent decrease) and 71 pending sales (20.3 percent increase), demonstrating solid demand to start the year. Closed sales reached 40 transactions, slightly down from 49 in 2025. The median sales price was $260,000, and the average sales price was $323,110. Homes sold for 93.6 percent of original list price – up 2.1 percent. Properties averaged 74 days on market. The average list price was $386,077. Inventory rose to 194 homes for sale, an increase of 21.3 percent, ending with a 2.9-month supply.

Catawba County, the region’s largest and most active market, recorded 224 new listings (13.5 percent decrease) and 184 pending sales (3.7 percent decrease). Closed sales totaled 109 transactions, which is down 31 percent year-over-year. The median sales price increased to $325,000, and the average sales price rose to $368,869. Sellers received 93.8 percent of original list price. Homes averaged 58 days on market, a small 3.6 percent increase. The average list price was $444,262, up 4.1 percent. Inventory stood at 578 homes available for sale, representing a 2.8-month supply. Activity levels in Catawba County continue to anchor the broader regional market.

*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 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.