If you are thinking about buying a condo in North Myrtle Beach for rental income, the resort you choose can matter just as much as the unit itself. Some properties are built to capture peak summer demand, while others offer a better mix of personal enjoyment, easier ownership, and more balanced year-round appeal. This guide will help you compare the main condo resort types in North Myrtle Beach so you can match your purchase to your goals. Let’s dive in.

Why North Myrtle Beach Draws Renters

North Myrtle Beach has a strong tourism base that supports vacation-rental demand. The city says its population grows from about 22,000 residents to more than 100,000 people per day during peak visitor season, which begins around Memorial Day weekend. The city also manages more than 240 beach accesses, which helps support heavy beach-driven travel.

Visitor spending adds more context. Destination North Myrtle Beach reports FY2024 direct visitor spending of $178,806,198, and it says 96% of accommodation spending comes from visitors. It also notes that the local restaurant and retail base depends on roughly 3 to 5 million visitors per year.

The broader Myrtle Beach area strengthens that story. A 2024 regional tourism report says the region welcomed 18.2 million visitors who spent more than $13.2 billion, and 73.2% of those trips were overnight visits. For condo buyers, that matters because overnight travelers are the core audience for short-term rental properties.

What Rental Potential Really Means

Rental potential is not just about the highest possible nightly rate. It is also about occupancy patterns, guest appeal, operating costs, and how much work the property may require to keep bookings strong.

In North Myrtle Beach, one short-term rental analytics platform estimates about 4,047 active Airbnb listings, average nightly rates around $361, and average occupancy near 36.2%, with July as a peak month and January as a slower period. These figures are directional, not guarantees, but they show that this is a competitive and seasonal market. In other words, the right resort format can make a meaningful difference.

Oceanfront Towers: Best for Peak Demand

Oceanfront towers are often the most obvious choice for buyers focused on vacation-rental visibility. These properties line up closely with the beach-first travel patterns that drive North Myrtle Beach tourism.

SeaSide Resort is a good example of this format. Its official accommodations page highlights one-, two-, and three-bedroom oceanfront condos with private balconies, along with pools, a lazy river, hot tubs, fitness space, and covered parking. Prince Resort offers a similar amenity package with oceanfront and ocean-view accommodations, rooftop pools, a rooftop lazy river, hot tubs, fitness, and on-site dining.

Why towers can perform well

Oceanfront towers often have the strongest peak-season marketing story because they check the boxes many vacationers want most:

• Direct or near-direct beach access
• Recognizable resort amenities
• Strong ocean-view appeal
• Larger vacation-property branding
• Good fit for short beach stays and summer travel

If your top priority is maximizing exposure to beach-driven demand, this category is often the first place to look. These properties tend to offer the highest nightly-rate ceiling during strong seasonal periods.

What to watch with towers

Higher demand potential can come with more operational friction. Larger buildings often mean more guest turnover, more elevator traffic, more parking pressure, and more moving parts in day-to-day ownership.

That matters because the City of North Myrtle Beach notes that common short-term rental complaints include noise, trash, parking, guest behavior, and responsiveness. If you are comparing tower resorts, it is smart to think beyond revenue and consider how the building handles logistics during busy weeks.

Low-Rise Resorts: Better Balance for Many Buyers

Low-rise condo buildings can be a strong middle-ground option. They often provide beach access and a true vacation feel, but without some of the density and pace of a high-rise resort.

Tilghman Beach & Racquet Club shows how this product type works in North Myrtle Beach. The resort is described as a charming low-rise property in Ocean Drive near Main Street, with oceanfront, ocean-view, and second-row condos in one- to three-bedroom layouts. Amenities include private balconies, full kitchens, multiple pools, kiddie pools, lighted tennis courts, covered cabanas, and a beach-access walkway.

Why low-rise resorts appeal

For many second-home buyers and smaller investors, low-rise buildings offer a more flexible ownership experience. You still get beach access and vacation appeal, but the setting can feel more relaxed and easier to navigate.

Tilghman Beach & Racquet Club also highlights walkability to Main Street dining, shag clubs, ice cream, beach shops, and live music. That kind of location can support repeat-guest appeal because renters are not relying only on the beach. They also have nearby dining and entertainment options that add value to the stay.

Who low-rise inventory fits best

This type of resort can make sense if you want:

• A blend of rental income and personal use
• Beach proximity without a tower environment
• A more relaxed guest experience
• A property that may feel simpler to own day to day

If your goal is not just maximum summer revenue, but a comfortable mix of rentability and usability, low-rise inventory deserves a close look.

Golf and Waterway Communities: More Diversified Demand

Not every North Myrtle Beach rental story depends on being directly on the sand. Golf and waterway communities can attract guests who value longer stays, golf access, quieter surroundings, and proximity to dining and entertainment.

Barefoot Resort & Golf is the clearest example in the area. The community’s official HOA page says owners have access to a five-mile walkway, a private oceanfront cabana with gated parking, a beach shuttle, and the North Tower pool and hot tub on the Intracoastal Waterway. Barefoot also benefits from nearby shopping, dining, entertainment, and live music at Barefoot Landing.

Tilghman Beach & Golf Resort reflects a similar appeal with a lazy river, outdoor pool deck, fitness and sauna area, and a children’s splash zone. While different from a true oceanfront tower, it still offers a resort-style guest experience with broader vacation appeal.

Why these communities stand out

Golf demand is a real part of the local tourism economy. A 2024 Myrtle Beach area golf report says 759,000 golfers traveled more than 50 miles to play in the region, and golf-related tourism spending reached $705.4 million.

That is important because it supports demand outside the most obvious beach-only booking window. Communities tied to golf, the Intracoastal Waterway, dining, and entertainment may offer more shoulder-season resilience than a property that depends mainly on summer beachfront demand.

Best use case for golf or waterway condos

These properties may be a strong fit if you want:

• A broader guest base beyond beach-only travelers
• Better appeal for shoulder-season bookings
• Longer-stay comfort for vacationers
• Convenient access to golf, dining, and entertainment
• A more balanced second-home lifestyle

If you are trying to reduce reliance on one summer-heavy demand pattern, this category can be worth serious attention.

Costs That Can Change Your Numbers

Even a great resort can underperform your expectations if you underestimate ownership costs. In North Myrtle Beach, the local rules and tax structure should be part of your evaluation from day one.

The city currently requires all short-term rentals to have a business license, renewed annually, with current license information on file. The city also says licenses do not transfer when a property is sold, and owners must report gross rental receipts annually without deducting rental expenses. It also notes that rental accommodations tax is separate from the business license.

Taxes and fees to underwrite

South Carolina says accommodations are subject to:

• 5% sales tax
• 2% accommodations tax
• Any applicable local sales or use tax
• North Myrtle Beach 1.5% hospitality fee on transient accommodations

The state also notes that if you book guests directly, you generally need a retail license to file and pay accommodations tax. If a property manager or online travel company accepts the booking and payment, that party generally remits the tax instead. Mandatory cleaning fees are taxable, and some service fees may also be taxable.

Property tax matters too

South Carolina’s legal residence guidance says a primary residence is assessed at 4%, while a second home or vacation home is assessed at 6%. For many condo buyers purchasing a North Myrtle Beach property as an investment or second home, the 6% assessment ratio is the relevant starting point.

That difference can affect your annual carrying costs in a meaningful way. When you compare resorts, make sure you are comparing total ownership costs, not just purchase price and rent projections.

HOA Rules Deserve Extra Attention

One of the most important details in North Myrtle Beach is that city-level short-term rental rules are only part of the picture. The city says there is no special zoning or permit process required beyond standard licensing for short-term rentals at this time. However, private HOA or POA documents can still restrict or shape rental use.

That means a condo can be rentable from the city’s perspective but still limited by the governing documents of the building or community. Before you buy, review association rules carefully, especially if rental income is a major part of your plan.

A Simple Way to Compare Resort Types

If you are narrowing your options, this framework can help:

Choose oceanfront towers if you want

• Strongest beach-demand positioning
• Highest peak-season rate potential
• Classic resort amenities that are easy to market

Choose low-rise resorts if you want

• A more relaxed ownership experience
• Good beach access with personal-use flexibility
• Walkability and vacation appeal without a high-rise feel

Choose golf or waterway communities if you want

• More diversified rental demand
• Better shoulder-season appeal
• A second-home property that is enjoyable beyond beach weeks

The best option depends on your goals. Some buyers want the highest possible summer revenue. Others want lower day-to-day friction, or a place they will enjoy using themselves throughout the year.

Final Takeaway for North Myrtle Beach Buyers

In North Myrtle Beach, the usual tradeoff is straightforward. Oceanfront towers often offer the strongest peak-season rental upside, low-rise resorts tend to balance rental appeal with personal use, and golf or waterway communities can deliver a more diversified demand base.

If you are evaluating condos for rental potential, focus on more than the listing photos. Look closely at location, amenity package, building style, tax exposure, licensing requirements, and HOA rules. When you line those pieces up with your goals, it becomes much easier to spot which resort type actually fits your strategy.

If you want help comparing resort condos, evaluating rental-ready opportunities, or narrowing down the right fit for your goals, connect with The Brian Piercy Group.

FAQs

What makes North Myrtle Beach condos attractive for short-term rentals?

• North Myrtle Beach benefits from a large tourism economy, strong overnight visitor volume, more than 240 beach accesses, and heavy seasonal demand tied to beach travel and vacation spending.

Which North Myrtle Beach condo type has the best rental potential?

• It depends on your goal. Oceanfront towers usually have the strongest peak-season upside, low-rise resorts often offer a better balance of rentals and personal use, and golf or waterway communities can provide more diversified demand.

Do North Myrtle Beach short-term rentals need a business license?

• Yes. The city currently requires short-term rentals to have a business license, renew it annually, and keep the license information current.

Are short-term rentals allowed throughout North Myrtle Beach?

• The city says there is no special zoning or permit process beyond standard licensing at this time, but HOA or POA rules may still restrict rentals in a specific building or community.

What taxes and fees apply to North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals?

• Transient accommodations may be subject to South Carolina sales tax, South Carolina accommodations tax, applicable local sales or use tax, and the City of North Myrtle Beach hospitality fee.

How are North Myrtle Beach investment condos taxed for property tax purposes?

• In South Carolina, a primary residence is generally assessed at 4%, while a second home or vacation home is generally assessed at 6%, which is often the relevant baseline for investment-oriented condo purchases.

Are golf community condos in North Myrtle Beach good for rentals?

• They can be, especially if you want demand that is not tied only to summer beach travel. Golf and waterway communities may appeal to golfers, extended-stay guests, and buyers who value nearby dining and entertainment.