Market insights

What really happens to homes listed in Wayne County

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: Wayne County

September 26, 2026
(910) 395‑1000 · buddyblake.ai

1 in 4 Wayne County Listings Didn't Sell Last Year

In Wayne County, 1,121 of 1,505 listings sold over the last 12 months, and 384 didn't sell, a 26% rate, up from 19% the year before. Homes priced right from the start sold in a median of 27 days, while ones that needed price cuts sat a median of 73 days before selling at 92.9% of asking.

15 sold out of every 20 listed 5 didn't expired, withdrawn or canceled

Which pile do you want to be in?

Out of every 20 homes listed in Wayne 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 The outlined ones expired, were withdrawn or were canceled.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: 73 days, and sold for 92.9% of the first price.

What waiting costs

A typical $273,000 home, per month
Mortgage (principal + interest)$1,457
Property taxes$142
Homeowners insurance$250
Upkeep$228
Utilities$250
About$2,330

About $2,330 every month the home sits.

Listings that didn't sell stayed on the market a median of 127 days — roughly $9,700 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); Wayne County rate 0.6259 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

19%

271 of about 1,400 before closing

Those homes that later sold

68%

29% never sold

Sold vs. first ask after a fall-through

96.2%

vs. 98.4% on the first contract

Days to sell after a fall-through

81

vs. 41 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 29% · cash 15% · VA 33% · FHA 21%.

If you're selling

  • Homes priced right from day one sold in a median of 27 days. Ones that needed cuts took 73 days and sold for less, 92.9% of asking versus full price on the pricier side.
  • The $300-400K range struggled most, with a 29% didn't-sell rate. The $500-750K range did best at 17%.
  • Listings that never sold sat a median of 127 days and still saw a median 2.0% price cut before ending.
  • 19% of contracts fell apart, most often inspection, appraisal or financing issues in general. Homes that got back under contract took a median 81 days and sold at 96.2% of asking, versus 98.4% for first-time contracts.

If you're buying

  • With 26% of listings not selling, there's room to negotiate, especially in the $300-400K range where 29% didn't sell.
  • Homes that needed a price cut took a median 73 days to sell, so patience can pay off if a home has sat a while.
  • Financing varies. 33% of buyers used VA loans, 29% conventional, 21% FHA, and 15% paid cash.

Did you know?

  • The typical Wayne County home sold for $273,000, at 98.1% of first asking price.
  • 63% of homes sold for less than the original asking price.
  • At today's 7.03% rate, carrying a $273,000 home runs about $2,330 a month, or an estimated $9,700 while it sits unsold.

For sellers

Listings that didn't sell

26%

up 7.0 pts from a year ago

384 expired, withdrawn or canceled vs 1,121 sold

Sold vs. first asking price

98.1%

down 0.4 pts from a year ago

median sale price ÷ original list price

Sold below first asking

63%

share of homes that sold

Price cut on homes that didn't sell

2.0%

median — and they still didn't sell

For buyers

True days on market

50

up 17 days from a year ago

median for sold homes, counted from the first listing

Typical room below first ask

1.9%

how far under the original price homes sold

Didn't sell, then sold on a relist

18%

of listings that didn't sell the first time

Median sold price

$273K

up 3.0% from a year ago

1,121 homes sold

By starting price

First askingSoldDidn't sell% didn't sellTrue daysSold vs. first ask
Under $300K69821424%3998.2%
$300–400K31312729%8698.1%
$400–500K652528%5198.0%
$500–750K35717%3097.5%
$750K–1M6754%6198.8%
$1M+4450%25187.2%

By town

TownSoldDidn't sell% didn't sellTrue daysSold vs. first ask
Goldsboro62821526%3897.3%
Pikeville1997126%6398.9%
Fremont704640%10998.8%
Dudley481524%4798.3%

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

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