Wondering if North Hills is tilting toward buyers or sellers right now? If you are planning to list or make an offer, the answer shapes your strategy. Months of inventory is a simple metric that helps you read supply and demand so you can price, time, and negotiate with confidence. In this guide, you will learn what MOI means, how to calculate it for North Hills, and how to use it to your advantage. Let’s dive in.

What months of inventory means

Months of inventory, sometimes called months’ supply, shows how long it would take for today’s active listings to sell at the recent pace of sales, assuming no new listings. Lower MOI means tight supply and stronger seller leverage. Higher MOI means more selection and stronger buyer leverage.

Simple MOI formula

• MOI = Active Listings ÷ Average Monthly Sales
• Average Monthly Sales = Closed Sales over the last N months ÷ N
• Alternative view: Absorption rate = Monthly Sales ÷ Active Listings, and MOI = 1 ÷ Absorption Rate.

Quick example: If North Hills has 120 active listings and 30 closed sales in the last 30 days, MOI = 120 ÷ 30 = 4 months.

Benchmarks to know

• Seller’s market: typically under about 3 months of supply.
• Balanced market: around 6 months of supply, a common benchmark used by national sources.
• Buyer’s market: well above 6 months of supply.

These are guides, not hard rules. Local norms and property type can shift the breakpoints.

Calculate MOI for North Hills

Set clear boundaries

Decide how you define “North Hills.” Many MLS systems include a neighborhood tag for North Hills in Midtown Raleigh. Use the same boundary for all calculations, and note whether you include single-family homes, condos, and townhomes together or in separate groups. MOI often varies by property type and price band.

Choose a timeframe

Single-month MOI can be noisy. Use rolling averages to smooth it out.

• 3-month rolling average shows recent shifts.
• 12-month rolling average smooths seasonality for a big-picture view.

Pull the right data

For the boundary and property set you chose, gather:

• Active listings on the measurement date, excluding homes that are under contract if you want only available inventory.
• Closed sales over your chosen period.
• Optional context: new listings, pending sales, days on market, list-to-sale price ratio, and median sale price.

Run the math

1. Count active listings for North Hills with your filters.
2. Count closed sales over the last N months with the same filters.
3. Compute average monthly sales: closed sales ÷ N.
4. Divide active listings by average monthly sales to get MOI.
5. Repeat by property type and price tier for better detail.

Read MOI in North Hills

Product mix matters

North Hills has a meaningful share of condos and townhomes alongside single-family homes. Condos can show different turnover patterns than detached homes, so a combined MOI can mask important differences. Checking each segment helps you see where leverage is shifting.

New construction can skew supply

Active new construction in Midtown can add inventory that behaves differently from resales. That extra supply can lift MOI for similar product types even when demand is steady. If you are comparing a resale condo to a new-build option, look at MOI and incentives in each segment.

Price tiers and seasonality

Lower-priced homes tend to turn faster than luxury listings, which lifts MOI at the high end. Seasonally, spring and early summer usually bring more activity in the Triangle, which can temporarily lower MOI. Expect MOI to rise in many winters.

Small-sample swings are normal

At the neighborhood level, a few sales can swing the numbers. Focus on the trend using 3- and 12-month rolling averages. Pair MOI with pending counts for a more current read.

What MOI means for you

If you are buying in North Hills

• Low MOI (under about 3): Move quickly, have a strong pre-approval, and consider escalation and flexible terms.
• Moderate MOI (about 3 to 6): You have more choice and negotiating room. Inspections and typical contingencies are more practical.
• High MOI (above about 6): You can take more time, compare options, and negotiate on price and terms, including possible seller concessions.

If you are selling in North Hills

• Low MOI: You can price with confidence, and well-presented homes may attract multiple offers.
• Moderate MOI: Presentation, pricing, and a smart marketing window matter. Expect a reasonable time on market.
• High MOI: Plan for longer market time and consider pricing strategy and concessions to stand out.

Pair MOI with other stats

MOI is strongest when read with other indicators:

• Days on market, especially median DOM, to confirm pace.
• List-to-sale price ratio to see how close buyers land to asking price.
• Pending-to-active ratio for near-term momentum.
• New listings versus price reductions to gauge seller confidence.
• Median sale price trend to see if price is moving with supply pressure.

How to present MOI in reports

To make MOI practical for decision-making, include:

• A 12-month MOI trend line with a 3-month rolling overlay.
• MOI by property type, such as condo and townhome versus detached.
• MOI by price band, for example entry, mid, and luxury.
• A quick table with MOI, median DOM, median sale price, and list-to-sale percentage for the same period.
• A short methods note that states your boundary, timeframe, and whether you excluded under-contract listings.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Boundary drift: MLS neighborhood definitions may not match local usage. Define North Hills clearly and stay consistent.
• Counting “active” listings that are not truly available: Some appear active while under contract. Decide how you will treat them and disclose it.
• New-build inventory: Builder-held listings can inflate supply for certain segments. Segment by product type when possible.
• Small-sample noise and time lag: Closed sales reflect past contracts. Use pending data and rolling averages to get a current view.
• Overgeneralizing: Aggregate MOI can hide important splits by property type and price tier.

Why this metric matters in North Hills

North Hills draws buyers for its location, walkability, and access to Midtown amenities. That demand can keep MOI lower than nearby areas at times, especially in popular property types. When you read MOI alongside DOM and list-to-sale ratio, you can see whether the market is pushing prices up, holding steady, or giving buyers more room.

Get a data-backed plan

If you want a precise read for your address or your target building, request a custom MOI breakdown by property type and price tier, plus a 3- and 12-month trend view. You will get clear guidance on pricing, timing, and the terms that win offers in today’s North Hills market.

Ready to list or compare options? Request a Luxury Home Valuation from Raleigh Luxury Listings for a tailored, media-forward strategy backed by neighborhood-level data.

FAQs

What is months of inventory in North Hills?

• It is the number of months it would take to sell today’s active listings at the recent pace of sales, assuming no new listings. Lower MOI favors sellers, higher favors buyers.

How do I calculate MOI for my North Hills home?

• Divide the current active listings that match your home’s segment by the average monthly closed sales for that same segment and timeframe.

How often should I check North Hills MOI?

• Review it monthly for freshness and focus on 3- and 12-month rolling averages to see the trend rather than one noisy month.

Does MOI predict price changes in North Hills?

• Not directly. It measures supply versus recent demand. Read it with median price and list-to-sale ratio to judge pressure on prices.

Should I use Raleigh or neighborhood MOI for decisions?

• Use neighborhood MOI for specific pricing and offer decisions, and compare it to Raleigh or Wake County to see if trends are local or part of a broader shift.

How do new construction projects near North Hills affect MOI?

• They add active inventory and can raise MOI for the competing product type. They may also influence resale pricing and days on market.