Wake County experienced a decrease in its median real estate sales price in July 2025, with the figure dropping by $35,500 to $460,000 compared to June’s median of $495,500. The data comes from the Wake County Register of Deeds and reflects trends across various market segments.
In July, there were two transactions in the county’s very high-value segment—sales worth $30 million or more—a drop from nine such transactions in June. The high-value segment, which includes transactions between $1 million and $30 million, recorded 226 deals totaling $485 million. This was a decrease of $114 million from the previous month.
The core market—properties valued at $1 million or less—saw 3,005 transactions in July. This was an increase of 84 transactions (2.9%) over June 2025.
Across all segments, total sales value reached just under $1.56 billion for July 2025. There were 3,233 real estate transactions during the month, up from June’s total of 3,180.
“Changes in median sales prices tend to be caused by activity in the core market,” according to information provided by Wake County officials. “The occurrence or non-occurrence of large transactions has virtually no impact on the calculation of median values because there are so few of those transactions.”
Ninety percent of April’s real estate transactions took place within the core market segment.
Real estate lending activity also increased in July compared to both June and July last year. There were 3,338 deed of trust transactions recorded for July 2025—a rise of 159 over June’s number—and a year-over-year increase of 14%. The ratio between deeds of trust and deeds is used as an indicator for refinancing activity; relatively more deeds of trust suggest an uptick in mortgage loan refinancing.
Officials noted that real estate activity is seasonal and recommended comparing monthly results with those from prior years for context. Charts referenced but not included show monthly aggregate values and transaction volumes dating back to January 2022.
Statistics are based on records maintained by the Wake County Register of Deeds office. Under North Carolina law, changes related to property rights—including security interests—are filed with this office.
The value assigned to transferred real estate is determined using excise tax calculations: one dollar per every five hundred dollars exchanged in a transaction. Approximately ninety-nine percent of these involved property transfers by deed; other types included right-of-way acquisitions.
Deed recordings include transfers where no money changed hands—for example, intra-family transfers—which made up thirty-eight percent of all deeds filed in July 2025 (up from twenty-nine percent during each quarter throughout most of last year).
For further details on local real estate trends—including rezoning applications and building permits—the public can consult additional resources published by the Register of Deeds at https://www.wakegov.com/news?department=29 .
“Contact: Tammy Brunner, Register of Deeds O. 919-856-5460 tammy.brunner@wake.gov”
“This report was initially released on August 4, 2025.”
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