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↓ ↓ ↓ North Topsail Beach Market at a Glance (January 2026) ↓ ↓ ↓ 

• Here’s a quick snapshot of what the local market is doing right now:
  • Buyer Activity: Selective and segmented  
  • December non-waterfront sales: 
  • Homes moving fastest: Smaller/lower-priced or newer/higher-end properties  
  • Middle market: Thin buyer pool, decisive when value aligns  
  • Days on market trend: Longer without price repositioning  
  • Spring outlook: Inventory expected to rise — early strategy matters

↓↓↓ ... Continue to full report below ... ↓↓↓

What December Sales in North Topsail Beach Reveal About Buyer Behavior

The North Topsail Beach real estate market closed out 2025 with a clear message: buyer demand is still present, but it is focused, selective, and highly segmented.

Rather than relying on delayed national headlines or automated estimates, this update is based on MLS-only closed sales, real-time buyer behavior, and hyper-local market research specific to North Topsail Beach. In coastal markets like ours, these details matter most.

 Key January Market Insights — Data + Reality 

📍 Buyer activity is segmented, not uniform
Compared to mid-2025, buyers are clustering into two dominant behaviors:

• Value-oriented buyers are gravitating toward smaller, lower-priced homes

• Premium/luxury buyers targeting waterfront, newer, or highly renovated properties

•  

What December Sales in North Topsail Beach Reveal About Buyer Behavior

The North Topsail Beach real estate market closed out 2025 with a clear message: buyer demand is still present, but it is focused, selective, and highly segmented.

Rather than relying on delayed national headlines or automated estimates, this update is based on MLS-only closed sales, real-time buyer behavior, and hyper-local market observation specific to North Topsail Beach. In coastal markets like ours, those details matter.

📊 North Topsail Beach Market at a Glance (December 2025)

Here’s a quick, high-level snapshot of what the local data shows right now:

• Total closed sales: 13

• Buyer activity: Selective, not absent

• Sales under $450K: Active (primarily condos and townhomes)

• Sales $450K–$750K: 5 total closings

• Sales above $750K: Concentrated in waterfront and higher-end homes

• Key theme: Buyers act decisively when price and condition align

• Spring outlook: Inventory expected to rise → early positioning matters

(This snapshot reflects closed sales only, not listings or pending contracts.)

December 2025: What Actually Sold in North Topsail Beach

In December, 13 properties closed across all price points in North Topsail Beach. That activity, however, was not evenly distributed.

The Middle of the Market: $450,000–$750,000

• Only 5 of the 13 total December sales occurred in this range

• Those transactions were concentrated in:

  • newer construction townhomes, and

  • turnkey coastal properties, including condos

This confirms that the buyer pool in the middle of the market is narrow but functional. Buyers are present — but they are highly selective and quick to act only when value, condition, and expectations align.

Outside the Middle

• Below $450K:
  Entry-level condos and townhomes continue to move, driven by value-focused and investment-minded buyers.

• Above $750K:
  Sales were largely waterfront or higher-end lifestyle properties, which operate in a different buyer pool with different expectations and timelines.

What This Data Tells Us About Buyer Psychology

December’s closings reinforce an important reality of today’s coastal market:

This is not a stalled market — it is a selective one.

Homes that offered:

• turnkey or low-maintenance ownership,

• clear value relative to condition, and

• pricing aligned with common search brackets

…continued to sell, even during a slower seasonal month.

Homes in the middle of the market — particularly those that require updates or ask buyers to stretch — are seeing longer decision cycles unless pricing clearly bridges that gap. Buyers are not rushing, but when they see the right opportunity, they act decisively.

Why Timing Matters Heading Into Spring 2026

Historically, North Topsail Beach sees:

• renewed buyer activity beginning in late February, and

• a noticeable increase in new listings around the same time

More inventory gives buyers more options and more leverage. That’s why pricing and positioning tend to work best before spring supply enters the market — not after.

Earlier repositioning = more control
Later repositioning = more competition

This timing dynamic is especially important for homes competing in the middle price ranges.

What This Means for Sellers

• Visibility alone no longer drives results

• Buyers are comparing carefully within specific price brackets

• Clear value positioning matters more than ever

• Smaller, earlier pricing adjustments often protect value better than larger changes later in the season

Understanding which price segment your home truly competes in — and how buyers are behaving in that segment — is key to navigating the 2026 market successfully.

What This Means for Buyers

• Opportunities exist, particularly in the mid-range, where selectivity creates leverage

• Homes that offer flexibility, potential, or strong pricing alignment may present value before spring competition increases

• Buyers who are prepared and decisive often secure better positions than those waiting for peak season

Final Takeaway

The North Topsail Beach real estate market is not stalled — it is focused and segmented.

December 2025 sales confirm that buyers are still purchasing coastal real estate, but they are doing so with clear priorities around condition, price alignment, and lifestyle value. Sellers and buyers who understand these micro-market dynamics — rather than relying on broad headlines — will be best positioned as we move into spring 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About the North Topsail Beach Market

Is now a good time to sell in North Topsail Beach?
Yes — but strategy matters. Homes that are priced and positioned correctly before spring inventory increases often perform better than those that wait and compete later.

Why are some homes selling while others sit on the market?
Buyer demand is segmented. Turnkey and clearly priced homes are moving, while middle-market properties require sharper positioning to prompt action.

Will spring 2026 bring more competition for sellers?
Historically, yes. New listings typically increase in late February and March, giving buyers more choices and reducing seller leverage

	Jessica Soles-Moore is an independent North Carolina real estate broker with formal training in finance and a data-driven approach to pricing, timing, and coastal market strategy. Click Here to Book a Discovery Call