Hi there — welcome back to The Triangle Letter, your monthly download on what's moving across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the rest of the Triangle. This month: where the market actually stands heading into summer, a few things worth your weekend, and a tip for anyone weighing whether to list this season.
The market, in plain terms
If you've been hearing mixed signals about the Triangle market lately, here's the clearest read: things have shifted toward balance. Inventory is up significantly from this time last year, homes are spending more time on the market than they did during the frenzy of 2021–2022, and properties are selling close to — but not far above — asking price. None of that means the market has gone cold. It means it's behaving more like a market is supposed to: with room to think, negotiate, and make a decision that actually fits your life.
By the numbers this month
- Inventory: up roughly 20% across Wake County compared to a year ago
- Days on market: averaging over 40 days, compared to a week or less at the height of 2021–2022
- List-to-sale ratio: homes selling at about 98% of asking price
- Months of supply: roughly four — what agents consider a "balanced" market
For buyers, that's relief. For sellers, it means the "just list it and watch the offers roll in" approach from a few years ago needs an update — more on that below.
Around the Triangle this month
Summer means farmers markets back in full swing in Raleigh, Durham, and Cary, evening concerts on the lawns at venues like Koka Booth and Red Hat Amphitheater, and just about every town hosting some version of an outdoor movie night or food truck rodeo. If you're searching for a home in a specific area, going to one of these events is genuinely one of the best ways to get a feel for a neighborhood beyond what photos online can show you — the foot traffic, the noise level, how people actually use the space.
Neighborhood spotlight: North Hills, Raleigh
Each month I'll highlight one Triangle neighborhood worth knowing — this time it's North Hills in Raleigh. Once known mainly for its shopping center, it's grown into one of the city's most walkable mixed-use areas: restaurants, a movie theater, green space, and housing that ranges from high-rise condos to single-family streets just off Six Forks Road. It's a strong fit for buyers who want walkability and amenities without giving up easy highway access — though that convenience runs at a higher price point than many surrounding areas.
One tip if you're thinking about listing this summer
If selling is somewhere on your radar this year, summer remains one of the strongest windows in the Triangle — families relocating for job changes or trying to be settled before the school year tend to move with real urgency. But "strong window" doesn't mean "price it high and wait." In a more balanced market, homes priced realistically from day one are the ones that move fastest and net the best outcome. Overpricing and adjusting later almost always costs more than starting right. (I go deeper on exactly how to approach pricing and presentation this season in this month's feature article — worth a read if listing is on your mind.)
What I'm watching heading into summer
Two things on my radar: whether mortgage rates continue easing — they dipped below 6% briefly this spring (more on what that actually means for your budget in this month's other feature) — and whether the inventory bump holds through peak season or gets absorbed as more buyers come off the sidelines. Either direction changes the calculus for both buyers and sellers, so I'll keep tracking it and keep you posted.
From my desk to yours
Whether you're actively searching, thinking about selling, or just like keeping a pulse on the market without doomscrolling listings at 11pm — that's exactly what this letter is for. If anything here raises a question about your specific situation, reach out. I'd genuinely rather talk it through with you now than have you guess your way through one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.
Talk soon,
Sophie
