March 23, 2026

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

Pending sales rise as inventory expands across the four-county MSA, and mountain region markets continue to recalibrate ahead of the spring season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  The Asheville MSA housing market in February continued to reflect typical seasonal patterns, with steady buyer activity as the region gradually moves toward the spring selling season. Closed sales across the four-county MSA (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Madison) declined 7.7 percent year-over-year to 372 homes sold, 31 fewer than last February. Compared to January, closings softened modestly, consistent with the winter market’s slower pace.

Contract activity, however, showed signs of strengthening. Pending sales rose 4.5 percent year-over-year to 461 homes under contract, indicating continued buyer engagement despite broader economic pressures. The increase in contracts suggests buyers are beginning to position themselves ahead of the spring market, assuming transactions follow the typical 62- to 85-day closing timeline.  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 moderated slightly year-over-year, with new listings declining 8.6 percent to 551 homes. Despite fewer new listings entering the market, overall housing supply continued to expand. Inventory climbed 19.1 percent year-over-year to just over 2,200 homes available at report time. Months of supply increased to 4.1 months, up 10.8 percent from last February. The continued growth in inventory signals the market is steadily moving toward greater balance, providing buyers with more choices while easing the intense competition seen in recent years.

“While closed sales softened slightly from last year, buyer activity is showing encouraging signs beneath the surface,” said Dave Noyes, Canopy MLS Board Director and Designated Managing Broker with eXp Realty. “Pending sales increased compared to last February, which tells us buyers are still actively entering the market and preparing for the spring season. At the same time, inventory levels continue to improve, giving buyers more options and helping move the market toward a healthier balance.”

Home values remained relatively stable even as supply expanded and buyers gained additional negotiating power. The median sales price declined modestly year-over-year by 2.1 percent to $430,000. Meanwhile, the average sales price decreased 4.9 percent to $507,240, reflecting some moderation in higher-priced segments of the market.

Pricing adjustments were also evident in seller expectations and outcomes. The average list price increased 6.6 percent to $657,381, while the original list-to-sales price ratio declined to 92.2 percent, indicating buyers are gaining slightly more leverage in negotiations compared to the heightened competition of previous years.

“The Asheville-metro continues to move toward greater balance said Noyes. “Prices remain relatively stable overall, but buyers are gaining more room to negotiate as inventory expands. Sellers who price strategically and prepare their homes well are still achieving strong results, while buyers are benefiting from having more time and more options than they’ve had in recent years.”

Typical for the late winter market, homes spent more time on the market. Days on market increased 29 percent year-over-year to 89 days, reflecting a slower and more measured pace of transactions as buyers take additional time to evaluate their options..

MSA Counties at a Glance

Buncombe County’s housing activity in February reflected continued seasonal moderation alongside notable inventory growth, signaling further movement toward market balance. New listings declined 8.8 percent year-over-year to 301 homes, while pending sales increased 4.5 percent and closed sales fell 6.7 percent to 194 transactions. The median sales price declined 5.8 percent to $468,000, and the average sales price decreased 5.2 percent to $554,936, reflecting modest price adjustments across several segments of the market. Sellers received 91.3 percent of their original list price, down slightly from a year ago as negotiations became more common. Inventory expanded significantly, rising 29 percent to 1,161 homes, pushing months’ supply up 20.6 percent to 4.1 months. Homes also spent more time on the market, with days on market increasing 28.2 percent to 91 days, reflecting a market that continues to normalize and offer buyers more flexibility.

Haywood County’s February activity showed strengthening sales activity alongside rising home values and expanding inventory. New listings declined 13.2 percent year-over-year to 79 homes, while pending sales increased 7.1 percent and closed sales rose 11.9 percent to 66 transactions. The median sales price increased 18.1 percent to $378,000, and the average sales price climbed 12.1 percent to $428,696, indicating strong demand across several price segments. Sellers received 93.9 percent of their original list price, an improvement from last year, reflecting competitive buyer interest in well-priced homes. Inventory grew 15.9 percent to 357 homes, while months’ supply held steady at 4.0 months. Homes also took slightly longer to sell, with days on market increasing 9.7 percent to 79 days, signaling a market that remains active but is gradually stabilizing as inventory expands.

Henderson County’s housing market this past February reflected moderating sales activity paired with softer pricing and longer marketing times. New listings declined 5.5 percent year-over-year to 154 homes, while pending sales rose 8.5 percent, signaling continued buyer engagement. Closed sales fell 16.4 percent to 102 transactions, reflecting slower winter market conditions. The median sales price declined 4.2 percent to $430,000, while the average sales price decreased 10.8 percent to $464,572, indicating some price recalibration following prior gains. Sellers received 93.4 percent of their original list price, down from 95.4 percent last year, even as the average list price increased 16.5 percent to $612,198. Inventory rose slightly by 2.7 percent to 573 homes, while months’ supply edged down to 3.6 months. Homes spent more time on the market, with days on market increasing 41.3 percent to 89 days, reflecting continued normalization across the county’s housing market.

Madison County’s February housing market reflected softer activity alongside expanding inventory and continued price volatility typical of smaller markets. New listings declined 10.5 percent year-over-year to 17 homes, while pending sales fell 33.3 percent and closed sales declined 28.6 percent to 10 transactions. The median sales price dropped 22 percent to $367,500, while the average sales price increased 6.6 percent to $535,536, highlighting variability driven by a small number of transactions. Sellers received 87.1 percent of their original list price, down from last year, as pricing adjustments became more pronounced. Inventory increased 33 percent to 117 homes, pushing months’ supply significantly higher to 6.9 months, the highest among the four counties. Homes took slightly longer to sell, with days on market increasing 12.4 percent to 109 days, reflecting slower transaction activity and greater negotiating room for buyers.

“Noyes added, ‘Each of the Asheville MSA’s counties is experiencing slightly different dynamics. Buncombe continues to lead the region in transactions, Haywood is seeing notable price growth, Henderson is showing signs of price recalibration, and Madison’s higher inventory levels are giving buyers more negotiating room. Together, these differences highlight just how hyper-local real estate markets are, making the guidance of a Realtor® especially important if you’re buying or selling.” 

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

Throughout the western region counties where Canopy MLS trends data, February’s housing market continued to show measured recalibration rather than a slowdown as the winter selling season winds down. Closed sales declined modestly year-over-year while pending sales held steady, as buyers remain engaged. Inventory expanded to more than 3,500 homes, pushing months’ supply higher and giving buyers more options while easing competitive pressure.

At the county level, Jackson County saw notable inventory growth alongside stronger contract activity, while Burke and Transylvania counties posted gains in closed sales despite fewer new listings. Rutherford County recorded some of the region’s strongest price growth, and McDowell County saw renewed buyer engagement as pending sales increased, highlighting how local conditions continue to vary across western North Carolina.

Burke County’s housing market in February 2026 reflected fewer new listings alongside stronger completed sales and steady inventory conditions. New listings declined 32.2 percent year-over-year to 61 homes, while pending sales dipped 10.6 percent; however, closed sales increased 12.8 percent to 53 transactions. The median sales price rose 9.4 percent to $268,000, and the average sales price climbed 14.3 percent to $367,080, indicating continued price growth across several segments of the market. Sellers received 92.3 percent of their original list price, nearly unchanged from a year ago. Inventory declined modestly by 8.6 percent to 202 homes, keeping months’ supply relatively stable at 3.2 months, suggesting the market remains competitive despite fewer new listings entering the market.

Jackson County’s February activity showed softer closings alongside rising contract activity and significant inventory expansion. New listings declined slightly by 8 percent year-over-year to 23 homes, while pending sales rose 30 percent, signaling improving buyer engagement; however, closed sales fell 26.7 percent to 11 transactions. The median sales price increased 5.3 percent to $340,000, while the average sales price surged 35 percent to $704,509, reflecting the influence of higher-end sales. Sellers received 84.9 percent of their original list price, down from last year. Inventory expanded sharply, increasing 56.1 percent to 128 homes, pushing months’ supply to 6.0 months and signaling a clear shift toward a more balanced market with greater buyer choice.

The McDowell County housing market reflected declining listing activity alongside softer closings and modest inventory growth. New listings fell 41.8 percent year-over-year to 32 homes, while pending sales increased 13 percent, suggesting renewed buyer interest; however, closed sales declined 34.2 percent to 25 transactions. The median sales price fell 11.3 percent to $270,000, while the average sales price declined 20.1 percent to $295,369, reflecting adjustments across price segments compared to last year. Sellers received 87.5 percent of their original list price, down slightly from 2025 levels. Inventory increased 10.3 percent to 161 homes, while months’ supply edged down to 4.5 months, providing buyers with additional options even as homes took longer to sell.

In February, Rutherford County’s housing market showed softer sales activity alongside strong price growth and moderate inventory expansion. New listings declined 36.3 percent year-over-year to 51 homes, while pending sales fell 26.3 percent and closed sales dropped 22.2 percent to 28 transactions. Despite slower sales activity, home values rose sharply, with the median sales price jumping 26.6 percent to $259,250 and the average sales price increasing 27.1 percent to $308,309. Sellers received 93 percent of their original list price, an improvement from last year. Inventory rose 4.4 percent to 284 homes, pushing months’ supply to 5.1 months, indicating continued movement toward a more balanced market as homes spent more time on the market.

Transylvania County’s housing market activity reflected fewer new listings alongside stronger sales activity and growing inventory. New listings declined 41 percent year-over-year to 36 homes, while pending sales dipped 12.5 percent; however, closed sales increased 25.9 percent to 34 transactions. The median sales price declined 10.3 percent to $444,175, and the average sales price fell 28.3 percent to $585,032, reflecting fewer high-end sales compared to the previous year. Sellers received 90.3 percent of their original list price, slightly above last year’s level. Inventory expanded 18 percent to 197 homes, pushing months’ supply to 4.6 months and giving buyers more options as the market continues to normalize across the county.

(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 modest sales gains in February, with closed sales rising 16.7 percent despite pending sales declining in the small-sample market. The median sales price surged 51.2 percent to $310,000, reflecting the volatility typical of smaller markets. Inventory expanded significantly, rising 51 percent and pushing months’ supply to 7.2 months — the highest among these counties — signaling a buyer-leaning market with expanded choice.

Polk County experienced strong contract activity in February, with pending sales jumping 43.8 percent year-over-year even as closed sales dipped slightly. The median sales price remained largely stable, edging up 0.6 percent to $421,500. Inventory expanded 11.6 percent, bringing months’ supply to 5.5 months and pointing to a market gradually moving toward balance as supply builds.

Yancey County posted sharp increases in completed sales in February, with closed sales surging 90.9 percent in the small-sample market even as pending sales declined. The median sales price climbed 12.8 percent to $371,000. Inventory expanded 65.4 percent, pushing months’ supply to 7.2 months and signaling rapidly growing supply alongside active sales activity.

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 Realtor® Association owns and operates Canopy MLS, the region’s primary source for accurate, timely property data across a multi-county service area spanning North Carolina and South Carolina, including the Charlotte, Asheville, and Hickory-Lenoir MSAs. With more than 21,000 subscribers, Canopy MLS delivers comprehensive property data and innovative tools that support residential real estate transactions, from buying and selling to investing and renting.