Triangle Market Update: What October 2025 Is Telling Us (and Why It Matters for 2026 Moves)

As we head toward the end of 2025, the Triangle housing market is revealing a powerful storyline: inventory is rising, days on market are stretching, and buyers are gaining leverage—yet prices across most counties remain resilient.

For sellers, this isn’t 2021 anymore. For buyers, this isn’t 2023 either. We’re in a new, more balanced era—and the numbers across Wake, Johnston, Harnett, Orange, Durham, Cary/Apex/Morrisville, and Fuquay/Holly Springs paint that picture clearly.

Let’s break down what’s happening county by county.

🌟 Wake County: More Inventory, Slight Cooling, Steady Pricing

Wake County continues to lead the Triangle in activity with 2,012 new listings (+15%), bringing much-needed options to buyers.
Closed sales dipped slightly (–5.5%), yet median prices remained stable at $479,250 (+1%).

Key shifts:

• Days on Market jumped 57.1% → 33 days vs. 21 last October

• Inventory grew 32%

• Month supply reached 3.3 months (approaching a balanced market)

Takeaway: Buyers can breathe again, but sellers who price correctly still win.

🏡 Johnston County: Growing Inventory + Softer Prices

Johnston County saw a stable flow of listings and a healthy 9.2% increase in closed sales, but pricing softened slightly.

Highlights:

• Median price: $350,000 (–3.6%)

• DOM: 24 days (+33.3%)

• Inventory: 1,261 homes (+14.5%)

Takeaway: JoCo continues attracting affordability-driven buyers, but sellers must respond to shifting pricing expectations.

🏡 Harnett County: Listings Surge, Prices Ease

Harnett saw one of the largest jumps in new listings (+20.3%), paired with a dip in closed sales.

Notable shifts:

• Median price: $335,000 (–4.3%)

• Inventory soared: 870 homes (+30.2%)

• Months supply: 4.5 months → trending toward a buyer-leaning market

Takeaway: A great opportunity zone for buyers wanting affordability + land.

🍊 Orange County: More Activity, More Inventory, Stable Values

Orange County had a strong October with new listings up 19.9% and closed sales jumping 31.7%.

Market behavior:

• Median price: $549,900 (–1.5%)

• DOM: 37 days (unchanged)

• Inventory: up 36.4%

Takeaway: More choices for buyers; pricing remains premium due to strong demand and university-driven stability.

🔵 Durham County: Inventory Skyrockets, Prices Hold

Durham stands out with one of the biggest listing increases in the Triangle—+27.9% YoY, pushing inventory up 57.3%.

Key trends:

• Median price: $406,000 (–3.1%)

• Average price actually rose to $489,226 (+1.6%)

• DOM: 35 days (+40%)

Takeaway: A market in transition—balanced conditions emerging as inventory catches up with demand.

⭐ Cary / Apex / Morrisville: Still a Power Market, But Slowing

This submarket remains one of the most desirable in the Triangle, reflected in price growth despite rising inventory.

Highlights:

• Median price: $639,950 (+15.7%)

• Average price: $701,992 (+7.2%)

• Inventory: +60.8%

• DOM: 32 days (+45.5%)

Takeaway: Luxury-heavy demand continues to push pricing, but longer DOM = more negotiating room than we've seen in years.

🌿 Fuquay-Varina / Holly Springs: Mixed Signals

This fast-growing corridor saw fewer listings but a jump in prices.

Key shifts:

• New listings: down 10.9%

• Median price: $548,745 (+11%)

• DOM: 27 days (+58.8%)

• Inventory: 582 homes (+20.7%)

Takeaway: Prices remain strong, but more inventory + longer DOM suggest competition is cooling.

📌 What This Means for Buyers & Sellers Moving Into 2026

For Sellers

• Pricing right the first time is everything.

• Expect longer market times—buyers are comparing more options.

• Homes that show well + are priced strategically still move quickly and often receive strong offers.

For Buyers

• This fall/winter is shaping up to be one of the best windows in years to negotiate.

• More inventory means less pressure.

• Slight softening in pricing across several counties = more opportunity.

For Investors

• Rising inventory + stable rents = strong conditions heading into 2026.

• Harnett, Johnston, and Durham offer exceptional entry points based on YoY price shifts.

Final Thoughts

The Triangle remains one of the strongest and most dynamic markets in the Southeast—but it’s shifting. We’re seeing the early signs of a move toward balance, giving both buyers and sellers more informed, strategic opportunities.

If you're planning a move in 2026, the right timing and data-driven approach will matter more than ever.

Curious how these trends impact your home or buying power?
Our team is here to break it down with clarity and confidence—hyper-local to your neighborhood.

➡️ Contact Mac Realty today to get started. Your goals, our expertise.