Why Charleston Real Estate Is Slowing Down This Summer

By The Living Well Group

Charlsi Kelley and Sarah Kozlik are the dynamic leadership duo behind The Living Well Group Charleston, a top-performing real estate team known for its personalized service and deep commitment to client success.

We get asked this all the time: “How’s the market?” And honestly, it feels slow right now. We’re in what should be the peak season, but both buyers and sellers have noticed the shift. Showings feel lighter, offers are slower, and many sellers are wondering what’s changed.

So, let’s discuss what’s really happening in the Charleston real estate market this summer, 2025.

What’s the current state of the market? As of June 2025, there are about 5,000 homes on the market. That’s up from around 4,000 last year. However, if we look back to June 2019, which was a more normal year pre-COVID, we had about 6,300 homes listed for sale. So, while inventory is creeping up, we’re not quite back to those levels yet.

Months of supply. This metric tells us how long it would take to sell all the homes if no new listings came on the market. Right now, we’re at about 3.5 months, which is longer than last year’s 2.8 months. Back in 2019, it was around 4.1 months. We’re normalizing, but it’s a gradual process.

Interest rates, home prices, and days on market. The average mortgage rate is currently 6.75%. Although this is lower compared to earlier in the year, it remains a challenge for many buyers. Last summer, rates hovered between 6.5% and 7%, and folks were worried then, too.

With housing prices climbing and interest rates higher, affordability is becoming a real concern. Currently, homes are staying on the market longer, averaging approximately 45 days, compared to 35 days last year. In 2019, it was 54 days. If you’re a seller, you might need to adjust your expectations.

What does this mean for homebuyers? There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, and that can make people hesitant to sell or buy. However, this is a good time to buy because we’re seeing some excellent negotiation opportunities.

Although the market may feel slow, it doesn’t mean it’s crashing. The fundamentals are still in place, and we just need a slight adjustment in affordability to get things moving again.

What does this mean for home sellers? While you might not get your lowest price, remember that you’ve likely gained a significant amount of equity over the past few years. On average, sellers are seeing about 90% to 95% of their asking price. Losing a bit now could still put you ahead.

If you’re feeling unsure about what to do in this market, don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can call, text, or send us a message at (843) 822-7323 or info@livingwellcharleston.com. We’ve guided clients through hot markets, cold markets, and everything in between. And even now, we’ve had buyers locking in deals with low interest rates and sellers closing strong.