If you own a condo or townhome in Wilmington and you are thinking about selling before spring, the numbers tell a clear story: you are selling in a different market than your neighbors with detached houses. Single-family homes in New Hanover County are still relatively tight, while attached homes have far more competition. That doesn’t mean you can’t sell well this winter. It means pricing, preparation, and paperwork matter more than they did a couple of years ago. Here is what the latest local data shows and how we’d approach a condo or townhome sale right now.
What the Latest New Hanover Numbers Show
The most recent county-level report from Cape Fear REALTORS® covers September 2026 (based on North Carolina Regional MLS data current as of October 4). For New Hanover County, it splits the market in two:
- Townhomes and condos: 513 homes for sale, up 15.8% from a year earlier, with about 6.2 months of supply. They took an average of 76 days to sell, and sellers received 97.1% of list price on average.
- Single-family homes: 832 homes for sale, down 2.1% from a year earlier, with about 3.2 months of supply, 51 days to sell, and 98.1% of list price received.
A balanced market is usually described as roughly five to six months of supply, so attached homes in New Hanover have moved toward buyers, while detached homes have not. Across the whole three-county Wilmington MSA, the association’s October 16, 2026 release reported 4,609 active listings, which it called a new high.
There’s one encouraging detail for condo and townhome owners. In September, new attached listings in New Hanover fell 20.1% from a year earlier while pending sales rose 22.2%. One month isn’t a trend, but it suggests buyers are still active in this segment when the price and condition are right.
Why Condos and Townhomes Feel Different Right Now
Buyers looking at attached homes are comparing more than square footage. They are weighing monthly HOA dues, what those dues cover, the association’s reserves, insurance, and whether any special assessments or big projects are on the horizon. With more choices on the market, buyers can walk away from a unit that leaves those questions unanswered and look at the one down the street.
That’s why the condo and townhome sellers who do best this season are the ones who answer the hard questions before a buyer asks.
Five Moves That Help a Wilmington Condo or Townhome Sell
1. Price against your true competition
Your competition is the other attached homes in your community and similar complexes nearby, not the single-family houses that are still moving quickly. Look closely at active listings and recent sales in buildings with similar age, amenities, dues, and flood exposure. In a market with more than six months of supply, a price that’s a little too ambitious usually turns into a longer stay on the market and a price cut later.
2. Gather your association documents early
North Carolina law sets out some of what happens with HOA paperwork at a sale. For condominiums, G.S. 47C-4-109 requires the selling owner to give the buyer, before closing, a statement of the monthly common expense assessment and any other fees owners pay. Separately, under the state’s Condominium Act (and a matching section of the Planned Community Act for many townhome communities), the association must provide a statement of unpaid assessments within 10 business days of a written request, and the fee for it is capped at $200, plus up to $100 more if it’s requested within 48 hours of closing. Requesting these early keeps your closing from getting squeezed.
Beyond what the law requires, it helps to have the current budget, recent meeting minutes, the master insurance summary, and any notice of upcoming assessments ready to share.
3. Know your flood and insurance story
Many Wilmington-area buyers now ask about flood zones and insurance before they ask about countertops. Find out your unit’s flood zone, whether the building carries a master flood policy, and what your own HO-6 policy costs. If your building has had storm-related repairs or upgrades, have the details on hand.
4. Make the condition question easy
Buyers with options notice deferred maintenance. Fresh paint, clean grout, working fixtures, and a serviced HVAC system go a long way in a smaller home. If you’re unsure what an inspector will flag, a pre-listing inspection can help you decide what to fix and what to disclose up front.
5. Be open to incentives
Because attached homes are averaging a few percentage points below list price, a well-structured concession can sometimes do more than a straight price cut. Help with closing costs or a seller-paid rate buydown can lower a buyer’s monthly payment, which matters a lot when HOA dues are part of the budget.
Is Winter a Good Time to Sell a Condo in Wilmington?
It can be. Fewer sellers tend to list during the holidays, which can mean less competition, and the buyers who are out in November and December are often motivated: relocating for work, retiring to the coast, or trying to settle before the new year. If your home is priced right and your HOA paperwork is ready, winter can be a smart window to get ahead of the spring listing wave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Hanover County a buyer’s market for condos?
Based on the September 2026 Cape Fear REALTORS® county report, townhomes and condos had about 6.2 months of supply, which leans toward buyers. Single-family homes, at about 3.2 months, remained much tighter.
Who pays the HOA statement fee when I sell?
The association can charge up to $200 for the statement of unpaid assessments, plus up to $100 if requested within 48 hours of closing. Who pays it is usually handled in the purchase contract and at closing, so ask your closing attorney how it will be allocated.
Should I wait until spring to sell?
Not necessarily. Spring often brings more buyers but also more competing listings. The right timing depends on your plans, your building, and what is listed near you. We’re happy to look at your specific situation.
Thinking About Selling Your Condo or Townhome?
Selling an attached home in today’s Wilmington market takes careful pricing and good preparation, and we know these communities well, from downtown and Midtown to Mayfaire, Monkey Junction, and the beaches. If you’d like an honest look at what your condo or townhome could sell for this winter, reach out to Aspyre Collective and we’ll walk you through it.
