06/25/2026
Charleston real estate sales were a bit better in the Jan-May 2026 period than the same 2025 period. We were up 2.5% in transactions and the median price of closed sales was up 2.3%. Right now, the median price of homes and condos in Charleston is about $450k. Condos make up about 25% of our market. The median price of single-family homes only is naturally a bit higher at $480k. Inflation has ticked up a good bit and it is unlikely that there will be any more rate cuts for the foreseeable future. In fact, May job growth has some thinking that the next move will be a rate hike.
Meanwhile, the Charleston economy is doing well. SC Ports received design approval for a new ro-ro terminal on May 15. The North Charleston Terminal expansion is expected to begin operations in 2027. The project will expand cargo and container capacity at the port. Berkeley Hospital completed a three-year expansion that doubled bed capacity from 50 to 100 beds. The project added 300,000 square feet of new and renovated space as part of the hospital’s 2030 Strategic Plan. Emergency services expanded from 14 to 35 patient care bays, while imaging and surgical capacity doubled. The expansion added a new heart and vascular center and enhanced women, infants and children’s services. HCA Healthcare broke ground on a $15 million freestanding emergency room in Cane Bay. The 10,000-square-foot facility will feature 10 exam rooms, imaging, lab services and telemedicine. The ER will serve Cane Bay, Nexton, Del Webb, Carnes Crossroads and surrounding communities. Novant Health opened its new Center for Women’s Health at East Cooper Medical Center. The approximately 40,000-square-foot facility consolidates multiple women’s health specialties under one roof. Services include ob-gyn care, mammography, breast surgery, urogynecology and diagnostic services. Highline Hospitality Partners has transformed the former Hyatt Place Charleston Historic District into The Lowline Hotel. The 197-room downtown Charleston hotel is accepting reservations beginning in July. The property features Leeward Restaurant, a café and market, event space, a pool and fitness center. Venom EV will establish South Carolina operations in a 200,000-square-foot facility in Summerville. The Wisconsin-based electric vehicle manufacturer is investing $645,000 in the project. The company plans to create 60 jobs in manufacturing, engineering, logistics and customer support. Red Metals will invest $70 million in its first production operation in Charleston County. The project is expected to create at least 45 new jobs. The company will manufacture high- conductivity copper rod for wire, cable and electrical applications. Weston & Sampson CMR has dedicated a new 20,000-square-foot construction and operations facility in North Charleston. The facility includes office space, warehouse storage and a multi-bay repair shop. Pinckney Partners has signed Michael Mitchell, one of Charleston’s premier luxury interior design firms, to a lease for 12,156 square feet at South Island Market, a mixed-use development at 3791 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island. Horse Spot is expanding its Charleston County operations and creating 11 new jobs. The company’s platform supports more than 1,800 horse shows, rodeos and fairs annually. The company recently received a $200,000 investment allocation through SC Launch and is an SCRA member company.
