State report · HMDA 2025
North Carolina mortgages and home buyers, 2025
Incomes, down payments, rates, loan costs, denials and lenders across North Carolina's 100 counties, from official HMDA records.
HMDA 2025 data released June 23, 2026
In 2025, lenders reported 115,390 home-purchase mortgages for owner-occupied, single-family homes in North Carolina. The median buyer borrowed $325,000 on a home valued at $375,000 and reported a household income of $111,000.
Buyers financed a median 90% of the home's value (roughly 10% down), paid a median 6.50% on 30-year fixed conventional loans and faced median conventional loan costs of $4,840.
Lenders denied 7.6% of completed home-purchase applications.
Purchase loans
115,390
872 lenders active
Buyer income
$111,000
U.S. $116,000
Down payment
10%
U.S. 10%
30-yr fixed rate
6.50%
U.S. 6.625%
Loan costs
$4,840
Conventional · U.S. $5,570
FHA limit 2026
$541K–$805K
1-unit home, by county
Key facts
- The median 30-year fixed conventional rate here was 13 basis points below the U.S. median (6.625%).
- Median conventional loan costs ($4,840) were 13% lower than the U.S. median ($5,570).
- VA loans were unusually common: 16.1% of purchase mortgages.
- The most common age bracket among borrowers was 25–34 (32.2% of purchase loans).
- 54.9% of purchase mortgages had a single borrower with no co-applicant.
- The most-cited reason for denial was debt-to-income ratio (43.9% of denials with a stated reason).
The 2026 conforming limit is $832,750 for a one-unit home in every North Carolina county. See every North Carolina county's 2026 FHA and conforming loan limits.
North Carolina counties compared
Click a column to sort. Medians shown with at least 30 loans.
| County | Purchase loans | Median loan | Buyer income | Down payment | 30-yr rate | Loan costs | Denial rate | FHA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamance County | 2,144 | $295,000 | $96,000 | 5.0% | 6.500% | $4,660 | 8.3% | $541,287 |
| Alexander County | 250 | $265,000 | $91,000 | 5.0% | 6.624% | $4,880 | 6.2% | $541,287 |
| Alleghany County | 80 | $225,000 | $91,000 | 20.0% | 6.625% | $4,370 | 12.9% | $541,287 |
| Anson County | 120 | $205,000 | $76,000 | 3.5% | 6.750% | $4,010 | 6.8% | $541,287 |
| Ashe County | 172 | $305,000 | $107,000 | 12.7% | 6.625% | $4,640 | 7.4% | $541,287 |
| Avery County | 111 | $315,000 | $112,000 | 20.0% | 6.625% | $4,970 | 14.7% | $541,287 |
| Beaufort County | 295 | $265,000 | $106,000 | 10.0% | 6.500% | $4,790 | 7.3% | $541,287 |
| Bertie County | 60 | $155,000 | $76,000 | 5.0% | — | $4,030 | 14.9% | $541,287 |
| Bladen County | 118 | $245,000 | $83,000 | 3.5% | 6.500% | $4,580 | 12.1% | $541,287 |
| Brunswick County | 3,376 | $295,000 | $104,000 | 20.0% | 6.500% | $4,510 | 9.3% | $541,287 |
| Buncombe County | 2,151 | $375,000 | $128,000 | 20.0% | 6.590% | $5,260 | 5.3% | $541,287 |
| Burke County | 625 | $255,000 | $88,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,840 | 6.7% | $541,287 |
| Cabarrus County | 2,874 | $365,000 | $122,000 | 10.0% | 6.625% | $5,140 | 7.4% | $541,287 |
| Caldwell County | 669 | $255,000 | $88,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,890 | 5.6% | $541,287 |
| Camden County | 188 | $405,000 | $124,000 | 3.5% | 6.500% | $6,530 | 10.3% | $757,850 |
| Carteret County | 721 | $355,000 | $132,000 | 16.0% | 6.500% | $4,790 | 7.1% | $541,287 |
| Caswell County | 92 | $245,000 | $91,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $5,070 | 14.7% | $541,287 |
| Catawba County | 2,092 | $285,000 | $96,000 | 6.2% | 6.624% | $4,740 | 7.4% | $541,287 |
| Chatham County | 887 | $495,000 | $180,000 | 20.0% | 6.500% | $4,950 | 4.9% | $634,800 |
| Cherokee County | 204 | $255,000 | $81,000 | 10.0% | 6.750% | $5,680 | 10.6% | $541,287 |
| Chowan County | 127 | $285,000 | $105,000 | 10.0% | 6.625% | $5,340 | 5.9% | $541,287 |
| Clay County | 87 | $295,000 | $96,000 | 20.0% | 6.625% | $4,970 | 10.3% | $541,287 |
| Cleveland County | 816 | $255,000 | $83,000 | 3.5% | 6.575% | $4,850 | 9.8% | $541,287 |
| Columbus County | 213 | $225,000 | $86,000 | 5.0% | 6.575% | $4,540 | 18.7% | $541,287 |
| Craven County | 1,360 | $285,000 | $99,000 | 3.5% | 6.500% | $4,500 | 7.0% | $541,287 |
| Cumberland County | 3,472 | $265,000 | $90,000 | 0.0% | 6.625% | $4,930 | 7.5% | $541,287 |
| Currituck County | 504 | $435,000 | $132,000 | 6.6% | 6.625% | $6,220 | 5.7% | $757,850 |
| Dare County | 362 | $425,000 | $139,000 | 20.0% | 6.624% | $5,370 | 6.5% | $718,750 |
| Davidson County | 1,948 | $275,000 | $91,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,900 | 7.3% | $541,287 |
| Davie County | 515 | $295,000 | $99,000 | 10.0% | 6.500% | $4,780 | 7.5% | $541,287 |
| Duplin County | 227 | $245,000 | $90,000 | 3.5% | 6.625% | $4,530 | 10.9% | $541,287 |
| Durham County | 3,534 | $355,000 | $131,000 | 15.0% | 6.500% | $4,700 | 6.2% | $634,800 |
| Edgecombe County | 220 | $185,000 | $67,000 | 3.5% | 6.500% | $4,410 | 12.9% | $541,287 |
| Forsyth County | 4,132 | $275,000 | $98,000 | 7.9% | 6.625% | $4,690 | 7.1% | $541,287 |
| Franklin County | 1,117 | $345,000 | $119,000 | 10.0% | 6.500% | $4,820 | 7.2% | $541,287 |
| Gaston County | 3,229 | $305,000 | $100,000 | 5.0% | 6.575% | $4,830 | 9.4% | $541,287 |
| Gates County | 61 | $265,000 | $95,000 | 5.0% | — | $4,520 | 4.5% | $757,850 |
| Graham County | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | 27.8% | $541,287 |
| Granville County | 547 | $315,000 | $102,000 | 6.0% | 6.500% | $4,820 | 11.0% | $541,287 |
| Greene County | 72 | $195,000 | $73,000 | 3.5% | — | $4,940 | 6.3% | $541,287 |
| Guilford County | 4,641 | $285,000 | $101,000 | 10.0% | 6.624% | $4,860 | 7.9% | $541,287 |
| Halifax County | 150 | $195,000 | $75,000 | 3.5% | 6.490% | $4,660 | 14.1% | $541,287 |
| Harnett County | 2,952 | $315,000 | $102,000 | 3.5% | 6.500% | $4,630 | 7.5% | $541,287 |
| Haywood County | 609 | $335,000 | $103,000 | 9.6% | 6.500% | $5,500 | 8.2% | $541,287 |
| Henderson County | 1,272 | $365,000 | $116,000 | 16.0% | 6.500% | $4,870 | 6.1% | $541,287 |
| Hertford County | 64 | $195,000 | $84,000 | 3.5% | — | $4,200 | 15.0% | $541,287 |
| Hoke County | 1,068 | $315,000 | $95,000 | 0.0% | 6.500% | $4,900 | 5.1% | $541,287 |
| Hyde County | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | $541,287 |
| Iredell County | 2,788 | $345,000 | $117,000 | 10.0% | 6.500% | $4,810 | 7.6% | $541,287 |
| Jackson County | 199 | $335,000 | $109,000 | 11.1% | 6.500% | $5,910 | 9.9% | $541,287 |
| Johnston County | 3,840 | $325,000 | $106,000 | 5.0% | 6.500% | $4,740 | 7.3% | $541,287 |
| Jones County | 70 | $245,000 | $79,000 | 5.0% | — | $4,630 | 7.7% | $541,287 |
| Lee County | 843 | $305,000 | $100,000 | 5.0% | 6.616% | $4,680 | 10.1% | $541,287 |
| Lenoir County | 365 | $225,000 | $80,000 | 3.5% | 6.625% | $4,700 | 11.1% | $541,287 |
| Lincoln County | 1,191 | $355,000 | $121,000 | 10.3% | 6.622% | $4,870 | 7.8% | $541,287 |
| McDowell County | 298 | $265,000 | $94,000 | 10.0% | 6.500% | $4,830 | 11.1% | $541,287 |
| Macon County | 270 | $275,000 | $93,000 | 10.0% | 6.750% | $6,370 | 9.2% | $541,287 |
| Madison County | 123 | $355,000 | $120,000 | 20.0% | 6.625% | $5,200 | 6.7% | $541,287 |
| Martin County | 109 | $155,000 | $75,000 | 3.5% | — | $4,360 | 16.3% | $541,287 |
| Mecklenburg County | 12,771 | $395,000 | $140,000 | 10.3% | 6.500% | $5,090 | 7.2% | $541,287 |
| Mitchell County | 95 | $265,000 | $84,000 | 10.0% | 6.750% | $4,790 | 17.2% | $541,287 |
| Montgomery County | 181 | $285,000 | $100,000 | 10.0% | 6.625% | $4,760 | 12.0% | $541,287 |
| Moore County | 1,651 | $395,000 | $130,000 | 8.6% | 6.625% | $4,940 | 5.7% | $541,287 |
| Nash County | 980 | $285,000 | $89,000 | 3.5% | 6.500% | $5,070 | 14.2% | $541,287 |
| New Hanover County | 2,362 | $375,000 | $136,000 | 20.0% | 6.625% | $4,730 | 4.6% | $541,287 |
| Northampton County | 64 | $165,000 | $93,000 | 4.6% | — | $3,490 | 19.3% | $541,287 |
| Onslow County | 3,441 | $295,000 | $91,000 | 0.0% | 6.625% | $4,780 | 4.5% | $541,287 |
| Orange County | 1,076 | $405,000 | $158,000 | 20.0% | 6.500% | $5,020 | 5.7% | $634,800 |
| Pamlico County | 110 | $335,000 | $118,000 | 20.0% | 6.625% | $5,420 | 8.9% | $541,287 |
| Pasquotank County | 587 | $305,000 | $94,000 | 3.0% | 6.625% | $5,000 | 12.2% | $541,287 |
| Pender County | 1,006 | $385,000 | $131,000 | 10.1% | 6.575% | $4,890 | 8.2% | $541,287 |
| Perquimans County | 124 | $305,000 | $109,000 | 10.0% | 6.500% | $6,640 | 10.4% | $805,000 |
| Person County | 285 | $275,000 | $92,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,660 | 10.6% | $634,800 |
| Pitt County | 1,675 | $265,000 | $98,000 | 5.0% | 6.500% | $4,670 | 8.4% | $541,287 |
| Polk County | 146 | $335,000 | $117,000 | 15.0% | 6.625% | $4,930 | 8.4% | $541,287 |
| Randolph County | 1,174 | $255,000 | $84,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,840 | 7.3% | $541,287 |
| Richmond County | 190 | $195,000 | $81,000 | 3.5% | 6.625% | $4,400 | 12.8% | $541,287 |
| Robeson County | 381 | $255,000 | $86,000 | 3.5% | 6.750% | $5,110 | 10.8% | $541,287 |
| Rockingham County | 940 | $235,000 | $82,000 | 5.0% | 6.500% | $4,560 | 7.4% | $541,287 |
| Rowan County | 1,620 | $285,000 | $89,000 | 5.0% | 6.500% | $5,030 | 8.8% | $541,287 |
| Rutherford County | 440 | $235,000 | $80,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,860 | 10.4% | $541,287 |
| Sampson County | 346 | $265,000 | $88,000 | 3.5% | 6.625% | $4,970 | 7.8% | $541,287 |
| Scotland County | 159 | $205,000 | $82,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,750 | 12.6% | $541,287 |
| Stanly County | 795 | $295,000 | $93,000 | 5.0% | 6.624% | $5,030 | 7.3% | $541,287 |
| Stokes County | 418 | $275,000 | $91,000 | 5.0% | 6.500% | $4,820 | 12.1% | $541,287 |
| Surry County | 430 | $235,000 | $82,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,610 | 8.2% | $541,287 |
| Swain County | 74 | $245,000 | $107,000 | 13.7% | 6.500% | $5,950 | 13.5% | $541,287 |
| Transylvania County | 197 | $365,000 | $126,000 | 20.0% | 6.625% | $5,400 | 6.6% | $541,287 |
| Tyrrell County | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | $541,287 |
| Union County | 3,413 | $405,000 | $136,000 | 15.0% | 6.540% | $5,180 | 7.5% | $541,287 |
| Vance County | 199 | $235,000 | $82,000 | 3.5% | 6.625% | $4,910 | 13.5% | $541,287 |
| Wake County | 14,356 | $405,000 | $144,000 | 15.0% | 6.500% | $4,610 | 6.4% | $541,287 |
| Warren County | 90 | $275,000 | $98,000 | 10.8% | — | $4,630 | 7.1% | $541,287 |
| Washington County | 43 | $195,000 | $73,000 | 3.5% | — | — | 24.6% | $541,287 |
| Watauga County | 245 | $425,000 | $137,000 | 20.0% | 6.625% | $5,100 | 8.9% | $541,287 |
| Wayne County | 1,169 | $255,000 | $82,000 | 3.5% | 6.500% | $4,590 | 8.7% | $541,287 |
| Wilkes County | 364 | $235,000 | $81,000 | 5.0% | 6.500% | $4,730 | 11.1% | $541,287 |
| Wilson County | 649 | $245,000 | $85,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,730 | 10.1% | $541,287 |
| Yadkin County | 271 | $245,000 | $85,000 | 5.0% | 6.625% | $4,700 | 7.7% | $541,287 |
| Yancey County | 111 | $295,000 | $99,000 | 12.5% | 6.750% | $5,080 | 12.3% | $541,287 |
Who bought homes in North Carolina
Home-purchase mortgages for owner-occupied, single-family (1–4 unit) site-built homes, first liens, originated in 2025.
Purchase loans
115,390
of 128,490 applications
Buyer income
$111,000
Middle half $77,000–$166,000
Home value
$375,000
Middle half $295,000–$525,000
Loan amount
$325,000
Middle half $245,000–$435,000
Down payment
10%
37.1% put 20%+ down
Single borrower
54.9%
No co-applicant
Values are medians; "middle half" is the 25th to 75th percentile.
Loan type
What the homes were for
All first-lien, closed-end purchase mortgages, including second homes and investors.
Borrower age
Debt-to-income ratio
Monthly debts (including the new payment) as a share of income, as used in underwriting.
What borrowing cost in North Carolina
Medians for 2025 home-purchase loans. Total loan costs are section D of the Loan Estimate/Closing Disclosure (lender and third-party loan charges, excluding taxes, prepaids and escrow). FHA and VA costs include the upfront mortgage insurance premium or VA funding fee, so compare like with like.
| Measure | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 30-year fixed rate · conventional | 6.500% | 6.625% |
| 30-year fixed rate · FHA | 6.250% | 6.250% |
| 30-year fixed rate · VA | 6.125% | 6.125% |
| 15-year fixed rate · conventional | 5.750% | 5.875% |
| Rate spread vs. APOR · conventional | +0.04 pts | +0.13 pts |
| Total loan costs · conventional | $4,840 | $5,570 |
| Total loan costs · FHA | $10,360 | $11,310 |
| Total loan costs · VA | $6,600 | $6,490 |
| Origination charges (all loan types) | $1,890 | $1,860 |
| Borrowers paying discount points | 49.4% | 51.3% |
| Points paid, when paid (% of loan) | 0.93% | 0.87% |
| Borrowers receiving lender credits | 30.0% | 33.1% |
| Adjustable-rate mortgages | 13.3% | 7.4% |
| Jumbo loans (above conforming limit) | 3.4% | 3.8% |
Medians are shown only when at least 30 loans report the field. Rates are those reported at closing; market rates changed during 2025, which the rate spread (APR minus the average prime offer rate on the lock date) adjusts for.
Approvals and denials
North Carolina: 9,734 of 128,490 completed home-purchase applications were denied (7.6%).
Denial rate
| Application | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Home purchase | 7.6% | 8.5% |
| Conventional | 6.6% | 7.1% |
| FHA | 12.3% | 12.5% |
| VA | 6.1% | 8.0% |
| USDA | 11.8% | 12.5% |
| Refinance | 15.9% | 17.9% |
| Cash-out refinance | 34.1% | 33.6% |
Main reason for purchase denials
First reason the lender reported.
Denial rate = denied ÷ (originated + approved but not accepted + denied). Withdrawn and incomplete applications are excluded. Differences between places reflect who applies, not only lender behavior.
Refinancing in North Carolina
Refinances
25,973
Median loan $345,000
Refi rate
6.375%
30-yr fixed, conv.
Refi loan costs
$4,640
Conventional
Cash-out refis
23,119
Median loan $245,000
Cash-out rate
6.75%
30-yr fixed, conv.
Cash-out income
$86,000
Median borrower
Top mortgage lenders in North Carolina
| # | Lender | Loans | Share | Denial rate | 30-yr rate* | Spread* | Costs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rocket Mortgage, LLC | 12,009 | 7.3% | 9.6% | 6.625% | +0.18 | $5,220 |
| 2 | United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) | 11,541 | 7.0% | 7.5% | 6.625% | +0.19 | $6,210 |
| 3 | State Employees' | 11,163 | 6.8% | 13.6% | 6.500% | −0.46 | $4,720 |
| 4 | Movement Mortgage, LLC | 6,355 | 3.9% | 1.6% | 6.625% | +0.19 | $5,130 |
| 5 | DHI Mortgage Company, Ltd. | 4,562 | 2.8% | 17.1% | 5.500% | −0.95 | $2,490 |
| 6 | Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, L.L.C. | 4,554 | 2.8% | 1.0% | 6.625% | +0.25 | $6,260 |
| 7 | Veterans United Home Loans | 4,374 | 2.7% | 7.6% | 6.625% | +0.15 | $2,680 |
| 8 | Freedom Mortgage Corporation | 4,280 | 2.6% | 8.8% | 6.875% | +0.25 | $6,560 |
| 9 | CrossCountry Mortgage, Inc. | 3,457 | 2.1% | 1.5% | 6.750% | +0.41 | $6,090 |
| 10 | Pennymac Loan Services, LLC | 3,086 | 1.9% | 10.1% | 6.625% | +0.16 | $5,530 |
| 11 | loanDepot.com, LLC | 2,677 | 1.6% | 22.4% | 5.990% | −0.40 | $5,350 |
| 12 | Truist Bank | 2,560 | 1.6% | 4.9% | 6.490% | −0.04 | $4,680 |
| 13 | Navy Federal Credit Union | 2,559 | 1.6% | 7.3% | 6.625% | −0.10 | $2,990 |
| 14 | American Security Mortgage Corp. | 2,312 | 1.4% | 1.0% | 6.624% | +0.04 | $4,550 |
| 15 | Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation | 2,242 | 1.4% | 3.0% | 6.750% | +0.29 | $5,320 |
| 16 | First National Bank of Pennsylvania | 2,148 | 1.3% | 9.7% | 6.375% | +0.15 | $6,300 |
| 17 | Newrez LLC | 1,952 | 1.2% | 5.5% | 6.625% | +0.27 | $6,660 |
| 18 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | 1,927 | 1.2% | 6.9% | 6.490% | −0.07 | $4,110 |
| 19 | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | 1,878 | 1.1% | 13.4% | 6.375% | −0.07 | $4,560 |
| 20 | Rate | 1,812 | 1.1% | 3.2% | 6.625% | +0.23 | $4,960 |
| 21 | Lennar Mortgage, LLC | 1,757 | 1.1% | 11.7% | 6.000% | −0.48 | $1,230 |
| 22 | First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company | 1,731 | 1.1% | 8.8% | 6.250% | +0.01 | $4,860 |
| 23 | NVR Mortgage Finance, Inc. | 1,703 | 1.0% | 20.3% | 6.500% | +0.00 | $5,290 |
| 24 | Union Home Mortgage Corp. | 1,598 | 1.0% | 3.0% | 6.750% | +0.28 | $5,450 |
| 25 | Guild Mortgage Company | 1,524 | 0.9% | 2.2% | 6.625% | +0.29 | $5,480 |
Largest lenders in North Carolina by 2025 originations. Loans = home-purchase, refinance and cash-out originations (2025); share = share of those loans here; denial rate = home-purchase applications. *Medians for conventional home-purchase loans, shown with at least 20 loans; spread = APR minus the average prime offer rate at rate lock (percentage points); costs = total loan costs (section D).
Metro areas in North Carolina
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC · 34,320 purchases
- Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC · 20,823 purchases
- Raleigh-Cary, NC · 19,313 purchases
- Winston-Salem, NC · 7,284 purchases
- Greensboro-High Point, NC · 6,755 purchases
- Wilmington, NC · 6,744 purchases
- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 5,782 purchases
- Fayetteville, NC · 4,540 purchases
- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · 3,636 purchases
- Jacksonville, NC · 3,441 purchases
- Asheville, NC · 3,546 purchases
- Burlington, NC · 2,144 purchases
- Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC · 1,651 purchases
- Greenville, NC · 1,675 purchases
- Rocky Mount, NC · 1,200 purchases
- Goldsboro, NC · 1,169 purchases
Source: FFIEC/CFPB HMDA 2025 public LAR; FHFA and HUD 2026 loan limits. Methodology