September 29, 2025

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — August housing data for the Catawba Valley Region indicates a market supported by rising prices, solid buyer engagement, and a steady flow of closed transactions, even as new listing activity cooled. 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.

Prices strengthened in August, with the median sales price up 3.6 percent year-over-year to $300,345 and the average sales price rising 1.6 percent to $361,104, reflecting continued competition for desirable homes. While both metrics declined slightly when compared to July 2025. Sellers continued to list homes with confidence, as average list prices grew 11.7 percent to $412,938, which equates to a 1.7 percent increase from July. However, the percent of original list price received slipped to 93.7 percent, signaling that buyers have gained additional negotiating power compared to a year ago. 

Inventory growth continued to benefit buyers, with active listings up 18.9 percent year-over-year to 1,260 units and months supply holding steady at 3.5 months — one of the most balanced levels for the region in recent years. Compared to July, inventory and supply dipped slightly, down 3.9 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively. New listings decreased during August both year-over-year 7.0 percent and 19.3 percent month-over-month. After underproducing for many years, new home development is helping to relieve pressure, with new builds representing 25 percent of August’s newly listed properties. 

“Buyers are taking advantage of a market that offers more choice than we’ve seen in several years, and the recent Fed rate cut will only add to that confidence,” said Dawn Kilby, Realtor®/broker with Realty Executives of Hickory and 2025 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®. “With additional rate cuts expected later this year, we anticipate more sellers will list as they see opportunities to move after years of being locked in at low pandemic-era rates.” 

Pending sales climbed 10.8 percent to 400 contracts, marking the third consecutive month above 400 and pointing to continued momentum heading into fall. This was a 7.4 percent decline from July but remains one of the strongest late-summer readings in several years. Roughly 23 percent of August pending sales were for new construction. Closed sales, while down slightly from July’s 408, posted a 3.7 percent annual gain, underscoring the market’s overall stability. 

Homes spent an average of 50 days on market before closing, up 28.2 percent from last August, giving buyers more time to tour homes and negotiate terms. Showings across the region totaled 5,257, up 5.0 percent year-over-year, with Caldwell County experiencing the strongest growth in buyer interest. Hickory and Newton remained the most active submarkets, averaging 4.1 and 4.0 showings per listing, respectively. 

Kilby added, “With improving inventory and a balanced pace, this is an excellent time for both buyers and sellers to engage. The market is steadier and more predictable than it has been in several years, which ultimately benefits everyone involved.” 

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 slower sales but improving price trends. New listings rose 17.9 percent to 33, while closed sales slipped 12.5 percent to 21 transactions. The median sales price increased 4.8 percent to $289,900, and the average sales price jumped 15.3 percent to $391,299. Homes stayed on the market longer at 94 days on average, and supply grew to 3.7 months, supported by a 29.2 percent increase in inventory to 84 available properties.

Burke County posted lower listing and sales activity but modest price gains. New listings declined 39.1 percent to 70, pending sales fell 17.7 percent, and closed sales decreased 11.8 percent to 67. Still, prices edged up, with the median sales price rising 2.9 percent to $258,500 and the average sales price up 1.1 percent to $333,368. Inventory increased 11 percent to 243 homes, boosting supply to 3.8 months.

Caldwell County saw mixed conditions with stronger listing activity but fewer closings. New listings climbed 9.9 percent to 100, and pending sales surged 48.1 percent to 80, signaling stronger demand in the months ahead. Closed sales fell 8.3 percent to 66. Prices strengthened, with the median sales price up 14.1 percent to $275,500 and the average sales price rising 28.6 percent to $362,588. Inventory increased 36.9 percent to 241 homes, resulting in 3.8 months of supply.

Catawba County recorded solid sales growth despite fewer new listings. New listings slipped 2.1 percent to 285, but closed sales surged 15.5 percent to 238, and pending sales rose 12.4 percent to 227. The median sales price dipped slightly to $317,500, while the average sales price decreased 6.8 percent to $365,837. Days on market lengthened to 47, and inventory grew 15.3 percent to 692 homes, keeping supply level at 3.4 months.

For more residential-housing market statistics, visit www.CarolinaHome.com and click on “Market Data.” For an interview with 2025 president of Catawba Valley Association of REALTORS® Dawn Kilby, Realtor®/Broker at Realty Executives of Hickory, 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.