If we had to summarize the 2025 real estate market in Southeastern North Carolina in one word, it would be "Resilient."

Coming off a few years of roller-coaster interest rates and inventory shortages, 2025 was the year our market found its footing. While national headlines often painted a picture of a housing stall, the data for New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Brunswick counties tells a different story—one of steady growth, strategic stabilizing, and specific pockets of high demand.

Whether you are a homeowner checking your equity or a buyer waiting for the right moment, here is the expert breakdown of what actually happened to home values in our region over the last 12 months.

1. Brunswick County: The Star Performer

Brunswick County didn't just survive 2025; it thrived. Driven by inbound migration from the Northeast and a surge in retirees, this area saw some of the strongest numbers in the state.

The Data: Median sales prices held steady, ticking up approximately 2% to sit near $392,000. Specific communities outperformed the average. Brunswick Forest, for example, saw median prices jump nearly 8% year-over-year as demand for amenity-rich, "lifestyle" communities remained white-hot.

The Takeaway: Inventory here is rising, but demand is eating it up just as fast. If you own in Leland, Southport, or St. James, your equity is safe and growing.

2. New Hanover County: The Return to Balance

In Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, the frantic "bidding war" culture of previous years finally cooled, leading to a healthier, more balanced market.

The Data: The median sales price hovered around $458,000. While some reports show a slight dip (approx. 3.5%) in median closed prices compared to the peaks, this is a correction of the "over-asking" frenzy rather than a loss of value.

The Shift: Days on Market (DOM) crept up, giving buyers more leverage. For the first time in years, sellers accepted offers with inspection contingencies and repair requests—a significant win for buyers.

3. Pender County: A Tale of Two Markets

Pender County delivered the most interesting data split of the year, proving that real estate is hyper-local.

Hampstead: Statistics fluctuated sharply. Months showing median price drops (up to 17%) were due mostly to changes in what was selling—fewer ultra-luxury waterfront closings and more mid-range homes, skewing the median downward without devaluing the individual properties.

Surf City & Topsail: The beach towns surged. Surf City saw median prices jump over 12%, driven by strong rental revenue data and investors securing assets ahead of the 2026 tax revaluation.

Economic Wins: The expansion of the Pender Commerce Park—boosted by Amazon and Polyhose—strengthened the county as an employment hub, not just a commuter community.

4. Onslow County: Steady as She Goes

Supported by military stability and accessible price points, Onslow remains the most affordable and consistent market in the region.

The Data: Median prices rose a healthy 2.4%, settling near $300,000.

The Vibe: This market avoids wild swings—no dramatic highs, no dramatic lows. It continues to be a stronghold for first-time buyers and rental investors.

The "Hidden" Costs of 2025

We can't talk about 2025 without mentioning the two elephants in the room: Insurance and Taxes.

Insurance Hike: As expected, the 7.5% rate increase went into effect on June 1, 2025. Buyers prioritized homes with new roofs to help offset rising premiums.

The Bridge: The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement dominated headlines, but with no construction yet, property values in Leland remained unaffected.

What This Means for You in 2026

The data proves that waiting for a "crash" in Southeastern NC is a losing strategy. Our market is anchored by lifestyle appeal, job growth, and retirement wealth—all strong fundamentals.

Sellers: You have equity, but pricing must be data-driven. The era of "aspirational pricing" is over.

Buyers: The "unicorn" deal is gone, but the "fair" deal is back. Negotiation power has returned—you just need an expert guiding you.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we don't just read the year-end reports; we live them. We know which streets in Hampstead are defying the trends and which Wilmington neighborhoods are poised for the next breakout. If you want to turn this data into a personal strategy for 2026, let's start the conversation today.