Best In South Carolina Real Estate™: Columbia

Is Columbia, SC's housing market heading for a deeper supply crunch? New data from the USC Darla Moore School of Research indicates a notable year-over-year decline in residential building permits for the Columbia metropolitan area in Q2 2026. This trend, coupled with the Richmond Fed's ongoing assessment of affordability challenges across the Fifth District, paints a complex picture for future housing accessibility. While Georgetown, TX, has seen a robust 8.5% increase in new home starts over the same period, Columbia's contraction signals potential headwinds for its long-term housing supply. What are the key factors driving this slowdown, and how might it reshape the Midlands market for buyers and sellers in the coming year? Source: USC Darla Moore School Division of Research, "Midlands Economic Outlook: Residential Construction Slowdown Q2 2026" (Published August 15, 2026) https://www.moore.sc.edu/research/economic-outlook/midlands_residential_construction_q2_2026 Source: Richmond Fed, "Fifth District Housing Market Update: Q2 2026 Affordability Challenges Persist" (Published August 16, 2026) https://www.richmondfed.org/research/indicators_data/housing_market_update_q2_2026 View and join any or all of our communities — AI, quantum, and real estate: https://alex-companies.com/linkedin/groups If there's an AI, quantum, or real estate community you'd like to see us convene, tell us — this portfolio grows by request. Real Estate Strategy & Intelligence Leader. Democratized Blue Ocean Strategist & Operator. Diane Hart Alexander, MBA, MHA Designated Broker, Alexander Tiffany Southwest, LLC Chair & CEO, ALEX +1 713.591.9902 · [email protected]