Housing Reports
Triangle NC Real Estate Market Report
Updated on 9/22/2026. This report is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Market data can change after our report is created.
Raleigh NC Housing Data From August 2026
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Fall Is Here, and the Market Is Taking a Breath
Summer is over, and the Triangle market is slowing down with it. In August, homes took longer to sell and fewer new listings came on the market. Mortgage rates also climbed heading into September. That mix gives buyers more time to think, and it asks more of sellers. Precise pricing and great presentation matter now more than ever.
At Five County Specialists🔑, we believe accurate data is the key to making confident moves. Here's what shaped our market in August and what it could mean for your next step.
Quick Market Update Video
The Big Picture: August vs. July
On price, August looked a lot like July. The Median Sales Price slipped just 0.8%. Closed Sales fell 7.3%. The biggest change was time. Median Days on Market jumped 20.7% to 35 days as buyers took their time. Sellers pulled back too. New Listings dropped 11.1%, and Active Inventory dipped 2.4%. Because sales fell faster than inventory, Months of Inventory rose 5.2% to 4.0. That's still seller territory, but buyers have a little more room to breathe. Home Affordability held steady at 86.
Key Triangle Stats Comparing August 2026 to July 2026:
- The Median Sales Price reached $406,778, which is down 0.8% from July.
- Closed Sales hit 3,180. That's 7.3% fewer than in July.
- Median Days on Market (DOM) rose to 35 days, up 20.7% from last month.
- List Price Received rose to 98.6%, a 0.1% increase from July.
- Median Sold Price per SqFt fell to $205, a 1.0% decrease from July.
- New Listings came in at 4,401. That's 11.1% fewer than July.
- Active Inventory shrank to 12,643, a 2.4% decrease in total choices for buyers.
- Months of Inventory (MOI) is up to 4.0, a 5.2% increase.
- Home Affordability held steady at 86, unchanged from July.
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 August 2025, the Triangle is a little softer and a lot less rushed. The Median Sales Price is down 3.1%, and the median price per square foot is down 1.4%. Closed Sales dipped 1.6%. Homes are taking 12.9% longer to sell than they did a year ago. Supply is the biggest shift. New Listings are up 3.2%, Active Inventory is up 11.8%, and Months of Inventory is up 13.7%. Buyers have more choices and more leverage than they did last August. Home Affordability is up 1.2% from a year ago. And sellers are still getting 98.6% of list price, up 0.2% from last year, so well-priced homes are still selling close to asking.
Our Triangle Real Estate Outlook
Rates are the big story heading into fall. On September 16, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate by a quarter point, to a range of 3.75% to 4%. Mortgage rates were already rising. Freddie Mac's average 30-year fixed rate hit 6.95% for the week of September 17. That's up from 6.76% the week before and 6.26% a year ago. In August, when our local sales closed, that rate averaged 6.67%. So buyers shopping now face higher payments than August buyers did.
Nationally, NAR reported 4.9 months of supply in August. At 4.0 months, the Triangle is still tighter than the country as a whole. We're still in a seller's market here, but it's getting closer to the balanced range. With rates climbing, buyers will likely stay careful, and homes may keep taking longer to sell this 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: More Time, More Choices
With 4.0 months of supply on the market, the Raleigh area is still a Seller's Market, but it's shifting toward balance. The median home is sitting 35 days, up from about 29 days in July. 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.
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, for instance, scores 100 on Home Affordability, and the 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.
For Raleigh Sellers: Price It Right From Day One
Sellers are still receiving about 98.6% of list price. That's up 0.1% from July, 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 35 days, a 20.7% jump from July, 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. As the market shifts toward balance, 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. The buyer's advantage is modest, not overwhelming. You still have time to make the right move.
- Do: Price strategically based on recent sold comps, not your wishful thinking. Stage your home and invest in professional photography.
- Don't: Hold out for top dollar and risk becoming a "stale" listing. The cost of sitting on the market far exceeds the 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 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 August 2026 report, the market is still a Seller's Market, but it's cooling toward balance. At 4.0 months of supply, sellers retain the edge, but the shift is noticeable. The median home is sitting 35 days, buyers have more time to shop, and sellers who overprice risk becoming stale inventory. We'd describe it as a "cooling seller's market." It's not balanced yet, but it's moving in that direction as fall arrives.
- Are home prices in Wake County falling?
Slightly. Across the Triangle, the Median Sales Price dipped 0.8% from July and 3.1% 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 hit 6.95% the week of September 17. 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.