Published October 18, 2026 in Market Update

North Myrtle Beach inventory is down, but sales are still holding steady

By Bill Sullivan

Real estate, Primary market

Freddie Mac put the 30-year fixed rate at 7.40% as of October 15, 2026. That is the headline grabbing attention nationwide. But in North Myrtle Beach, the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 2,037 homes sold across the market in the three months ending August 31, 2026. Sales are holding. That matters for both sides of a transaction.

That drop in inventory is the most important number on this page. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 2,866 homes for sale across the market in the three months ending August 31, 2026. That is down 18.3% from the same months in 2025. Fewer listings mean less competition for sellers. For buyers, it means the pool of choices is tighter than it was a year ago.

The market by section: each one reads differently

North Myrtle Beach is not one market. Cherry Grove, OD, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill each move at their own pace. The ZIP codes west of Hwy 17 move differently still. Here is what the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted for the three months ending August 31, 2026.

ZIP 29582: OD, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill

This ZIP covers OD, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill, where oceanfront high-rise condos are a main property type. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 458 homes sold, up 1.8% from a year before. The median sale price was $445,000, up 4.7%. Homes for sale were down 18.5% year over year. The median days on market was 86 days, which was 17 days shorter than the same period in 2025.

If you own a condo in OD, Crescent Beach, or Windy Hill, remember that HOA dues and special assessments are real ownership costs. Factor them in when you think about what a buyer will actually pay each month.

ZIP 29566: Cherry Grove

Cherry Grove is the only NMB section with channel homes and boat docks. Channel-side buyers want water access. Beach-side buyers want the ocean. Those are different markets inside the same ZIP, and the Real Estate Data Aggregator numbers reflect both together.

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 287 homes sold in ZIP 29566 in the three months ending August 31, 2026, up 7.5% from a year before. The median sale price was $314,000, down 4.6%. Homes for sale fell 14.9% year over year. The median days on market was 86 days, which was 30 days shorter than the same period in 2025. Nearly 1 in 4 homes (24.3%) went under contract within two weeks of listing, up 6.7 points from a year ago.

If you own or are buying a channel home in Cherry Grove, flood insurance is a major cost. Get a quote early. It can change what a home is worth to own.

ZIP 29568: West of Hwy 17, off-beach single family

ZIP 29568 covers off-beach single-family homes west of Hwy 17. These buyers are mostly year-round residents, families, retirees, and relocators. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 432 homes sold in the three months ending August 31, 2026, up 35% from a year before. That is the strongest sales gain of any ZIP in this market. The median sale price was $329,900, up 3.7%. Months of supply fell to 3 months, down 2.1 months from a year ago. Homes here are mostly outside the high-risk flood zones, though that must be verified for any specific property.

ZIP 29579: Closer to the attractions

ZIP 29579 tells a more mixed story. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 479 homes sold in the three months ending August 31, 2026, down 17.6% from a year before. The median sale price was $369,900, down 5.2%. That said, homes are selling faster. The median days on market was 63 days, which was 35 days shorter than the same period in 2025. Inventory fell sharply too, down 31.7% year over year, to 566 homes for sale.

ZIP 28467: Calabash area, bordering NMB

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 256 homes sold in ZIP 28467 in the three months ending August 31, 2026, down 12.3% from a year before. The median sale price was $345,000, up 2.2%. New listings dropped 20.7% year over year, which is a meaningful pull back in fresh supply. Homes that went under contract within two weeks of listing fell to 15.8%, down 12.7 points from a year ago. That tells you buyers here are taking more time.

ZIP 28468: Ocean Isle Beach area

ZIP 28468 is the smallest market in this group by volume. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 125 homes sold in the three months ending August 31, 2026, down 10.1% from a year before. The median sale price was $485,000, up 9%. That is the highest median price of any ZIP here. Inventory rose 20% year over year, to 204 homes for sale. The median days on market was 105 days, which was 46 days longer than the same period in 2025. Sellers here should know that buyers are taking their time.

How NMB compares with the national picture

The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales across the country reached 3.99 million units in September 2026. Prices nationally were up just 1.3% year over year. In contrast, the Real Estate Data Aggregator shows ZIP 29582 up 4.7% and ZIP 28468 up 9% over the same stretch. NMB is outpacing the national price trend in several sections.

Freddie Mac put the 30-year fixed rate at 7.40% as of October 15, 2026. That is a real headwind for buyers. The National Association of Realtors counted 1.60 million homes for sale nationally in September 2026. Locally, the Real Estate Data Aggregator shows NMB inventory down 18.3% year over year. Buyers here have fewer choices than the national picture suggests.

What this means for you, depending on where you stand

If you are a seller in NMB, fewer competing listings is good news. The Real Estate Data Aggregator shows inventory down 18.3% across the market. That gives a well-priced home more room to stand out.

If you are a buyer, the 7.40% rate from Freddie Mac is the real cost of waiting or acting. Homes in ZIP 29568 and ZIP 29579 are selling faster than a year ago. ZIP 28468 is giving buyers more time. Know which market you are shopping in.

If you are weighing a condo in OD, Crescent Beach, or Windy Hill, ask about HOA dues and any pending special assessments before you make an offer. Those costs are real and they affect what you can afford to pay. Short-term rental rules also vary by building and must be verified for any specific unit.

If you are looking at a channel home in Cherry Grove, get a flood insurance quote early. It can be a significant part of monthly ownership cost and it changes the math on what a home is worth to you.