Amid President Trump’s call to ban large investment firms from buying single-family homes, purchases by investors are the highest they’ve been in five years, according to a new report from BatchData.
The research company used data from The Investor Pulse Report, prepared with business intelligence firm CJ Patrick Company, to track growth trends in investor-owned properties. The data included purchases by small-scale and large investors.
Investor-led purchases made up 34% of all single-family residential sales in the third quarter of 2025, up 25.5% year over year and 1% from the second quarter.
Investors currently own 18% of 86 million single-family homes nationwide. One-third of these investor-owned properties are concentrated in just five states — Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.
North Carolina (25%), Georgia (19%), and Texas (18.2%) surpass the national average for investor ownership.
But, BatchData researchers point out, there may be more to this trend upon deeper inspection.
“Two seemingly incongruous trends continue to show themselves,” said BatchData Co-Founder and President Ivo Draginov in a press release “While the percentage of homes purchased by investors rose to a five-year high, the actual number of homes purchased was 23,000 fewer than a year ago. This suggests [that] the higher percentage is due to traditional homeowners retreating from the market rather than overly aggressive investor activity.”
Notably, small-scale firms own the largest share of investor-held single-family homes. Investors owning one to five properties make up 92% of all investor-owned single-family homes and those with six to 10 properties hold 4%. Investors with over 1,000 properties account for a 2% share.
From the front drive, this $10 million listing in Arkville, New York, looks like a typical colonial estate. But the property has a few secrets — including an enormous maze from architect Michael Ayrton.
The 1,680-foot-long maze, complete with bronze statues of Daedalus, Icarus and the Minotaur, isn’t the only treasure hidden among the property’s 280 acres. The grounds also feature a pool, horse barn and polo field, plus a grand eight-bedroom main residence.
The seller’s agents are Kathryn Johnson and Michelle Bergkamp of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, who call the property “pure Alice in Wonderland magic.”
Homebuilder confidence started the new year on a soft note, as buyers remained constrained by affordability issues despite mortgage rates hitting a three-year low.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes slid to 37 in January, down two points from December, the National Association of Home Builders reported, citing the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).
“While the upper end of the housing market is holding steady, affordability conditions are taking a toll on the lower and mid-range sectors,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a homebuilder and developer from Lexington, North Carolina. “Buyers are concerned about high home prices and mortgage rates, with downpayments particularly challenging given elevated price-to-income ratios.”
On a positive note, the average 30-year mortgage rate fell to 6.06% as of Jan. 15, its lowest rate in three years and almost 1% below the same period last year, NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said.
Most responses to the homebuilder survey were received before the announcement that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would purchase $200 billion of mortgage-backed securities in an effort to further trim borrowing costs, NAHB noted.
The HMI gauging future sales expectations fell three points to 49, while the component measuring current sales conditions fell one point to 41, and the index charting prospective-buyer traffic fell three points to 23.
“The future sales component of the HMI dipped below 50 for the first time since September, indicating that builders continue to face several issues that include labor and lot shortages as well as elevated regulatory and material costs,” Dietz said.
The survey also found that 40% of respondents reported cutting prices in January, the same level as December.This marks the thirdconsecutivemonth since May 2020 that the share has been 40% or higher, NAHB said. The average price reduction rose to 6% from 5% in December, while the use of sales incentives was 65%, the 10th consecutive month above 60%.
Regionally, the three-month averages for the HMI scores were mixed, with the Midwest flat at 43, the Northeast dropping two points to 45, the South sliding a point to 35, and the West rising one point to 35.
Each month, NAHB/Wells Fargo surveys builders, asking them to rate single-family home sales over the next six months as good, fair or poor. It also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective homebuyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores are then calculated, and any number above 50 indicates that more builders view market conditions as good/high than poor/low.
Realtors added 3,819 properties to the MLS during the week ending Jan. 12 — a 14.8% year-over-year bump, according to the Weekly Activity Snapshot from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.
Amid that surge in new listings, home sales decreased annually. Buyers closed on 1,053 properties during the week, down 8.3% from the same week in 2025. Pending sales also declined 13.4%, with 1,518 listings going under contract.
However, property showings increased, with 39,706 during the week, up 10.4% year over year. Open houses also increased 14%, with 8,763 held during the week.
Research showed a disproportionately high share of foreign-born workers active in the construction trades nationally in 2024. While immigrants made up one in five workers nationally, they composed one in three workers in the construction trades sector.
The highest percentage of foreign-born trade workers occurred in the seven metros that issued at least 150,000 building permits between 2019–2023. In these locations, immigrants composed 54% of the trades workforce.
In Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, which led the nation in homebuilding permits at 350,000, 61% of the workers in the trades had immigrated to the country.
Metros with slower housing growth still had disproportionately high shares of immigrants active in the trades. On average, metros that issued 75,000–149,999 permits had a 40% share of foreign-born trade workers, while those with fewer than 75,000 permits had a 22% share.
When categorized by specialty, foreign-born tradespeople most commonly worked as construction laborers or carpenters in 2024. They composed three-fifths of all plasterers and drywall installers in 2024 and half of all roofers, painters and carpet, tile and floor installers.
With foreign-born workers playing such an outsized role in housing production and homebuilding, negative immigration trends could signal danger for the market, according to experts.
“There is a disproportionately high share of foreign-born workers in the construction trades nationally and that share is even higher in these communities,” said Harvard Senior Research Analyst Riordan Frost. “The recent slowdown in immigration will limit foreign-born labor for the trades, however, potentially worsening chronic labor shortages and constraining the ability to build and remodel housing.”
Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman is leaving the company after 20 years, effective Jan. 16.
In an email to employees with the subject line, “Unemployed, In Greenland,” Kelman said the time had come for him to leave after the company completed its integration with Rocket Companies, which acquired the online brokerage for $1.75 billion last year.
“We’ll start the second, much-longer phase at next week’s all-company meeting, which is much-greater scale. Approaching that, I had to decide whether to be at Rocket for years,” Kelman wrote. “Instead, I want to try finding another mission-driven enterprise outside of real estate.”
After Kelman’s departure, Rocket CEO Varun Krishna will take over running Redfin until a successor is found. Kelman said he would remain in an advisory capacity through April 1.
President Trump’s pledge to ban large investment firms from buying single-family homes dinged the stock prices of some of the biggest institutional landlords, but the impact it would have on the housing affordability crisis is debatable.
Observers noted that major investors like Blackstone, Invitations Homes and American Homes 4 Rent own only about 1% of the single-family homes in the United States, and their holdings are concentrated in the South and Sunbelt, so the impact on overall U.S. home prices would vary widely by geography. Additionally, in the markets with relatively high concentrations of institutional ownership, home prices are already declining.
“The administration’s proposed ban on large institutional investors buying single-family homes aims to curb Wall Street’s role in housing, but evidence shows little connection between institutional ownership and affordability,” Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of property appraisal firm Miller Samuel, wrote in his HousingNotes blog.
“Their holdings are concentrated mostly in the South and Sunbelt, where inventory is relatively high and home prices have actually fallen, undermining claims that these investors drive housing costs higher. With most investor-owned homes held by small, local landlords, the proposed restriction is unlikely to meaningfully improve affordability or housing supply.”
Nevertheless, others expressed optimism that a ban would indeed have an impact in markets with high levels of institutional ownership.
“Because the Dallas–Fort Worth market has long been a hotspot for institutional ownership, any new restrictions from the Trump administration would likely be felt here sooner and more acutely than in markets with lower investor activity,” said Todd Luong of REMAX DFW Associates. “In many price ranges, especially entry-level and mid-priced homes, buyers have been competing against all-cash offers from large investment groups. Reducing that competition could give local buyers a better chance to secure a home with less pressure and more favorable pricing.”
Details about the ban have been scarce, and many questions remain. In a post on his Truth Social site announcing the proposed ban, Trump said, “I am immediately taking steps to ban large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes, and I will be calling on Congress to codify it. People live in homes, not corporations.”
He added that he would provide more information on the proposal when he speaks at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in two weeks.
In a subsequent post, Trump said he would instruct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to use a purported $200 million in cash holdings to purchase mortgage bonds to bring mortgage rates down.
Timing of that proposal is everything, according to Victor Kuznetsov, managing director and co-founder of Imperial Fund Asset Management.
“In the short term, expect mortgage rates to level tighter than 2025 averages, but investment bank researchers tend to agree that most of these [mortgage-backed security] purchases have already been priced into rates, so the timing of the [government-sponsored enterprises’] MBS purchases will be important,” Kuznetsov said. “Will the GSEs purchase $200 [billion] over 2026’s calendar year, spreading out the tightening effects over a full year? Details on deployment timing have been sparse so far.”
According to the housing blog ResiClub, the most significant questions about the ban include:
What constitutes an “institutional investor”?
Would the investors be required to sell existing properties, or would they just be prohibited from purchasing additional ones?
Would the ban apply to existing properties scattered throughout a market, or also to build-to-rent development?
What would happen to existing tenants if the owners were forced to sell their homes?
In the end, industry observers agree that the ban would have a limited effect on overall housing affordability, and the key to bringing down costs is by increasing inventory.
“The first thing to do is build more housing starting now,” Miller said.
Anne Hartnett Hi, I’m Anne Hartnett with Agent Publishing. Today we’re taking a closer look at what the 2026 housing market may actually look like based on the latest forecasts coming from across the industry. I’m joined today by Matthew Gardner, chief economist at Gardner Economics, to break down where those predictions align, where they differ, and what they really mean to real estate professionals heading into 2026. Thanks for joining me today, Matthew.
Matthew Gardner You are welcome, and good to see you again.
Hartnett Almost every forecast agrees more homes will sell in 2026. The disagreement isn’t if — it’s how fast. What’s driving that range of optimism and what ultimately determines how quickly transaction volumes will actually return?
Gardner That’s a great question, and to be honest with you, it couldn’t really get any worse. The last couple of years, sales have been really remarkably, remarkably low. So why are we going to see a change in that? Well, there’s a couple of reasons, one of which is I expect to see inventory levels rise a bit more. Therefore, there’s going to be more choice in the marketplace. That obviously is a good thing. But more importantly, I think, is that I expect that home sellers, they’re going to start becoming a little bit more, shall we say, realistic when it comes to the value of their homes. So if you start seeing some lower asking prices, well, naturally you can have home buyers or potential buyers watching, and I think we’re going to see increased sales because of that. But I also see there’s one other driver that no one’s really talking about. And that is going to come in the form of who I call “fence sitters.” Now, these are would-be buyers, and they’ve been waiting on the sidelines. And quite frankly, they’ve been waiting for one thing to happen, and that’s a housing market that’s going to collapse, and therefore they could pick up a home remarkably cheaply. Well, I think they’re now saying, well, maybe they know that’s not going to happen and the market’s not going to implode. And because of that I think they’re going to start getting more active in the marketplace as well. So when you combine greater inventory but more importantly greater demand, that means I expect to see a decent but not huge jump in the number of sales in 2026 over 2025 levels.
Hartnett The industry agrees prices will hold, not surge, signaling balance, not distress. Is 2026 the year we finally stop talking about price acceleration and start talking about price normalization?
Gardner I’m not sure that 2026 will be best described as balanced. Because I think there’s going to be plenty of markets where affordability is still going to be a very significant issue. And there are also others where we haven’t seen price drops, quite frankly, bottom out. That said, I certainly see prices being able to rise nationally a little bit more. Yes, it’ll be somewhat modest growth, and the reasons for that are going to be somewhat similar for the reasons that I expect sales to increase. Greater confidence in the marketplace will be one. We’re also seeing modestly lower borrowing costs and improving affordability in certain markets, but mainly it’ll be improving affordability because asking prices are quite likely to pull back a little bit further. And price growth also, it will go up a bit nationally, but it’s going to vary fairly significantly by region. And I expect that home prices in the Midwest, which is classically more affordable than the rest of the country, I think they can raise quite nicely, but they’ll be very modest gains in the northeast and in the south, while out west, where prices actually declined in 2025, I see them turning modestly positive in 2026. So the bottom line here, as far as I see it, is that incomes will be rising, likely a little bit faster than home prices. That’s good for affordability, but I think it’s going to take several years of this trend of very low price growth and far higher wage growth. Before we can say that the market is even close to being normal. I just don’t see that happening for quite some time. And because of that, I think it’s still going to be a fairly hard environment for all those would-be first-time buyers out there.
Hartnett Most organizations are predicting rates in the low- to mid-6% range. Matthew, you predict the lowest rate of 5.9% by Q4 2026. What’s driving that outlook and what would need to happen for rates to move meaningfully lower or higher?
Gardner Well, the primary reason that I think the rates can drop from where they are today is that although I don’t see bond yields moving much, and as we all know, mortgage rates are based on the yield on ten-year treasuries. But what we have seen is the spread between ten-year paper and mortgage rates tighten and really kind of start heading back closer to the historic average the spread was between them — that 1.8%, 1.9%. So what that means is we could actually see bond yields not move very much at all. But mortgage rates can come down if that spread continues to narrow. So yes, I think that we could likely — not guaranteed — possibly getting just marginally below 6% by the end of 2026. Now, what it would take to move significantly below that? Well, I mean, I’d be careful what I wish for. And the reason I say that is that if rates are going to drop down or could drop down into, let’s say, the mid- or low-fives, well, it would likely mean we are already in a very significant economic contraction, AKA a recession. So be careful what you wish for. On the other side of the equation, rates moving palpably higher — I really don’t see any reason for that to happen. It certainly could, and it would have to be because yields on treasuries have jumped, and that would only come from one reason and one reason alone. And that is a lack of belief in U.S. debt. I’m hopeful that that will not be the case. So because of all these factors, yes, I think modestly lower rates. Yes, I think we can get into the high fives. But I certainly do not expect rates to move significantly higher from where they are today.
Hartnett NAR stands out with a forecast of 14% sales growth, roughly double what many portals and economists are predicting. Why is NAR so much more optimistic on transaction volume, and do you think that optimism is warranted?
Hartnett Oh, I do like Laurence [Yun], however, and I say that chief economist, a nice guy. But, I really, quite frankly, don’t share his optimism. Now, it is interesting, though. I mean, most of us are looking in that 2% to 4% growth. I’m a bit more bullish than that, but no one’s in double digits. Now reading what he has put out, what NAR’s published, is that he’s looking at, quite frankly, the same reasons that I see sales able to rise in 2026: falling mortgage rates and higher inventory levels unlocking, in his opinion, pent-up buyer demand. But I mean, a 14% increase means to me that — rough math — we’d have to see sales transactions jump by close to 600,000 units. I admire his enthusiasm and his optimism, but I quite frankly don’t see any reason that would happen other than a very, very significant downturn in overall prices or in mortgage rates. And because I don’t expect to see that occurring, I think he’s a bit optimistic. But you know what — and as always — time will tell.
Hartnett Most forecasters offer fairly tight ranges for mortgage rates, but Compass predicted a wide band, from roughly 5.9% to 6.9%. Does that reflect increased caution, or simply a more realistic view of volatility?
Garder Well, I mean that obviously a very significant range that they’ve put out there, and I think that their position, and certainly I don’t want to talk for them, is that they’re offering really two scenarios: a bullish scenario, whereby we could see, mortgage rates drop down below 6%, or a bearish one, meaning that we could say rates jump up to, I think they said 6.9%. And they did the same thing with sales, which they forecast being somewhere from sales falling by 3.6% or rising by 4.6%. I think that what they’re looking at as far as mortgage rates go is that they’re looking at ten year treasuries, which is appropriate. They’re saying that could range from 4% to 4.8%. Therefore that means that mortgage rates will come in at that 5.9% to 6.9%. But they do give a single number, which is in essence the average of the two, so really they’re saying 6.4%, but at a very wide average. Now, if the economy slows as we talked about, are we heading to a recession? Certainly. Rates can drop because we will see a big move out of people moving money out of equities and into fixed income, into bonds. That means the bond price goes up and the yield comes down. So that could happen, but if rates are rising under that scenario that he’s suggesting, is that we could see potentially if the market is going to be better, or the economy is going to be better, meaning we’re seeing more robust employment growth but also we’re seeing inflation moving potentially back up from where it is today. Well, that means likely the Fed would start to jump in. They would possibly look to increase the Fed funds rate. And as much as the Federal Reserve do not control interest rates, they can certainly have a — they can form a direction for them. They can impact them to a degree. So I think that that is a big range, certainly, but I’m looking at it on both sides of the coin, right? Good market or a bad market. But I wouldn’t say that it is more realistic, because I do not expect to see a lot of volatility in rates in 2026. In fact, in 2025, we saw the lowest volatility levels, as in, the annual high and low of rates, we’ve seen in many years. So less volatile. I think they’re just looking at, it could be this, but it could be that.
Hartnett Matthew, your optimistic forecast combines three things we don’t often see together: rising sales, improving affordability and moderate price growth. What makes that combination possible in 2026, and what would need to go wrong for that outlook to change?
Gardner Well, yes, I certainly, when it comes to the U.S. housing market I am, for want of a better word, a glass-half-full economist. Well, I mean, as we discussed, my forecasts, other than for rates to fall a bit more than others expect, I’m not really far adrift from the consensus. Sales in 2023 and 2024 weren’t only disappointing, but they were well below the average levels we’ve seen from, you know, a 20 year period from 1989 to 2019. Sales over the last two years were below the number that we saw during the financial crisis. So can we get better? Well, it’s very hard to get worse. But the biggest thing is that the big numbers, the huge levels of sales we saw in 2020, certainly in 2021, that pulled a lot of demand forward. And of course, rates jumped in 2022, which, when you think about it, if you’ve got less demand because people had already bought, you’ve also seen mortgage rates doubling, that’s going to slow the market down even further. That caused a drag on sales. I think we’re over that now and we’re starting or continuing to create new households again. I think we’ve got a market out there that is now saying, well, I was hoping for rates to drop back down to 5 or 4% again. I know that’s not going to happen. Therefore, I’m going to buy now because for a lot of people, quite frankly, even if we see a very modest increase in sale prices, there’s going to be a share of people that if they don’t buy now, they won’t be able to afford to buy later on. So I think there’s going to be better demand. So we can see rising sales because of better demand. Moderate price growth — well, we can see modest price growth even though there are some issues with affordability, because the affordability concern comes very much — and it’s very much centered around — first-time buyers. You see, for us that have owned our homes for a reasonable length of time, we’ve made a bunch of money on it and affordability is less of an issue. But the affordability improving can come from lower asking prices. So I think you can actually see sales rising, modest price growth and affordability improving. But again, it’s going to be very much geographically defined. But those things can happen, and I believe that they will.
What would need to go wrong for my outlook to change? Yes, it would have to be rates for some reason or other jumping up. I find that remarkably unlikely. I don’t think that would happen. Price growth jumping to a point whereby affordability declines further? I don’t see that happening either. So I think all in all, modest improvement across the board is one that is the most likely scenario. But of course, who knows what might come around the corner. Certainly, I think that comments being made by the administration could have an impact on the equity markets and on the global markets as well, so not sure about that. We’ve obviously got a new fed chair coming in. We don’t know who it is, although I’ve got a pretty good guess. And so there’s going to be some concerns there as to whether the Fed will continue to be independent. That can have an issue on financial markets as well. So there are some geopolitical potential hiccups out there, but but in general, I believe that as long as we do not head into any form of major economic downturn, slow and steady is the way.
Hartnett All right Matthew, to wrap this up, if you had to describe the 2026 housing market in one word, what would it be and why?
Gardner I would say clarity. Yes, clarity. And why would I say that? I think that there’s a lot of uncertainty, really, quite frankly, going through Covid, coming out of Covid. We weren’t sure what was going to be happening. We saw rates plummet. Wonderful. But then they skyrocketed. Not good. People out there saying, isn’t this 2008 all over again? So I think that, yeah, I think that the market will be less opaque, in 2026. We’ll see some more clarity. And again, for people understanding the fact that for 98% of us, buying a home is the most expensive thing we ever buy in our lives, but if we’re making that decision, we want to be sure about it. So I think we’ll see more clarity and clarity will allow, I believe, prices to rise, transactions to rise. Not to the levels that I’m sure brokers would like, but they will be better in 2026 than 2025 because there will be, from a buyer’s perspective and indeed from a seller’s perspective, more clarity in the U.S. housing market.
Hartnett All right, Matthew, thanks for breaking this down. And for all our sakes, fingers crossed that your predictions, your optimistic predictions, come true.
Gardner I’m always helpful — hopeful, as well as helpful. But I appreciate that, Anne, and everyone out there have a great new year. Take care.
Compass, Inc. and Anywhere Real Estate Inc. have officially completed their all-stock merger and will now operate as Compass International Holdings (CIH), led by chairman and CEO Robert Reffkin.
In an open letter to real estate professionals, affiliate partners and employees, Reffkin described the merger as the start of an “exciting new chapter” for the industry. He framed the combined company as one “built by real estate professionals, for real estate professionals.”
Reffkin emphasized the focus on supporting agents and affiliate broker-owners with tools, technology and services to help them save time, grow their business and better serve clients. He stated that the combination is not merely a transaction but a union of respected brands and professionals working together on a single, modern technology platform, the Agent Operating System.
Each brand within the merged company is set to continue operating independently, preserving its identity while leveraging the combined platform’s capabilities. The network will feature brokerage-led sites founded on the principle of “your listing, your lead.”
Reffkin stated that real estate professionals and their sellers will continue to have the freedom to choose how their listings are marketed and sold and that Compass International Holdings will not mandate or require the use of Private Exclusives.
The new Compass International Holdings unites approximately 340,000 real estate professionals and affiliate broker-owners operating in every major U.S. city and across 120 countries and territories. Reffkin emphasized that this extensive network enhances both local expertise and global reach for agents and clients alike.
Reffkin’s letter outlines several commitments for the merged company, including:
Preserving the distinct identities of major brands such as @properties, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, Christie’s International Real Estate, Coldwell Banker, Compass, Corcoran, ERA, and Sotheby’s International Realty.
Making the unified technology platform available to company-owned brokerages and affiliates, allowing them to choose the tools that best support their businesses and clients.
Ensuring that real estate professionals retain control of their data and client relationships, including the ability to take their client database and communications with them.
On Jan. 7, stockholders of both Compass, Inc. and Anywhere Real Estate Inc. overwhelmingly approved all proposals tied to the companies’ $1.6 billion merger.
During the time period from November 2024 to October 2025, buyers in the Lone Star State purchased 14,418 homes priced $1 million or higher, marking a 12% year-over-year increase. That volume set a new record-setting for the state — as did the $24.5 billion dollar value associated with those sales.
Furthermore, despite only making up 4.3% of statewide sales in 2025, $1 million-plus homes made up 17.2% of the state’s total dollar volume.
“High-end homes continue to be a small but mighty segment of the market,” Jennifer Wauhob, chairman of Texas REALTORS®, said in a press release. “Texans remain confident in the value of these properties, whether they are drawn to outstanding amenities, prime locations or both.”
Million-dollar home sales increased by at least 10% in all four of Texas’s major metros, with the highest annual jump of 18% seen in Houston. Nearly 90% of all $1 million-plus sales occurred in those four metros, with Dallas-Fort Worth representing the largest share at 38%, followed by Houston at 27%, Austin at 19% and San Antonio at 5% (the rest of the state made up just 11%).
The median closing price for $1 million-plus homes was $1,370,000, with the highest median of $1,421,560 seen in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, followed by Houston at $1,385,000. The typical $1 million-plus home closed for 93% of its original list price — slightly higher in Houston, where the close-to-list price ratio was 94%.
Statewide, the price-per-square foot increased from $418 to $423 — more than double the Texas average of $188 per square foot.
Closed home sales rose 2.1% year over year during the week ending Jan. 5, according to the Weekly Activity Snapshot from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.
Buyers purchased 1,440 homes, up from 1,410 during the same week in 2025. Pending sales, however, declined 6.7% year over year, with 1,261 homes going under contract.
Meanwhile, Realtors added 2,524 new properties to the MLS, a 5.6% year-over-year decrease.
Based on total new-home sales closed last year, the community from Land Tejas and Starwood Land ranked No. 5 in the United States, with 1,024 sales. Although that figure was down 23% from 2024, it still made Sunterra the top-selling Houston-area MPC — a title it’s held since sales began in 2022.
Also in Katy, the Tamarron community from D.R. Horton ranked No. 9 with 974 sales, up 32% year over year, edging out Bridgeland as Houston’s second-ranked MPC. The Howard Hughes community, meanwhile, ranked No. 11 with 812 sales, down 13% year over year.
Other Houston MPCs in the top 50 were Anniston (No. 12) from Friendswood Development in Katy, with 775 sales; The Grand Prairie (No. 17) from EMBER in Hockley, with 639 sales; Meridiana (No. 24) from Rise Communities in Rosharon, with 527 sales; Sienna (No. 38) from Johnson Development and Toll Brothers in Missouri City, with 432 sales; Elyson (No. 41) from Brookfriend Properties in Katy, with 413 sales; Lago Mar (No. 46) from Land Tejas and Starwood Land in Texas City, with 380 sales; and Jordan Ranch (No. 50) from Johnson Development in Fulshear, with 361 sales.
Imagination Homes broke ground on a model at Meridiana, a master-planned community located south of Pearland in Marvel.
The builder’s offerings at Meridiana will range from 1,412 to 2,842 square feet with three to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and two-car garages, with flex space options available.
The model, plus a slate of move-in-ready homes, will likely be completed in February.
“Bringing Imagination Homes to Meridiana expands our ability to welcome more families into the community,” Matt Lawson, president of Meridiana’s developer, Rise Communities, said in a press release. “We’ve always envisioned Meridiana as a place where buyers at every stage of life can find the right home, and the Imagination collection strengthens that promise.”
Community amenities include a pool, wave pool, tidal river, fitness center, pavilion and food truck park. Plans also feature an upcoming 18-hole mini golf course and an event lawn.
Compass and Anywhere Real Estate are one step closer to becoming a single company. Stockholders of both Compass, Inc. and Anywhere Real Estate Inc. have overwhelmingly approved all proposals tied to the companies’ previously announced merger, signaling strong investor support for the $1.6 billion deal. With the required votes now secured, the transaction is expected to close on Jan. 9, 2026, pending the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
As previously reported by Chicago Agent magazine, the deal brings Anywhere’s portfolio of well-known brands, including Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, Corcoran, ERA, Guaranteed Rate Affinity and Sotheby’s International Realty under the Compass umbrella.
Compass said the transaction will unite its roughly 40,000 agents with Anywhere’s 300,000 agents in a single network, broadening agent-to-agent referral opportunities and combining Compass’ technology with Anywhere’s title and escrow, mortgag and relocation services. The combined footprint will cover all 50 states, nearly every major U.S. market and 120 countries and territories worldwide.
“We are pleased with the strong support from our and Anywhere’s stockholders in approving this transaction,” said Robert Reffkin, founder and chief executive officer of Compass. “Today’s outcome reflects confidence in our shared vision to empower real estate professionals with everything they need to grow their business and better serve their clients.”
At Compass’ special meeting, about 99% of votes cast approved issuing Class A shares to Anywhere stockholders as part of the merger. At Anywhere’s meeting, roughly 72.4% of outstanding shares voted in favor of adopting the merger agreement.
The man worked at the business, said Doug Barfield, a sheriff’s office spokesman. The business was closed over the past weekend so it remains unclear how long he had been dead before he was found by a person who drove into the back parking lot to visit the business, according to officials.
No arrests have been made.
Even though the homicide investigation remains ongoing and very little information has been released, Sheriff Barry Faile said deputies “do not believe there is any ongoing danger to the residents or businesses in the area.”
The area is one of the fastest growing parts of the Rock Hill and Charlotte region. It is east of Fort Mill off S.C. 160 and west of U.S. 521, and south of Ballantyne.
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Andrew Dys covers breaking news and public safety for The Herald, where he has been a reporter and columnist since 2000. He has won 51 South Carolina Press Association awards for his coverage of crime, race, justice, and people. He is author of the book “Slice of Dys” and his work is in the U.S. Library of Congress.
The body of a missing North Carolina man was recently found in South Carolina and two people have been arrested, according to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office.
On Nov. 20, the body of 33-year-old Mocksville, North Carolina, resident Jonathan Charles Shores was found in a wooded area near Newberry Road, the Fairfield County Coroner’s Office said. That’s in a part of Winnsboro between I-26 and I-77, and it’s about 130 miles from Mocksville, which is in Davidson County, North Carolina.
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office said it was working with members of the Davidson County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Office to find Shores, who was believed to have been shot and killed Nov. 9 — in Lexington, N.C. His remains were left by two people driving through South Carolina, before they continued on to Georgia, according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
It appears that South Carolina’s only connection to Shores’ death is that it was where his body was dumped by 26-year-old Jose Guadalupe Lopez and his 31-year-old girlfriend Brennan Summer Alexander, Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery said in a news release.
Lopez is accused of shooting Shores then leaving North Carolina in the victim’s vehicle, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said. Alexander joined Lopez in the car, and neither of them provided aid to the victim nor reported the shooting to law enforcement, according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
There was no word on a motive for the shooting, or what, if any, connection Shores had to Lopez or Alexander prior to the gunfire.
Lopez was taken into custody in Richmond County, Georgia, where he’s being held until extradition back to North Carolina will be arranged, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office said. Lopez, a convicted felon, was taken into custody Nov. 10 in Georgia on a possession of a firearm by a felon charge, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said. At that time, Shores had not yet been reported missing, and deputies released the vehicle to Alexander.
On Nov. 11, Shores was reported missing in Davidson County by his family, the coroner’s office said.
That was the same day that Alexander was arrested in Columbia County, Georgia, by members of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for a hit-and-run collision while driving Shores’ vehicle, according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies noted that the vehicle was associated with an active missing person investigation, and a possible bullet hole and biological evidence were discovered inside the vehicle, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office seized the vehicle and Alexander was booked into the Columbia County Jail, according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
In North Carolina, Lopez is facing a first-degree murder charge in addition to counts of conceal/fail to report death, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and two counts of felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, law enforcement said.
Alexander will be charged with accessory after the fact in multiple counts in North Carolina, according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. Like Lopez, Alexander is waiting to be extradited back to North Carolina.
Based on evidence and investigative work, detectives developed a timeline that placed Lopez and Alexander along with the victim’s body traveling through Fairfield County during the early morning hours of Nov. 10, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office said. That’s when their counterparts from Davidson County asked the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office for help in searching areas of interest in South Carolina.
A canvas of local camera systems and their surveillance footage corroborated Davidson County’s timeline of movements in the Winnsboro area on Nov. 10.
Despite the arrests, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said it’s continuing to investigate the shooting, along with the Fairfield County Coroner’s Office.
“Partnerships and thorough forensic and digital investigative work were essential in locating Mr. Shores and advancing this investigation,” Davidson County Sheriff Richie Simmons said in a news release.
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
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Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription
Linda Greenberg of Fort Mill and Charleston looked at the fuzzy gray pajama pants her daughter Lauren Clark contemplated buying and said, “Those are cute!”
The mother-daughter duo already had a shopping cart full of items at the Indian Land Target. Clark also had a few outfits for her little girl, who was standing nearby in a mermaid costume.
The new 149,000-square-foot Target — well above the companywide average of 125,000 square feet — opened Oct. 12. The Indian Land location is the second one in the Rock Hill region, with the other located at Manchester Village.
Other stores are in Charlotte and include locations in Pineville, Stonecrest and Steele Creek.
This store will employ about 170 people. The company’s starting wages range from $15 to $24 an hour. The location has a CVS pharmacy and Starbucks, along with a drive-up pickup, same-day delivery or next-day delivery throughout Indian Land.
“It’s exciting and inviting and a great location,” Greenberg said. “I think it’s everything you’d want in the Target and then some.”
Tyler Smith and Jenna Forminio browse in the toy section Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the new Target in Indian Land. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Around the corner, Jenna Forminio picked up a large stuffed animal and said, “I want this one.”
The Charlotte resident was picking out decor for her dorm room at Appalachian State University. The college student said she usually shops at the Ballantyne store nearby.
“It’s really nice, modern, new and clean,” Forminio said about the Indian Land store.
A few aisles over, another mother-daughter duo perused baby necessities for Madison Wilburn, who is pregnant.
“I think this is something you’ll need,” said Amy Bocholis, Wilburn’s mother, who was looking at pacifiers. She then picked up a Boppy pillow.
The grandmother-to-be said she can go to the Blakeney store in Charlotte or the Rock Hill store, but the new Indian Land Target is more convenient.
“I’m so glad that it’s here in this area,” said Bocholis, who has already been to the store a few times. “It’s meeting a need that we really needed in Fort Mill.”
About Target
Target is among the nation’s largest retailers. The Minnesota company has almost 2,000 locations, The Herald previously reported. The company lists 33 more planned stores, including four in the Carolinas.
This fall, Target expects to open seven stores throughout the U.S. The retailer plans to open 300 stores over the next decade, according to a statement on its website. Target employs more than 400,000 people across all 50 states.
Madison Wilburn shops for baby supplies Tuesday at the new Indian Land Target. The new store opened Oct. 12, 2025. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
The new stores are part of a hub model that combines shopping in its stores with fulfillment of online or delivery orders, it said.
The Indian Land store is located at 5345 Crossridge Blvd. and is open from 7 a.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends, closing daily at 10 p.m.
This story was originally published November 2, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
For the second time in October a person has died at an ATV park in South Carolina, according to the Fairfield County Coroner’s Office.
Larissa Cubas, a 28-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, died last weekend in what Coroner Chris Hill called an accident.
The crash happened Oct. 25 at Carolina Adventure World, Hill said Tuesday in a news release.
The wreck
Cubas was driving an ATV at the park when the vehicle rolled over and landed on her, according to the release.
The Charlotte woman was pinned underneath the ATV, the coroner’s office said. Although emergency medical crews responded to the ATV park and provided aid to Cubas, she died at the scene, the coroner’s office said.
No other injuries were reported.
The crash continues to be investigated by the coroner’s office. An autopsy has been scheduled to be performed in Newberry to determine a cause of death, Hill said.
Carolina Adventure World calls itself the “Southeast’s largest outdoor playground,” with more than 120 miles of off-road ATV, UTV and dirt bike trails. It’s in Winnsboro, about 40 miles north of Columbia.
Past victims
This is not the first death reported at Carolina Adventure World.
Earlier this month a 33-year-old Columbia man died in what the coroner’s office called an accident on a dirt bike trail. The man was driving an ATV when the vehicle crashed, according to the coroner’s office. Further information about the wreck was not available, but the man was taken from the ATV park by EMS then airlifted by helicopter to Prisma Health Richland hospital where he died.
In July 2022, 35-year-old Charlotte man died at the Midlands ATV park after the vehicle he was riding flipped over and landed on him, the coroner’s office said.
In February 2022, two South Carolina men were killed in a crash. A 32-year-old from Little River was driving an ATV with a 46-year-old from Longs on board as a passenger when they lost control and the ATV crashed through a gate and went down a 30-foot embankment, the coroner’s office said.
The ATV rolled over numerous times, ejecting both men who died at the scene, according to the coroner’s office.
In August 2021, a 22-year-old Charlotte man was a passenger on an ATV and died after he was thrown from the vehicle after the driver lost control, the coroner’s office said.
Another death was reported in 2020, when a 23-year-old Charlotte man was killed in collision. He was pinned under a vehicle after it flipped at the Midlands ATV park.
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
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Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription
“It’s crazy,” Henry Wright, a cook at Willie’s Bar and Grill, of an early Sunday shooting on October 12, 2025, at the bar that left four dead and many others wounded.
Karl Puckett
kapuckett@islandpacket.com
St. Helena Island
Four people were killed in a mass shooting at a St. Helena Island bar early Sunday morning as sounds of rapid gunfire sent patrons running for their lives.
At least 20 customers at Willie’s Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, were injured during the shooting, in addition to four people who were pronounced dead at the scene, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said.
Names of the victims were not immediately released pending the notification of family.
The entrance of Willie’s Bar and Grill Sunday morning, October 12, 2025. Karl Puckett Island Packet kapuckett@islandpacket.com
Authorities received multiple reports of a shooting just before 1 a.m.
Upon arriving, deputies found a large crowd, with several suffering from gunshot wounds. At the time of the shooting, the Sheriff’s Office said hundreds of people were at the bar, and multiple victims and witnesses ran to nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter.
Beaufort County EMS transported four victims to area hospitals in critical condition. At least 20 people were shot. Additional victims continued to arrive at the hospital on their own to be treated for injuries.
The Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that it is investigating “persons of interest” and asked the public to contact Investigator Master Sergeant Duncan at 843-255-3418 with information.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones.”
St. Helena community where the shooting took place
The shooting occurred in an area known locally as “Frogmore,” the commercial hub of St. Helena Island between Beaufort and Hunting Island State Park, which is known for shops, restaurants and the historic Penn Center. That site was the first school in the South for formerly enslaved people that today focuses on education, social, environment and cultural development.
At 10 a.m. Sunday, police tape was stretched between a power pole and a tree outside of the bar. The street sign in front of the bar advertised, “Willie’s, Great Times, Great Food, Great Service, Great Choice.”
Yellow police tape marks the location of a shooting at Willie’s Bar an Grill Sunday morning. Karl Puckett kapuckett@islandpacket.com
It was the second shooting at the location in recent memory. In November 2022 — when the bar was known as the Island Grill — two people were shot, but not killed after “rapid fire” gunshots rang out in the parking lot around closing time, according to previous reporting by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.
Four people were killed and multiple people injured in a shooting at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island early Sunday, October 12, 2025. Karl Puckett kapuckett@islandpacket.com
The cook heard the shooting
“It’s crazy, said Henry Wright, a cook at the bar who was present when gunfire erupted, as he stood in the parking lot at 10 a.m. Sunday.
“I heard a lot of shots,” said Wright.
Karl Puckett kapuckett@islandpacket.com
The shooting, he said, occurred outside the bar. It sent everybody inside running out the back door. One person who died was found at the bar’s front steps, he said. Two more victims who died fell on the ground in front of the establishment A fourth was found deceased by a tree on the property, he said.
One of the victims, Wright added, was a “little girl,” a teenager maybe around 17.
Robert Adams said he heard automatic gun fire “like a machine gun.” Adams is the executive director of Penn Center and lives on the property of the historic school located just up the road from the bar on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Yellow police tape marks the location of a shooting at Willie’s Bar an Grill Sunday morning. Karl Puckett kapuckett@islandpacket.com
Sunday morning, he was cleaning up trash in the park across the street from the bar. Trash and parking issues often arise during large events at Willie’s, he said.
“This has been attracting a lot of problems,” Adams said.
This is a developing story. Check back at islandpacket.com for more updates.
This story was originally published October 12, 2025 at 9:47 AM.
Karl Puckett covers the city of Beaufort, town of Port Royal and other communities north of the Broad River for The Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet. The Minnesota native also has worked at newspapers in his home state, Alaska, Wisconsin and Montana.
Evan is a breaking news reporter for The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. A Tennessee native and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he reports on crime and safety across Beaufort and Jasper counties. For tips or story ideas, email emckenna@islandpacket.com or call 843-321-8375.
You might be thinking about settling in a house in Charleston or an apartment in Savannah, two Southern gems known for their charm, history, and warm weather. Charleston offers a great culinary scene and coastal living, while Savannah provides affordable housing with its laid-back Southern charm. Whether you’re attracted to Charleston’s waterfront views or Savannah’s cobblestone squares, picking the right city can be challenging.
From real estate and affordability to lifestyle and culture, we’ll break down the differences in this article to help you decide which city fits your needs best.
Housing in Charleston vs Savannah
Charleston and Savannah each provide unique housing markets filled with historic charm and Southern beauty. Let’s dive into the differences in housing costs, styles, and options between these two cities.
Housing in Charleston
Charleston is known for its beautifully preserved historic homes, from grand antebellum mansions in South of Broad to quaint cottages in the French Quarter. The city offers a picturesque living environment, with many properties featuring classic Southern architecture and access to nearby beaches. Charleston’s growing popularity has led to higher home prices, particularly in prime locations close to the city center or along the water. While housing can be expensive, there are still affordable options in surrounding areas like North Charleston.
Housing in Savannah
Savannah’s real estate market offers a more affordable range of options compared to Charleston, with plenty of historic homes and newer developments. From the iconic squares and cobblestone streets of the Historic District to the quiet Savannah neighborhoods of Ardsley Park, Savannah provides a mix of Southern charm and affordable living. Homes in Savannah tend to be less expensive, especially for those willing to look outside of downtown, where larger lots and more space are available.
Cost of living in Charleston vs Savannah
The cost of living in Charleston is about 7% higher than in Savannah, with housing and lifestyle expenses being the primary factors that contribute to this difference.
1. Utilities
Utilities in Charleston are approximately 22% higher than in Savannah. The coastal climate in Charleston, with its hot summers and reliance on air conditioning, leads to higher electricity usage and costs. Savannah’s slightly more moderate climate helps keep utility expenses lower in comparison, as there is less reliance on cooling systems.
2. Groceries
Groceries in Charleston are about 1% less expensive than in Savannah. Despite Charleston’s growing population and the demand for imported goods driving up prices, it still manages to offer slightly more affordable grocery costs than Savannah, where prices can be higher due to regional supply and demand factors.
3. Transportation
Transportation costs in Charleston are 9% lower than in Savannah. Although both cities are largely car-dependent, Charleston’s developing infrastructure and limited public transit make transportation slightly more manageable and affordable than in Savannah, where options for getting around may be more limited and costly.
4. Healthcare
Healthcare in Charleston is about 28% less expensive than in Savannah. Charleston benefits from a variety of specialized medical facilities that drive up the overall cost of services, but Savannah, while offering quality healthcare, tends to have lower costs for routine services.
5. Lifestyle
Lifestyle expenses in Charleston are about 2% higher than in Savannah. Charleston’s focus on tourism, upscale dining, and shopping makes leisure activities slightly more expensive than in Savannah, where a more relaxed, budget-friendly lifestyle is the norm.
Charleston vs Savannah in size and population: Two Southern charmers
Charleston and Savannah, both known for their Southern charm and rich history, vary in size and population. Charleston covers around 127 square miles with a population of about 150,000, offering a spread-out coastal feel. Savannah, slightly smaller, spans roughly 108 square miles with a population of around 148,000, creating a similar small-city atmosphere. Both cities maintain a laid-back, picturesque vibe, but Charleston’s larger size gives it more of a coastal sprawl, while Savannah’s grid-like historic layout provides a cozy, walkable experience.
Weather and climate in Charleston vs Savannah
Charleston’s climate and Savannah’s climate share a similar subtropical weather, known for hot, humid summers and mild winters. Both cities enjoy long, warm seasons, with temperatures regularly climbing into the 90s in the summer, but Charleston’s coastal location makes it slightly more prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Savannah, also coastal, faces similar risks but tends to experience fewer direct hits from hurricanes. Winters are mild in both cities, with Charleston experiencing slightly cooler temperatures due to its more northern location, while Savannah enjoys warmer, more temperate winters.
The Job market in Charleston vs Savannah
Charleston: A growing tech and aerospace sector
Charleston’s job market is expanding, driven by sectors such as technology, aerospace, and tourism. The city has seen a rise in tech startups and a significant aerospace presence, with Boeing being one of the region’s largest employers. Charleston’s employment rate sits around 67%, with a median household income of approximately $95,000 and an average hourly wage of $28.29. Healthcare and manufacturing are also significant contributors to the job market, offering a range of opportunities. With its booming tourism industry, hospitality also plays a major role, providing seasonal and permanent employment for many residents.
Savannah: Tourism, manufacturing, and logistics hub
Savannah’s job market is largely influenced by tourism, manufacturing, and its vital logistics industry due to its major seaport. With an employment rate of about 60% and a median household income of $57,000, Savannah offers lower wages compared to Charleston, with an average hourly wage of $26.92. However, the cost of living is more affordable. Key employers include Gulfstream Aerospace in the manufacturing sector and the Port of Savannah, one of the busiest ports in the U.S., which drives a robust logistics industry. The tourism industry also contributes significantly to Savannah’s economy, attracting workers in hospitality, retail, and services.
Transportation in Charleston vs Savannah
Charleston: Car-dependent with growing transit options
Charleston remains largely car-dependent, with limited public transportation available through CARTA (Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority). However, the city is making strides in expanding its bus and shuttle services. Biking is becoming more popular, especially in downtown Charleston, where the historic layout and narrow streets create a more walkable environment.
Savannah: Car-friendly with walkable historic district
Savannah is also a car-dependent city, though its Historic District is highly walkable, making it easy to explore on foot. The Chatham Area Transit (CAT) provides bus services throughout the city, though the transit system is limited compared to larger cities. Biking is increasing in popularity, particularly along the scenic areas near the waterfront.
Travel in and out of Charleston vs Savannah
Both cities have international airports and access to regional travel, but their transportation hubs are smaller compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Charleston: Charleston International Airport, Greyhound, and Amtrak’s Palmetto route.
Savannah: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Amtrak’s Silver Star route, Greyhound, and regional CAT buses.
Lifestyle and things to do in Charleston and Savannah
A day in the life of a Charlestonian
Living in Charleston is all about coastal charm, historic elegance, and Southern hospitality. Mornings in Charleston often start with a cup of coffee while overlooking the harbor, followed by a leisurely stroll through the historic streets, lined with colorful houses and cobblestone alleys. Weekends are perfect for enjoying the city’s renowned food scene, with fresh seafood at local eateries or exploring farmers’ markets. Outdoor activities are a big part of life here, with residents enjoying kayaking, boating, and relaxing on nearby beaches like Sullivan’s Island or Folly Beach. Charleston’s rich history and laid-back pace make it a charming place to call home.
Top things to do in Charleston:
Google Street View of the Charleston City Market
Charleston parks and green spaces:
Google Street View of White Point Garden
Charleston tourist attractions:
Historic Downtown Charleston
Fort Sumter
The Battery
Rainbow Row
Middleton Place
A day in the life of a Savannahian
Savannah’s slower pace and historic charm make it a delightful city to live in. Mornings often start with a walk through Forsyth Park or along the picturesque squares, surrounded by oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The city’s rich history can be felt in every corner, from the beautifully preserved historic homes to the vibrant arts scene. Weekends are perfect for enjoying Savannah’s incredible food scene, including famous Southern cuisine and outdoor dining along the riverfront. Residents also take advantage of the nearby beaches on Tybee Island for a relaxing day by the water.
Top things to do in Savannah:
Google Street View of the Bonaventure Cemetery
Savannah parks and green spaces:
Google Street View of the Savannah Riverwalk
Savannah tourist attractions:
Forsyth Park
River Street
Bonaventure Cemetery
Tybee Island
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Food and culture in Charleston vs Savannah
Charleston: A coastal culinary delight
Charleston is known for its Lowcountry cuisine, with seafood playing a central role in dishes like shrimp and grits and she-crab soup. The city’s food scene offers a mix of traditional Southern comfort food and innovative dining experiences, with farm-to-table restaurants and fresh, local ingredients. The annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival celebrates the city’s culinary talent, attracting foodies from around the country. Charleston is also rich in culture, with its well-preserved architecture and historic charm. The city’s vibrant arts scene includes galleries, music venues, and theater performances, adding to Charleston’s allure as a cultural hub of the South.
Savannah: Southern charm on a plate
Savannah’s food culture is steeped in Southern traditions, with dishes like fried green tomatoes, collard greens, and pecan pie taking center stage. The city’s culinary scene combines classic Southern comfort with modern influences, offering a wide range of dining options, from historic restaurants in the heart of the city to cozy cafes along the riverfront. The annual Savannah Food and Wine Festival showcases the city’s vibrant food culture. Savannah is equally rich in arts and culture, with its historic squares, beautiful mansions, and lively art scene. The city’s art galleries, music venues, and historic theaters reflect its deep cultural heritage and love for the arts.
Charleston vs Savannah sports scene
Charleston: A growing sports hub
Charleston’s sports scene is growing, with the city hosting a mix of professional and collegiate teams. The Charleston Battery, a professional soccer team, is a local favorite, while the South Carolina Stingrays, a minor league hockey team, adds excitement for hockey fans. College sports, particularly football, are a big draw in the area, with fans supporting teams from nearby universities. While Charleston doesn’t have the major professional leagues seen in larger cities, its growing sports culture is gaining momentum, and the city’s love for outdoor activities, from boating to golf, adds to the active lifestyle.
Savannah: A focus on local and collegiate sports
Savannah’s sports scene centers around local and collegiate athletics. The Savannah Bananas, a collegiate summer baseball team, are a fan favorite, known for their unique and entertaining approach to the game. College football also has a strong following, with fans supporting teams from nearby universities. Savannah’s sporting culture may not be as vast as larger cities, but its charm lies in the local teams and the community events surrounding them. Outdoor activities, including golf and boating, are also popular, reflecting the city’s love for an active lifestyle.
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