Demand is Growing, but Buyers Remain Selective
The Bluffton real estate market continues to show encouraging strength. Through August, 1,475 properties have closed, an 18% increase over the same period last year. Pending sales are also up 13%, showing that buyer demand remains active heading into the fall.
New listings are essentially flat, down just over 1% year to date. With sales increasing faster than new inventory is coming to market, well-positioned homes continue to attract strong attention.
Average days on market has increased from 63 to 79 days, but that does not tell the whole story. Updated, well-appointed homes that are priced correctly and marketed properly are still selling quickly. Homes that need significant work or are priced ahead of the market are taking longer, as today’s buyers remain thoughtful and value-conscious.
Mortgage rates have recently moved higher. Fortunately, many buyers in our market are purchasing with cash, so higher rates may not directly affect their purchasing power. Psychologically, however, rising rates could cause some buyers to pause as they consider what they may signal about the broader economy. It is still too early to determine whether this will have a meaningful effect on our local market.
We recently worked with a client who had searched up and down the East Coast for the right private golf club experience. His search reminded us just how unique Bluffton truly is. We have some of the finest private golf communities in the country, all within minutes of the beach, great restaurants and an active social scene. Add convenient airports, expanding healthcare, historic Savannah just 30 minutes away and beautiful Charleston within two hours, and it is easy to understand why people continue to choose the Lowcountry.
Bluffton has so much to offer, and we are confident that will continue to support our market for years to come. Preparation, pricing and local market knowledge still matter, but the long-term appeal of our area remains strong.
As the #1 real estate team in Bluffton and the #2 team in South Carolina by sales volume, the Ussery Group has the experience and real-time market insight to help buyers and sellers make informed decisions. If you are considering buying or selling, we would be happy to discuss what these trends mean for your specific home or community.
Our Thanks,
Johnny & Jeff
