The Average Sales Price continues to trend upward!
The average sales price rose to $774,602, a 3% increase, while the median price of $610,000 remains 4% below last year. Overall activity remains steady, with units sold down by less than 1% and sales volume up 2% year over year.
Luxury homes continue to be the standout story of the year.
So far, 33 homes priced above $2 million have sold — a dramatic jump from just 19 during the same period last year. Not only are more luxury properties selling, they’re selling much faster. The average Days on Market in this segment has dropped to 58 days, compared to 128 days at this time last year.
This increase in high‑end activity is clearly helping lift the overall average sales price across the market.
Days on Market continues to improve.
The average DOM is trending lower than last year, sitting at 66 days year‑to‑date, down from 73. But the most telling metric is this: for properties listed and sold within 2026, the average DOM is just 22 days. That’s a clear indicator that sellers who price to the market are being rewarded with fast contracts, eliminating the need for price reductions down the road.
*Based on information from the Outer Banks Association of Realtors MLS 1.1.26 – 5.31.26 for residential property in Dare & Currituck County
The Mid-Year Housing Market Update: Why Forecasts Changed in 2026
On a national level, industry experts have lowered their housing forecasts for the rest of the year. Back at the end of 2025, economists were forecasting a much stronger housing market for 2026. They expected mortgage rates to come down, affordability to improve more dramatically, and home sales to rebound.
But lingering inflation, economic uncertainty, and growing geopolitical tensions overseas pushed mortgage rates higher than expected. And because rates stayed elevated for longer, many buyers continued to hold off. Click to read full article
