Published November 2026 | By Abe Safa, Century 21 The Harrelson Group
Short answer: before you list a house on the coast, gather your flood zone, insurance costs, roof age, permits, termite paperwork, HOA documents and the state disclosure form.
Those are the questions Myrtle Beach buyers ask first, and having the answers ready keeps deals together.
I am Abe Safa with Century 21 The Harrelson Group, local since 1988, with over 1,300 closed transactions in 11 years. Call or text (843) 360-2145.
The Coastal Seller Checklist
Inland checklists cover paint and curb appeal. On the Grand Strand, buyers also want proof about water, wind and paperwork. This is what to gather before the house goes live.
| Item | What to gather | Why buyers ask |
|---|---|---|
| Flood zone | Your FEMA flood zone, any elevation certificate, flood claim history | Flood zone and history drive the buyer's insurance cost and loan approval |
| Insurance | Current premiums for homeowners, wind and flood; roof age and any wind mitigation features | Buyers get quotes during due diligence; surprises kill deals |
| Roof and systems | Roof install date, HVAC and water heater ages, receipts and warranties | Roof age affects insurability on the coast |
| Permits | Permits and final inspections for additions, porches, decks, pools and HVAC changes | Unpermitted work raises questions with buyers, appraisers and insurers |
| Termite letter | Termite bond, treatment history and the provider's contact | Most buyers order a CL-100 wood infestation report |
| Survey and lot | Any survey, easements, fence and shed locations | Encroachments and easements show up at title review |
| HOA | Dues, rules, recent minutes, any special assessment, transfer fees | Required on the HOA addendum and read closely by buyers |
| Disclosure form | The South Carolina Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement | Must be delivered before the contract is signed |
For repairs, staging and pricing, pair this with the repairs, staging and pricing checklist.
1. Know Your Flood Zone
Look up your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. If you have an elevation certificate from a past flood policy, a survey or a builder, put it in your listing file. It helps buyers get accurate flood quotes instead of guessing. Gather any flood claims or repairs made while you owned the home too, because the South Carolina disclosure form asks about them in detail.
2. Price the Insurance for the Buyer
On the coast, insurance can change what a buyer can afford. Write down what you pay for homeowners, wind and flood coverage, the roof install date and any wind mitigation features such as hurricane straps, impact windows or shutters. A National Flood Insurance Program policy can usually be assigned to the buyer, which can help when your rate is lower than a new policy. The coastal insurance guide explains what buyers check.
3. Pull Your Permits
Screened porches, sunrooms, decks, pools, enclosed garages and HVAC changes are the usual questions. Find the permits and final inspections for work done while you owned the home. If something was never permitted, talk to your agent before listing about whether to permit it, disclose it or price around it. See whether to sell as-is or make repairs first.
4. Get the Termite Paperwork Ready
Most buyers order a CL-100, the South Carolina wood infestation report, before closing. If you have a termite bond, gather the contract, the provider's contact and the treatment history. A clean history with an active bond reassures buyers.
5. Gather HOA Documents
If your home is in an HOA, collect the dues amount, the rules, recent board minutes and any pending special assessment or transfer fee. You will need them for the HOA addendum to the disclosure form, and buyers will read them closely.
6. Complete the Disclosure Form Early
South Carolina sellers must give buyers the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement before the contract is signed. Filling it out early, while you can still find receipts and records, prevents surprises later. Our South Carolina disclosure guide walks through every section, including the flood questions.
7. Set the Price From Closed Sales
The paperwork keeps a deal together. The price gets the offer. Start with a free market analysis built from recent closed sales, check current competition in the latest Myrtle Beach market report, and run a seller net sheet so you know what you will walk away with. If you are still deciding on timing, read whether now is a good time to sell and what buyers are looking for right now. Then use how to choose your listing agent.
What Sellers Say
Sellers describe Abe as trustworthy, straightforward and responsive. He is rated 5.0 on Google and Zillow, with more than 270 client reviews on Realtor.com, and has closed over 1,300 transactions in 11 years with over $285 million in sales volume. These are reproduced from published client reviews.
- "Abe is the epitome of personal service. His staging advice for our home near Grande Dunes was invaluable. Sold in 3 weeks for more than we thought possible." P. Sakkian, verified Google review
- "Professional and courteous in advising on which offer to accept. Closed out the sale within 30 days. He makes the process easy." J. Scott, verified Google review
- "We are not local and had no idea who to hire. Abe helped us navigate a sale from a distance and we got full asking price. Highly recommend for out-of-state sellers." D. Large, verified Google review
Quotes are reproduced from the published client reviews on the Abe Safa Sales Team reviews page, which carries the Google and Zillow ratings and more reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do before listing my house in Myrtle Beach?
Gather the paperwork buyers will ask for on the coast: your flood zone and any elevation certificate, insurance premiums and roof age, permits for any additions, your termite bond, HOA documents and the South Carolina disclosure form. Then fix the small items an inspector will flag, price from recent closed sales and book professional photos. Starting six to eight weeks ahead leaves time for all of it.
How do I find my flood zone in Myrtle Beach?
Look up your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, or ask your insurance agent or a surveyor. If you have an elevation certificate from a past flood policy or a survey, include it with your listing documents, because it helps buyers get accurate flood insurance quotes.
Can a buyer take over my flood insurance policy?
A National Flood Insurance Program policy can usually be assigned to the buyer at closing, which can help if your current rate is lower than a new policy would be. Tell your agent and your insurer early so the buyer can compare it with new quotes during due diligence. Private flood policies follow their own rules.
Do I need a termite letter to sell a house in South Carolina?
It is not required by law, but most buyers and lenders ask for a CL-100, the South Carolina wood infestation report, before closing. If you have a termite bond, gather the paperwork and treatment history now so the inspection goes smoothly.
Should I get a pre-listing inspection?
It often helps for older homes or homes with known issues, because you can fix problems or disclose them up front instead of renegotiating after the buyer's inspection. Anything the inspection reveals that you then know about belongs on your disclosure form.
Who can help me get my house ready to sell in Myrtle Beach?
A listing agent who walks you through the coastal paperwork, prices from closed sales and builds a launch plan. Abe Safa and the Abe Safa Sales Team at Century 21 The Harrelson Group, local since 1988, have closed over 1,300 transactions in 11 years with over $285 million in sales volume and are rated 5.0 on Google and Zillow. Call or text (843) 360-2145.
