Earlier this year, Redfin.com did a random sample of 100,000 listings that went on the market between January 1, 2017 and September 20, 2017. They broke the data into comparable variables such as property type, zip code, price range, and size and organized the comparable homes by which day of the week they were listed. 

The results are surprising!

In short - If you want to sell for the highest price, Wednesday seems to be the go-to day. Homes listed on Thursday seem to sell the fastest and Sunday appears to be the absolute worst day to list a home. Since Sunday had the worst averages, Sunday was used as a baseline to compare how much better homes do when listed on the other days of the week. 

There's no hard evidence to answer the question of 'why' these trends emerge but speculatory theories typically fall around the idea of 'buyers house hunting schedules.' Maybe having your listing sit at the top of the 'recently added' search filter right before the weekend means that buyers who are scheduling a weekend trip to scout out potential homes have a better chance of seeing it and adding to the list. Homes get five times more online views the day they go on the market than they do a week later, so making a positive online debut is incredibly important. 

As evidenced in the chart below, homes listed on Wednesday had an average advantage of $2,023 higher sale price than Sunday which is a 0.5% increase.  

As far as getting your house sold, Thursday appears to have quite an advantage! On average, homes listed on Thursday found buyers 5 days faster than the Sunday baseline. 

Hovering at 4.5%, interest rates remain at record lows. when you look at the graph above, it's incredible how much difference your rate can make in your monthly payment...and consequently, how much house you can afford to buy.

According to FreddieMac, rates are projected to climb to 5.1% by this time next year. Still incredibly low, but if you're thinking of buying a home, now might be the perfect time to lock in a lower rate!

Contact us to get started!

Well, the Fourth of July has passed us and now we move into the second half of summer. Which, if you live on the southern coast - is the hottest, most humid, make-you-wish-for-fall season of them all...though we still love it! But don't worry, we've come up with a list of 10 cool ways to beat the heat on your porch this summer. 



Plants

In growing plants, water is continuously evaporating from the surface of leaf cells exposed to air. The water released is replaced by water absorbed from the soil - which is typically shaded and a good bit cooler than the ambient temperature. The cool water travels from the soil, through the plant and to the leaf's surface where it is turned into a gas through the process of evaporation and released into the air. This process is called transpiration. So, not only will plants purify the air, and liven up your porch, they will also help bring the surrounding area's temperature down!

Outdoor appliances radiate heat

Do you have an outdoor fridge on your porch? Or maybe a TV? A Radio that's always plugged in? Be wary and beware the radiant heat these appliances put out and your placement of them. LED televisions put out the least amount of heat, LCD's and Plasmas though, they release quite a good bit of radiant heat and could easily boost the ambient temperature by several degrees and fridges can be much worse! 

Cut back on alcohol 

Alcohol is a diuretic, it will dehydrate you while simultaneously interfering with your body's ability to regulate its own temperature. If you didn't know, heat exhaustion is caused by dehydration. But to make matters even worse, Alcohol and warm weather also dilate your blood vessels, making you way more susceptible to passing out.

Concrete patios absorb and radiate heat

Concrete surfaces that have absorbed too much heat can have a dire effect on comfort, environment and energy use. When outdoor concrete surfaces absorb UV rays from the sun, they release them into the atmosphere through what is referred to as "Heat Island Effect." This effect is something we all learned intuitively as children, attempting to walk on the asphalt in our bare feet or that hot run on the concrete by the pool. The heat that ends up trapped in the concrete can keep the concrete warm for hours into the evening, which is nice during the cooler months, but miserable during the warmer months.  

Caffeine 

Just like alcohol, caffeinated drinks are another drink to be wary of when out in the heat of summer. Caffeine dehydrates you similar to alcohol but to a much lesser extent. Yet, studies have found several links between caffeine use and heat illness, especially in higher doses. So, in retrospect, your sweet tea is probably no problem at all, but that refreshing iced coffee may be working against you this summer.

Create Shade

Its pretty common sense, but sometimes things are so obvious we look right past them. Plant some trees, hang up a solar screen, even some netting will do wonders the ambient temperature of your porch during the day.

LED Lights

Incandescent light bulbs create light by heating a metal coil inside the bulb up to 4000 degrees! The heat makes the filament white-hot, thus, producing light. Halogen light bulbs use the same method and because they both generate light through heat, naturally, they put out of a ton of it! Approximately 90% of the energy they consume is used to generate heat. Fluorescent light bulbs use an entirely different method to produce light and use approximately 30% of the energy they consume generating heat. LED lights, despite marketing claims, still generate heat (as does every electrical appliance) but they are - by far - the most heat efficient light source available. So be sure to check those hanging porch-lights and make sure they aren't making your summer any hotter than it has to be!

Create a Cross Breeze With Fans

Similar to how obvious shade is, fans are equally obvious. But less obvious is the concept of a cross breeze. Consider this - would you like to circle around the same ol' batch of warm air you've been exhaling into for the last hour? Or would you prefer to have fresh air being pulled in and old air blasted out? As tempting as it is to point all the fans at you on a hot summers day, it may be in your interest to have on pulling air into your porch and one blasting air out. Have the fan that pulls air in set as low to the ground as possible with the fan that pushes air out as high as possible (heat rises). This can have a significant effect on your comfort!

*All images from Pinterest

VA Loans - Helping Veterans and Active Duty Service Members Buy A Home.

The VA Home Loan was created in 1944 to help service members purchase homes when returning from duty without the standard requirements of a down payment or excellent credit score. VA Loans are issued by private lenders, guaranteed by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and available to veterans, active duty service members, National Guard members, and reservists who meet the basic service requirements set forth by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Spouses of military members who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability may also be eligible.

You may be eligible for a VA Home Loan if you meet one or more of the following conditions:

You have served 90 consecutive days of active service during wartime, 

OR

You have served 181 days of active service during peacetime, 

OR

You have more than 6 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves, 

OR

You are the spouse of a service member who has died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related disability.

Benefits of a VA Loan:

Down Payment

VA Loans require 0% Down for qualified borrowers. Conventional Loans vary but many require up to a 20% Down payment.

PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)

Since VA Loans are government backed, banks do not require you to buy Private Mortgage Insurance. Private Mortgage Insurance is a requirement for borrowers who finance more than 80% of their home's value, tacking on additional monthly expenses.

Interest Rates

The VA guaranty gives lenders a greater degree of safety and flexibility, which typically means a more competitive rate than non-VA loans. Without government backing, banks are taking on more risk which, in turn, can result in a less-competitive interest rate on a conventional home loan. Even with interest rates on the rise, VA Loans consistently have the lowest average interest rates of all loan types.

Qualifying

Because the loan is backed by the government, banks assume less risk and have less stringent qualification standards for VA Loans, making them easier to obtain. Conventional options hold stricter qualification procedures that can put homeownership out of reach for some homebuyers.

Closing Costs

There are limitations on VA Loan closing costs. Sellers can pay all of a veteran buyer's loan-related closing costs and up to 4% in concessions in some cases.

At BRG, we're honored to help our veterans and military members with their home-buying needs. For more information or to find out if you or a loved one would qualify to use the VA Home Loan Benefit, don't hesitate to contact us! Thank you for your service!

Surfside Beach, SC

With two miles of pristine oceanfront, Surfside Beach is dotted with beach homes, hotels, condominiums, restaurants and a popular fishing pier. The beaches are cleaned daily and supervised by lifeguards and security. The Pier is a perfect setting for live music and walks down the beach and of course, fishing. Also, there are 30+ beach access ramps in the area as well as several public parks, a library, and tennis courts. 

The beachfront community is small but lively year round and gives you all the benefits of Myrtle Beach without so much of the 'rush' considering Myrtle Beach is about a 15-20 minute drive away. Once a privately owned Sweet Potato Plantation, the property was divided up and became known as 'Floral Beach' in the 1920s and upon incorporation in 1964, the town was renamed 'Surfside Beach'.

Surfside Beach has been known as a family-friendly vacation town and a great spot to retire for almost 60 years now!
The community has embraced this reputation and you can definitely see the 1950's - 1960's style still incorporated in the new ocean-front development today. The coastline is covered with rows of pastel beach homes and vintage hotels, an old arcade still has children playing in it and the original Sams Corner is still serving up hot dogs and cheese fries.

Just check out how gorgeous these homes are! 

1411 A N Ocean

1019B S Ocean Blvd

321-B S Ocean Blvd



For more Oceanfront homes in Surfside Beach CLICK HERE.

For more Oceanfront homes in the Grand Strand area CLICK HERE.

A survey at booking.com placed Myrtle Beach, SC as one of the best places to try local food in the US. Myrtle Beach is in good company sitting beside New York City, Las Vegas, and New Orleans. 

The research and subsequent data was surveyed from 56,000 global travelers from an online survey in October 2017.

A CNBC write-up describing the Myrtle Beach food scene says "Visitors can find an array of seafood restaurants with just-caught fish and fresh-shucked oysters. Seek out raw bars (like Rockefellers), barbeque joints (like Carolina Roadhouse with its famous "fall-off-the-bone" ribs, pancake houses and casual spots (like Peaches Corner, a family-owned diner that opened in 1937, the year before Myrtle Beach was actually incorporated as a city.)"

The variety of top-ranked restaurants on Tripadvisor.com also shows the great variety of food in Myrtle Beach, SC with the top twenty consisting of BBQ, Italian, Mediterranean, Seafood, American Home-Style, Japanese and more. 

As we say on our Myrtle Beach Search Page - "Recreation in Myrtle Beach is Serious Business" 

If you're considering selling your home, and even if you're not, it pays to know which home improvement projects are worth your time and money! According to HGTV, these are the top 4 home improvement projects that will net you the most return on your investment. (ROI)

#1 Minor Bathroom Remodel 

Cost: $10,500

Return: $10,700

ROI: 102%

What's included in the remodel? Replacing flooring, tile surround, sink, vanity, all fixtures, tub, tile, and toilet. 

#2 Upgrade Your Landscaping

Cost: $4,967

Return: $4,967

ROI: 100%

What's included in the upgrade? Install walkways, planters, fresh mulch and color to your yard with flowers, flowering shrubs and trees. If landscaping is not your "thing," consider hiring a landscape professional to help you.

#3 Minor Kitchen Remodel 

Cost: $15,000

Return: $14,913

ROI: 98.5%

Keep in mind, we're not talking about major construction. Complete kitchen renovations can cost tens of thousands of dollars and more. We're talking about cosmetics such as new countertops, refacing cabinets, under cabinet lighting, and tile.

#4 Exterior Improvements

Cost: $7,239

Return: $6,914

ROI: 95.5%

There's no question curb appeal plays an important role in the sale of your home. Getting people to want to come in and see your home is major and may not even be quantifiable, but we do know that repainting your home or investing in new siding and a new front door make a big impact.

*All photos: Pinterest

Photo: Salute from the Shore fan photo

Salute from the Shore is gearing up for the 9th anniversary of this unique salute to our armed forces. Salute from the Shore celebrates Independence Day with a military flyover on July 4th that stretches the entire length of South Carolina's coast. Grab your flags, hit the beach at 1pm, and join in the fun while paying tribute to the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country. 

Recently named by Evolve Vacation Rental Network as the #7 best place to invest in vacation rental property, Myrtle Beach consistently holds a steady position of one of the top-ten best places to invest in a vacation rental year after year. With miles of sandy beach, predictable tourism, and an expansive variety of oceanfront homes and condos, it's one of the easiest vacation rental markets to enter. Myrtle Beach has a rather affordable median listing price of $130,000 - $175,000 with prices going up depending on amenities and proximity to the beach.

Evolve provides the following information regarding average rental income you can expect in the Myrtle Beach market:

During the summer the population of Myrtle Beach grows from 30,000 residents to millions as droves of tourists pour into the seaside community. Housing roughly 88 golf courses, 60 miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches, dozens of minigolf courses, arcades, Barefoot Landing and the popular Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Myrtle Beach easily provides weeks of family-friendly entertainment.

For best vacation rental success consider these guidelines. 

1. Oceanfront, ocean view, or a house with a pool just a short distance from the beach. 

2. Clean, updated decor. Bright nautical themes perform the best in coastal areas.

3. Appropriate Out-of-Season pricing. Make sure that you aren't overcharging during the off-season. It easy to fill your booking calendar during the summer, but the off-seasons are trickier and require a balancing of prices as the seasons change. 

If you're interested in exploring your investment options further, give us a call and speak to one of our professional real estate agents.

Figures from EvolveVacationRental.com and Zillow.com

The preconception is that new homes cost more than older homes, but that's not necessarily true across the board anymore. As the price of land increases, the average size of new home lots is shrinking. Consider California, where neighbors can practically crawl from their living room window into the window of the home next door. 

If you are looking at older homes in an urban area, you'll likely find larger lot sizes which make the older homes cost more than the entry-level new homes being developed in the suburbs on the outskirts of the city. In Myrtle Beach, older, established neighborhoods in the center of Myrtle Beach have the coveted proximity to the beach making their cost much higher...even though they made need updates.

Luckily, in Myrtle Beach, we have plenty of options in both categories! 

Consider these pros and cons when deciding between a new home and old home. 

- New Homes Are Built To Be Low Maintenance
New homeowners are not likely to install a new roof or replace the water heater. The electronics wiring should be solid and the plumbing isn't going to need to be replaced. New homes are built according to the most recent construction codes and shouldn't need to much repair and maintenance. At least not for 10 - 20 years. 

- Older Homes Typically Have A Larger Yard
Land was cheaper 'back-in-the-day' and for that reason, older homes typically have considerably larger yards than new construction. 

- Older Homes Have More Character
Whether its a Craftsman Bungalow, Mid-Century Ranch, Greek Revival, Colonial or Victorian - hand carved character and interesting architectural features are present that a lot of new construction lacks.

- New homes are bigger on average
'Bigger is better.' It's typical to see an urban two bedroom home with 1,000 square feet sell for the or more as a two-story, 2,500 square foot home in the suburbs. When builders can't build out they build up. 

- Older Established Neighborhood
Zoning Changes are rare, the neighborhood may be deemed historic and a lot of your neighbors may have been living in those homes for generations. The trees are often older and provide a nice shaded canopy for the yard and walkways. 

- Old Homes Require More Maintenance
Floors may slope, chimneys and stone foundations require tuckpointing. If the home was built before sewer systems, the cesspool might overflow into a sewer. Those old tree roots may break up sewer pipes. It's expensive to replace the wiring and plumbing in old homes.

- New Homes Usually Mean Longer Commutes Downtown
There's typically not a lot of prime land for suburb development downtown, which means if you want something new you probably have to look on the outskirts of the city. This can be nice if you like knowing you're away from the chaos of downtown but if you need to commute an hour into town every day for work - this is a drawback worth considering heavily.

- Old Homes Have Small Closets and You May Not Have a Garage 
People didn't have wardrobes like we have today, there often wasn't a need for a walk-in closet or two car garage. Victorian homes may have a carriage house instead of a garage. And with the exception of estates, older homes typically have less square footage than new construction. 



If you're interested in seeing New Construction Homes currently on the market in the Myrtle Beach area, check these out:

 North Myrtle Beach - New Construction  

Murrells Inlet - New Construction    

Surfside|Garden City - New Construction  

Pawleys Island - New Construction

Myrtle Beach - New Construction under $500,000

Myrtle Beach - New Construction over $500,000

Conway - New Construction

Little River - New Construction