In the News
Lindsay Miller, Director of Community Outreach, represented Ashemont Title
Spirit of Boone 2026 · Community Award
Ashemont Title receives the Wade Brown Award for Community Involvement
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce honored Ashemont Title at its 77th annual Spirit of Boone on Sept. 24, 2026. The Wade Brown Award is the Chamber’s oldest honor, dating to 1979, and recognizes a significant contribution through community engagement. The Chamber recognized Ashemont Title for building a business with community support at its center — directing unrestricted gifts from every policy to nonprofits across North Carolina, including Western Youth Network, Blue Ridge Conservancy, the Children’s Council, Band Together, Me Fine and Habitat for Humanity.
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce · Watauga Democrat, Sept. 29, 2026
Wire & deed fraud alert — October 2026
Real estate fraud losses reported to the FBI jumped to $275.1 million in 2025, up from $173.6 million in 2024. 80% of title and escrow firms faced a fraud attempt in the past year.
Seller impersonation is surging: 59% of title companies saw at least one attempt in 2025, up from 28% in 2024. Always verify wire instructions by phone using a known number — never by email alone — and take extra care confirming seller identity on vacant land and properties with no mortgage. Source: FBI IC3 data via HousingWire, Oct. 5, 2026; Qualia 2026 Wire Fraud Trends Survey via HousingWire, Aug. 25, 2026
Title insurance
PREMIUM VOLUME
Title premiums reach $5.3 billion in Q2, up nearly 15%
ALTA reports $5.3 billion in Q2 2026 title premiums vs. $4.5 billion a year ago, driven largely by commercial real estate. First American (23.3%), Fidelity National (15.8%) and Chicago Title (13.2%) led underwriter market share.
ALTA Market Share Report · Sept. 22, 2026
DEED FRAUD
Deed theft laws expand, but 29 states still lack them
Twelve states now have dedicated deed theft statutes, up from seven in April. Seniors account for 44% of reported fraud losses, and victims can face $50,000–$150,000 in legal fees to restore ownership.
HousingWire · Oct. 5, 2026
FRAUD SURVEY
800 title & escrow pros: wire fraud is the #1 industry threat
Qualia found 80% of firms faced a fraud attempt last year and only 14% of victimized firms recovered every dollar. Phishing and business email compromise remain the most common entry point; adoption of dedicated prevention tools grew 36%.
HousingWire (Qualia) · Aug. 25, 2026
North Carolina statewide
NC median price
$375,000
Months of supply
5.81
Closed sales (YoY)
−13.1%
30-yr rate
7.28%
STATEWIDE MARKET
NC sales slow 13.1% as the market nears balance
North Carolina closed 11,554 homes in August, down 13.1% from a year ago, while active and pending listings rose 1.3% to 69,632. The statewide median held at $375,000 (+0.2%). Homes under $375K remain the tightest segment; listings above $875K carry up to 13.1 months of supply.
NC REALTORS® · August 2026 Housing Report
RATES
Mortgage rates climb to 7.28% after first Fed hike since 2023
Freddie Mac’s 30-year fixed averaged 7.28% on Oct. 1, up from 7.03% a week earlier and 6.34% a year ago. The Fed raised its benchmark rate to 3.75%–4.00% on Sept. 16; Fannie Mae’s September forecast had projected 6.8% by year-end.
Freddie Mac PMMS · Oct. 1, 2026 · Fannie Mae Sept. 2026 Forecast
NC CONTRACTS
2026 Offer to Purchase changes closing attorneys should know
The updated NC REALTORS® Form 2-T gives buyers until the end of the next banking day to pay a late Due Diligence Fee before breach, lets sellers limit access until it’s paid, and requires buyers to provide information for government reporting such as FinCEN.
NC REALTORS® 2026 Forms Summary · May 27, 2026
High Country spotlight
Watauga median
$557,000
Watauga sales
95
4-county median
$492,000
Months of supply
6.4
WATAUGA COUNTY
Watauga median settles at $557,000 after summer peak
Watauga recorded 95 closed residential sales in August, nearly flat with July (−1%). The median price eased 15.3% from July’s $657,500 high. Active inventory stood at 522 homes, with 135 new listings.
High Country Association of REALTORS® · August 2026 MLS Report
4-COUNTY REGION
High Country posts 191 sales and $142.9M in August volume
Across Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga, the combined median price reached $492,000. Active inventory eased 1.5% from July to 1,222 listings, leaving 6.4 months of supply — similar to the statewide balance.
HCAR August 2026 MLS Report · Watauga Democrat, Sept. 15, 2026
COUNTY SNAPSHOT
Ashe, Avery & Alleghany: prices mixed in August
Ashe: 30 sales, $404,500 median (+7.9% vs. July). Avery: 52 sales, $446,250 median (−2.0%). Alleghany: 14 sales, $424,000 median (+24.7%). Watauga remains the region’s highest-priced market at $557,000.
HCAR August 2026 MLS Report · WataugaOnline, Sept. 21, 2026
Industry resources & data