The latest data from NC REALTORS® is in, and the statewide picture heading into summer is one of stability — with some nuance worth paying attention to depending on where you are in the buying or selling process.
Inventory Is Up, and That’s Good News for Buyers
Statewide active and pending listings climbed to 68,176 in May 2026, up from 67,479 a year ago and significantly higher than the 53,743 and 46,625 recorded in May 2024 and May 2023, respectively. More homes on the market means more options and, in many cases, more negotiating room than buyers have had in recent years.
For buyers in the Triad, that trend is worth watching closely. More inventory doesn’t necessarily mean less competition at every price point — but it does signal that the frenzied market of a few years ago has continued to normalize.
Prices Have Stabilized
The statewide median sales price held steady at $375,000 in May — no change from the previous month and up modestly from $370,000 a year ago. Compare that to $360,000 in May 2023 and you can see that while prices have risen, the pace has slowed considerably.
For Triad buyers, this is encouraging. Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point have historically offered strong value compared to Charlotte and Raleigh, and a stabilizing statewide median supports the case for buying sooner rather than waiting for prices to drop.
The Market Is Balanced — But Not Equally Across Price Points
At 5.59 months of supply, North Carolina is sitting right at the edge of a balanced market — generally defined as six months. But the price range breakdown tells a more interesting story.
Homes priced below $375,000 are moving faster, with inventory ranging from just 4.1 to 5.2 months. That means more competition at the entry level, which is exactly where many first-time buyers in Greensboro and Winston-Salem are shopping.
Once you move above $625,000, the picture flips. Inventory in that range exceeds six months, tipping into buyer’s market territory. If you’re considering a move-up purchase or searching in a higher price bracket, you may have more leverage than you think.
Sales Are Holding Steady
14,067 homes sold statewide in May — down slightly from 14,312 a year ago (-1.7% year-over-year), but holding remarkably consistent when you zoom out. May 2023 came in at 14,200 and May 2024 at 14,416, meaning the market hasn’t seen a dramatic shift in either direction. People are still buying and selling — the pace is just more measured.
What This Means If You’re Thinking About Making a Move
Whether you’re buying your first home in High Point, upsizing in Winston-Salem, or trying to time a sale in Greensboro, the May data points to a market that rewards preparation and local knowledge over waiting and hoping. Conditions are more balanced than they’ve been in years — and that benefits both sides of the transaction.
Ready to talk through what this means for your specific situation? Reach out to the Triad Hive team and let’s make a plan.