Introduction

Drive Highway 31 or Highway 22 on any weekday and you'll see it: fresh sod, framing crews, and flags waving outside model homes. The Grand Strand has been one of the fastest-growing regions in the country for years, and builders have followed the people. Most of the folks who call us about Myrtle Beach living aren't asking whether they should buy new. They're asking where.

That's a fair question, because "Myrtle Beach" on a builder's website can mean anything from a townhome seven miles from the sand to a farmhouse-style ranch 40 minutes inland. We're Cristino and Alysia Stern, and we spend our weeks walking these communities with buyers. Below is our honest, town-by-town look at where new construction is happening, what it costs, and who each area tends to suit.

Table of Contents

1. Why Buy New Construction in Myrtle Beach?
2. Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, and Socastee
3. Conway, Aynor, and Loris
4. North Myrtle Beach, Little River, and Longs
5. Surfside Beach, Garden City, and Murrells Inlet
6. Pawleys Island and Georgetown
7. What to Look for in a New Construction Community
8. Find Your New Construction Home in Myrtle Beach
9. Conclusion: Where Should You Buy?
10. FAQs About New Construction Homes in Myrtle Beach

Why Buy New Construction in Myrtle Beach?

The coastal climate is the first reason. Salt air, humidity, and summer storms are hard on houses. A new home comes with a new roof, new HVAC, current wind-load building codes, and usually better insulation and windows than a 1990s resale. Those things matter here in a way they might not in other markets, both for your comfort and for your insurance quote.

Warranties are the second reason. Most production builders in the area offer a structured warranty, commonly a year on fit and finish, two years on mechanical systems, and ten years on structural components. For buyers relocating from out of state who don't yet have a trusted plumber or electrician, that safety net is worth a lot.

The third reason is timing. The market has cooled from its peak. Zillow's data through June 2026 showed the typical Horry County home value around $320,000, down slightly from a year earlier, with homes taking roughly 52 days to go under contract. When resale inventory sits longer, builders compete harder, and that's when you see rate buydowns, closing cost credits, and upgrade packages on spec homes.

New construction isn't automatically the better choice, though. You'll usually pay HOA dues, get a smaller lot, and wait for trees and landscaping to mature. The newest communities also tend to sit farther from the ocean, because that's where the land is.

The Real Trade-Off: Price vs. Proximity

Here's the rule of thumb we share with every client: the farther west of Highway 17 you go, the more house you get for your money. A buyer with a $350,000 budget might be choosing between a townhome near the beach and a four-bedroom single-family home in Conway or Longs. Neither answer is wrong. It depends on how you plan to live.

Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, and Socastee

These three areas are the center of the market, and they're where most first-time visitors start their search.

Carolina Forest

Carolina Forest is the go-to for families and remote workers who want a suburban feel within about 15 minutes of the beach. Communities like Traditions at Carolina Forest and Waterbridge offer new single-family homes in a wide range, from the mid-$300s up past $700,000 for larger plans with water views. You're close to shopping, Tanger Outlets, and the schools that draw a lot of families here. The honest downside is traffic. Carolina Forest Boulevard and Highway 501 back up during the summer and at rush hour, so test-drive your commute before you sign.

Socastee

Socastee(the 29588 ZIP code) has quietly become one of our favorite value plays. Neighborhoods such as Arcadia, Heron Pointe, and Sandpiper Place have offered new homes from the high $200s into the $500s, with easy access to Highway 544, Highway 707, and Market Common. Several communities sit within a mile or two of Market Common's restaurants and the beach at the south end of Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach Proper and Grande Dunes

If you want to be closer to the ocean, the options get pricier fast. Grande Dunes has two new gated neighborhoods under construction, Islecrest by Dream Finders Homes and Cascadia by Toll Brothers, and true custom homes east of Highway 17 can run well over $1.5 million. On the more affordable end, new townhome communities like Stoneridge have offered homes in the low $200s about seven miles from the shoreline, which works well for investors and buyers looking for a lock-and-leave home.

Conway, Aynor, and Loris

If Carolina Forest feels too busy, head inland. This is where Myrtle Beach living starts to look like small-town South Carolina.

Conway

Conway is the county seat, with a historic downtown, a riverwalk along the Waccamaw, and Coastal Carolina University just down the road. New construction is everywhere here. Beazer Homes' Ambridge community has been priced around $300,000 to the low $400s, while Westwood Reserve markets itself as the East Coast's first conservation subdivision, with protected green space built into the plan. Chapman Village sits near downtown, and communities like Bayview have started in the low $200s. Expect a 25 to 30 minute drive to the beach.

Aynor

Aynor is small, and that's the point. Families move here largely for the Aynor school attendance area, which local builders highlight in nearly every listing. D.R. Horton's Jordanville Farms even allows golf carts through the community and into town. Preserve at Cypress Commons and King Farm Estates round out the options, with many homes starting in the high $200s.

Loris

Loris is typically the most affordable corner of Horry County for new homes. D.R. Horton's Meadow Walk has started in the mid-$200s, and Dream Finders Homes is building Furnie's Place close to downtown. Loris has a genuine small-town identity, best known for its fall Bog-Off Festival. The trade-off is distance: you're looking at 35 to 45 minutes to the beach, so this works best for buyers who'll visit the ocean on weekends rather than daily.

North Myrtle Beach, Little River, and Longs

The north end of the Grand Strand has a different personality. It's a little quieter, a little more boating-focused, and it's close enough to the North Carolina line that some residents work or shop across the border.

North Myrtle Beach

New construction in North Myrtle Beach tends to come with higher price tags. SeaChase Pointe has ranged from roughly $405,000 to the low $500s, Belle Park starts in the mid-$500s, and Toll Brothers is building at Ingram Dunes. Homesites along the Intracoastal Waterway sell at a premium. If you want to bike to Cherry Grove or Main Street, this is your area.

Little River

Little River is an old fishing village with waterfront restaurants, charter boats, and the Blue Crab Festival every spring. Chesapeake Homes' Bridgewater has started around the low $300s, and Bluffs at Sun Colony sits about two miles from Little River and roughly six miles from Cherry Grove Beach.

Longs

Longs, along Highways 9, 90, and 905, is one of the fastest-growing pockets in the region. It offers some of the best house-for-the-money value in the north end. Chestnut Farms has started around $300,000, Marshfield's Reserve Collection runs in the $400s, and communities like Oak Hollow and Heritage Park at Longs keep adding phases. Some land in Longs sits near the Waccamaw River, so we always pull flood maps and elevation data before a client commits to a lot.

Surfside Beach, Garden City, and Murrells Inlet

The South Strand appeals to buyers who want a laid-back beach-town feel without the high-rise strip.

Surfside Beach and Garden City

Surfside Beach is known as "The Family Beach," and land is limited, so most new construction sits just west of Highway 17. The Cove at Glenns Bay, for example, has started in the mid-$270s. Garden City is mostly resale homes and condos, with occasional infill builds. Both areas are low-lying in spots, so insurance quotes should be part of your due diligence from day one.

Murrells Inlet

Murrells Inlet is a seafood town at heart, anchored by the MarshWalk, and it remains one of the most requested areas we see. Prince Creek West, where Toll Brothers is building, connects residents to TPC Myrtle Beach golf, pools, and nature trails. Northbrook offers plans from the high $200s to around $600,000, and Indigo Creek remains popular with move-up buyers. Murrells Inlet pricing usually runs higher than Socastee for comparable square footage, and buyers happily pay it for the lifestyle.

Pawleys Island and Georgetown

 

Cross into Georgetown County and the pace slows down noticeably. Live oaks, hammocks, and an older coastal character define this stretch.

Pawleys Island

Pawleys Island has a limited supply of new construction, which keeps prices firm. Sanderling Bay, a small luxury community near the beach, has ranged from the mid-$400s to the mid-$600s, and Dream Finders Homes has announced Sweetgrass, a townhome community aimed at low-maintenance buyers. Across Georgetown County, Redfin recently showed new homes listing at a median of about $499,000.

Georgetown

Georgetown is a historic harbor town with a walkable waterfront and real value for new construction. South Island Landing has offered homes from the high $200s to the low $300s, Peru Plantation is a 173-acre planned community, and Beverly Homes is building at Wedgefield Plantation and Harbor Club. You're about 45 minutes or more from Myrtle Beach, but Charleston is within reach for a day trip, which appeals to many retirees.

What to Look for in a New Construction Community

Once you've narrowed down an area, these are the details that separate a great purchase from a frustrating one.

Builder Reputation and Warranty

Ask how long the builder has worked in Horry or Georgetown County, read the warranty in full, and talk to people who already live in the neighborhood. Residents will tell you how quickly warranty requests get handled.

HOA Dues, Amenities, and Future Phases

Ask what the HOA covers, whether the amenities are finished, and what will be built on the empty land next to you. A pool that's "coming soon" can take years.

Flood Zones, Elevation, and Insurance

Get an insurance quote before you write a contract, not after. Flood zone, elevation, and roof type can change your monthly payment by hundreds of dollars.

Incentives and Inspections

Builder incentives are often tied to the builder's preferred lender, so compare that offer with an outside quote. And always hire your own inspector for both a pre-drywall inspection and a final walkthrough, even on a brand-new home.

Find Your New Construction Home in Myrtle Beach

One thing that surprises many buyers is that the friendly sales rep in the model home works for the builder. That's their job, and many of them are great at it, but nobody in that office is there to represent you.

That's where we come in. In most cases, the builder pays the buyer's agent commission, so having us on your side typically doesn't cost you anything extra. We compare floor plans and pricing across builders, push for the best incentive package, coordinate independent inspections, and keep an eye on the timeline from contract to closing. One important tip: many builders require your agent to be registered at your very first visit, so call us before you walk into a model home.

Conclusion: Where Should You Buy?

The right area depends on how you want to spend your days. If being near the beach and shopping matters most, look at Carolina Forest, Socastee, or Murrells Inlet. If you want space and the lowest price per square foot, Conway, Aynor, Loris, and Longs offer the most house for the money. North Myrtle Beach and Little River suit boaters and buyers who want a quieter north-end lifestyle, while Pawleys Island and Georgetown are ideal if a slower, historic coastal pace sounds like home.

Myrtle Beach living looks very different depending on which side of Highway 17 you land on, and the best way to find your fit is to see these communities in person with someone who knows them well.

FAQs About New Construction Homes in Myrtle Beach

Do I need a real estate agent to buy new construction?

You aren't required to have one, but we strongly recommend it. The builder's sales team represents the builder. Your agent represents you, and the builder typically covers that commission.

Can you negotiate with builders in Myrtle Beach?

Often, yes, although it usually shows up as incentives rather than a lower base price. Closing cost credits, rate buydowns, and upgrades are common, especially on finished spec homes.

How long does it take to build a new home here?

It varies by builder and season, but many production homes take several months from contract to closing. Move-in-ready spec homes can close in 30 to 45 days.

Are property taxes different on new homes?

No. A new home is assessed like any other property in South Carolina: 4% of fair market value as a primary residence, or 6% as a second home or investment property. Be sure to file for the 4% primary residence rate after you close.

What's the most affordable area for new construction?

Loris, Aynor, and parts of Conway and Longs generally offer the lowest entry prices, with some single-family homes starting in the low to mid-$200s.

Do I need flood insurance on a new home?

It depends on the lot. Homes in a designated flood zone with a federally backed mortgage require it, and many buyers outside those zones choose to carry it anyway. We'll help you check before you commit.

Ready to explore new construction in Myrtle Beach, SC? Whether you're relocating, downsizing, or buying your first home at the beach, Cristino and Alysia Stern are here to help you compare communities, negotiate with builders, and protect your interests from contract to closing. Call or text us today at 833-867-4376 to schedule a tour of the communities that fit your goals.