Market Insights for New Hanover County: September 2024 – August 2025

The past twelve months reveal several notable shifts in the housing market. From seasonal fluctuations in sales to long-term changes in buyer behavior, the numbers tell a compelling story.

Inventory Trends

Active listings peaked at 11,757 in August 2025, marking the highest inventory of the year. In contrast, the lowest point came in January 2025, when just 9,490 homes were on the market.

Figure 1. Active vs. Sold Listings (Sep 2024 – Aug 2025). Inventory built steadily through spring and peaked in August, while sales followed a summer high.

Sales Activity

Closed transactions reached their high in June 2025 with 3,313 sold listings. The weakest month was again January 2025, with only 2,009 homes sold. The surge in mid-summer reflects heightened demand during the traditional buying season.

Absorption Rate

Absorption rate, a key measure of market balance, ranged from a low of 3.46 months of inventory in January 2025 to a high of 4.26 in June 2025.

Figure 2. Absorption Rate (Sep 2024 – Aug 2025). Strong demand kept supply balanced even as inventory rose in summer.

Pricing Pressure

The sale-to-original list price ratio stayed relatively stable, fluctuating between 95.1% (January 2025) and 96.3% (May 2025).

Figure 3. Sale-to-Original List Price Ratio (Sep 2024 – Aug 2025). Sellers enjoyed stronger negotiating power in spring.

Time on Market

The average cumulative days on market (CDOM) reached its longest in February 2025 at 82.5 days, suggesting a temporary slowdown. By contrast, homes moved fastest in September 2024 (61.6 days).

Figure 4. Average Days on Market (CDOM) (Sep 2024 – Aug 2025). Homes lingered in winter but sold more quickly in the fall.

Key Takeaway

Overall, the market demonstrated resilience through seasonal cycles. Inventory growth in the summer months gave buyers more options, but pricing stability and a high absorption rate signaled that demand remained healthy. Sellers who listed in spring and summer generally enjoyed better conditions, while buyers in the winter months found more negotiating leverage.