Mid-January Market Surge: Charleston Real Estate Accelerates with 282 New Contracts

If the first week of 2026 was a warm-up, the second week was the main event. The Charleston residential market saw a dramatic acceleration in activity from January 9–15, 2026, with 282 properties going under contract.

This significant leap from the previous week suggests that the "Spring Market" has arrived early in the Lowcountry. From entry-level opportunities in Summerville to a staggering $7 million contract on Daniel Island, the data shows a market that is both broad and deep.

Single-Family Strength: Luxury Leads the Way

Of the 282 total contracts, 208 were single-family homes. While buyers are moving quickly to secure properties, they remain discerning; the Median Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) held steady at 55 days.

Key Single-Family Stats:

• Median List Price: $530,000
• Price per Square Foot: $294
• New Construction: Represented 11% of all contracts.

The luxury sector is showing exceptional strength, accounting for nearly a quarter of all single-family activity. This week alone, 49 homes went under contract listed over $1 million, including 20 homes over $2 million and 4 exceeding the $3 million mark.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Where are Buyers Buying?

1. The High-End Hubs: Mount Pleasant & The Peninsula

Mount Pleasant continues to dominate the premium residential space with 27 homes going under contract and a median list price of $1.2 million. Over half of these (15 homes) were priced above $1M, with heavy activity in Carolina Park and Park West.

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On the Charleston Peninsula, the numbers were even more staggering. While only 12 contracts were signed, 8 were located South of the Crosstown, driving the median list price to $2.35 million ($832/sq. ft.).

2. The Volume Engines: Summerville & Hanahan

The northern suburbs remain the engine room for the region, accounting for nearly 43% of all single-family contracts this week.

• Summerville/Ladson: 44 contracts; Median Price: $380,000. Activity was particularly concentrated in the Wescott area.
• Hanahan/Goose Creek/Moncks Corner: 44 contracts; Median Price: $412,000. Cane Bay continues to be a major draw, accounting for 6 of these sales.

3. Island Living: The $7 Million Headline

The coastal islands saw 38 single-family homes go contingent. The standout news came from Daniel Island, which saw 5 contracts, including a massive $7 million estate.

• Isle of Palms: 3 contracts, including a $5.5 million luxury property.
• James Island: 9 contracts with a high median of $895k.
• Johns Island: 12 contracts with a median of $578k.

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Condos & Townhomes: Luxury in the Mix

The attached home market is also booming with 61 units under contract. While entry-level options remain (4 units under $200k), the "lock-and-leave" luxury lifestyle is in high demand. Notably, 9 condos listed between $1 million and $2 million went pending this week.

Market Health Check: Stability and Growth

The fundamentals of the Charleston market appear incredibly stable. Distressed properties are virtually non-existent, with only one foreclosure or short sale recorded out of 208 single-family transactions.

Market Segment Contracts

Median Price Single-Family 208 $530,000

‍Attached (Condo/Townhome) 61

‍Luxury ($1M+)49

The Bottom Line: If you've been waiting for the "right time" to list or buy, the January data suggests the window is wide open. Momentum is building across every price point and zip code in the Lowcountry.

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