Buyers around Wilmington have more homes to choose from than at any point in recent years. In its October 16, 2026 market release, Cape Fear REALTORS® reported that the Wilmington MSA (New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties) ended September with 4,609 active listings, which the association called a new high and nearly double the inventory of September 2022. That headline is real, but it doesn’t mean every buyer suddenly has leverage. Once you split the numbers by county and property type, the picture is a lot more specific. Here’s what the September data says and how to use it whether you’re buying or selling this fall.
The Regional Numbers at a Glance
According to the Cape Fear REALTORS® release, September 2026 looked like this across the three-county region:
- Active listings: 4,609, up 1.7% from September 2025 and up 0.5% from August
- New listings: 1,434, up 5.4% year over year
- Pending sales: 1,046, up 4.9% year over year (down 8% from August)
- Closed sales: 1,029, essentially flat year over year (down 0.1%)
- Median sales price: $423,000, up 4.6% year over year
- Average cumulative days on market: 72
- Months of supply: 4.5, up 8% from a year ago
In other words, supply has grown, but prices haven’t fallen at the regional level and buyers are still signing contracts. 2026 CFR President Manda Price put it this way in the release: buyers have more options, “but that doesn’t necessarily mean home prices are declining.”
New Hanover County: Two Different Markets
The Cape Fear REALTORS® New Hanover County report for September 2026 (based on North Carolina Regional MLS data, current as of October 4) shows why the regional headline can be misleading.
Single-family homes are still tight
New Hanover had 832 single-family homes for sale in September, 2.1% fewer than a year earlier, and just 3.2 months of supply. The median sales price was $478,123, down 1.5% from September 2025, while the year-to-date median is up 2.0% to $494,910. Sellers received 98.1% of list price on average, and homes took 51 days to sell, about five days longer than last year. For Wilmington, Ogden, Monkey Junction, and the beach towns, a well-priced detached home is still in demand.
Condos and townhomes have shifted toward buyers
The attached market is a different story. Townhouse and condo inventory rose 15.8% to 513 units, with 6.2 months of supply. Days on market came in at 76, and sellers received 97.1% of list price. The median held essentially flat at $399,999. One wrinkle worth watching: September new condo and townhome listings fell 20.1% while pending sales rose 22.2%, so that slack may be starting to tighten.
Brunswick County: Busy, With Plenty of Choice
Brunswick remains the region’s volume leader. The September Brunswick County report shows 448 single-family closings (up 6.4%) and 476 pending sales (up 8.9%). The single-family median rose 8.5% to $444,953. Inventory held steady at 2,477 homes, but because sales picked up, months of supply dropped from 6.4 to 5.3. Homes averaged 75 days on market.
Brunswick’s townhome and condo segment is softer, with a median of $279,240 (down 11.2%) and 6.5 months of supply. Keep in mind that medians in smaller segments can swing month to month based on which homes happen to close.
Pender County moved the other direction in September, with single-family inventory down 11% and the median up sharply. We covered that in our Pender County September market update.
Where Mortgage Rates Fit In
Rates are part of why sales have stayed steady rather than surging. Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey for October 29, 2026 put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.24%, down from 7.32% the week before and the lowest level of the month, but still above the 6.17% average a year ago. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.60%. Your own rate will depend on your credit, loan type, and down payment, so get a current quote from a local lender before you shop.
What This Means If You’re Buying
- Condo and townhome buyers have the most room to negotiate, especially in New Hanover and Brunswick. Ask about seller-paid closing costs or a rate buydown, and review HOA dues, reserves, and insurance before you commit.
- Single-family buyers in New Hanover should still move decisively. At 3.2 months of supply, the best-priced homes won’t sit. Be pre-approved and ready to write a clean offer.
- Brunswick buyers can take time to compare. With roughly 2,500 single-family homes for sale, it’s reasonable to weigh neighborhoods, HOA costs, flood zones, and builder incentives side by side.
What This Means If You’re Selling
- Price to the segment you’re in. A detached home in New Hanover competes in a tight market; a condo competes with more than six months of supply. The right list price depends on which one you’re in.
- Condition and presentation matter more. As Price noted, sellers now need competitive pricing, good condition, and strategic marketing to attract serious buyers.
- Plan for a realistic timeline. With average days on market in the 50s to 70s depending on county and property type, build some flexibility into your moving plans.
FAQ
Is the Wilmington-area market a buyer’s market now?
Not across the board. At 4.5 months of supply, the region is closer to balanced. New Hanover single-family homes are still tight, while condos and townhomes in New Hanover and Brunswick lean toward buyers.
Are home prices falling around Wilmington?
The regional median rose 4.6% year over year in September. New Hanover’s single-family median dipped 1.5% for the month but is up 2.0% year to date. One month of data isn’t a trend, so look at your specific neighborhood and price range.
When will October numbers be out?
Cape Fear REALTORS® typically publishes its monthly release around the middle of the following month, so October data should arrive in mid-November.
Get a Read on Your Corner of the Market
Regional numbers are a starting point. What matters is how your neighborhood, price range, and property type are behaving right now. Whether you’re buying your first condo, selling a family home, or eyeing a second home at the coast, talk with Aspyre Collective and we’ll walk you through the numbers that apply to you.
