Where can you buy new construction near Wilmington, NC? Active communities in September 2026 include Riverlights and Sidbury Station in New Hanover County, Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe and Mallory Creek around Leland, and several Hampstead communities. Builders’ starting prices range from about $270,000 for townhomes to $700,000 and up. Before you visit a model home, know who represents you and read the builder’s contract.
I’m Tabi, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. New construction is a big part of the market around Wilmington, especially across the river in Brunswick County and up US 17 in Pender. It’s also where buyers most often walk in without their own representation. The friendly person in the model home works for the builder. Here’s what’s being built, what’s changed in 2026 and how to protect yourself.
New construction communities selling in 2026
Prices below are the builders’ own advertised starting prices as of September 2026. They change often and may not include lot premiums, options or upgrades.
New Hanover County
- Riverlights (south Wilmington): the developer lists several builders, including Charter Building Group, Legacy Homes by Bill Clark, New Leaf, Trusst Builder Group and PBC Design+Build. Trusst advertises homes from the mid $500s. See my Riverlights page.
- River Bluffs (Castle Hayne): Charter Building Group advertises homes from the mid $700s and homesites from the high $200s.
- Sidbury Station (Castle Hayne area): D.R. Horton builds single-family homes here, and townhomes at The Landing at Sidbury Station are advertised from $269,999. See my Castle Hayne page.
Brunswick County (Leland area)
- Brunswick Forest: builders include Legacy Homes by Bill Clark, Stanley Martin, Trusst and Kent Homes. Confirm whether a listed price includes the lot.
- Compass Pointe: Kent Homes lists homes from about $476,000 to $633,100. Trusst and Legacy Homes by Bill Clark also build here.
- Del Webb at Mallory Creek: an age-restricted 55+ community, with homes advertised from $379,990.
- Lennar: builds in Leland, Calabash, Ocean Isle Beach and Shallotte. Hunters Trace in Calabash is advertised from $300,000.
My Leland buyer’s guide covers the area in more detail.
Pender County (Hampstead)
- Salters Haven: Legacy Homes by Bill Clark, from $394,000.
- Southwater Village: LGI Homes, from $284,900.
- Magnolia Reserve: American Homesmith, from $399,900.
- Sawyers Run: Stevens Fine Homes, with homes listed from $385,000 on the builder’s site.
- East Wynd: Mungo Homes from $619,435 and Charter Building Group from $747,900.
Hampstead prices come from builder websites and NewHomeSource listings checked in late September 2026. See my Hampstead area page for more on the area.
What changed in 2026: sewer capacity in Brunswick County
This is the biggest new-construction story in the region right now. Brunswick County has approved roughly 61,000 residential units since 2015, but only about 8,006 had been built as of March 2026 (county development dashboard via WilmingtonBiz, March 13, 2026).
A 2023 state law changed how sewer capacity is counted. Capacity already promised to approved projects now counts as if it’s in use. As a result, the state Department of Environmental Quality put projects that would connect to the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility on hold until the county finished accounting for that promised capacity. One affected project is Waterway, a planned community of about 1,100 homes near Southport. The county said in February 2026 that it had a path forward for its Northeast Brunswick plant. As of late September 2026, I haven’t found any report that the West Brunswick hold has been lifted. The county has said expansions at both plants are under construction or in planning and permitting (Port City Daily, February 24, 2026; WECT, March 2, 2026; WilmingtonBiz, April 13, 2026).
What this means for you: if you’re buying a lot or a to-be-built home in Brunswick County, ask the builder in writing whether sewer service is permitted for your specific lot, and what happens to your deposit if construction is delayed.
Utility connection fees are rising too. H2GO, which serves much of the Leland area, raised its water and sewer system development fees on July 1, 2026, from a combined $11,600 to $15,800 per home (Brunswick County Association of REALTORS, July 2026). Builders usually pay these fees, but they end up in the price.
New construction in North Carolina: what’s different
- There’s no state-required builder warranty. North Carolina doesn’t require builders to provide a written warranty. Courts recognize an implied warranty of workmanlike construction, but a contract can waive it (NC Bar Association blog, January 2025). Builder warranties vary. A “1-2-10” structure (1 year for workmanship, 2 for systems, 10 for structural) is common but not required. Read yours carefully.
- No Residential Property Disclosure on a first sale. The first sale of a home that has never been lived in is exempt from North Carolina’s Residential Property and Owners’ Association Disclosure Statement (G.S. 47E-2). The mineral, oil and gas disclosure still applies.
- Different contract forms. For a home that isn’t built yet, NC REALTORS® Form 800-T (Offer to Purchase and Contract, New Construction) is used. For a completed or nearly completed home, the standard contract is used with Form 2A3-T (New Construction Addendum). Many builders use their own contracts instead, which usually favor the builder. That’s a good reason to have your own agent and, if needed, a real estate attorney review them.
Protect yourself as a new-construction buyer
- Bring your own agent from the first visit. Many builders require your agent to register you on your first visit. Under current industry rules, you’ll sign a written buyer agreement with your agent before touring, and agent compensation is negotiable.
- Get independent inspections. Even a brand-new home can have issues. Consider a pre-drywall inspection, a final inspection before closing and an 11-month inspection before your one-year warranty ends.
- Compare builder incentives to outside financing. Builders often tie incentives to their own lender. For example, Del Webb at Mallory Creek advertised up to $24,000 toward closing costs with Pulte Mortgage in September 2026, and Lennar advertises rate buydowns on select homes. Get a quote from an outside lender too, and compare the total cost. My post on pre-approval vs. pre-qualification explains the first step.
- Read the HOA documents. New communities often have HOA budgets set by the developer that change once homeowners take over. My HOA fees guide covers what to look for.
- Check flood risk and future roads. New communities are sometimes built on land near wetlands or future road projects. Check the flood zone and nearby NCDOT plans. My flood zones guide and 2026 road projects roundup can help.
- Confirm the utility. Ask which utility will provide water and sewer. My water quality guide explains the differences across the three counties.
The market right now
The broader market gives new-construction buyers some room to negotiate. In April 2026, the Cape Fear region’s median sale price was $430,000, up 7.5% from a year earlier, with 4,490 active listings and 4.1 months of supply, according to Cape Fear REALTORS® data (WilmingtonBiz, June 1, 2026). More inventory generally means more incentives and more time to decide. If you’ll need to sell your current place first, my guide to selling a house in Wilmington covers timing and contingencies. Weighing an older home you could update instead? See this 1970s rancher renovation, before and after.
If you’re looking at new construction anywhere from Leland to Hampstead, I’d love to walk the models with you, compare builders and review the contract before you sign.
Call or text Tabi: 910-983-8963 · www.makingilmhome.com
Frequently asked questions
Where are new construction homes being built near Wilmington, NC?
Active communities in 2026 include Riverlights and Sidbury Station in New Hanover County, River Bluffs in Castle Hayne, Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe and Mallory Creek around Leland, and Salters Haven, Southwater Village, Magnolia Reserve, Sawyers Run and East Wynd in Hampstead. Builders’ advertised starting prices range from about $270,000 for townhomes to over $700,000.
Should I use my own real estate agent for new construction?
Yes. The builder’s sales agent represents the builder. Many builders require your agent to register you on your first visit, so bring your agent from the start. Your agent can help you compare builders, negotiate incentives and review the builder’s contract.
Do new construction homes in North Carolina come with a warranty?
North Carolina doesn’t require a written builder warranty. Courts recognize an implied warranty of workmanlike construction, but a contract can waive it. Most builders offer their own warranty, often structured as 1 year for workmanship, 2 for systems and 10 for structural, so read the terms carefully.
Why is new construction paused in parts of Brunswick County?
A 2023 state law changed how sewer capacity is counted, and the NC Department of Environmental Quality put projects connecting to the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility on hold until the county accounted for capacity already promised. In early 2026, affected projects included a planned 1,100-home community near Southport. As of late September 2026, I haven’t found any report that the hold has been lifted.
Do I need a home inspection on a new build?
It’s a good idea. Consider a pre-drywall inspection, a final inspection before closing and an 11-month inspection before a one-year builder warranty ends.
Tabetha Klein, REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage · 910-983-8963 · www.makingilmhome.com. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Community and price information comes from builder and developer websites and NewHomeSource, checked September 2026; prices, availability and incentives change frequently and may not include lot premiums or options. Other sources: WilmingtonBiz (March 13 and June 1, 2026); Port City Daily (February 24, 2026); WECT (March 2, 2026); Brunswick County Association of REALTORS (July 2026); NC General Statutes Chapter 47E; NC REALTORS®; NC Bar Association blog (January 2025). This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult a North Carolina real estate attorney about builder contracts.
Sources: Riverlights: Homebuilders · Charter Building Group: River Bluffs · D.R. Horton: The Landing at Sidbury Station · Kent Homes: Compass Pointe · NewHomeSource: Del Webb at Mallory Creek · Lennar: Wilmington area · Legacy Homes: Salters Haven · NewHomeSource: Hampstead · WilmingtonBiz: Sewer permit dispute (Mar 13, 2026) · Port City Daily: Brunswick sewer capacity (Feb 24, 2026) · BCAR: H2GO fee increase · NC G.S. 47E-2 · NC REALTORS: Form 800-T vs. 2A3-T · NC Bar Blog: Construction warranty myth · WilmingtonBiz: Cape Fear market (June 2026)
