January 1 – May 15, 2025 vs 2026

The Lake James market continued to show strong momentum through the first part of 2026, especially in the waterfront home and premium lot markets.

Compared to the same period in 2025, we’ve seen:

• more homes sold,
• stronger luxury pricing,
• faster average sales times,
• and a major jump in high-end waterfront lot activity.

After selling Lake James since 2003, we’ve seen plenty of market shifts over the years, but one thing continues to stand out:

Quality waterfront property on Lake James remains incredibly hard to replace.

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Residential Market Overview

January 1 – May 15

Residential Stats	2025	2026
Homes Sold	5	8
Highest Sale	$1.525M	$2.35M
Average Sales Price	$1.07M	$1.70M
Median Sales Price	$1.00M	$1.69M
Average DOM	187 Days	121 Days

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Residential Market Trends

Luxury Activity Increased

The upper-end market strengthened significantly in 2026, with multiple waterfront homes selling above $1.5M.

Buyers Continue Prioritizing:

• Waterfront access
• Private docks
• Mountain views
• Updated interiors
• Privacy and acreage

Homes Are Selling Faster

Average days on market dropped from:

• 187 DOM in 2025
  to
• 121 DOM in 2026

That’s a meaningful improvement year over year.

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Land Market Overview

January 1 – May 15

Land Stats	2025	2026
Lots Sold	2	7
Highest Lot Sale	$560K	$1.975M
Average Lot Price	$460K	$560K+
Median Lot Price	$460K	$490K
Average DOM	142 Days	98 Days

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Land Market Trends

Waterfront Lot Demand Jumped

The land market saw a substantial increase in activity in 2026, especially for:

• dockable lots,
• large waterfront tracts,
• and premium build sites.

Inventory Remains Extremely Tight

Buildable waterfront lots with:

• usable topography,
• dock potential,
• and privacy

continue to be some of the hardest properties to find on Lake James.

Faster Sales in 2026

Average DOM improved from:

• 142 DOM in 2025
  to
• 98 DOM in 2026

Strong waterfront lots are still moving quickly when priced correctly.

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Overall Lake James Trends

Waterfront Still Drives the Market

The strongest demand continues centering around:

• waterfront homes,
• private docks,
• and premium waterfront land.

The Luxury Market Continues to Grow

The increase in both average and median sales prices shows continued strength in the higher-end Lake James market.

Inventory Remains Limited

Especially for:

• waterfront homes under $1.5M,
• dockable lots,
• and gentle-slope waterfront properties.

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Final Thoughts

While the market has become more balanced compared to the frenzy years, demand for quality Lake James property remains very strong.

Buyers continue investing in Lake James for the same reasons they always have:

• lifestyle,
• boating,
• mountain views,
• privacy,
• and long-term value.

After more than two decades selling this lake, Bryan Jones and Fletcher Edens still believe the best properties on Lake James are the ones families hold onto for generations.

And honestly, there’s still no better way to end a day than sitting on a dock at sunset talking golf, fly fishing, NC State sports, Lonesome Dove, and whether Fletch, The Big Lebowski, or Coming to America is the most quotable movie of all time.

—

Bryan Jones & Fletcher Edens

Keller Williams Unified Lake James Team

Selling Lake James Since 2003
828-475-5870