At the request of several readers, I’ve created this separate post focused purely on the high-level statistics from Charleston’s real estate market through the first half of 2025. If you’re looking for a quick snapshot of what’s happening—without the in-depth analysis—this is for you. Below are the key numbers that buyers, sellers, and curious locals should know right now.
📈 Year-to-Date Trends (Jan–Jun 2025)
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Active Listings are averaging 4,889 per month—up 5.6% from the second half of 2024.
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New Listings are up a striking 28%, showing strong seller confidence.
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Sold Listings ticked up to 1,490/month, a modest but steady increase.
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Absorption Rate has nudged upward to 3.36 months, still indicating a seller-favored market.
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Days on Market (CDOM) rose to 58 days, up from 50—suggesting buyers are taking a bit more time.
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Homes are still selling for 96.4% of list price—a clear sign that pricing remains strong.
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Total Sold Volume is already at $5.8 billion for the year.
🔄 2025 vs 2024: Year-Over-Year Comparison
| Metric | 2024 (H2) | 2025 (YTD) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listings | 4,628 | 4,889 | +5.6% |
| New Listings | 1,819 | 2,325 | +27.8% |
| Sold Listings | 1,420 | 1,490 | +4.9% |
| Absorption Rate (mos) | 3.20 | 3.36 | Slight rise |
| CDOM | 50 days | 58 days | +16% |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 96.15% | 96.42% | Steady |
| Total Sales Volume | $5.33B | $5.80B | +8.8% |
🌟 Positive Market Signals
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More Inventory = More Choices. The rise in listings is welcome news for buyers.
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Price Resilience. Homes continue to sell close to asking price.
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Sales Volume Up. An increase in transaction volume indicates strong demand.
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Seller Confidence. More people are listing their homes—many ahead of the fall market.
⚠️ Challenges in the Market
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Homes Are Sitting Longer. Average days on market rose to 58—up 16% from late 2024.
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Buyer Caution. Affordability pressures and interest rates are slowing decision-making.
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Shift Toward Balance. The rising absorption rate shows we may be heading toward a more neutral market.
🌍 Big Picture: How Charleston Compares Nationally
While Charleston remains strong, national real estate has softened:
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U.S. home sales are near 30-year lows due to affordability and inventory challenges.
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Charleston inventory is rising faster than the national pace, giving our market a competitive edge.
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Mortgage rates remain a key factor: hovering around 6.7% in early July 2025, they continue to cool demand nationwide—but haven’t derailed Charleston’s momentum.
🔮 Forecast for the Rest of 2025
So what’s ahead?
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Inventory will likely continue rising, giving buyers more leverage.
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Sellers will need to price competitively to attract offers.
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Mortgage rates are expected to stay in the 6–7% range—no dramatic shifts ahead unless the Fed surprises the market.
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Political and economic uncertainty surrounding the 2025 presidential election may put some buyers/sellers on pause.
That said, Charleston’s blend of coastal living, strong local economy, and steady relocation demand should keep our market healthy—even if the pace becomes more balanced.
🛠️ What Should Buyers & Sellers Do Right Now?
Buyers:
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Be ready to act when the right property comes up.
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Get pre-approved to lock in rates and stay competitive.
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Don’t be afraid to negotiate—especially on days-on-market or cosmetic updates.
Sellers:
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Stage and price right—especially in neighborhoods with growing inventory.
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Take advantage of current demand before fall uncertainty sets in.
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Lean on data to justify pricing—buyers are doing their homework.
