Chatham County Sees Drop in Home Prices Amid New Disney Project

Aerial perspective of Chatham County, emphasizing residential and natural surroundings.

News Summary

Chatham County’s housing market faced a decline in median home prices and sales in April, dropping to $340,000 from the previous month’s $365,000. Concurrently, Disney’s Asteria community development project gains momentum, reflecting a growing interest in new residential opportunities despite the market slowdown. The Asteria project aims to establish a vibrant living space inspired by the local environment, with plans for around 4,000 homes. Local concerns about environmental impacts accompany the development’s progress, highlighting a mix of challenges and opportunities in the area’s real estate landscape.

Chatham County Experiences Decline in Home Prices in April, While Disney Develops New Community Project

Chatham County, located in North Carolina, saw a significant decrease in median home sale prices during April 2025, alongside a notable drop in overall residential sales activity. Meanwhile, the development of a new Disney-inspired community project named Asteria has gained traction with preliminary planning and land acquisitions underway.

Decline in Home Prices and Sales Volume

Data from Realtor.com indicates that the median home sale price in Chatham County fell to $340,000 in April 2025, down from $365,000 in March, representing a month-over-month decline of 6.8%. When compared to April 2024, the median price was slightly lower, decreasing by 2.9% from $350,000.

In terms of sales volume, residential transactions in Chatham County declined sharply, with an 23.8% drop from the previous year. The number of homes sold decreased from 533 in April 2024 to 406 in April 2025. The total dollar value of home sales in the county for April reached approximately $175.2 million.

Statewide Market Trends

Across Georgia, the median home sales price remained stable at $340,000 in April, a slight increase from $339,999 in March. However, the statewide number of home sales experienced a more pronounced decrease of 11.9%, falling from 16,115 in April 2024 to 14,203 in April 2025. These figures indicate a broader cooling trend in the Georgia housing market, with fewer homes being sold and prices stabilizing at the current levels.

Realtor.com notes that their sales data is derived from real estate deeds and may have a delay of several months. They emphasize that the median sale price is a more reliable indicator of market conditions than the average price, especially during periods of high variability.

Development of Disney’s Asteria Community

In parallel with market trends, development activity continues in Chatham County with the announcement of the Disney-inspired community named Asteria. The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners has approved the preliminary plans for this residential community project.

Developers have already invested approximately $23.3 million to acquire a 217-acre land parcel in March, part of a larger strategy to purchase a total of 1,500 acres for the Asteria development. The project is envisioned to feature about 4,000 single-family and multi-family homes, with sales projected to begin in 2027.

Planning and Community Design

The Asteria community will offer a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and quadplexes. Its design draws inspiration from the native aster flower found in North Carolina, aimed at highlighting the natural beauty of the region.

The development has received unanimous approval from local authorities, with the intention to promote exploration of North Carolina’s environment and foster an engaging community atmosphere. The project will be the second Storyliving community by Disney in the United States, following the Cotino community in California.

Environmental and Community Concerns

Despite the progress, some concerns have been expressed regarding the environmental impact of the project, specifically related to wastewater management and preservation of natural habitats. Local stakeholders, including real estate professionals and environmental groups, have voiced inquiries into how these issues will be addressed during and after construction.

Additional Details

Currently, no specific price points have been announced for homes within the Asteria neighborhood. The project aims to integrate sustainable design principles and community-oriented amenities, aligning with Disney’s vision of creating vibrant and exploration-focused living environments.

With significant land investments and open community approvals, development in Chatham County remains dynamic. The recent decline in home prices and sales activity reflects a shifting market landscape, while new projects like Asteria signal ongoing growth and sophisticated planning in the area.