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For Buyers

Myrtle Beach Home Buyer Guides

One place to figure out your next move on the Grand Strand, and the right guide for wherever you are in it.

Talk to an agent

How We Help

Your agent, and financing when you need it

Most buyers hire a real estate agent, then go find a lender somewhere else, and spend the whole deal hoping the two talk to each other. At Chapter3 Realty they already do. We are a brokerage with our own mortgage team, so the person showing you homes and the person handling your loan share an office.

That means fewer surprises, faster answers, and a team of experts that are on the same page. Below are the guides we point buyers to most. Find the one that fits you and start there.

Where To Start

Find your path

Most buyers start in one of these three places.

Buying your first homeHow the money works, what you actually need saved, and the first-timer mistakes that cost the most.First-time buyer guide →Moving here from out of stateWhat to know before you land, how to shop from a distance, and which areas fit which kind of life.Relocating guide →New to all of thisThe complete walk-through of buying on the Grand Strand, from first look to closing day.Complete buying guide →

More buyer guides See every guide and tool in one place.

VA loans · Second homes and beach places · Retiring to the coast · Down-payment help · Common buyer mistakes · Horry County property taxes · Coastal insurance costs · Condos in litigation · SC closing costs calculator · 55+ communities · Golf communities · Compare neighborhoods

How to use these guides

Start with the one that matches your situation

Every guide above is written for the Grand Strand specifically: the flood zones, the HOA rules, the insurance quirks, and the local programs that generic national advice misses.

If you only read one page, read the complete guide to buying a home on the Grand Strand. It walks the whole process from first look to keys. Then come back for the guide that fits your specific situation, and when you are ready, talk to an agent who does this every day.

Common questions

Buying a home in Myrtle Beach: FAQ

How much do I need for a down payment to buy a home in Myrtle Beach?

Often less than you expect. VA and USDA loans allow zero down, FHA allows 3.5 percent, and South Carolina down payment assistance programs can cover much of the rest. Our down payment assistance guide lists the current programs and amounts.

What are the steps to buy a house in Myrtle Beach?

Get pre-approved for a loan, tour and choose a home, make an offer, complete inspections, and close with a South Carolina attorney, which the state requires. Our buying in Myrtle Beach guide walks through each step and the local costs.

How much are property taxes on a Myrtle Beach home?

Your legal residence is taxed at the 4 percent rate and is exempt from the school operating tax; a second home or rental is taxed at 6 percent, three to four times more. Our Horry County property tax calculator shows the exact bill for any price.

Do I need flood insurance to buy in Myrtle Beach?

It depends on the flood zone, and the zone does not tell the whole story, since many homes outside the high-risk zones have still flooded. Our coastal insurance guide explains how to check before you offer.

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