NC High Country Market Report July 2026

July delivered the strongest month of the year so far in the High Country. Closed sales surged, total volume crossed $150 million, and the market showed real energy heading into late summer. Here’s my full breakdown of what the High Country Association of REALTORS® MLS data is telling us for July 2026 across Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties.

The Big Picture: 209 Closed Sales, $150.4 Million in Volume

The four-county High Country market recorded 209 closed sales of single-family homes, condos, and townhouses in July 2026 — the highest monthly total of the year — with a combined closing total of $150.4 million. The median sales price for all four counties came in at $470,000 for the month.

Inventory held nearly steady with 1,214 active residential listings, down just 0.3% from June. New listings came in at 294, a decrease of 9.8% from the prior month, tightening the months’ supply of inventory to 5.8 months — edging back toward more competitive, seller-friendly conditions.

Land and Commercial Activity

The land market continued to strengthen in July. The four-county region closed 54 land sales with a median sales price of $108,750, up 40.4% from June’s $77,450. Active land listings grew slightly to 1,314, with 155 new listings — up 25.0% from last month — creating a 24.3-month supply.

Commercial activity picked up with 2 commercial sales closing in July for a combined total of $3.3 million, a significant jump from June’s $846,963. There were 4 active commercial listings in the High-Country MLS during the month.

County-by-County Snapshot

Alleghany County

Alleghany recorded 15 closed residential sales in July, down 16.7% from June, with a median sales price of $340,000 — up 4.8% from the prior month. There were 96 active residential listings, a slight 3.0% decrease from June. On the land side, 4 closings at a median of $223,500 (up 35.5%), 229 active listings, 17 new listings, and a 57.2-month supply.

Ashe County

Ashe County had a standout July with 51 closed residential sales, up 30.8% from June. The median sales price pulled back to $375,000, down 24.2% from last month — a reminder that Ashe’s market can swing month to month based on the mix of homes closing. There were 227 active residential listings and 55 new listings (down 23.6%). On land, Ashe closed 13 sales at a median of $35,900 (down 40.2%), with 306 active listings, 35 new listings (down 18.6%), and a 23.5-month supply.

Avery County

Avery County closed 47 residential properties in July with a median sales price of $484,000, down 21.5% from June’s record $616,750 — though still a strong figure for the county. Inventory remained healthy at 371 active listings with 76 new listings. On the land side, Avery closed 14 sales at a median of $112,500 (down 47.3%), with 331 active listings, 45 new listings, and a 23.6-month supply.

Watauga County

Watauga had its best month of the year with 96 closed residential sales, up 17.1% from June. The median sales price rose to $657,500, a 7.0% increase — the highest of any county in the region. Inventory remained strong at 520 active residential listings with 141 new listings (down 11.3%). On land, Watauga closed 23 sales at a median of $137,250 — a dramatic 166.5% increase — with 448 active listings, 58 new listings, and a 19.5-month supply.

The National Backdrop: Prices Rising, Mortgage Costs Climbing

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, the latest quarterly report showed home prices increased in 80% of metro areas during the second quarter of 2026 — up from 71% in the first quarter. The national median single-family existing-home price rose 1.5% year-over-year to $434,900, accelerating from 0.5% annual growth in Q1.

Home sales rose despite increasing mortgage rates, with NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun citing steady job and income gains as the driver of sustained demand. Sales increased in three of the four major U.S. regions, with the South leading the way on faster job growth. The Northeast lagged due to slower job growth and faster-appreciating prices.

For first-time buyers, the math remains tough: the estimated monthly mortgage payment on a starter home valued at $369,700 with a 10% down payment is approximately $2,158 — up $214 from last quarter, though down $49 from a year ago. About 20% of markets still saw price declines in Q2, but that’s down from 27% the prior quarter, a sign that softening is becoming less widespread.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

Sellers are in a very strong position as July’s numbers show the market’s highest volume and some of its strongest median prices of the year. Watauga in particular is firing on all cylinders.
Buyers should note that the months’ supply dropped to 5.8 — meaning inventory is tightening and the window to move more slowly may be closing. If you’ve been watching the market, now is a good time to engage.
Land buyers are seeing stronger median prices across the board (especially in Watauga and Alleghany), but with 20+ months of supply in most counties, there’s still meaningful negotiating room.
Investors will find the commercial segment interesting — two deals totaling $3.3 million in July signals that commercial buyers are paying attention to this market.

As We Head Into August…

August in the High Country is something special — that sweet spot where summer lingers just a little longer, the late-afternoon light turns golden over the ridgelines, and the first hints of cooler air start rolling in with the evenings. It’s the kind of month that reminds you why people fall so hard for this place.

Whether you’re thinking about making a move before fall, exploring what your home might be worth in today’s market, or simply curious about what’s happening in your neighborhood — I’m always happy to talk. No pressure, just conversation.

Here’s to a beautiful August in the mountains.

Call or text me at 828.773.2080 or visit nchighcountryrealestate.com — I’d love to hear from you.

— Lori Eastridge, Realtor® | NC High Country Real Estate | eXp Realty