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Continued Demand & Growing Inventory
The first quarter real estate market across coastal North Carolina reflects a clear trend: inventory is rising significantly, while closed sales show mixed results, creating a more competitive and potentially buyer-leaning environment Most areas saw a notable increase in active listings across all price segments, particularly in the $600K–$1M range Wilmington leads the region with 183 active listings in this segment, paired with 135 closed sales up 12% year-over-year suggesting continued demand but growing supply
Higher price points ($1M–$2M and $2M+) tell a more segmented story Topsail Island had a 64% jump in closed sales in the $1M–$2M range, yet active listings soared to 70, while Wrightsville Beach & Landfall maintained strong performance with nearly identical yearover-year sales at the high end Ocean Isle & Sunset Beach and Figure 8 Island areas experienced declines in $1M–$2M closings despite elevated inventory, pointing to potential pricing pushback
Luxury segments ($2M+) remain thin but active, with Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach & Landfall reporting the highest volume 14 and 9 closings respectively while markets like Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Atlantic Beach saw only 1–2 sales in this bracket Notably, most regions saw their $2M+ inventory increase significantly despite low turnover, potentially indicating slower absorption ahead
In summary, while some submarkets remain resilient, the overall trend points to rising inventory outpacing demand in many coastal areas This shift could lead to more favorable conditions for buyers, especially in the mid to high-end price points, as sellers face more competition and longer market times
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH & LANDFALL
Wrightsville Beach is the furthest eastern part of Wilmington and one of the most popular beaches on the East Coast Just a few minutes inland sits the prestigious Landfall community. This is a flagship gated golf course community in Wilmington, situated between Wrightsville Beach and the intracoastal waterway.
Wrightsville Beach and Landfall maintained a balanced and steady market The $1M–$2M segment led activity with 23 closed sales, slightly up from 22 in 2024, alongside healthy pending numbers (11) and 16 active listings indicating consistent demand and manageable supply The $2M+ luxury market remained stable, with 9 closed sales both years and double the number of active listings The $600K–$1M range, however, saw a sharp drop in closings from 12 to 4 (a 67% decline), despite a modest 10 active listings, possibly reflecting a shift in buyer focus toward higher-end properties and overall increase in prices in this market Overall, the market is showing resilience at the top end with softening in the lower tier
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH & LANDFALL
WILMINGTON
Wilmington is a historic port city along the Cape Fear River that features three gorgeous islands The historic artistic culture is complemented by the small beach town aesthetic offered by top-rated pristine beaches at Wrightsville Beach, historic Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach The art, music, food, architecture, history, and natural beauty of Wilmington make it the #1 place to move in the US
The $600K–$1M segment led the market with 135 closed sales up 12% from 121 in 2024 yet inventory surged to 183 active listings Pending sales remained strong at 89, signaling ongoing buyer activity. In the $1M–$2M range, closed sales dropped 17%, while listings increased to 91, pointing to a softening in this price tier. The $2M+ segment showed the most growth, with closed sales rising 75% from 8 to 14, and 6 pending deals suggesting continued luxury interest. Overall, while demand is holding steady or growing in some areas, the surge in inventory across all price points may put downward pressure on pricing if absorption slows
TOPSAIL ISLAND
Topsail Island is a barrier island almost an hour north of Wilmington Although folklore has it that the island was named Topsail because pirate ships hid behind the island with their topsails visible from the sea, the name came from New Topsail Inlet Topsail Island has long been a vacation spot favorite and Surf City is one of the most popular cities on Topsail Island
In Q1 2025, Topsail Island's market saw a significant surge in inventory, particularly in the $600K–$1M segment with 82 active listings, almost double the amount of active listings in 2024 (45). Despite this, closed sales in this range rose 15% from 33 in 2024 The $1M–$2M segment also saw strong activity, with closed sales jumping 64% year-over-year (from 14 to 23) and active listings ballooning to 70. The $2M+ range remained quiet, with just 1 closed sale and 11 active homes, both active listings and sold remaining the same as 2024. While demand improved over the year, the steep rise in available inventory signals a possible shift toward a more competitive market.
TOPSAIL & SURF CITY
OCEAN ISLE & SUNSET BEACH
Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach are two popular islands in the furthest southwest corner of North Carolina Ocean Isle was named in 1949 by Virginia Williamson whose husband, Odell Williamson, purchased the land as a resort development project Sunset Beach not only encompasses both a mainland and an island, but it earned its name in 1955 by Manson C. Gore who was impressed by the sunsets the southeast-facing island offered and its rare views of the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach closed sales in the mid-market segment dipped slightly to 40 (down 11%), with 30 homes pending, indicating continued interest despite rising supply. The $1M–$2M market showed a 23% drop in closed sales (from 22 to 17) The $2M+ category had 4 closed sales and 5 pending, a notable increase from zero closed sales last year, reflecting emerging activity in the luxury segment. While buyer interest remains, rising inventory may begin to shift negotiating power toward buyers
OCEAN ISLE & SUNSET BEACH
OAK ISLAND
Oak Island is one of the larger South Brunswick Islands southwest of Wilmington Oak Island became inhabited in the early 19th century after Fort Caswell was constructed in 1838. It grew slowly, but by the 1930s, it had become a popular beach and hunting destination Today, it is combined with several other towns and Caswell remains a separate entity on the end of the island.
In the first quarter of 2025, Oak Island's real estate market saw a slight rise in inventory, especially in the $600K–$1M range with 96 active listings The $1M–$2M segment showed a 53% increase in closed sales (from 17 in 2024 to 26 in 2025), with inventory creeping up to 59 active listings. The $2M+ category remained static, with just 1 sale both years and only 5 active homes Overall, while mid-range sales improved, high inventory across all price points points to rising competition among sellers and potential price pressure in coming quarters
OAK ISLAND
HOLDEN BEACH
Holden Beach, a favorite South Brunswick Island, southwest of Wilmington, was voted number one family-friendly beach several years in a row and remains one of the more restful and residential islands Benjamin Holden in 1756 bought four mainland tracts and the island between his plantation and the ocean and John Holden, Benjamin's grandson, started a commercial fishery on the island in 1924 and surveyed a section which he called Holden Beach Resort
In the first quarter, Holden Beach experienced mixed market signals The $600K–$1M segment saw a rise in closed sales from 6 to 11 year-over-year (an 83% increase) In contrast, the $1M–$2M range showed a decline in closed sales from 14 to 10 (down 29%), despite an increase in active listings to 21 and 8 properties pending The $2M+ segment remained quiet, with only 1 closed sale and low inventory Overall, while lower price points are seeing stronger buyer engagement, higher-end segments appear to be facing slower turnover despite inventory growth
HOLDEN BEACH
Homes Sold
FIGURE EIGHT, PORTER'S NECK, & HAMPSTEAD
Figure Eight Island, Porter's Neck, and Hampstead are north of Wilmington Porter's Neck and Hampstead are two emerging markets that are developing a robust luxury market, while Figure Eight Island remains one of the region’s flagship upscale communities with some of the most significant coastal estate homes in the Carolinas
This market saw strong activity in the $600K–$1M segment, with closed sales rising 50% year-over-year from 24 to 36 and an increase in inventory to 52 active listings The $1M–$2M segment showed modest growth, with closed sales increasing from 4 to 7, while active listings almost tripled to 23 In the $2M+ market, activity improved slightly with 5 closed sales in 2025, up from 2 in 2024, yet active listings again experienced a significant jump to 17 Overall, the market is expanding across all segments, but rising inventory could signal a shift toward a more balanced environment.
FIGURE 8 ISLAND, PORTER'S NECK & HAMPSTEAD
Q1 Homes Sold
CAROLINA & KURE BEACH
With its proximity to Wilmington, the ferry to Southport, and the limited inventory and price appreciation of Wrightsville Beach, the Pleasure Island areas of Carolina and Kure Beach have become a highly sought after coastal destination Long known for its relaxed vibe and small-town beach atmosphere, this area’s real estate market has seen major jumps in property values as well as unit sell-through
Carolina and Kure Beach show a substantial increase in inventory, particularly in the $600K–$1M range with 105 active listings up significantly compared to 68 active listings last year Despite a slight dip in closed sales to 42 in 2025 (down 11%), pending sales remain relatively healthy at 28 In the $1M–$2M range, closed sales rose from 11 to 16 (a 45% increase), yet active listings rose ever so slightly from 31 to 38 The $2M+ segment remains limited, with 5 active listings and just 1 sale in 2025 compared to 4 sales the previous year Overall, the market is experiencing an inventory surge across all segments, suggesting more competition among sellers and potential price adjustments ahead
CAROLINA BEACH & KURE BEACH
BALD HEAD & SOUTHPORT
The southeastern tip of North Carolina has historically been a popular vacation spot for decades The mix of historical significance as one of one of the earliest military settlements at the entrance of the Cape Fear and the coastal beauty has made this area highly desirable Bald Head’s unique atmosphere, exclusivity and ban on cars has also contributed to it becoming a popular destination
In Q1 2025, the Bald Head Island and Southport market reflects a notable rise in active listings, especially in the $600K–$1M range, which saw 65 active homes compared to 52 active listings in the first quarter of 2024 However, closed sales in this range dropped to 25, marking a 44% year-over-year decline The $1M–$2M segment also experienced a softening, with active listings up to 38, but closed sales down 19% (from 16 in 2024 to 13 in 2025) The $2M+ market remained flat in terms of sales, holding steady at 4 closed transactions both years, though inventory experienced a slight uptick to 17 active listings. Overall, increasing supply across all price points paired with declining or stagnant sales suggests growing buyer caution or potential price resistance in this coastal market.
BALD HEAD ISLAND & SOUTHPORT
ATLANTIC BEACH & EMERALD ISLE
One of the most popular destinations for vacationers, Atlantic Beach, and Emerald Isle rest on North Carolina's northern barrier islands below the Outer Banks Emerald Isle is famous for its pristine, emerald-colored beaches and Atlantic Beach, north of Emerald Isle, is near popular Morehead City and across from the famous historic port town of Beaufort, NC.
In the first quarter, the closed sales in the $600K-$1M segment dropped by 21% year-over-year, while pending sales sit at 15, indicating a slower absorption rate The $1M–$2M range remains relatively stable, with 12 closed sales in 2025 versus 21 in 2024 a 43% decline despite 23 active listings and 10 pending The $2M+ segment saw the sharpest drop in activity, with only 2 homes closed versus 5 last year (a 60% decrease), though active listings increased to 12 Overall, inventory is building while closed sales are trending down, signaling a cooling market or buyer hesitancy, especially at higher price points
ATLANTIC BEACH & EMERALD ISLE
COASTAL MARKET FORECAST
As we move into the second quarter, the coastal North Carolina housing market is expected to experience continued shifts driven by elevated inventory levels, moderating demand, and increased buyer selectivity The increase in active listings seen in the first quarter from 2024 suggests a transition from the tight seller’s market of recent years toward more balanced or even buyer-favored conditions in several key areas
Markets like Wilmington, Topsail Island, and Carolina/Kure Beach, which saw steep rises in active inventory without proportional increases in closed sales, may begin to see price reductions and longer days on market Sellers in these areas may need to adjust pricing expectations, particularly for properties in the $1M–$2M range, where absorption has notably slowed Conversely, regions with stable or rising demand relative to supply such as Wrightsville Beach & Landfall and parts of Ocean Isle may maintain stronger pricing power, particularly in the $2M+ segment, which remains niche but active
Pending sales data from Q1 indicates that buyer activity is not disappearing but becoming more measured Well-priced, move-in-ready homes in desirable locations are still attracting interest, especially in areas with strong lifestyle appeal However, homes requiring updates or priced above market trends may see increased resistance
Looking ahead, the second quarter is likely to bring more cautious buyer behavior, with inflation and interest rate uncertainty continuing to influence purchasing decisions Inventory is expected to remain high through the spring and early summer, which could lead to price softening in over-supplied submarkets Sellers will need to focus on strategic pricing, competitive staging, and high-quality marketing to stand out
Overall, 2025 presents opportunities for buyers to negotiate more favorable terms, while sellers will need to navigate a more competitive landscape with greater agility. Markets will increasingly differentiate based on location, condition, and pricing strategy, making local expertise and data-driven decisions more critical than ever
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The long history of high demand of the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach area has led many people to turn to other markets for luxury inventory To read our most recent report on coastal North Carolina's emerging markets, please visit the link below.
