May 22, 2026
Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

Growing inventory and longer market times are creating a more balanced spring market, while steady demand continues to support prices.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — April home sales across the four-county Asheville-area (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Madison counties) reflected a steady start to the spring selling season, with closed sales rising 7.5 percent year-over-year as 588 homes sold during the month. Compared to March 2026, closings increased 11.2 percent, signaling improving seasonal momentum. Buyer demand also strengthened considerably, with contract activity surging 25.2 percent year-over-year as 680 homes went under contract in April. The sharp increase marked the second consecutive month of strong double-digit pending sales growth, despite mortgage rates fluctuating between roughly 6.0 and 6.4 percent throughout the month and continued affordability challenges tied to elevated inflation, rising transportation costs, and broader household budget pressures. 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.

Sellers responded to strengthening buyer demand by bringing 1,262 new listings to market in April, a 13.9 percent increase compared to April 2025 and 27 percent more than the number of homes listed in March. The surge in seller activity continued to expand housing choices across the region, pushing inventory up 12.7 percent year-over-year to 2,330 homes for sale at report time. Supply also improved to 4.2 months, up 2.4 percent from a year ago, signaling continued movement toward a more balanced market, which is typically defined as six months of supply.

“Asheville’s housing market continues to normalize while showing renewed strength,” said Dave Noyes, Canopy MLS Board Director and Designated Managing Broker with eXp Realty. “We’re seeing a second consecutive month of strong contract activity, rising closed sales, and a healthy increase in new listings, all signs that buyers and sellers remain engaged despite higher living costs and ongoing economic uncertainty. At the same time, improving inventory and longer market times are giving buyers more choices and negotiating leverage than they’ve had in recent years. While affordability challenges persist, demand for well-priced, move-in-ready homes across Western North Carolina continues to hold steady.”  

April Showing Activity

April’s showing activity across the 13-county mountain region reflected stronger buyer engagement heading into the spring market, even as affordability pressures persisted. Buyer interest, measured by showings per listing, increased 25.6 percent year-over-year and 1.7 percent compared to March, while total showings rose 18.7 percent from a year ago. Homes priced between $319,000 and $463,000 generated the strongest activity in the region, averaging 3.3 showings per listing, while Asheville and Hendersonville continued to lead the market in buyer engagement at 3.1 and 3.0 showings per listing, respectively.

Pricing holds steady as time on market reflects Balance
Even as inventory and supply expanded, giving buyers more negotiating leverage, home values throughout the Asheville-area remained relatively resilient in April. The median sales price edged up 1 percent year-over-year to $459,450, while the average sales price dipped a modest 1.1 percent to $557,041, signaling continued price stability despite a more balanced market environment. Meanwhile, the average list price across the four-county metro climbed 11.8 percent to $738,998, reflecting continued activity at higher price points. As buyers gained more options and negotiating room, the original list price-to-sales price ratio eased 1.7 percent to 94.3 percent, an indication that sellers are becoming more flexible on pricing and concessions as market conditions normalize.

By price point, buyer activity remained strongest in the middle of the market, particularly in the $200,000 to $400,000 range, where closed sales posted some of the region’s largest year-over-year gains. At the same time, inventory growth was most notable in the luxury segment above $700,000, continuing to expand buyer choice and contributing to longer market times at higher price points.

By property type, single-family homes continued to drive the market’s overall activity, posting an 8.1 percent increase in closed sales and a 13 percent rise in inventory year-over-year. Condo and townhome activity was more mixed, with condo sales increasing 2.9 percent year-over-year while townhome sales softened 10.2 percent. At the same time, inventory rose in both segments, up 10.6 percent for condos and 13.6 percent for townhomes, helping shift the market toward greater balance.

Noyes continued, “Even as inventory continues to improve and buyers gain more negotiating leverage, home prices across the Asheville region have remained relatively stable. We’re seeing the strongest activity in the middle price ranges, while growth in luxury inventory is creating more choice at the higher end of the market.”

Time-on-market metrics also reflected a more balanced and typical spring market, giving buyers additional time to evaluate homes and negotiate terms. List-to-close time, which measures the total number of days from listing to closing, increased 6.6 percent year-over-year to 113 days. Meanwhile, days on market rose 15.3 percent to 68 days, up from 59 days last April, signaling that while buyer demand remains active, homes are moving at a more normalized pace, more closely resembling the rhythm of the 2019 spring market. 

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Counties at a Glance

Buncombe County’s housing market continued to reflect a gradual shift toward more balanced conditions in April, as inventory growth and longer market times gave buyers more negotiating leverage while demand remained active. New listings increased 10.9 percent year-over-year to 681 homes, while pending sales surged 31.3 percent and closed sales rose 9.7 percent to 306 transactions, signaling continued buyer engagement despite ongoing affordability pressures. The median sales price held steady at $500,000, while the average sales price remained virtually unchanged at $630,145, reflecting continued stability in home values across the market. Sellers received 94.2 percent of their original list price, down from 95.8 percent a year ago, as negotiations and pricing adjustments became more common. Inventory expanded 15.1 percent to 1,492 homes, while months’ supply remained flat at 5.1 months, continuing to move the market closer to balanced conditions. Homes also spent more time on the market, with days on market increasing 45.8 percent to 70 days, further reflecting a market that is normalizing.

Haywood County’s housing activity in April reflected continued buyer engagement alongside moderating price trends and steady inventory levels, as the market continued to normalize following several years of heightened competition. New listings increased 7.0 percent year-over-year to 184 homes, while pending sales rose 18.3 percent and closed sales climbed 8.4 percent to 90 transactions, signaling continued demand despite ongoing affordability pressures. The median sales price declined 3.2 percent to $398,000, while the average sales price fell 15.5 percent to $433,986, suggesting some softening and variability across price segments during the month. Sellers received 93.9 percent of their original list price, down from 95.1 percent a year ago, reflecting more balanced negotiations between buyers and sellers. Inventory increased modestly by 3.5 percent to 439 homes, while months’ supply declined 11.1 percent to 4.8 months, indicating that while buyers have more opportunities than in recent years, supply remains relatively balanced. Homes sold more quickly in April, with days on market declining 22.1 percent to 60 days, signaling that well-priced homes continue to attract buyer interest even as overall market conditions stabilize.

Henderson County’s housing market in April reflected continued spring activity, with rising sales activity, expanding inventory, and moderating price trends as the market continued to normalize. New listings surged 22.6 percent year-over-year to 347 homes, while pending sales increased 20.1 percent, signaling continued buyer engagement despite affordability pressures and broader economic uncertainty. Closed sales rose 6.5 percent to 180 transactions, reflecting stronger activity compared to earlier in the year. The median sales price declined 2.8 percent to $437,568, while the average sales price increased 1.6 percent to $499,296, indicating continued demand across multiple price segments despite some moderation in pricing. Sellers received 94.8 percent of their original list price, down from 96.1 percent last year, as negotiations and pricing adjustments became more common across the market. Inventory increased 8.3 percent to 720 homes, while months’ supply edged down slightly to 4.4 months, keeping the market near balanced conditions. Homes sold slightly faster in April, with days on market declining 5.7 percent to 66 days, suggesting that well-priced homes continue to attract buyers even as overall market conditions become more balanced.

Madison County’s housing market in April reflected continued variability typical of smaller mountain markets, with rising buyer interest and inventory growth alongside fewer closings and longer market times. New listings increased 28.2 percent year-over-year to 50 homes, while pending sales rose 15.0 percent, signaling continued buyer engagement despite broader affordability pressures. Closed sales declined 25.0 percent to 12 transactions, reflecting both limited inventory at certain price points and the timing gap between contracts and closings. The median sales price increased 21.1 percent to $447,500, while the average sales price rose 14.0 percent to $481,983, indicating continued strength in higher-priced sales activity during the month. Sellers received 90.8 percent of their original list price, down from 98.2 percent a year ago, suggesting buyers are gaining additional negotiating leverage as the market normalizes. Inventory expanded 15.3 percent to 136 homes, pushing months’ supply up to 7.6 months. Homes also spent significantly more time on the market, with days on market increasing 131.9 percent to 109 days, further reflecting a slower-paced market environment as supply grows and buyers become more selective.

“Noyes added, “Across the core Asheville-area counties, buyer activity remains steady, but growing inventory and longer market times are creating a more balanced environment where pricing, preparation, and local market knowledge matter more than they have in recent years.”

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

Spring Momentum Builds Across the Broader Western Region
Throughout the western region counties where Canopy MLS trends data, April’s housing market reflected stronger spring activity alongside growing inventory and steadily moderating conditions. Across the 13-county mountain region, pending sales rose 25.4 percent year-over-year while closed sales increased 7.6 percent, signaling that buyers remain engaged even as affordability pressures persist. Inventory expanded 12.7 percent to more than 4,500 homes, pushing supply slightly higher to 5.3 months and giving buyers more negotiating leverage as homes generally took longer to sell.

At the county level, Rutherford County stood out for its sharp gains in new listings, pending sales, and price growth, while Jackson County saw significant increases in both closed sales and inventory. Meanwhile, Burke and McDowell counties reflected more moderate and balanced conditions, as Transylvania County continued to experience rising inventory and longer market times despite continued price strength.

Burke County: Burke County’s housing market in April reflected softer buyer activity alongside modest inventory growth and continued price stability. New listings increased 3.1 percent year-over-year to 100 homes, while pending sales declined 10.7 percent and closed sales fell 5.5 percent to 69 transactions. The median sales price rose 6.0 percent to $264,900, while the average sales price increased 12.7 percent to $319,304, reflecting continued strength in higher-priced segments. Sellers received 94.8 percent of their original list price, slightly higher than last year, while inventory expanded 3.0 percent to 238 homes, pushing months’ supply up to 3.9 months. Homes also spent more time on the market, with days on market increasing 19.0 percent to 69 days, signaling a market that is gradually becoming more balanced.

Jackson County: Jackson County’s housing market in April reflected strong gains in pricing and closed sales activity alongside sharply rising inventory levels. New listings increased 2.2 percent year-over-year to 46 homes, while pending sales held steady and closed sales surged 58.8 percent to 27 transactions. The median sales price climbed 20.5 percent to $430,000, while the average sales price jumped 36.5 percent to $510,228, reflecting continued strength in higher-end sales activity. Sellers received 92.6 percent of their original list price, down from last year, as inventory expanded 32.2 percent to 156 homes and months’ supply rose to 7.3 months, giving buyers more negotiating leverage. Homes also spent significantly more time on the market, with days on market increasing 285.4 percent to 185 days, highlighting a market that is continuing to normalize despite elevated pricing

McDowell County: McDowell County’s housing market in April reflected improving buyer activity alongside moderating prices and growing inventory. New listings rose 14.7 percent year-over-year to 86 homes, while pending sales increased 33.3 percent, signaling renewed buyer engagement. Closed sales held steady at 32 transactions, while the median sales price declined 3.1 percent to $267,500. At the same time, the average sales price increased 12.6 percent to $403,904, reflecting variability across price segments. Sellers received 89.8 percent of their original list price, down slightly from last year, as inventory expanded 15.2 percent to 212 homes. Months’ supply declined to 5.7 months, keeping the market near balanced conditions, while days on market decreased 9.0 percent to 61 days, indicating that well-priced homes continue to attract buyer interest.

Rutherford County: Rutherford County’s housing market in April reflected strong buyer demand, rising prices, and expanding inventory as activity accelerated across the county. New listings surged 45.2 percent year-over-year to 167 homes, while pending sales jumped 73.1 percent and closed sales increased 10.0 percent to 55 transactions. The median sales price climbed 21.8 percent to $341,000, while the average sales price rose 5.8 percent to $379,548, signaling continued price strength across the market. Sellers received 92.9 percent of their original list price, down from last year, as negotiations became more common. Inventory increased 10.4 percent to 371 homes, pushing months’ supply up to 6.3 months and giving buyers more options. Homes also spent more time on the market, with days on market rising 27.5 percent to 88 days, reflecting a market that is becoming more balanced.

Transylvania County: Transylvania County’s housing market in April reflected continued price strength alongside rising inventory and softer closed sales activity. New listings increased 19.8 percent year-over-year to 103 homes, while pending sales rose 19.1 percent, signaling continued buyer interest. Closed sales declined 11.6 percent to 38 transactions, while the median sales price increased 10.1 percent to $564,500. The average sales price, however, declined 6.5 percent to $646,342, suggesting some moderation at higher price points. Sellers received 91.3 percent of their original list price, down from last year, as inventory expanded 23.2 percent to 276 homes and months’ supply increased to 6.4 months, creating more balanced conditions for buyers and sellers. Homes also spent more time on the market, with days on market rising 49.2 percent to 97 days, reflecting a slower-paced but still active market environment.

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

Mitchell County’s housing market in March reflected limited activity alongside sharp price swings and continued inventory expansion, typical of smaller markets. New listings declined 18.5 percent year-over-year to 22 homes, while pending sales dipped 8.3 percent and closed sales fell 20.0 percent to 8 transactions. The median sales price surged 37.4 percent to $512,000, while the average sales price rose significantly to $1,118,188, reflecting the impact of a small number of high-value transactions. Sellers received 92.0 percent of their original list price, a slight increase from last year. Inventory expanded 32.8 percent to 81 homes, pushing months’ supply to 7.6 months and signaling a buyer-leaning market with expanded choice.

Polk County’s housing market in March reflected strong sales activity alongside rising prices and steady inventory levels. New listings increased 4.4 percent year-over-year to 47 homes, while pending sales surged 60.0 percent and closed sales doubled, rising 100.0 percent to 24 transactions. The median sales price increased 18.9 percent to $475,000, while the average sales price climbed 23.5 percent to $754,621, reflecting strong demand across higher price points. Sellers received 92.8 percent of their original list price, down slightly from last year. Inventory increased 7.4 percent to 146 homes, while months’ supply edged down to 5.7 months, indicating a market that remains active while continuing to move toward balance.

Yancey County’s housing market in March reflected declining listing activity alongside modest sales gains and significant inventory growth. New listings fell 28.6 percent year-over-year to 30 homes, while pending sales declined 10.5 percent and closed sales rose 11.1 percent to 10 transactions. The median sales price decreased 2.3 percent to $342,000, while the average sales price declined 4.9 percent to $389,390, reflecting variability across price segments. Sellers received 84.5 percent of their original list price, down from last year, indicating increased negotiation activity. Inventory expanded sharply, rising 42.9 percent to 140 homes, pushing months’ supply to 8.0 months and signaling a buyer-leaning market with ample inventory and longer marketing times.

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.