Why Q4 2025 Could Be a Smart Time to Sell in Johnston County

As we move into the final quarter of 2025, you might be watching the real estate news, interest rate chatter, and local trends — and wondering whether now is the right time to list. In Johnston County, the picture isn’t perfect, but it’s far from bleak. With the right strategy, sellers can still find success in Q4.

In this article, I’ll show you:

•What the current Johnston County market looks like

•Why waiting might cost you more than it seems

•Tactical steps you can take now

•What to expect going forward

Let’s take a closer look.

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The Johnston County Market Right Now

To understand whether it’s a good time to sell, we need to ground ourselves in local data.

Price Trends & Market Activity

•The median sale price in Johnston County is hovering around $350,000 to $360,000 depending on the source.

•Compared year-over-year, prices are relatively flat or showing small declines: some months show a drop of ~0.3% to 1%.

•Homes are spending more time on the market: in some months, average “days on market” is rising (for example, one report showed 55 days versus prior years’ lower figures)

•On the supply side, inventory is modest. Some sources cite ~1,100 active listings in Johnston County, and not huge surges in new listings.

In short: the market in Johnston County has cooled a bit compared to the overheated years, but it remains functional. We’re likely closer to a balanced market than a dramatic crash.

A Big Reappraisal Shift

One important factor to be aware of: Johnston County recently completed a revaluation, which updated property tax assessments to reflect market conditions. Overall real property values increased about 70.6% since the last revaluation (2019) across the county, though the increases vary by area.

This reappraisal doesn’t mean your taxes will jump 70%. The county will adjust tax rates, and relief programs may apply. But the underlying point is: market values are now officially higher, and sellers have more built-in equity to lean on than before.

New Construction & Buyer Behavior

•A large share of the inventory in Johnston County comes from new construction — many buyers are comparing resale homes to new builds, which sometimes come with builder incentives.

•Some buyers are paying all-cash to avoid financing uncertainty. In fact, new construction and investor activity continue to influence comps and competitive dynamics.

•First-time buyers face headwinds (rates, down payments, etc.), so demand is more concentrated among move-up buyers, relocators, and buyers who are more “qualified.”

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Why Waiting May Backfire — Especially in Johnston County

If you’re considering postponing your sale until “the market improves,” here are several cost traps you may not have considered — particularly locally.

Carrying Costs Add Up

Every month your home remains on the market or unsold, you absorb mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and more. In a lower-momentum market, those costs don’t shrink — they pile up.

Future Homes May Cost More

Because prices tend to drift upward over time (even modestly), the home you plan to buy later could already be more expensive. So even if you get a slightly better mortgage rate later, your “next home” may cost you more, erasing that gain.

Buyer Pool May Erode

If economic conditions worsen, interest rates rise again, or lending criteria tighten, some buyers might drop out entirely. The window of serious buyers this fall might be your best shot before winter slows things further.

Comparisons Are Tougher in Q1

Homes that sell in Q4 become comp data for Q1. If your home lags or underperforms, it weakens your comparables. Also, more competition may arrive in spring, reducing your leverage.

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What to Expect Going Forward

Looking ahead, here’s what may unfold in 2026 — and how that impacts your timing decision today.

•Many local forecasts anticipate moderate price gains rather than dramatic swings. Some predict a 5% increase in home values in Johnston County in 2025 over 2024.

•Mortgage rates may gradually ease, but likely not collapse. That means buyers will still be rate-sensitive.

•Inventory may inch up as more sellers test the market, inching us closer to a more balanced market — but not one with a flood of options.

•Homes listed now may avoid seasons of heavier competition (e.g. spring) when more sellers enter. Being in the game earlier gives visibility and momentum.

•As comp data accumulates, more “apples-to-apples” comparables will reinforce value for homes priced well today.

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Local Stories & Perspective

I’ve lived and worked in this area for a while, and I see this pattern: sellers who wait too long often regret it. One of my clients considered waiting for 2026, hoping rates would drop more. But over that waiting period, comparable homes in her neighborhood appreciated, and what she wanted to buy next jumped in value. When she decided to list, she effectively “lost” equity from delaying.

Another neighbor listed in late Q4 last year and sold within 30 days because buyers were looking ahead — they wanted to get settled before holidays and New Year changes. Because the home was ready and well-priced, it outpaced many spring listings in its neighborhood.

These stories aren’t flukes. They show that in our local market, timing, preparation, and knowing how to position your home often matter more than waiting for a perfect external shift.

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Your Move: What You Can Do Right Now

1.Get a professional comparative market analysis (CMA). Let me walk you through recent Johnston County comps and what your home could list for now.

2.Begin staging and readying your home. Even small upgrades pay off in buyer perception.

3.Set a listing strategy. Decide whether to launch now or delay minimally for strategic reasons—don’t let indecision freeze your progress.

4.Discuss incentives and contingencies in advance. Be ready for negotiation, and set your thresholds.

5.Plan your marketing. Use digital, social, and local reach to get visibility from buyers who might be second-home buyers, relocating, or seeking better value in Johnston County.

If you’re curious about how your specific home might fare in Q4, or if you want help preparing, I’d love to walk through a no-pressure consultation with you. In many cases, the difference between listing now and listing later is more than timing — it’s positioning, confidence, and the ability to make a move when others are still waiting.