Local Market Snapshot: Fall 2025 in the Longleaf Pine REALTORS® Region
What REALTORS® Are Seeing Across Our Communities This Season
As the fall season settles into the Longleaf Pine REALTORS® region, our housing market is showing a mix of cooling activity, rising inventory, and steady prices—creating a dynamic environment for both buyers and sellers. With mortgage rates just beginning to soften nationwide, and local demand adjusting after years of rapid movement, Fall 2025 offers our members a clearer, more balanced landscape than we’ve seen in quite some time.
This snapshot blends the October Monthly Indicators, local county market updates, and the regional Housing Supply Report to paint a full picture of residential real estate across Cumberland, Hoke, and Lee counties. Whether you’re advising clients, planning your business strategy, or assessing market opportunity, here’s a story-first breakdown of what’s happening in our backyard.
A Region in Transition: The Big Picture
Across the LPR service area, fall brought a notable shift: inventory is rising, days on market are lengthening, and sales activity is moderating.
According to the October Monthly Indicators report:
- Closed sales fell across single-family and condo/townhome properties, with existing single-family sales down 9.2% year-over-year. October Monthly Indicators
- Inventory climbed 15.6% region-wide, offering more breathing room for buyers. October Housing Supply Report
- Median home prices continue to rise modestly, with the overall regional median up 5.4% to $295,000. October Housing Supply Report
- Days on market increased sharply, especially for homes above $350,000. Properties in that range averaged 71 days before going under contract. October Housing Supply Report
Together, these indicators point toward a more balanced and opportunity-rich market—one where pricing remains strong, but buyers have new negotiating space and REALTORS® are navigating a more traditional transactional pace.
County-by-County Snapshot
Below is a narrative look at October 2025 activity across our three primary counties, with the goal of helping REALTORS® speak confidently about their local markets.
Cumberland County
Steady pricing, longer market times, and softening sales define the season.
Cumberland County remains the most active area within the LPR footprint, and October reflected the broader pattern of rising inventory and slowing sales:
🔹 Key Takeaways
- Median Sales Price: Existing single-family homes posted a median of $244,950, down 1.8% year-over-year, but still up 3.7% year-to-date. Octoebr in Cumberland County
- Inventory is rising: New listings ticked up 3.4%, helping replenish options for buyers.
- Days on market climbed from 28 to 45 days, showing a clear shift toward a slower sales tempo.
- Closed sales fell 7.3%—a meaningful indicator of cooling demand heading into winter.
- Townhomes/condos saw strong October momentum, with closed sales rising 14.3% and median price growing 9.5%. Octoebr in Cumberland County
What this means for REALTORS®
Cumberland is balancing. Buyers have more choices, sellers must price strategically, and well-prepared properties still hold strong value.
Hoke County
Modest price growth meets slower movement and fewer sales.
Hoke County saw an interesting mix of steady pricing, rising market times, and softer activity.
🔹 Key Takeaways
- Median existing-home price grew 2.2% to $279,900. October in Hoke County
- Closed sales fell sharply (–24%), reflecting seasonality combined with buyer hesitation.
- Days on market rose from 26 to 37 days.
- New construction remains strong:
- Median new-build price rose 5.9% to $335,500.
- Closed sales held steady (+3.1%).
- Builders continue offering competitive inventory, even as overall sales pace slows. October in Hoke County
What this means for REALTORS®
Buyers in Hoke County may find improved value opportunities this fall, especially in new construction, while sellers should anticipate slightly longer listing periods.
Lee County
A mix of strong pricing and more dramatic shifts in market time.
Lee County experienced some of the season’s most pronounced shifts.
🔹 Key Takeaways
- Median existing-home price jumped 10.4% to $359,750—the strongest gain among the three counties. October in Lee County
- Days on market surged from 29 to 85 days, one of the steepest increases region-wide.
- Pending sales held steady, but closed sales rose 11.8% in October.
- New construction:
- New listings dropped sharply (–70.6%).
- But closed sales doubled (+100%), reflecting strong buyer appetite for quality new builds.
What this means for REALTORS®
Lee County is a classic “high-demand, low-inventory” story in new construction, while existing properties require careful pricing due to longer market times.
Market Themes REALTORS® Should Be Talking About This Fall
1. A More Balanced Market Has Arrived
After several years of high pressure, our region is slowing into a more sustainable pattern where buyers and sellers have more equal footing.
2. Inventory Gains = Opportunity
With active listings rising 15.6% region-wide and even more in certain price ranges, REALTORS® can help clients explore options they didn’t have last year. October Housing Supply Report
3. Price Stability Remains a Strength
Even with fewer sales, median prices continue to climb in most markets—especially new construction and mid-range homes.
4. Days on Market Will Matter This Winter
Most areas show significantly longer market times.
This arms REALTORS® with key messaging:
- For sellers: strategic pricing and property prep matter.
- For buyers: there is time to make thoughtful decisions.
How REALTORS® Can Use This Report
- Educate clients on emerging trends
- Prepare for listing appointments with neighborhood-specific insights
- Guide buyers toward segments with stronger inventory
- Share market expertise on social media and newsletters
- Adjust business plans heading into Q1 2026
As always, Longleaf Pine REALTORS® is here to support your market knowledge, advocacy, and business growth. Our members succeed when they are informed—and this fall’s data shows a market filled with both challenges and opportunities.
You can find all the reports that produced this article here:
