Asheville Region & MSA Shifts Toward Balance as Inventory Builds and Prices Ease in June
July 25, 2025
Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149
Sellers still receiving strong offers as median price holds steady at $415,000 year-to-date
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Home sales across the 13-county Asheville region, where Canopy MLS trends data, showed more signs of cooling in June. Closed sales dipped slightly last month, by 2.3 percent year-over-year as, 873 homes sold, while both the median ($420,000) and average sales prices ($513,036) declined—falling 3.7 percent and 2.9 percent year-over-year, respectively. Sellers across the region continue to receive most of asking price as indicated by the original list price to sales price measure, which dipped slightly to 94.2 percent in June. Seller confidence, as displayed by new listings, remained steady, rising 6.4 percent compared to June 2024 however buyers took more time to make purchasing decisions, as indicated by days on market rising 34.1 percent, from 41 days to 55 days on market this past June. Most notably, months of supply increased from 3.7 to 6.2 months—a 67.6 percent jump—firmly pushing the market into balanced territory, where neither buyers nor sellers hold a distinct advantage.
Data in this report is sourced from Canopy MLS and includes single-family homes, condos, and townhome sales only for 13 counties in western North Carolina, which include: Buncombe, Burke, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties.
Year-to-date figures further confirm a market in transition. At midyear 2025, inventory and new listings continued to grow—up 54 percent and 16.6 percent respectively—while demand appears to be moderating. Pending sales through mid-year were down 3.3 percent, and closed sales were off by 5.1 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Pricing during the first six months of the year has remained stable, with the year-to-date median sales price at $415,000.
“Even with the slower pace of sales, it’s encouraging to see the region’s median sales price holding steady at $415,000, which should reassure sellers concerned about declining values,” said Dave Noyes, Canopy MLS Board of Director and Designated Managing Broker with eXp Realty. “While we’re no longer in a strong seller’s market, the percentage of original list price received in June remains solid—offering sellers continued motivation to enter the market with confidence.”
The Asheville MSA
The Asheville MSA (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Madison Counties) experienced similar trends towards balance, with June sales marked by rising inventory and softening prices, bringing buyers seeking homes closer to Asheville’s job centers and amenities, increased leverage. New listings rose 7.4 percent year-over-year, helping to push months supply of inventory from 3.4 to 6 months of supply—a 76.5 percent rise signaling a return to equilibrium. Despite the boost in available homes, buyer activity was restrained. Closed sales declined 5.9 percent across the MSA compared to June 2024 with 562 homes sold, while contract activity edged up 4.9 percent year-over-year, to 619 homes under contract. Month-over-month contract activity was down 3.3 percent, while closed sales were up 3.1 percent compared to May 2025.
Both the median sales price ($460,000) and the average sales price ($554,514) declined in June, falling 5.6 percent and 4.6 percent year-over-year respectively. This caused the original list price to sales price measure to dip (2%) from 96.8 percent in June 2024 to 94.9 percent in June 2025. Homes also took longer to sell, with average days on market increasing 30 percent to 52 days, suggesting buyers are becoming more selective and measured as they shop.
“Currently we’re seeing both the region and MSA returning to healthier dynamics, particularly for buyers seeking more negotiating room, said Noyes. “For sellers, this means pricing strategies and home condition will play a critical role in securing buyer interest during the second half of the year, while buyers who may have been sidelined in the past, have more options and increased affordability, especially as mortgage rates stabilize. Working with a knowledgeable Realtor® ensures a smoother transaction for all.”
County Summaries See data for June 2025
In June 2025, Buncombe County’s housing market experienced shifts toward greater inventory and a more balanced environment. New listings rose 11.0 percent year-over-year to 503 homes, giving buyers more choices and contributing to the doubling of months of supply—from 3.1 to 6.2 months. This sharp increase in inventory (up nearly 78%) is a key sign of a cooling market, offering buyers additional negotiating power. At the same time, closed sales declined 9.2 percent year-over-year, and the median sales price dipped 3 percent to $509,000, suggesting sellers are adjusting expectations in response to evolving market dynamics. Properties also spent more time on the market, with average days on market increasing from 39 to 43 days in June.
Year-to-date trends further confirm the shift in pace. While new listings are up 22.7 percent compared to the same period last year, both pending and closed sales have declined—down 6.9 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively. Interestingly, the year-to-date median sales price still reflects modest appreciation, rising 4.2 percent to $495,000, despite recent monthly declines. However, the year-to-date average percent of original list price received dropped slightly to 95.1 percent, and cumulative days on market increased by over 24 percent, indicating that sellers are having to be more competitive and patient. Overall, the Buncombe County market is transitioning from a tight seller’s market to a more balanced and possibly buyer-favorable landscape.
Haywood County's housing market in June displayed signs of cooling, as rising inventory and longer marketing times began to influence prices and sales activity. Inventory rose significantly, with a 58.4 percent increase in the number of homes for sale and months of supply jumping from 4.0 to 6.5, indicating a shift toward a more balanced or even buyer-favored market. Despite a 5.4 percent increase in new listings and a modest 7.1 percent rise in pending sales, closed sales declined 7.6 percent compared to June 2024. Most notably, the median sales price dropped 17.6 percent year-over-year to $350,000, while the average sales price fell 19.5 percent, suggesting that the influx of inventory may be putting downward pressure on home values.
Year-to-date figures offer a more tempered view of the market's performance. Through the first half of 2025, closed sales were up slightly by 2.5 percent, and pending sales rose 5.7 percent, reflecting ongoing, but measured, buyer demand. Prices over the long term remained more stable, with the year-to-date median sales price increasing 5.3 percent and the average price up 2.9 percent compared to the same period last year. However, buyers are clearly taking more time to make decisions, as days on market times extended by 26.8 percent to 52 days in June. Overall, while long-term growth remains intact, Haywood County is experiencing a short-term reset that could offer new opportunities for buyers navigating the market.
Henderson County’s housing market in June 2025 showed signs of continued resilience, with closed sales rising 3.7 percent year-over-year and pending sales up a notable 10.9 percent, indicating steady buyer demand. New listings also edged up slightly by 2.1 percent, helping to boost months of supply to 5.1—up from 3.7 a year ago—bringing the market closer to balanced conditions. However, the median sales price declined by 3.4 percent to $462,758, and sellers received slightly less than they did last year, with the percent of original list price received falling from 96.6 percent to 95.2 percent. Homes also lingered longer on the market, days on market increasing by over 63.4 percent to 67 days this past June, compared to 41 days in June 2024.
Year-to-date figures reinforce the idea of a moderating yet active market. Closed sales are up 9.0 percent and pending sales have risen 5.0 percent through the first half of the year, while new listings have increased 14.5 percent, suggesting continued engagement from both buyers and sellers. The average list price rose 4.4 percent year-to-date, and while the average sales price dipped slightly, it remains strong overall. Longer time on market—with days on market averaging 67 days—points to a shift in buyer behavior, with more time taken for decisions and negotiations. While sellers may need to adjust expectations, the increase in transactions and inventory signals a market that remains healthy, albeit at a more deliberate pace.
In June 2025, Madison County’s housing market continued to reflect the effects of increased inventory and a more measured pace of buyer activity. Closed sales fell 20 percent year-over-year, with just 16 homes sold compared to 20 in June 2024. Pending sales were also slightly down by 5 percent, suggesting some buyer hesitancy. However, new listings rose 6.5 percent, contributing to a significant 63.5 percent increase in the number of homes for sale and pushing months of supply to 8.6—well beyond the 3.9 months reported a year ago. This steep rise in inventory indicates a shift toward a strong buyer’s market, offering prospective homeowners more choices and leverage.
Despite the slowdown in sales activity, prices in Madison County remained resilient. The median sales price in June increased 1.4 percent year-over-year to $427,500, while the year-to-date median rose nearly 6 percent to $450,000. However, homes are taking longer to sell, with average days on market climbing 40 percent to 77 days, and sellers receiving an average of 93.9 percent of their original list price, down from 97.4 percent last year.
Other counties around the region
The Burke County housing market showed signs of moderate growth and shifting dynamics in June 2025. New listings held steady compared to last year, while pending contracts rose 12.2 percent, and closed sales increased 4.4 percent—an encouraging sign of buyer activity. The median sales price climbed nearly 10 percent year-over-year to $297,600, yet sellers received slightly less of their original asking price, with the average falling to 94.1 percent. Homes stayed on the market longer, averaging 44 days until sale, an 18.9 percent increase. Inventory levels grew 7.3 percent, with 220 homes available, pushing months of supply to 3.3—suggesting a gradual shift toward more balance between buyers and sellers.
Jackson County’s housing market in June 2025 reflected a mix of growth and slowdown. While new listings dropped sharply by 42.6 percent, closed sales rose 35 percent year-over-year, signaling increased buyer activity despite tighter inventory. The median sales price surged 27.5 percent to $389,000, and sellers received an average of 94.9 percent of their original asking price—up 2.4 percent from last year. Homes, however, spent significantly more time on the market, averaging 137 days until sale, a 136.2 percent increase. Inventory levels rose 34.9 percent to 143 homes, pushing months of supply to 7.6—a 46.2 percent gain that may offer more leverage to buyers in the months ahead.
McDowell County’s housing market in June 2025 experienced notable activity across key indicators. New listings rose 20 percent year-over-year, while pending sales climbed 27.5 percent and closed sales increased 7.3 percent, pointing to continued buyer engagement. The median sales price rose 11.5 percent to $301,000, though sellers received slightly less of their original list price at 92.7 percent. Homes stayed on the market longer, with days on market increasing 32.5 percent to 53 days. Inventory jumped 65.6 percent to 207 homes, pushing months of supply up to 6.6—up 78.4 percent from last year and signaling increased choices for buyers as the market trends toward balance.
(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 saw a modest uptick in activity in June 2025, with new listings rising 18.2 percent and pending sales increasing 27.3 percent year-over-year. Closed sales held steady compared to last June, while the median sales price rose 14.6 percent to $275,000. Sellers received 90 percent of their original asking price—up slightly from last year—while homes sold more quickly, with days on market dropping 48.5 percent to 50 days. Inventory levels grew 40.9 percent to 93 homes, driving the months supply of inventory up to 10.5, a 66.7 percent increase that gives buyers significantly more options in a market that’s leaning toward strong supply.
(Due to smaller sample sizes in counties where there is a smaller pool of listings, percentage increases or decreases may seem extreme)
Polk County’s housing market in June 2025 saw a notable increase in inventory and listing activity, with new listings up 35.9 percent and total inventory climbing 69.4 percent year-over-year. Closed sales rose 22.7 percent, though pending sales dipped slightly by 6.9 percent. The median sales price dropped 25.2 percent to $395,000, reflecting a shift in market mix or buyer preferences, while sellers received 92.7 percent of their original list price—down 2.7 percent from last year. Homes stayed on the market longer, averaging 62 days, a 47.6 percent increase. Months of supply jumped to 9.3, an 86 percent rise, positioning the market firmly in buyers’ territory for now.
Rutherford County’s housing market experienced mixed conditions in June 2025, with new listings down 11.6 percent and closed sales also declining 11.6 percent year-over-year. Pending sales ticked up slightly by 2.8 percent, while the median sales price rose 15.4 percent to $300,000. Sellers received 93.3 percent of their original asking price on average, a modest improvement from last year. Homes took longer to sell, with days on market increasing 48.6 percent to 52 days. Inventory expanded by 34.8 percent to 376 homes, and months of supply climbed to 6.8, indicating a more favorable environment for buyers as supply continues to build.
Transylvania County’s housing market in June 2025 showed increased seller activity but softer pricing trends. New listings jumped 40 percent year-over-year, while pending sales rose 14 percent. Closed sales, however, dipped 5.1 percent. The median sales price declined 4 percent to $432,000, and sellers received 91.6 percent of their original list price—down 4.5 percent from last year. Homes took nearly twice as long to sell, with average days on market rising to 66 days, up 94.1 percent. Inventory swelled to 264 homes, a 54.4 percent increase, and months of supply rose to 6.7, giving buyers significantly more leverage in a loosening market.
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.