September 10, 2025

Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Residential real estate activity across the Catawba Valley Region in July 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.

The median sales price across the region rose 0.7 percent year-over-year to $287,000, while the average sales price climbed 3.9 percent to $364,572. Despite annual increases, the median and average sales prices declined 8.9 percent and 6.0 percent respectively when compared to June 2025. Properties priced between $400,001 and $500,000 led sales activity, with pending contracts up 22.8 percent. Homes with four or more bedrooms were in strongest demand, posting a 16.1 percent gain in sales. 

Pending sales rose sharply by 23.7 percent to 449 contracts, offering optimism for continued activity into late summer. This marked the third time in 2025 that contracts exceeded 400, a level last seen in March 2022. Closed transactions grew 4.0 percent year-over-year to 387 homes sold and increased 2.7 percent compared to June. New construction accounted for 18 percent of sales this month. 

Sellers received an average of 94.2 percent of their original list price, down from 95.2 percent last year and 95.5 percent in June. At the same time, average list prices rose to $412,171, reflecting a 9.3 percent year-over-year increase and a 4.1 percent increase from June, reflecting increased demand from buyers. 

“With more options available, buyers are negotiating more effectively, which creates a healthier balance in the market. Sellers who price strategically can take advantage of this momentum, attracting motivated buyers and achieving successful sales more quickly,” said Dawn Kilby, Realtor®/broker with Realty Executives of Hickory and 2025 president of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors®. 

The number of homes for sale grew 26.7 percent from a year ago, reaching 1,259 properties. Months supply rose to 3.5, up from 3.0 last July, marking one of the most balanced levels for the region in several years. Reflecting national trends, higher inventory has begun easing affordability constraints and giving buyers more negotiating power. Homes with three bedrooms accounted for the largest share of new supply, though smaller starter homes remain relatively scarce, keeping entry-level price points competitive. 

New listings rose 17.1 percent year-over-year to 596, continuing the region’s steady growth in seller activity. Compared to June, listings increased 7.4 percent. All four counties in the region posted gains this month, with new construction accounting for 26 percent of the total. 

Buyers remained active, logging 5,295 showings across the region, with an average of 3.5 showings per listing. Newton and Hickory saw the highest engagement, averaging 4.4 and 4.2 showings per listing, respectively. However, with buyers taking longer to make decisions, homes spent 47 days on market before selling, up 27.0 percent from last July and 4.4 percent higher than June. 

Kilby added, “Looking ahead, housing analysts across the country suggest the remainder of 2025 will be defined by a gradual return to balance. Mortgage rates, while easing slightly, remain elevated by historical standards, meaning affordability will continue to hinge on growing inventory and sellers’ willingness to adjust expectations. Additionally, most Canopy MLS listings qualify for down payment assistance programs.” 

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 saw mixed conditions in July. New listings inched up 6.5 percent to 33 homes, while pending sales rose 36.4 percent to 30 contracts. Closed sales, however, slipped 25.0 percent to 18 transactions. Prices were uneven, with the median sales price climbing 17.9 percent to $322,500, while the average sales price dropped 6.5 percent to $347,594. The average list price remained stable at $404,445. Sellers received 91.6 percent of their original list price, down from 95.2 percent last year. Homes averaged 43 days on market, nearly unchanged from a year ago, as inventory expanded 9.9 percent to 78 homes, representing 3.4 months of supply.

Burke County posted stronger pricing trends. New listings increased 10.8 percent to 103 homes, and closed sales rose 2.6 percent to 80 transactions, although pending sales slipped 10.5 percent to 68. The median sales price grew 5.8 percent to $275,000, while the average sales price surged 31.8 percent to $364,104. The average list price fell 9.6 percent to $350,249. Homes sold more quickly, averaging 49 days on market, slightly below last year. Sellers received 93.5 percent of their original list price, a modest improvement. Inventory rose 19.5 percent to 245 homes, providing 3.7 months of supply.

Caldwell County experienced slowing sales activity and a major expansion in supply. New listings rose 5.0 percent to 105 homes, while pending sales edged down 1.4 percent to 70 contracts. Closed sales were stable, up 1.5 percent to 66. Prices softened, with the median sales price falling 4.6 percent to $267,000 and the average sales price down 18.4 percent to $329,486. Sellers received 94.0 percent of their asking price, compared to 96.8 percent last year. Homes took longer to sell, averaging 45 days on market, while inventory surged 55.8 percent to 240 homes, pushing months of supply from 2.4 to 3.9.

Catawba County reported robust growth in both activity and supply. New listings jumped 24.6 percent to 355 homes, and pending sales surged 44.8 percent to 281 contracts. Closed sales also climbed 8.8 percent to 223 transactions. Prices were mixed, with the median sales price slipping 2.2 percent to $297,500, while the average sales price rose 4.6 percent to $376,495. The average list price increased 17.9 percent to $447,554. Sellers received 94.7 percent of their original asking price, down slightly from last year. Homes averaged 47 days on market, and inventory increased 23.4 percent to 696 homes, bringing supply 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.

Original Publish Date: 9/10/2025