Market insights

What really happens to homes listed in ZIP 28443 · Hampstead

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: ZIP 28443 · Hampstead

September 23, 2026
(910) 395‑1000 · buddyblake.ai

In ZIP 28443, 1 in 4 homes listed didn't sell

In the last 12 months, 1,108 homes finished their time on the market in ZIP code 28443 (Hampstead area): 820 sold and 288 did not — about 1 in 4. The ones that sold took a median of 38 days, counted from the first day listed, and closed at 97.9% of their first asking price.

15 sold out of every 20 listed 5 didn't expired, withdrawn or canceled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 ZIP 28443 · Hampstead 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 The outlined ones expired, were withdrawn or were canceled.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 18 days. Needed price cuts: 80 days, and sold for 93.0% of the first price.

What waiting costs

A typical $480,000 home, per month
Mortgage (principal + interest)$2,542
Property taxes$295
Homeowners insurance$250
Upkeep$400
Utilities$250
About$3,740

About $3,740 every month the home sits.

Listings that didn't sell stayed on the market a median of 117 days — roughly $14,300 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); Pender County rate 0.7375 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

17%

163 of about 985 before closing

Those homes that later sold

65%

33% never sold

Sold vs. first ask after a fall-through

94.5%

vs. 98.3% on the first contract

Days to sell after a fall-through

96

vs. 35 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 23% · FHA 7%.

If you're selling

  • Homes priced right from day one sold in a median of 18 days. Homes that needed price cuts took 80 days and sold for 93.0% of their first price.
  • Price range matters: 44% of homes starting at $1M+ didn't sell, compared with 21% at $500–750K.
  • Waiting costs money. A $480,000 home runs about $3,740 a month to hold — roughly $14,300 over the time a typical unsold listing sat.
  • About 1 in 6 contracts fell apart before closing. Homes that went back on the market sold for 94.5% of first asking, versus 98.3% for homes that closed on the first contract.

If you're buying

  • 66% of homes sold below their first asking price — the first price is often a starting point.
  • Homes that sit usually sit for a reason. Listings that didn't sell stayed on the market a median of 117 days.

Did you know?

  • 21% of buyers paid cash, and 23% used VA loans.
  • A year earlier, 19% of listings didn't sell; now it's 26%.
  • When a contract fell apart, 33% of those homes never sold at all.

For sellers

Listings that didn't sell

26%

up 7.5 pts from a year ago

288 expired, withdrawn or canceled vs 820 sold

Sold vs. first asking price

97.9%

about the same as 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

1.4%

median — and they still didn't sell

For buyers

True days on market

38

up 2 days from a year ago

median for sold homes, counted from the first listing

Typical room below first ask

2.1%

how far under the original price homes sold

Didn't sell, then sold on a relist

35%

of listings that didn't sell the first time

Median sold price

$480K

down 0.7% from a year ago

820 homes sold

By starting price

First askingSoldDidn't sell% didn't sellTrue daysSold vs. first ask
Under $300K923326%3596.2%
$300–400K1565024%26100.0%
$400–500K1736026%3597.9%
$500–750K2717121%5398.1%
$750K–1M692829%4397.3%
$1M+594644%4596.2%

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 23, 2026. Totals only — no individual listing is shown. Buddy Blake Team · Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage · (910) 395‑1000

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