Planning A Second-Home Purchase In Ocean Lakes

Wondering whether Ocean Lakes is the right place for your second home? You are not alone. For many buyers, the appeal is easy to see: beach access, a resort-style setting, and a property you can enjoy with family while also exploring rental income. The key is understanding that buying in Ocean Lakes is a little different from buying a typical beach house elsewhere on the Grand Strand. If you are planning a second-home purchase here, this guide will help you focus on what matters most. Let’s dive in.

What makes Ocean Lakes different

Ocean Lakes Family Campground is located at 6001 South Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, about four miles south of downtown Myrtle Beach. According to Ocean Lakes, the community covers roughly 310 oceanfront acres, includes nearly one mile of beachfront, 2,579 annual lease sites, and 859 campsites. It also offers a water park, recreation center, nature center, golf car services, 20 beach accesses, and 24/7 security patrol.

That resort-style setup is a big reason buyers look here for a second home. You are not just buying near the beach. You are buying into a community with its own rules, rhythms, and amenities that shape how you will use the property.

Understand the ownership structure first

One of the most important things to know is that Ocean Lakes separates annual lease sites from campsites and vacation rentals. That means your purchase decision is not only about the home itself. It also involves the site arrangement and the policies that come with the community.

In practical terms, Ocean Lakes is different from a fee-simple beach property in many other parts of the Grand Strand. If you are comparing options, make sure you understand exactly what is being transferred, what rights come with the site, and how the community rules may affect your plans for personal use, guests, parking, and rentals.

Home types you may see in Ocean Lakes

Ocean Lakes includes a wide mix of property styles. Annual lease sites can hold elevated beach houses, mobile homes, or camper sites. Rental listings and official materials also show one- and two-story beach houses on stilts, homes converted from trailers, double-wide mobile homes, park model trailers, and trailers with additions.

Ocean Lakes says these structures can reach up to 1,600 square feet. That variety gives buyers more price points and use-case options, but it also means each property deserves careful review. Two homes may both be in Ocean Lakes, yet offer very different layouts, parking setups, and long-term upkeep needs.

Common property styles to compare

• Elevated beach houses on stilts
• One- and two-story beach homes
• Mobile homes, including double-wides
• Park model trailers
• Trailer-based homes with additions
• Camper-oriented annual lease sites

Match the property to how you plan to use it

Before you start touring homes, it helps to get clear on your goals. Are you mainly looking for a place for family vacations? Do you want occasional rental income? Or do you want a property that can support more regular short-term rental use when you are not in town?

Your answers matter because Ocean Lakes policies and seasonal patterns can affect how practical each option will be. A home that works well for your personal getaways may not be the best fit for rentals, and a strong rental layout may come with tradeoffs in privacy, storage, or parking.

Questions to ask yourself early

• How often will you use the home each year?
• Will you rent it out, and if so, during which seasons?
• Do you need extra parking for family or guests?
• Would you prefer a low-maintenance setup or more interior space?
• Are you comfortable with community rules around access, passes, and vehicles?

Know the seasonal rhythm before you buy

Ocean Lakes is open year-round, but the feel of the community changes a lot by season. Its FAQ says summer usually books several months in advance and identifies June, July, August, October, and holidays as peak times. Ocean Lakes Properties also notes that summer is the busiest season, July is the peak month, September is the second-busiest month, and winter is the calmest.

That matters for second-home buyers because your experience in July may be very different from your experience in January. If you want a lively vacation environment, peak season may be a plus. If you prefer a quieter second-home retreat, the off-season may be when you enjoy the property most.

What peak season can mean

During the summer peak period, Ocean Lakes Properties treats stays as weekly only, generally Saturday to Saturday. That schedule can influence rental planning, cleaning coordination, owner stays, and guest turnover. If income is part of your strategy, this is an important detail to factor into your planning.

Think through rental potential carefully

Many second-home buyers are interested in rental income, and Ocean Lakes does have an established vacation-rental environment. Ocean Lakes Properties handles nearly 300 rental units and serves as the official booking source for vacation homes inside the campground. At the same time, Ocean Lakes also states that private rentals are separate agreements between the guest and the annual lease site holder or the holder’s authorized agent.

That means one of your first due diligence questions should be how you plan to rent the property, if at all. Renting through Ocean Lakes Properties may look different from managing bookings privately. Your operating style, expected involvement, and comfort with rules and logistics should all be part of the conversation.

Rental details worth reviewing

Official Ocean Lakes rental policy says rental units are fully furnished. It also states that pets are not allowed in rental units, and peak-season stays are generally Saturday to Saturday. If you plan to rent, those details can affect furnishing costs, guest expectations, and how you market the home.

Understand South Carolina tax requirements

If you expect to generate short-term rental income, tax rules are part of the planning process. South Carolina says accommodations tax applies to stays of less than 90 consecutive days, including campgrounds and mobile home parks. The state also says directly booking short-term rentals requires a retail license.

Horry County also charges a hospitality fee on transient accommodations. The county says the rate depends on whether the business is inside or outside city limits, and it states that property managers should collect and remit the fee when they handle bookings. For buyers, the takeaway is simple: rental income involves more than nightly rates, so be sure you understand the setup before you buy.

Community rules can shape your ownership experience

In Ocean Lakes, everyday details matter. Visitor access, parking, golf car rules, pets, site work, and weather policies can all affect how easy the home is to enjoy. These are not minor items. They are part of the ownership experience.

For example, Ocean Lakes says visitors must register at the Main Office before entering the campground, and visitor passes are $15 per day per vehicle. If you plan to host family and friends often, that is worth discussing up front.

Key rule questions to ask before buying

• How many vehicles can fit on the site comfortably?
• Is there enough parking for the way you plan to use the home?
• What will guests need to do before entering the campground?
• Do you plan to own a golf car, and can you meet the registration and insurance requirements?
• Will pet rules affect your intended personal use or rental plans?
• If you want to improve the property later, what contractor approvals are required?

Parking and vehicle policies

Ocean Lakes says every vehicle needs a pass or annual decal, and overflow and remote parking are limited. That makes parking capacity a practical part of any buying decision. A home with an appealing interior may still be a poor fit if your household regularly brings multiple vehicles.

Golf cars and e-bikes

Current policy requires registration and liability insurance for privately owned golf cars. Ocean Lakes also prohibits gas-powered golf cars, sets a midnight curfew for golf cars and other wheeled transport, and limits golf car occupancy. If golf-car use is part of your beach lifestyle, make sure the property and your plans line up with those rules.

Pets and rental use

Ocean Lakes states that pets are not allowed in rental units, though pets are welcome at campsites under pet-courtesy rules. If you want to alternate between personal use and renting, this distinction is important. It can affect both your own plans and the type of rental guest you may attract.

Repairs, upgrades, and site work

Ocean Lakes requires approved contractors with insurance and a locate-before-digging request because of shallow underground utilities. If you are buying a property that may need updates, ask what work has been done already and what approvals may be needed for future projects. This can help you avoid surprises after closing.

Hurricane season should be part of your planning

For any coastal second home, weather readiness matters. Ocean Lakes has a hurricane-evacuation curfew policy from June 1 to November 1. Its policy guide also identifies bathhouses and the recreation center as severe-weather shelter options.

That does not mean you should be alarmed, but it does mean you should go in with a plan. Ask how current owners prepare, what procedures apply during storm season, and how that may affect your use of the property during certain months.

A smart second-home strategy for Ocean Lakes

The best Ocean Lakes purchase is usually the one that fits your real lifestyle, not just your wish list. A great-looking property may not be the best choice if parking is tight, visitor access feels cumbersome, or rental rules do not match your goals. On the other hand, a home with the right location, layout, and use flexibility can be a strong long-term fit for vacations, seasonal stays, or small-scale rental income.

That is where local guidance matters. When you understand the property type, the site setup, the seasonal rhythm, and the community policies together, you can make a much more confident decision.

If you are weighing a second-home purchase in Ocean Lakes, working with a local team can help you compare options clearly and ask the right questions before you commit. For personalized guidance across the Grand Strand, connect with Jan and Dan Sitter | Coastal Beach Homes.

FAQs

What makes buying a second home in Ocean Lakes different from buying other beach property?

• Ocean Lakes involves a leased-site community setup, so you are evaluating the home, the site arrangement, and the community rules together rather than looking only at the structure itself.

What property types can you buy in Ocean Lakes?

• Buyers may see elevated beach houses on stilts, mobile homes, double-wides, park model trailers, trailer-based homes with additions, and camper-oriented annual lease sites.

What should second-home buyers know about Ocean Lakes rental potential?

• Ocean Lakes has an active vacation-rental environment, with Ocean Lakes Properties handling nearly 300 rental units, but buyers should ask whether they plan to rent through the official program or privately and how that choice affects operations.

What taxes apply if you rent out an Ocean Lakes second home?

• South Carolina says accommodations tax applies to stays of less than 90 consecutive days, and directly booking short-term rentals requires a retail license. Horry County also charges a hospitality fee on transient accommodations.

What rules should buyers review before purchasing in Ocean Lakes?

• Buyers should review visitor registration, pass costs, parking limits, golf car rules, pet policies, contractor requirements, and hurricane-season procedures because these can all affect day-to-day ownership.

When is the busiest season in Ocean Lakes for second-home use or rentals?

• Summer is the busiest season, with July identified as the peak month. Ocean Lakes also lists June, July, August, October, and holidays as peak times, while winter is typically the calmest season.