Home Values in Charlotte: How Much Do You Stand to Gain?
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Kelsey Morrison Former HomeLight EditorClose
Kelsey Morrison Former HomeLight EditorKelsey Morrison worked as an editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. She has seven years of editorial experience in the real estate and lifestyle spaces. She previously worked as a commerce editor for World of Good Brands (eHow.com and Cuteness.com) and as an associate editor for Livabl.com. Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, and lives in a small mountain town in Southern California.
Curious about how much your home is worth in today’s market? Whether you’re planning to sell, aiming to ditch PMI, or simply interested in current home values in Charlotte, knowing this information can help shape your future plans.
In this article, we’ll discuss home price trends in the Queen City, provide tips on getting an accurate home value estimate, and outline straightforward strategies to boost your home’s value. We’ll also share useful tools to help you fetch the best price for your Charlotte home when it comes time to sell.
Already Own a Home? What's It Worth Now?
Home values have rapidly increased in recent years. How much is your current home worth now? Get a ballpark estimate from HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator.
Editor’s note: This post is for educational purposes and is not intended to be construed as financial advice. HomeLight always encourages you to consult your own advisor.
Current home values in Charlotte
Since 2020, the median home value in the Charlotte metro area has surged 37.5%. At the start of the decade, the typical home sold for $280,000, compared to $409,225 in May of this year, according to data from the Canopy Realtor Association.
“Even though the region has experienced steady increases in supply and inventory over the last few months, the Charlotte region is still a tight market, which is why prices are rising,” said Charisma Southerland, 2024 president of Canopy Realtor Association/Canopy MLS, in a recent press release.
“As more housing inventory becomes available, prices will continue to moderate. But buyers won’t see prices falling dramatically in our market since the region has had enough demand to keep this from happening.”
The table below illustrates just how high home prices have climbed in the Charlotte region over the last five years:
| Year | Median home price | Percent change year-over-year |
| 2024 (June) | $409,225 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $377,500 | -0.7% |
| 2022 | $379,890 | +16.7% |
| 2021 | $325,180 | +16.1% |
| 2020 | $280,000 | +9.8% |
Source: Canopy Realtor Association
This trend isn’t limited to the Queen City; it’s playing out nationwide. A recent analysis by ResiClub of the Case-Shiller National Home Price Index shows that U.S. home prices have jumped 47% since the beginning of 2020.
As a result, homeowners have built up substantial equity in their homes, which they can leverage to purchase new properties, make home improvements, pay down debts, or save for retirement. ICE’s Mortgage Monitor report reveals that as of early 2024, the average mortgage-holding homeowner boasts $299,000 in equity.
For comparison, the table below shows median home prices in cities near Charlotte:
Huntersville$569,50018–35 min (14.4 miles)
| City | Median home price | Distance from Charlotte |
| Matthews | $566,700 | 24–45 min (11.9 miles) |
| Pineville | $440,000 | 24–45 min (14.1 miles) |
| Indian Trail | $422,000 | 30 min-1 hr (16.1 miles) |
| Fort Mill | $520,800 | 30 min-1 hr 5 min (18.7 miles) |
| Cornelius | $562,400 | 28–55 min (19.8 miles) |
| Davidson | $687,800 | 28–45 min (21.7 miles) |
| Waxhaw | $643,800 | 45 min-1 hr 30 min (30.1 miles) |
Home value averages of multiple public transaction sites
Typical travel times 8 a.m. midweek
In the next section, we’ll show you how to estimate how much your Charlotte-area home is worth.
How to get a home value estimate
If you’d like to know how much your Charlotte home might be worth — maybe you want to calculate your net proceeds or set a reasonable list price — there are multiple tools that can help you determine its value.
Use an online home value estimator
The first and easiest way to get a ballpark figure is to use an online home value estimator like HomeLight’s. Most home value algorithms use a mix of sources to come up with an estimate. They pull information from county auditor and tax assessor records, along with data submitted by users and details from multiple listing service (MLS) listings and sales. But HomeLight takes it a step further by asking seven simple questions about your home to get a clearer picture of its value. You can receive a preliminary value estimate in less than two minutes, which will provide a useful starting point for your home-selling journey.
Request a comparative market analysis
While using an online home value estimator is a good place to start, requesting a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a local real estate agent can help you determine a more accurate listing price for your Charlotte home.
This detailed analysis dives deeper, comparing your property with similar homes recently sold in the area. It considers features such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, home age, location, recent upgrades, proximity to amenities, and other relevant data.
CMA reports often include charts, graphs, photos, and other information to give you a more complete picture of your home’s worth. While many agents will put together a CMA for free, some might charge a small fee. Typically, if you’re listing your home with an agent, a CMA will be included as part of the services they provide.
If you’re thinking of selling your home and haven’t yet partnered with a real estate agent, HomeLight can connect you with top professionals in Charlotte. The service is completely free for sellers and buyers, and it takes just two minutes to get matched with up to three relevant and qualified agents. Agents don’t pay to be listed, so you can be confident in their ability to sell your home for more money. According to HomeLight’s internal data, the top 5% of listing agents sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.
Get a pre-listing appraisal
In most cases, a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a top agent will give you a solid idea of what your home is worth. However, there are times when you might need a pre-listing appraisal for a more accurate home value estimate. This could be useful if your home has unique features that aren’t easy to compare with others, if it’s in a rural area with few similar recent sales, or if it includes a large amount of land. Getting a professional appraisal in these situations can help make sure your asking price matches the true value of your property.
Note that a home appraisal — pre-listing or otherwise — will likely set you back $450 to $550. Expect to pay even more if the assignment is especially complex, like a horse farm or a custom-built luxury home. If the buyer of your home is financing the purchase, their lender will still require an appraisal to determine the loan amount they are willing to provide.
How to increase the value of your Charlotte home
If you’re planning to sell your home in Charlotte and want to maximize its value, a few strategic updates can make a significant difference.
Curb appeal: According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors, 92% of realtors recommend sellers improve curb appeal before listing their homes for sale. Easy-to-tackle projects like power washing the exterior, moving the lawn, adding fresh mulch, painting the front door, and installing outdoor lighting can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Strategic updates: To get the best return on your investment, focus on value-adding home improvements like replacing or refinishing the flooring, painting the walls, and updating fixtures in high-impact areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Depending on your budget, this could include lighting, hardware, faucets, vanities, and even appliances. According to Zonda’s 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing garage doors provided the second-highest return on investment of any project, recouping 103% of the costs.
Necessary fixes: Before putting your house on the market, you’ll want to make sure everything is in working order. It’s a good idea to consult your real estate agent before taking on any costly repairs, but in general, addressing problems with your home’s roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and safety features can help you get ahead of bad home inspection results.
Decluttering and depersonalizing: Decluttering and depersonalizing spaces is another crucial step. This helps potential buyers envision themselves in the home. A recent HomeLight survey of top agents revealed that decluttering could increase your home’s sale price by $8,000 or more. Remove personal items (think family photos, religious symbols, collectibles, and memorabilia), as well as excess furniture to make rooms appear larger and more welcoming.
Deep cleaning: Deep cleaning your home before listing it can significantly enhance its appeal and increase its market value. A HomeLight survey of roughly 1,000 real estate agents nationwide found that, on average, deep cleaning a house can boost its value by $3,700. Focus on steam-cleaning carpets, scrubbing grout, and washing windows to brighten spaces. Don’t overlook vents and baseboards, which can harbor dust and detract from the overall cleanliness. Buyers are often more forgiving of outdated decor and minor flaws in a home if it’s sparkling clean.
Home staging: Effective staging shows off a property’s best features and helps buyers imagine themselves living there. Well-staged homes tend to sell quicker and often at higher prices; HomeLight’s most recent Agent Insights Report revealed that a professionally staged home can sell for up to 13% more than an unstaged home. Of the agents polled, 67% said staging helps sell homes in the current market, and 31% considered staging “essential for a sale.”
Unlock Your Equity and Buy Before You Sell
Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.
How to buy before you sell in Charlotte
If you’ve been researching home values in Charlotte because you’ve recently stumbled upon your dream home, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell (BBYS) program might be just what you need.
BBYS allows you to unlock a percentage of your current home’s equity to make a strong, non-contingent offer on a new property. If your home is eligible, you can have your equity unlocked within 24 hours without any upfront fees or obligations. This arrangement allows you to buy your new home first and sell your old one while it’s empty, avoiding the hassle of multiple moves.
HomeLight charges a flat fee of 2.4% of your current home’s sold price. If it doesn’t sell within 90 days after you close on your new property, HomeLight will purchase the home and continue to work with you to sell it. After subtracting any costs HomeLight incurs, profits from the sale will be passed on to you.
Check out the video below for more information about HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program:
How to find a top agent in Charlotte
One key factor in maximizing your home’s selling price is choosing a real estate agent with a strong track record. HomeLight’s agent matching service is free to use, and it takes less than two minutes to get connected with up to three top candidates in your area. Agents don’t pay to be featured, and our unbiased results are based on an agent’s specialties, past sales, and local presence.
When evaluating your matches, seek out an agent with a high sale-to-list ratio. This ratio measures a home’s final sale price compared to its original listing price, expressed as a percentage. It shows that the agent accurately prices their listings and consistently achieves top dollar for their clients.
It’s a good idea to interview at least three real estate agents before signing a listing agreement. Beyond asking about the agent’s sale-to-list ratio, you’ll want to pose questions like:
- How long have you been in business?
- How well do you know this neighborhood?
- What types of homes, and price ranges, do you specialize in?
- What’s your average number of days on market?
- What is your commission rate?
- What would your marketing plan look like for this property?
- Could you provide me with a few client referrals?
Leveraging HomeLight’s agent match tool and some basic interviewing skills, you’ll be able to find a real estate pro who’s a local expert and gets you the best results for your home sale.
Get a free preliminary home estimate today
Whether you’re looking to sell in the next few months or simply applying for a home equity loan, understanding home values in Charlotte can help you make informed decisions about your biggest financial asset. Using HomeLight’s free home value estimator, you can get an initial ballpark estimate of what your home might be worth in less than two minutes.
HomeLight can also connect you with top Charlotte agents who will sell your home for more money, or help you unlock your equity to buy a new house before selling your current one. By tracking the latest market trends and leveraging these handy tools, you’ll be better prepared to maximize the value of your Charlotte home.
Header Image Source: (Daniel Weiss/Unsplash)
- "S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index," Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (June 2024)
- "Most REALTORS® Recommend Improving Curb Appeal, and Homeowners Can Benefit Financially and Emotionally by Remodeling Outdoor Features, NAR-NALP Report Finds," National Association of Realtors (March 2023)
- "New Listings continue to rise throughout the Charlotte region, boosting supply and inventory in May," Canopy Realtor Association (June 2024)
- "Top Agent Insights for End of Year 2023," HomeLight (December 2023)
- " Top Agent Insights for Fall 2022," HomeLight (September 2022)
- "Top Agent Insights for Summer 2023," HomeLight (July 2023)
- "2023 Cost vs. Value Report," Zonda (March 2023)
- " February 2024 Mortgage Monitor," ICE Mortgage Technology (February 2024)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.