February 26, 2026

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

Pending sales rise and pricing holds steady in the four-county MSA, while broader mountain region sees growing inventory and renewed buyer engagement.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  The Asheville MSA housing market reflected typical seasonal patterns in January, with steady activity amid the slower winter selling season. Closed sales across the four-county MSA (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Madison) declined 5 percent year-over-year to 401 homes sold, 21 fewer than last January, and were down 30.1 percent compared to December 2025, consistent with normal post-holiday softening.

Contract activity remained stable year-over-year, inching up 0.2 percent as 473 homes went under contract. On a month-over-month basis, however, pending contracts rose 21 percent, signaling renewed buyer engagement and strengthening the potential for future closings, assuming transactions move through the typical 62 to 85-day timeline. The increase in contract activity suggests buyers are positioning themselves to take advantage of stabilizing mortgage rates, which hovered just below 6 percent throughout much of January.  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.

Seller activity across the MSA softened year-over-year in January, with new listings declining 18.8 percent to 508 homes. Compared to December, however, listing activity rebounded 37.3 percent, a typical post-holiday increase, helping push total inventory to just over 2,400 homes at report time. Months of supply rose to 4.4 months, reflecting year-over-year increases of 24.8 percent in inventory and 13.9 percent in supply. The steady buildup in available homes signals continued movement toward a more balanced market, offering buyers expanded options and easing competitive pressure seen in recent years.

“While closed sales dipped modestly year-over-year, the real story is in the contract activity,” said Dave Noyes, Canopy MLS Board Director and Designated Managing Broker with eXp Realty. “A 21 percent increase in pending sales from December tells us buyers are re-engaging and preparing early for the spring market. At the same time, inventory growth is giving the market room to breathe. We’re seeing a gradual normalization, not a slowdown, where pricing discipline, preparation, and local expertise matter more than ever.”

Home values remained relatively stable, even as supply expanded. The median sales price held largely steady month-over-month, dipping 1.1 percent from December, and was down 4 percent year-over-year to $437,000, suggesting modest price softening as negotiating power gradually shifts. Meanwhile, the average sales price increased 7.4 percent to $584,256, indicating continued strength in higher price segments of the market. Pricing adjustments across the MSA were also evident in seller expectations. The average list price declined 4.5 percent to $588,960, and the original list-to-sales price ratio fell 3.7 percentage points to 91.2 percent.

“The MSA is seeing modest adjustments in the median price, but overall home values remain stable, and appreciation is still occurring in many segments of the market, said Noyes. Sellers are still achieving strong outcomes, particularly when homes are priced appropriately, and the shift we’re seeing is toward balance, not a downturn.”

Typical for the winter selling season, homes were on market longer, with days on market which accrue for “Active” and “Under Contract Show” statuses, increasing 37.1 percent to 85 days.

Buncombe County’s housing market in January 2026 reflected a seasonal slowdown alongside meaningful inventory growth, signaling continued movement toward balance. New listings declined 20.9 percent year-over-year to 242 homes, while pending sales dipped 1.6 percent and closed sales fell 10.7 percent to 191 transactions. The median sales price softened 2.1 percent to $465,000, even as the average sales price rose 17.3 percent to $697,117, indicating strength in higher-end sales. Sellers received 91.5 percent of their original list price, down from a year ago, as pricing adjusted modestly. Inventory increased 39.6 percent to 1,173 homes, pushing months’ supply up 31.3 percent to 4.2 months. Homes also took longer to sell, with days on market rising 43.3 percent to 86 days, reflecting a market that is normalizing and offering buyers more negotiating power.

Haywood County’s housing market in January 2026 showed strengthening sales activity alongside moderating prices and modest inventory growth. New listings increased 18.7 percent year-over-year to 108 homes, while pending sales rose 20 percent and closed sales improved 2.9 percent to 70 transactions. The median sales price declined 7.4 percent to $387,350, and the average sales price fell 4.8 percent to $424,536, suggesting price recalibration following prior gains. Sellers received 90.2 percent of their original list price, down from a year ago, even as the average list price rose 2.7 percent to $457,222. Inventory expanded 19.7 percent to 370 homes, pushing months’ supply slightly higher to 4.1 months. Homes also took longer to sell, with days on market rising 33.9 percent to 83 days, reflecting a market that is stabilizing with more balanced conditions. 

Henderson County’s January 2026 market reflected stable sales activity paired with softer pricing and extended marketing times. New listings declined 32.2 percent year-over-year to 139 homes, while pending sales slipped 0.7 percent, and closed sales were nearly flat, down just 0.8 percent to 122 transactions. The median sales price eased 1.6 percent to $435,000, while the average sales price inched up 0.7 percent to $517,998, indicating overall price stability. Sellers received 91.4 percent of their original list price, down from 95 percent last year, as the average list price fell 11.1 percent to $534,198. Inventory rose modestly by 5.7 percent to 594 homes, though months’ supply edged down slightly to 3.8 months. Homes spent more time on the market, with days on market increasing 40.7 percent to 83 days, signaling continued normalization.

Madison County’s January 2026 housing market reflected softer contract activity alongside expanding inventory and notable price adjustments. New listings declined 20.8 percent year-over-year to 19 homes, and pending sales fell 35 percent, while closed sales rose 5.9 percent to 18 transactions. The median sales price dropped 27.3 percent to $356,000, and the average sales price decreased 11.9 percent to $456,889, reflecting variability typical of smaller markets. Sellers received 90.1 percent of their original list price, slightly lower than last year, even as the average list price increased 13 percent to $727,195. Inventory grew 23.4 percent to 116 homes, pushing months’ supply up significantly to 6.6 months — the highest among the four counties. Homes moved more quickly than a year ago, with days on market decreasing 34.9 percent to 82 days, though overall activity levels remain modest.

Noyes continued, “While each county has its own dynamics, the broader story is one of normalization and opportunity. Inventory growth is giving buyers more choice, and we’re already seeing renewed engagement that typically builds as we approach the spring market. Sellers who enter the market well-prepared and strategically priced will remain competitive as the Asheville MSA transitions into a more balanced and sustainable environment for 2026.” 

See data for 20+ Mountain-area Communities in Western NC, January 2026

Throughout the western region counties where Canopy MLS trends data, the market experienced steady recalibration rather than a slowdown. While closed sales eased seasonally in January, contract activity strengthened, signaling buyers are re-engaging as the spring market approaches. Home prices held largely steady overall, with higher-end activity supporting average values even as some counties experienced price adjustments. Inventory continued to expand, giving buyers more choice and easing competitive pressure. Notably, Jackson, Mitchell, and Yancey saw significant inventory growth, while Polk and Yancey posted strong gains in pending sales, pointing to renewed momentum across parts of the region.

Burke County’s housing market in January 2026 reflected rising new listing activity alongside softer closings and steady inventory levels. New listings increased 14.3 percent year-over-year to 72 homes, while pending sales rose 27.1 percent, signaling improving buyer engagement; however, closed sales declined 35.1 percent to 37 transactions. The median sales price climbed 8.6 percent to $285,000, even as the average price dipped 6.4 percent to $351,091, suggesting variability across price segments. Sellers received 92.5 percent of original list price, a slight improvement over last year. Inventory edged down 4.2 percent to 207 homes, keeping months’ supply relatively stable at 3.2 months, indicating the market remains competitive despite slower completed sales.

Jackson County experienced stronger sales and notable price growth in January 2026, paired with significant inventory expansion. New listings rose 43.8 percent to 23 homes, and closed sales increased 23.5 percent to 21 transactions, while pending sales dipped slightly. The median sales price rose 12.6 percent to $515,000, and the average sales price surged 54.2 percent to just over $1.08 million, reflecting a concentration of higher-end closings. Sellers received 90.5 percent of original list price, down from last year. Inventory grew sharply, up 84.3 percent to 129 homes, pushing months’ supply to 6.1 months and signaling a clear shift toward a more balanced, less competitive market.

McDowell County’s January market reflected steady listing activity and expanding inventory, though contract activity softened. New listings held flat year-over-year at 39 homes, while pending sales declined 39 percent and closed sales dipped 8 percent to 23 transactions. The median sales price remained essentially unchanged at $315,000, while the average sales price rose 63.8 percent to $586,874, influenced by higher-priced sales. Sellers received 89.8 percent of their original list price, slightly below last year. Inventory increased 36.1 percent to 162 homes, raising months’ supply to 4.6 months and providing buyers with expanded options as homes took longer to sell.

Rutherford County saw improving sales and strong price growth in January 2026, paired with moderate inventory expansion. Closed sales increased 6.1 percent to 52 transactions, while pending sales rose 7.7 percent, though new listings declined 20.5 percent year-over-year. The median sales price jumped 31.2 percent to $314,950, and the average price rose 40.9 percent, suggesting robust upper-tier activity. Sellers received 91.5 percent of original list price, slightly below last year. Inventory increased 7.2 percent to 297 homes, pushing months’ supply to 5.2 months, indicating continued movement toward balance.

Transylvania County’s housing market in January 2026 reflected rising listing and contract activity, alongside softer pricing and expanding supply. New listings increased 14.3 percent and pending sales rose 25.8 percent, while closed sales slipped 3.7 percent to 26 transactions. The median sales price declined 7.1 percent to $476,500, and the average price fell 33.2 percent, influenced by fewer high-end sales compared to last year. Sellers received 89.8 percent of original list price, slightly below 2025 levels. Inventory grew 35.8 percent to 205 homes, pushing months’ supply to 4.8 months as homes took longer to sell, signaling continued normalization.

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

Mitchell County saw stronger sales activity in January, with pending sales up 57.1 percent and closed sales rising 10 percent. However, the median sales price declined 30.9 percent to $280,000, reflecting volatility common in smaller markets. Inventory increased 33.9 percent, pushing months’ supply to 7.0 months, the highest among these counties, signaling a buyer-leaning market with expanded choice.

Polk County experienced a surge in buyer activity, with pending sales jumping 64.7 percent and closed sales up 4.8 percent. The median sales price rose 3.1 percent to $484,750, while inventory expanded 28.3 percent, bringing supply to 6.0 months. The combination of rising demand and growing inventory points to a market moving toward balance, though buyers are gaining negotiating leverage.

Yancey County posted sharp increases in contract activity, with pending sales surging 118.2 percent, though closed sales declined 20 percent in the small-sample market. The median sales price climbed 33.9 percent to $428,500, while inventory expanded 64.6 percent, pushing months’ supply to 7.0 months. The data reflects renewed buyer engagement alongside significantly growing supply.

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.