Published October 17, 2026 in Market Update

Prices rose in North Myrtle Beach, but not every home is flying off the shelf

By Heather Brooks

Real estate, North Myrtle Beach

Here is the one thing that matters most for homeowners in North Myrtle Beach right now: prices went up, not down. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 890 homes sold across North Myrtle Beach in the three months ending August 31, 2026, up 15.6% from the same stretch last year. That is a real sign of demand, even with slower days on market.

For context, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported U.S. home prices up 2.6% year over year through July 2026. North Myrtle Beach beat that in both ZIP codes.

Two ZIP codes, two price points

ZIP 29582 covers most of what people think of as North Myrtle Beach, including Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive. The Real Estate Data Aggregator put the median sale price there at $445,000, up 4.7% from the same three months in 2025. Homes took a median of 86 days to sell, but that is actually 17 days shorter than a year ago.

ZIP 29568 covers Longs and the areas west of Highway 17. The Real Estate Data Aggregator put the median there at $329,900, up 3.7%. Days on market dropped 38 days shorter than last year, landing at 81 days. And homes sold jumped 35% compared with the same period in 2025. That is a big move.

Inventory is tighter than it looks

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 1,248 homes for sale across both ZIP codes combined, down 19.4% from a year ago. Fewer homes on the market, with more buyers closing, keeps prices from slipping. That is the short version of why values held up.

The national picture adds some context

Nationally, things are a little bumpier. Realtor.com reported mortgage rates topped 7% in September 2026, and price cuts hit 4-year highs. Realtor.com also reported median list prices in the South fell 2.4% year over year. North Myrtle Beach did not follow that trend, at least not in the three months ending August 31, 2026.

The National Association of Realtors reported existing-home sales rose 1.5% in September 2026, reaching 3.99 million units. Inventory nationally rose to 1.60 million homes. That broader activity helps explain why buyers are still out there, even with rates where they are.

CNBC reported that Fannie Mae forecasts the 30-year fixed rate at 7.5% for all of 2027. And CNBC noted pending home sales were down 8.5% year over year in September, according to Zillow. So buyers are being careful. That is honest. But they are still buying in North Myrtle Beach.

What slower days on market means for you

86 days is not a panic number. It is a realistic one. The Real Estate Data Aggregator showed homes in 29582 still closed at 96.8% of list price on average. In 29568, that number was 98.3%. So sellers are not giving homes away. They are just waiting a little longer.

For buyers, slower market times can be a good thing. You have more time to look at a home carefully before you write an offer. You are not as rushed. That is worth something, especially at these price points.

One more thing worth knowing if you are buying from out of state: in Horry County, a primary residence is taxed significantly lower than a second home or investment property. Always worth asking about before you close.