North Carolina Court Filings Intelligence
Live court-record analysis spanning property-related filings (foreclosure, probate, divorce, partition, guardianship) across North Carolina. Data sourced direct from county court dockets in our coverage area. Updated 2026-07-18. See methodology.
- Filing volume accelerating (+431.5%) — last 2 complete months (388 filings) vs prior 2 complete months (73 filings). Excludes current month if still in progress.
- 18.5% off-site owners — share of North Carolina filings where the owner's mailing address differs from the property (rental, inherited, second-home, or transitional).
- Max gross cap rate 5.1% at HUD Fair Market Rent — $19,272/year on the $379,311 median estimated market value. Excludes operating costs.
- 68.0% of filings are Probate — the dominant lead category in North Carolina during the observed window.
At a glance
4262 verified property-related court filings tracked across 10 North Carolina counties since Jan 2022.
471 typical monthly statewide filing volume.
3% of filings involve owners whose mailing address differs from the property address (140 filings).
$379,311 median estimated property value across the 2340 filings with property-enrichment data (55% coverage).
3.5% North Carolina unemployment rate (BLS, as of 2026-05). Filings should be read against the local-economy backdrop.
Filing type breakdown
| Filing type | Filings | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 2899 | 68.0% | |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 987 | 23.2% | |
| Guardianship | 327 | 7.7% | |
| Partition | 33 | 0.8% | |
| Pre-Probate | 6 | 0.1% | |
| Estate | 4 | 0.1% | |
| Divorce | 4 | 0.1% | |
| Tax Sale | 2 | 0.0% |
Each row is a distinct case verified for current owner-of-record before inclusion.
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Filing velocity by case type
How each distress category is trending statewide — are foreclosures accelerating while divorces cool, or vice versa? This breakdown is only possible with direct court-record data.
| Case type | Total | Share | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 2899 | 68.0% | -90.5% |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 987 | 23.2% | -89.1% |
| Guardianship | 327 | 7.7% | -86.8% |
| Partition | 33 | 0.8% | -- |
| Pre-Probate | 5 | 0.1% | -- |
Trend = recent 2-3 month volume vs prior 2-3 months (current partial month excluded). Positive = accelerating; negative = cooling.
Seasonal filing patterns
Court filings peak in Jan and are lowest in Dec. The 240.8x peak-to-trough ratio suggests strong seasonal patterns — investors who time their outreach around Jan can reach more distressed homeowners.
| Month | Avg filings | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1204 | 100% |
| Feb | 160 | 13% |
| Mar | 54 | 4% |
| Apr | 19 | 2% |
| May | 148 | 12% |
| Jun | 240 | 20% |
| Dec | 5 | 0% |
Average filings per calendar month across all observed years. Relative column shows each month as a percentage of the peak month (Jan), with a 240.8x peak-to-trough ratio.
ZIP code distress hotspots
Distress is geographically dispersed across 62 ZIP codes, with no single area dominating.
| ZIP | Area | Filings | Share | Median value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27587 | Wake Forest | 30 | 0.7% | $454,804 |
| 27610 | Raleigh | 21 | 0.5% | $311,000 |
| 27591 | Wendell | 19 | 0.4% | $339,905 |
| 27616 | Raleigh | 17 | 0.4% | $385,365 |
| 27604 | Raleigh | 17 | 0.4% | $335,890 |
| 27526 | Fuquay Varina | 17 | 0.4% | $456,194 |
| 27529 | Garner | 15 | 0.4% | $429,910 |
| 28304 | Fayetteville | 15 | 0.4% | $195,110 |
| 27615 | Raleigh | 14 | 0.3% | $416,912 |
| 28314 | Fayetteville | 14 | 0.3% | $263,454 |
Top 10 of 62 ZIP codes with filings.
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Non-resident owner analysis
Most filings (97%) involve owner-occupied properties. The relatively low absentee rate suggests distress is primarily hitting homeowners, not institutional investors.
| Case type | Total filings | Non-resident % |
|---|---|---|
| Probate | 2899 | 3.4% |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 987 | 2.6% |
| Guardianship | 327 | 1.8% |
| Partition | 33 | 18.2% |
| Pre-Probate | 6 | 16.7% |
Non-resident = owner's mailing address differs from the property address. Could indicate out-of-state landlords, inherited estates, second homes, or in-transition properties.
Distress composition and shifts
Probate share is declining. Low diversity — distress is dominated by one or two case types, suggesting a concentrated driver.
| Case type | Recent share | Earlier share | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 63.7% | 68.9% | -5.2pp (falling) |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 22.4% | 22.9% | -0.5pp |
| Guardianship | 9.0% | 7.6% | +1.4pp |
| Partition | 3.4% | 0.5% | +2.9pp |
| Pre-Probate | 1.3% | 0.0% | +1.3pp |
| Divorce | 0.3% | 0.1% | +0.2pp |
| Estate | 0.0% | 0.1% | -0.1pp |
| Tax Sale | 0.0% | 0.1% | -0.1pp |
Distress diversity score: 1.48 (Shannon entropy; higher = more diverse distress sources). "Recent" = last 2 complete months; "Earlier" = all prior months.
Top counties by filing volume
Counties with live deep-dive reports linked below. See all North Carolina counties tracked →
| County | Filings | Share | Deep dive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 2874 | 67.4% | View report → | |
| Alamance County | 784 | 18.4% | Below threshold | |
| Cumberland County | 433 | 10.2% | View report → | |
| Caldwell County | 67 | 1.6% | Below threshold | |
| Alexander County | 64 | 1.5% | Below threshold | |
| Montgomery County | 15 | 0.4% | Below threshold | |
| Anson County | 11 | 0.3% | Below threshold | |
| Alleghany County | 9 | 0.2% | Below threshold | |
| Ashe County | 4 | 0.1% | Below threshold | |
| Forsyth County | 1 | 0.0% | Below threshold |
County-by-county comparison dashboard
Across 7 counties with 10+ filings, Wake County leads in filing volume (2874 filings, 67.4% of the state). Montgomery County has the highest median property value ($545,036).
| County | Filings | Share | Median value | Absentee % | Top case type | Resolved % | Avg events | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 2874 | 67.4% | $410,956 | 2.7% | Probate (70.2%) | 0.0% | 6.1 | Report → |
| Alamance County | 784 | 18.4% | $248,670 | 1.0% | Probate (76.1%) | 0.0% | 18.3 | |
| Cumberland County | 433 | 10.2% | $219,600 | 10.9% | Probate (50.6%) | 0.0% | 12.0 | Report → |
| Caldwell County | 67 | 1.6% | $291,996 | 10.4% | Pre-Foreclosure (80.6%) | 9.0% | 7.8 | |
| Alexander County | 64 | 1.5% | $166,869 | 0.0% | Probate (73.4%) | 0.0% | — | |
| Montgomery County | 15 | 0.4% | $545,036 | 0.0% | Pre-Foreclosure (73.3%) | — | — | |
| Anson County | 11 | 0.3% | $34,300 | 0.0% | Probate (54.5%) | 0.0% | — |
Counties with fewer than 10 filings are excluded. Median value based on county assessor records. Resolution rate from tracked docket outcomes. Average events = average docket entries per case (higher = more complex proceedings).
Monthly statewide filing activity
| Month | Filings | vs prior | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | 7 | ||
| Dec 2023 | 5 | -2 | |
| Jan 2024 | 28 | +23 | |
| Jan 2026 | 3577 | +3549 | |
| Feb 2026 | 160 | -3417 | |
| Mar 2026 | 54 | -106 | |
| Apr 2026 | 19 | -35 | |
| May 2026 | 148 | +129 | |
| Jun 2026 | 240 | +92 | |
| Jul 2026 | 23 | -217 |
Most recent month may be partial.
Property value distribution
| Estimated value | Filings | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $75k | 34 | 1.5% | |
| $75k - $150k | 108 | 4.6% | |
| $150k - $250k | 303 | 12.9% | |
| $250k - $400k | 826 | 35.3% | |
| $400k+ | 1069 | 45.7% |
Median: $379,311. Mean: $449,722. From third-party property enrichment.
Day-of-week filing pattern
| Day | Filings | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5 | 0.1% | |
| Mon | 159 | 3.7% | |
| Tue | 230 | 5.4% | |
| Wed | 160 | 3.8% | |
| Thu | 3543 | 83.1% | |
| Fri | 161 | 3.8% | |
| Sat | 3 | 0.1% |
Filings cluster Monday through Friday, with weekend filings essentially absent (court system closed).
Housing stock + distress signals (filing-weighted across 9 North Carolina counties)
Underlying housing stock and distress indicators across North Carolina counties where we track filings, weighted by filing volume so high-filing counties dominate the rollup. From US Census ACS 5-year data. National reference values shown for context.
| Indicator | North Carolina (weighted) | US average |
|---|---|---|
| Vacancy rate (incl. seasonal + for-sale) | 8.4% | 10.5% |
| Share of owner-occupied units carrying a mortgage | 70.4% | 60.8% |
| Pre-1940 housing stock | 2.9% | 12.3% |
| Single-family detached share | 60.7% | 61.2% |
| Residents age 65 or older | 13.6% | 17.3% |
Source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS 2023 5-year), filing-weighted across 9 North Carolina counties.
New construction across North Carolina (2025)
Total housing permits filed across the 9 North Carolina counties we track. Trend signal on whether new housing demand is accelerating or contracting state-wide.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total housing units permitted (2025) | 20,864 |
| Year-over-year change (2024 → 2025) | -10.8% |
| Single-family share of permits | 68.8% |
| Single-family units permitted | 14,361 |
| Multifamily units permitted (2+ units per building) | 6,503 |
Source: US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, summed across 9 North Carolina counties.
Rent benchmark (North Carolina HUD Fair Market Rents, filing-weighted)
HUD Fair Market Rents averaged across 9 North Carolina counties (spanning 9 metro areas), weighted by filing volume. FY 2026. Used to set Section 8 voucher amounts; investors use it as a defensible rent-estimate floor.
| Unit size | Weighted FMR / month |
|---|---|
| Efficiency / studio | $1,362 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,459 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,606 |
| 3-bedroom | $2,021 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,633 |
Source: US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents (2026), filing-weighted across 9 North Carolina counties.
Macro context: home prices and national delinquency
Court-filing volume should be read against the broader housing-market backdrop. North Carolina's home prices and the national mortgage-delinquency rate are the two macro signals most directly relevant to foreclosure exposure.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina home price index (year-over-year) | +2.4% | 2026-01-01 |
| North Carolina home price index (cumulative since 2020) | +72.0% | 2026-01-01 |
| National mortgage delinquency rate (30+ day, single-family) | 1.89% | 2026-01-01 |
Sources: Federal Housing Finance Agency state house price indices (FRED series NCSTHPI); Federal Reserve Board, Mortgage Delinquency 30+Day Rate on Single-Family Residential Mortgages (FRED series DRSFRMACBS). Updated quarterly.
Post-filing sale outcomes in North Carolina
What happens to distressed properties after a court filing? By cross-referencing each filing's property with county assessor and deed-transfer records, we track which properties sold, how long the process took, and at what price. This analysis covers 2327 filings (54.8% of all 4247 filings) where parcel-level tracking is available.
Time from filing to sale
How quickly do distressed properties sell after a court filing is recorded? This distribution shows where post-filing sales cluster.
| Timeframe | Sales | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30 days | 2 | 33.3% | |
| 31–90 days | 4 | 66.7% | |
| 91–180 days | 0 | 0.0% | |
| 181–365 days | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Over 1 year | 0 | 0.0% |
Sale rates by filing type
Not all distress types lead to property sales at the same rate. Foreclosures tend to result in eventual sales more often than probate or divorce filings.
| Filing type | Filings | Confirmed sold | Sale rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guardianship | 327 | 1 | 0.3% |
| Probate | 2898 | 5 | 0.2% |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 974 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Partition | 30 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Pre-Probate | 6 | 0 | 0.0% |
How sales relate to the filing
Not every post-filing sale is caused by the court case. We classify each sale's relationship to the original filing so investors can focus on the highest-signal outcomes.
| Attribution | Meaning | Sales | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concurrent | Sale recorded around the same time as the filing — likely related but not proven causal | 4 | 66.7% |
| Pre-existing | Property was already in a sales process before the court filing was recorded | 2 | 33.3% |
Source: county assessor and deed-transfer records cross-referenced with court filings by parcel ID. Sale outcomes tracked for 2327 of 4247 filings (54.8% parcel coverage). Timing based on 6 sales with valid filing and sale dates. Prices based on 6 sales with recorded sale amounts.
Case Outcomes & Resolution Timeline
0.1% of tracked cases have reached a resolution.
Detailed disposition breakdown
| Disposition | Count | % of Resolved |
|---|---|---|
| Auction Scheduled | 2 | 33.3% |
| Final Accounting | 2 | 33.3% |
| Small Estate | 2 | 33.3% |
Outcomes by Case Type
| Case Type | Cases | Resolved | Resolution Rate | Median Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 2898 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 976 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Guardianship | 327 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Partition | 30 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Pre-Probate | 6 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
Based on 4247 of 4262 North Carolina court filings with active docket monitoring (100%). Based on a robust sample; percentages are reliable. Outcomes derived from docket entries (judgments, dismissals, sheriff sales, and settlement agreements). 4241 cases are still active or pending resolution.
Court Docket Activity
Across 906 tracked cases, the average case has 9 docket entries (median 6). 42.8% of cases are in the "mid-process (6-15 events)" stage. Pre-Foreclosure cases are the most court-active at 11.4 events on average. Higher docket activity signals that courts are actively processing the case, which can indicate timeline urgency for investor outreach.
| Activity level | Cases | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Early stage (1-5 events) | 372 | 41.1% |
| Mid-process (6-15 events) | 388 | 42.8% |
| Advanced (16+ events) | 146 | 16.1% |
Docket activity by case type
| Case type | Avg. events | Cases tracked |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Foreclosure | 11.4 | 331 |
| Guardianship | 7.9 | 74 |
| Probate | 7.8 | 474 |
| Partition | 6.3 | 17 |
Based on 906 of 4262 North Carolina filings with active docket monitoring (21%). Docket entries include filings, hearings, orders, and motions.
Procedural Stage Pipeline
Of 28 tracked cases, 35.7% reached the service-of-process stage, 3.6% progressed to a hearing. The largest procedural drop-off occurs between defendant served and response filed (90.0% of cases do not advance).
| Terminal outcome | Cases | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheriff sale | 2 | 7.1% |
Progression by case type
| Case type | Cases | Served | Hearing | Resolved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Foreclosure | 23 | 30.4% | 0.0% | 8.7% |
Based on 28 cases with 41 recorded stage transitions from North Carolina court docket entries. Stages identified from docket events: service of process, responses, hearings, judgments, settlements, and dismissals.
Property Value Profile
The median assessed value of properties in court filings is $377,046. Probate filings involve the highest-value properties (median $408,709), while Pre-Probate filings trend lower (median $200,200). The largest segment (51.3%) falls in the $250K - $500K range.
| Value range | Properties | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $100K | 94 | 4.0% |
| $100K - $250K | 371 | 15.7% |
| $250K - $500K | 1213 | 51.3% |
| $500K - $1M | 583 | 24.7% |
| Over $1M | 102 | 4.3% |
Value breakdown by case type
| Case type | Median value | Avg value | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | $408,709 | $485,259 | 1490 |
| Pre-Foreclosure | $330,475 | $394,382 | 716 |
| Guardianship | $408,320 | $478,094 | 128 |
| Partition | $379,311 | $370,360 | 14 |
| Pre-Probate | $200,200 | $218,640 | 5 |
Based on county assessor records for 2363 properties with court filings (55.4% of total filings) across North Carolina. Values are tax-assessed amounts, not market listing prices.
Investment Opportunity Score by ZIP Code
Across 44 ZIP codes with sufficient court filing data, ZIP 27587 (Wake Forest) ranks highest with an investment opportunity score of 65/100, driven by high filing volume (30 cases). 21 of 44 scored ZIPs are above the average score of 39.
| Rank | ZIP Code | Area | Score | Filings | Avg Value | Absentee % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 27587 | Wake Forest |
65
|
30 | — | 0% |
| #2 | 27610 | Raleigh |
58
|
21 | — | 0% |
| #3 | 27591 | Wendell |
56
|
19 | — | 0% |
| #4 | 27529 | Garner |
56
|
15 | — | 0% |
| #5 | 28304 | Fayetteville |
51
|
15 | — | 0% |
| #6 | 28314 | Fayetteville |
49
|
14 | — | 0% |
| #7 | 27616 | Raleigh |
48
|
17 | — | 0% |
| #8 | 27604 | Raleigh |
48
|
17 | — | 0% |
| #9 | 27526 | Fuquay Varina |
48
|
17 | — | 0% |
| #10 | 27615 | Raleigh |
44
|
14 | — | 0% |
How the score is calculated
The Investment Opportunity Score combines four dimensions from verified court filing data:
- Filing volume (35%): More filings = more potential deals in the area
- Property value (25%): Higher assessed values = larger potential deal sizes
- Absentee owner rate (25%): Absentee owners are more likely to sell at a discount
- Case type diversity (15%): Multiple case types = broader opportunity set
Each dimension is normalized to a 0–100 scale across all scored ZIPs, then weighted and combined. Scores should be compared within the same state, not across different markets.
Based on 4262 court filings across 44 ZIP codes in North Carolina. ZIPs with fewer than 3 filings are excluded. Property values from county assessor records. Absentee status from property ownership verification.
Distress Capital Analysis
$1,077,187,124 in assessed property value is currently tied up in 2363 court-filed properties. 83% of properties with equity data carry 20%+ equity, signaling owners with real financial stakes in resolution. Probate filings represent the largest capital pool ($723,036,110 across 1490 properties).
Equity Position of Distressed Properties
Median equity position: 41.5% · Based on 108 properties with equity data
Capital at Risk by Filing Type
| Filing Type | Total Value | Properties | Avg Value | High Equity % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | $723,036,110 | 1490 | $485,259 | 100.0% |
| Pre-Foreclosure | $282,377,540 | 716 | $394,382 | 80.2% |
| Guardianship | $61,196,035 | 128 | $478,094 | -- |
| Partition | $5,185,047 | 14 | $370,360 | 100.0% |
| Estate | $1,789,000 | 4 | $447,250 | 75.0% |
| Divorce | $1,756,192 | 4 | $439,048 | 100.0% |
| Pre-Probate | $1,093,200 | 5 | $218,640 | -- |
Based on 2363 properties with assessor valuations (55.4% of 4262 total filings) across North Carolina. Values are county assessor estimates. Equity calculated from estimated value vs outstanding mortgage balance where available.
Market Absorption & Turnover Analysis
4,246 court filings tracked with 6 resolved (0.1% absorption rate). The court system is accumulating cases faster than they resolve, creating a growing backlog of 4,240 active cases.
| Month | New Filings | Resolved | Net | Inflow | Absorption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 0.0% | |
| Dec 2023 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 0.0% | |
| Jan 2024 | 28 | 0 | +28 | 0.0% | |
| Jan 2026 | 3525 | 0 | +3525 | 0.0% | |
| Feb 2026 | 166 | 0 | +166 | 0.0% | |
| Mar 2026 | 64 | 2 | +62 | 3.1% | |
| Apr 2026 | 23 | 4 | +19 | 17.4% | |
| May 2026 | 148 | 0 | +148 | 0.0% | |
| Jun 2026 | 257 | 0 | +257 | 0.0% | |
| Jul 2026 | 23 | 0 | +23 | 0.0% |
Resolution by Case Type
| Case Type | Filed | Resolved | Absorption | Avg Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 2898 | 0 | 0.0% | n/a |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 976 | 0 | 0.0% | n/a |
| Guardianship | 327 | 0 | 0.0% | n/a |
| Partition | 30 | 0 | 0.0% | n/a |
| Pre-Probate | 5 | 0 | 0.0% | n/a |
Absorption rate measures the percentage of filed cases that have reached a terminal resolution (judgment, dismissal, settlement, or sale). A low absorption rate indicates a growing backlog of active cases in the court system. Resolution timing based on 6 resolved cases out of 4246 total filings across North Carolina.
Equity-Outcome Correlation
2332 properties with assessed values analyzed across equity levels. High-equity properties (20%+) represent 0.6% of filings with a 35.7% resolution rate.
| Equity Level | Properties | Share | Resolved | Resolution Rate | Avg Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (20%+) |
14
|
0.6% | 5 | 35.7% | — |
| Unknown Equity |
2317
|
99.4% | 0 | 0.0% | — |
Equity Profile by Case Type
| Case Type | Properties | High Equity % | Resolution Rate | Avg Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 1470 | 0.2% | 0.0% | — |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 710 | 0.3% | 0.0% | — |
| Guardianship | 125 | 0.0% | 0.0% | — |
| Partition | 12 | 0.0% | 0.0% | — |
| Pre-Probate | 5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | — |
Equity positions derived from county assessor data (assessed values minus outstanding liens where available). Resolution outcomes classified from court docket entries. Only properties with non-zero assessed values are included. Data spans North Carolina's tracked counties.
Property Type Distribution
86.3% of distressed properties are classified as Residential, followed by Single Family (7.4%).
| Property type | Count | Share | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 1,886 | 86.3% | |
| Single Family | 162 | 7.4% | |
| Vacant Land | 63 | 2.9% | |
| Industrial | 30 | 1.4% | |
| Commercial | 27 | 1.2% | |
| Agricultural | 9 | 0.4% | |
| Condo/Townhouse | 9 | 0.4% |
Property type by case type
| Case type | Dominant property type | Share | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | Residential | 85.8% | 1,404 |
| Pre-Foreclosure | Residential | 87.2% | 642 |
| Guardianship | Residential | 84.8% | 125 |
| Partition | Residential | 100.0% | 10 |
| Pre-Probate | Residential | 100.0% | 5 |
Property classifications from county assessor records for 2,186 properties (51.5% of total filings across North Carolina). Categories normalized from assessor codes.
Case Aging & Stall Analysis
40 cases (0.9%) have been active for over a year without resolution. 81 filings in the last <30 days represent fresh opportunities.
| Age | Total | Resolved | Still active | Resolution rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <30 days | 81 | 0 | 81 | 0.0% |
| 30-90 days | 351 | 0 | 351 | 0.0% |
| 3-6 months | 355 | 6 | 349 | 1.7% |
| 6-12 months | 3,419 | 0 | 3,419 | 0.0% |
| 2+ years | 40 | 0 | 40 | 0.0% |
Resolution speed by case type
| Case type | Total | Resolved | Rate | Median days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 2,898 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 974 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Guardianship | 327 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Partition | 30 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
Case aging computed from filing date to present for unresolved cases across North Carolina. Resolution classified from court docket entries (judgments, settlements, dismissals, sheriff sales).
Property Age & Distress Profile
2,172 filings (51.1% of scope) have year-built data. 2000+ properties are most common (40%). Newer properties (2000+) average $509,426 — 1.3x the value of Pre-1960 stock ($379,063).
| Construction era | Filings | Share | Avg value | Median days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-1960 | 201 | 9.3% | $379,063 | — |
| 1960–1979 | 408 | 18.8% | $407,401 | — |
| 1980–1999 | 686 | 31.6% | $543,769 | — |
| 2000+ | 877 | 40.4% | $509,426 | — |
Value trend: 2000+ properties average $509,426 — 1.34x the value of Pre-1960 stock ($379,063).
Top case types by construction era
Construction year sourced from county tax assessor records across North Carolina. Value is assessed value from the most recent available tax assessment. Resolution timing based on court docket events.
Municipality filing concentration across North Carolina
Court filings in NC span 38 municipalities. Raleigh leads with 650 filings (46.0% of total), predominantly Probate (63.1%). Filing activity is geographically concentrated — the top 3 municipalities account for 65% of all filings.
| Municipality | Filings | Share | Top case type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 650 | 46.0% | Probate (63.1%) |
| Cary | 180 | 12.7% | Probate (71.1%) |
| Wake Forest | 87 | 6.2% | Probate (63.2%) |
| Garner | 65 | 4.6% | Probate (53.8%) |
| Fuquay-Varina | 64 | 4.5% | Probate (59.4%) |
| Fayetteville | 62 | 4.4% | Pre-Foreclosure (72.6%) |
| Apex | 56 | 4.0% | Probate (62.5%) |
| Knightdale | 47 | 3.3% | Probate (51.1%) |
| Holly Springs | 38 | 2.7% | Probate (57.9%) |
| Wendell | 38 | 2.7% | Pre-Foreclosure (55.3%) |
| Zebulon | 35 | 2.5% | Pre-Foreclosure (51.4%) |
| Morrisville | 16 | 1.1% | Probate (43.8%) |
| Rolesville | 13 | 0.9% | Probate (46.2%) |
| Lenoir | 9 | 0.6% | Pre-Foreclosure (100.0%) |
| Hope Mills | 7 | 0.5% | Pre-Foreclosure (100.0%) |
Top 15 of 38 municipalities with court filings across North Carolina. Data from 1,414 filings (33% of total). Municipality names from county assessor records.
Quarterly Filing Volume Trends across North Carolina
Filing trends across 3 comparable quarters show 4,211 tracked filings in NC.
| Quarter | Total | Probate | Pre-Foreclosure | Guardianship | Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q1 | 28 | 16 (57.1%) | 4 (14.3%) | 8 (28.6%) | — |
| 2026 Q1 | 3755 | 2630 (70.0%) | 829 (22.1%) | 280 (7.5%) | 13 (0.3%) |
| 2026 Q2 | 428 | 248 (57.9%) | 115 (26.9%) | 38 (8.9%) | 15 (3.5%) |
Only comparable quarters shown (collection ramp-up periods excluded). Filing dates from verified court records. Current partial quarter excluded from trend calculations.
Property Value Distribution
The median property value in distressed filings is $371,869, with the largest concentration (38.8%) in the $300K–$500K range. Probate filings have the highest median value ($402,802) while Pre-Foreclosure filings are lowest ($325,043).
| Price range | Count | Share | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $50K | 53 | 2.3% | |
| $50K–$100K | 67 | 2.9% | |
| $100K–$150K | 73 | 3.1% | |
| $150K–$200K | 124 | 5.3% | |
| $200K–$300K | 455 | 19.5% | |
| $300K–$500K | 905 | 38.8% | |
| $500K+ | 655 | 28.1% |
Value by case type
| Case type | Median value | Average value | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | $402,802 | $492,341 | 1,470 |
| Pre-Foreclosure | $325,043 | $458,577 | 710 |
| Guardianship | $387,543 | $462,010 | 125 |
| Partition | $371,143 | $328,398 | 12 |
Assessed property values from county assessor records for 2,332 properties (54.9% of total filings) across North Carolina. Values reflect tax-assessed amounts, not market price.
Ownership Duration Before Filing
The median ownership duration before a court filing is 13.1 years, with 58.7% of owners holding the property 10+ years (a strong equity signal for investors). Probate cases show the longest tenure (17.7 yr median) vs. Partition (5.2 yr).
| Ownership period | Count | Share | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 years | 246 | 13.2% | |
| 2–5 years | 230 | 12.3% | |
| 5–10 years | 296 | 15.8% | |
| 10–20 years | 417 | 22.3% | |
| 20+ years | 681 | 36.4% |
Tenure by case type
| Case type | Median tenure | Average tenure | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 17.7 yr | 18.7 yr | 1,183 |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 8.5 yr | 11.9 yr | 563 |
| Guardianship | 11.3 yr | 14.4 yr | 108 |
| Partition | 5.2 yr | 10.1 yr | 12 |
Duration calculated from last recorded property sale to court filing date for 1,870 properties (44.0% of total filings) across North Carolina. Longer ownership often correlates with higher equity.
Repeat litigation patterns across North Carolina
Of 4,080 unique property owners in court filings, 40 (1.0%) appear in multiple cases, including 7 with 3 or more filings. The most active repeat filer has 11 cases. Partition cases have the highest repeat rate at 7.4%.
Repeat rate by case type
| Case type | Repeat owners | Total owners | Repeat rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 14 | 2778 | 0.5% |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 23 | 941 | 2.4% |
| Guardianship | 6 | 323 | 1.9% |
| Partition | 2 | 27 | 7.4% |
Analysis based on 4,080 unique owner names across North Carolina court filings. Repeat filers are property owners appearing in 2 or more distinct cases. This pattern identifies recurring distress — a signal invisible in aggregated property databases.
Serial distressed properties across North Carolina
Of 2,220 unique properties in court filings, 78 (3.5%) have multiple filings (averaging 2.5 filings per property). Guardianship properties have the highest repeat rate at 12.1%.
Serial distress rate by case type
| Case type | Serial properties | Total properties | Serial rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 54 | 1432 | 3.8% |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 32 | 664 | 4.8% |
| Guardianship | 15 | 124 | 12.1% |
Analysis based on 2,220 unique property addresses across North Carolina court filings. Serial distressed properties have 2 or more distinct case filings at the same address — indicating recurring financial or legal distress. These properties are high-value investor targets.
Land vs improvement value composition
Across 2,145 properties with assessed value breakdowns, the median land share is 25.6% (median land value $100,000, median improvement value $260,254). 228 properties (10.6%) are land-dominant (50%+ land value) — potential teardown or vacant-lot targets. Partition cases skew most land-heavy (median 58.9%) while Pre-Foreclosure skews most improvement-heavy (21.8%).
Land share distribution
| Land share bracket | Properties | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10% | 65 | 3.0% |
| 10–20% | 568 | 26.5% |
| 20–30% | 673 | 31.4% |
| 30–50% | 611 | 28.5% |
| 50–70% | 144 | 6.7% |
| Over 70% | 84 | 3.9% |
Land share by case type
| Case type | Filings | Median land % |
|---|---|---|
| Probate | 1,377 | 28.1% |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 630 | 21.8% |
| Guardianship | 123 | 25.8% |
| Partition | 10 | 58.9% |
Analysis of 2,145 North Carolina properties (50.5% of filings) with assessed land and improvement value breakdowns. Land-dominant properties (50%+ land value) may represent teardown candidates or vacant lots. Improvement-heavy properties (under 20% land) typically indicate rehab opportunities.
Prior sale value trajectory
Across 1,875 properties with purchase and assessed value data, the median value change since purchase is +93.2%. 248 properties (13.2%) are underwater (current assessed value below purchase price). Short-hold owners (<5 yr) show a median +0.9% value change vs +137.7% for long-hold (10+ yr). Guardianship cases have the highest underwater rate (23.3%) while Partition has the lowest (0.0%).
Value change distribution
| Value change bracket | Properties | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| 50%+ loss | 17 | 0.9% |
| 20–50% loss | 34 | 1.8% |
| 0–20% loss | 197 | 10.5% |
| 0–20% gain | 169 | 9.0% |
| 20–50% gain | 187 | 10.0% |
| 50–100% gain | 388 | 20.7% |
| 100%+ gain | 883 | 47.1% |
Holding period vs value change
(404 properties)
(1,000 properties)
Value trajectory by case type
| Case type | Filings | Median change | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate | 1,156 | +107.3% | 12.1% |
| Pre-Foreclosure | 604 | +67.4% | 13.7% |
| Guardianship | 103 | +71.6% | 23.3% |
| Partition | 10 | +70.3% | 0.0% |
Analysis of 1,875 North Carolina properties (44.1% of filings) with both prior sale price and current assessed value data. Underwater properties have a current assessed value below their last purchase price. This analysis reveals whether distressed properties carry equity upside (investor opportunity) or are overleveraged (indicating deeper distress).
FEMA flood zone exposure across North Carolina
Are distressed properties concentrated in flood-prone areas? By checking each property's coordinates against FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer, we identify which filings fall in Special Flood Hazard Areas (mandatory flood insurance zones). This analysis covers 2110 properties with geocoded locations.
| Flood zone | Properties | % of checked |
|---|---|---|
| X | 2057 | 97.5% |
| AE | 41 | 1.9% |
| X-500yr | 11 | 0.5% |
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), queried by property coordinates. Zones A/AE/AH/AO/V/VE are Special Flood Hazard Areas (1% annual flood chance, mandatory flood insurance). Zone X is minimal risk. 2110 properties checked.
Methodology and data sources
- Court filings sourced direct from county court dockets in Keystone's North Carolina coverage area via daily automated collection. Court records are public information.
- Every filing is verified for current owner-of-record before inclusion. Entity-owned filings (LLCs, trusts, banks) and stale-owner filings are excluded.
- Property value figures come from third-party enrichment (55% coverage on this dataset).
- Individual case data, defendant names, and property addresses are not published. Reports show aggregated statistics only.
- See /reports/methodology for full data sources, sample sizes, and limitations.
- This report was generated 2026-07-18 from the live database.
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Cite: Keystone Court Data, "North Carolina Court Filings Intelligence," 2026-07-18, https://keystonecourtdata.com/reports/nc-court-filings-intelligence · Download data (CSV)