Migration in the First Half of 2021

Dusty Rhodes • August 17, 2021

A year into the pandemic, Americans continue to move to suburbs and small cities


Our previous study indicated that suburbs and small cities were clearly the winners of migration during the first year of the pandemic. With one in three adults working remotely and schools offering virtual learning, people sought out bigger houses with bigger yards for their kids to play in and office space for them to work. But, where do people move a year into the pandemic? Are suburbs and small cities gaining even more movers? As companies look beyond the pandemic, many are deciding whether to bring employees back to offices or allow them to work remotely and move away permanently.


Thus, to better understand the latest migration trends, we updated our analysis conducted last December using the United States Postal Service® change-of-address data. The current analysis covers relocations across the United States during the period January through June of 2021.


Findings


Overall, fewer people moved in the first half of 2021 compared to a year earlier. That’s normal. Remember that when the pandemic hit our country last March, millions of people "panic-moved," leaving their homes in urban centers. Nevertheless, people are no longer rushing to relocate due to the pandemic as millions of Americans are already vaccinated. Moreover, the current study responds to the question of whether or not people are permanently leaving their city homes. According to the data, it seems that people continue to move away from urban centers while small towns and rural areas attract even more movers.


Small towns gain even more people

Net migration gains by urbanization level


Urban-rural differences in migration have always been analyzed, as they provide insight about potential population shifts across the country. Any evolving pattern of migratory behavior can have many policy implications for the country. There has been ample talk about people moving away from big cities and showing interest in less crowded areas. Indeed, even a year after the pandemic, people continue to move to small cities as many of them telework. The National Association of REALTORS® estimated the share of inbound moves by urbanization level.


To begin with, we are seeing that urban areas continue to lose people. A share of inbound moves lower than 50% translates to more people leaving than moving to the area for the specific period. According to the data, urban areas had more people moving out than in while the share of inbound moves fell even further in 2021 compared to a year earlier. Specifically, the share of inbound moves for urban areas was 48.5% in the first six months of 2021 compared to 48.6% during the same period a year earlier.


While more people are leaving urban areas, we are seeing that rural areas had the highest share of inbound moves in 2021 at 54.6% followed by micropolitan areas1 with a low commuting flow (53.8%) and small towns with a high commuting flow (53.2%). Meanwhile, micropolitan areas and small towns are gaining even more movers compared to a year earlier. Specifically, the share of inbound moves rose from 52.3% to 53.8% in micropolitan areas with low commuting flow; and, from 52.5% to 53.2% in small towns with high commuting flow. While home prices reach new record highs, affordability seems to be one of the primary motivations for this trend. A huge draw for these smaller towns is that the cost of housing consumes a much smaller chunk of people's salaries as they are able to find bigger homes for their families. See here how inbound compare to outbound moves by urbanization level:

Net migration gains by metropolitan level


After comparing inflows and outflows for each metropolitan area, we also identified the metro areas with the most migration gains in the first half of 2021. As the data shows, when people don’t move to more affordable areas, they choose to move to a home near the ocean or with a nice mountain view. For instance, Barnstable Town – one of the top vacation home areas - had 63% inbound moves although the median home price is $570,000. The same with the Portland metro area in Maine.

We also compared the inbound moves in the first half of 2021 with those of a year earlier. We actually are seeing that big cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Boston were among the areas with the most year-over-year inbound gains. Nevertheless, bear in mind that a year earlier people were fleeing from these big cities due to the pandemic. Thus, year-over-year comparisons of inbound moves may be a misleading indicator for migration trends due to the base effect as a relatively smaller number of people moved to these areas last year. Apparently, as many companies have already required their employees to go back to the office, more people are moving back to big cities.


We went one step further and analyzed where families, individuals and also businesses are moving in 2021. What did we find? As expected, families favor small cities versus individuals who are moving to urban centers.


Families moved to small cities


Nearly 30% of the inbound moves in small towns and micropolitan centers made by a family compared to 24% in metropolitan areas. Meanwhile, rural areas are attracting more families as the share of inbound moves rose to 22.8% in 2021 from 22.0% a year earlier.

At the local level, Florida seems to be the favorite destination for families, areas such as Naples, Cape Coral and Sarasota. Among the following metro areas, more than 30% of the inbound moves came from families. While 62% of homebuyers are married couples,2 this has many implications about the local real estate market. To put it simply, the following areas are expected to see an uptick of home sales as people typically buy a home when they start a family because they want to raise their kids in a stable and safe environment. The good news is that construction is picking up with most of these areas building more homes than in the last 20 years. For instance, in the Sarasota, FL metro area, they are currently issuing twice the single-family building permits that they issued on average in the last 20 years. In the Provo Orem, UT metro area the number of single-family building permits is 150% above the historical average. As a result, these areas are more affordable with great opportunities for families to purchase a home.

Individuals moved to large metropolitan areas


As the data shows, 70% of the inbound movers in urban centers were individuals, while fewer individuals moved to a smaller city in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The table below shows the share of inbound moves for individuals by urbanization level. We are seeing that their share dropped in every area which is smaller or with a lower commuting flow than an urban area. Thus, urban centers are still the most attractive areas for individuals.


At the local level, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, and San Jose were some of the most popular destinations for individuals. In the following large metro areas, more than 70% of the inbound movers were individuals. As homebuyers need to spend more than $5,000 every month for their home loan in San Francisco and San Jose, families who are priced out from these markets are moving to more affordable areas.

Businesses moved away from urban centers



As people move to suburbs and small cities, businesses do too. After comparing inflows and outflows for businesses by urbanization level, we are seeing that urban centers experienced migration losses. This means that more businesses decided to move out from an urban center than to move in.


This urban-rural migration trend has undoubtedly had an impact on businesses across the country. Since a large number of office workers continue to telework and move away from urban centers, there is a significant decrease in traffic to downtown business areas. Restaurants and shops who serve downtown workers still report a decline in customers. As a result, many of these businesses decided to move away from downtowns and relocate to suburbs and rural areas. According to the data, the share of inbound moves of businesses was 47% in urban centers compared to 65% in small towns and rural areas. With both residents and businesses moving out of the urban areas, it seems that new business opportunities will present themselves in small and rural areas.

At the local level, we are seeing that most businesses moved to North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Nebraska, Florida, Connecticut, and Tennessee. It seems that business owners decided to relocate to areas where there is a low cost of living and a corporate–friendly tax structure that could help them save money post-pandemic. In the meantime, for example, Charlotte, NC; Jacksonville, FL; and Riverside, CA are among the biggest financial centers across the country. As residents and businesses move to the following areas, expect local real estate activity to be even stronger this year.

While COVID-19 cases are currently rising due to the spread of Delta variant, people will likely continue to limit their social interactions, especially families with unvaccinated members. It would be very interesting to see how this urban-rural migration trend will evolve in the second half of 2021. Stay tuned.



1 According to the U.S. Census, each micropolitan statistical area must have at least one urban cluster of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000 population.

2 2021 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Survey, NAR


Source: National Association of Realtors


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent

What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent?

By Dusty Rhodes • November 2, 2026
Know what to ask before hiring a real estate agent. Learn to evaluate experience, qualifications, local knowledge, marketing, and negotiation skills in Myrtle Beach.

Can I Negotiate Real Estate Commission Rates? Understanding Fee Negotiation

By Dusty Rhodes • October 19, 2026
If you're thinking about selling a home, you may be wondering: “Can I negotiate the real estate commission?” The short answer is yes, real estate commissions and agent compensation can be negotiable. But there's a lot more to the question than simply asking an agent to lower their fee. Before negotiating real estate commission rates, it's important to understand what you're actually negotiating, what services are included, how the compensation is structured, and whether a lower fee could affect the marketing, service, negotiation, or overall strategy you receive. As a Myrtle Beach real estate agent , I think homeowners should absolutely understand how real estate compensation works before choosing an agent. You should know what you're paying for, what services are included, and what you can reasonably expect from your agent. Here's what you need to know about negotiating real estate commission rates. Can You Negotiate Real Estate Commission? Yes. Real estate commissions are negotiable. There isn't one universally required commission rate that every real estate agent must charge. Compensation is something the parties can discuss and agree upon as part of the representation agreement. That means you can ask an agent: Is your commission negotiable? What services are included? What does your fee cover? Are there different service options? What marketing do you provide? How is buyer-agent compensation handled? Are there additional fees? What would change if I negotiated a different fee? Those are reasonable questions. In fact, I think homeowners should ask them. The important thing is to understand the entire value proposition rather than focusing exclusively on the percentage. Why Do Real Estate Agents Charge a Commission? Before negotiating a real estate commission, it helps to understand what the commission is actually paying for. A real estate agent's compensation can cover a significant amount of work before, during, and after the transaction. For a seller, that may include: Preparing a pricing strategy Performing a comparative market analysis Advising on property preparation Professional photography Marketing MLS exposure Digital advertising Social media marketing Showing coordination Buyer-agent communication Offer analysis Negotiation Inspection negotiations Appraisal issues Transaction coordination Communication with attorneys, lenders, inspectors, and other professionals Managing deadlines Problem solving Getting the transaction to closing And much of that work happens behind the scenes. The commission isn't simply a fee for putting a property on the MLS. How Much Is the Typical Real Estate Commission? There is no single standard real estate commission that every agent charges. Compensation can vary based on: The agent The brokerage The property The market The services provided The complexity of the transaction The agreement between the parties That's why you shouldn't assume that every Myrtle Beach real estate agent charges the same amount. You also shouldn't assume that two agents charging the same percentage are providing the same level of service. One agent may provide extensive marketing, professional photography, video, advertising, frequent communication, and hands-on transaction management. Another may offer a much more limited service model. The percentage alone doesn't tell you the whole story. What Does a Real Estate Commission Actually Pay For? This is one of the most important questions to ask. Instead of simply asking: “Can you lower your commission?” I'd recommend asking: “What do I receive for your fee?” For a seller, the answer might include: Pricing Strategy Your agent researches comparable properties and helps establish a pricing strategy based on the current market. Marketing Your home may be marketed through the MLS, online platforms, social media, photography, video, advertising, open houses, and agent-to-agent outreach. Negotiation Your agent helps evaluate offers and negotiate price and terms. Transaction Management Your agent helps keep the transaction moving after you accept an offer. Problem Solving When something unexpected happens, your agent helps you understand your options and communicate with the appropriate parties. Local Expertise An experienced local agent can provide insight into neighborhoods, buyer behavior, market conditions, and pricing that isn't necessarily obvious from an online home-value estimate. When you're comparing agents, these services matter. Can I Ask a Realtor to Lower Their Commission? Absolutely. There's nothing wrong with asking. A professional conversation might be: “Is there any flexibility in your compensation?” That's a reasonable question. However, you should also expect the agent to explain what their compensation covers and why they charge what they charge. If an agent agrees to reduce their fee, you should understand whether anything else changes. For example: Does the marketing change? Are professional photos still included? Is video included? Are advertising services reduced? Does the level of communication change? Are certain services no longer included? Is there a different service package? Does the agent's availability change? A lower fee isn't necessarily a problem. But you should know what you're getting in exchange. Should I Always Choose the Real Estate Agent With the Lowest Commission? I wouldn't. If you're selling a $500,000 home, the difference between two compensation structures may look significant on paper. But the real question should be: Which agent is most likely to help me achieve the best overall outcome? Suppose one agent charges slightly less but provides limited marketing and doesn't negotiate aggressively. Another agent charges more but has a strong marketing strategy, excellent communication, extensive local knowledge, and a proven ability to negotiate. The cheaper agent isn't necessarily cheaper in the end. A difference in sale price, concessions, repairs, or contract terms can potentially be much larger than the difference in the agent's fee. That's why I encourage sellers to look at net results and overall value , not just commission percentage. How Does Commission Negotiation Affect a Seller's Net Proceeds? This is where the conversation gets interesting. Let's say your home sells for $500,000. A lower commission rate may reduce the amount paid to your agent. But what matters to you as the seller is ultimately: How much money do I walk away with? For example, an agent who helps you achieve a stronger sale price, negotiate better terms, minimize unnecessary concessions, and avoid costly mistakes may create significantly more value than the difference between two commission rates. That's why I believe the better question isn't: “Who charges the least?” It's: “Who can provide the best overall value and help me reach my goals?” Can Real Estate Agents Offer Different Fee Structures? In some situations, agents may offer different compensation or service structures. The possibilities depend on the agent, brokerage, transaction, and services being provided. For example, an agent may structure services differently depending on whether the client wants: Full-service representation A more limited service arrangement Additional marketing Specialized marketing for a luxury property Different levels of advertising Other negotiated services The important thing is to get the agreement in writing so everyone understands exactly what is included. What About Buyer-Agent Compensation? This is an area that has changed significantly in recent years. Buyers working with a real estate agent generally enter into a written buyer representation agreement that addresses the agent's compensation. The amount and structure of that compensation should be clearly explained before you begin working together. In some transactions, the seller may agree to contribute toward the buyer agent's compensation. In others, the buyer may be responsible for some or all of it. The important point is that buyers should understand their agreement before making an offer , rather than assuming someone else will automatically pay their agent. If you're buying a home in Myrtle Beach, ask your agent: How are you compensated? What does our agreement say? What happens if the seller doesn't offer compensation? What would I potentially be responsible for? Can your compensation be negotiated? What services are included? These are all fair questions. Is Real Estate Commission Negotiable for Buyers Too? Potentially, yes. Buyer-agent compensation is addressed in the buyer representation agreement, and compensation can be negotiated between the parties. However, buyers should focus on the complete representation they're receiving. A buyer's agent may help with: Finding properties Market research Property analysis Neighborhood knowledge Offer strategy Contract negotiations Inspection negotiations Due diligence Appraisal issues Communication with the listing agent Transaction management Getting the buyer to closing Again, the lowest fee isn't automatically the best deal. What Should I Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Negotiating Commission? I f you're interviewing agents, I'd recommend asking these questions. 1. What is your compensation? Start with the obvious. You should know exactly what the agent is proposing. 2. What services are included? Don't assume every agent provides the same services. 3. What marketing will you provide? Ask specifically about: Photography Video MLS Social media Online advertising Open houses Email marketing Property websites Other promotional efforts 4. Are there additional fees? Ask whether there are any additional costs beyond the agreed compensation. 5. What happens if I negotiate a lower fee? If the agent offers a different rate, ask whether the services or marketing change. 6. How will you help me determine the right price? Pricing can have a major impact on the outcome. 7. How do you negotiate? Ask the agent how they approach offers, inspections, repairs, appraisal issues, and other negotiations. 8. How much experience do you have in my market? Local knowledge matters. Can I Negotiate a Real Estate Agent's Commission After Signing? This is where you need to be careful. Once you've entered into a written representation agreement, you shouldn't assume you can simply change the compensation whenever you want. Any changes should be discussed with your agent and properly documented according to the terms of your agreement and applicable law. That's why it's important to understand the agreement before you sign it. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If something isn't clear, ask your agent to explain it. Why Would a Real Estate Agent Agree to a Lower Commission? Every situation is different. An agent may consider factors such as: The expected sale price Property type Location Expected workload Marketing requirements Whether the client is buying and selling Multiple transactions Timing Complexity of the transaction But an agent also has real business expenses. Those can include: Brokerage fees MLS expenses Marketing Photography Signs Technology Insurance Licensing Vehicle expenses Advertising Administrative support Taxes And unlike a salaried employee, a real estate agent generally doesn't get paid simply for showing up. Compensation is tied to the transaction. That's something worth keeping in mind when evaluating a fee. Does a Lower Commission Mean Less Service? Not necessarily. Some agents may be willing to negotiate without reducing their service. Others may have different service levels or adjust what's included. That's why you should never assume. Ask. If an agent agrees to reduce their fee, ask: “Will anything about your marketing or services change?” Get the answer clearly understood before moving forward. What About Flat-Fee Real Estate Agents? You may also come across agents or companies advertising a flat fee instead of a percentage-based commission. This can sound attractive because you know the cost upfront. But once again, compare the entire service package . Ask: What exactly is included? Who handles showings? Who negotiates? Who handles inspections? Who communicates with the buyer's agent? Who manages the transaction? Is professional photography included? Is advertising included? What happens if the transaction becomes complicated? A lower upfront fee may be appropriate for some sellers. For others, full-service representation may provide more value. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. What I Would Look At If I Were Selling a Home If I were interviewing agents to sell my own home, I wouldn't make commission the first question. I'd want to know: 1. How would you price my house? 2. What is your marketing plan? 3. How will you get buyers' attention? 4. How well do you know my neighborhood? 5. How do you handle negotiations? 6. What happens when something goes wrong? 7. How will you communicate with me? 8. What exactly is included in your compensation? 9. Are there additional fees? 10. What do you believe you can do for me that another agent can't? Then I'd look at the compensation. That's because I want to know what I'm getting before deciding what I'm willing to pay. Real Estate Commission Negotiation in Myrtle Beach The Myrtle Beach real estate market has its own set of considerations. The Grand Strand isn't one single market. There are major differences between: Myrtle Beach North Myrtle Beach Carolina Forest Conway Surfside Beach Murrells Inlet Socastee Market Common Grande Dunes Barefoot Resort Golf communities Intracoastal Waterway communities Oceanfront and second-home properties The type of property you're selling can also affect the marketing strategy. Selling a primary residence in Carolina Forest isn't the same as selling an oceanfront condo. Selling a luxury home isn't the same as selling an entry-level property. That's why I believe compensation should always be considered alongside the specific strategy and service you're receiving. The Real Question Isn't “Can I Get a Lower Commission?” Yes, you can ask. But I'd encourage you to take the conversation one step further. Instead of asking only: “Can you lower your commission?” Ask: “What value am I getting for your fee?” That's a much better conversation. Because ultimately, your goal isn't to hire the cheapest real estate agent. Your goal is to make the best financial decision possible. For a seller, that means looking at the entire transaction: Sale price + negotiation + marketing + terms + service + expenses = your overall result. And for a buyer: Representation + negotiation + guidance + market knowledge + transaction management = the value of your agent. My Perspective as a Myrtle Beach Real Estate Agent I've been in the real estate business for more than 10 years, and one thing I've learned is that every client and every transaction is different. I don't expect someone to hire me simply because I'm an agent. I expect them to ask questions. I want clients to understand what they're paying for, what services I provide, how I approach the market, and what I believe I can do for them. And if someone wants to discuss compensation, I'm happy to have that conversation. I think that's how it should work. At the same time, I don't believe the lowest commission automatically equals the best deal. If I'm selling your home, my goal isn't just to get it listed. It's to help you develop the right strategy, attract qualified buyers, negotiate effectively, navigate the transaction, and ultimately get you to the closing table with the best overall outcome I can reasonably help you achieve. Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate Commission Negotiation Can you negotiate real estate commission? Yes. Real estate compensation is negotiable, and the specific terms should be discussed and documented in the applicable representation agreement. What is a reasonable real estate commission? There isn't one universally required commission rate. Compensation varies based on the agent, services, transaction, property, and agreement between the parties. Can I negotiate my Realtor's commission? You can ask whether the agent is willing to negotiate their compensation. If changes are agreed upon, make sure you understand what services are included and get the terms in writing. Should I choose a real estate agent based on commission? I wouldn't recommend choosing an agent based solely on commission. Consider experience, local knowledge, marketing, communication, negotiation skills, service, and overall value. Can buyer-agent compensation be negotiated? Yes. Buyer-agent compensation is addressed through the buyer representation agreement and can be negotiated. Buyers should understand exactly what they may be responsible for before entering into an agreement. Can a seller negotiate what they pay toward buyer-agent compensation? The seller and buyer can negotiate transaction terms, including whether the seller is willing to contribute toward the buyer's agent compensation, where permitted and agreed upon. What should I ask before agreeing to a real estate commission? Ask what services are included, how the property will be marketed, whether there are additional fees, how negotiations are handled, and whether anything changes if the compensation is adjusted. The Bottom Line: Can You Negotiate Real Estate Commission Rates? Yes, you can negotiate real estate commission rates and agent compensation. But don't stop at the percentage. Ask what you're actually receiving for the fee. Compare agents based on: Experience Local market knowledge Marketing Communication Negotiation Service Transaction management Problem solving Overall value A lower commission may save you money. But the right agent may also help you make more money, avoid costly mistakes, negotiate better terms, and navigate problems that could otherwise cost you significantly more. The goal shouldn't be to pay the lowest possible fee. The goal should be to get the best overall value for the money you're paying. If you're thinking about selling a home in Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, or anywhere along the Grand Strand , I'd be happy to sit down with you, explain how I approach the sale, and answer your questions about compensation and services. You don't have to make a decision simply because we talk. You should have enough information to decide whether I'm the right agent for you.
What Does a Real Estate Agent Actually Do?

What Does a Real Estate Agent Actually Do? | Myrtle Beach SC

By Dusty Rhodes • October 5, 2026
What does a real estate agent actually do? Learn the responsibilities of a buyer's or listing agent and how a Myrtle Beach REALTOR® helps from start to closing.