Smithfield's Housing Market Is Finding Its Balance

The first half of 2026 brought a few notable changes to the housing market in Smithfield and Johnston County. While Smithfield represents a much smaller housing market than the county as a whole, comparing the two provides helpful context for understanding local trends. Here's a look at how average sales price, days on market, and home sales changed during the first six months of the year.

Home Values Continue to Climb

Average sales prices continued to trend upward during the first half of 2026, increasing 7.0% in Smithfield and 2.9% across Johnston County compared to the first half of 2025. While Smithfield's monthly average price fluctuated more than the county, that's expected in a smaller market where a handful of higher- or lower-priced sales can significantly influence the monthly average. Overall, home values remained strong in both markets.

Buyers Have More Choice

Homes are taking a little longer to sell than they were a year ago, giving buyers more time to evaluate their options before making an offer. While Smithfield's monthly averages are more volatile than Johnston County's because of its smaller size, the overall trend is similar. Even with that increase, homes in both markets sold in less than 30 days on average during the first half of 2026, indicating seller-friendly conditions remain.

First Half of 2026 Market Snapshot

The first half of 2026 points to a market that's becoming more balanced. Buyers have a little more time to make decisions, home values remain strong, and Johnston County's continued population growth supports long-term demand for housing. While the pace has moderated, the underlying market remains healthy.

The local housing market continues to evolve, and the second half of the year will bring additional choices for homebuyers. At Local70, Garman Homes is preparing to begin construction this fall, adding new homes to a market that continues to benefit from Johnston County's long-term growth and investment.

Learn more about Local70 and follow our progress as construction continues.