Vacation Homes Make Up 4.5% of South Carolina Housing, 15th Most in the U.S.

Having served the Charleston and broader South Carolina region for over three decades, I've seen firsthand how our housing landscape continues to evolve. It’s striking to note that vacation homes now account for 4.5% of South Carolina's housing stock, placing us 15th in the nation. This speaks volumes about the desirability of our area, but it also highlights real challenges: across the U.S., we're facing a shortage of 4.03 million homes. Lower construction rates compared to household growth are driving up home prices and rents, making it harder for first-time buyers to enter the market and increasing instability for renters, especially those with lower incomes. As someone who’s navigated the changing tides of local real estate for nearly 11 years — and as Broker in Charge at Re/Max Main Street Realty — I understand the importance of creative solutions and in-depth local knowledge when it comes to securing a place to call home.