Last Updated on November 3, 2026 1:51 pm
The High Country real estate market, which includes Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties, had 198 closed sales of single-family properties, including condo and townhouse properties, in October 2026, with a combined closing total of $142.0 million. The median sales price across all four counties was $517,000 for the month, according to the High Country Association of Realtors.
Nationally: According to the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales in September decreased 7.3% month over month and 11.3% year over year, with declines in all four major U.S. regions. The West saw the largest decrease, followed by the South, Midwest and Northeast. NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun attributed the weakened market conditions to fast-rising mortgage rates.
“Yet, despite the difficulty of obtaining a mortgage, the restricted number of distressed properties is ensuring steady home prices,” Yun added. “Given that mortgage rates have already risen much more than the Federal Reserve’s short-term interest rate hikes, mortgage rates may be topping out.” Buyers and sellers may simply be holding off until mortgage rates begin moving in a more favorable direction.
Inventory: In October 2026, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties had 1,183 active single-family and condo/townhouse listings, down 5.9% from September. There were 234 new listings, down 16.4%, with a 6.0-month supply of inventory.
Land: The four counties closed 73 land sales in October, with a median sales price of $87,000, down 3.1% from September. There were 1,317 active land listings, including 135 new listings, a decrease of 11.2% from last month, resulting in an 18.0-month supply of land inventory.
Commercial: There were five active commercial properties listed in the High Country Multiple Listing Service during October, with three closed commercial sales totaling $1.2 million.
Alleghany County: Alleghany had 19 closed sales in October, unchanged from September. The county’s median sales price was $330,000, a 14.1% decrease from September, with 104 active residential listings, a 2.0% increase. There were 11 land closings with a median sales price of $69,000, down 49.8% from last month, along with 239 active land listings, 14 of them new, leaving a 21.7-month supply of land inventory.
Ashe County: Ashe had 46 closed residential sales in October, up 21.1% from September. The median sales price was $470,000, down 3.8%. There were 231 active residential properties, including 55 new listings, a 7.8% increase from September. The county closed 20 land sales with a median sales price of $54,950, down 8.0% from last month. With 323 active land listings and 59 new listings, a significant increase of 55.3%, there is a 16.1-month supply of land inventory.
Avery County: Avery closed 57 residential properties in October with a median sales price of $510,000, up 6.8% from September. There were 333 active residential properties in inventory, with 44 new listings. Avery also closed 18 land sales with a median sales price of $88,500, a substantial decrease of 56.7% from last month. There are 336 active land listings, including 36 new listings, resulting in an 18.7-month supply of land inventory.
Watauga County: Watauga reported 76 closed residential sales in October, a decrease of 20.0% from the prior month. The median sales price was $635,000, up 6.7% from September. There were 515 active residential properties in inventory, along with 107 new listings, down 15.7% from last month. Watauga had 24 closed land sales with a median sales price of $107,500, up 20.1%, with 419 active land listings, 26 of them new, creating a 17.5-month supply of land inventory.
Figures are based on High Country Multiple Listing Service information. Data is for informational purposes only and may not be accurate due to MLS reporting processes. It reflects a specific point in time and fluctuates with the market. A public graphic is available at highcountryrealtors.org.
