High Country Real Estate Activity Slows as October Sales Reach 198 Closed Properties

The High Country real estate market recorded 198 closed sales of single-family properties, including townhouses and condominiums, during October 2026. Data provided by the High Country Association of Realtors shows these property transactions brought a cumulative closing total of $142.0 million across Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties, with the region-wide median sales price finishing the month at $517,000.

Local housing inventory tightened over the course of October. Across the four-county area, active single-family and condo or townhouse listings dropped to 1,183 properties, representing a 5.9 percent decrease compared to September. Real estate sellers brought 234 new listings to the market during the month, which marked a 16.4 percent decline from September's new inventory. Overall, the regional residential market held a 6.0-month supply of inventory at the end of October.

Looking at individual counties, Watauga County posted the highest median residential price in the region at $635,000, representing a 6.7 percent increase from September. However, total closed residential sales in Watauga fell by 20.0 percent month over month, settling at 76 completed transactions. Watauga inventory included 515 active residential listings and 107 new listings, down 15.7 percent from the previous month.

Avery County saw 57 residential properties close in October, with its median sales price climbing 6.8 percent from September to reach $510,000. Avery reported 333 active residential listings by the end of October, including 44 newly listed homes.

In Ashe County, residential closings rose to 46 properties, an increase of 21.1 percent compared to September figures. The median residential sales price in Ashe fell slightly by 3.8 percent to $470,000. Active residential options in Ashe totaled 231 properties, bolstered by 55 new listings, which marked a 7.8 percent gain over September levels.

Alleghany County registered 19 closed residential sales in October, holding flat compared to September's total. Alleghany's median residential sales price fell 14.1 percent month over month to $330,000. The county recorded 104 active residential listings, reflecting a minor 2.0 percent uptick from the prior month.

Land sales across the four High Country counties totaled 73 closed transactions in October. The regional median price for land parcels settled at $87,000, down 3.1 percent from September. Active land listings totaled 1,317 properties across the region, which included 135 new land listings. That figure represents an 11.2 percent decrease in new land inventory compared to the previous month, creating an overall 18.0-month supply of land inventory.

County-by-county land figures varied significantly across the region:

In Watauga County, buyers completed 24 land sales with a median price of $107,500, a 20.1 percent increase from September. Watauga maintained 419 active land listings, including 26 new entries, amounting to a 17.5-month supply.

Ashe County logged 20 land transactions with a median price of $54,950, down 8.0 percent month over month. Land sellers in Ashe introduced 59 new listings—a 55.3 percent jump—pushing total active land inventory to 323 properties and creating a 16.1-month supply.

Avery County completed 18 land sales in October at a median price of $88,500, which dropped 56.7 percent compared to September. Active land listings in Avery reached 336, including 36 new properties, leaving an 18.7-month supply.

Alleghany County finished with 11 land closings at a median sales price of $69,000, representing a 49.8 percent drop from September. The county held 239 active land properties, including 14 new listings, resulting in a 21.7-month supply.

Commercial property activity in the High Country remained minimal during October. The High Country Multiple Listing Service listed five active commercial properties during the month, with three commercial sales closing for a combined total of $1.2 million.

Broad national figures from the National Association of Realtors highlighted broader headwinds affecting buyers and sellers across the country. National pending home sales fell 7.3 percent month over month in September and dropped 11.3 percent year over year, with regional declines hitting the Western U.S. hardest, followed by the South, Midwest, and Northeast.

National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun pointed to rising borrowing costs as the driving force behind the slowdown, explaining to a local news report that fast-rising mortgage rates have weakened market conditions across the board. Yun added that the limited presence of distressed properties is maintaining price stability despite borrowing hurdles. Noting that mortgage rates have outpaced Federal Reserve short-term rate hikes, Yun suggested that rates may be topping out, leading buyers and sellers to pause until market conditions improve.

Figures released by the High Country Association of Realtors are drawn directly from High Country Multiple Listing Service records and reflect snapshot data subject to market fluctuations.