So, you’re interested in moving to South Carolina and Myrtle Beach has caught your eye. Myrtle Beach happens to be one of the primary golf resorts in the United States (and North America in general) and one of the best places for families who want to move or visit for a while and enjoy the coast.
Many people dream of living in front of the ocean. However, is a home in Myrtle Beach truly the right option for you? For today’s article, we’ll explore the different aspects you should take into account before buying a home in Myrtle Beach.
7 Factors To Take Into Account Before Buying In Myrtle Beach
1. Is Myrtle Beach right for you?
Myrtle Beach is a beautiful tourist town with tons of things to offer. You can expect millions of visitors every year. Hence, if you love meeting new people often and enjoy crowded places, then Myrtle Beach can be the right place for you.
Since you’ll be living here and not visiting for a holiday, it’s also important to take into account other factors. For instance, South Carolina is a state where pollen is abundant. Hence, people with allergies may have a hard time – especially between April and September.
2. Cost of living in Myrtle Beach
A 2019 USA Today article referred to Myrtle Beach as the “number one affordable city” in the United States. While things have changed a lot throughout the years, Myrtle Beach has managed to remain a place with a relatively low cost of living. This affordability can be quite beneficial for families or people who are just starting their professional life, for instance.
3. Be prepared to walk around for a while
South Carolina has some of the most affordable homes in the country.
However, it can take a while for you to find the right place for you. That’s why it is recommended to take some time to walk around the neighborhoods and imagine what it would be like for you to live here. If it feels good and you find yourself enjoying your life here in the long run, then you should go ahead and plan your purchase.
Myrtle Beach has different neighborhood options you can consider, such as Grand Dunes, Carolina Forest, or Market Common with its beautiful Market Common homes. Another good place is the Dunes Club. You should take some time to explore different neighborhoods until you find the right one for you.
4. Execute an insurance check
Myrtle Beach is a beautiful place, and since you’ll be near the sea most of the time, you should always consider the risk of floods or destruction during storms. If you’ve already found a nice home, ensure to review its insurance provisions. You may have to buy flood and storm policies.
If you move to Myrtle Beach without an insurance plan, and then a storm occurs. Since you don’t own any insurance, you will not be eligible for compensation because it will be impossible to figure out the source of damages, whether it was water or wind.
5. Check your loan
If you plan to buy your new home using a loan, then you should start working on it promptly. Loans can be complicated processes, and if you’re interested in an oceanfront house, then you should consider getting a massive loan since these homes tend to have a higher cost.
6. Find the correct agent
You can make the buying process less stressful if you find the right agent. This way, you’ll have access to someone who can answer all the questions you may have about the process, eliminating any potential complications that could happen in the future.
A good agent will help you find a property that fits your necessities and will also guide you through the process – from the negotiation to the closure.
Try to get in touch with people who’ve recently bought homes and get recommendations from agents. It’s essential to reunite a few options so you can compare them later and choose the one that sounds the most appealing to your case.
If you’re talking to a prospective broker, make sure to dive into their history and explore how they’ve worked with first-time homebuyers in the area.
7. Myrtle Beach has a fast-growing Metropolitan area
Last but not least, we highly recommend considering that you’re not the only person interested in moving to Myrtle Beach. Tons of people are also moving the threads. According to statistics, at least 104,000 people moved to the area. The numbers may have increased in recent years, especially if you take into account the COVID-19 pandemic and that many people are now able to work from home.
The Bottomline
Myrtle Beach can be the right place for many people. However, it’s always recommended to take into account all the possible variables to prevent unpleasant surprises in the future. For instance, while it can be a nice experience for outgoing people, some individuals may not be suitable for the town’s fast-paced lifestyle. Still, there’s something for everyone in Myrtle Beach, and you should take some time to explore and find what suits you better.