Market insights

What really happens to homes listed in Wilson 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: Wilson County

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

Wilson County: 1 in 5 Listings Didn't Sell

Over the last 12 months, 929 listings ended in Wilson County, and 723 sold. Typical seller got 96.9% of asking price, and homes priced right from day one sold in 13 days flat. Wait too long and price cuts come, but those listings still took 66 days and closed at 92.3%.

16 sold out of every 20 listed 4 didn't expired, withdrawn or canceled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 Wilson 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 The outlined ones expired, were withdrawn or were canceled.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 13 days. Needed price cuts: 66 days, and sold for 92.3% of the first price.

What waiting costs

A typical $259,350 home, per month
Mortgage (principal + interest)$1,385
Property taxes$129
Homeowners insurance$250
Upkeep$216
Utilities$250
About$2,230

About $2,230 every month the home sits.

Listings that didn't sell stayed on the market a median of 141 days — roughly $10,300 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); Wilson County rate 0.595 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

18%

163 of about 890 before closing

Those homes that later sold

64%

31% never sold

Sold vs. first ask after a fall-through

93.3%

vs. 97.4% on the first contract

Days to sell after a fall-through

90

vs. 27 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 21% · VA 10% · FHA 19%.

If you're selling

  • Price it right from day one. Homes priced right sold in 13 days. Homes that needed cuts took 66 days and still sold for less, 92.3% of asking.
  • The $500–750K range struggled most, 33% didn't sell. Under $300K did best, only 20% didn't sell.
  • Waiting costs real money. Listings that never sold sat a median 141 days before pulling out, with a 2.6% price cut along the way.
  • Contracts fall apart 18% of the time here, 1 in 5. Most often it's inspection, appraisal or financing issues. Homes that go back on the market after a fallen contract take a median 90 days to resell, and 31% never sell at all. Be ready with your paperwork and pricing tight the first time.

If you're buying

  • 69% of homes in Wilson County sold below the first asking price. There's room to negotiate.
  • Homes that sit tend to have needed a price cut, median 66 days on market versus 13 days for the ones priced right.
  • Cash isn't king here. 46% of buyers used conventional loans, 21% paid cash, 19% used FHA, and 10% used VA.

Did you know?

  • At $259,350 and a 7.03% rate, the estimated monthly carrying cost for a typical home here runs about $2,230.
  • A home that sits unsold costs an estimated $10,300 in carrying costs while it waits.
  • If a contract falls apart, the home still sells 64% of the time, just later and often for less, 93.3% of asking versus 97.4% for homes that sell on the first contract.

For sellers

Listings that didn't sell

22%

up 0.9 pts from a year ago

206 expired, withdrawn or canceled vs 723 sold

Sold vs. first asking price

96.9%

about the same as a year ago

median sale price ÷ original list price

Sold below first asking

69%

share of homes that sold

Price cut on homes that didn't sell

2.6%

median — and they still didn't sell

For buyers

True days on market

33

up 3 days from a year ago

median for sold homes, counted from the first listing

Typical room below first ask

3.1%

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

$259K

up 1.3% from a year ago

723 homes sold

By starting price

First askingSoldDidn't sell% didn't sellTrue daysSold vs. first ask
Under $300K48312120%3296.7%
$300–400K1375228%4197.1%
$400–500K601520%4796.9%
$500–750K301533%2498.4%
$750K–1M8220%1695.1%
$1M+5117%2594.7%

By town

TownSoldDidn't sell% didn't sellTrue daysSold vs. first ask
Wilson54317124%3196.7%
Elm City762122%4298.2%
Sims571116%4797.4%

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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