The Grand Strand started 2026 with more homes and condos hitting the market, giving buyers a bit more breathing room than they’ve had in recent years. In January 2026, new listings across the Coastal Carolinas region rose 4.5 percent for single-family homes (from 1,297 to 1,356) and 6.4 percent for condos (from 808 to 860) compared with January 2025, according to the Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, current as of February 10, 2026. At the same time, inventory of single-family homes in the region inched up 0.3 percent to 3,586 active listings, while condo inventory climbed 6.6 percent to 3,058 units. For buyers focused on Myrtle Beach, Horry County, and nearby Grand Strand communities, that combination of higher new listing counts and slightly higher inventory means more options to compare, tour, and negotiate on.
Nationally, the backdrop is also shifting toward a somewhat more balanced environment. U.S. existing-home sales reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.35 million units heading into January, up 5.1 percent month over month and 1.4 percent year over year, helped by easing mortgage rates and slower price growth, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). Over the 12‑month period ending January 2026, Coastal Carolinas pending sales were up 1.5 percent overall, and market-wide inventory increased 3.1 percent, with condo inventory leading the gains. While the Grand Strand still reflects a low- to moderate-supply market, the trend toward more new listings and a modest inventory build is welcome news for buyers who felt squeezed by tight choices and long days on market in prior years.
Grand Strand new listings: single-family vs condos in early 2026
For buyers comparing Myrtle Beach single-family homes with ocean-area or golf-course condos, January’s Grand Strand new listing numbers tell slightly different stories by property type. Single-family new listings rose to 1,356 in January 2026, a 4.5 percent year-over-year increase and one of the stronger January tallies of the past three years. Condo new listings grew even faster to 860, a 6.4 percent annual gain, continuing a run of improved condo listing activity that began in the second half of 2025. Over the prior 12 months, single-family new listings have averaged about 1,289 per month, up 7.6 percent, while condo new listings averaged 741 per month, up 0.7 percent.
Inventory trends layer on an important nuance for Grand Strand buyers. Single-family inventory in the Coastal Carolinas region stood at 3,586 homes at the end of January 2026, essentially flat year over year with a 0.3 percent increase and a months’ supply of 3.9—down slightly from 4.0 a year earlier. Condo inventory, by contrast, rose 6.6 percent to 3,058 units, supporting a higher months’ supply of 7.4. For Myrtle Beach and Horry County buyers, this often translates into tighter competition and quicker decisions on well-priced single-family homes, while condo shoppers may find more active listings in their price range and a bit more flexibility in terms and concessions.
Here’s a snapshot of how key supply metrics looked for January 2026 in the broader Coastal Carolinas area that includes the Grand Strand:
| Metric (Jan 2026) | Single-Family Homes | Condos/Townhomes |
|---|---|---|
| New Listings | 1,356 (+4.5% YoY) | 860 (+6.4% YoY) |
| Inventory of Homes for Sale | 3,586 (+0.3% YoY) | 3,058 (+6.6% YoY) |
| Months’ Supply of Inventory | 3.9 months (−2.5% YoY) | 7.4 months (+8.8% YoY) |
| Median Sales Price (Jan 2026) | 357,248 (−2.4% YoY) | 236,250 (−4.5% YoY) |
| Days on Market Until Sale (Jan 2026) | 127 days (−3.8% YoY) | 133 days (−4.3% YoY) |
For buyers comparing neighborhoods along the Grand Strand—from North Myrtle Beach and Carolina Forest to Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet—these patterns mean that detached homes remain in relatively shorter supply, even as more owners decide to list in early 2026. Condo and villa buyers, including those seeking oceanfront or second-home options, can generally expect a larger pool of listings and a wider range of price points to assess.
Coastal Carolinas new listings January: pricing, affordability, and what buyers can expect
New listings are only part of the picture; how those properties are priced and how long they sit on the market also shape buyer strategy. In January 2026, the median single-family sales price in the Coastal Carolinas region was 357,248, down 2.4 percent from January 2025, while condos closed at a median price of 236,250, down 4.5 percent year over year. Average prices showed a similar pattern, with single-family at 453,807 (up 0.9 percent) and condos at 269,493 (down 4.2 percent). For buyers focused on Myrtle Beach and Horry County, that combination—more new listings plus slightly softer median prices—translates into improved negotiation room compared with the peak competition of 2022–2023.
Affordability metrics confirm that buyers are getting some relief, even with mortgage rates still elevated by historical standards. The Housing Affordability Index for single-family homes in the Coastal Carolinas region rose to 85 in January 2026, a 10.4 percent gain from a year earlier, while the condo index climbed to 129, up 12.2 percent. Region-wide, South Carolina REALTORS report that for the 12 months ending January 2026, the overall median sales price slipped 0.9 percent to 327,000, with single-family prices up 1.4 percent to 365,000 and condo prices down 3.8 percent to 238,000. For Grand Strand buyers weighing whether to act now or continue renting, the data suggest a window where inventory is up, price growth is subdued, and affordability is modestly better than in the prior two years, though conditions still vary by price range and neighborhood.
Demand remains healthy but not overheated. Pending sales in January 2026 rose 13.3 percent year over year for single-family homes, while condo pending sales were flat. Over the latest 12-month period, pending sales in the Coastal Carolinas region were up 1.5 percent overall, with the strongest momentum in properties priced 150,000 and below, where pending sales jumped 21.0 percent. In Myrtle Beach and Horry County, that means well-priced entry-level and mid-range listings still draw solid interest, but buyers willing to expand their search into a slightly higher or lower price band—or into adjacent Grand Strand communities—can often find less competition and more choices.
Myrtle Beach inventory growth: how to navigate more options in 2026
As inventory edges higher in the Coastal Carolinas region, buyers in Myrtle Beach and the broader Grand Strand can adopt a more strategic approach rather than rushing into the first available listing. Market-wide, inventory across all property types rose 3.1 percent over the 12 months ending January 2026, led by a 6.6 percent increase in condos. Single-family inventory is essentially level year over year but stands far above the lows of 2021–2022, with 3,586 homes on the market and 3.9 months of supply. Condos, with 3,058 active listings and 7.4 months of supply, now function more like a balanced-to-buyer-leaning segment in many Grand Strand submarkets.
For buyers seeking larger floor plans, yards, or suburban-style layouts in places like Carolina Forest or Socastee, the key is to watch new single-family listings closely as they hit the MLS and be prepared with pre-approval, given that months’ supply is still under four. Those prioritizing low-maintenance living or proximity to the beach—say in Myrtle Beach’s oceanfront corridors, Cherry Grove, or Garden City—may benefit from the deeper condo inventory and slower price trends to negotiate for seller concessions, minor repairs, or closing cost help. National survey data from NAR’s 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers also show that buyers continue to value neighborhood quality (59 percent) and convenience to friends and family (47 percent) as top location drivers, while affordability remains a key filter when comparing metro areas and regions.
In practical terms, more choices mean buyers can be selective about both home features and location. For example, a buyer who wants a three-bedroom home near Myrtle Beach schools but has been priced out of certain zip codes may now find comparable options in nearby Horry County communities, as more listings come online and days on market edge lower—down 3.8 percent year over year to 127 days for single-family and 4.3 percent to 133 days for condos in January 2026. Working with a local expert who tracks micro-trends within the Grand Strand can help buyers understand where inventory is building fastest and which neighborhoods are seeing the most new listing activity each month.
Carolina Crafted Homes stays current on Myrtle Beach market trends and can answer questions about Grand Strand new listings. Reach out anytime for guidance—no pressure, just straightforward expertise.
FAQs
Q1. Are Grand Strand new listings really increasing in early 2026?
Yes. In the Coastal Carolinas region that includes the Grand Strand, new listings in January 2026 rose 4.5 percent year over year for single-family homes, from 1,297 to 1,356, and 6.4 percent for condos, from 808 to 860, according to the Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service (data current as of February 10, 2026). Over the last 12 months, single-family new listings averaged about 1,289 per month, up 7.6 percent, showing a clear improvement in fresh inventory hitting the market.
Q2. How much Myrtle Beach inventory growth are buyers actually seeing?
At the end of January 2026, single-family inventory in the broader Coastal Carolinas region stood at 3,586 homes, a 0.3 percent year-over-year increase, while condo inventory rose 6.6 percent to 3,058 units. Market-wide inventory across all property types was up 3.1 percent over the 12 months ending January 2026, with condos leading the gains. For Myrtle Beach and Horry County buyers, that translates to more active listings to compare, even though single-family supply remains under four months of inventory.
Q3. Are prices softening as new listings increase along the Grand Strand?
Pricing has cooled slightly alongside the rise in new listings. In January 2026, the median single-family sales price in the Coastal Carolinas region was 357,248, down 2.4 percent from a year earlier, while the median condo price was 236,250, down 4.5 percent year over year. On a rolling 12‑month basis through January 2026, the overall median sales price across all properties declined 0.9 percent to 327,000, with single-family up 1.4 percent to 365,000 and condos down 3.8 percent to 238,000.
Q4. Is the Grand Strand still a competitive market for buyers in 2026?
The market remains competitive, but less so than during the peak of the last cycle. Pending sales in January 2026 were up 13.3 percent year over year for single-family homes, showing that demand is still strong, while condo pending sales were flat. Months’ supply sits at 3.9 for single-family and 7.4 for condos, so detached homes remain relatively tighter, but buyers now have more listings to choose from and slightly more leverage on pricing and terms than they did a couple of years ago.
Q5. How do national trends compare to what’s happening in the Coastal Carolinas?
Nationally, existing-home sales reached an annual rate of 4.35 million units heading into January 2026, up 5.1 percent month over month and 1.4 percent year over year, supported by lower mortgage rates and slower price growth, according to NAR. In the Coastal Carolinas region, pending sales over the 12 months ending January 2026 were up 1.5 percent, and inventory increased 3.1 percent, indicating that the Grand Strand is tracking the broader shift toward slightly more balanced conditions but with local nuances by price range and property type.
