Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market Snapshot: Prices and Segments
• Who Is Buying in the Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market
• Days on Market and How Fast Homes Sell
• Inventory: Months Supply and Why It Matters
• New Construction vs Resale in Myrtle Beach
• Condos: The Market Begging for Offers
• Mortgage Rates and Affordability Trends in Myrtle Beach
• Builders, Incentives, and Timing Your Purchase  
• Migration, Demand, and Why Crash Risk Is Lower
• Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market Forecast for 2026
• Practical Next Steps for Buyers and Sellers
• FAQs

Introduction

The Myrtle Beach real estate market is not one-size-fits-all. Prices, inventory, and buyer behavior are shifting in different directions depending on whether you are looking at single family homes, condos, townhomes, resale, or new construction. If you are relocating, selling, investing, or simply trying to decide when to buy new construction, understanding these nuances will help you make a confident decision.

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Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market Snapshot: Prices and Segments

The median sale price across residential property types in the area sits around $239,000. But that headline number hides several distinct markets.

• Single family homes: roughly between $328,000 and $385,000.
• Condos and townhomes: roughly between $228,000 and $240,000.
• New construction: wide range, commonly $324,000 to $660,000, with some outskirts offering homes near $270,000.

When assessing the Myrtle Beach real estate market, treat single family homes and condos as separate ecosystems. They follow different demand drivers and offer different negotiating power for buyers.

Who Is Buying in the Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market

Sales activity has been rising year over year. Pending transactions tell a stronger story than monthly headlines alone:

• Single family pending sales are up about 24% year-over-year.
• Condo pending sales are up about 21% year-over-year.
• Closed transactions are up roughly 10% year-over-year.

Those numbers show buyers returning after high-rate months. Many are retirees, remote workers, and families chasing a lower cost of living. That steady inbound migration is a major tailwind for the Myrtle Beach real estate market.

Days on Market and How Fast Homes Sell

The average days on market across all residential categories in the local area is about 103 days. Compare that to the statewide average in South Carolina of about 70 to 75 days.

Longer days on market do not mean a dead market. They reflect market complexity. Myrtle Beach draws a mix of full-time buyers, vacation buyers, and investors. Those buyer groups move at different speeds and have different priorities, which lengthens the average time for some properties while well-priced, well-presented homes still move quickly.

Inventory: Months Supply and Why It Matters

Months of supply is the single metric that explains the balance of power between buyers and sellers. It estimates how long it would take to sell all current listings at the current sales pace.

• Single family combined (resale + new): 3.8 months supply. Anything under six months favors sellers.
• Previously owned (resale) single family: 4.8 months supply.
• New construction single family: 2.8 months supply. Builders can control the flow and pace of inventory.
• Condos: around 7.8 months supply, firmly in buyer territory.

The Myrtle Beach real estate market therefore contains both seller-dominant niches (new construction and many single family neighborhoods) and buyer-dominant pockets (especially condos). Recognizing which segment you are dealing with is everything when pricing or making offers.

New Construction vs Resale in Myrtle Beach

New construction is playing a major role right now. With about 2.8 months of new build inventory, builders can speed up or slow down production and use incentives to move sales. That control creates strong competition for resale listings.

Resale sellers need to be realistic. A previously owned house in this market often requires strategic pricing and effective marketing. Buyers still negotiating resale homes have more wiggle room than they would against new construction that beams with builder incentives.

Condos: The Market Begging for Offers

The condo segment has been the softest area of the Myrtle Beach real estate market. With supply hovering near 7 to 8 months, many condos are priced to attract buyers. That creates an opportunity for investors, vacation buyers, or anyone looking for a negotiable purchase.

If you are an investor chasing rental income, or a buyer seeking a seasonal home, now is a moment to take advantage of choice and bargaining power in the condo market.

Mortgage Rates and Affordability Trends in Myrtle Beach

Mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed are sitting roughly between 6.0% and 6.29%, which represents the lowest levels in three years compared to the highs near 7.5% experienced recently.

To put that in perspective, dropping from 7.5% to 6% on a $300,000 mortgage saves roughly $280 per month — over $3,000 per year. That kind of reduction is significant for affordability and helps bring sidelined buyers back into the market.

Mortgage movement matters, but incentives matter even more in certain corners. In the Myrtle Beach real estate market, builders are often the parties offering the most meaningful financial relief through rate buy downs and closing cost assistance.

Builders, Incentives, and Timing Your Purchase

Builders can offer powerful incentives that individual sellers cannot match. Typical offers include:

• Rate buy down programs, including 2-1 buy downs that reduce payments in the early years.
• Fixed-rate incentives advertised as low as 3.8% through a builder program.
• Closing cost contributions and mortgage credit assistance near the end of the year or during slow sales months.

Because inventory is under control for builders, timing matters. The end of the year, and the very start of the new year, can be ideal times to negotiate for aggressive incentives as builders push to hit quarterly or annual targets. For many buyers, new construction is no longer just about wanting a new house. It is often the most financially sensible option in the local market.

Migration, Demand, and Why Crash Risk Is Lower

Myrtle Beach ranks near the top for inbound migration, which is one reason the local housing market enjoys a steady stream of demand. The metro population saw growth near 3.8%, outpacing the national average. People move here for lower cost of living, affordable property taxes, and a lifestyle that appeals to retirees and remote workers.

Many buyers are relocating from places with much higher living costs, including New York, New Jersey, and parts of the Northeast, and even some Floridians seeking lower insurance and taxes.

This continuous influx reduces the risk of a sharp local market crash. Markets that rely only on local economic cycles are more volatile. By contrast, sustained inward migration provides a more stable, long-term demand base for the Myrtle Beach real estate market.

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market Forecast for 2026

Industry projections point to a measured recovery rather than a crash:

• Mortgage rates: expected to hover in the low sixes; some analysts think they may dip into the high fives.
• Price growth: national forecasts range from about 1% to 3%.
• Existing home sales: projected to rise about 3% to 4% as inventory normalizes.

Across the board, experts are not forecasting a housing crash. The consensus is a gradual recovery after the 2022–2024 correction. For the Myrtle Beach real estate market, that looks like a path toward balance — less frenzied than post-pandemic peaks but more stable and predictable.

Practical Next Steps for Buyers and Sellers

For Buyers

• Decide which segment of the Myrtle Beach real estate market matches your goals: a single family for long-term residence, a condo for investment or seasonal use, or new construction for maximum incentives.
• If targeting resale, expect negotiation room but price intelligently and move quickly on attractive homes.
• If targeting new construction, compare builder programs for rate buy downs, closing cost help, and other concessions.
• Lock in a mortgage strategy that accounts for likely rate movement; even small rate changes change affordability materially.

For Sellers

• Price to current market conditions. Overpricing will lead to longer days on market.
• Invest in presentation and marketing. Great photography and staging still win buyers' attention.
• If selling a single family home, remember that limited supply in many neighborhoods still supports seller leverage when priced correctly.

Timing the absolute bottom or top of the market matters less than making an informed decision that fits your timeline and financial goals. The Myrtle Beach real estate market favors long-term ownership for those seeking stability and steady appreciation.

If you need to buy a home, contact me — call or text: 833-867-4376. Or Schedule Discovery 1-1 Zoom Call.

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FAQs

Is the Myrtle Beach real estate market headed for a crash in 2026?

Experts are forecasting a gradual recovery and modest appreciation rather than a crash. Sustained inbound migration and balanced inventory levels in key segments make a sharp local crash unlikely.

Which segment of the Myrtle Beach real estate market has the most bargaining power for buyers?

The condo market currently offers the most bargaining power. With roughly 7 to 8 months of supply, buyers can negotiate price and terms more aggressively than in single family or new construction segments.

Are new construction homes a better value than resale right now?

New construction can be a strong value because builders offer rate buy downs, low fixed-rate programs, and closing cost incentives. Given builder control over inventory and aggressive programs, new builds are often competitively priced versus resale options.

How much can I save if mortgage rates drop from 7.5% to around 6%?

On a $300,000 mortgage, moving from 7.5% down to 6% can save roughly $280 per month, which adds up to over $3,000 per year. Exact savings depend on loan size and terms.

What should sellers focus on in this market?

Sellers should focus on correct pricing, strong presentation, and targeted marketing. While single family supply remains tight in many neighborhoods, buyers are more discerning than during peak frenzy years.

How long do homes sit on the market in Myrtle Beach compared to statewide averages?

The average days on market locally is about 103 days across all segments, compared to roughly 70 to 75 days statewide. That average is influenced by the slower-moving condo segment and the mix of seasonal and full-time buyer traffic.

Decisions in the Myrtle Beach real estate market are best made with clarity about which segment you are dealing with and what your goals are. Whether you want a long-term coastal home, a rental property, or a strategically timed new build, the current landscape offers clear opportunities if you know where to look and how to negotiate.

READ MORE: Best Place to Live in Myrtle Beach, SC: A Neighborhood Guide for Families and Retirees