The Grand Strand Market Is Shifting Into a More Balanced Market

The Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand real estate market continues evolving as we move deeper into 2026. After several years of ultra-competitive conditions fueled by record-low mortgage rates and rapid migration into coastal markets, today’s market looks very different, and in many ways, much healthier.

Inventory levels are rising across the Grand Strand, mortgage rates remain elevated compared to pandemic-era lows, and buyers are becoming more selective. At the same time, demand for coastal living remains strong, especially in areas like Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, and Pawleys Island.

The result is a market that is no longer overwhelmingly favoring sellers, but it also isn’t collapsing. Instead, we’re seeing a transition toward a more balanced and normalized housing market.

For buyers, that means more choices and negotiating power.
For sellers, it means pricing and presentation matter more than ever.

If you’re considering buying or selling along the Grand Strand, you can explore current listings and local market insights here:

👉 https://booking.beachpropertiesgroup.com/schedule

Overall Myrtle Beach Market Snapshot

As of May 18, 2026, the overall Myrtle Beach market is showing:

• Inventory: 5.5 months

• Median Days on Market: 101 days

• Median Price: $328,999

• Absorption Rate: 18.8%

Compared to the beginning of the year, inventory has steadily increased from 4.7 months in January to 5.5 months in May. That’s one of the clearest signs the market is continuing to rebalance.

At the same time:

• Median prices have remained relatively stable

• Days on market have improved slightly

• Buyers are still active, but more cautious

This tells us the market still has demand - especially for well-priced homes - but buyers are no longer rushing into purchases the way they did during the peak frenzy years.

Single-Family Homes Continue to Lead the Market

Resale Homes Showing Stability

Single-family resale homes continue to outperform most other segments of the Grand Strand market.

Current resale market stats:

• Inventory: 5.1 months

• Median Price: $395,000

• Median Days on Market: 81 days

• Absorption Rate: 21.4%

That’s a relatively healthy market by historical standards.

Areas like:

• Carolina Forest

• Conway

• North Myrtle Beach

• Murrells Inlet

• Pawleys Island

continue attracting:

• retirees

• relocation buyers

• remote workers

• primary residents

Many buyers relocating from higher-cost states still view the Grand Strand as affordable relative to markets in the Northeast and Midwest.

One important trend is that homes priced correctly are still moving relatively quickly. Well-maintained properties in desirable neighborhoods are attracting serious interest, while overpriced listings are sitting longer and requiring price reductions.

That’s becoming one of the defining characteristics of the 2026 market.

New Construction Remains Active

Builders across the Grand Strand are continuing to offer incentives and rate-buydown programs to keep traffic moving.

Current new construction stats:

• Inventory: 3.0 months

• Median Price: $360,000

• Median Days on Market: 143 days

• Absorption Rate: 31.4%

New construction remains one of the strongest-performing categories because builders are often helping buyers offset higher mortgage rates through:

• closing cost assistance

• rate buydowns

• upgrade packages

• flexible financing incentives

Communities throughout Conway, Carolina Forest, Longs, and surrounding inland areas continue seeing significant development activity.

For buyers focused on monthly affordability, many builders are creating opportunities that can sometimes outperform resale pricing once incentives are factored in.

Condo Market Continues Facing Pressure

The condo and townhome market remains the softest segment of the Myrtle Beach market.

Current condo/townhome stats:

• Inventory: 8.0 months

• Median Price: $235,000

• Median Days on Market: 96 days

• Absorption Rate: 13.2%

This is clearly a buyer-leaning market.

Several factors are contributing to softer condo demand:

• higher HOA fees

• rising insurance costs

• elevated interest rates

• slower short-term rental performance

• increased competition among listings

Oceanfront condos and investment properties are still attracting buyers, but investors are being much more analytical than they were several years ago.

Vacation rental buyers are paying closer attention to:

• cash flow

• occupancy trends

• operating expenses

• HOA reserves

• insurance costs

That doesn’t mean the condo market is crashing. It simply means buyers have more leverage and more options than they’ve had in years.

For condo sellers, proper pricing and strong marketing are becoming critical.

Want to see how your condo or home compares to current market inventory?

👉 Request a personalized property analysis:
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Mortgage Rates Continue Influencing Buyer Behavior

Mortgage rates remain one of the biggest drivers of buyer activity in 2026.

Recent rate trends show:

• January 30-year conforming: approximately 6.03%

• February: approximately 6.04%

• March: approximately 6.19%

• April: approximately 6.28%

• May: approximately 6.50%

While rates are still historically reasonable compared to long-term averages, many consumers continue comparing today’s rates to the unusually low rates seen during 2020 and 2021.

That psychological shift matters.

We’re seeing many buyers:

• waiting for lower rates

• watching affordability carefully

• becoming more payment-sensitive

• taking longer to make decisions

However, one important reality remains: buyers are adapting.

Many people relocating to the Myrtle Beach area are still prioritizing:

• lifestyle

• lower taxes

• coastal living

• retirement goals

• quality of life

And compared to many Northeast markets, the Grand Strand still offers relatively attractive pricing.

Buyer Activity Is Still Seasonal

The Myrtle Beach market has always been highly seasonal, and 2026 is proving no different.

Spring and early summer remain the busiest periods of the year because:

• second-home buyers visit during warmer months

• tourists explore relocation opportunities

• families move before school schedules begin

• retirees continue long-term migration south

Despite economic uncertainty nationally, the Grand Strand continues benefiting from:

• tourism exposure

• inbound migration

• retirement demand

• lifestyle-driven purchases

That’s helping stabilize the market even as affordability pressures remain nationally.

What This Means for Buyers

For buyers, this may be the best opportunity in years to negotiate favorable terms.

Compared to recent years:

• inventory is higher

• competition is lower

• sellers are more flexible

• price reductions are more common

• contingencies are becoming normal again

Buyers now have more time to:

• compare homes

• negotiate inspections

• request concessions

• evaluate financing options

That said, desirable homes that are priced correctly are still selling.

The best opportunities often come from:

• motivated sellers

• stale listings

• overbuilt condo inventory

• builder incentive programs

If you’re buying in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, or Pawleys Island, having strong local guidance is becoming increasingly important because market conditions vary significantly by neighborhood and property type.

What This Means for Sellers

For sellers, strategy matters more than ever.

The days of simply listing a property and expecting multiple offers within hours are mostly behind us in many parts of the Grand Strand market.

Today’s successful sellers are:

• pricing accurately from day one

• preparing homes properly

• investing in strong photography and marketing

• understanding local competition

Homes that are overpriced are often sitting longer and requiring price reductions later.

At the same time, sellers should remember:

• inventory is still not excessive overall

• many buyers remain active

• relocation demand is still strong

• coastal lifestyle demand hasn’t disappeared

Well-positioned homes are still selling successfully.

Looking Ahead: Myrtle Beach Market Outlook for Summer 2026

Looking ahead into summer, the Myrtle Beach market is likely to continue transitioning toward balance rather than extreme seller dominance.

Here’s what we’ll be watching closely:

• mortgage rate movement

• buyer confidence

• inventory growth

• tourism trends

• second-home demand

• condo absorption rates

If mortgage rates stabilize in the low-to-mid 6% range, buyer activity could improve during the second half of the year.

At the same time, inventory growth will likely continue giving buyers more choices, particularly in condos and investment properties.

Overall, the Grand Strand market appears to be moving toward a healthier long-term environment where:

• buyers have more options

• sellers can still succeed

• prices stabilize

• negotiations normalize

That’s a far more sustainable market than the extreme volatility seen over the past several years.

Final Thoughts

The Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand real estate market is no longer operating at the frantic pace we saw during the pandemic boom, but demand for coastal living remains strong.

We’re seeing:

• more balanced conditions

• rising inventory

• cautious but active buyers

• stable single-family pricing

• softer condo performance

• continued migration into the region

For both buyers and sellers, success in today’s market comes down to understanding hyper-local conditions and making informed decisions based on current data, not headlines.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, investing, or relocating anywhere along the Grand Strand, having a local market expert matters more than ever.

Whether you’re considering:

• Myrtle Beach

• North Myrtle Beach

• Conway

• Surfside Beach

• Murrells Inlet

• Pawleys Island

• or anywhere across the Grand Strand

Beach Properties Group is here to help you navigate the market with confidence.

Contact Brian Staub

Brian Staub
Beach Properties Group | Keller Williams
601 21st Ave N
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

📞 (843) 385-6630
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://beachpropertiesgroup.com/

Ready to discuss your real estate goals or learn what your property is worth in today’s market?

👉 Contact Brian Staub and Beach Properties Group today:
https://booking.beachpropertiesgroup.com/schedule