Most People Think Summer Is the Wrong Time to Buy. The Grand Strand Data Says Otherwise.

The conventional wisdom is that spring is the best time to buy a home. And for most of the country, that’s true most of the time. But the Grand Strand real estate market operates differently — and right now, in July 2026, the conditions for buyers are as favorable as we’ve seen in years.

More inventory. Softer prices. Sellers offering concessions. Less competition. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about buying a home in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Conway, Little River, or Longs — this is the market report you need to read.

Yes — significantly more. Inventory on the Grand Strand is up over 37% year-over-year, and that number is being felt across all seven markets we serve.

More choices mean more time to find the right home. It means you can be selective. It means you don’t have to settle — and that hasn’t been the case for buyers on the Grand Strand in a long time.

The median listing price in Myrtle Beach is $325,000 in July 2026 — down slightly from the same time last year. That modest softening matters more than it sounds.

📈 What Softer Prices Mean for You A $10,000–$20,000 reduction in median price translates directly into lower monthly payments and stronger purchasing power. On a 30-year mortgage, that difference is often $60–$120 per month — every month for the life of the loan.

📊 The Market Is Still Active Closed sales are up 5.4% year-over-year. This is not a dead market — it’s a healthy, active market where serious buyers are finding homes and closing deals. The difference is the balance of power has shifted to the buyer’s side.

Across markets like Conway (median $310K) and Longs (median $338K), value is genuinely strong right now. Pawleys Island sits higher at around $514K but has seen meaningful softening from its peak. Each market tells a slightly different story — which is why a neighborhood-specific conversation matters more than a Grand Strand average.

Yes — and more actively than at any point in the past three years. 79% of active listings on the Grand Strand have already had at least one price reduction. That number tells the story: sellers are motivated, and they know it.

Only 4.35% of homes are selling above asking price right now — compared to 30%+ during the peak market years. That’s a fundamental shift in who has leverage at the negotiating table. Right now, it’s you.

More visitors, yes. More competing buyers, no. This is one of the most misunderstood dynamics on the Grand Strand.

With a median of 88 days on market, buyers have real time to be deliberate. You can schedule multiple showings, run your inspection thoroughly, and negotiate without the clock pressure of a competing offer. That kind of breathing room is rare — and it won’t last indefinitely.

We don’t have a crystal ball — but history on the Grand Strand gives us a clear pattern. Fall typically brings a new wave of serious buyers back into the market, particularly from the Northeast and Midwest as the seasons change and people start thinking seriously about relocating.

That’s not a pressure tactic — it’s just what the data consistently shows. Markets move in cycles, and right now the cycle favors buyers.

We’re watching this play out in real time across every market we serve — and it’s consistent.

🏖 Coastal Markets Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach have the most inventory and the most seller flexibility — great for buyers who want oceanfront or ICW access at a better price. Murrells Inlet still moves faster than average but buyers have more room to negotiate than a year ago. 🌴 Upscale & Balanced Pawleys Island has moved to a balanced market — a notable shift from its seller’s market position earlier this year. Buyers interested in the Hammock Coast have more options and more leverage than they’ve had in years.

🏘 Value Markets Conway and Little River represent some of the best value on the Strand right now — active markets with motivated sellers and strong community infrastructure. Both are seeing price reductions and seller concessions. 🌿 Emerging Value Longs is the most balanced market on the Strand right now — a rare seller’s market hold — but still offering strong value at a median around $338K with prices that have been trending upward. Good timing for buyers who want in before things tighten further.

No matter which market you’re interested in, we can pull a current, neighborhood-level snapshot and walk you through exactly what’s realistic to negotiate right now. That’s the kind of local knowledge that makes a real difference at the table.

Coastal Carolina Group  •  Myrtle Beach, SC
For informational purposes only. Not financial or real estate advice.