As of August 2025, Charleston’s high-end market continues to demonstrate resilience even as conditions subtly cool. The average sale price reached approximately $952,014, climbing by more than $163,000 month-over-month, while properties closed at 94.7% of their list price. The average days on market rose to 93, reflecting a slight easing of buyer urgency Active inventory stood at 1,115 homes, down 4 2%, with new listings also slightly lower.
Luxury Submarket Insights:
Downtown Charleston & Historic Districts: Command premium per-square-foot pricing thanks to architectural heritage and limited availability.
Isle of Palms & Kiawah: Second-home demand remains high properties offering exclusivity and views continue to lead luxury momentum.
Charleston’s market remains ideal for presenting distinctive, character-driven properties to affluent buyers who prioritize design and location over speed of transaction
Beaufort,
SC
QUIET MOMENTUM WITH UPSIDE POTENTIAL
Beaufort’s housing market continues to build momentum The median sale price in August reached $486K, a gain from July’s $459K and up 6.4% year-over-year. Homes sold at 97.3% of list price, with average days on market rising to 70. Sale price per square foot climbed to $260, up 7 4% YoY evidence of buyer willingness to pay for location and design.
Luxury Submarket Insights:
Beaufort City: $409,910 historic charm and heritage homes, ripe for luxury repositioning
Port Royal: ~$347K an emerging area where premium renovations can reset value benchmarks.
Surrounding Estates: Higher-end pockets provide unique opportunities for luxury buyers seeking exclusivity near the waterfront
Beaufort offers an attractive blend of heritage, waterfront appeal, and rising price stability positioning it as a compelling d i i f di i b
Bluffton, SC
ELEVATED LISTINGS IN A TRANSITIONING MARKET
Bluffton is experiencing a shift, with new listings up 15 6% year-over-year, closed sales rising 1.2%, and inventory expanding by 30.5%. Median pricing showed stability, nudging upward 0.3% YoY, while sellers achieved ~97.4% of list price The average days on market increased to 64 (up 23%), giving luxury buyers more choice and leverage.
Luxury Submarket Insights:
Hilton Head Island: $768,524 average value a powerhouse of South Carolina luxury real estate, with strong demand in waterfront and golforiented enclaves
Bluffton Proper: $504,956 appealing to higher-end suburban buyers seeking lifestyle communities with luxury amenities
Sheldon: $2.14M a unique ultra-luxury outlier, representing rare estates and exclusive retreats
Bluffton is now a market where strategic marketing and elevated staging are essential premium listings can still command attention and outperform the broader softening trend
Market Summary
The Lowcountry real estate landscape spanning Charleston, Bluffton, and Beaufort is entering a period of measured recalibration rather than decline While the broader market cools slightly under seasonal and economic pressures, luxury segments remain resilient, driven by out-of-state demand, lifestyle migration, and the enduring appeal of waterfront and historic properties.
Across all three markets, average days on market have increased, reflecting more cautious buyer behavior and expanded inventory. Yet sale-to-list price ratios remain strong (94–97%), indicating that well-positioned and properly marketed luxury homes are still commanding near-full price
Charleston leads with momentum in historic and island submarkets, where lifestyle and architectural heritage outweigh time on market.
Bluffton is transitioning, with inventory rising yet premium listings in Hilton Head and Sheldon commanding attention at the top end.
Beaufort offers quiet but consistent appreciation, as its blend of charm, coastal living, and relatively accessible pricing continues to attract upscale buyers
Overall, the Lowcountry remains a high-demand luxury destination especially for buyers seeking quality over speed, and for sellers willing to invest in presentation and pricing strategy While the market is not as frenzied as in previous years, it is still ripe with opportunity for those who understand its subtleties.
