The High Country Real Estate Market, covering Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties, closed out August 2025 with strong momentum.
204 single-family and condo/townhouse closings were recorded.
Combined sales volume reached $136.1 million.
The median sales price across the region landed at $485,250.
This reflects a market that continues to balance rising inventory with steady buyer demand.
National Snapshot,On a national scale, buyers are seeing more opportunity than in years:
Existing home sales rose 2% in July, edging above last year’s pace.
The number of homes for sale nationally is up 16% year-over-year.
According to Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, “Home buyers are in a good place to negotiate for a better price, in more than five years.”
With more inventory on the table and slower price growth, today’s buyers have more leverage to negotiate.
High Country Market Highlights
Inventory
1,091 active listings (single-family + condo/townhouse)
295 new listings added in August
Land
67 land closings (+36.7% from July)
Median sales price: $70,000 (down 28.6%)
1,393 active land listings, with 166 new listings
20.9 months of supply, up 4.4% from July
Commercial
47 active commercial listings in August
5 closings across all four counties
County-by-County Breakdown
Alleghany County
21 residential closings (+133.3% from July)
Median sales price: $277,500 (down 13.3%)
88 active listings, 27 new in August
10 land closings, median price: $62,500
246 active land listings, 17 new
Ashe County
46 residential closings (+35.3% from July)
Median sales price: $407,000 (+5.7%)
205 active listings, 62 new
24 land closings, median price: $59,500
339 active land listings, 48 new
Avery County
41 residential closings (+25.6% from July)
Median sales price: $565,000 (+25.6%)
340 active listings, 71 new (down 11.3%)
14 land closings (+75.0%), median price: $145,000 (+41.5%)
324 active land listings, 49 new
Watauga County
95 residential closings (+6.1% from July)
Median sales price: $599,000 (+6.1%)
469 active listings, 135 new (down 10.6%)
19 land closings (+46.2%), median price: $85,000 (down 26.1%)
484 active land listings, 52 new
Key Takeaway
August 2025 showed healthy buyer activity across all four High Country counties, with land sales seeing the most dramatic increase. While prices varied county to county, overall demand remains consistent, supported by a stronger pool of inventory.
Buyers are now in a better position to explore options and negotiate, while sellers still benefit from active market conditions.
Working with Lori
Working with a local real estate professional is crucial when buying or selling your home. If you’re looking for a seasoned Realtor® in North Carolina’s high country, go no further than Lori Eastridge, Realtor®/Broker of NC High Country Real Estate, powered by Realty One Group Select. As a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS) epitomizea the pinnacle of professionalism in the high-end real estate market, offering unparalleled expertise and knowledge in luxury properties. This prestigious certification is a testament to an agent’s exceptional skills in marketing, negotiating, and selling upscale homes, ensuring that they can meet and exceed the unique needs of affluent buyers and sellers. A CLHMS has access to exclusive market insights and a global network, enabling them to effectively target and attract the right audience for luxury listings. By choosing a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™, clients can rest assured that their high-value real estate transactions are handled with the utmost care, precision, and effectiveness, leading to successful outcomes that align with their refined lifestyles and aspirations.
Lori has an in-depth familiarity with the market and surrounding areas, a tailored marketing plan second to none, allowing her to help you sell your home with low stress and at the best possible price. Lori supports buyers and sellers by giving them the best professional advice and will get to the closing table with ease. Lori’s commitment to ensuring her clients are happy and well educated shines through in the individualized service she provides.
Because of Lori’s many connections in the high country, she is able to offer full-service assistance to her clients at every stage of the home-selling and home-buying process. Lori is fully invested in your success throughout the entire process, from the first call or meeting to negotiation and closing. Lori’s attention to detail and client satisfaction are her primary goals and what set her apart from other real estate professionals. She strives to exceed client expectations. Get in touch with Lori today at 828.773.2080.
