March 23, 2026

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Region housing market continued to demonstrate stability in February, as steady inventory levels and consistent buyer engagement positioned the market for the early stages of the spring season. While broader economic factors, including rising geopolitical tensions and fluctuating mortgage rates, introduced some uncertainty nationally, local market fundamentals remained resilient. 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.

Inventory was nearly flat in February with 1,020 homes available for sale, representing a slight 0.7 percent decrease year-over-year and a 6.1 percent decline compared to January. Months supply of inventory was at 2.9 months, down 3.3 percent year-over-year, continuing to reflect a market that is gradually moving toward balance but remains below the six-month benchmark typically associated with equilibrium.

New construction remained a critical contributor to overall supply. Approximately 30 percent of inventory consisted of newly built homes, while builders accounted for nearly one-third of new listings and over one-fifth of closed sales. This steady pipeline continues to help offset limited resale inventory and provide buyers with more options across key price segments.*

Seller activity showed some softening, with 395 new listings in February, down 12.0 percent year-over-year and marking the fifth consecutive annual decline in listing activity. However, buyer demand remained stable. Pending sales totaled 331 transactions, down just 0.9 percent from last year but up 2.5 percent from January, signaling growing momentum as the spring market approaches. Closed sales reached 289 transactions, a 6.5 percent annual decline but a strong 35.0 percent increase month-over-month, reflecting typical seasonal acceleration.

“February’s data reflects a stable market as we head into the spring season,” said Natalie Armstrong, Realtor®/broker with Coldwell Banker, Boyd & Hassell, and 2026 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®. “Inventory remains steady, and while new listings are trending below last year, buyer activity is holding firm. This balance is creating more opportunity for both buyers and sellers compared to the fast-paced conditions of recent years.” 

Buyer engagement remained consistent, with 4,724 showings recorded across the four-county region and an average of 3.8 showings per listing, highlighting steady interest despite evolving economic conditions. Catawba County experienced 4.3 showings per listing, Caldwell County was at 3.7, Alexander County had 3.4, followed by Burke County with 2.8 showings per listing. Homes averaged 63 days on the market, up 14.5 percent year-over-year, giving buyers more time to make decisions.

Armstrong added, “We are also seeing the impact of broader economic factors, including recent inflation pressures that have pushed mortgage rates slightly higher. While rates have ticked up in recent weeks, they remain largely in line with what we’ve experienced over the past year. Demand in our region continues to hold steady, and we expect that to support consistent activity as we move further into the spring market.”

Pricing trends continued to reflect a stabilizing environment. The median sales price rose 3.3 percent year-over-year to $299,500, while the average sales price increased 11.2 percent to $372,805. At the same time, the average list price declined 4.9 percent year-over-year to $400,139, marking the first annual decrease after several months of gains and indicating that sellers are adjusting expectations to align more closely with current market conditions. Homes sold for 94.2 percent of original list price, nearly unchanged from last year, reinforcing that well-priced properties continue to perform.

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 23 new listings (unchanged year-over-year) and 24 pending sales, a 14.3 percent increase. Closed sales rose 10.5 percent to 21 transactions. The median sales price increased significantly to $357,000, a 34.7 percent gain, while the average sales price reached $431,043, up 11.0 percent. Homes received 94.3 percent of original list price, down 4.7 percent. Properties averaged 62 days on market, a 10.7 percent increase. The average list price rose 14.6 percent to $356,943. Inventory totaled 58 homes, a 10.8 percent decrease, representing a 2.3-month supply, down 23.3 percent.

Burke County reported 61 new listings, down 32.2 percent year-over-year. Pending sales experienced a 10.6 percent decline to 59 transactions. Closed sales increased 12.8 percent to 53 transactions. The median sales price rose 9.4 percent to $268,000, while the average sales price climbed 14.3 percent to $367,080. Homes received 92.3 percent of original list price, down slightly by 0.6 percent. Properties averaged 97 days on market, up 34.7 percent. The average list price was $377,497, down 1.0 percent. Inventory stood at 202 homes, an 8.6 percent decrease, representing a 3.2 month supply, down 5.9 percent.

Caldwell County posted 56 new listings, a 30.9 percent decrease, while pending sales increased 14.5 percent to 63 transactions. Closed sales declined 8.5 percent to 54. The median sales price surged 30.4 percent to $299,950, and the average sales price rose 41.6 percent to $347,906. Homes received 93.4 percent of original list price, down 0.4 percent. Properties averaged 60 days on market, a 20.0 percent increase. The average list price declined 9.0 percent to $352,180. Inventory increased slightly to 178 homes, up 3.5 percent, creating a 2.7-month supply.

Catawba County recorded 255 new listings, unchanged year-over-year, and 185 pending sales, down 3.6 percent. Closed sales totaled 161 transactions, a 12.5 percent decrease. The median sales price declined slightly by 3.0 percent to $309,990, while the average sales price increased 3.7 percent to $375,444. Sellers received 95.1 percent of original list price, up 0.1 percent. Homes averaged 53 days on market, a 1.9 percent increase. The average list price declined 8.0 percent to $419,984. Inventory rose 2.3 percent to 582 homes, maintaining a 2.9-month supply, unchanged from last year.

*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 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.