Lowcountry Real Estate Market Update - December 2025

MARKET UPDATE - December 2025

U.S. existing home sales ticked up 0.5% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million, marking the third consecutive monthly increase, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). However, sales were down 1.0% from the same period last year. Regionally, sales rose month-over-month in the Northeast and South, were unchanged in the West, and declined in the Midwest. On a year-over-year basis, sales were flat in the Northeast and South and fell in both the Midwest and West.

The national median existing-home price continued to climb, rising 1.2% from a year ago to $409,200, according to NAR. This year-over-year increase—the 29th consecutive monthly gain—reflects ongoing tightness in…

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Physical Wellness Starts at Home: Features Buyers Are Prioritizing This Year in the Lowcountry

Wellness has officially crossed the threshold from lifestyle choice to real estate strategy. Buyers are no longer asking how big the house is. They are asking how it supports their body, their routines, and their energy.

In Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort, this shift feels especially natural. Movement is built into daily life here. The homes buyers want are designed to keep them active without turning wellness into a chore.

This is where real estate meets physical well-being. No buzzwords. Just smart design and intentional living.

Home Gyms vs Flex Rooms: Built-In Motivation Wins

Dedicated home gyms had their moment, but today’s buyers are thinking more flexibly. The priority is not a mirror wall and rubber flooring. It is…

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From Burnout to Balance: Why So Many People Are Making the Move to the Lowcountry

From Burnout to Balance: Why So Many People Are Making the Move to the Lowcountry

There is a quiet shift happening in real estate. It is not loud. It is not flashy. And it is not driven by status alone.

It is driven by burnout.

Across the country, buyers are stepping off the treadmill of high-stress markets and asking a better question: What if home actually made life easier?

Welcome to The Next Wave, where relocation is less about escape and more about alignment. And few places answer that call better than the coastal Lowcountry.

Escaping High-Stress Markets Without Sacrificing Opportunity

We are seeing it every day. Buyers from fast-paced metros are not downsizing ambition. They are downsizing pressure.

Long commutes. Constant…

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Lowcountry Events in January 2026: Your Guide to What’s Happening in Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Savannah this Month

January is a wonderful time to experience South Carolina’s Lowcountry. The weather is cooler, the tourist crowds have thinned, and a full calendar of local events awaits in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Savannah. From oyster festivals and farmers markets to concerts, parades, and family-friendly celebrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this month. Below, we’ve organized the must-do January events by town, so you can easily plan your Lowcountry adventures. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a newcomer, get ready to savor the Lowcountry’s unique blend of coastal charm and community spirit as the new year kicks off!

Hilton Head Island Events in January

Hilton Head Island Farmers Market

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Next Wave Living: Why Buyers Are Rethinking What “Home” Means in 2026

Next Wave Living: Why Buyers Are Rethinking What “Home” Means in 2026

The definition of “home” has officially evolved. In 2026, buyers are no longer chasing square footage for the sake of it. They are chasing how life feels inside and outside their front door. Calm. Flexible. Intentional. Grounded.

Here in the coastal Lowcountry, that shift feels less like a trend and more like a natural progression. Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort have been quietly ahead of this curve for decades. The rest of the market is just catching up.

As Charter One Realty marks its 40th year, this moment feels fitting. We have watched buyer priorities shift across generations, market cycles, and lifestyles. One thing is clear. The next wave of buyers is designing…

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Lowcountry Reset: The Best Places to Walk, Breathe & Clear Your Head in January

Lowcountry Reset: The Best Places to Walk, Breathe & Clear Your Head in January

Discover serene Lowcountry escapes for a January reset. From Hilton Head’s beach walks and Bluffton’s May River trails to Beaufort’s Waterfront Park and Spanish Moss Trail, explore peaceful outdoor havens that inspire reflection. Plus, see nearby luxury homes and Charter One Realty’s 40-year legacy.

Hilton Head Island: Beach Pathways and Ocean Breezes

There’s something cleansing about a winter walk on Hilton Head Island’s beaches. In January, the usual crowds have thinned, leaving miles of sand and surf almost to yourself. Hilton Head boasts 12 miles of continuous beach along its coast, all open to the public (from the ocean to the high-water mark) and accessible…

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Wellness by Design: How Your Home Shapes Mental Health in the Lowcountry

 The Next Wave: Wellness by Design

January has a way of clearing the noise. It invites reflection, resets, and a quiet reckoning with what truly supports the life you want to live.

Welcome to The Next Wave, a January content series focused on intentional living in the Lowcountry. Not trends. Not resolutions. Thoughtful choices that endure.

This year carries added meaning. Charter One Realty marks its 40th anniversary serving Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort. Four decades of watching how people live, gather, retreat, and ultimately choose homes that support not just their lifestyle, but their well-being.

And if there is one thing those 40 years have taught us, it is this: The best homes don’t just look good. They make life feel…

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Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know.

Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know.

The housing market hasn’t felt this energized in a long time – and the numbers backing that up are hard to ignore. Mortgage rates have eased almost a full percentage point this year, and that shift is starting to wake up buyers.

Home loan applications have risen. Activity has picked up. And sellers who step in early could benefit from the momentum long before the competition catches on.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening behind the scenes and how you can take advantage of it.

When Rates Come Down, Buyer Activity Goes Up

In today’s market, buyer demand is closely tied to what happens with mortgage rates. As rates come down, applications for home loans go up. Rick Sharga,…

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How To Stretch Your Options, Not Your Budget

How To Stretch Your Options, Not Your Budget

One of the biggest homebuying advantages you can give yourself today is surprisingly simple: a flexible wish list.

Think of it like this. Your wish list and your budget are the guardrails of your search. And when your budget needs to hold firm, there’s another lever you can pull. That’s seeing if you truly need all of your desired features. Because the truth is, a small compromise could be the difference between feeling stuck and getting the keys to your next home.

The data shows more buyers are using that strategy to offset affordability hurdles in today’s market. A recent study from Cotality found most buyers (70%) ended up compromising on one or more items from their original wish list. But…

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Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise...

For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes.

Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, you know you have significant equity. But how much are we really talking about? The number might just change everything about your next move.

The Hidden Wealth of Homeownership

Here’s how it works. When you own a home, you build up something called equity.

Each time you make a mortgage payment, you’re chipping away at your loan balance. And that helps your ownership stake in…

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