Buddy Blake Team · Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
Market insights: ZIP 28594 · Emerald Isle
September 26, 2026
(910) 395‑1000 · buddyblake.ai
In ZIP 28594, 1 in 3 homes listed didn't sell
In the last 12 months, 317 homes finished their time on the market in ZIP code 28594 (Emerald Isle area): 200 sold and 117 did not — about 1 in 3. The ones that sold took a median of 63 days, counted from the first day listed, and closed at 94.6% of their first asking price.
Which pile do you want to be in?
Out of every 20 homes listed in ZIP 28594 · Emerald Isle 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 The outlined ones expired, were withdrawn or were canceled.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 14 days. Needed price cuts: 106 days, and sold for 92.2% of the first price.
What waiting costs
| Mortgage (principal + interest) | $4,356 |
| Property taxes | $153 |
| Homeowners insurance | $250 |
| Upkeep | $680 |
| Utilities | $250 |
| About | $5,690 |
About $5,690 every month the home sits.
Listings that didn't sell stayed on the market a median of 154 days — roughly $28,800 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); Carteret County rate 0.225 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%
41 of about 243 before closing
Those homes that later sold
59%
37% never sold
Sold vs. first ask after a fall-through
89.7%
vs. 94.7% on the first contract
Days to sell after a fall-through
194
vs. 57 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 58% · cash 30% · VA 4% · FHA 1%.
If you're selling
- Homes priced right from day one sold in a median of 14 days. Homes that needed price cuts took 106 days and sold for 92.2% of their first price.
- Price range matters: 51% of homes starting at $750K–1M didn't sell, compared with 31% at $500–750K.
- Waiting costs money. A $816,000 home runs about $5,690 a month to hold — roughly $28,800 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 89.7% of first asking, versus 94.7% for homes that closed on the first contract.
If you're buying
- 84% 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 154 days.
Did you know?
- 30% of buyers paid cash, and 4% used VA loans.
- A year earlier, 32% of listings didn't sell; now it's 37%.
- When a contract fell apart, 37% of those homes never sold at all.
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For sellers
Listings that didn't sell
37%
up 4.8 pts from a year ago
117 expired, withdrawn or canceled vs 200 sold
Sold vs. first asking price
94.6%
down 0.8 pts from 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
2.1%
median — and they still didn't sell
For buyers
True days on market
63
up 19 days from a year ago
median for sold homes, counted from the first listing
Typical room below first ask
5.4%
how far under the original price homes sold
Didn't sell, then sold on a relist
22%
of listings that didn't sell the first time
Median sold price
$816K
up 8.8% from a year ago
200 homes sold
The last 24 months
19% latest month · Aug 26
114 latest month · Aug 26
91.8% latest month · Aug 26
By starting price
| First asking | Sold | Didn't sell | % didn't sell | True days | Sold vs. first ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 2 | 4 | 67% | 299 | 87.7% |
| $300–400K | 9 | 2 | 18% | 58 | 94.8% |
| $400–500K | 14 | 7 | 33% | 38 | 95.7% |
| $500–750K | 59 | 27 | 31% | 46 | 96.6% |
| $750K–1M | 28 | 29 | 51% | 59 | 95.5% |
| $1M+ | 88 | 48 | 35% | 84 | 92.5% |
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