A Quick Recap: New Hanover County Market, the U.S. Market, and What It Means for Local Real Estate
As we move through the final quarter of 2025, both national and local housing trends tell a clear story: stability is returning, inventory is improving, and well-priced homes continue to move. Here’s a breakdown of where New Hanover County stands today — and what that means for buyers and sellers heading into the new year.
📍 New Hanover County Market Snapshot
Both the October Local Market Update and the November FlexMLS Market Summary show a market that is more balanced than we’ve seen in recent years.
Inventory Is Slowly Building
Active listings in October climbed to 1,284, up 11% year-over-year
November’s report shows a similar trend, with 1,240 active listings, a 6.6% increase from last year
More inventory = more options for buyers and more competition for sellers, making pricing strategy more important than ever.
Prices Are Holding Steady
Despite more inventory, prices remain resilient:
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October median sale price: $468,750, down just 1.32% YoY
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November median sale price: $487,000, up 8.7% YoY
The takeaway? Buyers are gaining negotiating power, but values in New Hanover continue to hold strong — especially in desirable coastal pockets.
Days on Market Are Up Slightly
Homes took an average of 66 days to sell in October (up from 57 last year)
November shows a similar rhythm, with an average CDOM of 55 days (down from 61 YoY, reflecting seasonal shifts)
This reflects a normalizing market — not a declining one — where listings need the right pricing, preparation, and marketing to stand out.
Sales Activity Remains Solid
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October closed sales up 4.24% YoY
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November sold listings up 1.6% YoY
And higher-end inventory continues to move: November saw increases in sales in the $850k–$1.6M ranges, with the luxury segment remaining healthy even as it normalizes.
How This Compares to the Overall U.S. Market
Nationally, we’re seeing:
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Mortgage rates stabilizing after two years of volatility
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Inventory slowly increasing across most markets
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Price growth flattening, with modest increases in many Sunbelt coastal regions
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Buyers gaining slightly more leverage after seller-dominant years
New Hanover County mirrors these trends, but with a key difference: demand remains elevated due to lifestyle buyers, relocators, and second-home purchasers. This helps insulate our market from the sharper slowdowns seen in some interior metros.
What This Means for Buyers & Sellers in the Wilmington Area
For Sellers
With inventory rising, buyers have more choices — but properly priced, well-marketed homes are still selling quickly and at strong numbers.
This means:
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Strategic pricing is critical
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Presentation, photography, and digital reach matter more than ever
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Coastal and lifestyle-driven properties continue to attract out-of-state relocators
For Buyers
This fall and winter offer the best opportunity we’ve seen in years:
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More inventory
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Less competition
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Sellers increasingly open to concessions
If you’re looking for a primary home, second home, or investment property on the coast, the current conditions create a window of opportunity.
Final Thoughts
The New Hanover County market remains healthy, competitive, and attractive — but more balanced than the frenzy of 2021–2023. As we head into 2026, both buyers and sellers are well-positioned, and success will continue to come from strategy, timing, and local market expertise.
If you have questions about what this means for your home or neighborhood, we’d love to run a personalized analysis for you.
David Benford Group — Guiding buyers and sellers across the NC coast with insight, strategy, and exceptional service.