Market Update – July 2026

South Strand Real Estate Market Update: July 2026

July brought a noticeable shift in the South Strand real estate market.

For roughly the past 18 to 24 months, buyers and sellers have been working toward finding common ground. Many sellers understandably wanted to sell for prices similar to what neighboring properties achieved during the height of the post-COVID market. Buyers, however, were willing to wait.

That created a period of adjustment. Sellers gradually reduced asking prices, buyers began taking another look, and during July we started to see those two sides of the market come together.

By the first or second week of July, the change became noticeable.

Properties that had been on the market—and in many cases had gone through price adjustments—began attracting buyers who were ready to move forward. We saw activity pick up in both condominiums and single-family homes across the South Strand.

A Later Start to the Vacation-Property Market

This was particularly notable because 2026 started much more slowly than a typical year.

Historically, our vacation-property sales market begins gaining momentum around mid-March and continues through April and May. That’s when many buyers look for beach properties they can enjoy with their own families while also benefiting from vacation-rental income.

This year, that activity didn’t really arrive until July.

That doesn’t mean every property is suddenly selling or that we’ve returned to the pricing environment of a few years ago. It does suggest that appropriately priced properties are finding buyers and that the market is beginning to move again.

What Happens Next?

The activity we saw in July continued into August, and I’ll be watching closely to see what that means for the South Strand market as we head into fall.

Real estate along the coast can vary considerably by property type and location, so broad market trends only tell part of the story. If you’re considering buying or selling in Garden City Beach, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet or the surrounding South Strand area, I’m always happy to talk through what we’re seeing in your particular segment of the market.

Jim Allison
Dunes Realty Sales
Coastal Expertise. Personal Service. Proven Results.