Top Tips for Choosing a Myrtle Beach Real Estate Agent

When it's time to buy or sell a home in Myrtle Beach, you need the right real estate to represent you throughout the transaction. Not all agents are created equal and not all agents fit with the type of property you have or with your personality. Here are a few of the top tips to use when choosing a real estate agent to represent you.

When Buying a Home in Myrtle Beach

Buying and selling are very different. While the right agent for selling your home may be great at selling, they may not be the best choice when buying. Some agents do both very well, but others specialize in one side of things or another.

When you start searching for a home in Myrtle Beach, you need an agent on your side. There's no good reason to skip hiring an agent as you don't have to pay them. The seller will pay the commission and you get the representation you need and the expertise necessary to find the right home. 

Choose an Agent with Experience

When choosing an agent to represent you as a buyer, choose one with experience. You don't just need an agent that has been in the real estate business for several years, but one with experience in the area you plan to buy. They should know all the normal real estate things, such as how to handle repair requests, dealing with paperwork, and negotiating. However, it should go further as they should be an expert in the neighborhoods you prefer and/or the type of property you're interested in.

Hard Worker

You don't want to hire an agent that isn't actively searching for the right home for you. They should work hard for you and help find you the right home as quickly as possible. Real estate agents shouldn't be just sitting at a desk all day unless they are making calls to find you the right home. They should be actively seeking connections and marketing to ensure their network is always growing as this will serve you, as the buyer, much better.

A few other tips for finding the right Myrtle Beach real estate agent when buying a new home include:

• Complete understanding of the local housing market

• Attention to detail

• Strong professional reputation

Ultimately, your agent should fit well with your personality, too. If they are high energy and you are not, it could be difficult to work with them or vice versa.

When Selling a Home in Myrtle Beach

While it's vital to find a great agent when buying a home in Myrtle Beach, it's just as important to find a great agent when selling a home in Myrtle Beach. You need someone with a great track record and plenty of experience. Here are a few tips for finding the right agent to take on your listing.

Expertise in Your Type of Property

If you're selling a luxury single-family home in Myrtle Beach, you need an agent with plenty of experience with this type of property. This is the same with any type of property. Not all agents have experience in the luxury market or the condo market. Make sure you hire an agent experience selling the type of property you own.

Great Marketing Plan

Marketing is vital when selling as it will gain the exposure you need. An agent with the ability to go beyond the sign in the yard, the MLS, and the other common marketing practices will serve you well. If they have a large database of buyers, they can help find the right targeted buyers for your home and get you plenty of exposure.

Excellent at Pricing

Pricing is one of the most important parts of getting a home sold. If it's priced correctly, it will sell much faster than if the property is overpriced or under-priced. A good agent will price your home just right and may even create a bidding war from buyers.

When it comes to buying or selling a home in Myrtle Beach, you need to make sure you have the right real estate agent helping you. It's necessary to hire someone with experience that fits with your plans and your property. Use the tips above to find the right agent for your specific needs.

Top Choices for Your Wedding in Myrtle Beach

Whether you've lived in Myrtle Beach your entire life or you're planning a destination wedding, you need to know which locations offer the best choices. From great views to romantic settings to quant ceremony options, Myrtle Beach has what you're looking for.

If you've recently become engaged, it's time to start planning your wedding. Choosing the location and venue is the first step. Here are some of the top wedding locations found throughout Myrtle Beach.

Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

A wonderful resort that was also featured on our list of romantic resorts, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes offers a great place for your wedding. They can accommodate up to 700 guests and the Grande lawn offers some of the most amazing views of the Intracoastal Waterway. They will even plan a gold outing or tennis tournament for your wedding party.

Pine Lakes Country Club

Another incredible spot for your wedding in Myrtle Beach is Pine Lakes Country Club. This spot has been one of the finest in the area for more than 90 years and many couples have been married here. They offer reception ballrooms with crystal chandeliers and fireplaces, along with plenty of space for outdoor receptions. If you have a large guest list, Pine Lakes can accommodate.

Thompson Farm & Nursery

Actually located in Conway, Thompson Farm & Nursery is a great choice for your wedding. They can accommodate up to 200 seated guests and offer beautiful aging trees on a quiet farm. The reception space is an open-air barn with plenty of space. Those looking for a more vintage or farm-style wedding will love this area. They also offer special rates for weddings in January and February.

Brookgreen Gardens

Found in Murrells Inlet, Brookgreens Garden may be the most beautiful place for a wedding in the Myrtle Beach area. It was founded in 1931 and ever since the beautiful gardens complete with sculptures and incredible landscaping have been the backdrop for plenty of "I Do's".

Brookgreen Gardens offers several wonderful settings to choose from as you set the scene for your ceremony and reception. Choose from the Lowcountry Center and Courtyard, the Huntington Sculpture Garden, a cozy cottage, or the Pavilion Restaurant. Each offers something a bit different with plenty of beauty all throughout.

Dunes Golf & Beach Club

The best of both worlds with the beauty of the ocean and the golf course all rolled into one amazing wedding location. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club offers plenty of room with a ballroom offering space for up to 300 seated or 500 for cocktail service. This is one of the finest wedding venues in Myrtle Beach.

A few more great wedding locations to choose from include:

• Saint Michaels Catholic Church

• Ripley's Aquarium

• Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

• Saint Andrew Catholic Church

• North Beach Plantation Myrtle Beach

• Sea Watch Resort Myrtle Beach

• Our Lady Star of the Sea Church

• Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort

Myrtle Beach is filled with incredible venues for your wedding reception and ceremony. This list offers up some of the best choices and you will want to book early or you may not get your first choice.

Understanding the Escrow Period When Buying a House

Maybe you've seen one of the movies highlighting the nightmares of the escrow period and you're worried about it. While it can be a bit stressful, it's nothing like what you may see in a comedy movie. Here's a quick guide to help ease your mind about the escrow period you'll go through when buying a house.

What is the Escrow Period?

After the home selling contract has been signed, you'll enter into the escrow period. This period is about 30 to 60 days long and provides time for several things to happen. Before entering the escrow period, the buyer will provide a deposit on the house, which will be held by a third party, usually an escrow company or the title company. 

What Happens During the Escrow Period?

The escrow period can be a very busy time for both the buyer and the seller. Usually, the seller will be working on packing their things and preparing the property for the new owner. The buyer will be working on plenty of things, as well, including:

• Getting an appraisal - Usually, an appraisal will be required by the lender and will be done during the escrow period.

• Getting a home inspection - A certified home inspector will be hired to determine if there are any maintenance challenges a buyer will face with the property.

• Get homeowners insurance - Another requirement of the lender, the buyer will need to get home insurance during the escrow period.

• Negotiate repairs - After the home inspection has come back, the buyer will have the opportunity to negotiate to have repairs done or for a lower price to cover the cost of repairs. This usually happens if a major issue has been uncovered and is less likely with very minor repairs.

Make arrangements to move in - The buyer will also use this time to pack up their belongings, hire a moving company, and get ready to move in.

Contingencies to Handle During the Escrow Period

When a buyer and seller enter into the escrow period, the contract will spell out many contingencies that must be handled during this time. These contingencies often include:

• An Appraisal Contingency - If the property doesn't appraise for at least the amount the buyer has agreed to pay the seller, they may be able to walk away from the deal.

• Home Inspection Contingency - If the home inspection report shows a major repair it may allow the buyer to walk away. However, it's more common the buyer and seller will negotiate a lower price or the seller may pay for the repair. 

• Financing Contingency - If the buyer cannot get financing, it may cause the deal to fall apart. Often, the escrow period allows the buyer to go from pre-approved by a lender to approve through the appraisal, home inspection, getting home insurance, and other things that must be dealt with. As long as the loan is funded, the financing contingency will be lifted.

Let Your Real Estate Agent Be Your Guide

Going through the process of buying a home can be stressful. With the right real estate agent on your side, you'll have a knowledgeable guide to help ensure you understand what's going on and why. Let your agent be your guide during the escrow period and you won't have anything to worry about.

Top 7 Benefits of Retiring to Myrtle Beach

It's finally time to retire and move somewhere warmer. You've thought about Florida, but you're not really attracted to the hot and sticky summers that become almost unbearable. You've considered somewhere southwest, but it's just not the right fit for you.

Maybe Myrtle Beach is your great compromise and provides the perfect choice. Beautiful beaches, plenty of things to do, and a great climate filled with sunshine and bearable temperatures most of the year might be just what you're looking for. Here are seven of the top benefits you'll gain if you retire to Myrtle Beach.

Climate

One of the major drivers of the decision to retire to a specific location is the climate. Myrtle Beach gets more than 200 sunny days per year and the average temperature is about 74 degrees. The winter isn't quite as warm, but average temperatures still float between 55 and 60 degrees, so no more shoveling snow. 

Plenty of Golf

If you're hoping for a great destination for golf, Myrtle Beach should be tops on the list. With more than 100 golf courses in the area, Myrtle Beach is known as one of the major Golf Capitals in the world. 

All the golf courses are open year-round and you can even enjoy 30 mini golf courses. Myrtle Beach also attracts several golf tournaments throughout the year you can attend.

Affordability

The cost of living in Myrtle Beach is lower than many other top retirement destinations. It's lower than the US average for housing and transportation, as well. The lower cost of living can be a huge benefit for those retiring to the area.

The Beaches

Of course, the beaches are a huge draw for retirees and a major benefit. The Grand Strand is found here and provides 60 miles of beaches through Myrtle Beach. There are plenty of choices and the beaches are beautiful here.

Easy Travel

Retirees often want to have a home base and do some traveling. Myrtle Beach provides an airport with services including Delta, United, and American Airlines. They also have regional options, such as Porter, Spirit, and Allegiant. It's easy to travel from Myrtle Beach by airplane or by car.

Plenty of Activities & Events

Myrtle Beach offers plenty of activities for retirees to enjoy including tennis, biking, golf, and more. There are plenty of things to do all throughout the area.

The annual events include plenty of great options, such as the Blue Crab Festival and Oktoberfest. There are several concert series throughout the summer and plenty of holiday events every year, as well.

Shopping & Dining

With plenty of shopping throughout the area including the Tanger Outlets and Coastal Grand Mall, you'll never have to worry. Myrtle Beach also offers incredible dining with restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining all throughout the area.

Myrtle Beach offers plenty of great benefits for those looking to retire. Unlike Florida and Arizona, you don't have to escape the heat of summer to head back north. Sure, it's warmer in the summer, but most retirees find it bearable enough to stay year-round.

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For Sale By Owner seems attractive as you'd likely choose this option to save the real estate agent commission. Sometimes, it's the right decision, but more often than not, it's more hassle than you bargained for. Here are five good reasons you shouldn't try to sell your home on your own.

Pricing is a Bit of an Artform

Sure, it seems easy to figure out how much to sell your home for, but it's not. You have to have a good knowledge of the current real estate market in your area. Then, you have to have access to similar homes that sold in the area recently. Finally, you have to make adjustments based on the uniqueness, condition, and differences of your home compared to the others that sold recently.

It's an art form real estate agents are very good at and the price is probably the most important factor in selling your home. Get the listing price right and you'll be flooded with interest. Price the property too high or too low and you may struggle to get serious buyers interested in making an offer.

Exposure is Hard

When you choose the For Sale By Owner route, you'll quickly find getting exposure is difficult. Placing a sign in the yard and an ad on Craigslist isn't enough. It's a start, but you also need to place ads on the Facebook Marketplace, in the local newspaper, and anywhere else you can find. In addition, these ads need to be updated weekly and you still won't get a ton of exposure.

Even getting your property on the MLS isn't going to give you massive exposure as every property is found online these days. You need something different to get exposure and you probably don't have the huge network of potential buyers a real estate agent has built up over the past decade.

Exposure sells homes when everything else is right. If you cannot get exposure, you'll be hoping for a bit of luck to get your home sold on your own.

The Paperwork isn't Easy

Have you ever gone through the contracts involved in selling a home? Do you understand the contingencies of a home offer? Are you prepared to close on your home without making any major mistakes?

The paperwork in a home sale isn't just complicated, but it's time-consuming to complete and understand. Real estate agents deal with the paperwork every day and have been trained to fill it out correctly. They know what to do and if you don't, the paperwork alone could be too much for you to handle.

Home Preparation isn't Easy

Yes, you can search online for tips to prepare your home for sale and even hire a stager, if you're willing to spend a few thousand dollars. However, you'll likely end up with a home not well prepared to be sold. When you have a showing, the home may not show well due to the fact that it wasn't properly prepared.

Remember, buyers have probably looked at several homes and may have walked through more than one that was professionally cleaned, staged, and well prepared for sale. If you cannot measure up, why should they even consider your home?

You'll Need Patience

For Sale By Owner properties, on average, take longer to sell. When an agent can step in, reach out to their network of interested buyers, and prepare the home for sale properly, they can get it sold faster. If you don't want your home sitting on the market for months, you may not want to try to sell it on your own.

Selling a home is a huge endeavor and for many, it will become a full-time job, if they do everything necessary to get it sold. Hiring an agent takes this weight off your shoulders and makes selling your home easier, faster, and often worth more.

Tips for Selling Your Myrtle Beach Home With Pets

Your pets are very important to you and they need to be treated as such. You need to make sure they are happy and healthy just like everybody else in your family. 

When it's time to sell your Myrtle Beach home, your pets need to be handled with care. So does the rest of your house, since it could smell like your pets.

While you may be accustomed to the smell, non-pet owners will notice it in a hurry. It's not just about the smell, either. Here are a few tips to help with your pets when selling your Myrtle Beach home.

Deep Cleaning First

Before you even list your home, you need to hire someone to do a deep cleaning. Then, you need to prepare yourself for accidents. Arm you cleaning supplies with a strong carpet cleaner and plenty of deodorizer in case of an accident. Even if your animals don't usually have accidents, they may due to the changes going on around your home and in their lives.

Once the home is deep cleaned, make sure you keep it clean. Do a spot clean before any showings or open houses just to be sure.

Make Plans for Your Pets During Showings

When a showing is scheduled, you need to know where your pets will be and what you will do with them. Often, you don't need to be there for a showing as that's your agent's job. You can take the pets to a dog park or take them for a ride to a friend’s house while the showing is going on.

If you have several showings scheduled in a row, you may want to have your pets relocated to a kennel or pet hotel for a few days. This can give them a fun getaway and you the ability to get your home sold without worries of pets being in the way.

Hide Pet Supplies

Sometimes, you can clean all you want and if a potential buyer sees pet supplies, they will suddenly smell pets. Hide everything away where it cannot be found and make it look like pets don't live there. 

Pet toys, bowls and other items can make the house look messy and can make it harder to get your home sold. If you have a place out of the way you can stash your pet items, do so. You may even want to pack up all the unnecessary items since you will be moving soon.

Get Your Non-Moveable Pets Prepared

Not all dogs, cats, or other pets can easily be moved. Birds and fish can be hard to move and you want to make sure you're prepared for this. Put a warning sign up on the door for the room they live in so that anybody looking at your home knows there are pets inside. You can also cover the cage or aquarium with a sheet to keep people from putting their fingers in it.

Your pets are important, but they are a bit of an obstacle when selling your Myrtle Beach home. You want to make sure they are well cared for during the process, but also remove any signs they live in your home so that you can appeal to all buyers looking at your property.

Things You Need To Know About Selling FSBO

Selling your property on your own isn't easy and many sellers start with the FSBO route. It's possible you've been through this process and even seen a few contracts fall through before closing. Here are some of the answers to some of the most common questions when selling FSBO.

Once you decide to sell your property on your own, you'll likely get plenty of communication from real estate agents. Most of this communication will be agents looking for a listing. Many of the agents calling you probably haven't even researched the property. They may not even know where the property is located.

What it Takes to be Successful in the Real Estate Market

Many sellers considering the FSBO route are not sure if they can be successful. It's very possible to be successful when selling your property on your own. About 10 to 12% of FSBO properties are actually sold by the owner without an agent's help. 

In order to find success when going the FSBO route, you really need to know what the 10 to 12% are doing. Check out the next post/video and find out what successful FSBO sellers are doing to find success in the real estate market.

How The Compound Effect Of Marketing Helps You Sell For More Money

After several questions, it was necessary to do a video about the compound effect of marketing. It has been mentioned in several other videos and it can be a bit confusing.

The compound effect includes marketing a number of properties over a long period of time. It's easier to understand when looking at a comparison between someone selling a few hundred properties a year compared to someone selling just a few properties.

An Individual Selling One Property

Let's look at someone selling on their own that's going a bit overboard and overachieving with their marketing plan. They will obviously have a sign in the yard, but that's just the beginning. This person would also be posting an ad on Craigslist and the Facebook Marketplace. They will likely post on NextDoor and also in any groups they may be a part of within the community, such as church groups, book clubs, golf leagues, etc.

This person may have even gone as far as sending out an email to their centers of influence (people they know within the community) to let them know their home is for sale. They may even go a step further and optimize their profiles on Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. Maybe they have even gone as far as doing a video tour of the property including shots from a drone.

This overachiever may even go as far as refreshing these profiles, ads, and marketing methods once a week to keep them current. They certainly have quite a bit of marketing out there for their one property. This is an example of an over-the-top marketing plan for one property sold by one person. Most sellers won't go this far.

Most people selling on their own will put a sign in the yard and take out a couple ads, but that's about all they do. This example, however, is pretty aggressive for someone selling on their own without the resources of a professional real estate agent.

In this example, you're selling one property every couple of years, at most, because it's your own property. Over time, there's no build up from the marketing you're doing for that one property. There's no compound effect from your marketing efforts and no database of buyers being created due to your marketing plan.

It's also unlikely that you would set up funnel systems for those expressing interest in your property, but not showing up or making an offer. While all the marketing methods in this example are good, they are just one-off activities used to sell your property once.

The Power of the Compound Effect from a Professional Marketing Agent

When you hire a professional marketing agent to market your property, you get the compound effect. They will do many of the things mentioned in the first example and more, but it's done with every single property on a day in and day out basis. This creates the compound effect.

When an agent markets like this, they capture buyer leads from various properties and build a database of interested buyers to market to over and over again. This allows a good agent to follow a lead from someone that's just looking to someone ready to buy.

Over time, these systems are refreshed and maintained. This would be far more than a full-time job for a for sale by owner person and require a staff. This wouldn't make any sense for a single for sale by owner seller, but for an agent, it makes perfect sense.

The compound effect of marketing allows for a higher return on your property's sale. This is due to the marketing done over time, the database built by a good agent, and the staff they have to market your property in the most aggressive way possible.

The compound effect of marketing over time can be very powerful and can make it easier to sell your property. This effect allows an agent to become well-known within the right circles in their community, as well. If you're looking for the most powerful marketing possible, choosing an agent that markets hundreds of properties is a great way to put the compound effect to work for you.

Should You Hire a Professional Photographer When Selling Your Home in Myrtle Beach? 

Selling your Myrtle Beach home isn't easy. The right tools make it easier and allow you to sell for the right price. With so many people starting their home search online, your listing pictures are vital to achieving a successful sale. 

Myrtle Beach is a unique community drawing interest from all over the globe. Buyers come from the north to retire or in search of a warmer place to live. Some buyers even come from overseas.

When buyers are hundreds of miles away from the place they want to relocate to, listing pictures become their go-to when searching for a home. They are only searching online since they cannot be there in person. If you don't show off your property in the best possible way, you could end up losing out on these potential buyers.

Do Professional Images Make a Difference?

When a home is properly stages and well photographed, it becomes a prime listing ready to be sold. From the buyer's perspective, seeing amazing pictures that look like they could be in a magazine may be reason enough to give your property a closer look. Without great listing pictures to draw potential buyers in, you may struggle to get people to look at your online listing.

Imagine sifting through hundreds of pictures of homes looking for the perfect one. You're almost looking for a needle in a haystack and the best way to find a needle in a haystack is to make it look bright, shiny, and far more attractive than the hay.

Is a Professional Photographer Necessary?

The answer to this question is a bit tricky. Professional quality images are 100% necessary to get your Myrtle Beach home sold for the right price. However, a professional photographer isn't always necessary.

Some real estate agents have the equipment to take high-quality pictures for you and don't need to hire a professional. However, if they get out their smartphone and start snapping listing pictures, you need to question them. Phones take good pictures these days, but they are not good enough for your listing.

If you plan to allow your real estate agent to take your listing pictures, they better have the right equipment. One of the major reasons a professional photographer provides such great images is the equipment they've invested in. High-quality photography equipment costs thousands of dollars and most agents don't make this type of investment in the cameras they use for listing pictures.

Standing Out of the Crowd

When you want to sell your Myrtle Beach home, you want to stand out from the crowd. You won't be the only home on the market. You'll be competing with plenty of other properties very similar to yours, but you can still stand out.

Professional pictures make your listing pop and make you stand out. Without professional pictures, you may not get the property sold as fast or for the price you want. Hiring a professional to take your listing pictures is an investment as it will likely pay off.

A professional photographer will spend hours taking the pictures and editing them to make sure they are the very best representation of your property for sale. Make sure your agent is using a professional photographer or at least has the right equipment to take incredible pictures for your listing.