Weekly Market Update: High-End Activity Surges in Mid-December

The Charleston residential market showed strong momentum as we moved into the mid-December period. During the week of December 12–18, 2025, a total of 192 residential properties went under contract (contingent), led by 144 single-family homes. This activity highlights a resilient market, driven by a blend of luxury demand and a steady flow of suburban contracts.

Single-Family Home Market Snapshot

The single-family sector showed a healthy mix of luxury and entry-level movement, though luxury properties saw a significant surge this week.

• Median Statistics: The median list price for single-family homes stood at $440,000, with a median price per square foot of $227.
• High-End Demand: A notable 31 properties listed over $1M went under contract, including 10 over $2M and 5 exceeding $3M.
• Market Velocity: The median Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) was 58 days.
• Property Profiles: The median year built for these homes was 2001. Distressed sales were minimal, with only 1 of 144 homes being a bank-owned foreclosure or short sale.
• New Construction: Approximately 5% of the single-family contracts were for new construction projects.

Neighborhood & Island Breakdowns

The coastal and island submarkets continue to command premium pricing, with 16 island homes going under contract this week.

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‍Additional Island Activity: Other notable island contracts included IOP (3 properties ranging from $845k to $3.95M), Daniel Island (3 properties ranging from $1.4M to $5.75M), Folly Beach (2 properties at $1.1M and $2.75M), and Seabrook (1 property at $1.45M).

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Key Trends and Shifts

• Price Adjustments: While November saw a median sale price of $622,000, the single-family homes going under contract in mid-December featured a lower median list price of $440,000. This suggests a surge in activity within more affordable price brackets or a seasonal shift in the types of properties entering "contingent" status.
• Market Velocity: The median days on market for mid-December contracts (58 days) was slightly faster than the November average of 67 days. This indicates that well-positioned homes are still moving quickly despite broader inventory increases.
• Inventory Resilience: November reports highlighted a significant 36% year-over-year increase in active listings for 2025, giving buyers more leverage than in previous years. This increased choice is reflected in the steady volume of 192 new contracts in just one week in December.
• Luxury Sector Stability: Luxury sales (over $1M) rose by approximately 10% in late 2025 compared to the previous year. This strength continued into mid-December, where 31 of the 144 single-family contracts were for properties over $1M.
• Economic Drivers: Interest rates dipped back below 6.3% in late 2025, providing relief that likely spurred the December contract activity.

Submarket Highlights: Mid-December

• Price Leaders: Peninsula Charleston and Mount Pleasant maintained the highest median list prices at $1.1M.
• Volume Leaders: Hanahan/Goose Creek/Moncks Corner saw the highest volume of new contracts with 37 properties, followed closely by Summerville/Ladson with 30.
• Price per Square Foot: The Peninsula remains the most expensive per square foot at $597, nearly triple the $188 found in the Summerville/Ladson area.

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Condo and Townhome Market

The condo and townhome segment saw 35 properties go under contract, offering buyers significant variety.

• Affordability: 2 listings were under $200k, and 8 were priced between $200k and $299k.
• Mid-to-High Range: 12 properties were listed between $300k and $450k, while 10 fell into the $500k to $999k bracket.
• Luxury Condos: 3 properties went under contract in the $1.2M to $6.6M range.
• New Builds: 4 of these contracts were for new construction.

If you have any questions or need more information, contact one of the agents at www.CharlestonHome.com 

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