From all of us at W Realty Group, thank you. As we wrap up 2025, I’m deeply grateful for the trust you place in our team. Whether you bought, sold, invested, or simply asked questions to plan ahead. Your referrals and support continue to be the heartbeat of our business. Wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season filled with peace, connection, and a little well‑earned rest.

A hopeful outlook for 2026

After several “Covid Years” of whiplash, rapid swings in demand, pricing, and supply, the market’s volatility is finally settling down. Many experts expect 2026 to look and feel much more like a pre‑pandemic, 2019‑style market: steady, seasonal, and easier to navigate. In short: it’s time to put Covid behind us and move forward.

Here are a few notable November stats for Mecklenburg County (single‑family):

• Home sales (number of transactions) are down 12% from last year
• Average sales price is up 8% year‑over‑year
• Median sales price is up 4% year‑over‑year
• Supply remains low. It’s still a seller’s market, but inventory is rising, which points to a more balanced 2026 ahead

What does this mean?
Fewer homes sold compared to last year, but prices are holding strong and even climbing modestly. This suggests demand remains healthy despite higher rates earlier in the year, and as inventory builds, buyers will have more options without dramatically shifting leverage away from sellers.

Rates: a tailwind (with nuance)

In December, the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark rate by 0.25% to a 3.50%–3.75% target range, the third cut in recent months and a nod to cooling job growth and a desire to support the broader economy. That generally reduces borrowing costs and improves sentiment. While mortgage rates don’t move one‑for‑one with the Fed, this year we’ve seen modest easing of rate quotes.

What this means for you:

• Buyers: Slightly easier affordability, more choices as inventory builds, and better room to negotiate.
• Sellers: Still favorable due to low months of supply, so well‑priced homes still move. As inventory rises, success will hinge on accurate pricing, strong presentation, and strategic timing (spring remains peak season).

Why 2026 should feel better

• More balance. Rising inventory gives buyers time to breathe without flipping the market to a buyer’s advantage overnight.
• Predictable seasonality. Expect familiar patterns (spring/summer peaks; fall/winter slowdowns) rather than shock‑driven spikes.
• Stabilizing sentiment. With the Fed signaling patience on future cuts and the economy finding its footing, confidence improves even if progress is incremental.

Thinking of selling in 2026? Let’s do a pre‑listing strategy session in January: pricing, updates/repairs with ROI, and a calendar that maximizes spring demand.

From our family to yours, thank you for being part of our client community in 2025. Here’s to clarity, balance, and smart moves in 2026.

And as always, here’s a summary of the stats for single family homes in Mecklenburg County in November compared to the previous month and again to the same month last year:

• Home sales are down 24% from last month and 12% from last year.
• Average sales price is up 6% from last month and 8% from last year.
• Median sales price is up 2% from last month and 4% from last year.
• Average price per square foot is up 1% from last month and last year.
• Sale to list price ratio at 98% is even from last month and down 1% last year.
• Average time on market is down 6% from last month, but up 12% from last year.
• Pending sales are down 10% from last month, but up 4% from last year.
• Supply is down 8% from last month, but up 19% from last year.
• Mortgage rates at 6.19% are down slightly from last month and down from 6.60% last year.
• Average house payment is up 5% from last month and 4% from last year.

You can always find the detailed stats on our website here.