North Carolina Buyer's Markets 2026 | 80 Cities with High Inventory

All 80 Buyer's Markets in North Carolina

#	City	Months Supply	Median Price	Days on Market	YoY Change
1	Erwin	30.0 mo	$230K	93 days	N/A
2	Oakboro	24.0 mo	$305K	53 days	N/A
3	Biltmore Forest	18.0 mo	$1.00M	59 days	N/A
4	Valley Hill	18.0 mo	$745K	40 days	N/A
5	Red Springs	16.0 mo	$565K	42 days	N/A
6	Granite Falls	15.0 mo	$193K	34 days	N/A
7	Bermuda Run	14.0 mo	$330K	97 days	N/A
8	Dana	14.0 mo	$375K	48 days	N/A
9	Liberty	14.0 mo	$137K	28 days	N/A
10	Balfour	12.0 mo	$415K	140 days	N/A
11	Enfield	12.0 mo	$33K	177 days	N/A
12	Glen Alpine	12.0 mo	$323K	326 days	N/A
13	Swansboro	12.0 mo	$263K	17 days	N/A
14	Grandy	11.7 mo	$399K	140 days	N/A
15	Southport	11.2 mo	$720K	164 days	+51.6%
16	Lake Junaluska	11.0 mo	$415K	79 days	N/A
17	North Wilkesboro	11.0 mo	$370K	213 days	N/A
18	Rodanthe	11.0 mo	$457K	138 days	N/A
19	Vass	10.8 mo	$418K	75 days	N/A
20	Hamlet	10.5 mo	$107K	253 days	N/A
21	Moyock	10.3 mo	$468K	99 days	+1.6%
22	Emma	10.0 mo	$138K	30 days	N/A
23	Hertford	10.0 mo	$400K	306 days	N/A
24	Pikeville	10.0 mo	$294K	28 days	N/A
25	Nashville	9.5 mo	$230K	34 days	N/A
26	Morehead City	9.3 mo	$395K	70 days	-1.4%
27	Oriental	9.3 mo	$305K	79 days	N/A
28	Broad Creek	9.0 mo	$228K	99 days	N/A
29	Bryson City	9.0 mo	$550K	170 days	N/A
30	Coats	9.0 mo	$350K	19 days	N/A
31	Harkers Island	9.0 mo	$375K	49 days	N/A
32	Nebo	9.0 mo	$300K	150 days	N/A
33	Walnut Cove	9.0 mo	$605K	177 days	N/A
34	Atlantic Beach	8.9 mo	$645K	31 days	-12.7%
35	North Topsail Beach	8.8 mo	$655K	105 days	+57.8%
36	Stanley	8.8 mo	$233K	97 days	N/A
37	Franklinton	8.7 mo	$210K	19 days	N/A
38	Lake Lure	8.7 mo	$412K	161 days	N/A
39	Holden Beach	8.3 mo	$1.08M	23 days	+1.7%
40	Seven Lakes	8.3 mo	$578K	56 days	+20.9%
41	Duck	8.2 mo	$1.18M	115 days	+17.7%
42	Kure Beach	8.1 mo	$1.07M	96 days	+60.0%
43	Ashley Heights	8.0 mo	$362K	133 days	N/A
44	Chocowinity	8.0 mo	$195K	158 days	N/A
45	Grifton	8.0 mo	$290K	149 days	N/A
46	Horse Shoe	8.0 mo	$475K	95 days	N/A
47	Hot Springs	8.0 mo	$625K	29 days	N/A
48	Red Oak	8.0 mo	$515K	151 days	N/A
49	Wadesboro	8.0 mo	$260K	102 days	N/A
50	Hatteras	7.7 mo	$399K	284 days	N/A
51	Manteo	7.5 mo	$675K	181 days	N/A
52	Roanoke Rapids	7.4 mo	$199K	42 days	N/A
53	Bethel	7.0 mo	$235K	79 days	N/A
54	Clyde	7.0 mo	$415K	209 days	N/A
55	Grimesland	7.0 mo	$370K	159 days	N/A
56	High Shoals	7.0 mo	$379K	42 days	N/A
57	Hillsdale	7.0 mo	$435K	36 days	N/A
58	Landis	7.0 mo	$231K	113 days	N/A
59	Mount Olive	7.0 mo	$263K	10 days	N/A
60	Ramseur	7.0 mo	$80K	10 days	N/A
61	Siler City	7.0 mo	$184K	19 days	N/A
62	Tobaccoville	7.0 mo	$650K	65 days	N/A
63	Winfall	7.0 mo	$291K	2 days	N/A
64	Four Oaks	6.8 mo	$335K	10 days	N/A
65	Lillington	6.8 mo	$337K	97 days	+2.3%
66	Sunset Beach	6.8 mo	$629K	67 days	N/A
67	Silver Lake	6.7 mo	$565K	57 days	N/A
68	Carolina Beach	6.6 mo	$739K	92 days	+14.5%
69	Woodfin	6.6 mo	$385K	128 days	-16.3%
70	Avon	6.5 mo	$590K	219 days	N/A
71	Black Mountain	6.5 mo	$541K	71 days	+36.9%
72	Caswell Beach	6.5 mo	$568K	153 days	N/A
73	Forest City	6.5 mo	$228K	145 days	N/A
74	Northlakes	6.5 mo	$385K	84 days	N/A
75	River Bend	6.5 mo	$279K	15 days	N/A
76	Spencer	6.5 mo	$210K	264 days	N/A
77	Dunn	6.3 mo	$275K	57 days	+14.1%
78	Emerald Isle	6.3 mo	$1.15M	110 days	+85.8%
79	Fremont	6.3 mo	$264K	69 days	N/A
80	Cherryville	6.2 mo	$263K	82 days	-6.7%

Understanding Buyer's Markets in North Carolina

North Carolina currently has 80 buyer's markets—cities where housing inventory exceeds 6 months. In these markets, buyers typically have more negotiating power, can take their time making decisions, and may be able to purchase below asking price.

What Makes a Good Buyer's Market?

High inventory (6+ months supply): More homes than active buyers
Longer days on market: Sellers are more motivated to negotiate
Sale prices below list: Homes often sell under asking
Price stability or decline: Less upward pressure on prices

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Carolina a buyer's market in 2026?

Some areas of North Carolina are buyer's markets in 2026, with 80 cities showing more than 6 months of housing inventory. This means buyers have more choices, less competition, and greater negotiating power in these areas.

What defines a buyer's market in real estate?

A buyer's market occurs when housing supply exceeds demand, typically with more than 6 months of inventory on the market. Homes take longer to sell, price reductions are common, and buyers can negotiate favorable terms including lower prices, seller concessions, and contingencies.

How can buyers take advantage of a buyer's market in North Carolina?

In a North Carolina buyer's market, you can negotiate below asking price, request seller concessions (closing costs, repairs), include contingencies without losing deals, and take more time to make decisions. Working with an experienced local agent helps you identify the best opportunities and negotiate effectively.

Are home prices dropping in North Carolina?

Home prices vary significantly across North Carolina cities. Some buyer's market areas are seeing price reductions, while other regions maintain stable or rising prices. Check our city-level data for current median prices and year-over-year trends in your target area.

Is it a good time to buy a house in North Carolina?

Buyer's market conditions in parts of North Carolina present opportunities with more inventory, less competition, and negotiating leverage. However, the "right time" also depends on mortgage rates, your financial readiness, and local market conditions. A North Carolina real estate agent can help you evaluate whether current conditions align with your goals.

Should I wait for prices to drop further before buying?

Timing the market perfectly is nearly impossible. If you find a home you love in a North Carolina buyer's market at a price that works for your budget, waiting carries risk—rates could rise or inventory could tighten. Many buyers find that negotiating a good deal in today's market beats waiting for uncertain future conditions.

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North Carolina Buyer's Markets