July 25, 2025

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Residential real estate activity across the Catawba Valley Region in May reveals a market adapting to increased inventory levels and more moderate pricing conditions. The sales data in this report is sourced from Canopy MLS and encompasses single-family homes, condos, and townhomes sold in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties.

Home prices in the region experienced an uptick, with the median sales price rising 6.8 percent year-over-year and 9.8 percent month-over-month to $315,000. Similarly, the average sales price increased 4.2 percent from last June, settling at $391,793, marking a notable 12.5 percent gain from May 2025. This price growth indicates strong contract activity, particularly in higher-priced segments of the market, including homes valued between $400,001 and $500,000, which saw a 19.7 percent increase in pending sales compared to last year. 

Dawn Kilby, Realtor®/broker with Realty Executives of Hickory and 2025 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®, highlighted current market dynamics stating, "Buyers remain highly engaged despite higher prices, thanks to mortgage rates remaining relatively stable. Sellers are benefitting as well, particularly those pricing homes competitively, as they continue to attract strong offers." 

Inventory in the Catawba Valley Region continued to expand in June, reaching 1,195 homes, representing a 24.3 percent increase over June 2024, although down slightly by 2.9 percent (36 properties) compared to May. New construction accounted for 29 percent of available homes, reflecting a notable 25.5 percent increase year-over-year and continuing to ease constraints in the tight market. The region currently has a 3.4-month supply of homes, modestly higher than the 2.9-month supply reported last year. Homes with four or more bedrooms comprised the largest portion of inventory and typically spend more time on the market, whereas properties with three or fewer bedrooms remain scarce and tend to sell more quickly, highlighting an ongoing demand for starter homes. 

New listings experienced modest growth in June, increasing 1.9 percent year-over-year to 549 homes, marking 21 consecutive months of increases for the region. However, listings declined by 5.3 percent compared to May, when 580 properties entered the market. New construction remains a crucial contributor to inventory, making up 27 percent of June’s new listings, including 115 single-family homes, 20 townhomes, and 12 condominiums. 

Buyer interest across the region remained strong, totaling 5,124 showings and averaging 3.5 showings per listing. Hickory and Newton experienced notably high buyer engagement, with averages of 4.4 and 4.3 showings per listing, respectively. Among the counties, Catawba led with an average of 3.9 showings per listing, followed by Alexander County at 3.7. Burke and Caldwell Counties each averaged 3.0 showings per listing. 

Homes spent longer periods on the market, averaging 44 days from listing to sale, reflecting a 25.7 percent increase from last June. This lengthening market time suggests buyers are carefully evaluating their options amid expanded choices. 

Pending sales saw significant growth, rising 25.3 percent year-over-year and up 22.2 percent compared to May, reaching a total of 451 contracts—a positive indicator of upcoming market activity. Additionally, 20 percent of pending sales are new builds in the region. Pending sales increased in all four counties during June. 

Closed sales also improved, totaling 354 transactions, an increase of 3.8 percent from last year. Sales grew in three of the four counties, with only Caldwell County experiencing a modest decline, reflecting three fewer sales compared to June 2024. 

On average, sellers received 95.6 percent of their original list price, down slightly from 96.4 percent in June 2024, indicating increased negotiating power for buyers due to expanded inventory. This figure has been nearly flat since March 2025. Sellers experienced an increase in average list prices, now at $400,219, reflecting a year-over-year rise of 2.6 percent. 

Kilby added, "With inventory steadily increasing, buyers have more opportunities to find the right home. Meanwhile, with most listings eligible for down payment assistance, Realtors® continue to provide essential value, guiding buyers through financing options to maximize affordability." 

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 experienced a reduction in seller activity, with new listings falling 31.6 percent to 26 homes. Closed sales rose modestly by 3.6 percent, totaling 29 transactions, while pending sales increased 8.0 percent. Pricing was mixed; the median sales price declined 3.1 percent to $264,000, whereas the average sales price rose 8.6 percent to $361,076. Sellers received 95.7 percent of their original list price, down from 99.4 percent last year. The average list price increased 8.2 percent to $378,654. Homes took longer to sell, averaging 39 days on market—an increase of nearly 35 percent. Inventory expanded 15.9 percent to 80 homes, resulting in a 3.6-month supply.

Burke County saw steady conditions in June. New listings held flat year-over-year at 95 homes. Pending sales increased 12.2 percent to 83 contracts, while closed sales grew 4.4 percent to 71. Prices strengthened, with the median sales price rising 9.8 percent to $297,600. However, the average sales price saw a slight dip of 0.6 percent to $378,846. Homes took 44 days on average to sell, up from 37 last year. The average list price dropped 15 percent to $387,964. Sellers received 94.1 percent of their original list price, a 1.7 percent decline. Inventory edged up 7.3 percent to 220 homes, with a 3.3-month supply of homes.

Caldwell County reported robust market activity. New listings increased 19.3 percent to 99 homes, and pending sales surged 36.2 percent to 79 contracts. Despite a 4.5 percent drop in closed sales, pricing moved upward. The median sales price jumped 19.9 percent to $305,750, and the average price edged up 0.6 percent to $359,360. The average time on market increased to 34 days, a 54.5 percent rise from last year. The average list price slightly increased 4.5 percent to $369,057. Sellers received 96.6 percent of their original asking price, slightly lower than a year ago. Inventory rose significantly, up 45.7 percent to 220 homes, with months of supply increasing from 2.3 to 3.5.

Catawba County posted gains across all key indicators. Closed sales climbed 6.7 percent year-over-year to 190 transactions. New listings rose 1.9 percent to 329, while pending sales were up 29.1 percent, totaling 262 contracts. The median sales price rose 8.6 percent to $340,000, and the average sales price increased 6.3 percent to $412,243. Homes spent more time on the market, averaging 48 days, up 17.1 percent. The average list price increased 7.7 percent to $414,772. Sellers received 95.9 percent of their original list price, nearly unchanged from the previous year. Inventory grew 25.9 percent to 675 homes, and supply increased to 3.4 months.

For more residential-housing market statistics, visit CarolinaHome.com and click on “Market Data.” For an interview with 2024 president of Catawba Valley Association of Realtors® Karleta Smith, Realtor®/Broker at Keller Williams Denver, 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.