Resilience in the Queen City

Charlotte’s real estate still rides on a wave of growth and demand. Population and jobs are up, keeping housing needs high. In fact, experts project home prices will keep rising ~3-4% annually over the next five years. That’s a far cry from the double-digit spikes of 2021, but it’s steady appreciation. With the region’s population expected to boom 50% by 2050, every housing segment—from starter homes in Gastonia to luxury condos in Uptown—should see sustained demand. The market has clearly moderated from the wild post-COVID bidding wars, but don’t mistake moderation for weakness. Charlotte is still a powerhouse, just catching its breath.

Not a Buyer’s Market (Yet)

After months of speculation, it’s still not a full-fledged buyer’s market in Charlotte. Sure, the frantic pace has eased and days-on-market crept up a bit, but sellers largely retain the upper hand. Inventory levels rose slightly, yet remain well below what’s needed for a true buyer’s advantage. As of early 2025, the months of supply of homes sits around ~1.6, far under the ~6 months that signals balance. Translation: desirable listings in hot neighborhoods (think Plaza Midwood or Fort Mill) still get snatched quickly. Buyers can rejoice that the days of 20 offers in 48 hours are gone, but waiting around for rock-bottom prices? Don’t count on it. Charlotte’s home values aren’t crashing; in fact, our city ranks among the top in the nation for price appreciation thanks to job growth and newcomers fueling demand.

Q2 Trends to Watch

• Interest Rates & Affordability: With 30-year mortgage rates hovering near 7%, monthly payments are no joke. High rates have priced out some first-timers, nudging them into renting (more on that in a later article). If rates dip later in the year, expect a mini-surge of buyers coming off the sidelines.

• Inventory Crunch: We began 2025 with just over 3,200 active listings across the metro—a modest improvement from 2022’s historic lows, but still a severe shortage. New construction is picking up in outer counties like York and Union, offering a bit of relief. Yet entry-level homes (sub-$400k) remain scarce, keeping competition alive for budget-conscious buyers.

• Neighborhood Dynamics: Established areas (Myers Park, South End) are seeing slower growth while emerging suburbs and up-and-coming hoods (Belmont, West Charlotte) are heating up. This “two-speed” market means investors should broaden their search—hidden gems might lie outside the trendy ZIP codes.

Community Vibe with an Investment Focus

Charlotte’s strength has always been its community appeal. From food truck Fridays in Plaza Midwood to lakefront weekends on Lake Norman, lifestyle perks drive people to plant roots here. As an investor, pay attention to these lifestyle hooks—they signal where demand will stay strong. Neighborhoods with new breweries, parks, or transit extensions (NoDa’s light rail) tend to appreciate as they become more desirable places to live. The key is blending heart and wallet: invest where people want to live and where the numbers make sense.

Ready to capitalize on Charlotte’s resilient market? Visit our website for the latest real estate and local community information, follow us on social media for insider tips, or message us to chat about how you can make the most of Q2 2025’s opportunities. Let’s turn this market knowledge into your next investment win!