As we move through the middle of 2026, the year-to-date numbers are in — and they tell a story of two markets. Buncombe County and Asheville, the region's commercial and population center, are diverging sharply from the trends emerging in Burke and McDowell Counties. 

Buncombe's closed sales are up double digits both in June (+18.6%) and year-to-date, while Burke and McDowell are showing clear signs of cooling — fewer closings, softer prices, and inventory building faster than demand can absorb it.

Buncombe County: A Resilient Metro Market Amid Rising Inventory

In Buncombe County, closed sales YTD are up 6.1% (1,651 vs. 1,556). June closings are up 18.6% YoY. Pending sales show strong momentum, with a 12.7% YTD increase. Median prices are down nearly 3% YTD to $480,000, but average prices are up 4.0%, indicating that higher-end properties are propping up averages while traditional-home pricing softens. Months' supply of inventory tightened from 6.6 to 5.9 as raw inventory grew 5.6%, suggesting sales are outpacing supply.

Burke County: Moving Toward a More Balanced Market

Meanwhile, in Burke County, closed sales YTD are down 11.9%, and June closings are down 13.5%. Median price YTD decreased by 1.8% to $275,000. Months' supply spiked from 3.5 to 4.6, a 31.4% increase. Burke has experienced the most dramatic shift of the three counties, moving from a seller's market toward a balanced market. Inventory in the county is up 22.3% YTD.

McDowell County: Prices Soften as Inventory Expands

Closed sales in McDowell County are down 9.8% YTD, while pending sales are down 10.9%. Median prices are down 6.7% to $293,750, the most notable decrease for the region. Months' supply is flat at 6.9 months. McDowell County was already in a balanced-to-buyer's-market position, and it is staying firmly in that position. Days on market are up 24.6% YTD.

What Rising Days on Market Really Means for Buyers and Sellers

While days on market (DOM) are up in all three counties, the narrative is not the same across all counties. Rising DOM can indicate a rebalancing market, including buyers regaining leverage, not necessarily a decrease in buyer demand.

For sellers, pricing accuracy is critical for success. Homes priced in alignment with market reality are still seeing movement, whereas overpriced listings are the ones dialing up days on market. List-to-close time is up across all counties: Buncombe +21.6%, McDowell +5.2%, Burke +5.7%. Sellers would be wise to plan for a longer time frame from list to close, not merely a longer time to receive an offer.

On the flip side, buyers have more time to evaluate their options, less pressure to offer over the asking price, and more negotiating room. This is especially true in Burke and McDowell Counties, where inventory is outpacing sales.

Regional Takeaways — What to Watch in the Second Half of 2026

The region's cooling effect is happening at different speeds and in different ways. Buncombe County has had the tightest inventory of the three counties in recent years and therefore has the least room to loosen, whereas Burke and McDowell counties are experiencing supply outpacing sales. In the coming months, we'll be watching whether Buncombe County's inventory growth (+5.6% YTD) begins to outpace closings the way it already has in Burke and McDowell counties. Will Burke County's months' supply continue to increase or stabilize? Whether McDowell County's price softening finds a floor or continues will be worth watching as well.

For sellers in these markets, having a pricing strategy that aligns with the specific county's pace is essential. For buyers in Burke and McDowell counties, negotiating power is currently in their favor — however, if inventory growth begins outpacing sales the way it has in Buncombe, that window may close.

Need a guide to help you navigate the changing market trends? GreyBeard Realty has agents at office locations throughout the region — Asheville, Black Mountain, Old Fort, and Lake James. Contact our knowledgeable team to ensure a smooth real estate process from start to close.

 Common Questions About the 2026 Regional Market

Is the Asheville real estate market slowing down in 2026?

Not across the board. Buncombe County and the Asheville region are showing resiliency with closed sales up 6.1% YTD and 18.6% in June. Burke and McDowell Counties, however, are experiencing a cooling trend with closed sales down 11.9% and 9.8% year-to-date, respectively. 

Are home prices dropping in Western North Carolina? 

Median prices have softened in all three counties so far in 2026. Median prices are down 2.8% in Buncombe, 6.7% in McDowell, and 1.8% in Burke. However, average sales in Buncombe County are being propped up by the higher end of the market and are up 4%.

Is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s market in Asheville right now?

Buncombe County is positioned closest to a seller’s market, with months' supply of inventory tightening to 5.9 months. Burke County is showing a shift from a seller’s market to a more balanced market, whereas McDowell County is already squarely in the balanced-to-buyer’s-market category.

Why are homes taking longer to sell in 2026?

Days on market trends are up across all three counties. It’s important to distinguish that this reflects buyers regaining negotiating leverage rather than a drop in consumer demand. This is particularly true in Buncombe County, where days on market increased 43.4% while closed sales also increased. 

Which Western North Carolina county has the most buyer negotiating power right now?

To date, Burke and McDowell Counties offer more opportunities for buyers to negotiate against the backdrop of inventory growing faster than sales. Inventory is up 22.3% in Burke and 11.1% in McDowell County. 

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