September 2026 | New Hanover County Update 🔑
🏡 New Hanover County Real Estate Market Update – September 2026
Thinking about buying or selling a home in New Hanover County, NC?
The September 2026 real estate market statistics are in, and the latest numbers reveal some interesting trends for local homebuyers and sellers! 📊
From Wilmington to Carolina Beach, market conditions can vary depending on the type of property you're looking for, making it important to understand what's happening in the local housing market before making your next move.
According to the latest Cape Fear REALTORS® market report, single-family home prices have eased slightly compared with September 2025, while townhouse and condo sales have picked up. Let's take a closer look at the New Hanover County housing market and what these numbers could mean for you.
🏠 Single-Family Homes in New Hanover County
The single-family home market in New Hanover County continues to show relatively steady pricing, with a slight year-over-year dip in September and modest price growth so far in 2026.
Here are the key statistics for September 2026 compared with September 2025:
New listings: 346, up 1.8%.
Pending sales: 229, down 1.3%.
Closed sales: 240, down 4.4%.
Median sales price: $478,123, down 1.5%.
Average sales price: $618,813, down 1.6%.
Days on market: 51, up 10.9%.
Inventory of homes for sale: 832, down 2.1%.
Months of supply: 3.2, down from 3.3.
Percent of list price received: 98.1%, up from 97.4%.
What Do These Numbers Mean for Home Sellers?
If you're thinking about selling your home in Wilmington or elsewhere in New Hanover County, pricing and presentation remain important. The September median sales price was $478,123, a modest 1.5% decrease compared with the same month last year. Homes also spent an average of 51 days on the market according to the report's days on market until sale metric, compared with 46 days in September 2025.
However, sellers have reason to pay attention to another important statistic: homes sold for 98.1% of their list price on average, up from 97.4% a year earlier. This suggests that well-priced homes can still attract serious buyers and achieve prices close to their asking prices.
With 832 single-family homes available and 3.2 months of inventory, New Hanover County sellers should focus on setting a competitive asking price, highlighting their home's best features, and using effective real estate marketing to reach qualified buyers.
What Should Homebuyers Know?
For buyers searching for homes in New Hanover County, the September numbers point to a market where preparation and negotiation both matter. The median sales price dipped slightly year over year, while the number of homes for sale also declined.
If you're searching for a home in Wilmington, looking for a property closer to the coast, or exploring other New Hanover County neighborhoods, comparing recent sales and evaluating each property's condition and location can help you make a more informed decision.
Keep in mind that the median sales price reflects the midpoint of all reported sales, not the value of every individual home. Your budget, preferred location, and property type will all play a role in determining what represents a good opportunity.
🏘️ Townhouse and Condo Market Update
The New Hanover County townhouse and condominium market showed stronger sales activity in September 2026. Pending sales and closed sales both increased by 22.2% compared with September 2025, while the median sales price remained nearly unchanged.
Here are the latest townhouse and condo statistics:
New listings: 107, down 20.1%.
Pending sales: 88, up 22.2%.
Closed sales: 77, up 22.2%.
Median sales price: $399,999, up 0.3%.
Average sales price: $531,181, up 12.0%.
Days on market: 76, down 8.4%.
Inventory of homes for sale: 513, up 15.8%.
Months of supply: 6.2, up from 5.5.
Percent of list price received: 97.1%, down from 97.7%.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Townhouse or Condo?
For buyers considering a townhouse or condo in Wilmington or the surrounding New Hanover County area, the September data offers some encouraging signs. Closed sales increased by 22.2%, and the median sales price was essentially flat at $399,999.
At the same time, inventory increased to 513 properties, with months of supply rising to 6.2. That gives buyers more properties to compare than a year ago, although the right opportunity will depend on the location, price, condition, HOA fees, and individual property's features.
Townhomes and condos can appeal to first-time buyers, downsizers, and people seeking a different style of homeownership. If you're comparing a condo with a single-family home, remember to account for association fees, community rules, insurance considerations, and any maintenance responsibilities before making a decision.
What About Townhouse and Condo Sellers?
The increase in pending and closed sales suggests that buyers are actively purchasing townhouses and condos. However, the rise in available inventory means sellers should pay close attention to competing properties.
The median sales price was $399,999, while homes received 97.1% of their list price on average. Attractive photography, thoughtful property descriptions, and a competitive pricing strategy can help your property stand out in the New Hanover County real estate market.
📈 New Hanover County Real Estate: 2026 Year-to-Date Trends
Looking beyond September alone, the year-to-date figures provide a broader picture of how the New Hanover County housing market is performing through the first nine months of 2026.
Single-Family Homes: January–September 2026
New listings: 3,242, down 0.9% year over year.
Pending sales: 2,523, up 3.0%.
Closed sales: 2,435, up 0.9%.
Median sales price: $494,910, up 2.0%.
Average sales price: $686,085, up 3.4%.
Days on market: 51, up 10.9%.
Percent of list price received: 98.0%, down slightly from 98.1%.
The year-to-date numbers show modest price growth in the single-family market, even though homes are taking longer to sell than they did during the same period in 2025. Pending and closed sales have edged upward, while new listings are slightly lower.
For homeowners considering selling in 2026, this reinforces the importance of understanding comparable home sales and current competition before deciding on a listing price.
Townhouses and Condos: January–September 2026
New listings: 1,327, up 17.4%.
Pending sales: 802, up 5.7%.
Closed sales: 762, up 3.8%.
Median sales price: $394,950, up 2.6%.
Average sales price: $507,112, up 5.6%.
Days on market: 77, down 4.9%.
Percent of list price received: 97.5%, unchanged.
Year to date, the townhouse and condo market has seen a substantial increase in new listings, along with growth in pending and closed sales. Both median and average sales prices are also higher than during the first nine months of 2025.
For buyers, the larger number of new listings may mean more options to explore. For sellers, the increase in competition makes it especially important to understand how their property compares with similar homes currently available.
🌊 What This Means for the Wilmington and New Hanover County Housing Market
Whether you're buying your first home, moving to a larger property, downsizing, or preparing to sell an investment property, local market statistics can help you make better-informed decisions.
Here are a few takeaways from the September 2026 report:
🔑 For home sellers: Single-family home prices have dipped slightly year over year for September, but year-to-date prices remain higher. Competitive pricing and effective marketing can help your home attract attention.
🏡 For homebuyers: Single-family inventory is slightly lower, while townhouse and condo inventory has increased. Your options may differ considerably depending on the property type and price range.
📊 For townhouse and condo buyers and sellers: Sales activity increased in September, and year-to-date prices are higher. However, more available listings mean buyers can compare options carefully.
📍 For anyone relocating to the area: Researching Wilmington and the surrounding New Hanover County communities can help you understand local pricing, property types, and the factors that may affect your home search.
Remember, countywide statistics provide a useful overview, but they don't tell the whole story for every neighborhood or property. Recent comparable sales, property condition, location, and current competition all matter when determining a home's market value.
🏡 Thinking About Buying or Selling a Home in New Hanover County?
The September 2026 New Hanover County real estate market shows a mix of trends: single-family home prices have softened slightly for the month, year-to-date prices remain higher, and townhouse and condo sales activity has increased.
If you're planning to buy or sell a home in Wilmington, NC, or anywhere in New Hanover County, understanding these trends is a great place to start. The right strategy begins with knowing your local market and how your goals fit into current conditions.
At Agent Up Marketing, we help real estate professionals showcase properties and connect with buyers through effective real estate marketing. From property flyers and brochures to digital campaigns and social media marketing, strong presentation helps listings get noticed.
📣 Ready to make your next real estate move? Keep following Agent Up Marketing for monthly New Hanover County real estate market updates, local housing trends, and insights for buyers and sellers across southeastern North Carolina.
Market data source: Cape Fear REALTORS®, Local Market Update – September 2026. Based on information from the North Carolina Regional MLS LLC. Current as of October 4, 2026. Percent changes are calculated using rounded figures and may be affected by small sample sizes. Sales prices do not account for concessions or down payment assistance.
Looking for More Info? ⬇️
📱 Call/Text 910-508-7246
Comments