Market Trends: Wake County

The average Days on Market (DOM) for homes in Wake County over the past year paints a clear picture of how our local market shifts.

Winter 2025

We saw a sharp spike in DOM, climbing to nearly 70 days. This cooling period in the market was brought on by rising interest rates and seasonal slowdowns, which gave buyers more time and leverage when making decisions.

Spring 2025

DOM dropped significantly, falling closer to the 30-day range. Once the initial winter lull passed, demand quickly returned and homes began selling much faster. This serves as a reminder of how important timing can be for sellers.

Summer 2025

DOM ticked back upward toward 50 days, indicating that buyers were taking a bit more time again - a sign of balance returning to the market. For sellers, this meant pricing strategically and presenting a home well was critical. For buyers, it signaled an opportunity to negotiate, as homes were no longer flying off the market as quickly as they did earlier in the year.

Fall 2025

As we head into fall, the rise in days on market signals a seasonal slowdown that is typical for this time of year. Unlike the sharp cooldown entering the previous winter, however, the current increase is more gradual and points to a market finding its balance rather than losing momentum. Buyers are not rushing, but they are still writing offers on well-priced homes.

One key factor shaping the fall market is the direction of interest rates. After climbing earlier in the year, rates have begun to ease, giving buyers more confidence and slightly improving affordability. This is helping keep activity steady even as days on market climb, softening what might otherwise have been a much slower season.

For sellers, fall will reward those who lead with strategy. Homes that are priced correctly and move-in ready can still sell efficiently, even with DOM moving into the 50-day range. Overpriced or poorly presented homes, however, may sit longer than they would have during spring or early summer and could eventually find their way to the expired list.

Interest Rates

For Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the current average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is 6.33%.

Recent increases: Following a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, which brought a period of falling mortgage rates, rates have begun to creep upward again.

Further rate cuts expected: The Federal Reserve is widely anticipated to deliver another quarter-point rate cut at its October 2025 meeting, with nearly 90% probability according to the CME FedWatch tool.

Modest rate impact: Experts do not expect another Federal Reserve cut to cause a significant additional drop in mortgage rates, as the market may already have priced in the move.