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Market Update

December 2025 Wilmington, NC

Happy New Year! Understanding Your Local Market as We Head into 2026

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Why the Wilmington, NC Housing Market Looks Contradictory (And What's Really Happening County by County)

Why the Wilmington, NC Housing Market Looks Contradictory (And What's Really Happening County by County)

Why the Wilmington, NC Housing Market Looks Contradictory (And What's Really Happening County by County)Kim Crouch
Published on: 15/09/2026

Wilmington-area home sales fell but prices kept climbing — a contradiction only explained county by county. Realtor Kimberly Crouch breaks down what's really happening in Brunswick, New Hanover, Hampstead, and Leland for buyers and sellers in 2026.

living in Wilmington NCmoving to Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocationthings to know before moving to WilmingtonWilmington North Carolina real estaterelocating to Wilmington NCWilmington NC cost of livingWilmington NC flood zonesflood insurance Wilmington NCWilmington NC homeowners insurancenamed storm deductible North CarolinaNCJUANCIUAwind and hail insurance coastal NCCape Fear Memorial Bridge replacementWilmington NC trafficWilmington NC property taxesNew Hanover County property taxCFPUA water ratesWilmington NC utilitiesNew Hanover County schoolsWilmington NC school zonesshort term rentals Wilmington NCWilmington NC hurricanehurricane evacuation zones NCKnow Your Zone NCtermite bond NCcrawl space encapsulation NCsalt air corrosion coastal homescoastal North Carolina livingWrightsville Beach NCLeland NCBrunswick County NCPender County NCbuying a home in Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocation agentKimberly CroucheXp Realty Wilmington
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10 Ways Wilmington, NC's Market Runs Opposite the Rest of the Country

10 Ways Wilmington, NC's Market Runs Opposite the Rest of the Country

10 Ways Wilmington, NC's Market Runs Opposite the Rest of the CountryKim Crouch
Published on: 08/09/2026

Wilmington, NC is defying national real estate trends — rising inventory AND rising prices, a billion-dollar healthcare boom, and 12,000+ new residents. Realtor Kimberly Crouch breaks down 10 ways this market runs opposite the rest of the country.

living in Wilmington NCmoving to Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocationthings to know before moving to WilmingtonWilmington North Carolina real estaterelocating to Wilmington NCWilmington NC cost of livingWilmington NC flood zonesflood insurance Wilmington NCWilmington NC homeowners insurancenamed storm deductible North CarolinaNCJUANCIUAwind and hail insurance coastal NCCape Fear Memorial Bridge replacementWilmington NC trafficWilmington NC property taxesNew Hanover County property taxCFPUA water ratesWilmington NC utilitiesNew Hanover County schoolsWilmington NC school zonesshort term rentals Wilmington NCWilmington NC hurricanehurricane evacuation zones NCKnow Your Zone NCtermite bond NCcrawl space encapsulation NCsalt air corrosion coastal homescoastal North Carolina livingWrightsville Beach NCLeland NCBrunswick County NCPender County NCbuying a home in Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocation agentKimberly CroucheXp Realty Wilmington
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Wilmington, NC Is Booming — Here's What Buyers Should Actually Know Before They Move

Wilmington, NC Is Booming — Here's What Buyers Should Actually Know Before They Move

Wilmington, NC Is Booming — Here's What Buyers Should Actually Know Before They MoveKim Crouch
Published on: 02/09/2026

Wilmington, NC added 12,000+ residents in a year. Realtor Kimberly Crouch breaks down what's driving the boom, real price data by area, two major bridge projects, and the honest infrastructure and weather realities buyers should know before moving.

living in Wilmington NCmoving to Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocationthings to know before moving to WilmingtonWilmington North Carolina real estaterelocating to Wilmington NCWilmington NC cost of livingWilmington NC flood zonesflood insurance Wilmington NCWilmington NC homeowners insurancenamed storm deductible North CarolinaNCJUANCIUAwind and hail insurance coastal NCCape Fear Memorial Bridge replacementWilmington NC trafficWilmington NC property taxesNew Hanover County property taxCFPUA water ratesWilmington NC utilitiesNew Hanover County schoolsWilmington NC school zonesshort term rentals Wilmington NCWilmington NC hurricanehurricane evacuation zones NCKnow Your Zone NCtermite bond NCcrawl space encapsulation NCsalt air corrosion coastal homescoastal North Carolina livingWrightsville Beach NCLeland NCBrunswick County NCPender County NCbuying a home in Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocation agentKimberly CroucheXp Realty Wilmington
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Every Major Wilmington, NC Area Explained: Pricing, Lifestyle, and the Honest Trade-Offs

Every Major Wilmington, NC Area Explained: Pricing, Lifestyle, and the Honest Trade-Offs

Every Major Wilmington, NC Area Explained: Pricing, Lifestyle, and the Honest Trade-OffsKim Crouch
Published on: 25/08/2026

A full area-by-area guide to buying real estate near Wilmington, NC — Wrightsville Beach, Landfall, River Lights, Mayfaire, Ogden, Porters Neck, Castle Hayne, and Leland — with pricing, flood zones, and the honest trade-offs for each.

living in Wilmington NCmoving to Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocationthings to know before moving to WilmingtonWilmington North Carolina real estaterelocating to Wilmington NCWilmington NC cost of livingWilmington NC flood zonesflood insurance Wilmington NCWilmington NC homeowners insurancenamed storm deductible North CarolinaNCJUANCIUAwind and hail insurance coastal NCCape Fear Memorial Bridge replacementWilmington NC trafficWilmington NC property taxesNew Hanover County property taxCFPUA water ratesWilmington NC utilitiesNew Hanover County schoolsWilmington NC school zonesshort term rentals Wilmington NCWilmington NC hurricanehurricane evacuation zones NCKnow Your Zone NCtermite bond NCcrawl space encapsulation NCsalt air corrosion coastal homescoastal North Carolina livingWrightsville Beach NCLeland NCBrunswick County NCPender County NCbuying a home in Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocation agentKimberly CroucheXp Realty Wilmington
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Why Some People Leave Wilmington, NC — And What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

Why Some People Leave Wilmington, NC — And What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

Why Some People Leave Wilmington, NC — And What Buyers and Sellers Should KnowKim Crouch
Published on: 20/08/2026

Is everyone really leaving Wilmington, NC? Realtor Kimberly Crouch breaks down the 5 real reasons some buyers reconsider — affordability, taxes, insurance, jobs, weather, and infrastructure — plus what it means for buyers and sellers right now.

living in Wilmington NCmoving to Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocationthings to know before moving to WilmingtonWilmington North Carolina real estaterelocating to Wilmington NCWilmington NC cost of livingWilmington NC flood zonesflood insurance Wilmington NCWilmington NC homeowners insurancenamed storm deductible North CarolinaNCJUANCIUAwind and hail insurance coastal NCCape Fear Memorial Bridge replacementWilmington NC trafficWilmington NC property taxesNew Hanover County property taxCFPUA water ratesWilmington NC utilitiesNew Hanover County schoolsWilmington NC school zonesshort term rentals Wilmington NCWilmington NC hurricanehurricane evacuation zones NCKnow Your Zone NCtermite bond NCcrawl space encapsulation NCsalt air corrosion coastal homescoastal North Carolina livingWrightsville Beach NCLeland NCBrunswick County NCPender County NCbuying a home in Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocation agentKimberly CroucheXp Realty Wilmington
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6 Wilmington-Area Neighborhoods With Trade-Offs Buyers Often Miss

6 Wilmington-Area Neighborhoods With Trade-Offs Buyers Often Miss

6 Wilmington-Area Neighborhoods With Trade-Offs Buyers Often MissKim Crouch
Published on: 11/08/2026

Wrightsville Beach, downtown Wilmington, St. James Plantation, Leland, Mayfaire, and Hampstead all have hidden trade-offs relocating buyers miss. Realtor Kimberly Crouch breaks down what each area actually delivers before you make an offer.

living in Wilmington NCmoving to Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocationthings to know before moving to WilmingtonWilmington North Carolina real estaterelocating to Wilmington NCWilmington NC cost of livingWilmington NC flood zonesflood insurance Wilmington NCWilmington NC homeowners insurancenamed storm deductible North CarolinaNCJUANCIUAwind and hail insurance coastal NCCape Fear Memorial Bridge replacementWilmington NC trafficWilmington NC property taxesNew Hanover County property taxCFPUA water ratesWilmington NC utilitiesNew Hanover County schoolsWilmington NC school zonesshort term rentals Wilmington NCWilmington NC hurricanehurricane evacuation zones NCKnow Your Zone NCtermite bond NCcrawl space encapsulation NCsalt air corrosion coastal homescoastal North Carolina livingWrightsville Beach NCLeland NCBrunswick County NCPender County NCbuying a home in Wilmington NCWilmington NC relocation agentKimberly CroucheXp Realty Wilmington
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About Kimberly Crouch

With 25+ years of experience in real estate, finance, and accounting, Kimberly Crouch brings a unique analytical perspective to coastal real estate. As a former CPA (currently Inactive) and Director of Finance for real estate developers, she helps clients understand both the emotional and financial aspects of their real estate decisions.

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Data is from the Cape Fear MLS and is deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed.

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