Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026




After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year. And depending on where you live, that’s opening up your options in a meaningful way. 

According to Realtor.com, the number of homes available for sale in January was the highest it’s been since 2020. Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical:

Now, it’s worth noting, nationally we’re not there yet – and having more inventory improving won’t suddenly “fix” the market. But the growth we’ve seen lately still changes how competitive the market feels.

  • When there are more homes for sale, buyers gain time,…

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Golf Courses in Beaufort, SC: A Complete Guide for Homebuyers and Golf Enthusiasts

From world-class private communities to beloved public courses, discover why Beaufort is one of the Lowcountry's premier golf destinations — and what it means for your real estate investment.

If you love golf and are thinking about buying a home in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Beaufort should be at the very top of your list. With 40 courses within a 15-mile radius, year-round sunshine, and some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the country, Beaufort offers a golfing lifestyle that's hard to match — at any price point.


Beaufort, South Carolina sits in the heart of the Sea Islands, a mosaic of barrier islands, tidal creeks, and salt marshes between…

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Golf Courses on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, SC: The Ultimate Guide for Golfers and Homebuyers

There's a reason golfers who visit Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, South Carolina rarely leave without talking about moving here. The golf is that good — and so is everything that comes with it. Sunlight filtered through Spanish moss-draped live oaks. Salt air drifting off the May River. Neighbors who become lifelong friends over 18 holes. Courses designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, and Arnold Palmer.

This corner of the Lowcountry has built a global reputation on the strength of its golf, and the numbers back it up. Within 15 miles of Bluffton, you'll find 57 total golf courses — 31 public and 26 private, with 48 full…

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The Complete Guide to Marinas on Hilton Head Island (And Why They Matter for Real Estate)

Whether you're searching for Hilton Head real estate with deep-water dock access or simply trying to understand why waterfront properties here command such a premium, the island's marina scene tells the whole story. This guide covers every major marina on and around Hilton Head Island, public and private, along with what each one means for buyers, sellers, and anyone dreaming of a life on the water.

Why Hilton Head Is One of the Top Boating Destinations on the East Coast

Hilton Head Island sits at the convergence of some of the most navigable waterways on the Atlantic Seaboard. Broad Creek, Calibogue Sound, Port Royal Sound, and the Atlantic Intracoastal…

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The Pre-Spring Seller Checklist

A Smart Seller Strategy for Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort


Early spring is not when you start preparing your home for sale in the Lowcountry. It is when prepared sellers begin winning.

In Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort, the market historically builds momentum from late February through April. Northern buyers plan ahead of summer moves. Relocation timelines firm up. Snow melts. Showing activity rises.

If you want to list in March or April, preparation begins now.

Here is your practical, no-nonsense Pre-Spring Seller Checklist designed specifically for Lowcountry properties.

1. Review Market Timing With Data, Not Guesswork

Before you touch a paintbrush, schedule a pricing and positioning…

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Why Spring Is Prime Time for Deepwater Buyers in Hilton Head & Bluffton

There is a noticeable shift in the Lowcountry each March. The light changes. The marsh comes alive. Boat traffic returns. And serious waterfront buyers start paying attention.

If you are considering a deepwater home in Hilton Head or Bluffton, spring is not just scenic. It is strategic.

Here is why.

Spring Reveals What Winter Hides

1. Water Clarity Improves

In winter, tidal rivers and creeks can appear muted or sediment-heavy. By early spring, water clarity improves and buyers can better evaluate:

  • Depth perception at different tide stages

  • Visibility around docks and pilings

  • General water movement and conditions

For deepwater…

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Waterfront & Deepwater Authority

Preparing Your Dock for Spring Boating Season in the Lowcountry

There are two kinds of spring cleaning in the Lowcountry. The kind inside your home… and the kind that protects the reason you bought it.

If you own waterfront or deepwater property in Hilton Head, Bluffton, or Beaufort, your dock is not a side feature. It is an asset. It influences buyer perception, insurance underwriting, appraisal conversations, and ultimately resale value.

Small dock upgrades protect million-dollar views. And spring is when smart owners take control.

Why Spring Dock Preparation Matters for Waterfront Homes

Deepwater and marshfront properties across Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort begin seeing increased…

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Relocation Season: Why Northeastern Buyers Shop the Lowcountry Now

Strategic Timing for Buyers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania & Illinois

Every market has a rhythm. In the Lowcountry, relocation season starts well before summer arrives.

If you follow the data closely, serious buyers from the Northeast and Midwest begin actively searching in late winter and early spring. By the time the azaleas bloom and the docks fill up, many of the most strategic purchases are already under contract.

This is not accidental. It is cyclical, calculated, and highly relevant to Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort sellers who understand timing.

1. Corporate Relocation Cycles Drive Early Movement

Many of our…

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March vs. April vs. May: Timing Strategy in the Lowcountry

A Data-Driven Guide for Sellers in Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort

In the Lowcountry, spring is not one market. It is three distinct phases.

Sellers often lump March, April, and May together as “spring season.” The data tells a different story. Buyer motivation, inventory levels, pricing leverage, and days on market all shift as the azaleas bloom and the marsh turns that electric green.

If you’re considering listing in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, or Beaufort, timing is not cosmetic. It is strategic.

Let’s break it down.

March: Serious Buyers. Controlled Inventory.

March in the Lowcountry is quiet confidence.

Northeastern buyers are actively shopping before Easter and…

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MARKET TIMING & BUYER BEHAVIOR - Why Early Spring Is the Advantage Window in Hilton Head & Bluffton


Early spring (late February through mid-April) is the advantage window because it aligns a rising buyer pulse with the cleanest competitive landscape sellers get all year. Nationally, pending contracts tend to rise in March and peak around June, meaning demand is building before the market reaches its most crowded point. 

Locally, the last five years have seen a market that has become more choice-rich for buyers and therefore more execution-sensitive for sellers. From 2021 to 2025, year-end inventory climbed materially across all three core segments we track here (Bluffton 29910/29909, Hilton Head detached, Hilton Head condos/villas). Median prices…

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