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Western North Carolina | Q1 2026

Q1 Market Report & Forecast | April 2026

MARKET REPORT

The Western North Carolina real estate market entered 2026 with a steady, measured start, as the region continues to normalize following the volatility created by Hurricane Helene in late 2024

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Asheville (City, North)

Downtown Asheville Condos Buncombe County Arden

Biltmore Forest

Henderson County Haywood

Fairview/Fletcher Foothills

FORECAST

As we move further into 2026, Western North Carolina is transitioning into a more balanced and sustainable market.

PODCAST

From market forecasts, interviews, and house marketing ideas, join the team at Ivester Jackson Blackstream I Christie's for the latest in Carolina’s luxury real estate content

Current Trends

The Western North Carolina real estate market entered 2026 with a steady, measured start, as the region continues to normalize following the volatility created by Hurricane Helene in late 2024 While some markets are showing slight year-over-year declines, particularly in the Mid-Market ($600K–$999K), this is largely a reflection of a more stabilized environment rather than weakening demand. In contrast, the Luxury ($1M–$1 99M) and Ultra-Luxury ($2M+) segments remain resilient, with several submarkets posting gains in both sales volume and pending activity.

Inventory levels across the region have increased compared to recent years, giving buyers more options and creating a more balanced market dynamic. At the same time, healthy pending sales across many submarkets point to continued momentum as we move into the spring selling season.

Overall, the market remains fundamentally sound, with lifestyle-driven migration, cash buyers, and long-term confidence in the region continuing to underpin demand.

CITY OF ASHEVILLE

The City of Asheville saw a modest reset in the Mid-Market ($600K–$999K), with 76 closings in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 96 during the same period last year. Despite the dip in closed sales, pending activity remains strong, with 54 homes under contract, suggesting continued demand heading into the second quarter.

The Luxury ($1M–$1 99M) segment posted solid growth, with 31 closings compared to 26 last year, while the Ultra-Luxury ($2M+) tier also advanced, rising to 12 sales from 8

Inventory remains elevated across all segments, providing buyers with increased selection while rewarding sellers who price strategically

CITY OF ASHEVILLE

NORTH ASHEVILLE

North Asheville presented a mixed but stable performance to start the year The Mid-Market saw a slight decline, with 21 closings compared to 23 in the first quarter of 2025, though pending activity remains healthy

The Luxury segment showed notable improvement, climbing to 11 closings from 6 last year, reflecting continued demand for well-located homes with character and views

The Ultra-Luxury market remained steady year-over-year, with 4 closings However, with no current pending sales, this segment may experience a slower pace in the next term

NORTH ASHEVILLE

DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE CONDOS

Downtown Asheville’s condo market remains steady, with slight fluctuations across price points. The Mid-Market recorded 2 closings compared to 3 last year, while the Luxury segment held steady with 3 sales in both periods.

The Ultra-Luxury tier has yet to record a closing in the first quarter; however, 3 units are currently under contract, signaling potential movement in the coming months.

Inventory remains tight, particularly in the higher-end segment, and demand continues to be driven by buyers seeking walkability and low-maintenance living

DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE CONDOS

BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Buncombe County experienced a slight pullback in the MidMarket, with 144 closings compared to 159 last year However, strong pending activity, with over 100 homes under contract, points to continued stability The Luxury segment remained flat year-over-year with 46 closings, while the Ultra-Luxury tier posted growth, rising to 19 sales from 14

Inventory across all segments has increased, creating a more balanced environment and allowing buyers greater flexibility as the market heads into peak season

BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Homes Sold

BILTMORE FOREST

Biltmore Forest saw renewed activity in the higher-end segments to begin the year While the Mid-Market remains minimal due to limited supply, the Luxury segment recorded 3 closings compared to none in the first quarter of 2025

The Ultra-Luxury tier also showed modest growth, with 2 closings compared to 1 last year Inventory remains elevated in the $2M+ range; however, pending activity suggests continued interest in this historically significant and highly desirable submarket

BILTMORE FOREST

Q1 Homes Sold

ARDEN & FAIRVIEW/ FLETCHER

Arden posted a balanced start to 2026, with the Mid-Market nearly doubling year-over-year, rising to 12 closings from 7 The Luxury segment saw a slight decline, with 4 closings compared to 6 last year, though pending activity remains strong The Ultra-Luxury market held steady with 4 closings in both years, indicating continued consistency at the top of the market With solid pending sales across segments, Arden remains wellpositioned for a strong spring

Fairview and Fletcher showed meaningful growth across all price segments to start the year The Mid-Market climbed to 20 closings from 11 last year, reflecting renewed buyer interest in this submarket The Luxury segment saw a significant increase, rising to 48 closings from 22, highlighting strong demand for homes offering space, views, and relative value compared to Asheville proper The UltraLuxury tier also edged higher, with 4 closings compared to 3 last year With elevated inventory and strong pending activity, this area continues to attract both primary and second-home buyers.

ARDEN

Q1 Homes Sold

Homes Sold

112

$5,800,000

1905

131 Lodestone Drive Sylva, NC

$2,950,000

$4,250,000 88 Applemeadow Court

Moon Shadow Lane Marshall, NC

White Tree Trail Arden, NC

HENDERSON COUNTY

Henderson County delivered a steady performance in Q1, with the Mid-Market rising to 71 closings from 60 last year. The Luxury segment remained relatively flat, with 23 closings compared to 24, while the Ultra-Luxury market saw a slight dip, recording 1 closing versus 2 in Q1 2025 Inventory remains balanced, and the area continues to benefit from its value proposition and growing appeal among relocation buyers

HENDERSON COUNTY

Homes Sold

HAYWOD COUNTY

Haywood County showed continued strength in both the MidMarket and Luxury segments The Mid-Market rose to 32 closings from 27 last year, while the Luxury tier saw a notable increase, climbing to 8 sales from just 2 The Ultra-Luxury segment remains quiet, with no closings in either year With steady pending activity and increasing visibility among secondhome buyers, Haywood County continues to gain traction as a value-driven alternative to Buncombe County.

HAYWOOD COUNTY

FOOTHILLS: POLK, RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND COUNTY

The Foothills region maintained steady performance in the Mid-Market, with 27 closings compared to 26 last year The Luxury segment more than doubled, rising to 16 sales from 7, while the Ultra-Luxury tier also showed improvement, with 4 closings compared to one in the first quarter of 2025 Inventory remains elevated, but buyer interest continues to grow as more buyers explore opportunities outside of the Asheville core

FOOTHILLS: POLK, RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND COUNTIES

Homes Sold

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA MARKET FORECAST

A More Balanced Market Emerges in 2026, with Luxury Leading the Way

As we move further into 2026, Western North Carolina is transitioning into a more balanced and sustainable market. While the Mid-Market is stabilizing after several years of heightened activity, the Luxury and UltraLuxury segments continue to show strength, particularly in areas offering lifestyle appeal, privacy, and proximity to amenities

With strong pending sales, increased inventory, and continued migration into the region, the outlook for the spring and summer markets remains positive Buyers are becoming more selective, but remain active, while sellers who price appropriately and present their homes well are still achieving successful outcomes. Overall, the region is well-positioned for a steady and active year ahead.