Buddy Blake Team · Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
Market insights: Columbus County
September 26, 2026
(910) 395‑1000 · buddyblake.ai
In Columbus County, 1 in 3 Listings Didn't Sell
Over the last 12 months in Columbus County, 288 homes sold and 148 didn't. Homes priced right from the start sold in 27 days, while ones that needed price cuts took 85 days and still closed at a lower percent of asking. Typical sale price was $220,000, with buyers paying a median 92.8% of first asking price.
Which pile do you want to be in?
Out of every 20 homes listed in Columbus County over the last 12 months, the solid houses sold. The outlined ones expired, were withdrawn or were canceled.
Priced right from day one: sold in a median 27 days. Needed price cuts: 85 days, and sold for 88.9% of the first price.
What waiting costs
| Mortgage (principal + interest) | $1,174 |
| Property taxes | $148 |
| Homeowners insurance | $250 |
| Upkeep | $183 |
| Utilities | $250 |
| About | $2,010 |
About $2,010 every month the home sits.
Listings that didn't sell stayed on the market a median of 180 days — roughly $11,900 in holding costs, and the home still didn't sell.
An example, not a quote: 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.03% (Freddie Mac average, 2026-09-24); Columbus County rate 0.805 per $100 (NC Department of Revenue, 2025-26 county rates); town taxes add more inside town limits; insurance, upkeep (1% of value a year) and utilities are typical estimates. If your home is paid off, the mortgage line drops out — the rest still adds up.
When contracts fall apart
Contracts that fell apart
28%
111 of about 401 before closing
Those homes that later sold
63%
32% never sold
Sold vs. first ask after a fall-through
88.5%
vs. 93.5% on the first contract
Days to sell after a fall-through
156
vs. 45 on the first contract
The MLS doesn't record why a contract ends. In our experience the most common reasons are home inspection findings, appraisals that come in below the price, and buyer financing. How buyers paid on closed sales: conventional 33% · cash 29% · VA 11% · FHA 20%.
If you're selling
- Price it right from day one: homes priced correctly sold in 27 days, homes that needed cuts took 85 days.
- The $400-500K range struggled most, with a 41% did-not-sell rate. Under $300K did best at 31%.
- 28% of contracts fell apart before closing, most often inspection, appraisal or financing issues in general industry experience.
- If your contract falls through, most homes that later sold still got 88.5% of asking, but it took 156 days instead of 45.
If you're buying
- Typical buyers paid 92.8% of first asking price, and 84% of sales closed below the original ask.
- Homes that never sold sat a median of 180 days before coming off the market, so slow movers are out there to watch for.
- Financing splits: 33% conventional, 29% cash, 20% FHA, 11% VA. Cash and conventional buyers led the pack.
Did you know?
- 1 in 4 contracts in Columbus County fell apart before closing.
- Homes that had a contract fall apart but later sold anyway still closed at 88.5% of asking price.
- Carrying an unsold $220,000 home for the median 180 days that never sold runs about an estimated $11,900.
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For sellers
Listings that didn't sell
34%
up 1.4 pts from a year ago
148 expired, withdrawn or canceled vs 288 sold
Sold vs. first asking price
92.8%
about the same as a year ago
median sale price ÷ original list price
Sold below first asking
84%
share of homes that sold
Price cut on homes that didn't sell
3.1%
median — and they still didn't sell
For buyers
True days on market
70
up 13 days from a year ago
median for sold homes, counted from the first listing
Typical room below first ask
7.2%
how far under the original price homes sold
Didn't sell, then sold on a relist
16%
of listings that didn't sell the first time
Median sold price
$220K
about the same as a year ago
288 homes sold
The last 24 months
30% latest month · Aug 26
54 latest month · Aug 26
92.2% latest month · Aug 26
By starting price
| First asking | Sold | Didn't sell | % didn't sell | True days | Sold vs. first ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 202 | 90 | 31% | 54 | 93.0% |
| $300–400K | 45 | 30 | 40% | 86 | 93.4% |
| $400–500K | 23 | 16 | 41% | 88 | 92.5% |
| $500–750K | 16 | 8 | 33% | 82 | 90.7% |
| $750K–1M | 2 | 2 | 50% | 308 | 92.0% |
| $1M+ | 0 | 2 | 100% | — | — |
By town
| Town | Sold | Didn't sell | % didn't sell | True days | Sold vs. first ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | 114 | 54 | 32% | 70 | 93.4% |
| Tabor City | 59 | 26 | 31% | 57 | 92.9% |
Homes only (land excluded), last 12 months unless noted. "Didn't sell" = listings that expired, were withdrawn or were canceled (some owners stop for reasons that have nothing to do with the market); true days on market counts from the first listing, even when a home was relisted. Source: Hive MLS listing and sales records, updated September 26, 2026. Totals only — no individual listing is shown. Buddy Blake Team · Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage · (910) 395‑1000