Myrtle Beach has long been a favorite for investors looking to blend lifestyle and income, from oceanfront condos and golf villas to townhomes west of the Intracoastal. But in 2025, the game has changed: new regulations, evolving market conditions, and shifting traveler expectations mean you need a strategy—not just sunshine‑driven optimism—before you write that first offer.​

Quick Answer: Is Myrtle Beach a Good Place to Invest in Real Estate?
Myrtle Beach remains an attractive investment market thanks to strong vacation demand, relatively affordable prices compared to other coastal cities, and a deep pool of travelers seeking private rentals. Before you buy, you need to understand short‑term rental regulations, HOA rules, property management costs, and realistic revenue projections so your “beach investment” performs like a business—not just a pretty place with ocean views.​

Why Investors Love Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach consistently ranks as a strong market for vacation rentals and second homes because of its high seasonal demand and lower barrier to entry compared to many other beach destinations. Oceanfront condos, golf course communities, and nearby coastal towns like North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island offer a range of price points and guest profiles, from budget‑friendly family stays to higher‑end coastal getaways.​

Investors also benefit from the area’s long history as a drive‑to vacation market, which helps keep visitor numbers resilient even when airfare or broader travel trends fluctuate. At the same time, a growing base of full‑time residents and remote workers adds stability to long‑term and mid‑term rental demand.​

FAQ: Is Myrtle Beach only good for short‑term rentals?
No—while vacation rentals are a major draw, there are opportunities in long‑term rentals, mid‑term (travel nurse, snowbird, remote worker) stays, and future resale if you buy smart in growth areas like Carolina Forest, Market Common, or nearby suburbs. Your best strategy depends on your budget, risk tolerance, and how hands‑on you want to be.​

Understanding the 2025 Market: Prices, Demand, and Trends

Recent data shows the Myrtle Beach market has shifted from the ultra‑hot pandemic boom into a more balanced environment, with moderate price growth and more inventory in certain segments, especially condos. Some sources note that average home prices have cooled or stabilized, while median prices around the broader area sit in the low‑to‑mid $300,000s, offering relative affordability for a coastal region.​

For investors, this means:

• You may find better deals and stronger negotiation power on condos and older inventory, especially in buildings that cater to vacationers.​
• New construction and master‑planned communities are adding more options for single‑family and townhome investments with modern amenities, often appealing to long‑term renters and relocating families.​

FAQ: Is now a risky time to buy in Myrtle Beach?
Market forecasts for 2025 point toward steady—not explosive—growth, with demand for vacation properties and coastal living still strong, especially as remote and flexible work remain popular. The biggest “risk” is buying without understanding local regulations, building health, and realistic income numbers.​

Regulations and Rules: Short‑Term Rentals, Zoning, and HOAs

One of the most important things to understand before investing in Myrtle Beach is that short‑term rentals are heavily shaped by zoning, city ordinances, and HOA rules—and those are not the same in every neighborhood or building. Within Myrtle Beach city limits, short‑term rentals are mainly allowed in specific commercial and resort‑oriented zones, and are largely restricted or banned in traditional residential neighborhoods.​

Recent changes have tightened the landscape even more:

• A 2025 ordinance in Myrtle Beach restricts certain buildings east of Kings Highway (primarily hotels and STR structures) from converting from short‑term to long‑term rentals, preserving those corridors as tourism‑focused.​
• Operators must obtain business licenses, follow zoning rules, and collect both accommodations and hospitality taxes when renting short‑term.​

On top of city rules, many condo and HOA communities have their own covenants that may:

• Ban short‑term rentals entirely
• Require minimum stays (like 30, 60, or 90 days)
• Limit the number of units that can operate as rentals or require special approvals​

FAQ: Can I just buy a condo and put it on Airbnb?
Not safely without doing your homework—investors should confirm city zoning, building‑specific rules, and licensing/tax requirements before closing, ideally with both a local agent familiar with investment properties and direct confirmation from the HOA/management.​

Where to Invest: Popular Myrtle Beach Investment Areas

Different parts of the Grand Strand offer very different returns, guest profiles, and regulatory environments. Popular investment zones include:​

• Central Myrtle Beach & Oceanfront Strips: Strong vacation demand, high visibility, and often hotel‑style amenities—great for pure STR plays, but with more competition, stricter rules, and sometimes higher fees.​
• North Myrtle Beach & Cherry Grove: Known for family‑friendly beaches and strong rental demand, particularly for oceanfront condos and beach houses; 2025 ordinances are tightening STR oversight, so compliance is critical.​
• Market Common & Carolina Forest: Master‑planned and suburban‑style communities popular with long‑term residents and relocators, offering potential for stable long‑term and mid‑term rentals.​
• Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island: Slightly quieter coastal towns with strong appeal to families, retirees, golfers, and foodies, with a mix of vacation and second‑home demand.​

FAQ: Is oceanfront always the best investment?
Oceanfront can command higher nightly rates and strong peak‑season occupancy, but it often comes with higher prices, HOA fees, insurance, and more volatility; many investors find better cash flow and less risk slightly off the ocean or west of the Intracoastal.​

The Numbers: Cash Flow, Expenses, and Management

To treat your Myrtle Beach investment like a business, you need realistic income and expense projections. Vacation rental investors often see strong occupancy in peak spring and summer seasons, with shoulder and off‑season bookings filled by snowbirds, golfers, and weekend getaways.​

Core expenses to budget for:

• Mortgage, taxes, and insurance (wind and flood can be significant near the coast)​
• HOA or regime fees (often higher in resort‑style condo buildings but covering amenities and exterior maintenance)​
• Utilities, internet, furnishings, linens, and regular wear‑and‑tear replacements
• Property management (often 15–30% for full‑service STR management, plus cleaning fees, marketing, and software tools)​
• Licensing, accommodations tax, and county/state hospitality fees​

FAQ: Can a Myrtle Beach vacation rental really pay for itself?
Some properties can cover most or all of their carrying costs in strong years, but it depends heavily on purchase price, financing, location, regulations, and management quality—smart investors stress‑test numbers using conservative occupancy and rate assumptions before buying.​

Risk Management: Hurricanes, Building Health, and Exit Strategy

Coastal investing comes with risks that inland investors may not be used to. In Myrtle Beach, that includes weather, building condition, and regulatory shifts.​

Key risk‑management moves:

• Insurance & Elevation: Understand wind, hail, and flood risk—ask for elevation certificates, prior claims history, and current insurance costs for the building or community.​
• Building Reserves and Inspections: Especially in older oceanfront condo buildings, review HOA financials, reserve studies, and any upcoming assessments for structural repairs, balconies, elevators, or roofs.​
• Plan B Usage: Decide in advance what you’ll do if regulations shift or revenue dips—can you pivot to mid‑term or long‑term rentals, or would you sell and reposition that capital?​

FAQ: How worried should I be about changing rules?
Regulations across Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Horry County are actively evolving, especially around STR permitting and neighborhood protections, so investors should assume rules may tighten over time and build flexibility into their strategy.​

Tech, AI, and Smarter Management for Your Myrtle Beach Investment

Today’s top‑performing Myrtle Beach investors are leaning into technology and AI to optimize pricing, streamline communication, and improve the guest and owner experience. Dynamic pricing tools adjust nightly rates based on demand, events, and seasonality, while AI‑enhanced messaging tools handle common guest questions, directions, and house rules.​

Even if you hire a local property manager, asking about their tech stack—channel management, pricing software, AI messaging, and maintenance tracking—can directly impact your bottom line. For self‑managers, modern tools make it far more realistic to run a professional‑grade operation from a distance, as long as you have reliable local cleaners and vendors.​

FAQ: Do I need a full‑service manager, or can I self‑manage?
If you live far away or have limited time, a full‑service manager can be worth the fee; if you’re local or very hands‑on, a hybrid model—outsourcing cleaning and maintenance while you manage bookings and communication with the help of AI and software—can boost net returns.