Every six months, Helen Adams Realty agents and staff gather at each of our four office locations, Lake Norman, Central Charlotte, Ballantyne, and Fort Mill, for a State of the Company event. This tradition, led by CEO Jeff Adams and Co-Presidents Rebecca Adams Starrs and Frank Adams is a time for reflection, forecasting, and connection.
Shifting Conditions, Strong Fundamentals
As we reflect on the current real estate landscape, one theme stands out clearly: while the market continues to shift, the fundamentals remain strong.
At the national level, we are seeing a period of adjustment. Mortgage rates have stabilized in the low-to-mid 6% range. While home sales have slowed compared to previous years, pricing has remained resilient. Inventory is gradually improving, but still sits below historical norms, creating a market that feels more balanced, but not soft.
As Rebecca Starrs, Co-President, explains: “It’s important to understand when national news & AI assistants are missing the mark and when to talk to a local expert. We’re still in a seller’s market, but it is much more balanced than in recent years, with more homes for sale and higher average days on market. Mortgage rates may not be at historic lows, but they remain below historic averages. The local data conveys normalization, steadier price appreciation, and more balance overall. Helen Adams Realty agents have the full story and the deep market smarts to educate their clients.”
Leading Growth in the South
Regionally, the South continues to lead the country in housing activity, driven by migration, job growth, and relative affordability. These trends are expected to continue shaping the market in the year ahead.
Charlotte stands out as one of the top-performing markets in the country. According to the National Association of Realtors, Charlotte is among the Top 10 Housing Hot Spots for 2026, recognized as a magnet for millennials and high-skilled job growth.
Charlotte: Positioned for Continued Growth
Locally, Charlotte remains one of the most compelling housing markets in the country and one of the best positioned for continued growth.
Frank Adams, Co-President, shares: “NC is ranked the #1 state for doing business for three of the last four years. Charlotte has a lower cost of living compared to other large metro areas, average annual home price appreciation of 5% since 1992, proximity to the mountains and the beach, and a strong, diverse economy. Charlotte is a great place to live and invest in a home.”
The Numbers Behind Charlotte’s Growth
Charlotte’s strength isn’t just a narrative, it’s backed by decades of consistent performance and forward-looking momentum.
- 5% average annual home price appreciation over the past 33 years
- 198.6% increase in home values since 2005
- Continued outperformance of national trends in both population growth and housing activity
Sustained Population Growth & Migration
With these factors in place, the Charlotte metro area is projected to surpass a population of 3 million as early as next year, another clear signal of the region’s ongoing momentum and long-term opportunity (Source: Moody’s Analytics).
Net migration remains a primary driver, reinforcing Charlotte’s position as one of the fastest-growing large metro areas in the country. This steady influx of new residents, paired with strong job creation in finance, fintech, healthcare, and manufacturing, continues to support robust housing demand and long-term price appreciation in the region.
Major Corporate Announcements and Milestones in the Last 6 Months
Charlotte’s momentum continues to build:
- JP Morgan Chase: Adding 400 corporate office jobs and space for 1,000 employees in a new SouthPark office.
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC): Plans to add 2,000 jobs in Charlotte by 2032, with a 200,000 sq ft office and $50M investment.
- Capital Group: Establishing its East Coast operations hub, creating 600 high-paying jobs by 2031 and investing ~$60M locally.
- Scout Motors: New Charlotte headquarters creating 1,200 jobs to support EV manufacturing in Blythewood, SC.
- American Express: Hiring 300+ people for its Charlotte office opening later this year.
- Pacific Life: Creating 300 jobs over the next five years as part of the Queensbridge development.
- Citigroup: Planning to create 510 new jobs and invest $16M in a new Mecklenburg County facility.
- Maersk: Established its North American headquarters in Charlotte, adding 520 jobs and expanding its local workforce to 1,300+.
The Charlotte metro is home to 7 Fortune 500 companies and 19 Fortune 1000 companies.
Our Competitive Advantage
This year marks 20 years of surveying every client after closing. An impressive 79% of our agents’ business comes from repeat and referral clients, a powerful testament to the genuine care and professionalism of our team. Reputation, relationships, and results matter.
We’re fortunate to be in one of the country’s strongest and most resilient housing markets. We continue to attract new businesses and are a magnet for millennials and highly-skilled talent. 2026 will be an incredible year for Helen Adams Realty agents because consumers demand proficient, experienced, and knowledgeable real estate professionals.
Frank Adams, Co-President, shares: "We expect the market to remain strong throughout the summer, barring any significant geopolitical issues that could impact the broader economy."
2026 Forecast for Greater Charlotte
- Average days on market: 55 days (up from 47)
- Months of supply: 4.5 months (up from 3.1)
- Homes for sale: 8,167 (up from 7,097)
- Average sales price: $567k (up from $552k)
These changes point to a healthier, more balanced market with more options for buyers and continued price stability for sellers.
Timing the Market vs. Time in the Market
While rates remain top of mind, home price appreciation in Charlotte continues to far outweigh the potential savings from waiting for a modest rate drop. A sampling of national forecasts shows mortgage rates likely staying in the low 6% range in 2026.
As Jeff Adams, CEO, notes: “Home price appreciation in our area still far outweighs potential savings from even a 1.25% rate drop. Savvy buyers will invest now.”
Looking Ahead
In a market defined by change, one thing remains constant: local expertise matters. Helen Adams Realty is the #1 firm for growth in 2026 among the top 10 firms in the 8-county area we serve. While the overall market is slightly down, our closed volume is up nearly 25%, attributable to our agents' deep community relationships, high client satisfaction scores, and strong local knowledge.
We’re optimistic about the year ahead and proud to serve the Charlotte region.