More and more in today’s world we get jaded with the world around us. In the world of real estate, we hear about prices, commissions and sold signs, but it is rare when we truly get a moment to enjoy and appreciate what is the American Dream. This Dream was alive and well many years ago, the dream of home ownership, to have your own part of the greatest country on Earth. We recently helped to make that dream happen.

Pat Higgins was a lady who decided to retire by the beach and in the warm sun of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She like a lot of people, only had the dream of home ownership but never really thought it was a possibility. Her quote in a recent Sun News article sums it up perfectly. “I came down here with the intention of renting because I rented my whole life,” she said. “I thought it would never be possible for me to own a house and here I am. … I was able to buy for about the same price I could rent for and I thought why not.” It was so nice, being a part of a wonderful experience. So many times, we get caught up in our work, and daily routine it is nice when we get to sit back and truly enjoy our profession of making the American Dream come true. Visit our Web site at www.myrtlebeachrealestatetoday.com/ to see all the advantages of buying in Myrtle Beach including low taxes, golf, sunny weather, and what else but the beach.

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The Grand Strand is growing; in fact Horry County SC is one of the top 100 fastest growing counties in the nation.  Between 2000 and 2009, Horry County grew 34.2 percent. The city of Myrtle Beach itself grew 40.5 percent. Now more than ever is a great time to join the crowd and move to the beach. Why such growth in these areas in what is called a bad economy? Well, South Carolina offers a lot of incentives for retirees they have some of the best programs for retirees buying real estate and also low taxes. Plus, let’s not forget where else would you want to retire but in a warm climate with a golden mile of wonderful ocean.

                Now is the time to join the crowd. In the first half of 2010 home sales rose 32 percent and condo sales rose 38 percent.  This is in part due to low home and condo prices brought on by their being a number of foreclosures and short sales on the market. Now is definitely the time to come down and explore the market and find a deal on your dream home, second home, retirement home,  or investment property.

                Myrtle Beach will always be a wonderful place to live and vacation. Now more than ever is the time to have your place at the beach.

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Wendy Hodges RE/MAX TOWN & COUNTRY (843) 997-6664 wendy@wendyhodges.com http://myrtlebeachrealestatetoday.com

See more Myrtle Beach, SC real estate for sale

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The Lakes in Myrtle Beach,SC

Having a home in Myrtle Beach  with very mature landscaping helped me to realize how important it is to see the front door and front of the home.   When putting your home on the market, it is so important that the homeowner creates curb appeal that enhances the beauty of one’s home….that it doesn’t distract but it enhances.  Make sure that the front door is visible and draws buyers in.  Just today I took my landscaper over to my new listing at 525 Saluda River Rd located in The Lakes in Myrtle Beach, SC to remove overgrown trees.  The homeowner had spent major bucks when the home was built on a cut glass door frame and side panels.   However, when a perspective buyer rode by the home, it could not be seen from the low hanging limbs from the Dogwood and River Berch Trees.  Now the home has much more curb appeal!  Telling a homeowner that they should remove things from their homes or yards is not an easy task, but once it has been done will enhance its ability to sell.  One note to homeowners who are considering putting their homes on the market: The way you sell a home is not the way you live in a home.  Tips and hints for saling your property can be viewed at Getting Ready to Sell My Home.

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Time is ticking for buyers waiting to take advantage of the tax credit. Buyers must be in contract by the end of April and close by the end of June 2010. 

Many first time buyers are looking at foreclosures. However, new construction is always a great bet for buyers because they don’t have to worry about repairs and they have a home warranty. One great neighborhood is Clear Pond located near Carolina Forest. 

Clear Pond Myrtle Beach, SC

With time ticking, the calendar is full for next week. We still have time to get you in the home of your dreams or even your first home — buy now while prices are low. With Myrtle Beach being a top destination for retirees and individuals looking to live where taxes are low, these prices won’t last long!!!

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My laptop died about 2 months ago after a drink spilled on it, so why would it take over 2 months to take on the task of finding another??? Which one is the best? Which one gives you the most for the price? Where should I get it? Everyone has an opinion and none seem to be the same. This is the same with real estate… where should I buy… where will I get the most appreciation…who is the best builder… where can I find a a knowledgeable home inspector and so on….???

Well, after searching the Dell site and debating, I decided this is it… let’s put this to bed. I’ll go into Best Buy in Myrtle Beach… which is the one store I don’t find to be a fun shopping trip. The sales guys are in the back talking among themselves, look at me, and continue to talk. Okay…. yes, obviously they don’t work on commission as they so proudly explain. I don’t know why but they bash Dell… does anyone know… they explain they are now built in another country.. poor service, blah, blah, blah!!! Okay, so I had a Sony which worked great for over 5 years believe it or not. Nothing since has come close to this life span. I also have a Sony camera which is awesome. It was my very first purchase in real estate over six years ago AND still works wonderfully!!! I’m getting a Sony I exclaim to myself. Okay, now I really love the white ones… they are different and add a little fun to the everyday tasks I must do (the small things that make us smile)!

I ask the sales guy for help… he asks which one I want. I tell him a Sony… a white one… I’ve picked a model. He doesn’t have it. He goes to another computer to look online… still, he doesn’t have it as it moves at turtle pace. Okay again, I’ll just take the black Sony. I ask him about the warranty and how much each is (he doesn’t even bother to bring it up). I buy the basic installation package, pay, and an hour and a half and a HUGE headache later, I’m out the door. NO more shopping today… terrible experience. I hope I don’t have to have another purchase anytime soon that involves electronics.

It’s over.. I think but when I go to pick up my laptop the next day on the front counter sits a white Sony laptop like the one I asked the guy for yesterday. I ask the sales lady if that’s an old model or if they have the white Sony. “Oh,yes, we have these.” I pick up my laptop after the installation and go to the back and there’s the white  Sony. Another sales guy tells me they have had them, but then I approach Jason who failed yesterday to tell me about this. Maybe we didn’t have it yesterday (oh, yes  a new shipment Saturday night); sometimes we can’t put them out until certain dates. OKAY!!! Now I know why clients call me, other agents, and even more agents to check out buildings; neighborhoods; and availability. They really don’t trust us… just like I didn’t trust the guys at Best Buy. Is it really that rare that clients have a positive experience with their real estate professional (who ranks in with a used car salesman)? My Broker exclaims that the job takes passion, so if your realtor doesn’t have passion for the job, go elsewhere! By the way, passion can’t be bought, traded, or taught… you will know it when you find it!!!     AND if you find someone with passion at Best Buy, please give me his/her name so I can ask for him/her when I do this again.

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Myrtle Beach is getting a famous show to come to our area once again… everyone wants to be here. The show is filming in Horry County for the 2nd time. On Tuesday, the producers and the lead builders got together for a community rally at Coastal Carolina University. The lead builder is Sterling Homes. As of Tuesday they said they had about 90% of volunteers and of materials they needed. So there is still more time to make a difference and to join in what promises to be an exciting event. We look forward to getting my hands dirty and helping a deserving family in the area, and who knows you might even see my face on a TV near you very soon.
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10 Things to know about Real Estate in 2010
Some information from yahoo.com

1. Prices to bottom. We all know the market has been rocky. We have seen home prices drop and markets drop. This might be the year where we find bottom and start to work our way back up.

2. Mortgage Delinquencies. 1 in 7 Americans were behind on their mortgage and 1 in 4 Americans owed more on their mortgages than their home was currently valued at. Look for these numbers to continue to rise.

3. Foreclosure sales will increase. We have seen a ton of foreclosed properties in the Myrtle Beach are. Look for the number to increase in the next few months. Buyers and Sellers both needs to be aware of this and price their home and make offers according.

4. Mortgage rates will rise. We have enjoyed some reasonable rates in the fall and winter of 2009. Rates could go up in part to the expiration of a program where the federal government took over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

5. Buyers market Remains. Now is the time to buy. There are so many reasons to buy, from great prices, to building long term wealth, and of course finding your dream home.

6. 6. Modification plan could be modified :This plan set around 700,000 people into temporary mortgages and has only found permanent solutions for around 31,000. This program also does not take into account factors such as negative equity. Look for this program to be restricted during 2010.

7. FHA loan standards could get stricter. This would effect first time home buyers. Currently buyers that qualify only have to pay 3.5% down.

8. The first time home buyer tax credit has been extended. Buyers need to take advantage of this while it last. You get an $8,000 tax credit for your first home purchase. Great for new furniture, mortgage payments, or savings.

9. Markets will vary a great deal by region. This is nothing new markets will always vary. That’s why now more than ever it is important to find a professional agent to help navigate the market where you are looking to purchase your next property.

10. Technology is more important than ever in your search for property. It is important that agents and clients a like stay on top of the latest trends and learn to use them to the best of their ability.

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In the month if November sales of existing homes rose to the highest levels since February 2007. However the median sales price fell 4.3 %. What this means is that buyers more than ever need the assistance of a qualified agent to help them sift through the good buys to find the great buys. It also means that buyers need to be prepared to buy and buy now, because those great deals don’t last long. With lower interest rates and the expansion of the first time home buyer credit, now more than ever is the time to buy. What it means for sellers is that, you want an agent who will be upfront and honest with you about true market conditions. You might like the agent that will list the home for the highest price, but this agent might be just wanting another listing to advertise their services, and it might just sit on the market costing you money. Whereas an honest upfront agent will tell you the true value. It might not be pleasant news at first but when your homes sells fast it will be well worth it.
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Growing up and celebrating Christmas in the south involves many long-held and sometimes made up “traditions” which might be unfamiliar to those individuals who don’t use ya’ll in at least every other sentence. Many southern men will go hunting prior to Christmas and around this time ,such meals as Duck and rice or venison (cooked in a variety of ways and often disguised to see if recognized by deer lovers who just can’t bear the thought of eating Bambie). I must say I too have been guilty of this a time or two when non-venison eaters enjoyed Swiss burgers with peppers, onions, mushrooms, spices and ground venison meat.

Southern Christmas dinner might involve turkey and dressing- made from cornbread or even giblets- always varying from family to family as each claims their mother to have the best recipe of all times. Side dishes might include sweet potato casserole; macaroni and cheese; or collard greens cooked in fatback (fat and salt used to season… not to be found on the Weight Watchers diet).
Like everyone else, my memories of Christmas Southern style involves church services on Christmas Eve at the local Baptist church where no one is a stranger; helping my grandmother cut a cedar Christmas tree from the woods behind the house; and the smell of great food coming from my Grandmother’s kitchen. One of her favorites and yet easiest things to cook were roasted pecans. This simply meant taking the pecans we had picked up from the trees in the backyard which I helped her and my Grandfather pick out and putting the halves on a cookie sheet in the oven along with butter and salt and baking for about 10 minutes -all while stirring the butter and testing for doneness- this was the fun part! They made great gifts. We would pack them into canisters and even ship them along with fruitcakes to friends and family.

It’s amazing the things we might remember about Christmas whether it’s our favorite toy be it a dollhouse or a truck; large family gatherings with cousins or a simple and quiet Christmas at home but one thing is for sure, most fond memories take us to a warm and cozy place we like to call home whether it’s in the south or the northern part of the country where snow or sledding might even be a part of your family tradition. This time more than ever we recognize the importance of home wherever it might be. If you are looking for the perfect home in or around Myrtle Beach, call an expert to the area to help you develop your memories and traditions. Merry Christmas to all… may you have a safe and wonderful holiday and make many traditions you and your family will cherish!

Wendy Hodges and Danny Baxley
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