Smart investors listen to data, not drama.
While national media keeps chanting “slowdown,” “Shutdown” Myrtle Beach quietly keeps doing what it does best: attracting people, cash flow, and long-term equity.
The Local Reality vs National Noise
Across the U.S., housing inventory has climbed ~12 % since spring 2025. But right here along the Grand Strand? Listings actually dipped around 7 % quarter-over-quarter.
That means Myrtle Beach still sits in the top 15 U.S. metros for sustained buyer demand, especially from:
- Relocators escaping high-tax states like NY, NJ, and PA
- Retirees 55+ chasing low cost + coastal lifestyle
- Investors pivoting from pricey short-term rentals to steady long-term holds
Meanwhile, median home price has adjusted roughly -3 % Q/Q, which is tame compared to the national -5 to -8 %.
Translation: We’re not crashing. We’re normalizing.
Healthy markets breathe, and Myrtle Beach just took a deep one.
🏠 Inventory & Demand Snapshot (Oct 2025)
| Metric | Myrtle Beach Area | National Average | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listings YoY | -7 % | +9 % | Scarcity supports prices |
| Median Days on Market | 32 days | 46 days | Homes still moving |
| Median Sale Price | $347,000 (-3 %) | -5 % | Mild correction |
| Buyer Demand Index | Strong | Moderate | Inbound migration = floor |
Who’s Winning in Q4
Buyers: Negotiation leverage is back. Sellers are offering credits, rate buy-downs, or HOA fees paid upfront. That wasn’t happening in 2022.
Sellers: Quality listings — especially renovated or near water — still get multiple offers when priced right. Lazy pricing is what sits.
Investors: Cash-flow math finally works again. Rents have held steady (±2 %) while purchase prices dipped. That’s your yield expanding quietly.
Agent + Investor Perspective
I’m seeing deals from both sides daily: buyers looking for primary homes and investors seeking long-term ROI.
- In Carolina Forest + Forestbrook, 3-bed townhomes are renting $1,950–$2,100 with ~8 % CoC.
- In Conway, you can still buy below $285K and rent $1,800+ monthly.
- North Myrtle Beach condos that sat all summer are now closing 10 % below ask —seasonal timing is your friend if you act now.
Behind the scenes, lenders are getting creative again: portfolio products, DSCR, and bank-statement loans are back on the table. Financing is no longer the bottleneck; clarity is.
What’s Next for Q4 → Q1 2026
Here’s my forecast based on current absorption + economic signals:
- Rates: Expect 6.5 – 6.75 % 30-yr conventional by January 2026
- Inventory: Likely +5 – 8 % bump post-holidays (from new builds & relocators listing)
- Price Movement: Flat to +2 % by Spring — steady as demand returns
Investor Activity: Accelerating mid-Q1 as private capital deploys before rate cuts.
So, while the rest of the country debates headlines, Myrtle Beach just keeps building, renting, and closing.