Charleston not the best place for real estate agents

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Charleston might feel like a hot real estate market to some, but a study from WalletHub finds that the Lowcountry may not be the best place to be a real estate agent.

WalletHub chose the 150 most populated cities in the country, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state, for its comparison of the best places to be a real estate agent.

The Holy City ranked No. 50 out of the 179 cities the credit card comparison website looked at, with a total score of 49.32 out of 100. Charleston ranked No. 66 in job opportunity and competition and No. 51 in real estate market health.

Charleston also ranked second-lowest for sales per agent and was ranked the least attractive city for real estate employment.

Part of the reason for low sales is likely the low supply of inventory: The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors reported in early April that inventory data show 3.3% fewer homes for sale over the last 12-month period, with 5,654 homes listed as currently for sale at the end of March.

“Inventory is still historically low, and prices continue to climb, which deepens the affordability divide in our region,” said CTAR President Edward Oswald in a statement.

Year-to-date, CTAR said, sales volume is about 5% behind where it was in 2018.

The only other South Carolina city studied by WalletHub was Columbia, which ranked No. 148 overall. Columbia ranked No. 134 in job opportunity and competition and No. 138 in real estate market health.