I start with Charleston because that is the market most of you are in. Sales are up slightly this year, West Ashley is about to get 285 more apartments, and sellers are starting to negotiate again. After that, a quick look at the rest of South Carolina, a few things touching your insurance and loan math, and only then the national charts.
Charleston
285 apartments coming to Ashley Landing in West Ashley
Woodfield Development is starting Westbourne Ashley Landing, 285 units inside the larger Ashley Landing redo in West Ashley. Publix and about 240,000 square feet of retail are already part of the plan. Delivery is not until late 2028, so this will not change next month's rent. It does tell you where density is going: established corridors with grocery and retail already in place.
Source: REBusinessOnline
Charleston sales and prices are still climbing, just slower
Through the first five months of 2026, Charleston home sales are up about 2.5% year over year. The metro median is near $450,000, with single-family closer to $480,000. Summer brought more listings, which helps buyers. Well-located homes still move. Overpriced ones sit longer than they would have two years ago.
Source: Charleston Property Group
South Carolina
Greenville inventory is up 22%. Median price is flat.
Greater Greenville has about 6,000 active listings now, up more than 20% from a year ago. Median price held at $315,000. Days on market stretched to 57. Buyers in Simpsonville and Greer have actual choices again. Augusta Road and Five Forks are still the pockets where good homes move fast.
Source: Greater Greenville market update
Six in ten SC families cannot afford a median-priced home
The Home Builders Association of South Carolina reported this spring that more than 60% of families cannot afford a median-priced home at current mortgage rates. People are still moving here from higher-cost states. The pitch works. The math is just tighter than it was in 2021.
Around the market
Mortgage payments are slightly lower than last year
Zillow's June data shows the monthly payment on a typical U.S. home down about 2.5% from last year, helped by rates that are roughly 20 basis points lower. That matters in Charleston because a move from 6.5% to 6.3% can be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying, especially with insurance costs where they are.
Source: Zillow June Market Report
Seller concessions hit a record nationally
Industry surveys show 46% of sellers offered concessions in May, and 44% of agents now call the market balanced. That shows up locally as closing cost help, inspection repairs, and sellers who will wait for the right offer instead of taking the first one. If you are buying in Charleston this summer, ask. If you are selling, price for the first two weeks.
Source: CNBC Q2 Housing Market Survey
National
National home price growth may trail inflation this year
Realtor.com's midyear update projects 1.2% appreciation for 2026 while inflation runs closer to 3.4%. Not a crash. Just homes not outpacing everything else on your budget spreadsheet. Useful context if someone tells you prices are exploding or collapsing. Neither is true nationally.
Source: Realtor.com forecast update
Regional malls face a wall of loan maturities
About $2.5 billion in commercial mortgage loans come due in July, heavily weighted toward retail malls and older office buildings. This will not change your Johns Island closing next month. It does matter if you own retail property or watch CRE as a leading indicator. Apartments nationally hit 95.5% occupancy in Q2, which is healthier than the mall headlines.
Source: Trepp / CRE Daily
Charleston is still growing into places that already have roads and grocery stores. Buyers have a little more room than they did last year. Rates and insurance still decide who can actually close. That is the whole story in one sentence.
Headlines from public reporting as of publish date. General market commentary, not legal, tax, or investment advice.