Detached homes have long been the gold standard for homeownership, offering privacy, space, and room to grow. But in today’s market, affordability challenges and shifting buyer preferences have made attached homes, like townhouses and condos, more competitive than ever. In fact, attached products slightly outsold detached ones nationally in July 2025.
Still, detached homes remain highly sought-after, and certain markets – particularly in South Carolina – continue to lead the way in sales rates. According to NewHomeSource data, three out of the top five major markets for detached homes were in South Carolina as of July 2025.
Here’s a look at the top five markets for detached homes in summer 2025, and what the trends mean for buyers considering a move.
The strong numbers in these markets stand out against the national backdrop, where attached homes are increasingly competitive.
How Changing Market Trends Have Affected Townhome vs. Single-Family Sales
Detached homes have dominated sales for years, but the gap has steadily narrowed and, in recent months, even reversed. From 2019 through mid-2024, detached projects consistently outpaced attached. Since June 2024, attached sales have led only about half the time, and by July 2025, detached and attached home sales have evened out to 2.2 monthly sales nationally.
But detached homes remain strong in key metros – particularly where space is more accessible and demand for single-family living has held steady.
Why Attached Homes are Thriving
Differences in sales of various types of homes go beyond the neighborhood layout. They reflect broader shifts in the market and approach to ownership.
1. Changes to homebuyers’ wants and needs: Pandemic-era preferences for privacy have softened and first-time buyers in particular are more willing to consider shared walls.
2. Builder adaptation: High land and development costs have pushed builders toward more land-efficient attached products such as townhomes and condos, especially when monthly HOA costs remain reasonable. Townhomes tend to sell quickly as buyers grow more accepting of lifestyle trade-offs.
3. Policy alterations: Some markets have loosened zoning restrictions, allowing builders to construct more housing units than zoning normally permits.
Why Detached Homes Still Matter
Detached homes may no longer dominate nationally, but they remain a cornerstone of the market for several reasons:
Lifestyle fit: Detached homes provide more privacy, yards, and flexibility for families or buyers who value space.
Long-term investment: Historically, detached homes have appreciated more steadily, especially in high-demand regions.
Market resilience: Even as affordability challenges grow, detached homes continue to perform well in many top metros.
If you’re considering buying a detached home, here’s what to keep in mind:
Location is key: Detached demand varies widely by market. In places like Myrtle Beach and Columbia, buyers may face stiffer competition, while other regions may offer more options and incentives.
Affordability trade-offs: In high-cost metros, detached homes may stretch budgets. Buyers should weigh space and privacy against the affordability and convenience of attached options like townhomes.
Timing matters: With detached and attached sales now running neck-and-neck, buyers who prioritize a single-family lifestyle may want to act before competition heats up again in their market.
The Bottom Line
While national trends show attached homes gaining ground, detached homes remain highly desirable in South Carolina. For buyers, that means opportunity still exists to secure a single-family home, but being strategic about market choice, budget, and timing has never been more important.
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