When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in North Carolina?
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Alexandra Lee Associate EditorClose
Alexandra Lee Associate EditorAlexandra is an associate editor of HomeLight.com. Previously, she served as a writer and social media manager at Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine, in addition to interning at the nonprofit honors society Phi Beta Kappa. Alexandra holds a bachelor's degree in communication and global studies from UC Santa Barbara, and she has three years of experience reporting on topics including international travel, luxury properties, celebrity interviews, fine dining, and more.
If you’re planning to put your North Carolina property on the market, you’ll want to position yourself for success — whether that means maximizing your sale price or locking in a swift closing. While partnering with the right local agent and preparing your home for the market are key steps, the timing of your listing can also play a significant role in your outcome.
To help you identify the ideal moment to sell in North Carolina, we consulted with Ashley Lay, a seasoned agent and single-family homes expert with over 20 years of experience. Lay also shares expert advice and strategies to draw in serious buyers more quickly.
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North Carolina housing trends
According to Lay, the North Carolina housing market remains strong, fueled by steady in-migration that continues to drive demand, even as inventory improves.
“Our housing market continues to be strong in North Carolina, with the combination of demand from people moving into our state. We’re the #3 state when you look at migration patterns of people moving into North Carolina last year, and that is continuing to fuel,” Lay says.
North Carolina homes typically remain on the market for about 59 days before selling. This timeframe is referred to within the industry as days on market (DOM), indicating the period from listing to signing a purchase contract. For context, the national average DOM currently stands at about 58 days.
The median sales price for homes in North Carolina is approximately $375,000, reflecting a 2.3% increase compared to the same time last year.
“In the Triad, for example, our median sales price at the end of May was $300,000, and at the end of June, it jumped to $315,300. Except for the typical drop that we see in January — which we did — it has risen, held steady, or risen every month since January,” Lay says.
What does this data imply for sellers? With strong in-migration fueling steady demand and prices continuing to rise across much of the state, North Carolina remains a favorable market for those looking to sell. However, as buyers continue to have more options to choose from, accurate pricing and strong presentation remain essential to capturing attention in a competitive market.
When is the best time to sell a house in North Carolina?
Although rising interest rates and available inventory are currently shaping the market, North Carolina historically experiences seasonal patterns, with sales activity rising during spring and early summer. This period, spanning from April through June, tends to offer the most lucrative opportunities to sell. If your primary goal is a quick sale, then listing your home starting in April is advisable.
Since it generally takes 59 days to secure a buyer and approximately 41 days for loan closing, it’s wise to consider listing your home two to three months prior to the peak selling season.
“If you are a seller and want to get the absolute highest amount for your home in the shortest amount of time, that would be going on the market by April and going under contract sometime that month to close in May or June. Typically, May to June, you get the highest amount of the year,” Lay remarks.
Let’s examine housing transaction data from some of the largest markets in North Carolina to identify the optimal period for selling your house — whether your focus is maximizing profit or selling quickly.
Best times to sell a house in Charlotte
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | March | June | You could sell your house for 5.42% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Raleigh
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | August | November | You could sell your house for 4.41% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 8 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Greensboro
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | March | June | You could sell your house for 5.93% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 5 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Durham
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | August | November | You could sell your house for 4.23% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | February | May | You could sell your house 9 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Fayetteville
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | March | June | You could sell your house for 5.44% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | June | September | You could sell your house 8 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Wilmington
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | February | May | You could sell your house for 4.07% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | June | September | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Winston-Salem
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | April | July | You could sell your house for 9.00% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | May | August | You could sell your house 8 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
All tables are based on historical home sales data, 2014-2024
“I do think that the weather makes a huge impact, because our spring here starts at the end of February or early March. We always laugh as real estate agents and say, as soon as the yellow bells are blooming, real estate sales will take off — and it’s true. It breeds more activity in the market. We get those 70-plus degree days, and people are out and about, ready to participate in the real estate market at a higher rate than you see over the winter,” Lay says.
For insights into home-selling trends in other cities, visit our Best Time to Sell Calculator.
Using these insights as your foundation, you’ll be ready to consult with a top-performing real estate professional in North Carolina, who can provide tailored advice on the best month to sell your property, considering your neighborhood, unique circumstances, and local market dynamics.
What’s the worst time to list a house in North Carolina?
According to Lay, there is no “worst time” to sell a house in North Carolina, but homes do sell for the lowest price per square foot when they close in January. “There’s the least amount of demand in the Piedmont Triad for homes in December, just because people don’t want to be out looking over the holidays,” Lay remarks.
Curious about your net proceeds? Try out HomeLight’s free Net Proceeds Calculator for a rough estimate of what you might earn when selling your North Carolina home.
What seller concessions help close a sale in North Carolina?
To facilitate a sale or sweeten the deal, some sellers in North Carolina provide concessions or extend credits to prospective buyers — most frequently mortgage rate buydowns. However, according to Lay, seller concessions are relatively uncommon in North Carolina, as sellers still have the upper hand.
Below are typical seller concessions and credits that could help make your North Carolina home sale more attractive and successfully close the deal:
- Assist with a portion of the buyer’s closing expenses
- Help fund a short-term mortgage interest rate buydown
- Provide a repair credit to fix problems uncovered during the inspection
- Cover fees for the buyer’s home inspection or appraisal costs
- Pay for the first months of HOA dues, where relevant
- Cover the commission fees of the buyer’s real estate agent
- Prepay property taxes or the first year’s homeowners insurance
Insider tips to help sell your house in North Carolina
As a highly-regarded agent in North Carolina, Lay specializes in guiding home sellers toward reaching their objectives, regardless of challenges or seasonality.
Here are some of Lay’s insider tips to sell your home:
1. Make the right repairs
Buyers often worry that small issues indicate bigger concerns. “If I walk up to a home with buyers and the home does not have a pretty mat, a freshly painted front door, new hardware on that front door, and the door doesn’t unlock easily… they’re already thinking, ‘Okay, I see a lot of deferred maintenance. What else hasn’t been taken care of in this home?’” Lay explains. Concentrate on repairs that offer a strong return on investment. Your North Carolina agent can also advise you on which repairs are unnecessary.
2. Price it right from the start
Setting an overly high price typically results in a stagnant listing and price cuts later down the road. A well-planned pricing approach, grounded in recent sales data (comparable home sales), encourages strong initial buyer interest and competitive bids.
3. Choose a great agent
Partner with a knowledgeable local agent who knows your market well and can assist with pricing, marketing, and negotiations. The ideal agent understands how to position your North Carolina property to achieve a successful sale. According to HomeLight data, the top 5% of real estate agents sell homes for about 10% more than typical agents.
4. Consider staging
Staged homes often attract quicker sales and higher offers because they allow buyers to better envision the space. “Staging your home creates a huge impact. Buying a home is an emotional experience, and when someone can walk into a home and immediately see themselves living there and feeling comfortable, they’re much more likely to make an offer,” says Lay.
5. Employ physical and virtual curb appeal
Maintaining fresh landscaping, a tidy exterior, and a well-lit entrance generates curb appeal and makes a solid first impression in person. Clear, professional listing photos and virtual tours also help your North Carolina property stand out as buyers browse online.
6. Offer a home warranty
Including a home warranty can reassure buyers about potential maintenance costs, especially in older North Carolina residences. This also gives your listing a competitive edge compared to others on the market.
7. Be flexible with showings
The more available your home is for potential buyers, the quicker it tends to sell. Being open to showings during weekends and evenings can be especially helpful for buyers who are visiting from out of town or have busy work schedules.
8. Declutter and depersonalize
Clear out clutter by removing excess furniture, personal photos, and miscellaneous items to make spaces feel bigger and more welcoming. A neat and neutral interior helps buyers better picture themselves living there. “Painting, flooring, freshening up the home from the exterior to the moment you walk in the door, and staging are my number one things,” says Lay.
Connect With a Top Agent to Sell Your North Carolina Home
It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. To connect with an agent, simply tell us a little bit about your property and how soon you’re looking to sell.
Answers to other North Carolina home-selling questions
What if I need a fast sale and closing in North Carolina?
While some homes in North Carolina might sell quickly, there’s no guarantee when it comes to a fast sale. If you need an expedited home sale or lack the time or budget to complete necessary repairs, you might want to explore obtaining an all-cash offer via HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.
In just a few minutes, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and get a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. Simple Sale provides cash offers on homes in nearly any condition throughout North Carolina, allowing you to bypass repairs, showings, and open houses, and close in as little as 7 days.
What is the biggest mistake North Carolina home sellers make?
Lay points out that one of the most common errors sellers make when listing property in North Carolina is trying to sell a dirty home.
“Buyers hate dirty, smelly homes. If you don’t mitigate the smell and make it feel fresh and clean, people will walk out the door — or they’ll give a very, very low offer,” Lay says.
Find a top North Carolina agent for a successful sale
Deciding on the right time to list a property in North Carolina depends largely on your situation and goals. However, selling your home quickly and for a favorable price doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Equipped with the right knowledge, you can make smart choices and sidestep common mistakes.
“The biggest thing to keep in mind is that if sellers want to capitalize on the most important investment they’ve made in their lives, then trust the items their real estate agent is giving them to do — their list of items to get the most money for that home,” says Lay.
Partnering with a top real estate agent in your neighborhood means you’ll have a reliable guide and expert to navigate your sale successfully. Connect with a leading agent today.
If you’re simultaneously buying and selling a home, explore HomeLight’s innovative Buy Before You Sell program. This solution taps into your home’s equity to simplify the process. Submit a non-contingent offer on your new property and move just once. Watch this brief video for more information.
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