Executive Summary
The Trajectory So Far
Assessing Risk and Value
Expert Predictions and Forecasts
The median list price for homes in Beaufort County dropped to $582,450 in September, marking a 1.3% decrease from August’s $590,000. This figure also represents a 2.7% decline from September 2024, when the median list price stood at $598,500, according to an analysis of data from Realtor.com. The statistics reflect only houses listed for sale in the county, not those that have already sold.
Local Market Dynamics
The typical home listed in Beaufort County during September measured 1,867 square feet, with a price of $340 per square foot. This price per square foot reflects a 4.2% decrease compared to September 2024.
Listings in Beaufort County spent a median of 79 days on the market, a slight increase from 78 days in the previous month. This local pace was slower than the national median of 62 days on the market in September.
The county saw 696 new homes listed for sale in September, a substantial 37.5% increase from the 506 new listings recorded in September 2024.
Understanding the Data
It is important to note that the median home prices provided by Realtor.com focus specifically on single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes. This data includes existing homes but generally excludes most new construction, as well as pending and contingent sales.
Experts favor the median list price over the average, as it offers a more accurate representation of market trends. The median identifies the midway point of all listed homes, preventing distortion by unusually high or low individual prices.
Regional and National Overview
Across the broader Hilton Head Island-Bluffton metro area, median home prices also experienced a slight dip, settling at $557,225 in September. Homes in this metro area had a median of 1,881 square feet, with a list price of $320 per square foot.
Statewide, South Carolina’s median home price was $368,500, a minor decrease from August. The median South Carolina home listed for sale had 1,846 square feet, with a price of $203 per square foot.
Nationally, the median home price in the United States reached $425,000 in September, also showing a slight decrease from the preceding month. The median American home listed for sale measured 1,840 square feet, with a price of $226 per square foot.
Key Takeaways
Overall, September’s data indicates a cooling trend in Beaufort County’s housing market, characterized by declining median list prices both month-over-month and year-over-year. The local market also experienced slower movement in listings compared to national averages, alongside a notable increase in new homes entering the market.
