Raleigh, NC January Market Update: 2026 vs 2025

Should you sell now or wait? Here’s what the numbers are really saying.

If you are a homeowner in Raleigh trying to decide whether to sell now or wait, the January numbers tell an important story. The market has shifted compared to last year, and understanding those changes is critical before making a confident decision.

This Raleigh January 2026 market update compares this year’s data to January 2025 and explains what it means for pricing, timing, and overall strategy for home sellers.

RALEIGH DECEMBER MARKET UPDATE:

JANUARY 2026
Total # Homes Sold: 2,080
Avg. Sold Price: $466,397
Days on Market: 40

JANUARY 2025
Total # Homes Sold: 2,263
Avg. Sold Price: $466,630
Days on Market: 31

What’s Happening in the Raleigh Housing Market?

1. Fewer Homes Are Selling

Home sales declined from 2,263 in January 2025 to 2,080 in January 2026. This decrease signals a slowdown in transaction volume across the Raleigh area.

Buyers are still active, but they are taking a more cautious approach. Many are comparing options carefully, watching pricing closely, and negotiating more than they did last year.

Fewer sales do not mean demand has disappeared. It means sellers are facing more competition and need stronger strategies to stand out.

2. Home Prices Are Holding Steady

The average sold price remained nearly flat year over year, moving slightly from $466,630 in January 2025 to $466,397 in January 2026.

This stability shows that Raleigh home values are holding, even as sales volume has softened. However, price growth has leveled off, and buyers are less willing to stretch beyond market value.

For sellers, this reinforces the importance of pricing accurately based on current comparables, not last year’s momentum.

3. Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell

Days on market increased from 31 days in January 2025 to 40 days in January 2026.

That additional time on market is meaningful. Buyers are no longer rushing, and homes that are overpriced or underprepared are sitting longer before going under contract.

In today’s market, presentation, condition, and initial pricing play a much larger role in how quickly a home sells.

What This Means for Pricing Your Raleigh Home

Stable prices combined with longer selling timelines point to one key takeaway: overpricing can quickly work against you.

Homes that enter the market priced too high often miss the strongest buyer activity window. Once a listing sits, buyers begin to question value and negotiation leverage shifts.

Sellers who price strategically from the start are more likely to generate early interest, avoid price reductions, and protect their final sale price.

In 2026, pricing requires precision, not guesswork.

What This Means for Timing

Many Raleigh homeowners are wondering if waiting for later in the year will bring better results.

The challenge is that improved conditions often bring more sellers into the market. Increased inventory creates additional competition, which can offset gains in buyer activity.

Selling now may mean a slightly longer timeline, but it can also mean fewer competing listings in your neighborhood.

The best timing decision depends on your equity position, relocation plans, and personal goals, not just market predictions.

Common Mistakes Raleigh Sellers Are Making Right Now

  1. Pricing based on last year’s numbers instead of current comps

  2. Ignoring the increase in days on market

  3. Underestimating buyer negotiation power

  4. Skipping preparation, staging, or minor updates

  5. Waiting for “perfect” conditions instead of analyzing real data

The Raleigh housing market in January 2026 is more balanced than it was a year ago. Sellers who adjust their strategy are still achieving strong outcomes.

Is Now a Good Time to Sell in Raleigh?

The data shows fewer sales, steady prices, and longer timelines. That does not eliminate opportunity. It simply changes how sellers need to approach the market.

If you are unsure whether selling now or waiting makes the most sense for your situation, personalized guidance can help clarify the path forward.

We cover this in depth at our Home Seller Workshop | Every Fourth Tuesday of the Month @ 7 PM. It is designed to help you understand your options, avoid costly mistakes, and build a strategy that works in today’s market. If clarity is what you are looking for, this is the next best step. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! You can sign up to attend HERE.

Your Price is Our Promise®. Your Home SOLD 100% of the Asking Price, or We Will Pay You the Difference! Call us at 919-444-8363. or visit us HERE.