National and Local Real Estate Market Report

Lake Keowee & Upstate South Carolina Real Estate Market Update – April 2026

Did you know you can access up-to-date real estate market data directly from our website? You can also search all active listings across the Upstate of South Carolina in one place. We built our platform to be user-friendly and a true one-stop destination for buyers and sellers exploring Lake Keowee, the mountain communities, and surrounding areas. You can even ask us questions or sign up for a free monthly property evaluation. Visit www.legacylakeandmountainliving.com to learn more about our team, our services, and how we can help you navigate today’s market.

As always, real estate does not operate in a vacuum. Much like the stock market, housing trends are influenced by national and global events. This past week, we’ve been watching developments in the Middle East, particularly the situation involving Iran and rising oil prices. These factors can influence inflation and, ultimately, mortgage rates.

The good news is that markets saw some relief following news of a U.S./Iran ceasefire. That optimism helped ease pressure tied to inflation concerns, and mortgage rates responded accordingly. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 6.37%, down from 6.46% the previous week, according to Freddie Mac. At this same time last year, rates were at 6.62%. For both homebuyers and homeowners, this slight decline is a welcome sign and could help maintain momentum as we move deeper into the spring market.

Nationally, home prices continue to show resilience. According to Redfin, list prices rose 1.6% year over year to a median of $423,438. Buyers are still negotiating, bringing the average sale price down to $392,973, but that figure is still up 2.2% compared to last year—the largest increase we’ve seen in the past 12 months. Homes are also taking a bit longer to sell, with a median of 51 days on market, which is six days longer than a year ago and the slowest pace for this time of year since 2019. Meanwhile, active listings dropped 2.2% to approximately 1.08 million, marking the sharpest inventory decline since 2023.

Locally, the Lake Keowee real estate market and surrounding mountain communities in Oconee County and Pickens County remain active and healthy, particularly in the luxury segment. In March, the average days on market for homes in The Cliffs communities and Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee was 92 days, with a median price of $2.324 million. When compared to March of last year, where the average days on market was 166 days and the median price was $2.102 million, we are seeing clear signs of improved buyer activity and stable pricing in the luxury lakefront market.

This supports what we have been seeing firsthand—buyers were more hesitant in 2025 when it came to high-end purchases, but confidence has returned in 2026, and well-positioned properties are moving more efficiently.

Inventory remains strong, giving buyers a range of options. Within The Cliffs at Lake Keowee, there are currently 45 active home listings. Of those, 24 are waterfront homes ranging from $6.69 million to $1.449 million. There are also 19 interior homes available, priced between $2.85 million and $1.179 million. Currently, there are 3 pending sales, all of which are interior homes.

At Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee, there are 35 active listings, including 19 lakefront homes ranging from $8.75 million to $2.175 million. Additionally, there are 16 interior homes ranging from $4.187 million to $1.15 million. This level of inventory provides meaningful opportunities for buyers looking for luxury lake homes in the Upstate South Carolina market.

For those considering building a custom home, there are still excellent land opportunities available. Within The Cliffs communities, there are 68 active lots, including 16 waterfront properties. These lakefront lots range from $6.99 million down to $175,000, with the lower end typically offering water views rather than dockable access. Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee currently has 12 available lots, with 4 waterfront properties ranging from $2.99 million to $565,000.

Overall, the Lake Keowee real estate market continues to demonstrate stability, strong inventory, and improving buyer confidence. Whether you are considering buying a luxury waterfront home, selling your property, or building in one of the premier communities in Oconee County or Pickens County, having the right strategy is critical.

Both buyers and sellers benefit from working with a real estate team that not only understands the data but also has deep local knowledge of Lake Keowee, The Cliffs, and Old Edwards Reserve. These are complex, high-end transactions that require experience, negotiation skill, and a strong understanding of market dynamics.

If you are thinking about making a move, or simply want to better understand your options, we are always here to help guide you through the process.