When national housing headlines say sales are down or prices are up, what does that mean for a home in Myrtle Beach? The national numbers set the backdrop, but our local market does not always move the same way.

Here is what the latest national releases showed as of September 15, 2026, and how they compare with the Grand Strand. The short answer: national prices and Grand Strand prices both rose 1.6% from a year earlier, but local sales fell faster than national sales, and builders nationally are still leaning on price cuts and incentives.

Quick Answer

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reported 3.98 million existing-home sales at an annual rate in August 2026, down 1.2% from a year earlier, with a national median price of $429,100, up 1.6%. On the Grand Strand, the CCAR MLS median was $324,945, also up 1.6%, while closed sales fell 5.4%. Mortgage rates rose after August ended, with the Mortgage News Daily 30 year fixed average at 7.17% on September 14.

I have worked on both the buying and selling side of real estate since 2006, and for more than 17 years I also owned a home improvement and contracting company that did new builds, which gives me a builder's view of the new construction numbers below.

What Did National Existing Home Sales Look Like in August 2026?

NAR's Existing-Home Sales report, released September 10, 2026, covers previously owned homes across the country.

• Existing-Home Sales (annual rate): 3.98 million (August 2026), down 2.0% from July and down 1.2% from August 2025

• National Median Existing-Home Price: $429,100 (August 2026), up 1.6% from August 2025

• Homes for Sale: 1.62 million, a 4.9 month supply (August 2026)

• Median Days on Market: 31 (August 2026)

• First-Time Buyers: 30% of sales (August 2026)

For July, NAR reported 4.06 million sales at an annual rate and a median of $434,100 (released August 11, 2026). (Source: NAR Existing-Home Sales, August 2026, checked September 15, 2026.)

How Did the South Compare?

NAR groups South Carolina in its South region. In August 2026, the South recorded 1.84 million existing-home sales at an annual rate, unchanged from a year earlier, with a median price of $366,500, up 0.7% from August 2025. (Source: NAR, released September 10, 2026.)

What Is Happening With New Homes Nationally?

The most recent government data on new homes covers July 2026. August figures were not yet released when this post was written.

• New Single-Family Home Sales (annual rate): 607,000 (July 2026), down 10.5% from June and down 6.3% from July 2025

• Median New Home Price: $393,800 (July 2026)

• Average New Home Price: $508,800 (July 2026)

• New Homes for Sale: 488,000, a 9.6 month supply (July 2026)

The Census Bureau's margins of error on those monthly and yearly changes (plus or minus 14.0% and 19.6%) are larger than the changes themselves, so they are not a clear signal on their own. These figures are preliminary and can be revised. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau and HUD, New Residential Sales, July 2026, released August 25, 2026, checked September 15, 2026.) The August report is scheduled for September 24, 2026.

Are Builders Starting More Homes?

The Census Bureau's New Residential Construction report for July 2026, released August 18, 2026, showed:

• Building Permits (annual rate): 1,443,000, up 5.0% from June and up 3.1% from July 2025

• Housing Starts (annual rate): 1,239,000, down 12.4% from June and down 13.5% from July 2025

• Single-Family Starts (annual rate): 808,000, down 9.9% from June

• Housing Completions (annual rate): 1,212,000, down 9.1% from June and down 16.8% from July 2025

These are also preliminary. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau and HUD, New Residential Construction, July 2026, checked September 15, 2026.) The August report is scheduled for September 17, 2026.

How Do Builders Feel About the Market?

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index measures builder confidence. NAHB explains that a reading above 50 indicates most builders feel confident about the current and near-term outlook, and lower readings signify less optimism (NAHB HMI page, checked September 15, 2026). The August 2026 index was 35, up one point from 34 in July. NAHB reported that 35% of builders cut prices in August, with an average reduction of 6%, and 63% used sales incentives. The South region's three-month average was 31. (Source: NAHB, August 2026 release, released August 17, 2026.) NAHB scheduled the September index for September 16, 2026.

For buyers looking at new homes, incentives are worth asking about. My new construction homes guide explains how buying new works here, and my post on how seller concessions work for buyers covers one common way sellers help with costs.

How Does the Grand Strand Compare With the National Numbers?

Here is August 2026 side by side. Local figures come from the CCAR MLS, pulled September 15, 2026.

• Median Sale Price: $324,945 Grand Strand (CCAR MLS) vs. $429,100 national existing homes (NAR)

• Change From August 2025: up 1.6% Grand Strand vs. up 1.6% national

• Sales Change From August 2025: down 5.4% Grand Strand closed sales vs. down 1.2% national existing-home sales

• New Construction Median: $330,024 Grand Strand MLS new construction (August 2026) vs. $393,800 national new homes (Census, July 2026)

A few things to keep in mind. The Grand Strand median includes a large share of condos, which pulls it down, and single family homes here had a median of $376,000 in August. NAR and CCAR publish months of supply and days on market for different areas and may not calculate them the same way, so compare the direction of those numbers rather than the levels. MLS new construction counts also leave out homes that builders sell without listing in the MLS.

For the full local breakdown by price range, property type, and area, see my Myrtle Beach housing market report for September 2026.

What Are Mortgage Rates Doing?

According to the Mortgage News Daily rate index, the average 30 year fixed rate was 7.17% on September 14, 2026, up from 6.87% on August 31 and up 0.88 points from a year earlier. On September 14, the 15 year fixed averaged 6.70%, the 30 year FHA 6.75%, and the 30 year VA 6.77%. These are daily index averages, not quotes. (Source: Mortgage News Daily, checked September 15, 2026.)

If you are budgeting for a purchase, my post on how mortgage interest rates work when buying in Myrtle Beach is a good place to start, and you can browse homes for sale in Myrtle Beach.

Does the National Housing Market Affect Myrtle Beach Home Prices?

National conditions, especially mortgage rates, affect every market, but local prices depend on local supply and demand. In August 2026, the Grand Strand and national medians both rose 1.6% from a year earlier, while local sales fell more than national sales.

Why Is the National Median Price So Much Higher Than Myrtle Beach's?

The national median of $429,100 reflects existing homes across the country, while the CCAR MLS median of $324,945 includes a large share of local condos. Comparing single family homes here ($376,000 in August) narrows the gap, but the two figures still measure different markets.

Where Do These National Numbers Come From?

Existing-home sales come from NAR, new home sales and construction come from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD, and builder confidence comes from NAHB. Government figures are often revised in later months, so the most recent month can change.

When Is the Next National Data Coming Out?

The Census Bureau scheduled August construction data for September 17 and August new home sales for September 24, 2026. NAHB scheduled its September index for September 16, and NAR scheduled September existing-home sales for October 13, 2026.

Final Thoughts

The national picture in the latest data is slower sales, modest price growth, and builders still using price cuts and incentives, with mortgage rates rising in September. The Grand Strand matched the nation on price growth in August, but local sales fell further, and the local story changes a lot depending on property type and price range.

If you want to know how these national trends show up for your own home or search, I am happy to talk it through. Book a quick Zoom call or call or text me at (843) 385-6630.

The information in this article is for general educational purposes and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Market conditions change, so please confirm details with the appropriate professional before making decisions. Beach Properties Group, Keller Williams Innovate South, 601 21st Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, (843) 443-9400. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Brian Staub is a real estate agent in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina helping homeowners sell with clarity and confidence.

Brian Staub Beach Properties Group Keller Williams 601 21st Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 (843) 385-6630 [email protected] https://beachpropertiesgroup.com/