The 4 Next "Hot Spots" Along The Grand Strand Pushing Myrtle Beach Home Prices Higher
Myrtle Beach experienced 122.88% home price growth over the past 10 years. It is an average of 8.34% per year, placing it in the top 20% nationwide. Things aren’t happening by chance. There are some specific zones behind this growth due to the prime location and strong infrastructure.
These hot spots maintain faster absorption rates than the overall market. It leads to higher prices and more competitive offers that many buyers overlook. Even each of these areas has specific factors that just close the negotiation windows and attract motivated buyers. Today, we will explore the hot spots along the Grand Strand that drive Myrtle Beach home prices higher.
1. Market Common
If you're exploring real estate insights in Myrtle Beach, Market Common quickly stands out. The median price for the homes here starts within $390,000–$475,000, which is 31.9% higher than the city’s $360,000 average.
As with the city’s previous communities, you can take advantage of the premium lifestyle. This 114-acre mixed-use village built on the former Air Force Base leaves everything to ensure a livable space.
What more?
You also feel the momentum on the development side. Since its launch in 2008, the redevelopment has added nearly $3 billion to the local economy. It has blessed the community with about 6,000+ jobs. With direct access to the Highway 17 Bypass, you can reach the beach or major coastal zones in less than ten minutes.
2. Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet has witnessed outstanding growth over the past decade, with home values rising up to 126.57% or 8.52% per year. In the last twelve months alone, the appreciation reached up to 27.63% which outperforms up to 98.68% of cities and towns across the U.S.
Right now, the median home value here is about $646,461, but some homes sold for about $377,666 at the end of 2024. Many houses here are owner-occupied.
Also, you will find that single-family houses make up 55% of all homes. Highway 17 Bypass is the major attraction here, which is a major road with high traffic counts, often exceeding 36,000 vehicles per day. Murrells Inlet isn’t just about homes.
It’s about the lifestyle as well. The area is famous for waterfront views, marinas, fishing, and boating. Locals enjoy fresh seafood, coastal dining, while nearby golf courses, parks, and community events make it a family-friendly and active destination.
3. Grande Dunes
Grande Dunes is perfectly situated between Myrtle Beach’s shoreline and the Intracoastal Waterway. The community offers waterfront bungalows, coastal cottages, townhomes, and custom single-family homes.
As for the last month, the median sale price for a Grande Dunes home was $1.7 million, trending up 14.2% year-over-year. The median price per square foot reached $535, which is about 4% up compared to last year.
What’s more amazing is the new expansion from Lennar, which is building Beach View at Grande Dunes. It will be a new single-family community with 122 homes and sizes ranging from 1,782 to 2,902 sq. ft. Residents living here can even take advantage of the Grande Dunes Golf and Beach Club. It features an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and an oceanfront pool.
4. Carolina Forest
Carolina Forest is likely the biggest growth driver in the Grand Strand’s housing market. It offers the amazing combination of new construction, family-friendly amenities, and strong rental demand, all enough to make it a standout community.
This community sits just inland from Myrtle Beach, where residents are enjoying a suburban lifestyle with quick access to the coast. The area includes large master-planned neighborhoods with plenty of top-rated shopping and dining options.
DRB Homes takes initiatives through building The Townes @ Carolina Forest, which is a new 111-unit townhome community featuring 26 two-bedroom and 85 three-bedroom layouts. All in all, it is a strong rental zone that easily grabs the attention of both vacation renters and long-term tenants.
Expert Tips for Investing Along the Grand Strand
You have the opportunity to maximize returns along the Grand Strand by following the expert-backed home-buying strategies. Here you go:
1. Track Months Supply of Inventory
Calculate Months Supply of Inventory or MSI by dividing active listings by the monthly absorption rate. Single-family inventory recently reached 4 to 6 months along the Grand Strand. So better you target markets with less than four months of inventory as an effective seller zone.
2. Analyze Infrastructure Capacity
You can expect a handsome return in areas with existing water, sewer, and road capacity. So before finding, you should review municipal capital improvement plans and check the five-year utility expansion schedules. Also, verify the resulting costing before you lose the deal.
3. Contact a Real Estate Agent
It is another smart suggestion to contact a professional Myrtle Beach real estate agent. They will help you track off-market deals, builder incentives, and inventory efficiency. You can ask them some pointed questions like:
What’s the current days-on-market trend?
Which builders offer spec home discounts?
What are the absorption rates by ZIP code and property type?
4. Evaluate Short-Term & Long-Term Rental Potential
Before you invest in, analyze rental demand on both fronts, short-term and long-term. It helps you identify your income potential. Short-term rentals near beaches, golf courses, and entertainment zones can help generate higher annual gross income, but you have to consider maintenance costs. Besides, long-term rentals near schools, hospitals, and major employers offer steady year-round occupancy with lower turnover risk.
The Bottom Line
The Grand Strand housing market offers unique opportunities for smart investors. If it is Murrells Inlet’s waterfront charm or Carolina Forest’s family-friendly growth, each of the areas listed above is driving appreciation and rental potential. All you need to do is track absorption rates, zoning, and seasonal trends if you want to skyrocket your investment returns.
