Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Real Estate Market Report: 2026 Mid-Year Update

2026 mid-year real estate market report for Hilton Head Island and Bluffton

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…

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Record-Breaking $15 Million Sale Sets New Benchmark for Luxury Real Estate in Beaufort County

393 Old Palmetto Bluff Road

The luxury real estate market in South Carolina's Lowcountry has reached another historic milestone.

Charter One Realty is proud to announce that Keene Reese of The Ussery Group at Charter One Realty has closed the sale of Heron Hall, the iconic waterfront estate located at 393 Old Palmetto Bluff Road, for $15,000,000, establishing the highest residential sale ever recorded in Beaufort County according to RESIDES MLS data.

The landmark transaction not only sets a new county record but also establishes a new all-time sales record within Palmetto Bluff, surpassing the previous record of $11.6 million, a transaction that was also represented by The…

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Lowcountry Boating: A Guide to the Area’s Public Ramps

The many waterways of the Lowcountry, from the mighty rolling waves of the Atlantic to the tranquil tidal creeks that meander among marsh grasses, make this one of the best areas in the world for boating. Whether you are putting in from the deck of an expansive yacht or a one-person kayak, there is no shortage of adventure waiting for you out on the water. For this reason, town and county leaders have been diligent in ensuring adequate access for the nautical lifestyle, with public ramps dotting our waterways around the island and beyond.

Keep your tide chart handy, your trailer hitched and prepare yourself for a day at sea with this handy guide to our area’s public ramps.

Public Boat…

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The Salty Edit: The Ultimate Summer Weekend in Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to live in the South Carolina Lowcountry, here's your answer.

It's sunrise paddleboard sessions on glassy waterways. Fresh shrimp and grits overlooking the marsh. A boat tied up at a waterfront restaurant. Live music drifting through a historic downtown. Boutique shopping beneath centuries-old oaks. And sunsets that somehow never get old.

For those considering relocating to Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, or Beaufort, this isn't a vacation fantasy. It's a typical summer weekend.

Welcome to The Salty Edit's Ultimate 48-Hour Lowcountry Itinerary.

Day One: Saturday

8:00 AM | Start at the Farmers Market

Nothing…

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The Salty Edit: Dock Life in the Lowcountry

Living on the Water in Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort, SC

Dock on Hilton Head

There's a moment that every Lowcountry waterfront homeowner knows by heart. Coffee in hand, bare feet on the dock, the tide beginning to move as the marsh wakes up. A great blue heron stands motionless in the shallows. Somewhere out on the May River, a boat engine turns over. The day has started, and it has started on the water.

That is dock life. And for buyers searching for waterfront homes in Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort, South Carolina, it's not a luxury add-on. It's the whole point.

This month's Salty Edit dives deep into what it means to live the dock life in the Lowcountry, the waterways, the lifestyle, the practical…

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There's a particular kind of morning that only exists in the Lowcountry. The sun is barely up, the marsh is glowing amber, a great blue heron stands motionless at the edge of the fairway — and you're teeing off before 8 a.m. with Spanish moss swaying in the trees behind you. No traffic. No noise. Just the soft thwack of a driver and the satisfaction of being exactly where you want to be.

This is the daily reality for homeowners in the Lowcountry's golf course communities — and it's one of the most compelling reasons people from across the country are relocating to Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort.

Whether you're a scratch golfer who wants a private club experience, a retiree looking for a socially vibrant community, or a remote-working…

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Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort Real Estate Market Update – February 2026

The February 2026 real estate market update shows a shifting housing landscape both nationally and across the Lowcountry real estate markets of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort, South Carolina. While national home sales slowed slightly, home prices remain strong and inventory continues to improve in many markets.

Below is a breakdown of the latest housing market trends and statistics for the Hilton Head Association of REALTORS® service area and the Beaufort-Jasper County region.

Despite improving affordability conditions, U.S. existing-home sales declined 8.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million homes, according to the National Association of…

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Top 3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring




If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you may be focused on the spring market. And hoping that when spring does hit, you’ll see:

  • Mortgage rates drop a little more.
  • More homes hit the market.

But here’s what most buyers don’t realize. Buying just a few weeks earlier could mean paying less, dealing with less stress, and feeling less rushed.

Here are three reasons why accelerating your timeline over the next few weeks could actually be a better play.

1. Holding Out for Lower Rates May Not Pay Off 

A lot of buyers are hoping mortgage rates will fall even further. But that’s not the best strategy. Here’s why. Experts are pretty aligned on this: rates are expected to stay roughly…

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Lowcountry Living with a Pulse: A Neighborhood Guide

Bluffton Real Estate February Series: Where the Lowcountry Lives – The Heart of the Home In the spirit of this February’s theme, “Where the Lowcountry Lives: The Heart of the Home,” we spotlight ten Bluffton, SC neighborhoods that capture the lively heartbeat of Lowcountry living. Whether you’re browsing Bluffton real estate or Hilton Head homes for sale, these communities offer an engaging blend of Southern charm, luxury amenities, and a true sense of home. Each neighborhood overview below is written from a newcomer’s perspective – highlighting the vibe, lifestyle, and character that make these places special. We’ll also touch on key amenities (think championship golf, equestrian centers, waterfront docks,…

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Readers Choice

 

We desire to do the common, uncommonly well! At Charter One Realty, we foster a fun and supportive culture, lead with a desire to serve, and hold each other accountable to deliver an unprecedented client experience. It's gratifying when our friends and clients recognize those efforts. Across the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area, magazines and newspapers polled their readers this year to identify our region's favorite people, places, and businesses. Outlets, including the Island Packet, Bluffton Today, and Hilton Head Monthly, have all released their 2019 Readers' Choice winners. We are proud to have been chosen as the Lowcountry's "Best Real Estate Company" by all three publications. Please accept our sincere thanks for your vote and…

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