Absorption rate is a key real estate metric that shows how quickly available homes are selling in a specific market.
It’s calculated by taking the number of homes sold and comparing it to the total number of homes currently for sale.

How to use the number:

  • 0–3 months → 🔥 Seller’s Market (homes selling quickly)
  • 4–6 months → ⚖️ Balanced Market
  • 7+ months → 🧊 Buyer’s Market (homes sitting longer)

See how each town compares here: 

  Corolla   Duck   S. Shores   Kitty Hawk   KDH   Nags Head
                       
Active –  145   32   18   30   100   62
                       
Sold/Month – 17.8   7.3   7.8   7.1   21.8   14.9
                       
Abspt Rate –
in months		 8
months		   5
months		   2.5
months		   4
months		   4.7
months		   4
months
                       
*NL/Month  37   11   3   9   42   13

(*NL/Month = New listings each month)

We know a market is shifting when the Absorption rate goes over 6, AND the number of new listings each month far exceeds the number selling each month.  We are watching Corolla and Kill Devil Hills closely right now.

After two consecutive months of year-over-year growth, October experienced a modest 6% dip in units sold compared to October 2024. A total of 131 properties sold—matching September’s tally exactly. (Interestingly, July and August also mirrored each other with 138 sales each!)

This consistency points to a stagnant sales pattern, with overall volume down 4% year-over-year.

The Average Sales Price came in at $772,378, marking the fourth highest monthly average of the year.

Homes took longer to sell, with Average Days on Market rising to 85—the highest figure we've seen in 2025.

October MLS Interesting Facts:

  • 209 properties were listed in October compared to 176 in September. 59 of the 209 have either sold (2) or are under contract (57)
  • 144 properties went under contract, compared to 123 the previous month.
  • 194 price reductions!
  • 32 of the 131 closings were cash transactions, 12 were VA/FHA, 4 jumbo loans and the rest were conventional financing.
  • The Average Sales Price of the 32 cash sales was $748,748.
  • On average, property sold for 93% of the original asking price and 22 sold for 100% or higher!
  • 117 single-family homes sold with a Median Sales Price of $649,000
  • 10 condo and townhomes sold with a Median Sales Price of $471,000
  • 4 homes sold for over $2 Million including a 9-bedroom oceanfront in the Pine Island planned community section of Corolla which sold for $4,850,000 (92% of the original asking price).

Based on information from the Outer Banks Association of Realtors MLS 10.1.25 – 10.31.25