Grand Strand Retirement Blog

60 Degree Weather

2011-11-01T08:17:00.000-04:00

You know you have been living in an area of semi-tropical weather for more than a few years when the temperature is 60 degrees and you think it's chilly enough for a sweater.

As someone from the northeast who used to visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina throughout the year I can remember never putting on a sweater or jacket. Even in January, which is typically the coldest temperatures, we northerners would be out in shorts looking at those in jackets as they looked at us. Well, a few nights ago it felt like the temperature was in the 40s but it was 60 degrees.

When I heard about the record October snow that hit the northeastern states I remembered what cold weather really feels like and I will not complain again.

Myrtle Beach Retirement and Real Estate

Retirement Community Near Myrtle Beach SC

2011-10-19T15:59:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for an active retirement community just south of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina you will find Seasons At Prince Creek West. A gated neighborhood within the 2700 acres of Prince Creek that provides a variety of home floor plans, sidewalks, indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, tennis, an activities director, and much more.

Myrtle Beach Retirement and Real Estate

Buying A Foreclosure

2011-06-02T15:15:00.000-04:00

Many of those thinking of retirement in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina or anywhere are asking about foreclosed homes and condos. I always tell people to do their homework and have their own Buyer's Agent (Realtor) help in the search.

While touring a foreclosed home with my clients, who were ready for me to prepare an offer right then, I noticed a crack between the fireplace and the wall, while they were upstairs taking their third look, I went back outside to see if anything looked strange on the exterior of the fireplace and chimney. They had said they did not need a home inspection company to check the house because the husband had once built homes yet they had not noticed the crack inside or the gap between the house and chimney that none of us had noticed while looking at the exterior of the house.

My clients still did not want to pay for an inspection company since they did not know if the foreclosure purchase would go through so I provided them with the names of reputable local building contractors who would come take a look and provide a free estimate of repair costs. Turns out there was a structural problem that made a huge difference in the amount of our offer to purchase.

That house just happened to be a foreclosure but it could have happened to any home for sale so remember to have a good Agent and make your offer contingent upon a home inspection.

Myrtle Beach Retirement and Real Estate

Home In Golf Course Community

2011-02-06T13:40:00.000-05:00

There is no shortage of golf courses in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area, so with hundreds to choose from this is the place to come find your retirement home in a golf course community. Long Bay Club is located about a fifteen minute drive west of North Myrtle Beach which allows you to be close to everything The Grand Strand has to offer yet far enough away so you feel at peace in this established neighborhood.

Myrtle Beach Retirement and Real Estate

North Myrtle Beach Snow December 26 2010

2010-12-26T19:38:00.000-05:00

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina had a few moments of snow as dawn broke on December 26, 2010. When 8:00 A.M. came the snow that had only stuck to the ground in a few places was gone. There was also an afternoon snow shower but the flakes melted when they hit the ground. There was definately a chill in the air but by the end of 2010 our weather forcast says the temperatures will be in the 60s.

Myrtle Beach Retirement and Real Estate

Meadowlands Golf Course and Homes

2010-11-15T12:06:00.000-05:00

Meadowlands golf course and community in Calabash, North Carolina

The golf course at Meadowlands surrounds the homes in the original section that is filled with custom homes.

A custom home within the Meadowlands community that sits on the golf course.

Myrtle Beach Retirement and Real Estate

Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach SC

2010-08-27T11:29:00.000-04:00

Barefoot Resort In North Myrtle Beach Offers A Wide Range Of Real Estate For Sale

and

The Ammenities Many Buyers Want In A Community

Within the various gated and non-gated neighborhoods in Barefoot Resort you will find homes, or condos, or townhomes. The Dye Estates offers the largest lot and luxury home gated neighborhood with ten other single family home neighborhoods scattered throughout Barefoot Resort with some gated and some not. The Woodlands neighborhood is gated and contains townhomes and the gated neighborhood of Edgewater contains luxury condos with day dock access on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Barefoot Resort has four of the top rated golf courses: The Dye Course, The Fazio Course, The Love Course, and The Norman Course.

The picture is of the Driving Range located on Barefoot Resort Bridge Road which is the main road into the Resort.

There are also tennis courts, an oceanfront beach cabana, on-site restaurants, walking and bike trails, swimming pools and a free shuttle bus for within the Resort or to and from the beach cabana.

Barefoot Residents Club Pool

Things To Know When You Purchase Myrtle Beach Real Estate

2010-07-28T20:16:00.000-04:00

To consider Myrtle Beach as a place you may want to buy real estate you will probably want to know more then the fact that it is a vacation destination. Golfers visit year-round to play the more then 100 golf courses. Retirees have discovered the secret and are moving to the Myrtle Beach area everyday. Real estate prices can be found at levels less then they were in 2003.

Summer in Myrtle Beach SC

2010-06-30T22:30:00.000-04:00

Myrtle Beach -

We have had temperatures in Myrtle Beach about ten degrees above normal during the past few weeks. Today it was a bit cooler and tomorrow we should be around the mid-eighty degree range which is normal.

July is usually the hot month with high temperatures and humidity but since relief is only minutes away it does not matter when the hot weather gets extreme.

Trees and Flowers Blooming in North Myrtle Beach SC

2010-04-02T20:14:00.000-04:00

Spring is definately here and today the temperature was 82 degrees. The pollen is thick but I could care less. Next weekend is the National Open House event so if you are in the North Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina visit Unit 1209 at Mar Vista Grande, 603 S Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach on Saturday, April 10th from 1 - 4 PM and 3938 Pinebrook Circle, Little River SC on Sunday, April 11th from 1 - 4 PM

Spring Has Sprung

2010-03-15T21:07:00.000-04:00

In my February Blog pictures you see snow that fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC but on that same day a few hours later the snow was gone. A few weeks went by and the month of March arrived and with it the early signs of Spring. Flowers are blooming and temperatures have returned to normal which is in the 60s and 70s. Spring is my favorite time of year in the Myrtle Beach area because it lasts for several months. When we lived in the northeast springtime weather shortened to the point it seemed to last only days.

North Myrtle Beach February 2010 Snow

2010-02-15T22:10:00.000-05:00

Pictures from North Myrtle Beach snow that melted quickly.

Winter Weather In Myrtle Beach

2010-02-11T22:40:00.000-05:00

I've been teasing friends and family in the northeast because they have received record snow during the past few weeks. Well since last year the North Myrtle Beach area saw a dusting of snow which hadn't happened in at least six years and Myrtle Beach had no snow I felt smug.

The weather forcast for Myrtle Beach on Friday, February 12, 2010 is snow of 1" - 3". I guess since they are calling for snow in Florida and the fact that even if there is some snow it melts almost before you can grab your camera I can still say "Are you ready to move to Myrtle Beach?"

Fall Comes To The Grand Strand

2009-10-11T09:20:00.000-04:00

Even though the daytime temperatures range in the 70s to 80s many trees will soon change to the beautiful Fall colors those from the northern US know so well. The majority of people that visit the Myrtle Beach area have no idea that we actually experience four seasons. Those who discover the fantastic weather are known to make a permanent move here for their retirement. If you have only visited the Myrtle Beach area in the summer try some visits during other times of the year and you probably won't want to leave.

Beach, Boogie & BBQ

2009-09-03T22:57:00.000-04:00

Beach, Boogie & BBQ at the Market Common, Myrtle Beach (Just south of the airport)

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Music, Food, Classic Cars from the Myrtle Beach Car Club, and much more

All Proceeds go to the Special Olympics of Horry County

Myrtle Beach Real Estate

2008-09-11T09:13:00.000-04:00

Myrtle Beach Real Estate: "Myrtle Beach's 4 Seasons"

Unless you have been to Myrtle Beach during each season of the year you may not know that even though the weather is semi-tropical there are four seasons. The secret is that Spring and Fall last for months while Winter comes and goes for just a few weeks.

Fall brings the color changes to the trees just like in the northern States of the U.S.. The Spring burst of colors doesn't just disappear overnight.

Is Myrtle Beach's weather just about perfect? I'll never tell!http://www.sandymyrtlebeach.com

Myrtle Beach area Intracoastal Waterway

2008-09-09T17:05:00.001-04:00

Myrtle Beach - Winter at Sunset

2008-09-09T16:50:00.001-04:00

Trying To Sell A Home? You Should Know About A “Lease – Purchase Agreement”

2008-07-26T22:42:00.000-04:00

(Not an option to purchase this is a sale that can be a win/win)

Before entering into a Lease – Purchase Contract Agreement the Seller should already know what the dollar amount for the monthly payment of the Lease portion needs to be to cover required costs if that is a factor. A large portion or all of the monthly payment will become part of the Buyers down payment and that portion is not rental income.

Keep in mind that during the Lease term the Seller may be able to claim a loss on their income tax return for their property expenses. Plus the amount of the initial down payment and subsequent monthly additional down payment are not taxable income when received, but are part of the sale price when the Purchase has gone to settlement and the deed transferred. (Sellers should consult with a trained income tax person)

The Contract Agreement should include a statement that no dollars paid to the Seller by the Buyer are refundable after ____ days. (Usually 30 days which allows the Buyer time to have had a Home Inspection and possibly cancel the entire Lease – Purchase according to the terms in the Contract Agreement).

To put it simply a Lease – Purchase can be done as follows:

Buyer gives Seller a large down payment (minimum $5,000 for every $150,000 property value). The down payment goes directly to the Seller and is not held in escrow.

Each month the Buyer makes a payment directly to the Seller and all or a large portion also becomes part of the down payment.

The Lease term is negotiable but normally one year and that date becomes the Closing Date on the Purchase portion of the Contract Agreement. The Contract Agreement should state and the Buyer should understand that they have to have their financing (mortgage) approved and ready to close on or before the Closing Date. If the property does not close on or before the Closing Date the Seller can cancel the purchase, keep all down payment monies, and do what they want with their property.