Mortgage Broker in Myrtle Beach, SC
Buying around Myrtle Beach means separating primary-residence plans from second-home and investment goals early. Oceanfront condos, Market Common, Carolina Forest, and inland growth toward Conway each carry different insurance, HOA, and occupancy questions. Tourism shapes rental demand in many pockets, which changes underwriting when the purchase is not your main home. I will map program fit, cash to close, and flood or condo watchouts before you tour.
Coastal Grand Strand purchases often bring flood insurance, HOA, condo approval, and occupancy-type questions. Primary residence, second home, and investment (including DSCR) follow different rules. I flag those early so they do not surprise you mid-contract.
Myrtle Beach housing market, at a glance.
Last updated: August 2026
- Median Sale Price
- $258,000
- Average Days on Market
- 121
Typical range: inland and Conway-adjacent options on the more attainable end, oceanfront condo and golf-community premiums on the higher end.
Source: Redfin
Market figures are estimates from public data as of the date shown and change over time.
Loan Programs That Work in Myrtle Beach
Here is how the main programs look against local prices, then we match the right one to your file on a Mortgage Strategy Session.
FHA
At the $258,000 median, 3.5% down is about $9,030 for eligible primary residences under the FHA limit.
Learn more →Conventional
3% down is about $9,750 on the estimated median for eligible primary-residence buyers; second-home rules differ.
Learn more →VA
$0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance, for eligible buyers on qualifying primary residences.
Learn more →Investment / DSCR
Strong short and long-term rental demand in tourism corridors; qualify on the property's income when the purchase is investment.
Learn more →Self-Employed / Non-QM
Bank-statement and P&L options.
Learn more →
Program eligibility, guidelines, and pricing are set by the applicable investor, agency, or program and are subject to change without notice. Not all applicants will qualify. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend.
Horry County
| Limit type | Single-family |
|---|---|
| Conforming limit | $832,750 |
| FHA limit | $541,287 |
Lowering your cash to close
On a $258,000 purchase, FHA 3.5% is about $9,030 and conventional 3% is about $7,740 for eligible primary residences. Second-home and investment purchases usually need more cash down. Closing costs typically run 2 to 5% (about $5,160 to $12,900 on the median). Budget for flood insurance and HOA dues where they apply.
Local assistance paths buyers ask about in Myrtle Beach
Programs change. On a Mortgage Strategy Session we check what may fit your income, purchase price, and county, without treating any program as a guarantee.
Down payment assistance on FHA purchases
For primary-residence buyers around Myrtle Beach, down payment assistance may be available on qualifying FHA purchases through a program that provides the down payment as a second mortgage, with no income limits and no requirement that you be a first time buyer. Availability and terms depend on the program and your file, so let's confirm what fits before you count on it. Second-home and investment purchases follow different paths.
Learn more →
Myrtle Beach neighborhoods, and how financing often fits
Mortgage lending is not one-size-fits-all across Myrtle Beach. Price bands, condo rules, flood zones, and buyer profiles change by pocket. Use this as orientation, then we match a program to your file.
Oceanfront condo corridor
Tourism-influenced, high-rise and mid-rise coastal.
Oceanfront and near-ocean condos are the Grand Strand's most visible product type. Financing often hinges on condo project approval, HOA financials, rental caps, and occupancy type. Primary-residence buyers should compare dues and insurance against an inland single-family payment. Investment and second-home guidelines apply when the unit will not be your main home.
- Price band
- Wide range; oceanfront premiums sit well above inland medians.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Depends heavily on occupancy and project approval. Confirm condo eligibility early.
Watchouts: Flood and wind insurance, HOA litigation, special assessments, and short-term rental rules.
Market Common
Planned, walkable, and amenity-oriented.
Market Common mixes townhomes, condos, and walkable retail with a planned-community feel. HOA documents and dues are part of ownership here. Pricing reflects location convenience and newer stock. Financing follows primary, second-home, or investment rules based on how you will use the property.
- Price band
- Often near or above inland Myrtle Beach averages.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Conventional is common on approved projects. FHA when primary occupancy and project rules allow.
Watchouts: HOA health, rental restrictions, and insurance requirements deserve a full read.
Carolina Forest
Suburban, family-oriented, and inland from the strand.
Carolina Forest is a frequent choice for primary-residence buyers seeking single-family homes and planned amenities inland from the beach. Prices can sit closer to attainable bands than oceanfront product. HOAs appear in many communities. A clear payment target, including dues, keeps comparisons with Socastee and Conway grounded.
- Price band
- Often nearer the metro median than oceanfront premiums.
- Loan fit (educational)
- FHA, conventional, and VA are frequently discussed for primary homes.
Watchouts: HOA fees and any flood or drainage questions at the parcel level.
North Myrtle Beach
Beach-town residential with tourism influence.
North Myrtle mixes beach-adjacent living with a distinct town identity and a wide range of condos and single-family homes. Occupancy type drives program choice as much as list price. Seasonal rental patterns are common in parts of the area. Educational planning on insurance and HOA rules should happen before you write a strong offer.
- Price band
- Wide range from inland entries to beach-adjacent premiums.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Primary-residence conventional, FHA, or VA when eligible; investment or second-home rules otherwise.
Watchouts: Flood insurance, condo approval, and short-term rental ordinances.
Garden City and Murrells Inlet adjacent
Coastal-adjacent with fishing-village and beach pockets.
Garden City and Murrells Inlet-adjacent addresses attract buyers who want coastal lifestyle with a slightly different pace than the main Myrtle strip. Marsh, flood, and insurance questions still apply at the parcel level. Second-home and investment purchases are common. Clarify occupancy before choosing a loan path.
- Price band
- Often premium relative to inland Horry options.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Depends on occupancy. Conventional is typical; investment structures when rent is the plan.
Watchouts: Flood zones, wind coverage, and HOA or condo documents on attached products.
Socastee
Practical residential with varied housing ages.
Socastee remains a practical entry for many primary-residence buyers who want Grand Strand access without oceanfront pricing. Housing stock mixes older single-family homes with newer subdivisions. Condition and appraisal standards deserve attention on lower-priced listings. Pair a realistic repair budget with the right loan program.
- Price band
- Often among the more attainable local bands.
- Loan fit (educational)
- FHA and conventional low-down options are frequently a fit for primary residences.
Watchouts: Older homes may need repairs that affect FHA or VA minimum property standards.
Conway-adjacent
Inland suburban and small-city adjacent.
Conway and nearby inland addresses attract buyers seeking more house for the money while staying in the Horry County orbit. Newer subdivisions and older downtown Conway stock create different price bands. Financing is usually a standard primary-residence file. Cross-town comparisons only work when cash to close is already clear.
- Price band
- Often more attainable than beach-corridor premiums.
- Loan fit (educational)
- FHA, conventional, and VA are commonly discussed. USDA may apply on some eligible addresses.
Golf communities
Amenity-rich, planned, and lifestyle-oriented.
Golf and amenity communities across the Grand Strand often include HOA dues, design standards, and a mix of primary, second-home, and investment owners. Loan sizing should include dues and insurance, not only principal and interest. Occupancy type must be stated clearly up front. Educational review of HOA and rental rules beats surprises after contract.
- Price band
- Wide range; many sit above simpler inland single-family options.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Conventional is common. Program choice follows occupancy and price.
Watchouts: HOA covenants, special assessments, flood where applicable, and rental restrictions.
A quick note on closing in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, a licensed attorney supervises your closing. A title company may be involved in the process, but the closing is attorney supervised. I stay in the loop so the timeline stays on track.
Buying in Myrtle Beach, answered straight.
How much do I need for a down payment in Myrtle Beach?
On the $258,000 median, about $9,030 with FHA (3.5%) or $7,740 with a 3%-down conventional loan for eligible primary residences. Second-home and investment purchases usually require more cash down. VA can be $0 down for eligible primary-residence buyers.
Do I need flood insurance in Myrtle Beach?
If the home is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a mortgage, yes. Coastal and marsh-adjacent parcels deserve an insurance quote before you finalize your budget.
Can I buy a condo as an investment or second home?
Often yes, but condo project approval, HOA rules, and occupancy type all matter. Investment and second-home guidelines differ from a primary residence. We review those educationally before you tour.
What is DSCR and when does it come up here?
DSCR loans qualify using the property's rental income rather than personal W-2 income. They come up often on Grand Strand investment purchases, not on typical primary-residence files.
Also serving nearby
Mortgage reading for Myrtle Beach buyers
- First-Time BuyersFirst-Time Homebuyer Loan Options in South Carolina, ExplainedThe real loan options for first-time buyers in South Carolina: low-down programs, credit basics, and honest ways to lower your cash to close.
- Loan ProgramsVA Loan Entitlement in South Carolina: What First-Time Buyers Need to KnowVA loan entitlement lets eligible South Carolina veterans buy a home with no down payment and no VA-imposed loan limit. Here is how it works for first-time buyers in Charleston and Greenville.
- Self-Employed & InvestorsDSCR Loans for Carolina Rental Investors, in Plain EnglishA DSCR loan qualifies on the rental property's income, not your personal tax returns. Here's how Carolina investors use them to grow a portfolio.
Ready to talk through your Myrtle Beach options?
One free, no-pressure Mortgage Strategy Session. Your options, your numbers, your next step, talked through clearly for buying in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Let's talk through your Myrtle Beach options.
One free Mortgage Strategy Session. Your options, your numbers, your next step.
Keith Lopez, NMLS #2814077 | NEXA Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #1660690 | Licensed in NC, SC & GA | Equal Housing Opportunity