Quick answer: In August 2026, the median sale price in Wilmington, NC was $469,689, up 3.2% from a year earlier, and the typical home took 56 days to sell, about 30 days longer than in August 2025 (Redfin, August 2026). More homes are on the market across the region, and buyers have more time to think than they did a year ago.
Welcome to the first post in a monthly series. Every month I’ll pull the latest numbers for Wilmington and the surrounding towns, explain what they mean in plain English, and share a few things happening around town that affect homeowners. No hype, no predictions dressed up as facts, just the data with the sources and dates attached.
The numbers
All figures below come from Redfin’s public market pages for the most recent month each page showed when I checked on September 23, 2026. A few towns lag a month or two, and I’ve noted that where it applies. Beach towns and smaller markets have small sample sizes, so single-month swings there can look bigger than they really are.
- Wilmington (city): median sale price $469,689, up 3.2% year over year; 56 median days on market (up 30 days); 569 homes sold (up 3.7%); sale-to-list ratio 97.3% (Redfin, August 2026).
- New Hanover County: median sale price $503,523, up 9.5%; 49 median days on market (up 18 days); 435 homes sold (up 6.3%); sale-to-list ratio 98.1% (Redfin, July 2026, the latest month shown).
- Leland: median sale price $414,266, up 6.0%; 88 median days on market (up 50 days); 351 homes sold (up 12.8%); sale-to-list ratio 98.5% (Redfin, August 2026).
- Hampstead: median sale price $391,241, down 22.3%; 93 median days on market (up 54 days); 92 homes sold (up 109.8%); sale-to-list ratio 98.1% (Redfin, August 2026). One caution: Redfin’s separate 28443 ZIP page showed a $509,885 median for June 2026, so Hampstead’s monthly median moves a lot depending on which homes happened to close. Watch the trend, not one month.
- Carolina Beach: median sale price $674,554, up 4.6%; 98 median days on market (up 26 days); 109 homes sold (up 0.7%); sale-to-list ratio 97.4% (Redfin, August 2026).
- Wrightsville Beach: median sale price $1,644,605, down 5.3%; 100 median days on market (up 87 days); 37 homes sold (up from 26); sale-to-list ratio 96.3% (Redfin, June 2026, the latest month shown).
Two more data points for context. The Brunswick County Association of REALTORS® reported 671 homes sold in Brunswick County in July 2026, up 4.4% from July 2025, with a median sale price of $396,750 (up 10.2%), an absorption rate of just under four months, and new construction making up 37% of sales (BCAR report released August 27, 2026, as covered by WilmingtonBiz on September 4, 2026). Statewide, NC REALTORS® put North Carolina at 5.81 months of supply in August 2026 with closed sales down 13.1% year over year (NC REALTORS® August 2026 NC Housing Report).
What it means if you’re buying
- You have time to breathe. With Wilmington homes sitting a median of 56 days in August 2026 versus roughly 26 a year earlier (Redfin), the “decide tonight or lose it” pressure has eased for most price points. You can sleep on it, see it twice, and bring your inspector.
- Negotiate the inspection, not just the price. Sale-to-list ratios in the 97% to 98.5% range mean most sellers are already taking a little under asking. Where I see the real wins right now is in repair credits, seller-paid rate buydowns, and closing cost help. My buying a home in Wilmington guide walks through the due-diligence period and how to use it.
- Budget the whole payment, not just the loan. Between the 2026 property tax changes and insurance, the monthly number can surprise people. Read my 2026 property tax and homeowners insurance cost posts before you set a price ceiling, and the cost of living in Wilmington guide if you’re relocating.
- Compare the towns, not just the houses. Leland’s August median ($414,266) sat about $55,000 under Wilmington’s, and Brunswick County’s new-construction share is high. If you’re weighing the river crossing, my Leland vs. Wilmington comparison covers commute, taxes, and the bridge question.
What it means if you’re selling
- Price to the last 60 days of comps, not last spring. Prices are still up year over year in most of the region, but buyers are comparing your home against more listings than they were a year ago. A list price that matches what actually closed nearby in the last two months tends to draw the early showings that lead to offers.
- Plan for weeks, not days. A median of 56 days in Wilmington and 88 in Leland (Redfin, August 2026) means a well-priced home can still go quickly, but “quick” now often means a few weeks. Build that into your moving timeline.
- Expect a little off asking. Wilmington’s 97.3% sale-to-list ratio in August 2026 (Redfin) means a $500,000 list price typically closed near $486,500. Deciding in advance what you’ll do with a request for credits keeps negotiations calm.
- Condition and prep matter more when buyers have choices. Pre-listing repairs, clean inspections, and honest disclosures are the things I see moving homes in this market. My selling a house in Wilmington guide has the full checklist.
Rates
Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey put the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.95% for the week of September 17, 2026, up from 6.76% the week before and 6.26% a year earlier. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.26% (Freddie Mac PMMS, September 17, 2026). That’s a national survey average; the quote you get depends on your credit, down payment, loan type, and the lender, and rate buydowns paid by sellers are a real option in this market. If rates stay near 7%, payment math will keep shaping what buyers can offer, which is worth remembering on both sides of the table.
Around town this month
- Cape Fear Memorial Bridge hearings (September 14 and 15, 2026). NCDOT held public hearings in Wilmington and Leland on two replacement alternatives: a movable-span bridge with 65 to 135 feet of clearance, or a fixed 135-foot span. Public comments are open through October 15, 2026 (NCDOT, August 14, 2026). On September 22, 2026, Leland Town Council discussed a resolution asking for a federal review of vessel clearance rules in hopes of a smaller, toll-free design (WECT, September 22, 2026). My bridge toll explainer has the background.
- Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center is open. The 66-bed, $294 million hospital at 151 Scotts Hill Medical Drive, on the New Hanover and Pender county line, opened to patients July 2, 2026 (Novant Health, June 17, 2026), following a June dedication ceremony (WilmingtonBiz, June 12, 2026). It’s a meaningful change for the Porters Neck and Hampstead corridor; see is Hampstead a good place to live for the bigger picture on that area.
- More choices at the beach. WilmingtonBiz reported on September 9, 2026 that Wrightsville Beach listings rose from 32 to 47 and that 62 area properties were listed above $3 million (WilmingtonBiz, September 9, 2026). If you’re comparing the two beaches, start with Wrightsville Beach vs. Carolina Beach.
Want the numbers for your neighborhood or your house?
City-wide medians are a starting point. What your street is doing can be very different. Call or text Tabi at 910-983-8963, or send me a note, and I’ll pull the comps for your neighborhood.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wilmington NC housing market cooling in 2026?
It’s slowing in pace more than in price. Wilmington’s median sale price was up 3.2% year over year in August 2026, but median days on market rose to 56, about 30 days longer than a year earlier (Redfin, August 2026). More listings and longer sale times point to a more balanced market than 2025.
What is the median home price in Wilmington NC right now?
Redfin reported a median sale price of $469,689 for the city of Wilmington in August 2026, up 3.2% from August 2025. For New Hanover County overall, the July 2026 median was $503,523 (Redfin). Neighborhood medians vary widely, so treat these as a starting point.
How long do homes take to sell in Wilmington NC?
In August 2026, the median home in Wilmington went under contract after 56 days on market, up from about 26 days a year earlier (Redfin, August 2026). Leland ran 88 days, Carolina Beach 98, and Hampstead 93 in the same month. Well-priced, well-prepared homes still tend to sell faster than the median.
Is it a buyer’s or seller’s market in Wilmington NC?
Closer to balanced than it has been. Redfin rated Wilmington “somewhat competitive” (score 53 of 100) in August 2026, with homes closing at 97.3% of list price. NC REALTORS® reported 5.81 months of supply statewide for August 2026. Buyers have more leverage than in 2025; sellers still see year-over-year price gains.
Tabetha Klein, REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage · 910-983-8963 · www.makingilmhome.com. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Figures reflect sources available as of September 2026 and are for general information only; they are not a guarantee of value, a forecast, or an appraisal. Market data changes monthly and varies by neighborhood, price range, and property type. Please verify current figures with your agent or lender before making decisions.
Sources: Redfin, Wilmington NC housing market (August 2026); Redfin, New Hanover County (July 2026); Redfin, Leland (August 2026); Redfin, Hampstead (August 2026) and Redfin, 28443 (June 2026); Redfin, Carolina Beach (August 2026); Redfin, Wrightsville Beach (June 2026); WilmingtonBiz, Brunswick County July 2026 home sales (September 4, 2026); NC REALTORS® August 2026 NC Housing Report; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (week of September 17, 2026); NCDOT (August 14, 2026); WECT (September 22, 2026); WilmingtonBiz, Scotts Hill dedication (June 12, 2026); Novant Health, Scotts Hill opens to patients July 2 (June 17, 2026); WilmingtonBiz (September 9, 2026).
