January 2026 Raleigh Luxury Real Estate Market Update: Strategic Buying in a Seller’s Market
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Happy New Year! As we turn the page to 2026, it is time to look back at how the luxury real estate market in the Raleigh Triangle wrapped up 2025 and what those numbers tell us about the year ahead.
If you are a relocation buyer eyeing the Triangle, or a local homeowner considering selling, you have likely seen headlines about shifting markets. However, real estate is hyper-local. Generic headlines do not tell the story of what is happening in specific neighborhoods like Cary, Apex, or Holly Springs.
In this update, we are diving into the December 2025 numbers for the Luxury Market (homes priced over $750,000). The big takeaway? While inventory is fluctuating, the Triangle remains a robust seller’s market, but buyer behavior is shifting from “emotional” to “analytical.”
Here is your comprehensive look at the data.
Local Market Breakdown: December 2025 Stats
1. Cary: Breaking the Million-Dollar Threshold
Cary continues to be a powerhouse in the luxury sector. The median home sale price has jumped to $1.05 million, representing a 7% appreciation year-over-year.
- Inventory: On paper, inventory looks like it exploded—up nearly 97% compared to last year. However, context is key. We went from 38 homes on the market to 75. In a town the size of Cary, 75 luxury homes is still not an oversupply.
- Months of Supply: We are sitting at 2.4 months of supply.
- The Verdict: Despite more homes hitting the market, this is still firmly a seller’s territory.
2. Apex: More Choice, Same High Demand
Apex is offering buyers a bit more choice, but don’t let that fool you—homes are moving fast. The median sales price rose 3% to $880,000.
- Inventory Reality Check: You might hear that Apex inventory increased by 128%. While true, this represents an increase from 32 homes last year to 73 homes this year.
- Speed of Sale: Demand is absorbing this inventory quickly. The average days on market is just 19 days.
- The Verdict: If a home in Apex is priced correctly, it will sell in under three weeks.
3. Holly Springs: The Tightest Market in the Triangle
If you are looking to move to Holly Springs, you need to be prepared to act immediately. This was the tightest market across the group for December 2025.
- Median Price: Holding steady around $885,000.
- Days on Market: This metric dropped by nearly 48%. Homes are selling in an average of just 14 days.
- Supply: With only 1.4 months of supply (down from last year), there is very little room for hesitation.
- The Verdict: High demand and low inventory make this a highly competitive area for buyers.
4. Raleigh: The Big City Shift
The Raleigh market tells a slightly different story than its suburbs. The median price rose 3.2% to $1.099 million, but the pace is different.
- Inventory: Unlike the suburbs, inventory in Raleigh actually declined slightly to 247 homes.
- Days on Market: This jumped from 20 days last year to 37 days this year.
- The Verdict: Supply has tightened to 2.1 months, but the increase in days on market suggests that luxury buyers in the city are taking their time, being selective, and negotiating.
What to Expect in Spring 2026
We are already seeing clients coming off the sidelines to prepare for the spring market. After a period of uncertainty regarding interest rates, there is significant pent-up demand. Even a slight dip in rates is expected to pull more buyers back into the market, increasing competition as the weather warms up.
Relocating to the Triangle?
If you are trying to interpret this data from a distance, don’t rely on national headlines. Real estate is local. Whether you are looking for lake life in Holly Springs or luxury living in North Hills, you need an expert on the ground.
At Dare Realty Group, we act as your eyes and ears. We help you navigate these numbers to make a move that makes financial and lifestyle sense.
Ready to start your search? Let’s connect.
Trish Dare Dare Realty Group 📩 Email: Trish@trishdare.com 📞 Call/Text: 919-564-6264 📅 Book a Consultation: Click Here to Schedule a Call 🌐 Website: www.darerealtygroup.com