Kiawah Island: Luxury Homes & Coastal Living Near Charleston, SC  

The first half of 2025 paints a picture of both stability and selectivity in Kiawah Island Real Estate. While the number of properties sold has seen a slight decrease, prices at the higher end of the market remain strong. The Island continues to captivate discerning buyers, not just looking to buy a home, but to claim a lifestyle rooted in natural beauty, refined luxury, and undefinable class. 

Kiawah Island Real Estate Market: 2025 Trends & Insights

From January to June, the number of properties sold fell by 31% compared to the same period last year. The 29% drop in total sales volumes and the dip in transactions can be attributed to the initial closings at The Cape that occurred in 2024. Affluent buyers continue to value the Island’s real estate. 

Luxury Single-Family Homes Maintain Strong Demand

Single-family homes remain the heartbeat of the Island market. The median price rose from $3.03 million to $3.25 with most sales occurring in the sweet spot between $2 million and $5 million. This impressive performance illustrates the continued demand for luxurious properties and buyers’ trust in the Island’s real estate landscape.

Homesites Lead the Way in Price Growth 

As the desire to customize your retreat grows, it’s no surprise that homesites led the market in price growth. This trend has transcended the median price from $631,000 to $1.1 million, reflecting the growing appeal of developing personalized homes in prime locations. As interest in building on Kiawah Island intensifies, these lots will continue to present both opportunity and investment potential. 

Charming Villas & Cottages for Discerning Buyers 

Villas and cottages experienced a decline in median price, from $1.8 million to $995,000, due to the initial closings at The Cape.  They remain a sought-after option for buyers seeking the Island lifestyle at a slightly lower entry point, blending charm, comfort, and convenience in a way that continues to resonate with discerning buyers.

Inventory Shifts: More Choices, Still Limited Luxury

Inventory has increased modestly, with 143 active listings at midyear compared to 130 in 2024. Roughly half are single-family homes, with the remaining composed of villas, cottages, and homesites. While this may increase the choice for buyers, the most desirable segments like prime homesites and luxury homes remain very limited, maintaining healthy competition and the Island’s exclusive market character. 

Key Market Trends & Insights 

Homesite values have experienced a remarkable surge, with the median price rising 76% from $631K to $1.1M when comparing the first half of 2025 to the same period in 2024—one of the most significant upward trends in the market.

Buyers seeking properties under $1 million will generally find villas, cottages, or smaller homesites most attainable, whereas the $2 million to $5 million range dominates single-family home transactions. Notably, properties above $5 million are selling rapidly, demonstrating the sustained vigor of the luxury market. 

Looking Back and Looking Forward: A Decade of Resilience

Over the past decade, Kiawah Island Real Estate has consistently demonstrated steady growth and resilience, accounting for 77% of the Island’s total sales from January through June 2025. The combination of high-end sales, rising median prices, and forthcoming developments points to a vibrant market that continues to attract both lifestyle-oriented buyers and discerning investors. 

Kiawah Island Is a Desirable & Stable Market

Kiawah Island Real Estate would be delighted to serve as your premier guide to finding a home on one of the world’s most desirable destinations. The Island itself combines natural beauty, luxury, and exclusivity, driving strong demand while offering a lifestyle many buyers have been seeking—sometimes without even knowing where to find it. Now, you have. Welcome home.