Myrtle Trace

Independent Assessment

Myrtle Trace's legal age restriction, its 518-home count, its 1980-2005 build period, and its low reported HOA dues (roughly $100-$150/month) were independently confirmed across multiple consistent sources, including the community's own recorded covenant language ('no family may occupy a living unit unless at least one member thereof has attained the age of 55 or older'). At least two additional community names — 'Myrtle Trace Grande' (a later, D.R. Horton-built phase of 96 homes constructed roughly 2006-2010) and 'Myrtle Trace South' — are also marketed separately by real-estate directories under names distinct from the original Myrtle Trace, which buyers should keep in mind. Whether Myrtle Trace Grande and Myrtle Trace South operate under the same homeowners' association as the original Myrtle Trace, or as legally separate associations, has not been independently confirmed, so only the original, 518-home Myrtle Trace community is covered here rather than assuming the three are a single entity. Buyers interested in a specific address should confirm which of the three associations (if they are in fact separate) governs that property.

Who May Find This Community Appealing

Buyers who want a confirmed, legally age-restricted 55+ community at some of the lowest HOA dues in the Grand Strand, set beside a public golf course without golf-membership costs baked into the fee, and who prioritize an established, mature, tree-lined neighborhood over resort-style amenities, are the best fit for Myrtle Trace.

Homes, Builders & Development History

Myrtle Trace was developed over a 25-year span from 1980 to 2005, ultimately reaching 518 single-family homes plus a small number of townhouses on a site carved out of pine forest in Conway, adjacent to the Burning Ridge Golf Club. The identity of Myrtle Trace's original 1980s-era developer remains unconfirmed from accessible sources. A later, separately named phase — Myrtle Trace Grande — was built by D.R. Horton between approximately 2006 and 2010, adding 96 additional single-family homes ranging from about 1,232 to 1,630 square feet; whether it operates under the same HOA as the original community has not been confirmed, so it is treated as a related but distinct entity pending verification.

Current Pricing & Market Positioning

A specific current resale price range for Myrtle Trace has not been independently confirmed from accessible sources. Myrtle Trace is consistently described across independent real-estate sources as one of the more affordable 55+ options in the greater Myrtle Beach/Conway market, reflecting its inland location, older home vintage (1980-2005), and modest HOA-fee structure relative to newer, resort-amenity communities closer to the coast. Buyers should request current comparable sales for the specific home and section from a local agent.

New Construction vs. Resale Considerations

Myrtle Trace is fully built out and resale-only; there is no new construction available. Given the community's 1980-2005 build span, buyers should prioritize a full independent home inspection focused on roof age, HVAC systems, and any deferred maintenance, and should request the HOA's most recent financials and any pending special assessments as part of due diligence.

Taxes, Insurance & Special Assessments

Homes here are subject to Horry County property tax. South Carolina assesses an owner-occupied primary residence ('legal residence') at a 4% assessment ratio versus 6% for a second home or investment property, and the 4% rate requires filing an application with the Horry County Assessor rather than applying automatically. Because homes here range in age from roughly 20 to 45 years old, insurance underwriting (particularly roof age and any updates to electrical or plumbing systems) can vary significantly by home; buyers should obtain a property-specific quote.

Community Layout & Lifestyle

Myrtle Trace's lifestyle centers on its clubhouse and outdoor game courts rather than a resort amenity center, with an emphasis on traditional social clubs (book club, card groups, game nights) in a mature, tree-shaded neighborhood setting. Its location directly beside the public Burning Ridge Golf Club means golf is a short walk or golf-cart ride away for residents who want to play, without golf costs being folded into the HOA fee.

Shopping, Healthcare & Airport Access

Myrtle Trace sits in Conway along the US-501 corridor, adjacent to the Burning Ridge Golf Club, roughly 30 minutes inland from the beach at Myrtle Beach. The location offers residents a quieter, more inland setting with reasonably convenient access to Conway's own shopping, dining, and Conway Medical Center, along with a shorter drive than many coastal communities to Coastal Carolina University and the growing Carolina Forest retail corridor.

Age Qualification & Material Ownership Restrictions

Myrtle Trace is independently confirmed as a legally age-restricted 55-and-older community through its own recorded covenants, which state that no family may occupy a living unit unless at least one member of that household has attained the age of 55 or older. Buyers should confirm current occupancy and age-verification procedures, and whether the covenant language has been amended over the community's 45-plus-year history, directly with the Myrtle Trace HOA.

Tradeoffs & Limitations

Myrtle Trace's amenities are modest by comparison with newer, resort-amenity communities like Cresswind Myrtle Beach or the Del Webb communities — there is a pool, clubhouse, and outdoor game courts, but no fitness center, indoor pool, or golf ownership. Every home here is a resale, built between 1980 and 2005, so age-related system updates (roofs, HVAC, water heaters) should be a central part of any inspection. Whether the separately marketed Myrtle Trace Grande and Myrtle Trace South sections share the same HOA as the original community remains unconfirmed, so buyers should verify which association governs a specific address rather than assuming they are identical.

Comparison With Nearby Communities

Within the Conway 55+ market, Myrtle Trace is most directly comparable to Lakeside Crossing, a nearby gated, land-lease manufactured-home community that offers a similarly affordable, inland alternative to coastal Grand Strand pricing but under a very different ownership structure (Myrtle Trace is fee-simple homeownership; Lakeside Crossing homeowners lease the underlying land). Buyers who want fee-simple ownership, an established mature neighborhood, and the lowest HOA dues among named 55+ communities in the area are better served by Myrtle Trace; buyers prioritizing a newer manufactured home and resort-style amenities over land ownership may prefer Lakeside Crossing.

Current Listings

A connected local agent can provide current available resale inventory, recent closed comparables, and the current HOA fee for a specific address, and can help confirm which HOA (Myrtle Trace, Myrtle Trace Grande, or Myrtle Trace South) governs a specific property.

Is Myrtle Trace legally age-restricted?

Yes. Myrtle Trace's recorded covenants require that at least one resident of a household be 55 or older, independently confirmed through the community's own governing documents as described by its HOA and multiple secondary sources.

Are Myrtle Trace Grande and Myrtle Trace South the same community as Myrtle Trace?

Not confirmed. Myrtle Trace Grande (built roughly 2006-2010 by D.R. Horton) and Myrtle Trace South are marketed under separate names near the original Myrtle Trace, but whether they share the same homeowners' association has not been independently confirmed. Only the original, 518-home Myrtle Trace community is covered here; confirm which HOA governs a specific address before purchasing.

What are the HOA fees at Myrtle Trace?

Reported at roughly $100-$150 per month, among the lowest of the Grand Strand's named 55+ communities. Confirm the current fee and what it covers directly with the HOA.

Does Myrtle Trace have a golf course?

Myrtle Trace does not own a golf course, but it sits directly beside the public Burning Ridge Golf Club, making golf a short walk or golf-cart ride away for residents who choose to play, at costs separate from the HOA fee.