CTAR’s Summer Conference emphasizes member collaboration; NAR gives market update
Speakers at the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®’s Summer Conference on Wednesday, Aug. 19, emphasized the importance of involvement and collaboration to create change in the local economy and strengthen property rights.
“Use your voice, get in the room, and help us change it,” said Stephen Kohn, president of the CTAR Board of Directors.
One of the biggest issues facing the Charleston region is first-time home buyers struggling to come into the market, which is being driven by factors such as high demand, affordability struggles, and high interest rates. According to polling in 2025, this has led Charleston residents to question whether their quality of life will ever improve.
Ryan Castle, CEO of CTAR, said the association is modernizing to rise to the occasion, listening to members and giving them the tools they need to navigate these times. He emphasized the importance of members getting involved in committees to strengthen the industry’s position and benefit local homeowners or buyers-to-be.
“Our biggest strength is the ingenuity of our members, our incredible staff, and the engagement of our volunteer leaders,” Castle said. “Our biggest challenge is keeping the pulse on local issues.”
Castle emphasized the importance of members supporting two initiatives that will appear on the ballot this fall: Yes for CHS and the Dorchester 2 and 4 school bond initiative. These campaigns will be supported with members’ investment in RPAC and its work.
Industry Trends
Dr. Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of REALTORS®, painted a portrait of the South Carolina real estate industry, showing a state that is over-performing nationally in home appreciation rates and population growth. She said retired Baby Boomers are the largest group of homeowners, and they are holding on to their properties longer. And if they sell their home, they are not downsizing.
This, Lautz said, is one of the contributing factors to the second-largest group’s struggles to enter the market. She said the median age of a first-time homebuyer is in their early 40s.
“Millenials want ownership, but they are struggling to get there,” she said. “They are waiting in the pipeline.”
In addition to inventory, Lautz also counted lack of affordability, high rent costs, student loan debt, and the rising cost of childcare as contributing factors to Millenials struggling to come into the market.
She said to watch out for Gen Z investors. Making up 4% of first-time home buyers, she said this generation is more financially savvy than their counterparts, having lower student debt and buying when they’re single instead of waiting to be partnered.
Lautz said association members can see up-to-date information from the NAR by visiting their Metro Markets statistics dashboard.
She also invited feedback on ways NAR can be more helpful to members by emailing data@nar.realtors.
Association Involvement
In order to create the change members want to see, speakers emphasized the importance of getting involved. CTAR committees will open applications on Sept. 1, and those groups are:
- REALTORS® Housing Opportunities Fund (RHOF);
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion;
- Legislative;
- Candidate Screening;
- RPAC Fundraising;
- Broker-in-Charge Advisory Group; and
- Political Strategy.
To learn more, visit the CTAR Committee page. Members are also invited to attend RPAC’s Purple Party, which will be held at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Peacock, which is located at 213 E. Bay St., Charleston, SC 29401. Members can register online here.
Conference Resources
Download resources shared at the conference here: