September 29, 2026
Contact: Kim Walker, 704-940-3149

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Housing activity across the four-county Asheville area (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison Counties) moderated in August following a relatively active summer, as affordability pressures and elevated household costs continued to shape buyer and seller decisions. Pending sales and closed sales dipped modestly from last August, while new listing activity saw a more pronounced slowdown.  Contracts dipped 0.8 percent compared to last year to 630 homes under contract, while closings declined by 3.1 percent to 570 homes sold. Despite the monthly pullback, buyer demand remained resilient over the longer term, with pending sales up 7.0 percent and closed sales 6.2 percent ahead of last year through the first eight months of 2026. Data in this report is provided by Canopy MLS, a subsidiary of the Canopy Realtor® Association, and reflects existing-home sales of single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes only.

Seller activity slowed more noticeably in August, with new listings declining 10.9 percent year-over-year to 847 homes. Inventory edged down 1.2 percent to 3,291 homes for sale, while months of supply fell from 6.6 months last August to 5.8 months. The decline in available supply, coupled with year-to-date sales growth, continues to point to a market where buyers remain engaged even as affordability and broader cost-of-living pressures influence housing decisions. 

“August was a little quieter, but the broader picture tells us buyers are still engaged in the Asheville market,” said Dave Noyes, REALTOR®/Designated Managing Broker with eXp Realty and Canopy MLS Board of Director. “Affordability and everyday household costs are influencing how buyers approach their decisions, so they’re being thoughtful and selective about what works for their budgets. At the same time, pending and closed sales remain ahead of last year through August, even as fewer new listings are coming to market. That tells us there is still demand for homes, but buyers and sellers need to understand that conditions can vary considerably by price point and location.”

August Showing Activity
August showing activity across the 13-county mountain region continued to reflect solid buyer engagement. Total showings increased 4.8 percent year-over-year and 1.3 percent from July, while buyer interest, measured by showings per listing, rose 14.8 percent from last August and 5.6 percent month-over-month, averaging 2.2 showings per listing. The increase in buyer interest came even as the number of managed listings declined 8.7 percent year-over-year.

Homes priced between $319,000 and $462,999 continued to generate the strongest buyer interest, averaging 2.8 showings per listing, while homes priced $463,000 and above attracted the greatest overall showing activity, with 7,422 showings during the month. Among individual markets, the City of Hendersonville again led the region with 3.0 showings per listing, followed by Henderson County at 2.8, while Buncombe County averaged 2.4 and the City of Asheville and Transylvania County each averaged 2.3. The continued growth in showings per listing suggests buyers remained engaged this past August, despite affordability challenges.

Home Prices Remain Stable Despite August Gains
Home prices across the four-county Asheville metro-area increased in August, with the median sales price rising 3.5 percent year-over-year to $470,800, while the average sales price increased 6.5 percent to $608,887. The average list price also rose 2.7 percent to $633,609. Despite the stronger monthly figures, the longer-term picture continues to point to price stability: through the first eight months of the year, the median sales price was $450,000, down just 0.4 percent from the same period last year, while the year-to-date average sales price increased a modest 1.9 percent. Sellers received 93.6 percent of their original list price, up from 92.9 percent last August, suggesting sellers maintained slightly more of their asking price even as buyers continued to navigate affordability pressures.

Sales growth remains broad across the 13-county Canopy MLS Western region.
A closer look at market activity by price range across the broader Asheville region shows continued sales growth across most segments. Over the rolling 12-month period, single-family closed sales increased most strongly in the $600,001 to $700,000 range, up 13.3 percent, followed by homes priced $200,001 to $300,000, up 7.5 percent, and homes $700,001 and above, up 6.3 percent. Sales also increased 5.2 percent among homes priced between $400,001 and $500,000. Inventory trends remained mixed, however, with single-family inventory declining 5.2 percent in the $300,001-to-$400,000 range and 4.5 percent between $400,001 and $500,000, while increasing 9.8 percent between $200,001 and $300,000, 13.4 percent between $600,001 and $700,000, and 7.3 percent above $700,000. The varying supply picture underscores how differently buyers may experience the market depending on price point, with tighter choices persisting in some mid-priced segments even as options expand elsewhere.

By property type, single-family homes continued to account for the vast majority of sales activity, with closed sales increasing 11.3 percent year-over-year over the rolling 12-month period, while condo-townhome sales rose an even stronger 15.1 percent. Inventory increased modestly for single-family homes, up 2.6 percent, while condo-townhome inventory rose 3.3 percent. Even with inventory growth, overall supply has tightened compared with last year: single-family homes carried 6.1 months of supply, down from 6.7 months, while townhome supply declined from 6.4 to 6.1 months and condo supply edged down from 9.3 to 9.1 months.

“What stands out in the August data is that buyers are still actively looking and responding when the right homes come to market,” Noyes continued. “We’re seeing stronger showing activity, sales growth across several price ranges and property types, and demand continuing to absorb available supply across much of the region. At the same time, this isn’t one uniform market. Buyers may find more choices in one price range or property type and tighter conditions in another. That’s why it’s important to look beyond the overall numbers and understand what’s happening in the specific market where you’re buying or selling.”

Time-on-market metrics continued to reflect a more measured pace across the Asheville metro area, giving buyers time to evaluate their options. List-to-close time, which measures the total number of days from listing to closing, increased 4.7 percent year-over-year to 111 days, compared with 106 days in August 2025. Days on market, however, were unchanged at 64 days, suggesting that homes entering the market in August took about the same amount of time to attract an accepted offer as they did a year ago. The longer-term picture continues to show a slower sales pace, with year-to-date days on market averaging 72 days, up 22 percent, while year-to-date list-to-close time increased 9.4 percent to 116 days. With pending and closed sales still up 7.0 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively, year-to-date, the longer marketing times seen throughout much of 2026 appear to reflect a more deliberate buying process rather than an absence of buyer demand.

Buncombe County’s housing market showed continued buyer strength in August, even as seller activity softened. New listings declined 3.8 percent year-over-year to 462 homes, while pending sales jumped 17.0 percent to 344 contracts and closed sales increased 8.6 percent to 317 transactions. Home prices also moved higher during the month, with the median sales price rising 2.1 percent to $501,000 and the average sales price increasing 4.9 percent to $678,129. Sellers received 93.6 percent of their original list price, up from 92.4 percent last August. Inventory increased modestly, rising 2.5 percent to 1,791 homes, while months of supply declined from 6.9 to 6.0 months, suggesting stronger buyer activity helped absorb available inventory. Homes also moved slightly faster than a year ago, averaging 63 days on market compared with 66 days last August, although the year-to-date average remains considerably higher at 72 days.

Haywood County’s housing market slowed in August, although year-to-date sales activity remained slightly ahead of last year. New listings declined 17.3 percent year-over-year to 139 homes, while pending sales fell 18.1 percent to 104 contracts and closed sales declined 15.9 percent to 90 transactions. Despite the monthly pullback, closed sales remained 3.6 percent ahead of last year through August, while year-to-date pending sales were essentially unchanged, down just 0.1 percent. Home prices increased during the month, with the median sales price rising 10.8 percent to $447,500 and the average sales price increasing 4.0 percent to $484,623. However, the year-to-date median remained virtually unchanged at $395,500, up just 0.1 percent, pointing to greater price stability over the longer term. Sellers received 93.1 percent of their original list price, up from 92.2 percent last August. Inventory declined 1.8 percent to 533 homes, while months of supply fell from 6.5 to 6.1 months. Homes also took longer to sell, averaging 72 days on market compared with 56 days last August, while list-to-close time increased from 94 to 118 days, reflecting a more deliberate pace despite somewhat tighter supply.

Henderson County’s housing market slowed in August, although year-to-date activity continued to reflect solid buyer demand. New listings declined 21.3 percent year-over-year to 214 homes, while pending sales fell 14.3 percent to 162 contracts and closed sales declined 15.3 percent to 144 transactions. Despite the monthly pullback, pending sales remained 5.7 percent ahead of last year through August, while closed sales were up 5.0 percent year-to-date. Home prices were mixed, with the median sales price declining 3.1 percent to $450,000, while the average sales price increased 4.8 percent to $543,909. Year-to-date, the median price was down 3.3 percent at $435,000, while the average price declined 1.4 percent to $507,951. Sellers received 94.6 percent of their original list price, up from 94.1 percent last August. Inventory declined 8.8 percent to 813 homes, while months of supply fell from 6.0 to 5.0 months, giving buyers fewer available options than a year ago. Homes also moved more quickly during the month, averaging 57 days on market compared with 63 days last August, while list-to-close time declined from 111 to 106 days.

Madison County’s housing market moderated in August, although year-to-date activity continued to reflect solid buyer demand. New listings increased 3.2 percent year-over-year to 32 homes, while pending sales declined 20.0 percent to 20 contracts and closed sales were unchanged at 19 transactions. Despite the softer monthly activity, pending sales remained 8.2 percent ahead of last year through August, while closed sales were up 11.8 percent year-to-date. The median sales price declined 2.5 percent to $424,900, while the average sales price increased 8.9 percent to $531,300; however, monthly price changes can be significant in a smaller market such as Madison County, where relatively few transactions can substantially affect averages and medians. Sellers received 88.7 percent of their original list price, down from 92.3 percent last August.  Inventory increased slightly, rising 2.7 percent to 154 homes, while months of supply declined from 9.1 to 8.0 months. Homes took considerably longer to sell, averaging 118 days on market compared with 76 days a year ago, while list-to-close time increased from 111 to 155 days, continuing to give buyers more time to evaluate properties in this higher-supply market.

See data for 20+ Mountain-area Communities in Western NC, August 2026

Buyer Demand Holds as Western Region Settles into a More Measured Market
Across the 13-county Canopy MLS Western Region, August housing activity reflected a more measured market, with continued buyer engagement even as sales and seller activity softened. Pending sales increased 7.0 percent year-over-year, while closed sales declined 4.7 percent and new listings dipped 2.1 percent; through August, however, pending sales remained 5.9 percent ahead of last year and closed sales were up 3.8 percent, pointing to resilient demand over the longer term. Prices remained relatively stable overall, with the regional median increasing just 1.2 percent to $433,816, although individual counties experienced considerably greater price variation. Inventory increased modestly, up 2.7 percent to 5,350 homes, while months of supply declined from 6.8 to 6.2 months, suggesting buyer activity continued to absorb available supply even as choices remained relatively broad. Homes also continued to take longer to sell, with days on market rising 4.7 percent to 67 days in August and averaging 75 days year-to-date, up 21.0 percent, reinforcing the broader shift toward a slower, more deliberate sales pace. Conditions varied considerably by county, however, with some smaller mountain markets experiencing sizable swings in prices, supply, and monthly activity.

Burke County’s housing market saw a surge in seller activity in August alongside continued buyer demand and expanding inventory. New listings increased 69.0 percent year-over-year to 120 homes, while pending sales rose 28.3 percent to 77 contracts and closed sales increased 2.9 percent to 70 transactions. Home prices moved higher during the month, with the median sales price increasing 12.2 percent to $289,950 and the average sales price rising 10.4 percent to $366,426; however, year-to-date prices remained essentially stable, with the median virtually unchanged at $274,900 and the average down 0.7 percent. Sellers received 94.1 percent of their original list price, up from 93.1 percent last August. Inventory expanded 29.0 percent to 325 homes, while months of supply increased from 4.0 to 5.1 months, providing buyers with considerably more choice. Homes averaged 54 days on market compared with 46 days last August, reflecting a somewhat more deliberate sales pace as supply increased.

Transylvania County’s housing market continued to show buyer engagement in August despite fewer new listings and slightly lower closed sales. New listings declined 7.1 percent year-over-year to 65 homes, while pending sales increased 3.8 percent to 54 contracts and closed sales declined 7.3 percent to 51 transactions; through August, pending and closed sales remained 7.0 percent and 6.9 percent ahead of last year, respectively. The median sales price increased 4.8 percent to $550,000, while the average sales price declined sharply to $599,999, down 42.5 percent, a divergence that likely reflects the mix of properties sold during the month and warrants caution in interpreting the average-price change. Sellers received 88.9 percent of their original list price, compared with 93.6 percent last August. Inventory increased modestly, rising 2.3 percent to 305 homes, while months of supply declined from 7.6 to 6.9 months. Homes took considerably longer to sell, averaging 115 days on market compared with 63 days a year ago, while list-to-close time increased from 120 to 151 days, giving buyers substantially more time to evaluate available properties.

(Due to smaller sample sizes in counties where there is a smaller pool of listings, percentage increases or decreases may seem extreme.)
Jackson County's housing market in August reflected the continued variability typical of smaller mountain markets. New listings increased 20.8 percent year over year to 58 homes, while pending sales rose 9.8 percent and closed sales increased 8.3 percent to 26 transactions. The median sales price increased 10.5 percent to $475,000, while the average sales price rose 25.4 percent to $733,252. Inventory expanded 11.2 percent to 198 homes, while months' supply declined to 9.0 months, continuing to provide buyers with substantial choice.

McDowell County's housing market in August reflected stronger buyer and seller activity alongside growing inventory. New listings increased 18.2 percent year over year to 65 homes and pending sales rose 14.0 percent, while closed sales increased 11.8 percent to 38 transactions. The median sales price declined 3.7 percent to $325,000, while the average sales price increased 8.6 percent to $401,783. Inventory increased 13.4 percent to 245 homes, while months' supply edged up to 7.1 months.

Rutherford County's housing market showed continued buyer and seller activity in August. New listings rose 30.5 percent year over year to 107 homes, pending sales increased 18.6 percent, while closed sales declined 10.4 percent to 60 transactions. The median sales price declined 11.2 percent to $253,100, while the average sales price was essentially unchanged, rising 0.5 percent to $377,642. Inventory increased 10.5 percent to 432 homes, while months' supply edged down to 7.0 months.

Mitchell County's housing market in August reflected strong buyer activity despite fewer homes coming to market. New listings declined 48.3 percent year over year to 15 homes, while pending sales doubled, increasing 100.0 percent, and closed sales rose 37.5 percent to 11 transactions. The median sales price increased 8.3 percent to $295,000, while the average sales price rose 5.8 percent to $338,227. Inventory edged down 0.9 percent to 112 homes, while months' supply declined to 9.0 months.

Polk County's housing market in August reflected continued buyer activity alongside lower inventory. New listings increased 14.3 percent year over year to 40 homes and pending sales rose 12.5 percent, while closed sales declined 6.3 percent to 30 transactions. The median sales price declined 27.8 percent to $402,500, while the average sales price fell 26.1 percent to $472,893. Inventory declined 5.1 percent to 187 homes, reducing months' supply to 7.3 months.

Yancey County's housing market in August reflected strengthening buyer and seller activity, although closed sales dipped slightly. New listings increased 35.3 percent year over year to 46 homes and pending sales jumped 65.0 percent, while closed sales declined 4.8 percent to 20 transactions. The median sales price increased 4.1 percent to $405,000, while the average sales price rose 14.7 percent to $514,365. Inventory increased 19.0 percent to 219 homes, while months' supply remained elevated at 11.4 months.

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 Realtor® Association owns and operates Canopy MLS, the region’s primary source for accurate, timely property data across a multi-county service area spanning North Carolina and South Carolina, including the Charlotte, Asheville, and Hickory-Lenoir MSAs. With more than 21,000 subscribers, Canopy MLS delivers comprehensive property data and innovative tools that support residential real estate transactions, from buying and selling to investing and renting.

Original Publish Date: 9/29/2026