Wilmington, N.C. – History was made in the luxury housing market in 2024. High-end home sales in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender Counties marked their most profitable year ever, shattering a record set in 2022 by more than $254 million.
From January 1 to December 31, 2024, a total of 764 homes priced at $1 million or more were sold, amounting to a collective $1,313,321,323. This eclipses the previous record of 663 homes sold for a combined $1.059 billion.
This achievement marks the third consecutive year that the tri-county luxury housing market has surpassed the billion-dollar threshold.
“High-end homes are no longer a niche market in the Cape Fear region—they’ve become a defining feature of our real estate landscape,” said Scott Saxton of Just For Buyers Realty. “The numbers from 2024 reflect not just an appetite for luxury living but a recognition of the incredible lifestyle this area offers. From the beaches to the historic districts, buyers are willing to invest in properties that provide a unique combination of beauty, convenience, and community.”
Here are the top five years for luxury home sales in the tri-county area:
| RANKING | YEAR | NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD | TOTAL VOLUME |
| 1 | 2024 | 764 | $1.313 Billion |
| 2 | 2022 | 663 | $1.059 Billion |
| 3 | 2023 | 635 | $1.027 Billion |
| 4 | 2021 | 558 | $926.2 Million |
| 5 | 2020 | 361 | $594.1. Million |
Not only was 2024 a record-breaking year, but it ended on a high note with the best December ever recorded. Last month, a total of 63 luxury homes sold in the region for a combined $106.4 million. This compares to December 2023, when 46 luxury homes sold for a combined $86.6 million.
The most expensive home to sell in December was a six-bedroom estate in Wilmington’s Landfall community. Located at 1000 Turnberry Lane, the more than 7,800-square-foot property is a Hamptons-style home offering views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Listed by Nick Phillips of Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty, the home was on the market for only 18 days before going under contract. It closed on December 19 for $7,750,000.
| New Hanover County
Dec. 2024 / Dec. 2023 |
Brunswick County
Dec 2024 / Dec 2023 |
Pender County
Dec 2024 / Dec 2023 |
||||
| Newly Listed | 23 | 33 | 29 | 16 | 5 | 3 |
| Went Under Contract | 24 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 4 |
| Closed # Homes Sold | 24 | 22 | 28 | 22 | 12 | 2 |
| Total Closed $ Volume | 43.6M | $48.1M | 44.8M | $35.9M | 18M | $2.6M |
| Total Current Listings | 134 | 124 | 165 | 131 | 50 | 33 |
*Luxury homes are defined as those priced at $1,000,000 or higher. Statistics are from the North Carolina Regional Multiple Listing Service.
This report is presented by Just for Buyers Realty. As the name implies, Just For Buyers Realty serves only buyers. In a state where buyers purchase real estate at their own risk, the company’s mission is to serve as Superheroes for Buyers, using all of the secrets of the trade to protect buyers at every stage of the process. Contact Just For Buyers Realty by calling 910-202-4813 or by e-mail at info@JustForBuyersRealty.com, or visit www.JustForBuyersRealty.com