Selling Your Lake Murray Home in 2026: Why the Patrick O'Connor Team is the Best Real Estate Agent for SC Waterfront Sellers
If you're a homeowner on Lake Murray in South Carolina planning to sell your property in 2026, you're entering one of the hottest real estate markets in the Midlands. With median home prices surging 20.4% year-over-year and inventory remaining tight, sellers who partner with the right agent can maximize their returns in this competitive landscape. As the leading experts in Lake Murray real estate, the Patrick O'Connor Team at Coldwell Banker has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. In this guide, we'll dive into the 2025 market trends positioning 2026 for success, our hands-on experience helping clients like you, our innovative marketing strategies, and why we're the go-to choice for selling your Lake Murray home.
The 2025 Lake Murray Real Estate Boom: Setting the Stage for 2026 Sellers
In 2025, the luxury market exploded and the overall Lake Murray market remained one of the strongest segments in the Midlands, driven by steady demand from local buyers and a continued influx of relocations from across the country. Inventory tightened on all sides of the lake, and single-family homes continued to move at a reasonable 59 days on market average with an average price of $1,027,367. Key highlights include:
Chapin/Lake Murray Area: 84 sales, with 38 over $1 million and an average price of $1,027,185.
Lexington/Lake Murray Area: 26 single-family home sales in 2025—the highest performing year ever for this side of the lake. Twenty homes closed over $1 million, with an average sales price of $1,821,496 and an average of 50 days on market. Excluding the record sale, the average was $1,181,779. Standout achievements include the $8,250,000 closing at 218 Captains Watch in Spence Plantation (among the highest lakefront sales ever recorded), six additional sales over $2 million, and a quiet off-market transaction near town expected to close around $4,000,000—further proof of sustained luxury demand.
Gilbert/Leesville/Saluda: 48 single-family home sales in 2025. This side of the lake has seen impressive appreciation over the last five years, with many homes doubling in value since the pre-pandemic market. Seven homes closed over $1 million, with an average sales price of $760,097 and an average of 48 days on market. Standouts include the top sale at 108 Harvest Moon Drive in Leesville’s Harbour Watch, closing at $2,050,000, and Gilbert’s strong performance with its highest at 446 Belle Lindler Road for $1,092,500.
Columbia/Irmo and Prosperity/Newberry: Combined 44 sales, with strong luxury demand pushing averages over $1 million in several cases.
This surge is driven by a relocation boom from high-cost states like New York, California, and Florida, where buyers seek Lake Murray's undervalued waterfront lifestyle, cleaner waters, and proximity to top schools and communities. In 2025, South Carolina emerged as the top destination for Americans relocating, boasting an in-to-out move ratio of nearly 2:1, meaning almost twice as many people moved in as out. This trend is part of a broader migration to Sun Belt states, with South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida leading the pack in inbound moves. Key drivers include affordability, as residents from high-cost areas like the Northeast and West Coast flee rising living expenses, taxes, and urban density in search of lower costs, milder climates, and a higher quality of life. States like California and New York experienced the highest outbound migration, with many heading south for these reasons. Even Florida, while still popular, saw some residents relocate to South Carolina for its quieter, more affordable waterfront options compared to overcrowded coastal areas. Lake Murray, in particular, attracts these buyers with its pristine 650 miles of shoreline, family-oriented communities, and easy access to Columbia's amenities, making it a prime spot for remote workers and retirees alike. Low inventory—favoring sellers—has led to quicker sales, with year-to-date averages around 43 days on market in Lexington, down from 53 days the prior year.
Looking ahead to 2026, experts predict continued mid-single-digit appreciation, outpacing national forecasts of 1-4%. With interest rates easing and demand for prime waterfront properties intensifying, sellers who prepare now could see even more record-breaking deals.
Table of Contents
The 2025 Lake Murray Real Estate Boom: Setting the Stage for 2026 Sellers
Our Unmatched Experience Helping Lake Murray Clients
Marketing Results That Set Us Apart
Tips for Selling Your Lake Murray Home in 2026
Ready to Sell? Contact the Best Real Estate Agent on Lake Murray Today
Lake Norman North Carolina
Our Unmatched Experience Helping Lake Murray Clients
At the Patrick O'Connor Team, we've closed over 1,544 homes in the greater Columbia area, totaling more than $500 million in sales. We're ranked as the #1 Coldwell Banker Team in South Carolina and in the top 1% nationwide by RealTrends. Our deep roots in Lake Murray mean we know every cove, neighborhood, and nuance—from Chapin's family-friendly vibes to Lexington's luxury enclaves.
In 2025 alone, we handled top-tier transactions like the $2,625,000 sale at 220 Old Forge Road in Chapin, while the market featured a record $8,250,000 sale in Lexington. Clients rave about our service, with over 400 five-star reviews on Zillow, Realtor.com, and Google praising our expertise in waterfront, luxury, and relocation sales. Whether you're upsizing, downsizing, or relocating, our personalized approach ensures your home sells for top dollar.
Marketing Results That Set Us Apart
In a market where well-presented homes sell faster, our marketing strategies are designed to attract serious buyers and drive competitive offers. We go beyond basic listings with:
Professional Photography & Videography: High-quality visuals that showcase your waterfront views and unique features, reducing DOM by up to 50% in competitive areas. Our videography takes this to the next level by providing immersive virtual tours that allow potential buyers to experience the flow of your home, the serenity of the lakefront, and the lifestyle it offers—from sunrise views over the water to cozy evenings on the dock. This emotional connection helps buyers envision themselves in the space, leading to faster offers and higher sale prices. Our videos have collectively garnered millions of views across platforms, amplifying exposure and drawing in qualified leads from across the country. Plus, our property pages on scmidlandsagent.com outperform Zillow in views, thanks to our SEO-optimized content and targeted traffic strategies that keep buyers engaged longer and convert more inquiries into showings.
Targeted Digital Campaigns: Leveraging SEO-optimized listings and social media to reach relocation buyers searching for "Lake Murray waterfront homes for sale" or "best real estate agent Lake Murray SC."
Off-Market Expertise: Our extensive network allows us to connect sellers with qualified buyers for discreet, high-value transactions, unlocking hidden opportunities.
Data-Driven Pricing: Using real-time market insights to price strategically, ensuring your home doesn't linger while maximizing value.
These tactics have helped our clients achieve above-average sale prices, even in a balanced market.
Lake Murray - The Patrick O’Connor Team
Tips for Selling Your Lake Murray Home in 2026
To capitalize on the projected growth:
Assess Your Property Early: Get a free market analysis to understand your home's value amid rising prices.
Enhance Curb Appeal: Focus on waterfront features like docks and views—buyers pay a premium for these.
Time Your Listing: Spring and summer see peak activity, but with low inventory, anytime in 2026 could work.
Partner with Local Experts: Avoid generic agents; choose a team with Lake Murray-specific knowledge to navigate zoning, water rights, and buyer preferences.
What Sellers Are Saying About Working With Patrick O’Connor
“Patrick was easy to work with. He was energetic and very positive with my expectations on the property I was selling. BIG Thank You!”
- Home Seller 2025
“Working with Patrick was the equivalent of “Million Dollar” listing in South Carolina! I recently had the good fortune of working with him and his team to sell a home and buy a new one. He and his team were professional, highly organized, and strategic as it related to the selling process. Patrick also stays involved throughout the process, managing every detail and answering every question. Plus, he’s just an incredibly nice guy! Highly recommend him and his team.”
- Home Buyer & Seller 2025
Ready to Sell? Contact the Best Real Estate Agent on Lake Murray Today
With 2025's momentum carrying into 2026, now is the time to position your Lake Murray home for a successful sale. The Patrick O'Connor Team is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. Let's make your 2026 sale your best one yet - reach Patrick O’Connor below.
Resources
Note: All market data presented is pulled from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and includes only single-family home sales.
Full Lake Murray Home Sales Report: https://www.scmidlandsagent.com/home-sale-lake-murray-sc
Best Real Estate Agent in Elgin, SC
Thinking about selling your home on Lake Murray? Work with Patrick O’Connor.
Patrick O'Connor is the founder and leader of The Patrick O'Connor Team at Coldwell Banker, specializing in real estate across the SC Midlands including Lake Murray real estate. As a top realtor, he has assisted over 1,500 families in buying and selling homes and is recognized as the #1 Coldwell Banker team in South Carolina, Patrick brings unparalleled expertise in the Midlands of South Carolina real estate market, earning accolades for his dedication and success in the industry.
