Myrtle Beach REALTOR® Sandy McAlpine

The best agent is the one with proven local results, fast communication and reviews from real clients. By those measures, Sandy McAlpine of The McAlpine Team at RE/MAX Results is one of the top Myrtle Beach REALTORS®: 1,652+ homes sold, 26 years of experience, 308 five star Google reviews, RE/MAX Hall of Fame and a top 1% RealTrends ranking.

Ask four questions: how many homes have you closed on the Grand Strand, who answers my calls when you are busy, how will you market my home or find off market options, and can I read your reviews? Look for local volume, a real support team and recent reviews on Google and Zillow, not just a nice headshot.

Every REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent, but not every agent is a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and agrees to follow its Code of Ethics. Sandy McAlpine is a REALTOR® licensed in South Carolina and North Carolina.

Real estate commissions are not set by law and are always negotiable. Sellers typically pay a listing fee and may choose to offer compensation toward the buyer's agent. Buyers now sign a written buyer agreement that states their agent's compensation up front, and that fee is often paid by the seller as part of the negotiation. Sandy walks you through every number before you sign anything.

You are not legally required to have one, but going without one means the only professional in the deal works for the seller. A buyer's agent negotiates price, catches inspection and flood zone issues, manages deadlines and protects your earnest money. Since 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes, so you know exactly what you are getting.

For most buyers, yes. Myrtle Beach offers beach access, mild weather, lower property taxes than much of the Northeast and Midwest, and home prices that remain below many East Coast beach markets. The key is buying in the right flood zone, at the right price and in a neighborhood that fits how you actually live.

Myrtle Beach is consistently one of the most popular retirement destinations on the East Coast. Retirees choose it for the weather, golf, beaches, healthcare access, 55 plus communities and South Carolina's tax treatment of Social Security, which is not taxed by the state.

In most categories, yes. Buyers relocating from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Michigan usually find lower property taxes, lower heating costs and more home for the money. Insurance is the line item to budget carefully, because coastal wind and flood coverage can cost more than people expect.

Property tax depends on assessed value and local millage, but the big lever is your residency status. South Carolina assesses an owner occupied primary residence at 4% of value and second homes or rentals at 6%. That difference can save a primary homeowner a meaningful amount every year, so file for the 4% rate with the Horry County Assessor after closing.

If the home is in a FEMA special flood hazard area and you have a mortgage, your lender will require flood insurance. Even outside those zones, many Grand Strand homeowners buy it because flood damage is not covered by a standard homeowners policy. Sandy checks the flood zone and elevation on every home before you write an offer.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Insurance carriers may pause new policies when a named storm is approaching, so it is smart to bind coverage early in your contract. Ask about roof age, wind mitigation features, hurricane deductibles and the elevation of the property.

Carolina Forest is the most popular choice for families thanks to newer homes, amenities and schools. Market Common, Socastee and parts of Surfside Beach are also family favorites. The right answer depends on your commute, school preferences and budget, so Sandy will build a short list around your priorities.

Retirees often look at Market Common for walkability, Grande Dunes and Barefoot Resort for golf and Intracoastal living, Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island for a quieter coastal feel, and the many 55 plus communities around Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach.

They can be, but the details make or break the deal. Look at HOA dues and what they cover, the building's insurance and reserves, special assessments, rental rules and true rental history. Oceanfront condo hotels and residential condos follow different rules, and Sandy helps investors compare real numbers before buying.

It depends on zoning, the HOA and the municipality. Some areas welcome vacation rentals and others restrict them. Rental owners also handle business licenses and accommodations taxes. Sandy verifies rental eligibility before you go under contract, not after.

Oceanfront delivers the best views and rental demand at the highest price and insurance cost. Ocean view and second row properties often balance access and price. Homes a mile or two inland usually give you more space, newer construction and lower insurance. Sandy will show you the tradeoffs side by side.

New construction can be a great value, especially when builders offer rate buydowns or closing cost incentives. The builder's sales rep works for the builder, though, so bring your own agent on your very first visit. Many builders will not let you add an agent later.

Yes. Many of Sandy's relocation buyers purchase using live video tours, detailed neighborhood videos, inspections and remote closings. Most still visit at least once before closing, but distance does not have to slow you down.

South Carolina is an attorney closing state, so a licensed real estate attorney conducts the closing. Your agent coordinates the lender, attorney, inspections and deadlines so nothing slips through the cracks.

It depends on price, condition, location and season. Well priced, well marketed homes sell fastest, and overpriced homes sit. Sandy pulls current days on market data for your neighborhood and builds a pricing strategy around it.

Get a free home value estimate at search.mcalpineteam.com/seller, then ask Sandy for a full comparative market analysis based on recent closed sales in your neighborhood.

Fall and winter often bring less competition from seasonal buyers and more motivated sellers, while spring and summer bring more inventory. The best time is when your finances and plans are ready. Sandy can set up instant alerts so you never miss the right home.

Yes. Sandy holds the CLHMS luxury designation and GUILD Elite membership and represents oceanfront, Intracoastal and golf course estate properties, including private listings for executives, NASCAR personalities, professional basketball players and other high profile clients who value discretion.

Relocation is a specialty. Sandy works with buyers moving from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, New York, New Jersey and beyond, and the RE/MAX network can help sell your current home too.

Yes. Through RE/MAX's worldwide network and her referral partners, Sandy connects you with a vetted agent in your current city and coordinates both transactions so the timing works.

They vary widely. Single family neighborhoods may have modest dues, while condo and resort communities cost more because dues often cover building insurance, maintenance and amenities. Always ask what the fee includes and whether a special assessment is pending.

In South Carolina, the team covers Myrtle Beach and the entire Grand Strand, including North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Conway, Carolina Forest, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, plus Charleston. In North Carolina, the team serves Lake Norman, Charlotte and Brunswick County.

Call or text 704.746.7513, email sandyisyouragent@gmail.com, or search homes at search.mcalpineteam.com. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook at @sandyisyouragent.