May 2025: New Hanover County Residential Real Estate Market Update

🌴 May 2025 Housing Market in New Hanover County: Sunshine, Sales & Smart Moves ☀️🏡

The real estate market is warming up along the Carolina coast, and New Hanover County is leading the way! Here's your May 2025 update—packed with trends, takeaways, and a splash of Bitmoji fun.

Hey Wilmington friends (and future locals 👋), May brought more than just sunshine—it delivered one of the most dynamic housing months we’ve seen all year. Whether you're buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on the market, here's what you need to know about the latest numbers from Cape Fear REALTORS®.

📊 May 2025 Snapshot: New Hanover County Real Estate by the Numbers

📈 Metric May 2025 🔄 YoY Change

Active Listings 1,309 🔺 +41.7%

New Listings 577 🔺 +12.7%

Pending Sales 424 🔺 +33.8%

Closed Sales 399 🔻 -3.9%

Median Sales Price $493,750 🔺 +3.95%

Avg. Days on Market (DOM) 51 🔻 -10.5%

Month’s Supply of Inventory 3.28 🔺 +47.1%

🧐 What Do the Numbers Say?

🛍️ Buyers: More Homes, Faster Decisions

With active listings up 42%, there's more inventory than we’ve seen in a long time—which is great news if you're searching for your next home in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, or beyond.

But don’t drag your feet! ⏱️ Homes are selling faster, averaging just 51 days on market, down from 57 last year. It’s not the feeding frenzy of years past, but buyers still need to stay sharp and pre-approved. 💼

Searching for homes for sale in Wilmington NC or New Hanover County real estate May 2025? It’s time to tour before summer competition spikes.

💸 Sellers: Prices Are Up—But Timing Matters

The median home price hit $493,750, nearly a 4% increase over last year. And with pending sales soaring nearly 34%, demand is alive and well.

But here’s the catch: closed sales dipped slightly. That could mean buyers are taking longer to close—or being more selective in a market with rising options. Sellers should price wisely and make their homes shine!

📈 Inventory Is Rising = A More Balanced Market

The months’ supply of inventory jumped to 3.28 months, up from just over 2 last year. Translation? We’re moving away from extreme seller territory into a more neutral, balanced market where both sides can win. 🙌

📅 5-Year Trend: Solid Growth, Steady Confidence

Prices in New Hanover have climbed steadily over the last five years, and the May data proves we’re still on a healthy upward path—without the volatility seen in other markets. 📈

✅ Final Takeaway: A May to Watch in New Hanover

The May 2025 housing market is signaling opportunity and strategy for both buyers and sellers. 🧠 With more listings, rising prices, and fast-moving deals, it's a great time to act—but a better time to plan.

🏡 Ready to make your move?

🔑 Whether you're buying your beach dream or selling for top dollar, partner with a local expert who understands New Hanover County's evolving market.

📍 Powered by Cape Fear REALTORS® – the trusted voice for real estate in Wilmington and beyond.

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A reliable source for real estate market data provided by Cape Fear REALTORS®, compiled from NCRMLS.