Spring 2026 Housing Market Update | Charlotte, NC + Fort Mill, SC

Written by Kristin Vining | The Vining Group at eXp Realty | Fort Mill, SC

If you've been watching the news lately, you've probably seen the headlines. Mortgage rates ticking up. The Iran conflict adding uncertainty to the economy. Spring buying season off to a rocky start nationally. And I'll be honest — Ken and I are watching all of it, too.

But here's the thing. We're not panicking. And we don't think you should either — especially if you're considering building or buying in the Charlotte metro area.

Let me tell you what we're actually seeing on the ground in Fort Mill, SC.

Yes, Rates Moved. Here's the Context.

A few weeks ago, we were all celebrating mortgage rates dipping below 6% for the first time in years. That felt good. And then the situation in Iran pushed oil prices up, which spooked the bond market, and rates climbed back into the low 6% range — right around 6.2% as of this week.

Is that ideal? No. But let me put it in perspective. A year ago, rates were closer to 6.75%. Two years ago, we were staring down 7%. Where we are right now? It's still a better borrowing environment than most of the last three years.

And if you're building a custom home — which is what Ken and I help families do every day through The Vining Group at eXp Realty and our partnership with OZ Custom Homes — your timeline actually works in your favor. A custom build takes 10 to 14 months. By the time you're closing, the rate environment could look completely different.

Plus, there are smart financing strategies that a lot of buyers don't even know about. We just wrote a whole post about why the 7/1 adjustable-rate mortgage might be one of the best-kept secrets in custom home building right now. If you're planning to build, it's worth a read.

What We're Telling Our Clients Right Now

Here's the reality: there's always something. Tariffs, elections, global conflict, inflation, a pandemic — there's always a reason to wait. Ken and I have been through enough market cycles to know that the people who build wealth in real estate are the ones who make smart moves in uncertain times, not the ones who sit on the sidelines waiting for a perfect moment that never comes.

That doesn't mean we're telling people to rush. That's not how we work. What we are saying is this — if you've been planning, saving, and researching, don't let a headline derail a decision that's been building for months or years.

The fundamentals haven't changed. Your family still needs the right home. Your timeline still matters. And the numbers still work — we just need to run them together so you can see it clearly.

Charlotte Isn't Slowing Down

Here's what the national headlines don't capture: Charlotte and the surrounding areas — Fort Mill, Indian Land, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie — are still one of the most sought-after places to relocate in the country. People are still moving here from the Northeast, the Midwest, Florida, California. That hasn't stopped.

The reasons are the same ones they've always been. Lower cost of living compared to where they're coming from. No state income tax in South Carolina. Incredible schools in the Fort Mill School District. Access to Lake Wylie and all the outdoor lifestyle that comes with it. And a quality of life that's hard to beat.

Nationally, inventory is sitting longer. But in our market? We're still seeing well-priced homes and quality new construction move. The demand is real — it's just more informed now. Buyers are doing their homework, and they're looking for value and expertise, not just a transaction.

Why This Is Actually a Great Time to Start a Custom Build

I know that might sound counterintuitive with everything going on. But here's what Ken and I have been seeing on the construction side working with Scott NeSmith and the OZ Custom Homes team:

Subcontractors aren't as slammed as they were 18 months ago. Lead times on windows, cabinetry, and specialty materials have improved. And builders who know what they're doing — builders who've been doing this for decades, not just since the pandemic boom — are running tighter, more efficient projects.

When you build during a time when the market isn't in a frenzy, you actually get better attention from your trades, more flexibility in your timeline, and less pressure to make rushed decisions. That's a real advantage.

Over in our Wisteria Meadows community in Fort Mill, we're building custom homes on one-acre lots — and the families choosing to build right now aren't stressed about mortgage rate headlines. They're focused on getting the home they actually want, in the location they've chosen, with a team that understands every dollar of the build. That's what matters.

The Bottom Line

The world is noisy right now. We get it. But Charlotte is still Charlotte. Fort Mill is still one of the best places to raise a family in the Carolinas. And building a custom home is still one of the smartest investments you can make — when you do it with the right team.

Ken and I talk about this all the time. We were $55,000 in debt not that long ago. Real estate — buying smart, building smart, and helping others do the same — is what changed our family's trajectory. The market wasn't perfect when we started either. We just made informed decisions and kept moving forward.

If you're on the fence, we'd rather have a conversation now than have you wonder six months from now why you waited. No pressure. Just real numbers, real timelines, and honest advice from a team that's been on both sides of the closing table.

Questions We're Hearing Right Now

Should I wait to build a custom home in Fort Mill until mortgage rates drop?

We hear this one a lot. Here's what we tell people — a custom home build takes 10 to 14 months from breaking ground to move-in. If you start now, you're closing in early-to-mid 2027. Most forecasts expect rates to settle lower by then. And even if they don't move much, you can always refinance later — or explore smart loan structures like a 7/1 ARM that give you a lower rate upfront. You can't go back in time and get the lot you wanted or the builder availability you had today.

Is Charlotte still a good place to relocate in 2026?

Absolutely. Charlotte and the surrounding areas in South Carolina — Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Indian Land, Lake Wylie — continue to draw families and professionals from all over the country. The job market is strong, the schools are excellent, the tax situation is favorable, and the lifestyle is hard to match. That hasn't changed because of a few weeks of rate movement.

How do rising construction costs affect building a custom home right now?

Energy prices do impact material and transportation costs, and we're watching that closely. But here's the difference when you work with our team — I do the construction takeoffs myself. I know what every line item should cost. So when something shifts, we catch it early, adjust where we can, and make sure you're never blindsided. That's the advantage of working with a Realtor who also builds.

Kristin Vining is a licensed Realtor and custom home builder with The Vining Group at eXp Realty, partnered with OZ Custom Homes in Fort Mill, SC.
📧 kristin@teamvininggroup.com
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