There’s a phrase in finance: “Volatility reveals who understands the game—and who was just along for the ride.”
The same holds true in real estate.
At The McKinney Group x SERHANT., we’ve seen this cycle before—just dressed in different headlines. As spring blooms across Pinehurst, Wilmington, and the Brunswick County coastline, the national news may suggest instability. But for those who know how to read the signals, it’s not chaos. It’s a recalibration. And recalibrations create opportunity.
📉 What’s Really Going On in the Economy?
Let’s start at the macro level—because buyers and sellers deserve more than soundbites.
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Inflation has moderated from 2022 highs, but remains sticky in key categories like insurance, labor, and services.
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The Federal Reserve is holding firm, signaling two potential rate cuts in 2025, likely starting in Q3, provided the labor market cools further.
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The 10-Year Treasury yield, which heavily influences mortgage rates, dropped sharply on recent tariff news and hints at softening growth—but rebounded days later.
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Equity markets are in a tug-of-war between optimism and realism.
In short: We’re in a classic late-cycle environment. Growth is slowing. Capital is moving more cautiously. Investors are reallocating into tangible assets—and real estate is still the crown jewel of long-term stability.
🏡 Local Market Breakdown: What This Means For You
We track three unique North Carolina submarkets that behave very differently—and each has its own rhythm right now.
Pinehurst: The Stablehold of Legacy Real Estate
“Golf may be the draw—but the lifestyle is the investment.”
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Median Sale Price: $554,000 (+12% YOY)
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Days on Market: 28
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Inventory: Tight, especially near course-side properties
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Drivers: U.S. Open halo effect, cash relocations, and multi-gen living
Insight:
Demand here isn’t speculative—it’s generational. The supply of character homes within walking distance of storied courses like Pinehurst No. 2, Talamore, and Mid Pines is finite. Buyers are increasingly entering with cash or large down payments, shielding themselves from rate volatility.
📌 Our Advice:
If you’re buying, do so before the next surge tied to upcoming championship announcements. If you’re selling, lean into the story: legacy, lifestyle, and location.
Wilmington: Lifestyle Migration Meets Economic Gravity
“The beach is just the beginning—this is where culture and capital meet.”
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Median Home Value: $410,931 (+1.6% YOY)
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Days on Market: 17
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Inventory: Down 3.4% from last year
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Drivers: Inbound migration, UNCW/tech/film sector growth, STR viability
Insight:
Buyers are relocating from pricier metros (Raleigh, Atlanta, New York) where selling a $1.2M townhome unlocks a coastal estate. The narrative here is lifestyle arbitrage: better weather, lower taxes, ocean access, and a growing creative economy.
📌 Our Advice:
Buyers: Move quickly, and be flexible. The most desirable properties never make it to Zillow. Sellers: Now is the time to optimize presentation and pricing. Demand is strong—but it’s discerning.
Brunswick Beaches: The Quiet Advantage
“Where affordability meets opportunity—and the market is waking up.”
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Median Sale Price: $351,000 (–5.4% YOY)
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Days on Market: 76
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Inventory: Increasing in several submarkets
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Drivers: Investor pullback, interest rate sensitivity, seasonal fluctuations
Insight:
This market experienced a post-pandemic correction, but it’s not a collapse. What we’re seeing is a reversion to the mean after explosive growth. Smart investors and second-home buyers are circling now, with rates expected to drop in the second half of the year.
📌 Our Advice:
Buyers: This is your window to negotiate. Sellers: Don’t panic. Strategic pricing + lifestyle-driven marketing will still move your home before summer peaks.
🧭 How to Navigate the Noise
If you’re a buyer:
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Ignore the headlines—watch the Fed. When rate cuts begin, you’ll face more competition.
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Buy the house, not the rate. You can always refinance. You can’t re-purchase a great home once someone else owns it.
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Work with a team that knows the backchannel deals. Inventory is tighter than it appears. Our private listing network and relationships make all the difference.
If you’re a seller:
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Presentation matters more than ever. Staging, photography, copywriting, and brand reach are separating the listings that move from those that sit.
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Price with precision. Today’s buyers are informed, strategic, and less emotionally reactive than 2021.
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Trust experience. We’re not guessing. We’re tracking, analyzing, and advising based on real-time data and decades of market behavior.
Final Word: Calm Wins
Markets will move, rates will rise and fall, and elections will come and go. But real estate—especially in our part of the world—is about legacy, lifestyle, and land.
At The McKinney Group x SERHANT., we don’t just sell homes—we help clients navigate life transitions, make informed decisions, and find properties that support the lifestyle they’re building.
If you're thinking about making a move, let’s talk strategy. In times like these, clarity is your biggest advantage.
📍 Hyper-local experts. 🌍 Global reach.
Exceptional properties. Exceptional results.
Let’s make your next move your best one yet.
