After two years of 20 percent appreciation, the Wilmington NC real estate market took a healthy breather in 2006, helping Wilmington to avoid the crash felt by other hyperactive markets such as Las Vegas and Southwest Florida. Over the past 12 months, New Hanover County transitioned from a sellers' market to a buyers' market, wrapping up with over 10 months of listing inventory available and setting the stage for a stable 2007. Nationally, existing-home sales are expected to rise gradually in 2007, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®. InWilmington NC real estate, home sales are also expected to increase slightly as spring nears and sellers adjust to the new market, according to Broker/Realtor CB Johnson. "In the near future, I expect market activity to increase due to the normal seasonal pickup," said Johnson. "This will be helped some by favorable interest rates. In the long run, home sales will continue to be fueled by baby boomers in the northeast who have indicated they intend to relocate to or purchase second homes between Tallahassee Florida and Virginia Beach."