Bluffton vs. Beaufort?

Question

South Carolina, friends. With aging parents I've been looking at SC as a STR location until they are ready to fully make the move south.
I’d love to monitor the location more so please share resources and add me to your newsletters. Both areas seem lovely. Also interested in the North Myrtle Beach area for anyone with connections there. Thank you!

Mark H. Porter · Answer

Hi Michael - I live in North Myrtle Beach now in an area called Barefoot Resort. 25 years ago, one individual, who happened to own a small, 7 shop strip mall on the beach-side of the intercoastal waterway known as Barefoot Shoppes, crossed the waterway to acquire 2600 acres of, well, nothing.

He brought in Dye, Norman, Fazio, and Love to build four golf courses, and we now have 4000 residences between single-family homes, typical 3-level multi-family, and three towers overlooking the waterway. It’s a great story.

I lived here the first time from ‘86 to ‘89, right at the beginning of the golf “boom” that resulted in dozens of golf courses being built over the next decade of so.

My first property here was a townhouse here in Barefoot in 2015 that I rented long-term. My 2nd and 3rd investments were large properties on Ocean Blvd that I bought using 1031 monies for STR under great local management. All three properties did very well financially.

I’m now retired and in all honesty we could not be happier. There’s still 80-plus golf courses, I pay $2600 in property taxes on a 4br house with a pool, most people are kind and generous, weather is wonderful (but still lows in the 30’s in February!), restaurants are plentiful, and traffic is comparatively light even in summer.

I’m an investor, not a realtor. Mike Thompson (above) can steer you in the right direction.

Nathan M kiefer · Answer

We own 2 stilt Beach houses in ocean lakes which is basically right on the line of Myrtle Beach and Surfside.

Were from Michigan and originally were going to buy in Florida but found that place in covid and never looked back.

Its a phenomenal place in my opinion unless your talking directly in the heart of downtown Myrtle. We work every day and Getting closer to being able to live there

Michael K. · Answer

@Mark H. Porter Mark, what a terrific and thoughtful response. Appreciate you taking the time!

Lily Aldridge · Answer

South Carolina is a solid choice, especially with aging parents in mind. For SC resources, check out local news sites and community forums—they're gold for insights. Also, Facebook groups can be surprisingly helpful. As for newsletters, maybe hit up local real estate agencies or community centers; they usually keep you in the loop. North Myrtle Beach? Nice pick! Try joining local FB groups or checking out local news websites for the lowdown.

Jeff Dawson · Answer

@Michael Keffer I've lived in Beaufort for 12 years and currently half owner of an STR here and my business partner owns a second, both self managed. Like so many other markets it would be paragraphs trying to explain the area. Shoot me a PM and I'll be glad to discuss.

Myrtle Mike Thompson · Answer

@Michael Keffer I serve North Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas. Pricing is still relatively low for a beach market, and I have several clients who have decided to buy now and rent out their properties with the aim of eventually occupying them when they retire. Feel free to message me with any questions, or if you'd like to shoot me your email address I can forward you some resources.

Linda McDavid · Answer

Hi Michael,

Hello! If you would like to private message me you may. I have a STR in that area and I would be happy to assist you with information.

Regards,

Linda

Bob S. · Answer

Its all-personal preference, Myrtle is very different than the other areas. Go visit and see which one you like the best.

Bien Nguyen · Answer

Hi Michael. I am researching those areas as well. I am a licensed realtor in Georgia and South Carolina and Bluffton/Hilton Head Island is one of the markets I serve. I am hoping to visit Myrtle Beach area in a few months to evaluate the area in person. I will pass along any information I come across.

Bien Nguyen

Sweet Retreats Vacation Properties LLC

Sweetretreatsvacations.com

Bluffton vs. Beaufort?

Bluffton vs. Beaufort?

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