We want to be your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Resource!

This section is a mixture of our newest listings, real estate news and some of the testimonials and accolades that our agents have received from satisfied clients.  

Please reach out if you have any questions.  We'd love to talk with you!

 

 

Jan. 5, 2019

Great Resorts for a Valentine's Day Getaway

Where to Go for Romance in Myrtle Beach, SC?

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and it's time to get romantic with your special someone. If you're looking for a great romantic getaway or stay-cation, Myrtle Beach has plenty to offer. There are several great resorts perfect for Valentine’s Day and even if the weather isn't perfect, you can have a great time.

Sometimes, the best getaways are those right within your city, especially in Myrtle Beach. Tourists get to enjoy the wonderful resorts all the time, but those living in Myrtle Beach tend to miss out. Now is the time to book your romantic stay-cation and enjoy a few days at one of the most romantic resorts found in Myrtle Beach.

Ocean Creek Resort Myrtle Beach

Covering a total of 57 acres, you won't need to leave this resort to enjoy romance. Ocean Creek Resort offers oceanfront villas, garden homes and condos to choose from with plenty of privacy. Get away from the hustle and bustle of life for a few days and enjoy bike rides, walks along the many trails and boardwalks, amazing views and so much more.

The location of this resort is very close to Barefoot Landing, which makes it easy to enjoy great dining, too. Book your reservation for your getaway and include a table at Greg Norman's Australian Grille or one of the fine restaurants nearby.

Sandy Beach Oceanfront Resort Myrtle Beach

Another great choice for romance, Sand Beach Oceanfront Resort offers two-person Jacuzzi tubs in the rooms. Enjoy plenty of romance here with a lazy river you can float down, on-site whirlpools, and plenty of amenities. 

Caribbean Resort & Villas Myrtle Beach

Those seeking a romantic resort with a spa will love what the Caribbean Resort & Villas offers. This resort is home to The Mist Spa with plenty of amazing treatments including couples massages. You can book a villa, condo or suite for your stay and enjoy plenty of romance throughout your time here.

The Caribbean Resort & Villas is found next to the Sea Captain’s House, which offers plenty of fresh seafood. This location makes it an even better choice for your romantic getaway.

Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

Book the honeymoon package with Marina Inn at Grande Dunes and enjoy all kinds of romance. They offer several romance packages with upscale accommodations including a fireplace, whirlpool hot tub, terrace and more. You can enjoy a wonderful dinner at the Waterscapes Restaurant and even relax with a martini from the bar. They even offer hot stone massages in your private room.

Avista Resort North Myrtle Beach

The location of the Avista Resort allows you to enjoy the best of North Myrtle Beach, but you don't even need to leave the resort for romance. Avista Resort offers plenty of luxurious amenities with a full-service restaurant called Just Off Main and plenty more. 

 

If you're looking for the right way to enjoy Valentine's Day this year, book a stay at one of the best resorts in Myrtle Beach. Even just a couple of days can be enough to let you escape from normal life and reconnect with your special someone.

 

Jan. 4, 2019

Staging Your Home For a Successful Sale

When it's time to sell, it's time to stage. Without staging your home, you may not sell your property as quickly or for as high of a price. Staging makes the home look as desirable as possible and needs to be done for a successful sale. 

Understanding Staging

Today, staging is more of an art form as it helps to make your home look appealing for home buyers. It's a bit like dressing it up to show off the best features in the very best way possible. When you want to sell your Myrtle Beach home quickly, proper staging will make a difference.

Staging not only helps with the showings and open houses but also with the listing pictures. With nearly all home buyers finding their new home online first, it's important to have great listing pictures. Staging allows you to make your home look like it belongs in a magazine spread before having your listing pictures taken.

How to Stage Your Home for a Successful Sale

Staging comes in many forms. Here are a few of the things you want to do when staging your home for sale in Myrtle Beach.

Repairs

Making repairs may not "dress" up your home, but it will certainly clean up the home inspection. The best thing you can do is get a home inspection of your own done and clear off as many items as possible. 

In addition, you want to take care of small things that may not show up on a home inspection. These repairs may include:

  • Broken or outdated cabinet handles
  • Peeling paint
  • Carpet stains
  • Dated flooring
  • Cracked Windows
  • Any other small, fixable issue

When you fix the small stuff, it all adds up to a more marketable property. Even a fresh coat of paint on the front door can make a bigger difference than you might imagine.

Painting

Speaking of painting, adding a fresh coat of paint throughout the home is a great start to staging your home for a successful sale in Myrtle Beach. Painting helps to make the home look clean and gives you the change to use all neutral colors. This helps the home to appeal to as many buyers as possible.

Declutter

Another important step in the staging process is decluttering your home. Many homes have too much furniture, too many decorations, and plenty of other things needing to be removed. Cut your furniture back to only what's necessary for each room. When you remove some of the furniture, it will help your home look and feel larger. 

In addition to the furniture, take out any personal items. You want your home to look neutral and well-organized before you take listing pictures or put it on the market.

Staging your home is a great step in the right direction towards a successful sale. When you decide you want to sell your Myrtle Beach home, make sure you speak to your real estate agent about how to properly stage your home. It may even be a good idea to hire a professional to help make your home look its best.

Dec. 30, 2018

Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants Opened in 2018

It's nearly the end of the year and a good time to look back at all the top Myrtle Beach restaurants that opened in 2018. There were several new choices for all types of dining and plenty of excitement surrounding the new restaurants. Here's a quick look at the some of the very best restaurants that opened in 2018 throughout Myrtle Beach.

Water Tree Cafe - 3620 Walton Drive unit C-1, Myrtle Beach

Water Tree Cafe opened near The Market Common and offers lunch and dinner. It's a unique spot with plenty of good choices on the menu. The menu offers salads, sandwiches, tacos, and entrees. Some of the items you will find on the menu include a panini of the week, vegetable stir-fry and the coastline catch of the day. 

Sol y Luna - 4270 River Oaks Drive, Myrtle Beach

Another great new restaurant in Myrtle Beach for 2018, Sol y Luna opened and has been a hit ever since. They serve Latin dishes with plenty of options on the menu. They also have plenty of adult beverage choices including a seven-day-a-week happy hour. Sol y Luna opened up in Carolina Forest.

Cafe De Paris - 4830 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle Beach

A great spot for light dining, Cafe De Paris opened in Barefoot Landing. They serve organic, fair-trade coffee and tea, along with salads, soups, sandwiches, crepes, and more. The drink menu is rather extensive with smoothies, chai tea, mocha, lattes, and more.

Blueberry's Grill - 4822 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle Beach

Another new restaurant opening in Barefoot Landing, Blueberry's Grill offers plenty of great choices. This is actually the second location for the company, as they have another one in Myrtle Beach. The menu features plenty of fresh options and they serve breakfast all day long, along with good lunch options.

The menu at Blueberry's Grill offers gluten-free, vegan, and heart-healthy choices for those with specific diets. Diners enjoy skillets, pancakes, sandwiches, waffles, omelets, benedicts, and so much more at Blueberry's Grill.

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza - 8006 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach

If you're looking for a new spot for pizza and craft beer, Brixx Wood Fired Pizza is the place for you. They offer wood-fired pizza with all types of options including gluten-free and vegan. They make their own dough in-house and offer other options, such as pasta, Chicken and Wild Mushroom Florentine, and Spicy Shrimp. On Sundays, they even offer a special brunch menu.

Dec. 24, 2018

Your Property Failed to Sell - Now What

You listed your home for sale, but nothing happened, really. You still own the home and it didn't sell. Maybe you received a low-ball offer or two, but you didn't get the property sell, so you took the home off the market. What's next?

Every single month in the Myrtle Beach housing market, hundreds of properties come off the market that were very sellable. Most commonly, a property won't sell due to the lack of marketing or incorrect marketing strategies. Another major reason a property sells is due to the pricing strategy.

 

The Pricing Strategy

If you're told the reason your home failed to sell was pricing, don't assume your price was too high. The pricing strategy isn't just about being the lowest price. Sometimes, the property could have been priced too high, but it could have been an incorrect price in the other direction, as well. Pricing is about more than just beating the competition's price when it comes to real estate.

The Marketing Strategy

When it comes to marketing, the property needs to be marketed to the right type of buyer. This starts with identifying the right type of buyer before starting any type of marketing plan. Once the right type of buyer has been identified, it's necessary to have the resources to put the property in front of those potential buyers.

What to Do After Your Home Doesn't Sell

After you've listed your home for sale and it doesn't sell, it's time to take a breath, regroup, and don't panic. You don't need to feel like you must hold this property for the rest of your life. There's a way to sell the property and you may just need to regroup before putting the home back on the market.

Get Feedback

Along with regrouping, you should take the time to get feedback about why the property didn't sell. Then, you can find out what it will take moving forward to get the property sold. Once you have feedback on why the property didn't sell, you'll be able to find out what the right pricing strategy and right marketing strategy will look like to get the property sold this time around.

Don't just relist the property with the first or second person that calls you saying they can get your property sold. Just because they watch the expired listings doesn't mean they have the right pricing and marketing strategy for your property. Taking the time to relist the property with the right agent will be time well spent.

The Agent & Their Experience Matters

The agent you choose to relist the property with and their experience level will make a difference. The right pricing and the right marketing strategy will come from the right agent. When you take a property off the market, you will receive all kinds of phone calls and mailers from other agents looking to land your listing.

Before you make a decision to relist with a new agent, make sure you choose the right agent. Understand what they are selling to you. What's their experience level? How will they market the property? Why do they think it didn't sell the first time around?

 

You want to choose an experienced agent with a proven track record. Ask the right questions and don't be afraid to interview multiple agents before you choose the right one to relist your home for sale.

 

Dec. 22, 2018

What to Know Before You List Your Home for Sale

When it's time to sell your Myrtle Beach home, you want to make sure you're getting as much for it as possible. Adding a fresh coat of paint and keeping your home clean can go a long way. However, there are many other things you may want to consider before listing your home for sale.

Sometimes, sellers can be in quite the hurry to get the home listed, when spending some time getting it ready is a better option. The last thing you need is for your home to sit on the market for months waiting for someone to buy it. Here are a few tips to use before you list your Myrtle Beach home for sale.

Brighten it Up

A bright home with plenty of light is very appealing to buyers. Cleaning the windows, cutting the outside bushes and trees and taking down the drapes can help bring in the light. When you brighten up the interior of the home, it will make the home seem larger and more cheery.

The interior can be brightened by increasing the wattage of your light bulbs and using a lighter color if you plan to do any painting. Changing lampshades can also make a difference.

Depersonalize

When the home is still cluttered with your trophies, family pictures, and other items, it may struggle to get sold. You want to depersonalize the home to ensure any potential buyers will be able to imagine themselves living there and not you. It will also help to get rid of some of the clutter distracting from the best features of your home.

Declutter

Taking out the things that are simply not necessary will go a long way to help you get your home sold faster. Only leave what is absolutely necessary and makes sense in the home. If you have to rent a storage unit for things, do so, it will be money well spent.

Paint

Using neutral colors to paint any areas of your home not already painted with a neutral color is a good idea. It can be amazing how different a home can look after a fresh coat of paint is applied.

Replace Old Carpet

Carpet not only looks bad when it's old, but it often smells. You may not notice the smell, but someone else might. Replacing old carpet with a laminate or vinyl flooring may even make your home more appealing to buyers.

Clean and Keep it Clean

Some of the hardest things for potential buyers to get over are the smells and the dirt found in homes they look at. You want to hire a professional cleaning service to deep clean your home before listing it for sale. Once it has been deep cleaned, you want to make sure you do everything you can to keep it clean.

A clean home should smell clean, too. If this means you have to board the pets or have them stay with friends while selling your home, do so. Pet odor can turn off any non-pet lovers looking at your home. 

 

Use these tips to get your Myrtle Beach home ready to be listed. When a home is properly prepared, it can sell faster and for the right price.

Dec. 20, 2018

Sellers Ask: Why Don't I Get Showing Feedback?

 

It's a common question and sellers often want feedback on the showings held at their homes. When you're trying to sell your home, it's only natural to want to know what's going on. 

Typically, we get feedback from about 40% to 45% of the showing agents. Some of our clients that have been listed before have made it clear they received no showing feedback from their former listing agent. 

Even though we are getting feedback, it's still less than most sellers would prefer. Here are some of the reasons why it's not always easy to get showing feedback when your property is listed for sale.

Buyers See 8 to 10 Properties

One of the reasons you may not always get showing feedback is simply the volume of properties a potential buyer will see. Usually, buyers will see between 8 and 10 properties before making a purchase. In some cases, they may see more than 10 properties and in others, they may see less.

In reality, the buyer's agent simply doesn't have the time to provide showing feedback for every property they show to a potential buyer. If they are working with multiple buyers, they may be showing 50 to 100 properties every week. 

Even though sellers and seller's agents are asking for feedback, the large volume a buyer's agent may be handling could be causing the lack of feedback. They may simply choose not to return the calls made for showing feedback because they are too busy to provide feedback on every showing.

Feedback is in Favor of the Buyer

Another reason you may not get feedback from a showing is the fact that the agent providing the feedback is representing the buyer. They may say things, such as, the property didn't compare as well to other properties they have seen or they may point out what they didn't like.

This is simply done to set up the buyer for better negotiations later on. Often, the buyer's agent doesn't want to provide much feedback from the showing for this exact reason. They want to make sure they can negotiate on behalf of the buyer when the time comes.

Fiduciary Duty

As a real estate agent, we all have a fiduciary duty to put our buyer or seller in the best position possible. The buyer's agent is going to try to put their buyer in the best position possible. Providing feedback to help out the seller's agent may not be in their best interest.

For example, if the buyer's agent provided feedback that the potential buyer loved the home, but stated it needs new carpet, then they make an offer $10K below asking price, the seller's agent now holds the cards. As a seller's agent, it's now possible to make the point that new carpet won't cost $10K and counter with another offer that makes more sense.

This doesn't set up the buyer in the best position for negotiations and it may have been better not to provide any showing feedback in this example. Since the buyer's agent's job isn't to help the seller, but to represent the buyer, they may not provide showing feedback if they think it could hurt the buyer later on.

 

Getting showing feedback isn't for a lack of trying. Even sending several emails and making multiple phone calls may not get you the showing feedback you'd like. It's more important to see what the market is saying. If you're getting as much activity compared to similar properties for sale or that have already sold, it's not necessary to worry about showing feedback as much.

Dec. 20, 2018

Pros and Cons of Coastal Living in Myrtle Beach

Have you been considering relocating to Myrtle Beach? Do you want to enjoy plenty of sunny days, the beautiful beach, and coastal living? 

If you've never lived by the coast, there are plenty of things to consider before relocating to Myrtle Beach. Here are some of the pros and cons of coastal living in Myrtle Beach to consider first.

Pros of Coastal Living in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach offers several great benefits for those looking to live on or near the coast. With 218 days of average sunshine every year, it's a great place to call home. The national average is much lower, so you know the weather will be nice most of the time when you live in Myrtle Beach.

Cost of Living by the Coast

When it comes to coastal living, most locations are expensive. California and Florida offer coastal living, but it's some of the most expensive in the country. 

Relocating to Myrtle Beach doesn't come with such a high cost of living. Homes and condos are currently at very reasonable prices and the overall cost of living is lower than most other coastal areas across the country.

Access to Better Health & Health Services

Another pro to coastal living in Myrtle Beach is the health and health services. Living near the ocean has proven to be good for your health and Myrtle Beach is full of active communities and things to do.

In addition, you'll find plenty of great health services here including urgent care, cardiac surgery, pediatric care, general surgery, and rehabilitation services. Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area offer the Loris Healthcare System, Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, and the Georgetown Hospital System. All three offer plenty of services and facilities no matter your needs.

Plenty of Things to Do

A huge plus for anybody looking to stay active after moving to Myrtle Beach is the huge variety of things to do. From jet skiing to parasailing to kayaking to boat tours, you'll find plenty to do on the water. Even if you don't want to spend all your time on the water, Myrtle Beach has plenty of other things to offer, such as golf, tennis, and other outdoor recreation opportunities.

Cons of Coastal Living in Myrtle Beach

While there really aren't many true cons to living in Myrtle Beach, there are a few things that can be a bit annoying. One of the things you should be aware of if you're thinking of relocating to Myrtle Beach is the pollen. If you struggle with allergies, be prepared before you move to the coast as the pollen will be heavy during pollen season. 

The only other true con of coastal living in Myrtle Beach is the vacation traffic. When you live here year-round, you'll find that there's a busy season and a slow season. When vacation traffic comes in, traveling on the major highways can be brutal. 

Of course, there are ways around the traffic, such as going to work earlier or taking an alternative route. Locals have figured it out so this con can be navigated with a little help.

If you're considering relocating to Myrtle Beach, you'll likely be enjoying affordable coastal living you will fall in love with. With so many great perks of living within the area, all you really need now is the right house and a move-in date.

 

Dec. 18, 2018

Top Spots for Camping near Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a great destination for camping. You can enjoy more traditional types of campgrounds or you can park your RV within walking distance of the beach. Here's a look at some of the top camping spots found near Myrtle Beach, SC.

Lakewood Campground

Known as Myrtle Beach's first campground, Lakewood Campground offers plenty of things to do and plenty of camping. There are 2,000 campsites and 112 villas for rent here. The campground offers a water park with slides, oceanfront camping, electric and water hook-ups on every site, free Wi-Fi and so much more.

Apache Family Campground

Oceanfront camping at its's best in Myrtle Beach, the Apache Family Campground offers so much to enjoy. You can visit the Apache Pier, enjoy fishing and even enjoy some of the best arcades in the area. Plenty of spots are available for all different size RVs, 5th wheels and travel trailers.

Myrtle Beach State Park

Found among the Grand Strand, the Myrtle Beach State Park offers a naturally beautiful place to camp. It's a 312-acre preserve with forest, beach and more. You can enjoy camping under large trees or you can choose one of the cabins here, as well. 

Plenty of spots are found here with many offering rooms for RVs up to 40 feet in length. All spots have water and electric hook-ups and the campground offers showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities. There are 66 total full hookup sites and another 300 sites with electric and water. Another 30-site area offers overflow and tent camping.

PirateLand Myrtle Beach

Maybe the best oceanfront camping in the state, PirateLand Myrtle Beach offers 180 oceanfront acres of camping area. They have sites including oceanfront, lakeside and wooded with plenty to choose from. The campground offers full water, sewer, and electric hookups at all sites, along with free cable TV and more. 

Enjoy activities, such as the Pirate Ship Splash Pool, Lazy River, outdoor swimming pool and more when you stay here.

Huntington Beach State Park

Another great state park for camping, Huntington Beach State Park offers 107 sites with water and electric, along with 66 full hookup RV sites. They also have 6 rustic tent sites with tent pads and a primitive group area for camping. Enjoy the beach and camp at one of the most beautiful places in Myrtle Beach.

A few more great spots for camping near Myrtle Beach include:

Myrtle Beach Travel Park Campground

KOA Myrtle Beach

Willow Tree Resort Myrtle Beach

Ocean Lakes Family Campground

Bucksport Plantation Marina & RV Campground

Carolina Pines

Jellystone Park

Hammocks Beach State Park

Lake Waccamaw State Park

Carrollwoods RV Campground & Vineyard

If you want to enjoy tent camping or camping in an RV, there are several options in Myrtle Beach and throughout the surrounding area. Camping on the beach can be a great way to get away from the hassle of everyday life and enjoy some time relaxing. Myrtle Beach offers some of the best oceanfront camping in the country and many of the campgrounds on this list offer just what you're looking for.

 

Dec. 18, 2018

5 Things for Kids to Do in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach has plenty for you to do with your kids. There are so many things to do with kids in Myrtle Beach, it's hard to choose just five. However, that's exactly what we are going to do today. Here are five of the best things you can enjoy with your children throughout Myrtle Beach.

The Lowcountry Zoo 

As a part of the Brookgreen Gardens, the Lowcountry Zoo offers plenty to get your children excited. You can enjoy walking through the Zoo with an interpreter while you observe all types of animals. If you have children ages 12 and up, they can even spend a day with a zookeeper!

The zoo offers plenty of animals to enjoy, such as bald eagles, hawks, red foxes, white-tailed deer, and many more. In addition, you can enjoy the Whispering Wings Butterfly Experience and plenty of classes and programs. 

Broadway Grand Prix Family Racing Park

A super-fun attraction for families with children of all ages, the Broadway Grand Prix Family Racing Park offers excellent go-kart tracks and so much more. Seven go-kart tracks are found here, along with a carousel, two mini-golf courses, an arcade, and the SkyCoaster. There's so much to do here, you'll want to spend the entire day having fun at the park. 

If you recently relocated to Myrtle Beach and you plan to spend several days at the Broadway Grand Prix Family Race Park, they do offer seasonal passes. These passes allow you full access to the go-karts, kids’ rides, bumper cars, mini golf and more. There are several levels of season passes starting at $69.95 and going up depending on what you would like.

Family Kingdom

A fun attraction in Myrtle Beach with plenty of things to do, Family Kingdom is an amusement park and a water park all in one. It's an oceanfront attraction offering plenty of great rides for all ages. Enjoy rides, such as the Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster or the Slingshot Drop Zone. Of course, the water park is also very popular.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Do you and your children like the idea of feeling like you're in the Middle Ages? If so, the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is perfect for you. Enjoy a four-course meal while watching the knights and princesses in the jousting tournament from the 11th century. 

Wild Water & Wheels

When it's warm out, the Wild Water & Wheels water park is the place to go. This amusement park offers plenty of things to do with more than just water fun. They offer go-karts, miniature golf, 24 water slides and plenty more. They even have a 950-foot lazy river you can enjoy all day long. 

No matter how young or old your children are, you can certainly find plenty of great things to do as a family throughout Myrtle Beach. These are just five of the top attractions kids tend to really enjoy.

Nov. 29, 2018

Oceanfront Condo Living in Myrtle Beach

Are You Ready to Live in a Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Condo?

It sounds like a dream. Living in a Myrtle Beach oceanfront condo, waking up to the ocean every day, going to sleep to the sound of waves and putting your toes in the sand whenever you want, but are you ready?

The dream can be real and you can enjoy the ocean, if you're prepared to buy an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach. Here are a few of the major signs you're ready for this type of lifestyle.

Your Next Vacation Can't Come Soon Enough

Do you constantly dream about your next vacation? When you're on vacation, do you dread leaving? If so, you may be ready to own an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach. 

When you live at the beach, you won't think about vacation as much because the beach and ocean are right there for you to enjoy daily. Even if it's not your primary residences, you'll always have a place to escape to, when you need a few days away.

You're Ready for a Healthier Lifestyle

Living by the ocean is a healthier way to live. You'll be more tempted to spend time outside in the sun and in the fresh air. In addition, beach vacations have been shown to decrease stress and increase focus. You'll likely sleep better by living by the beach and you may even lower your risk of heart disease. 

When you choose to live in Myrtle Beach it's like being on vacation year-round. You'll get to enjoy the beach whenever you want and the ocean water will feel so good on a daily basis. If you're considering a beachfront condo in Myrtle Beach because you want a healthier lifestyle, you may be ready.

You're Retired or About Ready To

Retiring to live by the beach is a dream of many people as they work their lives away. If you've retired or you're considering retiring soon, you may be ready to buy and enjoy an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach.

Condos are very low maintenance as you don't have to cut any grass or maintain any outdoor areas of the property. In addition, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your new condo and the beach found right outside your door.

Financially You're Ready

It's awesome to be ready to live by the beach in all other aspects, but if you're not financially ready, it doesn't make much sense. The good news is an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach won't cost nearly as much as one in Florida, California or many other beach states in the United States. Myrtle Beach real estate is more affordable than many other areas of the country.

If your finances are in order and you'd like to live in an oceanfront condo choosing Myrtle Beach may just make perfect sense. Whether it's meant to be a vacation home or your primary residences, you'll likely be able to afford a Myrtle Beach condo on the beach over many other beach areas in the country.

Are you ready to live in an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach? If so, you need the right real estate agent to help you find the perfect condo for you.