Columbia, South Carolina, October 26, 2025
SC Housing
SC Housing is a state agency dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions for South Carolina residents. Established to address the growing need for safe and affordable housing, SC Housing has been instrumental in funding and supporting a variety of housing programs since its inception. Over the years, the organization has expanded its initiatives to include housing development, foreclosure prevention, and tenant assistance. Committed to fostering sustainable communities, SC Housing works closely with local governments, non-profits, and private sector partners to deliver innovative housing options. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for South Carolina residents by ensuring access to affordable, quality housing.
News Summary
The South Carolina housing market has exhibited strong performance in 2025, with a 2.6% increase in home sales year-over-year. Despite high home prices and limited inventory, sustained population growth and initiatives by SC Housing have contributed to notable increases in homebuyer assistance and median home prices. Spartanburg topped the market growth with a significant 15.5% increase in sales, while Cherokee County saw the highest median price increase at 4.6%. The outlook for the remainder of the year remains cautiously optimistic.
Columbia, South Carolina – The South Carolina housing market has shown remarkable resilience in 2025, marked by increased sales and elevated homebuyer assistance initiatives. As of September 2025, home sales in the state have grown by 2.6% year-over-year, reflecting a positive trend despite the competitive market conditions fueled by high home prices and constrained inventory. Median home prices have also seen an increase of 1.3% during the same period.
Experts attribute these improvements to sustained population growth and a persistently low housing inventory, leading to heightened demand for available homes. Most markets throughout South Carolina reported year-over-year gains in home sales by September. Notably, the Spartanburg market led this surge with an impressive 15.5% increase, while the Sumter/Clarendon County market faced the largest decline at 32.7%.
In terms of price changes, Cherokee County recorded the highest increase in median home prices, which rose by 4.6% year-over-year. Comparatively, while year-over-year sales saw an upward trend across the South and other regions, the Western U.S. remained stagnant.
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), indicated that falling mortgage rates have played a crucial role in facilitating home sales and enhancing housing affordability. Joey Von Nessen, a research economist, emphasized that consistent population growth has been a foundational driver of the increasing housing demand in South Carolina. The state was identified as the fastest-growing state in 2024, based on the annual U-Haul Growth Index, with over 51.7% of U-Haul movers arriving in South Carolina that year.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Carolina witnessed an annual average sales growth rate of 6.2%, compared to a more moderate average of 2.6% in 2025. This slowdown in growth rate is attributed to the high prices of homes. However, projections for the remaining months of 2025 indicate that the state can expect a continued, albeit slow, positive growth trajectory in both home sales and prices.
Additionally, SC Housing achieved remarkable milestones in July 2025 by assisting 276 homebuyers with approximately $70 million dedicated to home buying assistance. The agency also reported significant support for first-time homebuyers, with an impressive record of 1,992 qualified buyers in fiscal year 2025 — a 13% increase from FY 2024. Overall, SC Housing facilitated financing exceeding $465 million, which is a 17% year-over-year increase.
SC Housing programs provide 30-year fixed-rate mortgages often below market rates, as well as forgivable down payment assistance for eligible buyers. The Palmetto Heroes program, aimed at essential workers, received strong support and demonstrated high demand in 2025. Despite the overall rise in home prices, the housing inventory in South Carolina is reported to have increased significantly, satisfying high demand while potentially easing prices for buyers.
In June 2025, the U.S. median existing-home price reached $420,800, while average mortgage rates hovered around 7%. The landscape of homes financed through SC Housing indicates stability for families and promising growth for communities throughout the state.
To provide a snapshot of the South Carolina housing market in 2025:
| Metric | 2025 Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|
| Home Sales | +2.6% |
| Median Home Prices | +1.3% |
| Spartanburg Market Growth | +15.5% |
| Sumter/Clarendon Sales Decline | -32.7% |
| Cherokee County Price Increase | +4.6% |
| SC Housing First-time Buyers | 1,992 (13% Increase) |
| SC Housing Financing | $465 million (+17%) |
FAQ
What is the year-over-year change in South Carolina home sales as of September 2025?
Home sales in South Carolina were up 2.6% year-over-year as of September 2025.
How much did median home prices increase in South Carolina in 2025?
Median home prices increased by 1.3% year-over-year for the same period.
What was the largest growth in home sales recorded in a specific market in South Carolina?
The Spartanburg market had the largest growth at 15.5% year-over-year.
What assistance did SC Housing provide in July 2025?
SC Housing set a record in July 2025, assisting 276 homebuyers with approximately $70 million in home buying assistance.
How many first-time homebuyers did SC Housing report in fiscal year 2025?
SC Housing reported a record 1,992 first-time homebuyers in fiscal year 2025, marking a 13% increase from FY 2024.
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Additional Resources
- Governing: Affordable Homes and South Carolina’s Housing Shortage
- Wikipedia: Housing Market
- Columbia Business Report: SC Housing Sets Homebuyer Record
- Google Search: South Carolina housing market
- Greenville Online: SC Home Prices Rising
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing Market
- Blythewood Online: Too Many People, Too Few Homes
- Google News: South Carolina housing shortage
- Live 5 News: Immigration Crackdown and Home Prices
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
