It’s that time of year when it’s getting too hot to be anywhere but in the water and we’re dreaming of summer days in a beach home of our own on the Carolina coast… and wondering what it takes to actually afford it.

We’ve found 10 vacation homes we want (ranging from small, second-home cottages to massive mansions) and paired them with finance tips from Greenville Federal Credit Union on how to actually get them. Read on for inspiration (or just some major real estate envy). 🌴

1. Myrtle Beach, S.C.

🏠 4902 N Ocean Blvd. | 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms | 9,800 sq ft | $3,450,000 | Host the biggest family reunion or ultimate friends’ weekend ever with plenty of space, including 3 master suites and a multi-level heated pool. | 💰 Here are two questions you should ask yourself when buying a house.

2. Oak Island, N.C.

🏠 1014 W Beach Dr. | 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom | 1,176 sq ft | $349,000 | Completely furnished + one block from the beach with plenty of storage and parking underneath the cottage. Bonus: There’s an outdoor shower. 💦 | 💰 Start prepping for your new home with this loan/refinancing checklist.

3. Isle of Palms, S.C.

🏠 122 Ocean Blvd. | 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms | 5,623 sq ft | $6,995,000 | Dreaming of days in the L-shaped infinity edge pool (with a remote-controlled hot tub), cooking in the outdoor kitchen + dining space, and walking down a private boardwalk to the quiet end of the beach. | 💰 Have questions about Home Equity Lines of Credit? Here are your answers.

4. Hilton Head, S.C.

🏠 113 N Forest Beach Ct. | 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms | 1,556 sq ft | $725,000 | Super family-friendly home with an oceanfront adult pool, kiddie pool, sun deck, and private beach access boardwalk. Note: This home requires a regime fee for common area maintenance, which includes landscape, pool care, trash pick-up + pest control. | 💰 See current loan rates.

5. Oak Island, N.C.

🏠 503 Norton St. | 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms | 1,868 sq ft | $479,900 | New construction home on a large lot touching Elizabeth Creek, with views of the ICW & G.V. Barbee bridge from the wraparound porch. | 💰 Ready to get serious? You can request a pre-approval or pre-qualification letter – info here.

6. Salvo, N.C.

🏠 26001 Colony Dr. | 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms | 3,414 sq ft | $908,500 | Located in an established community on Hatteras Island, this home has killer ocean views (best seen from the oceanside hot tub) with direct access to Salvo Beach. It also has ground-level access ramps, an elevator and a master bathroom equipped for people with physical disabilities.

7. Bald Head Island, N.C.

🏠 333 S Bald Head Wynd. | 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms | 2,513 sq ft | $979,00 | Every room in this yacht-rock-vibin’ beach house has views of the ocean. It’s ~50 steps from beach access + a ~7 min. walk to the Bald Head Island Club. 💰How much can you put down? See if an ARM or Fixed Rate is the right type of mortgage for your needs.

8. Johns Island, S.C.

🏠 767 Curlew Ct. | 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms | 2,323 sq ft | $999,000 | Modern family home on a quiet cul-de-sac behind Kiawah's second security gate, and just a bike ride away from The Beach Club and Osprey Beach. Bonus: awesome porches. 💰 Here’s a handy calculator to see how much house you can qualify for.

9. Supply, N.C.

🏠 3822 Courtenay Dr. | 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms | 3,458 sq ft | $900,000 | Three-story home with views of the ocean, ICW, or marina (and an occasional dolphin or manatee sighting) from every room. Plus awesome decks and large, lofted living spaces. 💰If you go with an adjustable rate mortgage, should you go with a Two Year ARM or Five/One ARM? See your options.

10. Folly Beach, S.C.

🏠 403 W Indian Ave. | 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms | 3,218 sq ft | $995,000 | Custom-built home with 26-ft.-high ceilings, heart of pine floors, its own movie theater + a bathroom with a 10 sprayer shower. Count us in. 💰If you’re ready to sell your home + move down to the coast, list your home on our Digs page. Ⓟ

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