Sell Your Horry County Land for Cash
Own vacant land in Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, or elsewhere in Horry County? We buy land for cash — no agents, no commissions, no hassle. Get a fair offer and close as fast as 30 days.
Selling Land in Horry County, SC
Horry County is the fastest-growing county in South Carolina and one of the fastest-growing in the entire United States. Home to Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and the Grand Strand — a 60-mile arc of Atlantic coastline that draws roughly 20 million visitors annually — the county's economy is powered by tourism, hospitality, and the constant demand for new residential and commercial development. But Horry County is far more than its famous beach strip. The inland portions of the county, stretching west toward Conway (the county seat) and the Waccamaw River, encompass vast tracts of pine timber, agricultural land, and rural communities that feel worlds away from the neon lights of the Grand Strand.
South Carolina is an attorney closing state, meaning every real estate transaction must be conducted by a licensed attorney rather than a title company alone. This applies to vacant land sales as well as improved property transactions. At Meridian Acre, we work with South Carolina real estate attorneys who are experienced in vacant land closings and can navigate the specific issues that arise in Horry County — from flood zone complications along the Waccamaw and Intracoastal Waterway to the complex platting and HOA requirements of the county's numerous golf course and master-planned communities.
The Lowcountry geography of Horry County creates significant challenges for land sellers. The county is low-lying and crisscrossed by rivers, creeks, and swales that create extensive flood zones and wetland areas. Hurricane Florence in 2018 and subsequent flooding events demonstrated the county's vulnerability to both coastal storm surge and inland riverine flooding. Many vacant parcels, particularly those along the Waccamaw River and in low-lying areas of the Grand Strand, carry flood zone designations that affect buildability, insurance costs, and market value. Conservation easements are also present on larger timber tracts and properties adjacent to state parks and wildlife management areas.
Whether your Horry County land is a residential lot in a Myrtle Beach golf course community, an inherited parcel near Conway, a timber tract in the rural western part of the county, or a commercial lot along Highway 17, we want to hear from you. Our process is simple: send us your property details, receive a cash offer within days, and close as fast as 30 days through a local South Carolina attorney. We cover closing costs, handle the title work, and make selling your land as easy as possible.
Horry County Land Market Snapshot
Horry County's land market is split between the high-demand coastal Grand Strand corridor and the more affordable inland and rural areas. Population growth continues to drive demand for buildable lots, but flood zones, wetlands, and overbuilt subdivisions from the mid-2000s housing boom create pockets of difficulty for sellers.
Horry County's population has more than doubled since 2000, driven by retirees, remote workers, and families attracted to the area's affordability relative to other East Coast beach markets. This growth has fueled intense residential construction, particularly in communities like Carolina Forest, Market Common, and the Highway 31 corridor. Demand for buildable lots in these areas remains strong, but the supply of available lots varies significantly by location and condition. Some subdivisions platted during the 2004-2007 building boom still have unsold lots that have been carried by investors or banks for years.
Inland Horry County — the areas around Conway, Aynor, Loris, and Green Sea — offers a very different land market. Prices are far lower, the buyer pool is smaller, and properties may sit on the market for extended periods. Timber land is a significant land use in western Horry County, and large acreage tracts are bought and sold primarily among timber companies, farmers, and recreational land investors. The contrast between the beachfront corridor and the rural interior makes Horry County one of the most diverse land markets in the state.
Challenges Selling Land in Horry County
- Flood zone exposure — Horry County experienced catastrophic inland flooding during Hurricane Florence in 2018, and large portions of the county sit in FEMA flood zones. Properties along the Waccamaw River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and low-lying Grand Strand areas face significant flood risk that affects value and buyer interest.
- Overbuilt subdivision inventory — many subdivisions platted during the mid-2000s housing boom still have excess lot inventory. Sellers in these communities compete with developer-owned lots and bank-held foreclosure parcels, which can depress prices.
- Wetland and stormwater restrictions — the county's low elevation and high water table mean that many parcels contain jurisdictional wetlands or require stormwater management plans before development. These requirements add cost and uncertainty for builders.
- HOA and community restrictions — many Horry County lots are within HOAs or master-planned communities with build-out timelines, architectural review requirements, and ongoing assessment obligations. These restrictions can limit the buyer pool for vacant lots.
- Seasonal market fluctuations — the tourism-driven economy creates seasonal patterns in the real estate market, with more activity in spring and summer and slower sales in winter months.
- Military relocation uncertainty — while not home to a major base, Horry County's residential market is influenced by military families from nearby bases. Policy changes affecting military housing allowances or base operations can shift demand patterns.
How to Sell Your Horry County Land in 3 Steps
No agents, no listings, no open houses. Just a simple process from start to cash in hand.
Communities & Subdivisions in Horry County
Myrtle Beach
The heart of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is a city of roughly 35,000 permanent residents that swells to hundreds of thousands during peak tourism season. Vacant land within Myrtle Beach city limits is increasingly scarce, with most available parcels being infill lots in established neighborhoods or commercial sites along the Highway 17 Bypass and Kings Highway corridors. The Market Common development on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base site has transformed a large swath of the city into an upscale mixed-use community.
North Myrtle Beach
Encompassing the communities of Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill, North Myrtle Beach is a beach city with a strong residential base alongside its tourism economy. Vacant lots near the oceanfront command premium prices, while inland lots west of Highway 17 are more affordable. The city has seen steady growth and development, with new residential construction pushing into formerly rural areas along Highway 31.
Conway
The county seat of Horry County, Conway is a historic riverfront town on the Waccamaw River. It has experienced significant growth as bedroom community for the Grand Strand and as home to Coastal Carolina University. Land values in Conway are considerably lower than the beach communities, making it attractive to builders targeting first-time homebuyers. Flood risk from the Waccamaw River is a major concern, particularly after the devastation of Hurricane Florence.
Carolina Forest
One of the fastest-growing communities in South Carolina, Carolina Forest is a large master-planned area between Myrtle Beach and Conway along Highway 501. The community features numerous subdivisions, schools, shopping centers, and recreational amenities. Vacant lots in Carolina Forest subdivisions are in demand from builders, but availability varies by section and many lots carry HOA obligations and build-out timelines.
Surfside Beach / Garden City
Located south of Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Garden City Beach are smaller, family-oriented beach communities. Vacant land is limited due to the compact size of these communities. Available lots tend to be infill parcels or older tear-down sites. Proximity to the Murrells Inlet marshwalk and Huntington Beach State Park adds appeal.
Loris / Aynor / Green Sea
The rural western and northern portions of Horry County include the small towns of Loris, Aynor, and Green Sea. This area is characterized by tobacco and timber land, small farms, and a slower pace of life. Land values are among the lowest in the county, and the buyer pool is limited primarily to local farmers, timber interests, and recreational buyers seeking hunting and fishing land. These communities are far from the beach economy and operate on a completely different market dynamic.
What You Need to Know About Horry County Land
Attorney Closing Requirement
South Carolina requires a licensed attorney to conduct all real estate closings. The attorney handles title review, deed preparation, escrow management, and recording. This applies to vacant land transactions as well as improved property sales. We work with experienced South Carolina real estate attorneys who understand the specific issues that arise in Horry County land transactions, including flood zone properties, HOA-encumbered lots, and timber tracts. We cover the attorney and closing costs, so there is no expense to you.
Flood Zones and Hurricane Risk
Horry County's flood zone mapping was significantly updated after Hurricane Florence in 2018, which caused record flooding along the Waccamaw River and its tributaries. Large portions of the county — including areas well inland from the coast — are now designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas. For vacant land, flood zone designation affects buildability, since structures in flood zones must be elevated above the base flood elevation, adding construction cost. Buyers and builders factor these costs into their land purchase decisions, which can depress values for flood-prone parcels. We evaluate flood zone status for every property and factor it into our offers.
Wetlands and Environmental Permitting
Horry County's low elevation and proximity to rivers, swamps, and the coast mean that wetlands are prevalent throughout the county. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DHEC-OCRM regulate development in and near wetlands, and properties with significant wetland coverage may have limited buildable area. A jurisdictional determination or wetland delineation can clarify the extent of wetlands on a parcel, but these assessments cost several thousand dollars. Many sellers are unaware of wetland issues until a potential buyer conducts due diligence and backs out. We account for potential wetland impacts in our evaluation process.
HOA Obligations and Build-Out Requirements
Many Horry County subdivisions — particularly the golf course communities and master-planned developments — have homeowner associations with dues, architectural review requirements, and sometimes build-out timelines that require lot owners to commence construction within a specified period. Carrying costs for HOA-encumbered vacant lots can add up quickly, with annual dues ranging from $500 to $3,000 or more. Some HOAs also impose special assessments for infrastructure improvements. If you own a vacant lot with HOA obligations, these carrying costs are an important factor in deciding whether to sell.
Timber Land and Forestry
Western Horry County contains significant pine timber acreage managed for commercial harvest. Timber land transactions involve unique valuation considerations, including standing timber value (cruise estimates), soil productivity, road access, and proximity to mills. South Carolina offers favorable property tax treatment for timber land through its agricultural use assessment program, which significantly reduces annual tax liability. If you own timber land in Horry County, we can evaluate both the land value and any standing timber value as part of our offer.
Types of Land We Buy in Horry County
- Residential subdivision lots (beach and inland)
- Golf course community lots
- Coastal and Intracoastal Waterway parcels
- Timber and forestry acreage
- Agricultural and rural acreage
- Commercial and highway-frontage lots
- Infill lots in established neighborhoods
- Flood zone and wetland-impacted parcels
FAQ — Selling Land in Horry County, SC
How fast can you close on my Horry County land?
We can close as fast as 30 days for most properties. South Carolina requires an attorney closing, and we work with local attorneys who handle all paperwork and title work. For properties with clear title, closing within three to four weeks is typical.
My lot is in a golf course community with HOA dues. Will you still buy it?
Yes. We buy lots in HOA communities regularly. We factor the HOA obligations — including dues, assessments, and any build-out requirements — into our evaluation. If you have been paying annual dues on a vacant lot for years, selling now can stop the ongoing carrying costs.
My property flooded during Hurricane Florence. Does that affect your offer?
Flood history and flood zone designation are factors we consider in every evaluation. Properties that have flooded or sit in high-risk flood zones do sell for less than comparable properties outside flood zones, but they are still sellable. We buy flood zone properties regularly and understand how to value them appropriately.
I own timber land in western Horry County. Do you buy that type of property?
Yes. We buy timber and rural acreage throughout Horry County. We evaluate both the land value and any standing timber value. If you have a recent timber cruise or management plan, that information helps us make a more accurate offer, but it is not required.
Are there any fees or commissions when selling to Meridian Acre?
No. There are no agent commissions, no listing fees, and we cover standard closing costs including attorney fees. The cash offer we present is your net amount at closing.
My lot has been on the market with a realtor for over a year. Why should I sell to you instead?
The traditional listing process works well for some properties, but vacant land — especially in oversupplied subdivisions or flood-prone areas — can sit on the MLS for months or years without attracting a buyer. We offer certainty: a cash offer with no financing contingencies, a fast closing timeline, and no risk of a deal falling through. The trade-off is that our offer will typically be below full retail market value, but for sellers who value speed and certainty, it is often the right choice.
I live out of state. Can we handle this remotely?
Absolutely. Most of our Horry County sellers live outside South Carolina. The entire process is handled remotely, from evaluation to closing. The attorney can arrange a mail-away closing or mobile notary in your area.
Why does South Carolina require an attorney for land closings?
South Carolina law requires a licensed attorney to conduct real estate closings to protect the interests of all parties. The attorney reviews title, prepares the deed, manages escrow funds, and records the transaction. We cover the attorney and closing costs as part of our standard process, so this requirement adds no expense for you.
Get Your Free Cash Offer — Horry County, SC
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