The State of the Lowcountry: Charleston Real Estate Trends (March 27 – April 2)

Welcome to your weekly Lowcountry real estate briefing. As we transition into the peak spring season, the Charleston market is showing remarkable strength and "normalcy"—a welcome shift toward sustainable, balanced growth.

For the week of March 27 – April 2, 2026, we saw 339 residential properties go under contract, signaling a high-energy start to the second quarter. From the historic streets of the Peninsula to the rapid growth in Summerville, here is the breakdown of what’s moving in the Holy City.

🏠 Single-Family Home Trends

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Single-family homes continue to be the primary engine of our local market, accounting for 268 of the week’s ratified contracts.

• Speed to Sale: The median time on market is holding steady at a brisk 27 days.
• Pricing Power: The median list price for the week sat at $553,000 (approx. $266/sqft).
• Inventory Profile: Interestingly, the "median" home being traded was built in 2005, though new construction remains a vital 6% of the activity.
• Stability: Distressed inventory is virtually non-existent, with only five properties listed as foreclosures or short sales across the entire region.

💎 The Luxury Surge

The ultra-premium sector had a standout week. 50 homes went under contract for over $1 million. Even more impressive was the movement at the very top: 25 homes over $2 million and 11 homes exceeding the $3 million mark.

🏝️ Island & Coastal Living

Charleston’s islands remain the crown jewels of the Lowcountry, with 58 single-family homes securing contracts this week.

📍 Neighborhood Spotlights

• Mount Pleasant: A powerhouse week with 35 contracts and a median price of $925,000. Nearly half of these were million-dollar-plus listings, including four in the iconic I’On neighborhood.
• Peninsula Charleston: 9 homes went under contract (5 south of the Crosstown). The prestige of downtown carries a premium median of $915,000 or $755/sqft.
• West Ashley: High volume with 32 contracts at a median of $567,000 ($294/sqft).
• Summerville & Berkeley County: This region remains the heart of affordability and growth. Summerville/Ladson saw 51 contracts (median $390k), while Goose Creek/Moncks Corner led the region in pure volume with 62 contracts (median $395k).

🏢 Condos & Townhomes

Attached dwellings are a vital entry point for many buyers. 60 units went under contract this week:

• Affordability: 39 units were priced between $200k – $499k.
• Luxury Living: Three luxury condos found buyers between $1 million and $1.7 million.
• New Supply: Five of these units were brand-new construction.

💡 CharlestonHome.com Expert Tips

For Buyers: The "Early Bird" Advantage

With average 30-year fixed mortgage rates hovering around 6.5% as of early April, some competition is still sitting on the sidelines.

• Strategy: Don't wait for the "perfect" rate. Use the current moderate competition to negotiate seller concessions or a temporary rate buydown. If rates drop later this year as projected, you can refinance, but you’ll have already secured your home at today’s prices.

For Sellers: The 3% Rule

In a "normalizing" market, precision is everything.

• Strategy: Data shows that overpricing your home by even 3-5% can lead to it sitting past the 27-day median. Once a home lingers, buyers wonder "what's wrong with it," leading to lower offers. Price it accurately against recent comps to spark a bidding war while the spring energy is high.

For Investors: Watch the "Growth Corridor"

Keep a close eye on Moncks Corner and Cane Bay. With 15 contracts in Cane Bay alone this week, the infrastructure and amenities in these master-planned communities continue to drive high tenant demand and long-term appreciation.

Stay Connected: For daily updates and the latest listings, visit www.charlestonhome.com. Your Lowcountry lifestyle starts here.

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