Market insights

What really happens to homes listed in Sea Trail Plantation, Sunset Beach

The numbers most home sites don't show: how many listings never sell, how long homes really take, and what they sell for against the first asking price.

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Buddy Blake Team · Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage

Market insights: Sea Trail Plantation, Sunset Beach

September 24, 2026
(910) 395‑1000 · buddyblake.ai

Sea Trail Plantation: 1 in 5 Listings Didn't Sell

In the Sea Trail Plantation neighborhood in Sunset Beach, 141 of 181 homes sold over the last 12 months, and 40 didn't sell. Homes priced right sold in a median of 41 days at 97.5% of asking, while listings that needed price cuts sat a median of 88 days before selling at 92.2%.

16 sold out of every 20 listed 4 didn't expired, withdrawn or canceled

Which pile do you want to be in?

Out of every 20 homes listed in Sea Trail Plantation, Sunset Beach 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 The outlined ones expired, were withdrawn or were canceled.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 11 days. Needed price cuts: 88 days, and sold for 92.2% of the first price.

What waiting costs

A typical $542,500 home, per month
Mortgage (principal + interest)$2,873
Property taxes$155
Homeowners insurance$250
Upkeep$452
Utilities$250
About$3,980

About $3,980 every month the home sits.

Listings that didn't sell stayed on the market a median of 156 days — roughly $20,400 in holding costs, and the home still didn't sell.

An example, not a quote: 20% down, 30-year fixed at 6.95% (Freddie Mac average, 2026-09-17); Brunswick County rate 0.342 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

16%

26 of about 168 before closing

Those homes that later sold

62%

35% never sold

Sold vs. first ask after a fall-through

96.3%

vs. 97.7% on the first contract

Days to sell after a fall-through

142

vs. 38 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 46% · cash 47% · VA 5% · FHA 0%.

If you're selling

  • Price it right from day one. Homes priced correctly moved in a median of 11 days, but those needing cuts sat a median of 88 days first.
  • Waiting has a cost. Listings that never sold sat a median of 156 days, and carrying a $545,000 home an extra month runs about an estimated $4,000.
  • 1 in 7 contracts fell apart before closing. Industry experience says this is most often inspection, appraisal or financing issues.
  • If a contract falls apart, most homes still sell. 60% went on to sell later, at a median 96.3% of asking, but it took a median of 150 days.

If you're buying

  • There's room to negotiate. 66% of Sea Trail Plantation homes sold below the first asking price, with a typical sale at 97.5% of asking.
  • Some homes sit a long time. Listings that never sold were on the market a median of 156 days.
  • Cash is common here. 47% of buyers paid cash, 45% used conventional financing, and 5% used VA loans.

Did you know?

  • 15% of contracts in Sea Trail Plantation fell apart before closing, about 1 in 7.
  • 47% of buyers paid all cash for their home.
  • Carrying a typical $545,000 home for an extra month runs about an estimated $4,000, based on a 6.95% mortgage rate.

For sellers

Listings that didn't sell

22%

about the same as a year ago

40 expired, withdrawn or canceled vs 142 sold

Sold vs. first asking price

97.5%

up 1.0 pts from a year ago

median sale price ÷ original list price

Sold below first asking

66%

share of homes that sold

Price cut on homes that didn't sell

0.9%

median — and they still didn't sell

For buyers

True days on market

41

up 15 days from a year ago

median for sold homes, counted from the first listing

Typical room below first ask

2.5%

how far under the original price homes sold

Didn't sell, then sold on a relist

30%

of listings that didn't sell the first time

Median sold price

$543K

up 11.0% from a year ago

142 homes sold

By starting price

First askingSoldDidn't sell% didn't sellTrue daysSold vs. first ask
Under $300K10323%3496.2%
$300–400K28720%4296.0%
$400–500K8327%6695.2%
$500–750K912622%3699.0%
$750K–1M4120%9594.0%
$1M+100%27481.8%

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 24, 2026. Totals only — no individual listing is shown. Buddy Blake Team · Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage · (910) 395‑1000

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