Home sales in the Cape Fear region are bucking national trends, according to a Wilmington-based real estate firm.

The number of homes sold nationally dropped 3 percent in May compared to the same month a year ago, but according to local data gathered June 22 from the N.C. Regional Multiple Listing Service by Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, home sales in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Onslow counties continue to rise.

“Real estate is such a local business and we want to make sure that potential buyers and sellers understand what is happening in our region and how it compares nationally,” said Tim Milam, president of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, in a news release.

Milam's company is headquartered in Wilmington but has a four-county market.

“In contrast to national trends, homes sales are up in all four of the counties in which we operate, and if we had more inventory available, these percentage increases would likely be even higher," Milam stated in the release. "While sales are up significantly, median price increases in our markets are moderate, ranging from less than 1 percent to 4 percent year over year, which is more in keeping with what we’re seeing nationally.”

Total existing-home sales, as detailed in the May 2018 NAR Report, are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums.  

Pender County was the most active in May, with a 32 percent increase in home sales compared to May 2017, according to the release.  The median price in Pender County rose 3 percent from 2017 to $266,500.

"This just slightly exceeds the national median of $264,800 as reported by NAR," the release stated. "Of all four counties in Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage’s market area, Pender County is the only one in which the median home price exceeded the national average."

The average days-on-market (DOM) for home sales in Pender County was 89 for May 2018, a decrease of 5 percent from 2017, the release stated. Nationally, the DOM decreased from 27 days in 2017 to 26 days in 2018.

The Sea Coast release also noted trends by county:

New Hanover County

• New Hanover County saw a 9 percent increase in homes sold from May 2017 to May 2018.
• Median housing prices in New Hanover County rose 4 percent year-over-year to $260,000, just slightly below the national median of $264,800 as reported by NAR.
• DOM for home sales in New Hanover County was 65 for May 2018, down 1.5 percent from last May’s 66.

Brunswick County

• Homes sales in Brunswick County increased 18 percent from May 2017 to May 2018.
• The median home price in May 2018 rose 4 percent to $235,000, 11.3 percent lower than the national median average of $264,800.
• DOM for home sales in Brunswick County was 96 for May 2018, a decrease of 24 percent from 2017.

Onslow County

• Onslow County, one of the nation’s top military markets, saw a 14 percent increase in home sales in May 2018 as compared to May 2017.
• The median sold price in Onslow County increased only .06 percent to $160,000 in May 2018, ensuring that Onslow County continues to remain one of the most affordable housing markets in our region.
• DOM for home sales in Onslow County was 70 for May 2018, a decrease of 20 percent from 2017.