Charleston Real Estate Market Update: Week of March 13 – March 19, 2026

The Charleston-area real estate market remained highly active this past week, with 354 residential properties going under contract. Whether you are looking for a historic downtown home, a coastal island retreat, or a growing inland community, here is your complete breakdown of the latest Lowcountry market trends.

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## Single-Family Home Overview

Out of the total properties that went contingent, 274 were single-family homes. The market showed steady movement with a focus on established properties and high-end luxury listings.

• Median List Price: $449,000
• Average Price Per Square Foot: $247
• Median Days on Market: 31 Days
• Median Build Year: 2005
• New Construction: Accounted for approximately 5% of the week's contracts.

Expert Insight: The median days on market (31) indicates a "healthy-active" state. While we aren't seeing the 48-hour bidding wars of years past, properties priced correctly are still moving in about a month. The steady interest in homes built around 2005 suggests a strong secondary market for buyers looking for modern layouts without the "new construction" premium.

The Luxury & Entry-Level Spectrum

The luxury sector remains a powerhouse in the region, while entry-level inventory stays lean:

• $1M+ Contracts: 42 homes
• $2M+ Contracts: 15 homes
• $3M+ Contracts: 7 homes
• Under $250K: 9 homes
• Distressed Properties: Only 6 homes were bank-owned foreclosures or short sales.

## Island and Coastal Living

Our local islands saw significant activity, with 47 single-family homes on the islands going under contract this week.

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Expert Insight: Johns Island’s volume lead (20 contracts) continues to be driven by its unique position as the more "accessible" island, though the $315 price-per-square-foot shows that the gap between inland and coastal value is narrowing. On the high end, the $10.4M contract on Daniel Island confirms that ultra-luxury demand remains decoupled from broader economic fluctuations

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Other Notable Sales: 2 contracts in Wild Dunes ($2.35M and $3.25M), 2 on Edisto, and 1 on Seabrook.

## Mainland and Peninsula Spotlights

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant remains a primary driver of the luxury market.

• Contracts: 24 single-family homes
• Median List Price: $1.2M
• Price Per Sqft: $433
• Luxury Focus: 14 of the 24 contracts were priced over $1 million.

Peninsula Charleston

Historic downtown commands the highest space premium in the region.

• Contracts: 13 homes
• Median List Price: $1.2M
• Price Per Sqft: $689
• Highlight: 8 homes over $1M; 5 located south of the Crosstown.

West Ashley & North Charleston

• West Ashley: 30 properties under contract with a median list price of $495,000.
• North Charleston: 24 homes under contract with a median price of $350,000.

Expert Insight: The Peninsula's $689 price-per-square-foot is nearly triple the regional average, reflecting the extreme scarcity of historic inventory South of Broad. In Mount Pleasant, the fact that over 50% of contracts were above $1 million shows that this area has officially solidified as a primary luxury hub rather than just a suburban alternative to downtown.

## Growing Inland Communities

The highest volume of activity occurred in the surrounding inland areas, where buyers are finding more "home for their dollar."

• Hanahan, Goose Creek, & Moncks Corner: A massive 78 single-family homes went under contract. This was heavily fueled by 15 contracts in Cane Bay.
  
  • Median List Price: $375,000 ($211/sqft)
• Summerville & Ladson: 55 homes went under contract.
  
  • Median List Price: $398,000 ($183/sqft)
  • Highlight: 7 properties in The Ponds community.

## Condos and Townhomes

For buyers seeking lower-maintenance living, 70 units went under contract this week.

• The "Sweet Spot": The $300,000 to $499,000 range (23 contracts).
• Entry-Level Luxury: 22 units listed between $200,000 and $299,000.
• High-End Units: 7 units went under contract between $1.1M and $2.2M.
• Inventory: 6 of these were new construction.

## Frequently Asked Questions: Charleston Real Estate

1. What is the average price per square foot in Charleston right now? As of mid-March 2026, the regional average for single-family homes is approximately $247 per square foot. However, this varies wildly by neighborhood. For example, luxury markets like Peninsula Charleston see averages as high as $689 per square foot, while growing inland areas like Summerville and Ladson offer more value at around $183 per square foot.

2. How long does it take to sell a home in the Charleston area? The current median Days on Market (DOM) is 31 days. This indicates a balanced but active market. Homes that are move-in ready and priced competitively within the $400,000 to $600,000 range tend to move faster, while ultra-luxury properties over $3 million may stay on the market longer due to a smaller pool of qualified buyers.

3. Which Charleston neighborhoods offer the most new construction? Growth is currently concentrated in the inland "tri-county" areas. Cane Bay (Summerville/Moncks Corner) remains a leader in new inventory, alongside developing communities in Johns Island. While new construction accounted for roughly 5% of all contracts this past week, these areas provide the most modern amenities and energy-efficient building standards in the Lowcountry.

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