2026 Luxury Outlook

Over the past several years, I’ve had a lot of conversations with clients asking the same question: “What is really happening in our market?” When we step back and look at the data from 2022 through 2025, a clear and encouraging story emerges — one of transition, normalization, and opportunity.

In 2022, our local market was extremely active. Demand was strong, inventory was tight, and many properties sold quickly. As we moved into 2023 and 2024, higher interest rates naturally slowed things down. Buyers became more selective, sellers faced more competition, and the pace of sales moderated. Even so, prices continued to rise through 2024, reflecting the long-term appeal of living and investing in Georgetown and Horry Counties.

By 2025, we began to see the market settle into something healthier and more sustainable. Inventory increased, giving buyers more choices, while prices — particularly in higher-priced areas — adjusted slightly from their peaks. This wasn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a return to balance after several unusually intense years.

What’s encouraging as we move into 2026

What I find most positive about the current market is that activity remains steady, especially in Horry County, where prices have continued to rise gradually and sales volume has stayed resilient. Georgetown County, while more sensitive to pricing changes, remains highly desirable, and today’s environment simply means buyers are more thoughtful and strategic — not absent.

This shift creates opportunity on both sides:

• For sellers, the market still supports strong values, especially for well-priced, well-presented homes. The days of automatic multiple offers may be behind us, but serious buyers are still out there.

• For buyers, there is more negotiating room, more inventory to choose from, and less pressure to rush into decisions — a welcome change from recent years.

Some segments, like condos, townhomes, and homesites, have slowed more than others. Historically, these areas are also the first to respond when financing conditions improve, which is one reason I’m optimistic as we look toward 2026.

My outlook for 2026

As we head into 2026, I believe our market is positioned for measured growth and renewed confidence. Rather than dramatic swings, the data points toward a market where smart pricing, good advice, and clear strategy matter most. That’s a good thing. Balanced markets tend to be healthier, more predictable, and ultimately more successful for both buyers and sellers.

If interest rates ease — even modestly — we could see pent-up demand return quickly, particularly from buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines. And even without major changes, the fundamentals of our area remain strong: people want to live here, invest here, and build their future here.

As always, my role is to help you navigate this market with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply staying informed, I’m here to help you understand what the numbers mean for you — not just what the headlines say.