Cherry Grove sits at the north end of North Myrtle Beach, just before you cross into North Carolina, and it's one of the most distinct micro-markets along the entire Grand Strand. The canal homes, the raised beach houses, the pier, and the marsh-side lots all behave differently than the rest of the strip. After thirty-plus years writing offers along this coast, I've learned to slow down and talk through the specifics whenever a buyer mentions Cherry Grove, because what looks like a beach town on the surface has a lot of moving parts underneath. Here's what I want every buyer to understand before they shop here.
Where Cherry Grove Actually Begins and Ends
Cherry Grove runs from roughly 38th Avenue North up to the marsh at the very top of the strand. The ocean side is one piece. The intracoastal-facing channel side is another. The maze of canals in between is the part that really makes Cherry Grove different from anything south of here. Some streets are five blocks long and dead-end at a channel. Others run a quarter mile back from the beach with a different feel every block.
If you're shopping Cherry Grove real estate for the first time, drive both Sea Mountain Highway and Ocean Boulevard end to end before you commit to a section. The differences between 36th Avenue and 53rd Avenue are real, even though they're only a mile apart on the map.
The Canal Homes Are Their Own Market
The canal network on the channel side of Cherry Grove is the single feature that makes this area different from any other point on the Grand Strand. Owners with a canal-fronting lot can keep a small boat at a private dock and run out to the channel in minutes, which is a much shorter trip than what oceanfront owners get when they want to go boating.
The canal market has its own quirks worth knowing:
- - Dock permits and bulkhead conditions vary widely from lot to lot — never assume a dock conveys without confirming the permit is current and transferable
- - Water depth at low tide is the make-or-break detail; some canals run deep, some get too shallow at low tide for a real boat
- - Tidal flow affects insurance, dock maintenance, and even the smell of certain channels in late summer
- - HOA presence varies — some pockets have associations, many do not, and that affects bulkhead repair responsibility
Raised Beach Homes and Elevation Matter Here
Most of the residential Cherry Grove stock east of Sea Mountain Highway sits in AE or VE flood zones, which is why so many homes are built on tall pilings with parking and storage underneath. The raised beach style isn't aesthetic — it's a code requirement for new construction and a real value driver on resale.
Older single-story Cherry Grove cottages on slabs still exist, but they've been hit harder over the years by flooding and they carry higher insurance bills. The price difference at resale between a properly-elevated raised beach home and a comparable slab cottage on the same block can be substantial.
When you tour Cherry Grove, pay attention to the elevation of the finished floor. A house with the first floor 12 feet above grade tells a different insurance story than a house with the first floor at 5 feet.
The Vacation Rental Reality
Cherry Grove is one of the most active short-term rental markets on the Grand Strand. Plenty of buyers come specifically to buy a beach home that pays for itself through summer rental income. The market works, but the math is more nuanced than the listing photos suggest.
What I've watched consistently:
- - Properly-positioned ocean-block homes (within 2-3 blocks of the beach) carry the strongest rental performance
- - Canal-side homes rent well to families who bring boats or want a quieter experience
- - Direct-oceanfront homes pull the highest gross rates but carry the highest insurance and maintenance costs
- - Property management commissions, cleaning fees, and platform fees take 25-35% off gross rent
- - Years with strong hurricane activity can take 4-8 weeks out of the rental calendar overnight
The buyers who do best treat rental income as a partial subsidy of ownership rather than as a true investment return. Some of mine net out positive year after year. Some break even. Some net a small loss but still benefit from appreciation. Run conservative numbers.
Cherry Grove vs. Ocean Drive: Buyers Mix Them Up
Out-of-town buyers sometimes treat Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive as one market. They aren't. Ocean Drive (south end of North Myrtle Beach) has a different vibe — golf cart culture, the SOS shag dance heritage, a tighter restaurant cluster. Cherry Grove is quieter, more family-rental focused, and less centrally walkable. Both sit inside the broader North Myrtle Beach real estate market, but the buyer pools and the price patterns aren't identical.
If you're choosing between the two, walk both during a weekday in shoulder season (April or October works best). You'll see immediately which feels like home.
Price Bands Right Now
Realistic numbers for Cherry Grove inventory as of right now:
- - Older slab cottages a few blocks back from the ocean: $400,000 to $600,000
- - Mid-tier raised beach homes 2-4 blocks from the ocean: $650,000 to $950,000
- - Ocean-block raised beach homes: $1,000,000 to $1,800,000
- - Direct oceanfront: $1,500,000 and up, with the high end exceeding $3,000,000 for newer custom builds
- - Canal homes with permitted docks: $600,000 to $1,400,000 depending on lot, dock, and elevation
The market has held up well through the last several cycles. Cherry Grove inventory turns at a steady pace year-round.
Two Things I Tell Every Cherry Grove Buyer
First, the elevation certificate matters more than the listing photo. A raised home with a properly-documented elevation certificate carries a materially better insurance picture and a stronger resale story. Ask for the elevation certificate before you remove the inspection contingency, and if one doesn't exist, factor the survey cost into your offer.
Second, walk the block during a major rain event if you possibly can. The drainage in Cherry Grove varies street by street. Some streets clear water within an hour of a heavy storm. Some hold standing water for days. You won't see this in a sunny-day showing, but it tells you more about owning the property than almost anything else.
Key Takeaways
- - Cherry Grove sits at the north end of North Myrtle Beach with a distinct mix of ocean-block, raised beach, and canal homes
- - The canal network on the channel side is what makes Cherry Grove different — dock permits, water depth, and bulkhead conditions vary from lot to lot
- - Raised beach homes carry better insurance and resale than older slab cottages on the same block
- - Vacation rental income works if you run conservative numbers and account for 25-35% management costs plus storm-season exposure
- - Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive feel different despite being in the same city — walk both before choosing
- - Price bands run from $400,000 older cottages to over $3,000,000 for newer oceanfront custom builds
- - Pull the elevation certificate and walk the block during a heavy rain before going firm
About Greg Harrelson
Greg Harrelson is a seasoned Realtor® with more than 30 years of experience serving the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand markets. As the founder of Century 21 The Harrelson Group, Greg has built his career helping buyers, sellers, and investors achieve success in every corner of the coastal Carolina real estate market. His expertise spans residential homes, investment properties, land development, and coastal condos. Known for his deep local knowledge, innovative marketing strategies, and commitment to personal service, Greg consistently helps clients reach their real estate goals while navigating the ever-changing market with confidence and precision.