Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Real Estate Market Report: 2026 Mid-Year Update
At the halfway point of 2026, the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton real estate markets remain active, even as inventory stays tight in several key segments. New listings are still below last year’s pace in many areas, but buyer demand has held steady, leading to more pending and closed sales across much of the Lowcountry.
For buyers and sellers, the story is encouraging. Homes are taking longer to sell than they did during the highly competitive pandemic-era market, but well-priced properties are still drawing serious interest, especially in coastal, golf, resort, and lifestyle communities. For a more in-depth look at the market, click here.
Hilton Head Island Real Estate Market Snapshot
Year-to-date through June 2026
Inventory Remains Limited
New listing activity continues to run behind last year’s pace.
- 576 new home listings, down 10.4%
- 686 new condominium listings, down 6.3%
Limited inventory continues to affect buyer choice, particularly in Hilton Head’s most sought-after waterfront, golf, and resort neighborhoods.
Buyer Activity Continues to Grow
Even with fewer new listings, buyers remain engaged in the Hilton Head market.
- 497 pending home sales, up 1.2%
- 481 pending condo sales, up 3.0%
Higher interest rates and more selective buying behavior have not erased demand for Hilton Head Island real estate.
Closed Sales Continue to Increase
Buyer interest is continuing to convert into completed transactions.
- 475 homes sold, up 5.1%
- 449 condos sold, up 0.9%
These gains point to continued confidence in the long-term value of owning property on Hilton Head Island.
Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell
The pace of the market has moderated compared with recent years.
- Homes: 70 average days on market, up 37.3%
- Condos: 93 average days on market, up 37.4%
While properties are spending more time on the market, today’s timelines are closer to historical norms than the unusually fast pace seen from 2020 through 2023.
Bluffton Real Estate Market Snapshot
Year-to-date through June 2026
Bluffton continues to show strong momentum and remains one of the most active housing markets in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
New Listings
- 1,230 new home listings, down 1.9%
- 191 new condominium listings, up 6.7%
Inventory has remained relatively stable, helping support continued buyer activity throughout the Bluffton market.
Pending Sales
Demand has increased significantly compared with the same period last year.
- 1,033 pending home sales, up 16.2%
- 134 pending condo sales, up 18.6%
Closed Sales
Bluffton continues to post strong year-over-year gains.
- 949 homes sold, up 17.5%
- 119 condos sold, up 25.3%
These increases reflect continued confidence from primary homebuyers, relocating families, retirees, and second-home buyers moving to the Lowcountry.
Days on Market
Buyers have more time to compare properties than they did a few years ago.
- Homes: 78 average days on market, up 25.8%
- Condos: 94 average days on market, up 54.1%
Longer marketing times are creating more opportunities for buyers, while sellers who price strategically remain well-positioned.
Beaufort Real Estate Market Snapshot
Year-to-date through May 2026
The Beaufort real estate market continues to show steady growth, with more homes coming to market and buyer demand remaining strong. While properties are taking longer to sell than they did a year ago, the increase in pending and closed sales reflects continued confidence in one of the Lowcountry's most desirable coastal communities.
Inventory Continues to Grow
Unlike some neighboring markets, Beaufort has seen a meaningful increase in available inventory, giving buyers more choices than they had a year ago.
- 1,885 new listings, up 15.3%
- A larger selection of homes is helping create a more balanced marketplace while continuing to attract buyers seeking the area's historic charm, waterfront lifestyle, and exceptional value.
Buyer Activity Remains Strong
Demand has remained healthy throughout the first half of the year.
- 1,460 pending sales, up 11.8%
The increase in pending contracts indicates buyers continue to view Beaufort as an attractive destination for primary residences, retirement homes, and investment properties.
Closed Sales Continue to Rise
The market has translated strong buyer activity into more completed transactions.
- 1,183 closed sales, up 4.8%
This continued growth reinforces Beaufort's reputation as one of the South Carolina Lowcountry's most stable and resilient housing markets.
Homes Are Spending More Time on the Market
The pace of the market has normalized compared to recent years.
- Average Days on Market: 133 days, up 11.8%
Longer marketing times provide buyers with additional opportunities to evaluate properties while reinforcing the importance of strategic pricing, professional marketing, and local market expertise for today's sellers.
What the 2026 Market Numbers Mean
The mid-year data points to several important Lowcountry real estate trends:
- Inventory remains below demand, especially on Hilton Head Island.
- Buyers continue to enter the market despite economic uncertainty.
- Closed sales are increasing across both Hilton Head Island and Bluffton.
- Homes are taking longer to sell, creating a more balanced market.
- Accurate pricing, strong presentation, and expert marketing remain essential.
For buyers, today’s market offers more time, more room for negotiation, and a better opportunity to make informed decisions. For sellers, demand is still strong, but pricing strategy and marketing quality matter more than they did during the peak-speed market of recent years.
Charter One Realty’s Mid-Year Performance
Market-wide statistics help explain the broader trend, but brokerage activity also offers insight into buyer confidence and local market momentum. Through June 2026, Charter One Realty continued to assist more buyers and sellers throughout the Lowcountry than any other brokerage in the region.
Year-to-Date Highlights
Charter One Realty continues to outperform the overall Lowcountry real estate market through the first half of 2026. While the overall RESIDES MLS market posted a 9.2% increase in sales volume and a 4.9% increase in transactions compared with the same period last year, Charter One Realty exceeded those gains with a 13.1% increase in sales volume and an 8.7% increase in closed transactions.
Through June 30, Charter One Realty closed $994.9 million in sales across 880 transactions, representing nearly 20% of all residential sales volume in the RESIDES MLS. That pace equals approximately one property closing every 4.9 hours.
The company’s average sales price increased from $1,086,415 to $1,130,573, while market share grew from 19.18% to 19.87%. Charter One Realty remains the #1 ranked brokerage in the Lowcountry by both sales volume and transactions.
With nearly $995 million in closed sales, Charter One Realty generated more than three times the sales volume of the region’s #2 ranked brokerage, which recorded $327 million during the same period.
Leading the Lowcountry Luxury Real Estate Market
Luxury real estate remains one of the strongest segments of the Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Lowcountry market.
Year-to-date, Charter One Realty has represented:
- 188 million-dollar-plus sellers
- 134 million-dollar-plus buyers
The closest competing brokerage represented:
- 38 million-dollar-plus sellers
- 40 million-dollar-plus buyers
These results reflect the trust that luxury buyers and sellers place in experienced local advisors with deep knowledge of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, and the surrounding Lowcountry communities.
Looking Ahead to the Second Half of 2026
As the second half of 2026 begins, inventory is expected to improve gradually while buyer demand remains steady. Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort continue to attract retirees, second-home buyers, investors, and families drawn to the lifestyle of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Whether you are thinking about buying, preparing to sell, or watching local market conditions, understanding current trends is more important than ever. A knowledgeable local real estate professional can help you evaluate your options and make confident decisions in today’s market.
If you are interested in learning what your home is worth or exploring current real estate opportunities throughout the Lowcountry, the experienced professionals at Charter One Realty are ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is now a good time to buy a home on Hilton Head Island?
Yes. Buyers have more options and more negotiating room than they did several years ago, while demand remains healthy and long-term market fundamentals continue to support Hilton Head Island real estate.
Are home prices falling in Bluffton?
No. While homes are taking longer to sell, buyer demand remains strong and closed sales continue to increase, helping support overall property values in the Bluffton real estate market.
Is the luxury real estate market still strong in Hilton Head and Bluffton?
Yes. Million-dollar properties remain one of the strongest segments of the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton real estate markets, supported by relocation activity, second-home buyers, and continued interest in the Lowcountry lifestyle.
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