With the arrival of warmer weather, longer days, and the return of soccer to the Queen City, Charlotte is stepping into another energetic spring season.

This weekend, Charlotte FC kicks off another year at Bank of America Stadium. The excitement around opening weekend reflects just how quickly the city has embraced Major League Soccer. In only a few seasons, Charlotte FC has already become one of the most valuable teams in MLS, currently estimated to be worth around $625 million.

The club ranked top three in MLS attendance in 2025, averaging more than 30,664 fans per game, and its roster represents players from 11 different countries. It’s another reminder of Charlotte’s growing national and international presence.

While soccer season kicks off, the real estate market is also entering an important period. Here are three things to know about the housing market this week.

Over 2.5 Million Fewer Homes Have Sold in Early 2026

The U.S. housing market continues to adjust after the rapid changes brought by rising mortgage rates over the past few years.

According to data from Realtor.com, existing home sales have dropped significantly compared to the market peak. In early 2022, approximately 6.43 million homes were selling annually, while early 2026 has seen that number fall to around 3.91 million homes, representing a decline of roughly 40%.

Despite the drop in transactions, home prices have remained surprisingly resilient.

Active inventory has climbed 142% since 2022, yet prices have not declined dramatically. In fact:

• Median list prices remain 8.1% higher than they were four years ago

• Price per square foot has increased 11.5%

This suggests that while more homes are available, the increase in supply hasn’t been large enough to significantly push prices downward.

Mortgage rates have also improved since their peak. After hitting approximately 7.79% in 2023, the average 30-year mortgage rate has eased closer to 6%, gradually encouraging more buyers to reenter the market.

Economists Call 2026 the Beginning of a “Great Housing Reset”

Many economists believe the housing market is moving toward a more balanced environment after several years of volatility.

Some analysts have begun referring to 2026 as the start of a “Great Housing Reset.” The idea isn’t a dramatic crash or surge, but rather a gradual normalization where supply and demand begin to stabilize.

For that to happen, the market needs what experts describe as a “balanced spring.”

This means two things need to occur simultaneously:

• A fresh wave of new listings entering the market

• Fewer homeowners pulling listings off the market

If that happens, the increased inventory could help absorb renewed buyer demand.

Current forecasts suggest:

• Mortgage rates may hover around 6.3%

• Home prices could rise modestly, around 1% nationally

• Wage growth near 4% may begin to outpace home price growth

If these conditions hold, affordability could slowly improve for buyers over time.

Total home sales nationally are projected to reach roughly 4.2 million homes, signaling a market that is stabilizing rather than overheating.

Charlotte Homes Are Selling Below List Price

Locally, the Charlotte housing market is showing signs of increased balance.

According to data from Canopy MLS, the median home price in Charlotte is currently around $390,000.

Homes are taking slightly longer to sell compared to the intense competition seen in recent years, averaging about 77 days on market.

However, the market is still active. Many homes continue to receive multiple offers, showing that buyer demand remains strong in the region.

One interesting shift is that the typical home in Charlotte is currently selling about 6% below its original list price.

This indicates that buyers are beginning to gain slightly more negotiating power compared to the ultra-competitive conditions that defined the housing market during the pandemic years.

It doesn’t mean demand has disappeared—it simply means the market is becoming more balanced.

The Spring Market Ahead

As spring arrives in the Carolinas, both the real estate market and the city itself are stepping into a new season.

Charlotte continues to grow, attract new residents, and build momentum across industries—from professional sports to real estate development.

If mortgage rates stabilize near current levels and more inventory enters the market, the coming months could represent one of the most balanced housing environments buyers and sellers have seen in several years.

And if the weekend soccer predictions hold true…

Charlotte FC by a million.

(Or at least by one.)

Remember:

We’re never as great as our best day, and we’re never as bad as our worst day.

Be confident.
Stay humble.

— Steve Lonnen