Columbia Midlands Market Update - October 2026

October brings the fall market to the Midlands, and it is still a good one for buyers. Inventory is up in most areas, prices have leveled off, and homes are taking a little longer to sell. Roughly two out of three sales close below list price. Not a slow market, a steadier one, with room to breathe.

Lake Murray

The lake is still its own market. Lake-wide, closed sales run around $490,000 to $500,000, with true waterfront listings asking $800,000 and up. Waterfront inventory stays thin, around two and a half months of supply, and homes average 85 to 100 days on market. A fairly priced property with good dock access still draws buyers; the ones testing the top of the range sit. On the water, buyers need to move when the right one shows up. Off the water, there are real choices.

Lexington

Lexington's median holds around $325,000, and homes go under contract in 38 to 48 days. Inventory keeps climbing, over 1,000 active listings, the most selection buyers have had in years. For sellers, today's comps are the whole game: price it right and show it well, and it moves.

Irmo

Irmo's median runs $250,000 to $255,000 depending on the neighborhood, and homes take the low to mid 40s in days on market. Inventory is steady at around 200 active listings, which keeps prices honest and gives buyers time to compare. Sellers here sell on merits, not momentum.

Chapin

Chapin's median sits in the low to mid $400,000s, and most homes take 55 to 65 days to sell. Lakefront listings near Chapin are still scarce, and the ones priced fairly draw buyers fast. Off the water, buyers have room to negotiate.

Northeast Columbia

Northeast Columbia, especially the 29229 corridor, has cooled the most. The median has dipped to around $250,000, a step down from last year, and inventory is up sharply. New construction keeps coming, holding prices in reach. It stays one of the most accessible parts of the metro for first-time buyers.

If you want to talk through what these numbers mean for your street, your price range, or your timeline, reach out. I am happy to walk through them with you, no pressure. Warm regards, and make it a great day.