If 2023 was the year of the interest rate shock and 2024 was the year of the standoff, 2025 was the year of the exhale.

As we close the books on December, the data for New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Brunswick counties tells a story that national headlines missed. While the pundits predicted a crash that never came, our coastal market didn’t explode upward either. Instead, it did something we haven't seen in a decade: it found balance.

But averages lie. To understand what this year actually meant for your equity or your buying power, we have to peel back the layers of the “Cape Fear averages” and look at the hard numbers that defined 2025.

1. New Hanover County: “Flat” is the New “Up”

For the first time in years, the median sales price in Wilmington didn't jump by double digits. In fact, it barely moved.

The Stat: The median sales price in New Hanover County hovered around $405,000, finishing the year virtually flat (-0.7% year-over-year).

The Reality: Do not mistake “flat” for “weak.” After the meteoric rise of 2020–2024, holding steady at $400k+ is a sign of immense strength. It means the floor has been set. Sellers who priced correctly sold; those who priced for 2022 sat.

2. Brunswick County: The Volume King

While Wilmington stabilized, Brunswick County kept its foot on the gas. This was the standout performer of 2025, driven almost entirely by inbound migration from the Northeast.

The Stat: Total sales volume surged nearly 26% in Q3 2025 compared to the previous year.

The Reality: People are not just looking; they are closing. Communities like Leland, St. James, and Southport absorbed a significant inventory increase (up 24%) without prices buckling. If you own in Brunswick County, your market is the most liquid in the region.

3. The “Patience Premium”: Days on Market (DOM)

If you tried to sell a home this year, this is the number you felt the most.

The Stat: The average Days on Market (DOM) in the region stretched to 77 days—a stark contrast to the 14-day average we saw two years ago.

The Reality: The “weekend war” is over. Buyers in 2025 reclaimed their right to due diligence. They performed inspections, they negotiated repairs, and they waited for insurance quotes. For sellers, this required a mental shift: a home sitting for 60 days wasn't “stale”; it was just normal.

4. Pender County: The Pre-Revaluation Jitters

Pender County was a tale of two markets in 2025: the booming beach and the steady mainland.

The Stat: Surf City and Topsail investment properties saw median pricing variances of +12% in specific pockets, driven by rental revenue strength, while mainland Hampstead saw a slight median dip due to a shift in the mix of homes sold (fewer luxury waterfronts, more mid-tier production homes).

The Looming Factor: The big story for Pender wasn't just sales; it was the 2026 Tax Revaluation. Smart buyers spent Q4 of 2025 analyzing tax cards, knowing that assessed values were set to catch up to market reality on January 1.

5. The “Silent Killer”: Insurance Costs

We cannot review 2025 without mentioning the bill that shocked everyone in June.

The Stat: The statewide homeowners insurance rate hike of roughly 7.5% (with higher impacts in coastal zones) reshaped buyer criteria.

The Reality: Homes with roofs older than 15 years became significantly harder to sell in 2025. Buyers stopped looking at “granite countertops” as the primary value driver and started looking at “wind mitigation credits.”

Your Next Step

The data from 2025 proves one thing: The “wait for the crash” strategy failed, but the “buy anything at any price” strategy is also dead. We are in a skill-based market now.

As we head into 2026, you need more than a Zestimate. You need a partner who interprets these trends to protect your wealth. At Aspyre Realty Group, we track the daily pulse of these four counties—from the permit office in Burgaw to the closing tables in Calabash. We are experts in listening and communicating people's wants into homes that work for them. Let’s sit down and discuss how these 2025 stats impact your plans for the new year.