Buying Cherry Grove Real Estate: Current Due-Diligence Guide

Last reviewed: August 13, 2026. Cherry Grove is a neighborhood of the City of North Myrtle Beach, not a separate town. Its housing includes primary residences, second homes, condominiums, and short-term rentals. Oceanfront, marshfront, and canal properties can have very different rules, insurance needs, maintenance costs, rental histories, and special assessments.

This page is a starting checklist, not legal, tax, insurance, appraisal, or investment advice. Confirm every property-specific fact with the appropriate government office and qualified professionals before making an offer.

Contents

South Carolina property-tax assessment ratios

The figures commonly described as “4%” and “6%” are assessment ratios, not the final property-tax rate. South Carolina currently lists primary residences at 4% of fair market value and other real estate at 6% of fair market value. The applicable assessed value is then subject to millage and any exemptions or other rules.

Eligibility for the 4% legal-residence ratio requires an application and approval; ownership alone does not guarantee it. Review the South Carolina Department of Revenue assessment-ratio table and contact the Horry County Assessor about a specific property.

Horry County also provides a property-tax estimator. It is an estimate, not a guaranteed future bill; a property transfer, valuation change, eligibility decision, millage change, exemption, or parcel-specific charge can affect the result.

Questions to answer before buying

Zoning, use, and short-term rentals

Confirm the parcel’s current zoning and allowed uses with the City’s Planning & Development Department and interactive zoning map.

If rental income matters, verify current City business-license, accommodations-tax, trash, parking, noise, and occupancy requirements on the official short-term-rental page.
Read the deed, recorded restrictions, condominium documents, and HOA rules. A use permitted by the City may still be limited by private covenants or association rules.
Do not rely only on a prior owner’s rental history. Confirm that the use, licenses, management arrangement, and projected expenses fit your plans.

Flood, wind, and coastal risk

Check the exact building and parcel in the Horry County flood-map resources. A neighborhood name or nearby property’s zone is not a substitute.
Request any available elevation certificate, claims history, flood history, permits, engineering reports, and documentation of prior storm or water damage.
Obtain property-specific flood, wind/hail, homeowners, liability, and—if applicable—rental coverage quotes before the inspection and financing deadlines expire.

For oceanfront, marshfront, or canal property, ask qualified professionals about erosion, drainage, docks, seawalls, bulkheads, setbacks, maintenance responsibilities, and permitting.

Taxes, liens, assessments, and recurring costs

Review the current Horry County tax record and bill, but do not assume the seller’s bill will be your future bill.
Have the closing attorney identify recorded liens and confirm any municipal, dredging, utility, HOA, or condominium assessment tied to the exact parcel.

Ask for association budgets, reserve studies, insurance information, meeting minutes, pending litigation, current assessments, and notices of proposed assessments.
Budget for insurance deductibles, association dues, utilities, pest control, salt-air corrosion, HVAC and roof wear, landscaping, rental management, cleaning, licensing, taxes, and periods without rental income.

Condition, permits, and access

Use qualified inspectors appropriate to the property, including specialists when structural, moisture, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pool, elevator, dock, or seawall concerns exist.

Confirm that additions, conversions, decks, pools, docks, lifts, and major repairs were permitted and closed out when required.
Verify legal access, parking rights, assigned spaces, golf-cart storage, trailer restrictions, beach access, and any shared drive or easement.
For a condominium, confirm the exact unit, parking, storage, limited common elements, rental restrictions, and responsibility for exterior components.

About prices and timing

There is no single reliable “Cherry Grove home price.” Results vary by property type, ocean or marsh proximity, condition, unit size, HOA structure, rental use, and the period measured. This guide does not publish an undated average or claim that one season is always the best time to buy. Ask a licensed professional for a current, clearly defined market analysis and review the underlying comparable sales.

Buying Cherry Grove Real Estate