Every week, a handful of closings tell you more about the Brunswick County coast than any headline can. According to a RealtyWire recap published Nov. 10, 2026, the five highest-priced home sales reported in Brunswick County for the week ending Nov. 8 added up to a combined $10.29 million. Each one was in a different community, all five were single-family homes, and nearly all of them faced water in some way.
Here is what sold, and what we think the list says for buyers and sellers watching the Brunswick beaches heading into winter.
The Week’s Five Biggest Sales
1. Oak Island: $3,249,999, new oceanfront
The top sale was a home completed in 2025 directly on the ocean in the East Long Beach section of Oak Island. RealtyWire reports it sold for its full asking price. It has 11 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, about 3,764 square feet, an elevator to every floor, a reverse floor plan and a heated saltwater pool, and it sold furnished. The lot last sold for $850,000 in 2024, before the current house was built.
2. St. James (Southport): $2,260,000, Intracoastal Waterway
The largest home of the five, at about 5,467 square feet, sits on the Intracoastal Waterway in St. James. The 0.45-acre lot has roughly 150 feet of bulkheaded frontage, a private pier and a 12,000-pound boat lift. Built in 2002, it went under contract two days after listing, and it last sold for $1.02 million in 2020.
3. Ocean Isle Beach: $1,950,000, steps from the sand
Completed in 2022 on the smallest lot of the group, this five-bedroom, 2,841-square-foot home sits across the street from a ramped beach access on the east side of the island. It went under contract four days after listing and sold furnished. The lot last sold for $295,000 in 2021, before construction.
4. Supply address: $1,444,000, 1972 oceanfront
The oldest home on the list, built in 1972, is an oceanfront home with a Supply mailing address. At 1,950 square feet with five bedrooms and three baths, it was also the smallest home of the five. It had a remodeled kitchen, refinished interior and an in-ground pool, and it last sold for $750,000 in 2019.
5. Bald Head Island: $1,390,000, golf-course views
On Bald Head Island, a 2018 home overlooking the island golf course sold for $1.39 million. It has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, 2,409 square feet, screened porches on two levels and a two-space garage for golf carts. The property last sold for $425,000 in 2004, before the current house was built.
What This Week Tells Buyers
One week of top sales is not a market report, and it should never be read as a trend on its own. Still, a few patterns are worth noting.
- Well-prepared homes still move quickly. Two of the five went under contract within four days of listing, and the top sale closed at full asking price. Even in a season when many buyers are cautious, homes with strong locations and clear condition can draw decisive offers.
- Furnished beach homes are the norm at the top. Four of the five sold furnished. If you are shopping for a second home or rental, ask early what conveys and get an inventory list in writing.
- Newer construction is a big part of the story. Three of the five were built in 2018 or later, and three sat on lots that sold years earlier before a new home went up. Buyers comparing older and newer beach homes should weigh elevation, construction standards and insurance costs, not just finishes.
- Water access comes in many forms. Oceanfront, Intracoastal with a dock and lift, a short walk to a beach access, and golf-course views each command a different kind of buyer. Know which one you actually need.
If you are looking at an elevated beach home, our pilings and under-house inspection checklist is a good place to start, and our Bald Head Island guide covers what island life really looks like.
What This Week Tells Sellers
For owners in Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, St. James and the other Brunswick beach communities, the takeaway is less about the dollar figures and more about preparation. The homes that went under contract fastest had clear selling points: a bulkheaded waterway lot with a lift, or a beach access across the street. Buyers at every price point respond to a listing that answers their questions up front: flood zone, elevation, insurance history, rental history if any, and what furniture stays.
Price history matters too. Several of these properties had sold years earlier at far lower prices before a new home was built or the market changed. That means the comparable sales for your home may look very different from what a neighbor paid a few years ago. A current, street-level pricing review is worth more than any online estimate. If you are weighing a winter listing, see our guides to selling on Ocean Isle Beach, selling in St. James and our Oak Island October market update.
FAQ: Brunswick County Top Home Sales
Are these sales typical of Brunswick County home prices?
No. These were the five highest-priced sales reported that week. Most Brunswick County homes, from Leland to Shallotte, sell for far less. Top-sales lists show the high end of the coast, not the typical home.
Why do so many beach homes sell furnished?
Many island homes are used as second homes or vacation rentals, and furnishings make it easier for the next owner to use or rent the home right away. Always confirm in writing what is included.
Where can I see sales near a specific home?
A local agent can pull recent closed sales for your street or neighborhood and explain how condition, elevation and water access affect value.
Thinking About Buying or Selling on the Brunswick Coast?
Whether you are eyeing an Oak Island oceanfront, a St. James waterway lot or a quiet spot on Ocean Isle Beach, we can help you read the market one street at a time. Reach out to Aspyre Collective to talk through your plans.
