April 30, 2026
Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Region housing market gained traction in March as increasing buyer activity and steady inventory levels signaled the transition into the spring market. 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 levels held relatively steady in March, with 1,089 homes available for sale, reflecting a slight 0.6 percent increase year-over-year and a modest 1.4 percent gain from February. Months supply of inventory reached 3.0 months, down 6.3 percent from last year and flat over last month. However, demand continues to outpace available inventory.

Seller activity showed substantial improvement in March, with 547 new listings, up 10.1 percent year-over-year and a strong 37.1 percent increase compared to February. This rebound in listing activity reflects strong seller confidence as the market enters its traditionally more active season. At the same time, buyer demand accelerated significantly. Pending sales rose 19.2 percent year-over-year and 36.4 percent over February to 416 transactions, signaling continued momentum in the months ahead.

Closed sales totaled 318 transactions in March, a 5.4 percent decrease from the same time last year but increased 7.8 percent compared to February. Only Caldwell County saw an increase in closed sales this month. However, the sharp spike in pending sales suggests that closed activity is likely to strengthen as spring transactions move through the pipeline.

“Activity picked up in March as the market began its transition into the spring season,” said Natalie Armstrong, Realtor®/broker with Coldwell Banker, Boyd & Hassell, and 2026 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®. “We saw a noticeable increase in both new listings and buyer activity, which is encouraging after a slower start to the year. Inventory is improving, but demand is picking up at the same time, so the market remains competitive in many segments.”

Buyer engagement reinforced this trend, with 5,415 showings recorded across the region and an average of 4.0 showings per listing. Homes are receiving consistent attention, particularly in higher-demand areas with Hickory (4.5) and Newton (4.8) having the highest showings per listing this month. Homes averaged 70 days on market, up 27.3 percent year-over-year and 11.1 percent over February, providing buyers additional time to evaluate options and make decisions.

Armstrong added, “As the market becomes more active, working with a trusted Realtor® can make a meaningful difference. Professional guidance helps buyers and sellers navigate pricing, negotiations, and the overall process with confidence.”

Pricing trends remained positive, underscoring the strength of the market. The median sales price increased 5.4 percent year-over-year to $315,000, while the average sales price rose 6.7 percent to $392,682. The average list price increased slightly to $420,244, up 0.8 percent, indicating that sellers are pricing homes more in line with current market conditions.

Homes sold for 93.9 percent of original list price, a slight decrease from last year, suggesting that while sellers are still achieving strong outcomes, buyers are regaining some negotiating leverage. Combined with longer days on market, this points to a gradual shift toward a more balanced environment without significant downward pressure on prices.

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 32 new listings, up 3.2 percent year-over-year. Pending sales increased 4.5 percent to 23 transactions, while closed sales declined 16.7 percent to 15. The median sales price rose 25.2 percent to $324,990, while the average sales price decreased 12.8 percent to $323,053. Homes received 96.0 percent of original list price, down 3.4 percent. Properties averaged 76 days on market, up 137.5 percent. The average list price increased 13.6 percent to $444,394. Inventory totaled 65 homes, down 11.0 percent, representing a 2.6-month supply, down 23.5 percent.

Burke County reported 100 new listings, down 10.7 percent year-over-year. Pending sales dipped 1.3 percent to 76 transactions, while closed sales fell 18.0 percent to 50. The median sales price declined 10.9 percent to $273,450, and the average sales price decreased 8.3 percent to $298,797. Homes received 94.3 percent of original list price, up 0.7 percent. Properties averaged 63 days on market, down 14.9 percent. The average list price declined 4.1 percent to $410,055. Inventory stood at 212 homes, down 7.4 percent, representing a 3.4-month supply, down 2.9 percent.

Caldwell County posted 93 new listings, up 12.0 percent year-over-year. Pending sales jumped 37.5 percent to 77 transactions, while closed sales increased 12.5 percent to 63. The median sales price rose 15.7 percent to $325,000, while the average sales price was nearly flat, slipping 0.2 percent to $376,336. Homes received 92.4 percent of original list price, down 3.3 percent. Properties averaged 68 days on market, up 25.9 percent. The average list price decreased 7.4 percent to $366,962. Inventory increased 1.6 percent to 187 homes, representing a 2.8-month supply, down 9.7 percent.

Catawba County recorded 322 new listings, up 18.8 percent year-over-year. Pending sales rose 23.7 percent to 240 transactions, while closed sales declined 5.5 percent to 190. The median sales price increased 6.9 percent to $331,450, and the average sales price climbed 13.3 percent to $428,306. Sellers received 94.1 percent of original list price, down 0.7 percent. Homes averaged 71 days on market, up 39.2 percent. The average list price increased 3.4 percent to $436,366. Inventory rose 4.9 percent to 625 homes, representing a 3.1-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 and timely property data in a multicounty service area including the Charlotte MSA, Asheville MSA, and the Hickory-Lenoir MSA spanning across North Carolina and South Carolina to outside the Carolinas. Canopy MLS provides the latest technology, tools, and analytics that real estate licensees utilize to support consumers with their residential real estate transactions.