Every few months, someone claims the Myrtle Beach housing market is about to crash. Then the next headline declares prices are soaring again. If you’re trying to sell or buy along the Grand Strand, you’re probably wondering which version is true. Is this a cooling phase or the calm before another spike? The truth is more complicated—and more local—than the national media ever shows.

1. Home Prices Aren’t Dropping—They’re Stabilizing

Let’s start with the question everyone’s asking: are home prices actually falling in Myrtle Beach? Not really. Median home prices in the Grand Strand have flattened, not crashed. After three years of double-digit annual increases, the 2025 market is settling into a healthier rhythm. As of Q3 2025, the median single-family home price sits around $380,000, down slightly from 2024 but still up more than 30% from pre-pandemic levels. Carolina Forest and Market Common remain especially resilient, buoyed by local demand and limited new inventory.

The big story isn’t decline; it’s normalization. Sellers no longer see 10 offers in 48 hours, and buyers aren’t waiving inspections just to win. That’s not bad news—it’s sanity returning.

2. The Coastal Premium Is Here to Stay

Even if the broader market cools, coastal real estate behaves differently. Myrtle Beach offers something few places can: oceanfront property at prices that still undercut much of the East Coast. That value floor keeps prices buoyant. Neighborhoods like Surfside Beach, Cherry Grove, and Ocean Lakes remain magnets for both retirees and investors.

Add in short-term rental demand and year-round tourism, and you get a market that’s remarkably resistant to serious downturns. If prices shift at all, it’s usually because of inventory mix (more condos vs. single-family homes) rather than a collapse in value.

3. Interest Rates Are Cooling Buyers’ Jet Skis—But Not Sinking Them

Higher mortgage rates have put a damper on impulsive buying, especially for second homes. A 7% interest rate in 2024 made some buyers retreat to the sidelines. But Myrtle Beach remains attractive because overall affordability is still strong compared to Charleston, Wilmington, or Florida’s coastal cities.

Buyers are simply becoming more strategic—shopping in off-peak months, negotiating closing costs, and prioritizing newer builds in low-flood zones like Carolina Forest or Socastee. Sellers who price realistically are still moving homes within 60–90 days.

4. Migration Trends Keep the Market Alive

Every time someone says the market is slowing, another thousand Northerners decide they’ve had enough of snow. Migration data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Horry County gaining roughly 12,000 new residents a year, many from Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. Remote work continues to feed this trend.

These buyers bring stable incomes and often purchase without financing, insulating the market from rate shocks. That’s why even as volume dips slightly, price resilience remains strong. Locals may grumble about traffic on 501, but it’s proof the economy is still attracting people—and their equity.

5. Inventory Is the Real Story

The real reason prices haven’t tanked? Supply. Myrtle Beach simply doesn’t have enough housing. Between floodplain restrictions, rising insurance costs, and limited new development land near the coast, builders can’t keep pace with demand.

While new communities continue popping up in Conway and Carolina Forest, they can’t fully offset the appetite for coastal proximity. Until inventory grows significantly, prices will hold steady—or climb modestly—in prime zones.

6. What Sellers Should Do Now

If you’re thinking about selling in 2025, the strategy isn’t panic—it’s precision. Overpricing your home will backfire faster than in the 2021 boom, but well-prepared listings are still commanding solid offers. Focus on:

• Curb appeal: Pressure wash, paint, and landscape. Coastal buyers shop with their eyes first.

• Condition: Move-in ready homes beat fixer-uppers now that buyers have more choices.

• Pricing: Stay within 2–3% of your local comps.

Partnering with a Myrtle Beach agent who knows flood zones, HOA nuances, and short-term rental rules is worth its weight in closing costs.

Conclusion: Don’t Believe the Doom Scroll

No, Myrtle Beach isn’t crashing. It’s correcting. What we’re seeing is a shift from frenzy to function—and that’s the healthiest thing that could happen to this market. Buyers finally have breathing room, and sellers still hold equity power.

If you’re curious about your home’s current value or the right time to list, schedule a consultation with Carolina Crafted Homes. We’ll help you cut through the noise and make data-backed decisions rooted in local reality.

FAQs:

1. Are Myrtle Beach home prices really dropping in 2025?
No, prices are stabilizing after years of sharp increases. Median home values are slightly lower than 2024 but remain well above pre-pandemic levels.

2. Is it a good time to sell my Myrtle Beach home?
Yes—if you price strategically. Homes listed within local comp ranges are still selling within 2–3 months, especially in Carolina Forest and Market Common.

3. Will interest rates lower housing demand in Myrtle Beach?
Higher rates have slowed some second-home buyers, but migration from northern states continues to support steady demand across the Grand Strand.

4. What areas of Myrtle Beach hold value best?
Neighborhoods like Market Common, Carolina Forest, and Surfside Beach consistently outperform due to newer construction, flood safety, and strong amenities.

5. Should I wait until 2026 to buy?
Waiting rarely pays off in coastal markets. Myrtle Beach offers long-term value, and even modest appreciation can outpace savings from lower future rates.