I'll start with the most significant statistic: we ended last month with 1,808 properties under contract in the Coastal Carolinas Multiple Listing Service. Excluding the COVID-era years of 2020 and 2021, that's the highest number of pending properties ever recorded.

Should we count the pandemic years? Sure—they happened, and they're real. But are they a useful benchmark for measuring other years? Not really. With historically low home prices, mortgage rates below 3%, exceptionally high buyer demand, and highly motivated sellers, those years were the exception rather than the rule. That's what makes 2026 so special.

From my review of recent trends, I believe we're heading into an incredibly busy summer. March was a little slower than recent years, but both April and May showed steady improvement in the number of properties going under contract and the number of properties closing.

Interestingly, sellers have slowed down a bit. After a record-setting March that saw 2,696 new listings added to the market, April added 2,451 properties and May added 2,369. This has affected our months supply as fewer new listings have been added while buyer activity has increased. Months supply in May was down approximately 10% compared to the same time last year.

Are there still plenty of properties to choose from? Absolutely. Are there fewer than last year? Also yes.

Average days on market has taken a nosedive since the huge influx of new properties in March. Across all property types—condos, townhomes, single-family homes, new construction, resales, and more—the average days on market in March was 112 days. In April, that same statistic dropped to 101 days. By May 2026, the average days on market had fallen to just 92 days.

Keep in mind that averages include a wide range of outcomes. Some properties sell before they are officially listed and enter the MLS with zero days on market. In fact, 25 of the 1,757 properties that sold last month had zero days on market. On the other end of the spectrum, 58 properties sold after being on the market for more than a year.

What Does This Mean?

For Buyers

It means there are plenty of properties to choose from. However, it also means that when you find a home that is well-priced, in good condition, and meets your needs, you should be prepared to act.

If you don't, you may find yourself choosing from the leftovers and negotiating with sellers who haven't adjusted their expectations regarding price, condition, or timing.

We can help analyze properties and provide recommendations based on your specific goals, helping you make informed decisions that fit both your situation and the property you're considering.

For Sellers

It's never been more important to have a trusted real estate professional guiding you through the process.

Positioning your home with the right price and presenting it in the best possible condition is paramount. Creating marketing that generates exposure and attracts qualified buyers is critical. And when an interested buyer comes along, being prepared to negotiate effectively can make the difference between getting under contract and sitting on the market.

We'd love to learn more about your goals and help you develop a strategy that balances timing, price, and condition to achieve the best possible outcome.