Housing Reports
Triangle NC Real Estate Market Report
Updated on 10/26/2026. This report is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Market data can change after our report is created.
Raleigh NC Housing Data From September 2026
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The Leaves Are Turning, and So Is the Market
The Triangle crossed a line in September. For the first time in a long while, the numbers point to a Balanced Market. Homes took a little longer to sell, inventory kept growing, and prices eased. Neither buyers nor sellers hold the clear upper hand right now. That makes good advice and good pricing more important than ever.
At Five County Specialists🔑, we believe accurate data is the key to making confident moves. Here's what shaped our market in September and what it could mean for your next step.
Quick Market Update Video
The Big Picture: September vs. August
September was a quieter month. The Median Sales Price dipped 1.7% to $400,000. Closed Sales fell 6.6%, and New Listings were down 2.8%. Homes took a bit longer to sell, with Median Days on Market up 8.6% to 38 days. Even with fewer new listings, Active Inventory edged up 0.7%. With fewer sales and slightly more homes for sale, Months of Inventory rose 7.8% to 4.3. That moves the Triangle out of seller territory and into a Balanced Market. Home Affordability held steady at 86.
Key Triangle Stats Comparing September 2026 to August 2026:
- The Median Sales Price reached $400,000, which is down 1.7% from August.
- Closed Sales hit 2,993. That's 6.6% fewer than in August.
- Median Days on Market (DOM) ticked up to 38 days, up 8.6% from last month.
- List Price Received dropped to 98.4%, a 0.2% decrease from August.
- Median Sold Price per SqFt fell to $203, a 0.5% decrease from August.
- New Listings came in at 4,355. That's 2.8% fewer than August.
- Active Inventory grew to 13,017, a 0.7% increase in total choices for buyers.
- Months of Inventory (MOI) is up to 4.3, a 7.8% increase.
- Home Affordability held steady at 86, unchanged from August.
Today's Triangle Real Estate Data
Below find automatically updated real estate data from DMLS based on today's market.
| SF Detached Homes | Condos/Townhomes | Land | |
| New Listings Count (2wks) | |||
| Active Listings Count | |||
| Under Contract/Pending Listings Count | |||
| Recently Sold* Listings Count | |||
| Average For Sale Price (New Listings) | |||
| Average For Sale Price (Active) | |||
| Average Price (Under Contract/Pending) | |||
| Average Recently Sold* Price | |||
| Avg Price Per Square Foot: Active | N/A | ||
| Average Price Per Square Foot: Recently Sold* Listings | N/A | ||
*Recently Sold Data reflects listings sold within the last 3 months. Contact us at 919-887-5114 for a free custom sold report.
Comparing the Housing Market to Last Year
Compared to September 2025, the Triangle has more homes and less urgency. The Median Sales Price is down 1.5%, and the median price per square foot is down 1.0%. Closed Sales dipped 3.3%. Homes are taking 11.8% longer to sell than they did a year ago. Supply is still the biggest shift. New Listings are up 5.1%, Active Inventory is up 14.4%, and Months of Inventory is up 18.2%. Buyers have noticeably more choices than they did last September. Home Affordability is down 1.1% from a year ago. Sellers are getting 98.4% of list price, down just 0.1% from last year, so well-priced homes are still selling close to asking.
Our Triangle Real Estate Outlook
Rates are still the big story. After the Federal Reserve's September rate hike, mortgage rates kept climbing. Freddie Mac's average 30-year fixed rate went from 6.95% the week of September 17 to 7.40% for the weeks of October 8 and October 15. It eased slightly to 7.32% on October 22, but that's still well above the 6.19% of a year ago. Buyers shopping this fall face noticeably higher payments than buyers did this summer.
Nationally, NAR reported 4.8 months of supply in September and a median existing-home price of $417,500. At 4.3 months, the Triangle is now in the balanced range, but still a little tighter than the country as a whole. With rates above 7%, buyers will likely stay careful, and homes may keep taking longer to sell through the fall.
Sellers who price accurately and market aggressively should still be able to sell faster for more. Those who overprice risk becoming stale inventory as we move into winter.
For buyers, the light is getting a little brighter. There are more homes to choose from than a year ago, less frenzied competition, and enough time to think before making an offer. Historically, fall and winter are the best times to buy a home, rising rates or not. After all, you can always refinance if rates drop, but they are now expected to rise again. Think of the rate outlook as a return to normal. Historically, the 30-year fixed interest rate averages around 7.68%.
What The Latest Triangle Real Estate Data Means For You
For Buyers: A Balanced Market Means Room to Negotiate
With 4.3 months of supply on the market, the Raleigh area is now a Balanced Market. The median home is sitting 38 days, up from 35 days in August. That means buyers have real time to compare options and negotiate. Home Affordability sits at 86, holding steady from last month. Rate buy-downs and seller concessions are becoming more common as inventory grows, and they can help offset today's higher rates.
Pro Tip: Fall is Prime House Hunting Season. Homes that were listed in spring and summer but didn't sell are now getting tired. Motivated sellers who've already reduced prices once often do so again as we approach the holidays. October and November have historically been the best times to find deals in the Triangle. If you're thinking about buying, get pre-approved now so you can move quickly when you find the right property.
The Triangle East Advantage For Buyers
On the eastern side of the Triangle, we continue to see incredible value. While the Triangle-wide recent Average Sold Price* sits at , East Wake communities often offer more house and land for the money. We are seeing buyers looking here for space without the Western Wake price tag. Zebulon's recent Average Sold Price* sits at . While Cary's recent Average Sold Price* is , and Apex sits at .
Go a little further East of Raleigh, and the recent Average Sold Price comes down even more. Rocky Mount's comes in at . Louisburg is . If you're considering a move to Triangle East, reach out to us for guidance.
*The Average Sold Price is based on the last 3 months of sales directly from the MLS.
For Raleigh Sellers: Price It Right From Day One
Sellers are still receiving about 98.4% of list price. That's down just 0.2% from August, so homes priced right are still selling close to asking. But with more homes to choose from than a year ago, buyers have more negotiating power. We can compare today's average for sale price () to the average sold price over the last 3 months () to spot any disconnect between asking and actual selling prices.
With the median home sitting 38 days, up 8.6% from August, the window for a quick sale is closing for overpriced homes. Price at or just below market value from day one. Well-prepared homes that are priced correctly are still generating offers within days. Those priced 5-10% above market are sitting, accumulating days on market, and attracting low-ball offers from investors looking for deals. In a Balanced Market, accuracy beats optimism every time.
The silver lining: sellers willing to price competitively, properly prepare, and invest in professional presentation (staging, photography, marketing) are still winning. Buyers have more leverage than before, but it's a balanced market, not a buyer's market. You still have time to make the right move.
- Do: Price strategically based on recent sold comps, not your wishful thinking. Hire a highly experience listing agent who has sold homes in a shifting market. They will be your best resource for a competitive price.
- Don't: Hold out for top dollar and risk becoming a "stale" listing. The cost of sitting on the market far exceeds the any perceived benefit of pricing 3-5% higher.
What Could Your Home Sell For Today?
Whether you're thinking about selling (or you're just curious) you can keep track of the value for free. Simply tell us about your home, and we'll send you a free report.
Town By Town: See Today's Market Data By City (More Coming Soon)
Why Choose The Five County Specialists Team?
In a shifting market, experience matters. We're no longer in a market where all an agent needs to do is stick a sign in the yard, cross their fingers, and wait. There are many names out there, but there is only one true Five County Specialists team. We live, work, and serve right here in our local communities. We eat, sleep, and breathe Triangle East real estate. We've been in the business a long time, and we have extensive experience in a myriad of real estate transactions. From buying land and building your dream home to buying investment properties, rightsizing, and everything in between, we've done it, and we would be honored to help you achieve your real estate goals.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Triangle Housing Market Questions
- Is it a Buyers or Sellers market right now?
As of our September 2026 report, the Triangle is a Balanced Market. At 4.3 months of supply, neither buyers nor sellers have a clear edge. The median home is sitting 38 days, buyers have more time to shop, and sellers who overprice risk becoming stale inventory. Well-priced homes still sell close to asking, at 98.4% of list price.
- Are home prices in Wake County falling?
Slightly. Across the Triangle, the Median Sales Price dipped 1.7% from August and 1.5% from a year ago. These are modest declines, likely driven by a combination of higher interest rates and seasonal market shifts. For sellers, this underscores the importance of accurate pricing from day one.
- Should I wait for mortgage rates to drop before buying in the Triangle?
Waiting for the "perfect" rate can be a risky strategy in the Raleigh area. Data from February 2026 suggests that as soon as rates dipped into the high 5% range, buyer demand surged immediately, often leading to multiple-offer situations that drove prices up. Additionally, rates are not expected to drop this year. In fact, they could go up. The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate in September 2026, and Freddie Mac's average 30-year rate reached 7.40% in mid-October. It's best to buy when you're ready. If rates do go down in the future, you can refinance. If they go up, you will have locked in a good rate and be building equity.
- Where can I find the best real estate value near Raleigh right now?
The "East Wake" and "Triangle East" corridor continues to offer strong value in 2026. While core Raleigh and Cary prices hover between $449k and $630k, communities like Zebulon, Wendell, and Knightdale offer median prices in the high $300s. These areas provide more square footage and larger lots without the high Western Wake price tag, and Home Affordability scores are higher as well.