While Wilmington’s housing market provides more choices for buyers, there are a few key takeaways that will help you navigate fluctuations in the housing market. One of the most notable factors of the current market, is the increase in active listings. Available homes for sale have been on a steady incline since May 2023. A year-over-year comparison indicates the 3,378 active listings in February 2025 increased 17.8 percent compared to the 2,867 active homes a year ago. A 5.1 percent increase was also evident when compared to inventory from the previous month. New listings for the Wilmington MSA totaled 1,434, a 24.1 percent increase from the previous month. Year-over-year the new listings increased a total of 11.34 percent. Pending sales rose to 1,097, representing an 8.6 percent increase from January 2025. Month’s supply of inventory saw a 14.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. Ending the year with 4.7 months of inventory, the Wilmington MSA experienced a 14.1 percent increase compared to the 3.9 months of supply in February 2024.

Closed sales for the Wilmington MSA experienced a 3.3 percent increase compared to December 2024. This increase led to a total of 757 sales in February 2025. Compared to February 2024, closed sales experienced an uptick of 3.3 percent. This 757 closed sales experienced an average of 79 Cumulative Days on Market. The average cumulative days on market experienced a year-over-year increase of 17.9 percent. Just as the prices and active listings increase, the Days on Market is also experiencing a similar positive trend. A month-over-month comparison highlights an increase of 11.3 percent in cumulative Days on Market.

“The 2025 market continues to establish the pace for how the rest of the year will perform. Some key factors that stand out are market expansion, seasonal variations, stable prices, and longer sales cycle,” states 2025CFR President Brittany Allen. “As the market increases in inventory, we will shift into a more neutral market. The seasonal variations the Wilmington MSA experiences are cyclical in nature. As the weather warms up, so does that market. These variations are comparable to year-over-year variations. The decrease in median sales price indicates a stabilization of prices. As the median sales price stabilizes, more people may look to upgrade homes. The past few years, the median sales price rose drastically in the market and the U.S. During this time, we experienced an increase in renovation projects as homeowners committed to their low prices and mortgage rates. The longer sales cycle is especially important for the consumer. Whether you are listing or selling, it is important to adjust expectations to match the current market.”

If you have plans to enter the market in 2025, we believe that the REALTOR® difference is crucial to your transaction. Cape Fear REALTORS® members are well equipped to guide a buyer or seller through the increase in active listings and slower sales. When looking to step into the demands of the housing market in the Cape Fear region, look for the R. That’s the REALTOR® difference.

Cape Fear REALTORS® continues to monitor the housing market activity and provide monthly updates. Working with an expert who keeps a watchful eye on trends and follows the Code of Ethics is important. That’s Who We R.