Cape Fear Housing Market Shifts Toward Balance as Inventory Climbs
As we step into 2026, the Wilmington MSA housing market is showing clear signs of stabilization. January’s MLS data points to a healthier, more balanced environment—one where inventory is rising, homes are taking a bit longer to sell, and prices are holding relatively steady.
The key takeaway? Demand for the Cape Fear region is not going away. Instead, the market is recalibrating.
The Numbers Behind the Shift
Inventory on the Rise
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3,805 active listings at the end of January
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Down 5% month-over-month
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Up 14.1% year-over-year (compared to 3,336 in January 2025)
While inventory dipped slightly from December, it’s significantly higher than this time last year—giving buyers more options and creating breathing room in the market.
New Listings
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1,321 new listings in January
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Down 65.3% from December (seasonal slowdown)
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Up 12.1% year-over-year
The sharp month-over-month drop is typical for winter, but the year-over-year increase confirms sellers are re-entering the market.
Buyer Activity Remains Strong
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1,002 pending sales
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Up 34.9% from December
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Up 16.5% year-over-year
Pending sales tell us buyers are active—and serious. Despite higher inventory and longer decision timelines, contracts are still being written at a healthy pace.
Closed Sales
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707 closed sales in January
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Down 28.5% month-over-month
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Up 3.5% year-over-year
Closings typically lag pending sales, so the year-over-year growth reflects sustained demand moving into 2026.
Pricing Trends
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Median sales price: $399,900
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Down 4% from December
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Down 2.5% year-over-year
Prices are holding relatively steady, with only modest softening. We are not seeing dramatic corrections—just normalization.
Days on Market
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86 cumulative days on market
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Up 4.9% month-over-month
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Up 21.1% year-over-year
Homes are taking longer to sell. Buyers are being more selective, conducting thorough inspections, and negotiating thoughtfully.
Months Supply of Inventory
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5.4 months of inventory
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Up 32.8% from December
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Up 10.3% year-over-year
This is one of the most important indicators. A balanced market is typically defined as 4–6 months of supply. At 5.4 months, Wilmington is moving out of an extreme seller’s market and toward equilibrium.
What This Means for Sellers
As 2026 CFR President Manda Price notes, we are entering a market where condition and pricing strategy matter more than ever.
Sellers can no longer rely on limited inventory to drive urgency. Today’s buyers:
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Compare multiple properties
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Negotiate repairs
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Expect homes to show well
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Move carefully and deliberately
Strategic pricing and thoughtful presentation are critical.
What This Means for Buyers
Buyers are benefiting from:
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More choices
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Less competition
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More negotiation room
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Increased inspection flexibility
This isn’t a “fire sale” market—but it is a market where patience is being rewarded.
The Big Picture for Wilmington
The Wilmington MSA continues to demonstrate resilience. Inventory growth without dramatic price drops suggests stability—not distress. Buyer demand remains intact, even as the market cools from the frenzied pace of prior years.
For coastal North Carolina, this is a healthy evolution.
Whether you're buying, selling, or simply watching the trends, 2026 is shaping up to be a year defined by balance, strategy, and opportunity.
