When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in South Carolina?
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Cheyenne Wiseman Associate EditorCloseCheyenne Wiseman Associate Editor
Cheyenne Wiseman is an Associate Editor at HomeLight.com. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis, where she also founded and led a literary magazine called Open Ceilings. She has four years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.
If you’re planning to sell your home in South Carolina, setting yourself up for success means thinking strategically — whether your goal is to earn the highest price or close the deal fast. Finding the right local agent and prepping your home are key, but when you choose to list can also make a big difference.
To find out the best time to sell a house in South Carolina, we spoke with top-performing agent Tim Peirce, who sells homes more than 60% faster than the average agent in his area. Peirce shares expert insights and practical tips for attracting serious buyers and selling your home more efficiently.
South Carolina housing trends
According to Peirce, the South Carolina real estate market is stable. “We’ve certainly seen a notable increase in inventory. However, prices have modestly continued to increase on the aggregate. But the market is still moving steadily,” he says.
Properties in South Carolina generally sell within approximately 75 days of listing. In real estate terms, this timeframe is called days on market (DOM), which measures the interval between the date the home hits the market and when a purchase agreement is signed. For reference, the national average DOM is currently 62 days.
The median sale price for homes in South Carolina is roughly $339,000, reflecting a 2.4% rise compared to last year.
“Right now, your pricing strategy and your presentation strategy are critical because buyers have a lot more options,” Peirce advises. “Buyers can be more selective and negotiate more, and that’s why we’re seeing days on market trend upwards and the percentage of list price received is going down slightly.”
What does this mean for sellers? While motivated purchasers remain in the market, it’s increasingly important to focus on accurate pricing and curb appeal to help your South Carolina residence capture buyer interest.
When is the best time to sell a house in South Carolina?
South Carolina traditionally experiences cyclical sales patterns with activity rising in the spring. This means that May through August is the best time to sell and maximize your earnings. If your main goal is a quick sale, the best time to put your South Carolina home on the market begins in April.
Since it generally takes 75 days to secure a buyer, plus about 40 days for loan closing, listing your home a couple of months ahead of the peak selling season is usually wise.
“Statewide, the sweet spot is still mid-April, with strong momentum through May. But here in the Low Country, in the Hilton Head market, we really see two peaks, which are March through May and also post-Labor Day to late October,” says Peirce.
Next, let’s look at local transaction data to pinpoint the best time to sell a house in South Carolina, whether your priority is speed or profit.
Best times to sell a house in Charleston
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | July | October | You could sell your house for 5.23% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 10 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Columbia
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | January | April | You could sell your house for 24.48% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | June | September | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Mount Pleasant
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | July | October | You could sell your house for 7.51% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | March | June | You could sell your house 10 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Rock Hill
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | March | June | You could sell your house for 3.01% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | June | September | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Greenville
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 8.17% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 13 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Summerville
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 3.46% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | February | May | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Goose Creek
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | September | December | You could sell your house for 4.46% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | May | August | You could sell your house 9 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
All tables are based on historical home sales data, 2014-2024
For insights on home-selling patterns in other cities, visit our Best Time to Sell Calculator.
Using this data as a foundation, you’ll be ready to consult a top-performing local real estate agent who can provide tailored advice on the best time to sell a house in South Carolina based on your neighborhood, situation, and market conditions.
What’s the worst time to list a house in South Carolina?
According to Peirce, there is no “bad” time to sell a house in South Carolina. “There are trade-offs for every time you choose,” he says.
For example, he’s successfully closed deals during the holidays. “There are fewer buyers, but there are fewer homes that you’re competing with, and oftentimes those buyers that come through and are looking at homes in the holiday season are very serious buyers.”
Wondering about your net proceeds? Try HomeLight’s complimentary Net Proceeds Calculator to estimate how much money you might receive when selling your South Carolina.
What seller concessions help close a sale in South Carolina?
To facilitate a successful sale, sellers in South Carolina often offer concessions or extend credits to prospective buyers.
“The most common concession is compensating the buyer’s agent for selling the home,” says Peirce. “The other thing we might see here locally in our market sometimes is that a lot of the communities that we sell in have either capital reserve fees, initiation fees, or transfer fees to clubs, and sometimes those are negotiated.”
Here are some common seller concessions and credits that can help make your South Carolina home more appealing and encourage a faster sale:
- Help cover a portion of the buyer’s closing expenses
- Contribute towards a temporary mortgage interest rate buydown
- Provide a repair credit to fix problems discovered during the inspection
- Pay for the buyer’s home inspection or appraisal costs
- Subsidize the initial months of HOA fees, if applicable
- Cover the commission fees for the buyer’s real estate agent
- Prepay property taxes or homeowners’ insurance for the first year
Insider tips to help sell your house in South Carolina
As a leading agent in South Carolina, Peirce offers practical, action-oriented guidance to sellers. Here are some of his expert tips:
1. Set the right price initially
Inflated pricing can cause listings to stagnate and lead to price cuts later. A well-researched pricing method grounded in recent sales data (comparables) can spark strong buyer interest and attract competitive bids.
2. Partner with a skilled agent
Choose a knowledgeable local agent familiar with your market who can advise on pricing, marketing, and negotiations. An accomplished agent understands how to market your South Carolina property for optimal results. Data from HomeLight shows that the top 5% of agents close sales at prices 10% higher than those of average agents.
3. Address key repairs
Fix visible concerns such as dripping faucets, broken tiles, or peeling paint — buyers often perceive minor flaws as signs of bigger problems. Prioritize repairs that yield a good return on investment and increase buyer trust.
“A lot of times, sellers don’t know where they are going to have the most impact for the dollar invested, and a good agent understands the best ROI on a project or the best way to enhance marketability,” says Peirce.
4. Boost curb appeal both physically and digitally
Well-maintained landscaping, a tidy exterior, and bright entryways improve curb appeal and leave a positive first impression in person. Online, professional-quality photos and virtual tours help your South Carolina home shine from the first click.
5. Declutter and remove personal touches
Eliminate clutter by removing surplus furniture, personal photographs, and knick-knacks to make living spaces feel more open and welcoming. Neutral, clean rooms allow buyers to picture themselves living in the home.
6. Provide a home warranty
Offering a home warranty reassures buyers about potential repair expenses, especially for older South Carolina residences. This can also make your listing stand out in a competitive environment.
7. Be accommodating with showings
Increasing your home’s availability to prospective buyers often speeds up the sale process. Allowing showings on weekends and evenings can be critical, particularly for buyers who live out of town or maintain full-time jobs.
8. Think about staging
Staged homes frequently sell more quickly and for higher prices because they help buyers better envision the space. Even partial or virtual staging can significantly enhance your listing’s appeal.
“If you have an empty home, staging is worth every penny. Where it might involve decluttering, it might also involve organizing, moving furniture around, or changing out bedding and other items,” says Peirce.
Answers to other South Carolina home-selling questions
What if I need a fast sale and closing in South Carolina?
While some homes in South Carolina may sell right away, a quick sale is never guaranteed. If you’re looking to sell your property fast or prefer not to invest time or money into repairs, you might want to explore an all-cash offer via HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.
In just a few minutes, you can fill out a brief form and get a no-obligation cash offer within a day. Simple Sale offers cash deals on homes in nearly any condition across South Carolina, allowing you to bypass staging, open houses, and repairs and close the deal in as little as 7 days.
What is the biggest mistake South Carolina home sellers make?
Peirce points out that one of the biggest mistakes sellers make when listing a property in South Carolina is not consulting an agent right away.
“I think they feel like that agent is going to put pressure on them, or they’re just not ready, and they don’t want to show the house to an agent until it’s perfect. However, an agent can be instrumental in setting the stage for them.”
He explains that reaching out to an agent early gives sellers time to plan, prepare, and make smart decisions rather than rushing once they’re ready to list. An experienced agent can offer insights on market trends, recommend worthwhile updates, and position the home effectively — all of which can lead to a smoother sale and stronger offers.
Find a top South Carolina agent for a successful sale
Ultimately, the best time to sell a house in South Carolina depends on your goals. However, selling your home faster and for a better price doesn’t need to be complicated. Having the right support can empower you to make smart choices and avoid mistakes.
Partnering with a skilled agent in your region means you’ll have a reliable guide to support you throughout the process and help you close a successful sale. Connect with a top agent today.
If you’re buying and selling a home at the same time, explore HomeLight’s innovative Buy Before You Sell program. This solution lets you tap into your equity to simplify the transaction. Make a non-contingent offer on your new home and relocate just once. Watch this short video to find out more.
Header Image Source: (Lisa Anna/ Unsplash)