In most real estate conversations, "days on market" (DOM) is treated as a key indicator of demand, pricing strategy, and market health. For many buyers and sellers moving within primary residential areas, a short DOM signals a hot market, while a longer DOM can raise questions. But along the Grand Strand and within Myrtle Beach's coastal communities, days on market take on a unique meaning—one shaped by the region’s blend of vacation homes, investors, and seasonal rhythms.
Understanding how DOM works in resort destinations like Myrtle Beach helps buyers and sellers interpret local listings more accurately and make decisions based on context, not just numbers. This article breaks down the data, explains the nuances, and offers frameworks to read DOM the Myrtle Beach way in 2026.
What Is "Days on Market" and Why Is It Tracked?
Days on market refers to the number of days a property stays listed before it goes under contract. Real estate professionals, buyers, and sellers look to DOM as a quick snapshot of how fast homes are selling.
Shorter DOM often suggests high demand, correct pricing, or a seller’s market.
Longer DOM may point to overpricing, property condition issues, or slowing demand.
Recent NAR data from late 2025 shows a national median time on market in the mid‑30‑day range for existing homes In many metro areas, a home sitting for more than 40 days can be a red flag—or at least a sign to adjust price expectations.
But these benchmarks shift significantly in vacation-driven markets.
Resort and Second-Home Markets: The DOM Outlier
Myrtle Beach stands out nationally for its high percentage of properties purchased as vacation or second homes. Census data confirms that resort and coastal counties have a much higher share of seasonal and occasional‑use housing than the U.S. overall.
This changes the DOM calculation for several reasons:
Vacation and investment sellers may be less motivated for a quick sale, preferring to hold out for peak seasonal demand.
Buyers for these homes often plan their purchases months in advance, aligning searches with school calendars, rental seasons, or personal schedules.
Properties are commonly rented out on a short-term basis, limiting showing availability and extending marketing timelines.
Redfin’s 2025 recap shows Myrtle Beach’s average days on market significantly above the U.S. average, reflecting the slower pace typical of resort and second‑home markets.
How Seasonality and Tourism Shape Days on Market in Myrtle Beach
Unlike urban markets where buyer demand is relatively steady year-round, Myrtle Beach’s real estate market is deeply shaped by the tourism cycle.
The Impact of Seasonal Demand
Spring and early summer: DOM typically drops as buyers look to secure homes before peak beach season. According to Myrtle Beach Area Association of Realtors, median DOM fell to 35 days in May 2025, matching annual lows.
Fall and winter: DOM rises as out-of-state buyers pause searches after summer, and local sellers may pull listings temporarily to avoid off-season showings.
Vacation rental occupancy also affects availability. Sellers who rent out their homes may delay showings or pause listings during high-rental months, stretching DOM.
Weather and Local Events
Major coastal events—bike weeks, festivals, and even hurricane season—can temporarily slow the pace of showings and contract activity. For example, data from September 2025 shows DOM in North Myrtle Beach listings increased by 8 days during tropical storm preparations.
Interpreting Days on Market When Buying or Selling in Myrtle Beach
For buyers:
A home with 40+ DOM in Myrtle Beach is not automatically a problem property. Factors like rental commitments, seller strategy, and seasonality often explain longer timelines.
Compare DOM to other homes in the same neighborhood and property type, not just the Myrtle Beach average. In many recent quarters, oceanfront condos have tended to stay on the market longer than inland homes in neighborhoods like Carolina Forest.
For sellers:
Listing in the shoulder seasons (spring and early summer, or late summer) often leads to lower DOM, as buyer activity spikes.
A longer-than-average DOM may simply reflect a higher-end price point or restricted showing windows due to vacation renters.
Context Is Key
Local agents and builders, like Carolina Crafted Homes, use nuanced market analysis—looking at DOM by neighborhood, property style, and list price segment—to advise clients.
Data-Driven DOM Benchmarks for 2026 Myrtle Beach Sellers
Based on late‑2025 local MLS data, typical DOM ranges looked roughly like this for many segments (your agent can provide current numbers for your property type):
| Area / Type | Median DOM (Q4 2025) |
|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach single-family | 42 days |
| Carolina Forest homes | 37 days |
| Surfside Beach oceanfront | 48 days |
| Grand Strand condos | 51 days |
| National median (NAR) | 34 days |
Notice that all local segments run longer than the national average. This isn’t a sign of weakness—just an indicator of the region’s unique buyer pool and seller timing.
DOM Strategy Tips for Resort Area Buyers and Sellers
For Buyers
Be patient with listings that have higher DOM. Ask why they’ve sat unsold—often, the reason is circumstantial rather than structural.
Use DOM trends to inform negotiation, but look for neighborhood patterns instead of jumping at every long-on-market listing.
For Sellers
Avoid panic if your listing approaches or exceeds 40 days; Myrtle Beach’s DOM runs longer by design.
Work with your real estate professional to benchmark against similar properties, not national headlines.
Consider rental schedules and peak buyer months when planning your listing launch.
Why DOM Shouldn’t Be the Only Factor in Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Decisions
Ultimately, DOM is just one of many data points to consider when buying or selling in a resort market. In Myrtle Beach, context matters far more than a single number on a listing.
Combining DOM with insights into local buyer motivation, property type, rental history, and seasonality leads to better decisions—and less second-guessing along the way.
Ready to Navigate Myrtle Beach’s Unique Market? Let’s Talk.
Whether you’re exploring a move to Myrtle Beach, prepping to list your vacation home, or simply want to understand how coastal market timing works, Carolina Crafted Homes is here to help. Our team specializes in resort-area market dynamics, local data, and strategies tailored to Myrtle Beach’s rhythm. Reach out anytime with questions—our goal is to guide you, not rush you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are days on market higher in Myrtle Beach than the national average?
A: Days on market in Myrtle Beach are typically higher than national averages due to the area's high percentage of vacation, second homes, and investment properties. Many sellers prefer to wait for peak seasonal demand or work around rental schedules, which can extend listing times. Internal Myrtle Beach MLS data for late 2025 shows a local median DOM running longer than the national median reported by NAR..
Q: Does a longer days on market mean a Myrtle Beach home is overpriced?
A: Not necessarily. In resort areas like Myrtle Beach, longer DOM often reflect seasonality, rental commitments, or seller strategy rather than price issues. It’s important to compare a listing’s DOM with similar properties in the same neighborhood. For example, oceanfront condos routinely see 45+ DOM even when priced correctly.
Q: How does seasonality affect days on market in Myrtle Beach?
A: Seasonality is a major factor for DOM in resort areas. Homes listed in spring or early summer tend to sell faster, while fall and winter listings often take longer. Rental schedules and local events, such as festivals or storm threats, can also impact showing and selling timelines.
Q: What should buyers consider when looking at DOM in vacation areas?
A: Buyers should look beyond just the number of days on market and ask why a property has been listed for a certain period. In Myrtle Beach, longer DOM can be normal due to rental occupancy, seller availability, or timing for vacation buyers. Local agents can provide valuable insight into whether a listing’s DOM is typical or a sign to investigate further.
Q: Are certain Myrtle Beach neighborhoods known for longer days on market?
A: Yes, areas with a high percentage of oceanfront or vacation rental properties, such as Surfside Beach and Grand Strand condo complexes, consistently show longer DOM. In contrast, neighborhoods with more year-round residents, like Carolina Forest, tend to have lower DOM.
