Published October 25, 2026 in Market Update

North Myrtle Beach inventory is down, but buyers still have some room

By Bill Sullivan

Real estate, Primary market

The one fact that changes what you should do right now: inventory in North Myrtle Beach fell 18.5% in the three months ending August 31, 2026, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. Fewer choices for buyers can support your price as a seller. But it does not mean you can list at any number and win.

For context, the National Association of Realtors counted 1.60 million homes for sale across the country in September 2026. Nationally, supply is rising. In NMB, it is falling. That split matters if you own here.

What the NMB numbers say for the three months ending August 31, 2026

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 458 homes sold in ZIP 29582, up 1.8% from the same months of 2025. Sales held steady even as inventory shrank. That is a steady signal, not a surge.

The median price in ZIP 29582 was $445,000, up 4.7% from a year before, per the Real Estate Data Aggregator. Homes sold faster too, with the median dropping 17 days to 86 days on market. That is progress, but 86 days is still a long time. Price it right from day one.

Only 5.9% of homes in ZIP 29582 sold above list price, the Real Estate Data Aggregator shows. That share rose 3.2 points from a year ago, which is worth noting. But it still means more than 9 in 10 homes did not go over asking. Buyers have room to negotiate in most cases.

Cherry Grove, OD, Crescent Beach, Windy Hill: not one market

ZIP 29582 covers all four NMB sections. Cherry Grove, OD, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill each move differently. A Cherry Grove channel home with a dock carries flood insurance costs that a Windy Hill high-rise condo does not. An OD condo near Main Street draws a different buyer than a home west of Hwy 17. The ZIP code average smooths all of that out.

Cherry Grove channel buyers want water access and a dock. Flood insurance is a real ownership cost there, and it belongs in any honest affordability conversation. Do not skip it.

Oceanfront high-rise condos in OD, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill come with HOA dues and the possibility of special assessments. Those costs are part of what you own, not a footnote. Ask about them before you make an offer.

West of Hwy 17, single-family homes are mostly outside the high-risk flood zones, though that must be verified for any specific property. This side draws year-round residents, retirees, and buyers who want more space for their dollar.

How the surrounding ZIPs compare

The Real Estate Data Aggregator tracks several ZIPs near NMB. Each tells a different story for the three months ending August 31, 2026.

Longs (ZIP 29568) stood out. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 432 homes sold there, up 35% from a year before. Supply dropped to 3 months. Homes sold in a median of 81 days, and the average sale-to-list ratio hit 98.3%. That is a tighter market than NMB right now.

Little River (ZIP 29566) saw its median price dip 4.6% to $314,000, per the Real Estate Data Aggregator. But sales rose 7.5% and pending sales jumped 10.2%. More buyers, lower prices. That combination can attract people priced out of the beach side of NMB.

Sunset Beach (ZIP 28468) moved in its own direction. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted a median sale price of $485,000, up 9% from a year before. But inventory rose 20% and the median days on market climbed to 105 days, 46 days longer than a year ago. Sellers there are waiting longer, even as prices held up.

Rates are a real part of this story

Freddie Mac put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.32% as of October 22, 2026. The 15-year averaged 6.68%. Realtor.com reported a market average of 7.40% on the same date. Rates climbed back above 7% for the first time since January 2025, according to Realtor.com. That adds to the monthly cost of any home and is part of why many buyers are moving carefully.

Nationally, the National Association of Realtors reported existing-home sales of 3.99 million units in September 2026. Prices rose 1.3% from a year before. The market is moving, but not quickly.

Short-term rental use is common east of Hwy 17 in NMB, but it is a general pattern, not a guarantee. Whether any specific condo or home qualifies must be verified for that property. Never count on rental income without checking first.

One street can read very differently from the whole ZIP

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 507 pending sales in ZIP 29582 for the three months ending August 31, 2026. That is a real number. But it covers Cherry Grove channel homes, OD condos, Crescent Beach high-rises, Windy Hill units, and everything west of Hwy 17. Your street may be moving faster or slower than the ZIP average.

If you want to know where your home sits inside these numbers, I can pull the picture for your section and your price range. That is the only way to price with confidence.