THE HIGH COUNTRY LAND MARKET, CALENDAR YEAR 2025
The High Country Land market in 2025 has been steady in sales throughout the year. 2024 was as well. The difference in the two years is less parcels sold in 2025.
THE HIGH COUNTRY LAND MARKET, CALENDAR YEAR 2025
This is a look at building lot and acreage sales in Avery, Watauga, and Ashe Counties. In my experience working with land buyers, some are centered on a particular location. Most, I find, are looking for a particular configuration of the land itself. That configuration is what will fulfil the dreams they have for the home they will built and is more important than a particular location. They look at land throughout the three counties. Thus, it makes sense to look at the three counties together.
WHAT DO ODDS OF SELLING GRAPHS TELL US ABOUT THE LAND MARKET?
Land has been selling at a rate of about 56 parcels a month. If no more land were to come on the market [highly unlikely] it would take about 17 months to sell the current land inven tory. In 2025 590 parcels closed. 79 are currently under contract. 964 parcels are for sale. In 2025 the market rejected 971 parcels [they left the market unsold]. At this time, a seller’s Odds of Selling are around 25%.
A year ago, 704 parcels sold in 2024. In other words, sales have cooled in 2025. Otherwise the land market remains steady.
THE HIGH COUNTRY LAND MARKET SEASONALITY: WHEN DO BUYERS PURCHASE?
Compared to seasonality in the home market, the land market remains fairly steady throughout the year. That could seem counter intuitive, given an expectation the people prefer to look at and purchase land in the warm and green summer months.
HOW HAS THE LAND MARKET BEEN FLOWING IN 2025?
Many parcels left the market unsold and many of those come back on subsequently. The most frequent range for purchasing home is the over $100 sales. That includes parcels in high end subdivisions, as well as acreage parcels. Unfortunately, our MLS database makes it tricky to separate those out. On the average, parcels sell for 86% of their list value.
WHERE DO PEOPLE PURCHASE LAND?
Buyers purchase most in the same areas that are popular for homes.
THE HIGH COUNTRY LAND MARKET, CALENDAR YEAR 2025
The Real Estate Pond graph predicts what may happen in the real estate market over the next 90 days. It assumes sales and new listings in the next 90 days will be comparable to the first 90 days of 2024. If that is the case, 300 new parcels will come on the market in the next 90 days. 175 are projected to sell — that includes the 79 currently under contract plus the number comparable to what sold early 2024.
The Supply and Demand graph indicates the land market is a buyers’ market. That’s not surprising. The 60 or so buyers who purchase each month have a supply of around 1000 parcels, offering the hope of finding exactly the dream parcel they have in mind.
THE HIGH COUNTRY LAND MARKET
I have used the same price range comparison for land since I started keeping records in 2008. In 2025, I have question whether those continue to be the most meaningful price ranges. I have hired an analyist to look closely and help me determine whether the time has come to change them. Stay tuned!
Please know that I am always happy to address any questions or concerns you have in real estate.