Grand Strand 55+ Community Buyer FAQ

Can I rent my home? It depends on the specific community CC&Rs. Most Grand Strand 55+ communities restrict short-term rentals (under 30 days) entirely or require HOA board approval. Long-term rentals (12-month leases) are generally permitted. Verify the rental restriction language in the CC&Rs before you purchase if rental income is part of your plan. Do HOA fees go up? Yes, every year. Del Webb communities have averaged 3–5% annual HOA fee increases over the past 5 years. Budget for increases. Request the last 5 years of HOA fee history from the management company and trend it forward. What is the working capital / capital contribution fee at closing? Del Webb charges a one-time capital contribution at purchase — typically 0.25–0.5% of purchase price. This is separate from your regular HOA fees. Cresswind and Seasons charge transfer fees. Budget $500–$3,000 depending on purchase price. Can I bring my golf cart? Most communities allow golf carts for internal use. Some have rules about cart registration, insurance, and permitted routes. Check the CC&Rs and HOA rules for golf cart policies before you buy a cart. What happens to my Horry County property tax after I move in? You must file separately for the 4% legal residence ratio (Assessor's office) and the 65+ homestead exemption (Auditor's office) within the year of purchase. Missing either filing costs you the exemption for that tax year with no retroactive correction. Do not assume your real estate attorney will handle this — confirm it is done. Is flood insurance required? Most Grand Strand 55+ communities sit outside the 100-year flood zone (FEMA Zone X), which means flood insurance is not required by lenders. However, a few sections of waterway-adjacent communities (Grande Dunes in particular) may have flood zone designations that trigger requirements. Ask your lender to run the flood determination on your specific address.