Asheville region had record number of home sales in June
July 21, 2021
Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149
Asheville region had record number of home sales in June
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Asheville region’s housing market shows no sign of slowing down as summer sales marked yet another month of gains, with 1,296 homes sold across the 13-county area of the western North Carolina mountains, representing a 24.4 percent year-over-year increase over sales in June 2020.
This was a record number of transactions ever for any June, according to data from Canopy MLS. Sales compared to the previous month (May 2021) increased 12.6 percent, while year-to-date figures show sales at midyear pacing 35.9 percent ahead of sales, during the first six months of 2020. These are completed transactions that include single family and condo/townhome data only.
Pending sales figures show the region still has plenty of demand, as buyers drove 1,388 properties under contract during the month, an increase of 2.4 percent year-over-year. June’s pending sales activity was nearly on par, with May 2021 down slightly, 0.6 percent, still year-to-date figures show just how strong contract activity has been during the first half of the year, rising 30.1 percent over the first six months of 2020.
Sellers are responding to the market favorably as represented by a 16.3 percent year over-year increase in new listings in June, as sellers added 1,672 homes to the market. However, with inventory already critically low, this will do little to change strong seller’s market conditions. Inventory declined 49.8 percent year-over-year, leaving 1,922 homes for sale or 1.5 months of supply at report time.
“Dave Noyes, a Canopy MLS Board of Directors member and Broker-in-Charge with RE/MAX Results, said, “The Asheville region continues to see unprecedented growth and shows just how desirable it is to live in the region. June’s record sales numbers show how strong the market is, even as our low inventory situation continues to impact prices. However, the outlook is encouraging and the steady growth in new listings, should help to improve supply over time and give buyers more options.”
Prices across the region continued to rise in June, with both the median sales price ($348,000) and the average sales price ($427,218) increasing 24.3 percent and 32.1 percent year-over-year respectively. The average list price rose 8.5 percent year-over-year to $453,930, bringing the original list price to sales price measure to 99.4 percent, showing sellers receiving nearly all of asking prices this past month. Homes are selling quickly as indicated by days on market, which averaged 32 days compared to 64 days on market this time last year.
The Asheville region includes Burke, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey counties.
Asheville MSA
Sales across the Asheville metropolitan statistical area (MSA) mirrored that of the region, rising 26.4 percent year-over-year with 880 homes sold during the month of June. Month-over-month, June sales were up 13.5 percent. Though pending sales were down 3.8 percent compared to June 2020, showing slower buyer activity than June 2020, year-to-date figures show buyer demand remains strong across the metro-area, rising 27.9 percent over buyer activity during the first half of 2020. New listing activity remains a bright spot for buyers, increasing 13.2 percent year-over-year, as sellers listed 1,124 homes for sale versus 993 listed in June 2020. Still, buyers will find the inventory situation is less than ideal, falling 46.3 percent year-over-year and leaving 1,221 homes for sale or 1.5 months of supply. Buyers will continue to face headwinds of low supply amid rising prices.
Both the median sales price ($370,000) and the average sales price ($450,931) rose 23.4 percent and 29.6 percent year-over-year, while the average list price of $484,542 rose 13 percent compared to last June. Sellers in the metro area are getting nearly all of asking price, as displayed by the original list price to sales price ratio increasing 4.1 percent year-over-year to 99.8 percent of asking price. Days on market averaged 28 days this past June versus 50 days in June 2020.
Noyes added, “While Realtors® are encouraged that housing continues to lead our economic recovery, we are keenly aware that the lack of inventory and rising prices, are keeping a number of first-time home buyers and workforce buyers from being able to purchase. Industry leaders working with elected officials will need to work creatively to address the challenges surrounding affordability, until the market reaches a more balanced position, allowing more people access to homeownership.”
Buncombe County
Sales in Buncombe County rose 23.8 percent year-over-year in June with 468 homes sold compared to 378 that were sold in June 2020. Pending sales were level with pending sales activity last year, rising just 1.2 percent year-over-year with 504 properties entering the pipeline of sales. Seller confidence seems to be rising, as indicated by new listings, which rose 6.1 percent over last June, as sellers brought 577 homes to market versus 544 that were newly listed in June 2020. Inventory fell 51.9 percent year-over-year leaving 581 homes for sale or 1.3 months of supply at report time. Prices are being impacted by the low inventory environment, causing both the median sales price ($400,000) and the average sales price ($507,976) to rise 23.1 percent and 32 percent year-over-year respectively. The average list price rose 17.8 percent year-over-year to $538,628. While the original list price to sales price ratio showed sellers getting 100.4 percent of asking price during the month of June. Buyers can expect a fast-moving market, as indicated by days on market averaging 33 days during the month of June.
Haywood County
Home sales in Haywood County continued their positive streak, rising 46.1 percent year-over-year as 130 homes sold versus 89 that sold this time last year. Pending sales declined 14 percent year-over-year, a sign that buyer competition may be slowing, as buyers drove 141 homes under contract during the month compared to 164 that were under contract this time last year. Still buyers in Haywood will welcome the rise in new listings. Midyear figures show pending sales activity has been strong during the first half of 2021, with 24.2 percent more pending sales activity than during the first half of 2020. New listings rose 17.4 percent year-over-year as sellers brought 189 homes into active status. However, buyers will find that homes are selling nearly as quickly as they’re listed, as inventory fell 38.8 percent year-over-year during the month of June, leaving 230 homes for sale or 1.8 months of supply at report time. Both the median sales price ($299,500) and the average sales price ($313,933) rose 15.2 percent and 9.6 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price rose 14 percent to $390,060. Sellers are inching closer to receiving all of asking price, as indicated by the original list price to sales price ratio of 97.7 percent during the month of June. Homes are selling quickly as indicated by days on market, showing homes averaged 26 days on market in June 2021.
Henderson County
Positive sales continued in Henderson County in June. Closed sales rose 22.5 percent year-over-year as 256 homes sold during the month compared to 209 that sold this time last year. Pending sales, which indicate buyer demand, declined 6.6 percent year-over-year as 228 homes went under contract versus 244 under contract in June 2020. New listing activity rose a welcome 18.4 percent year-over-year, showing seller confidence on the rise, as sellers brought 309 properties to market. However, inventory is critically low, falling 39.2 percent year-over-year, leaving 338 homes for sale or 1.6 months of supply. Supply woes will continue to pressure prices, which rose sharply in June. Both the median sales price ($362,500) and the average sales price ($414,888) rose 23.7 percent and 31 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price rose slightly, 0.3 percent to $429,818. Sellers in Henderson County received all of asking price in June and then some, as indicated by the original list price to sales price ratio topping 100.2 percent during the month. Sellers also have the added plus of faster sales, as homes were not on market very long in June. Days on market showed homes averaged 20 days on market until sale in June 2021 compared to 46 days on market this time last year.
Madison County
(Due to small ample size of homes for sale, percentages of change can look extreme) Sales in Madison County rose 30 percent in June as 26 homes sold compared to 20 that sold this time last year. Pending sales, however declined 7.7 percent year-over-year as 24 homes went under contract during the month. New listing activity rose 81.5 percent year-over-year as 49 homes were added to inventory. However, this will not improve the inventory situation, which declined 45.5 percent in June, leaving 72 homes for sale or 2.7 months of supply. Prices rose sharply in relation to supply. Both the median sales price ($430,000) and the average sales price ($466,192) rose 91.1 percent and 87.3 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price rose 45.7 percent to $555,229. Sellers received 95.7 percent of asking prices in June 2021, as indicated by the original list price to sales price ratio. The market moved rather quickly in Madison, as indicated by days on market averaging 29 days in June versus 92 days on market in June 2020.
Other counties around the region
Burke County closed sales rose 10.1 percent as 87 homes sold compared to 79 home sells in June 2020. Pending sales increased significantly, rising 88.3 percent year-over-year with 113 homes going under contract during the month compared to 60 that went under contract last year. New listing activity soared, rising 91.7 percent year-over-year with 115 homes newly listed versus 60 listed last June. The welcome jump in new listing activity however, will not help the current inventory situation, which declined 41.7 percent in June, leaving 81 homes for sale or 1 month of supply. Prices will continue to increase as inventory falls. Both the median sales price ($214,900) and the average sales price ($259,091) rose 26.4 percent and 14.8 percent year-over-year respectively. Sellers received all of asking price and more as indicated by the original list price to sales price measure registering 100.7 percent. Buyers will see homes sold as quickly as they’re listed as days on market continue to trend lower, averaging 20 days in June versus 42 days in June 2020.
(Due to small ample size of homes for sale, percentages of change can look extreme) Jackson County, had positive sales in June, rising 89.5 percent year-over-year as 36 homes sold compared to 19 that sold in June 2020. Pending contract activity was steady, rising 5 percent year-over-year as 42 homes went under contract during the month. New listing activity also rose by 11.4 percent compared to last June, as sellers brought 49 homes to market. However, inventory is challenged and fell 55.4 percent in June, leaving 79 homes for sale or 2.3 months of supply. Prices rose due to the small pool of homes for sale and the price point. The average list price during the month topped $471,263, a 49 percent increase over last year’s list price, while both the median sales price ($314,500) and the average sales price ($415,093) rose 11.9 percent and 26.4 percent year-over-year respectively. Sellers in Jackson County are getting closer to asking prices as indicated by the original list price to sales price ratio registering 97.5 percent in June 2021. Days on market until sale averaged 92 days versus 149 days in June 2020.
McDowell County saw home sales increase 31.4 percent with 46 homes sold compared to 35 homes sold in June 2020. Pending sales or contracts, a signal of buyer demand, was rose 8.5 percent year-over-year with 51 homes going under contract versus 47 that went under contract during the same period last year. New listing activity increased 48.9 percent year-over-year with sellers listing 67 homes for sale during the month of June, however this does little to help the inventory situation, which fell 48.2 percent year-over-year leaving 72 homes for sale or 1.6 months of supply. Low inventory is pressuring prices, which are rising. Both the median sales price ($257,450) and the average sales price ($380,216) rose 69.4 percent and 103.9 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price inched up 3.5 percent compared to last year, to $332,067. Sellers in McDowell received 97 percent of asking prices as indicated by the original list price to sales price measure for June 2021. Homes are selling much faster than this time last year as indicated by days on market averaging 33 days until sale versus 69 days on market until sale in June 2020.
(Due to small ample size of homes for sale, percentages of change can look extreme)
Mitchell County posted a total of 24 total sales in June 2021 versus eleven sales in June 2020, while pending contracts show buyers drove 22 homes under contract this past month, an increase of 10 percent year-over-year. New listings were down 7.1 percent year-over-year, with 26 properties listed for sale, which will continue to exacerbate inventory, that declined 50.5 percent compared to last year, leaving just 54 homes for sale at report time, or 2.7 months of supply. Prices were mixed, as the median sales price ($227,500) declined 9 percent compared to last June and the average sales price ($266,181) rose 5.9 percent year-over-year. The average list price increased 59.8 percent to $384,942. Sellers received 95.4 percent of asking prices, as indicated by the original list price to sales price measure. Days on market until sale averaged 36 days during the month of June, versus 284 days on market until sale in June 2020.
Polk County sales increased 27.8 percent year-over-year, as 46 properties closed during the month, compared to 36 that closed in June 2020. Pending sales showed buyer demand declined 8.6 percent year-over-year as 32 properties went under contract. Seller confidence fell during the month, as sellers brought 47 homes to market, a decrease of 11.8 percent year-over-year. Inventory is low and was down 45 percent at report time, leaving 82 homes for sale or 2 months of supply. Low inventory is impacting prices, which rose in June. Both the median sales price ($317,500) and the average sales price ($530,342) rose 2.7 percent and 64.2 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price rose 24.2 percent in June to $538,740. Sellers are inching closer to asking prices and received 98.6 percent of asking price, according to the original list price to sale price ratio. Days on market until sale trended at 48 days in June 2021 versus 90 days on market in June 2020.
Rutherford County sales decreased in June 2021, falling 3.8 percent year-over-year as 75 homes closed. Pending sales, however continue to show buyers in the market, increasing 14.9 percent in June 2021 as 108 properties went under contract. New listings increased 50.6 percent, as sellers added 119 homes to inventory versus 79 homes added in June 2020. With inventory down nearly 52.6 percent year-over-year to 120 homes for sale or 1.4 months of supply, prices rose sharply. Both the median sales price ($256,500) and the average sales price ($353,463) rose 28.3 percent and 35.3 percent year-over-year respectively. While the average list price increased 10.5 percent to $386,444. The original list price to sale price ratio shows sellers received 99.3 percent of asking prices in June 2021. Properties in Rutherford County averaged 26 days on market until sale in June 2021 versus 97 days until sale this time last year.
(Due to small ample size of homes for sale, percentages of change can look extreme)
Swain County had very little activity during the month of June 2021, with just five sales reported compared to seven sales in June 2020. Pending sales activity increased as seven properties went under contract during the month, compared to five under contract in June 2020. New listing activity is down 11 percent as sellers brought eight properties to market versus nine this time last year. Prices rose sharply in relation to very low supply, which totaled twelve homes on market, at report time or 1.6 months of supply. Both the median sales price ($185,000) and the average sales price ($179,400) declined 8.8 percent and 12.4 percent year-over-year respectively. June’s average list price rose 8.9 percent to $486,713. Sellers are receiving about 86.8 percent of asking prices, according to June’s original list price to sales price measure, while days on market until sale averaged 25 days in June 2021.
Transylvania County saw home sales rise in June by 25 percent over sales in June 2020, with 75 homes sold during the month. Pending contract activity however, contracted sharply during the month, an indication that buyer demand could be waning, as only 68 homes were in under contract status during the month, compared to 103 under contract this time last year. Seller confidence was low, as sellers only listed 74 homes for sale, a decrease of 22 percent year-over-year, compared to the 95 homes listed in June 2020. Prices are rising in relation to inventory, which fell 62.9 percent year-over-year, leaving 109 homes for sale or 1.5 months of supply. Both the median sales price ($405,000) and the average sales price ($490,398) pushed higher, increasing 32.4 percent and 27 percent year-over-year respectfully, while the average list price declined 19.1 percent to $467,589. Still, sellers received nearly all of asking price as indicated by the original list price to sales price ratio hitting 99.6 percent last month. Homes are selling in nearly half the time that they did last year, as days on market averaged 46 days during the month, versus 93 days in June 2020.
Yancey County’s sales increased 4.8 percent year-over-year as 22 homes sold versus 21 that sold in June 2020. Pending contract activity spiked higher in June, rising 152.6 percent year-over-year as 48 homes went under contract versus 19 that were under contract in June 2020. New listing activity also increased in June 2021, rising 32.4 percent year-over-year with sellers bringing 45 homes to market. Inventory, like all the other counties in the region is somewhat challenged, declining 63.6 percent in June 2021, leaving 92 homes for sale or 2.6 months of supply. Prices are rising in relation to low inventory. Both the median sales price ($315,000) and the average sales price ($315,182) rose 46.5 percent and 38.8 percent year-over-year respectively, while the average list price declined 18.3 percent to $374,907. The original list price to sales price measure showed sellers getting 96.9 percent of asking prices during the month of June while, days on market until sale averaged 87 days versus 163 days in June 2020.
For more residential-housing market statistics, visit www.CarolinaHome.com and click on “Market Data.” For an interview with an Asheville-area Realtor®/broker, 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, the mountains area of North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond. Canopy MLS, which has 20,600 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.
Original Publish Date: 7/21/2021