Why Spring & Summer 2025 Could Be the Best Time to Buy in Wilmington, NC

by 1st Class Real Estate Coastal Choice

Why Spring & Summer 2025 Could Be the Best Time to Buy in Wilmington, NC

If you’ve been on the fence about buying a home in Wilmington or the surrounding coastal areas, you’re not alone. The last couple of years have been a wild ride in real estate — interest rates climbed, inventory dropped, and many buyers hit pause.

But here’s the good news: Spring and Summer 2025 might just be the golden window you’ve been waiting for.

🌅 Interest Rates Have Eased (Finally)

Rates aren’t back to the ultra-lows we saw in 2021, but they’ve come down significantly from the peaks of 2023 and early 2024. That shift is opening the door for many buyers who had to step back when affordability took a hit.

Let’s break it down with a quick example:

🏡 $400,000 home purchase
At 7.5% interest (2023 rate): roughly $2,800/month (P&I)
At 6.5% interest (2025 rate): roughly $2,528/month

That’s a savings of $272/month — or $3,264/year — just from a 1% rate drop!

That’s real money staying in your pocket. And if rates continue trending down, refinancing later could save you even more. Buying now locks in your home — and gives you options later.

🏘️ Inventory Is Looking Healthier

One of the biggest frustrations for buyers the last couple of years? Not enough homes to choose from.

That’s changing this year, especially in growing areas like:

Hampstead – where new neighborhoods are popping up along the Intracoastal Waterway
Leland – offering affordable options just over the bridge from Wilmington
Ogden & Monkey Junction – mixing convenience with suburban charm
Southport & Carolina Beach – for buyers craving coastal town life

More listings = less competition and stronger negotiating power for buyers. Builders are even offering incentives again (think closing costs, rate buydowns, and upgrades) — something we haven’t seen much of since 2021.

🌴 Coastal Living Is Still in Demand

Let’s be honest: people aren’t going to stop moving to Southeastern NC. Between the beaches, mild climate, vibrant downtown Wilmington scene, and strong community feel, this area stays in high demand—especially for remote workers, retirees, and young families.

Buying now lets you get ahead of the next wave of buyers who may re-enter the market later this year as confidence and competition return.

🔑 Let’s Make It Happen

If you’ve been dreaming of a home near the coast — whether it's your first home, a retirement spot, or a beachside getaway — let’s talk.

Spring and Summer 2025 offer a powerful mix of lower interest rates, increased inventory, and motivated sellers. It’s a chance to get the home you want, with more room to negotiate, before prices and buyer competition climb again.

Jan Roggeman
1st Class Real Estate Coastal Choice
910.759.4800
www.1stclasscoastalchoice.com