If you're buying or selling a home in North Carolina in early 2026, competition can make a big difference in your strategy. In faster-moving markets, buyers may need to act quickly and come prepared, with homes going under contract in a matter of days. In other cities, listings are sitting longer as economic uncertainty and high costs give buyers and sellers pause.
Nationwide, housing markets are generally slow, although competition varies widely from the Northeast to the South. Understanding where homes are selling the fastest can help buyers gauge how competitive a market is and help sellers set realistic expectations.
To see where homes are selling the fastest in North Carolina right now, Redfin Real Estate ranked the top cities based on their average "days on market"—the time it takes for a new listing to go under contract. The lower the number, the more competitive the city. Rankings are based on the December 2025 monthly average or monthly average median.
#1. Navassa, North Carolina
- Days on market: 1
- Median sale price: $399,999
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 99.6%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 66.7%
- See Navassa homes for sale
#2. Youngsville, North Carolina
- Days on market: 10
- Median sale price: $465,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 96.9%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 33.3%
- See Youngsville homes for sale
#3. Four Oaks, North Carolina
- Days on market: 10
- Median sale price: $334,900
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 99.2%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 0.0%
- See Four Oaks homes for sale
#4. Newport, North Carolina
- Days on market: 13
- Median sale price: $261,260
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 97.1%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 33.3%
- See Newport homes for sale
#5. Mar-Mac, North Carolina
- Days on market: 20
- Median sale price: $280,930
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 98.8%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 0.0%
- See Mar-Mac homes for sale
#6. Elon, North Carolina
- Days on market: 20
- Median sale price: $548,467
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 102.2%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 50.0%
- See Elon homes for sale
#7. Holden Beach, North Carolina
- Days on market: 23
- Median sale price: $1,083,500
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 97.5%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 14.3%
- See Holden Beach homes for sale
#8. Jamestown, North Carolina
- Days on market: 24
- Median sale price: $330,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 97.2%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 66.7%
- See Jamestown homes for sale
#9. Forest Oaks, North Carolina
- Days on market: 25
- Median sale price: $432,500
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 96.7%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 0.0%
- See Forest Oaks homes for sale
#10. Hillsborough, North Carolina
- Days on market: 26
- Median sale price: $428,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 99.4%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 20.0%
- See Hillsborough homes for sale
#11. Wilson, North Carolina
- Days on market: 28
- Median sale price: $240,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 98.3%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 30.4%
- See Wilson homes for sale
#12. Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
- Days on market: 31
- Median sale price: $645,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 91.8%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 50.0%
- See Atlantic Beach homes for sale
#13. Marvin, North Carolina
- Days on market: 31
- Median sale price: $1,095,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 96.7%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 0.0%
- See Marvin homes for sale
#14. Randleman, North Carolina
- Days on market: 33
- Median sale price: $275,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 93.8%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 0.0%
- See Randleman homes for sale
#15. Lewisville, North Carolina
- Days on market: 33
- Median sale price: $464,950
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 99.3%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 35.7%
- See Lewisville homes for sale
#16. Half Moon, North Carolina
- Days on market: 34
- Median sale price: $232,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 96.6%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 8.3%
- See Half Moon homes for sale
#17. Rocky Mount, North Carolina
- Days on market: 35
- Median sale price: $215,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 94.9%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 12.5%
- See Rocky Mount homes for sale
#18. Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Days on market: 37
- Median sale price: $235,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 98.3%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 24.1%
- See Fayetteville homes for sale
#19. Butner, North Carolina
- Days on market: 38
- Median sale price: $250,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 99.0%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 33.3%
- See Butner homes for sale
#20. Holly Springs, North Carolina
- Days on market: 38
- Median sale price: $645,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 97.7%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 18.6%
- See Holly Springs homes for sale
#21. Marion, North Carolina
- Days on market: 38
- Median sale price: $193,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 95.6%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 25.0%
- See Marion homes for sale
#22. Havelock, North Carolina
- Days on market: 39
- Median sale price: $250,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 97.7%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 8.3%
- See Havelock homes for sale
#23. Laurinburg, North Carolina
- Days on market: 39
- Median sale price: $172,500
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 95.4%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 0.0%
- See Laurinburg homes for sale
#24. Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina
- Days on market: 40
- Median sale price: $490,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 99.7%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 20.0%
- See Pine Knoll Shores homes for sale
#25. Walkertown, North Carolina
- Days on market: 40
- Median sale price: $316,990
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 103.9%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 14.3%
- See Walkertown homes for sale
#26. Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
- Days on market: 42
- Median sale price: $199,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 98.4%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 16.7%
- See Roanoke Rapids homes for sale
#27. Bessemer City, North Carolina
- Days on market: 42
- Median sale price: $220,500
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 94.5%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 0.0%
- See Bessemer City homes for sale
#28. Conover, North Carolina
- Days on market: 42
- Median sale price: $313,500
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 98.9%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 14.3%
- See Conover homes for sale
#29. Jacksonville, North Carolina
- Days on market: 42
- Median sale price: $233,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 98.9%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 26.5%
- See Jacksonville homes for sale
#30. Carrboro, North Carolina
- Days on market: 43
- Median sale price: $530,000
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 96.9%
- Share of homes that went off market in two weeks: 44.4%
- See Carrboro homes for sale
This story was produced by Redfin Real Estate and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.