Current Market Rating: 3 1 2 3 4 5 Buyer's Seller's

Current Price Trend: 4 1 2 3 4 5 Falling Rising

Charleston Area Real Estate Market Makes Month-Over-Month Improvements
Date: 6/10/2011

Charleston Area Real Estate Market Makes Month-Over-Month Improvements
Year-over-year data continues to show the difference of a non-incentivized market

CHARLESTON, SC—(June 10, 2011) According to preliminary data released by the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® (CTAR) 804 homes sold at a median price of $179,945 in May, which reflects 8% less buying activity and a 4% reduction in median price when compared to May 2010, when 878 homes sold at a median price of $186,497, as buyers were responding to the appeal of the homebuyer tax credit.

Sales volume grew by 4% and median price increased by 3% from April to May.

"We anticipate declines in year-over-year sales volume through the third quarter of this year. The data we're analyzing thus far in 2011 reflects activity in a non-incentivized market, so it's difficult to draw meaningful comparisons over last year's figures" said 2011 CTAR President Rob Woodul.

The tax credit required a ratified contract to be in place by April 30, with an initial closing deadline of June 30. Legislation enacted in July 2010 extended the deadline to September 30.

"Most of the transactions encouraged by the appeal of the tax credit closed in May, June and July of last year—we saw huge gains in sales volume during those months" said Woodul. "It's unlikely that we'll reach those levels this year and we won't really be able to determine how well our market is adjusting until later this year" he added.

There were 8,895 homes listed as actively for sale with the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service as of May 31, 2011.

April Adjustment
Preliminary numbers reported for April 2011 indicated 776 homes sold at a median price of $175,000. Adjusted numbers now show 801 sales at a median price of $177,000.

BERKELEY COUNTY
192 homes sold at a median price of $147,815 in May. This data reflects a decrease in both sales and prices when compared to May 2010's 202 sales at a median price of $165,517.

The area with the highest sales volume is bordered by Goose Creek-Monck's Corner and Highway 52, where 42 homes changed hands. Daniel Island logged the County's highest median sale price at $310,000, while the County's most affordable area is Cross and Bonneau, where the median price was recorded at $55,000.

CHARLESTON COUNTY
421 homes sold at a median price of $226,000 in Charleston County in May. This reflects a decrease in sales and stability in pricing when compared to May 2010's 475 sales at a median price of $228,000.

The most active area of Charleston County was Mount Pleasant, where 118 homes sold. The highest median price of $1,335,000 was on Sullivan's Island while the most affordable area of the County is again in North Charleston (inside of I-526).

DORCHESTER COUNTY
165 homes sold at a median price of $164,900 in Dorchester County. This reflects stability in both sales and prices when compared to May 2010's 170 sales at a median price of $165,000.

The highest sales volume in occurred in the Summerville/Ridgeville area of Dorchester County, where 21 homes changed hands. The area of North Charleston bordered by Summerville and Ladson recorded the County's highest median price at $171,257.








ZIP Codes: 29401, 29402, 29403, 29412, 29439, 29418, 29420, 29464

Approximate Location Boundaries: Folly Beach, Charleston, James Island, West Ashley, Wadmalaw, Johns Island, Kiawah, Downtown Historic Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, North Charleston

Location Characteristics: These locations range from the Downtown Historic Peninsula waterfront area to the Folly and Sullivans Island Beach areas, to Kiawah and Wild Dune Resort areas and to the outer islands of James and Johns Islands and north of Charleston to historic Summerville. The range of price, location, neighborhood, lifestyle is all here in Charleston - whether it is medical or military - beach or historic - it is all in what you are searching. Call Mia and she will help you find the particular area and the home that best suits you. 843-810-1000.

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