Myrtle Beach Real Estate Blog

When you find your dream home with your Myrtle Beach real estate professional, you may feel like your heart is going to jump completely out of your chest.  Before you make an offer on a home that meets the needs of you and your family, you should stop to consider some important points so that you won’t make a commitment that you can’t or don’t want to honor.

1.    Can your budget handle the payment for your new home?  You’ll want to include the maintenance of your yard, landscaping, and pool if your home has one; these costs can add up very quickly and impact your budget negatively if you haven’t planned properly.

2.    Will you be able to make your mortgage payment on time each month?  You should avoid costly late fees so that you won’t harm your credit score or your avenues of obtaining future loans.

3.    Can you qualify for a mortgage loan?  It’s a good idea to get pre-approved so that you and your real estate professional will know exactly what you can afford and will keep your shopping within that framework.

4.    Does the home in which you’re interested need any major work done before you move in?  This can take up a great deal of your spare time if you plan to do the work yourself or it can be costly if you hire the work done by a professional.  Ascertain what needs to be done and how you intend to accomplish the task at hand.

5.    Will this neighborhood fit into your family’s wants and needs?  Here in the Myrtle Beach area, you should be sure to check out the school system, where the local businesses are with which you’ll have to make your regular transactions, and how close you are to the activities that you’ll want to do.  Consider every member of your family as you choose the location for your next home.

6.    Is there a Home Owners Association (HOA) fee that you’ll have to pay with homeownership in this community?  You should explore what these fees include, the amenities to which you will be entitled, and how much the dues have risen in the last few years.  Keep in mind that this is another financial obligation that must be met on a regular basis so it has to be figured in your monthly expenditures.

7.    Around the Myrtle Beach area, you’ll have a plethora of homes with varying square footage and prices that can easily accommodate your budget.  It’s important to work with a real estate professional, share with him what you can afford, and use his guidance in selecting the communities that you should visit.

Before you enter into negotiations on the home that you’ve found, it’s an excellent idea to take time to consider what you can afford, where you want to be located, and which community in Myrtle Beach will work best for your family.

When you’re looking for the perfect Myrtle Beach home in 2014, you may want to check out just how inviting the outdoor living space is and what it can offer you in the way of relaxation and entertainment.  A recent study from the American Society of Landscape Architects revealed that home buyers in 2014 are searching for designed landscapes that add to the quality of life as well as the value of the property.  If you’re interested in finding an open space that is stylish and environmentally friendly, ask your real estate professional to include some properties that have design elements that add to the livable space of your home.

Some of the top design elements for your outdoor living space include gardens and landscapes, outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas, and pools and spas all enhanced with lighting that adds an interesting ambiance to your outdoor space after dark.  You should think about a home that has a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, grills, and seating areas where you and your guests can engage in lively discussions as you enjoy the evening.

For your landscape and garden areas you’ll want to make them low maintenance areas by choosing the proper plants and water features that require little or minimal care.  If you want to redo the plants that are featured in these areas, be sure to select native South Carolina plants so that they can grow and thrive in the Coastal climate.  You may want to add fountains or water features that provide a soothing sound for your family after a long day at school and work.  Another excellent idea is to choose a home that has an irrigation system or have one installed so that your plants, shrubs, and bushes will be thoroughly watered on a regular basis.

If being outdoors with your family is important to you, make sure that the home you are interested in purchasing has a terrace, patio, or deck on which you can spend quality time. You can incorporate lovely box plants and barrels of flowers in the open spaces to add a splash of color and interest to your private area for relaxing.  It’s a good idea to check with your local green house or plant supplier for species that are easily maintained and those plants that will give you the desired effect for your patio or deck.

The outside lighting that you use in your garden and landscaped area can certainly highlight the special plants that you have or ornamental grasses that sway gently in the breeze.  Besides providing practical lighting for paths and sidewalks, your lighting can emphasize the architectural design of your home as well as the pool area and entertainment spaces that you have.

There’s nothing like spending time in the great outdoors with your family and in 2014, you can easily fall in love with a new home or rekindle the flame with your current one by implementing some of the hot trends for the living space in your own backyard.

If you’re looking for a charming and sophisticated community in which to raise your family, enjoy your retirement years, or simply to enjoy life to its fullest, you must take a look at the exceptional homes in the Dunes Club before you make a final decision on which property will work best for you.  This upscale neighborhood will provide you with peace and quiet all within a short drive of the exciting attractions and activities of Myrtle Beach.

The amenities that you’ll have with home ownership in the Dunes Club community add value to your home and pleasure to your lifestyle.  You’ll be able to play on world-class golf courses, use outstanding tennis courts, relax at the oceanfront clubhouse, swim in the 700 foot pool, and simply relax in gated security that will provide you with added peace of mind.  When you value prestige and privacy, this is the community for you and your family.

Homes in The Dunes Club start around the $500,000s and include multi-million dollar estates that express your own personal statement of style and preferences.  You’ll find open floor plans, special architectural touches that add elegance to your home, state-of-the-art kitchens with premium appliances and lighting and cabinetry that add comfort and convenience to your food preparation area.  You can expect your master suite to be a sanctuary of magnificence with walk-in closets, sitting areas, and bathing and dressing areas that pamper you in style every day.  From the inviting great rooms to your private library to the covered lanai, you’ll be able to entertain family and friends and enjoy your quiet time in every room of the home.

When you want to explore the Myrtle Beach area with your family, you’ll find a plethora of activities to keep you engaged and having the time of your life.  There’s a myriad of restaurants that feature any type of cuisine that interests you, great shopping at the Coastal Grand Mall and the Tanger Outlets Complex, and first-class entertainment at Broadway at the Beach and many other venues around the area.  From a peaceful stroll at Brookgreen Gardens to the Art Museum of Myrtle Beach to The Children’s Museum, you’ll be able to find something for every member of your family.

And don’t forget the great beaches along the Grand Strand that provide you with a place to wiggle your toes in the sand, read your favorite author, and sip a cool beverage underneath an umbrella.  You can take your morning run or evening stroll by the surf and let its soothing sound convince you that this is the best move you have ever made.  Come home to The Dunes Club and find your piece of Coastal Carolina paradise.

With the cold weather coming to an end in Myrtle Beach, you may want to begin thinking about some spring home improvements that can help you to enjoy your home a great deal more.  Beyond cleaning out closets and planting flowers you may need to do some repairs and replacements of things that have made it through the winter but need a touch of tender loving maintenance.  Some of these projects can be done by you, the homeowner, but if you lack the skills and expertise to accomplish them ask your professional realtor for suggestions of reputable contractors who can do a good job for you in a timely and affordable fashion.

Replace Windows

If your home felt drafty this past winter and you have single-pane windows you should replace them with upgraded windows that will make your home more energy efficient.  It may be a costly project but the money that you’ll save on your energy bill throughout the year can help to recoup the costs that you invest in new windows. 

Check Your Heating System and Replace Filters

After a harsh winter like this last one here along the Grand Strand, you should have your heat pump checked and scheduled maintenance performed on it before the warm days of summer begin.  Your filters should be changed on a monthly basis to keep your heat pump operating at its most efficient level so make sure that you’re giving them the proper attention that they need all year long.

Roofs, Gutters, and Downspouts

If you’ve experienced any leaking or water drainage problems over the fall and winter months, this would be an excellent time to check the condition of your shingles, clean out your gutters, and check your downspouts for collapsed areas that can cause backed up water to leak into your home.  Make sure that the downspouts drain far enough away from your house to prevent any water build up which can cause mold and other damage.

Pay Attention to Your Trees and Shrubs

If any of the ice storms did damage to your trees or shrubs, you should trim them back so that the weakened limbs won’t fall onto your home.  By trimming back the trees and shrubs, you are allowing more natural light into your home and are preventing criminals from hiding behind them as they look for a way to enter your home.  Your trees will be healthier and look better which adds to the curb appeal of your residence.

As spring approaches, make a list of the things that you want to do both inside and outside your home to make your living space a bit more enjoyable and a lot more attractive.

If you are planning to sell your home, you’ve probably removed the clutter, improved your landscaping, and made other changes that make your home look more spacious and attractive. But, have you forgotten about the garage?  You never know if car enthusiasts are looking at your home for possible purchase and if their first love, your garage, isn’t up to par, they’ll never make the offer that you want or need to close a deal.  To make your home appeal to those who love cars or just puttering around in the garage on the weekends, you should make sure that the simple ideas below are followed:

1.    Don’t use your garage as a storage facility; rent a unit for all of the extras that take up space and clutter-up the space that your potential buyers can’t visualize.

2.    If yours is a double-car garage, you can set up a small work area with some saw horses and a piece of plywood so that the buyer can see where his hobbies can be created and leisure time enjoyed.

3.    Make sure that all of the lighting fixtures work properly in the garage and add a fluorescent light fixture if you feel a need for additional lighting.

4.    Use pegboards for gardening tools and workshop tools so that everything looks tidy and in its proper place; this is a good weekend project for you as you prepare your home for the market.

5.    If your garage is small, you may want to have your car parked inside so that the potential buyer can see that a car actually fits and enough room is available to exit the vehicle comfortably.

6.    You’ll want the garage floor to be clean and free from any oil stains or debris that comes from your tires.  Ask your local hardware store clerk about what solution can best clean the floor and keep it as clean as possible for each showing of your home.    If the concrete is cracked, you make want to fill them in and roll a concrete sealer onto the floor; you can follow this up with a primer and a top coat of white paint to make the garage look cleaner and larger. 
When your home is on the market you must try to anticipate what each potential buyer will see in your home that he doesn’t find in all of the other ones.  By keeping your garage clean, debris-free, and organized you’ll be more apt to win the heart and contract from a car enthusiast who can picture himself working in his new garage in the evenings or on the weekend pursing what he loves to do best.

For more home improvement tips check out our Myrtle Beach Real Estate Blog.

We’ve all seen and read about scam artists who profess to be building professionals but once they get an up-front payment, they can’t be found and the work isn’t done.  There are some key questions that you should ask before you hire a Myrtle Beach home improvement pro to tackle the project that you have planned and anticipated for some time.  If you’ll follow this simple advice, you won’t fall victim to someone who just wants to take your money.  The questions that you should ask are:

1.    Can you produce proof of a license, certification or the professional associations to which you belong?

2.    Are you bonded?

3.    Can you give me three former clients who will verify your quality of work?

4.    What are your specialties-bathrooms, kitchens, or remodels?  What type of jobs do you not like to do?

5.    Will you secure the permits for the project?

6.    What amount of money will I have to pay up-front for the work?

7.    Do you have a regular team of sub-contractors or do you use different crews on each job?

8.    If there is a problem, how will we work together to find a solution for the situation? Does your contract specify the details of conflict resolution?

9.    How often are you on the job to supervise your crews and to evaluate the progress that’s being made?

10.    How will we communicate?  Do you use a cell phone, text, or are you available by email?
 
11.    How often can I expect the job site to be cleaned up?

12.    When the work is completed will you provide me with a lien release?

All of these questions are reflective of how your home improvement pro does business with you and his other clients.  You’ll want to enter into a binding contract with the expert that states how, when, and where the work will be done, a suggested time frame for the work, a payment schedule, and how problems will be addressed.  You’ll also want to do a punch list at the end of the project; this is a walk-through by you to inspect the work that’s been done which produces a list of touch-ups that need to be done by the home improvement team.  This is usually drywall and paint touch-ups and other minor things you notice that should be addressed.

By asking for a business card or by visiting the pro’s website address you can see how they do business, perhaps read some testimonials from previous clients, and view the quality of work that they will provide for you.  You should never be embarrassed about asking these pointed questions before any payment is rendered; asking questions assures you that the home improvement pro is legitimate and will do a good job for your project.

In the Greater Myrtle Beach area you’ll find a plethora of homes on the market vying for the attention of a prospective buyer; if you want to place your home above the competition, you must have exceptional pictures that capture the attention of those searching for the perfect home.  About nine out of ten homebuyers begin their search for a new home online; many of the pictures posted on websites are absolutely awful and only serve to send the potential buyer running toward another property that’s presented with more professional-looking photographs.  Let’s look at some tips for giving your home the best “shot” for making a favorable impression to those looking for what your property has to offer.

1.    Depersonalize your home before you take pictures to be used online; this means removing trophies, evidence of hobbies, and photos so that your potential buyer can visualize his own belongings in the home.  Remember that clutter is never good when you’re trying to offer your home and advertise the spaciousness that it has for a buyer.

2.    Professional photographers always use a tripod and advise you to do the same if you can’t afford their services.  If you prefer to hold the camera yourself, keep it straight so that your walls won’t appear slanted.  Be sure to take some interior shots at twilight so that the light coming through your windows matches the interior levels of lighting.

3.    If your room is empty, you may want to stage a few props so that you can give a sense of scale to the viewer; he can then imagine his own furnishings in the open space.

4.    Don’t get too close to objects if you have a wide-angle lens; this makes the room and its furnishings look distorted and unattractive.  You can use dynamic angles by shooting pictures from lower levels with something in the foreground.

5.    You don’t have to get the entire room in the picture; shooting from angles will make them look larger.

6.    Turn on as many lights as possible and fill in dark areas with specialty lighting.  Also remember to shoot at chest level so that you show less ceiling and more of the rooms and spaces.

7.    For an interesting perspective, you should stand just a few feet from the corner in your room but shoot the picture as if you were standing right in the middle of the corner.  This adds depth and interest to your pictures.

8.    Don’t use the flash for your interior shots; this makes the most attractive room look like a scary dungeon that‘s only partially lighted.

9.    Adjust your blinds so that they are horizontal; this makes the windows look transparent and gives the potential buyer a gorgeous view of what is just outside their window.

10.    For a warm, friendly shot, wait for some shafts of sunlight to come through your windows; this creates a nice ambiance for any picture of your home.

Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words and a solid contract on your home from a buyer who connects with the pictures you presented of your lovely home.

As a homeowner deciding whether to move or to remodel is one of the questions that may come into your mind especially as spring in a new year gets closer.  Making the right choice is both a financially and emotionally difficult decision that can cause a great deal of stress unless you enlist the help of a wise realtor who can assess what you have, what your needs and wants are, and the best plan for your finances.  Let’s look at seven questions that can help you arrive at the best solution for your housing needs at this stage of your life.

1.    Think about what bothers you most right now about your present home.  Is it the noise, the traffic right outside your door, or the absence of light that can lift your spirits throughout the year?  If you’re missing that Carolina room that you want, perhaps you can add to your existing footprint without having to remove walls and undertake a major renovation.

2.     Are you pleased with the way your house sits on your lot?  Maybe you’ve always experienced ground water leaks or your view leaves a great deal to be desired; here in Myrtle Beach there are too many spectacular views for you to remain in your less-than-satisfactory home any longer than necessary.

3.    Consider the neighborhood in which you live.  Are you attached to your neighbors or the memories of raising your children in your current home?  Pleasant recollections can outweigh your option of moving but do consider what would make you happy and try to achieve that goal.

4.    Your stage of life will also make a big difference about whether you should remodel or move.  If you’re going to be in your house for another five to ten years, you can easily recoup the investment in that Carolina room or finishing the basement; if you’re empty nesters, you may be ready to downsize and spend more time engaging in your favorite hobbies rather than taking care of a home that has outgrown you.

5.    Another good idea is to consult with building professionals who can take a look at your home, listen to your plans, and advise you the best plan of action to take for your money.

6.    You then should compare your appraisal and remodeling costs with homes in your neighborhood to see if you are within the limits of your neighborhood so that you won’t over build for the area.

7.    If you’re interested in moving, contact Beach Realty Group so that we can show you what’s available in your price range, the neighborhoods that you may prefer, and the amenities that accompany home ownership in these new communities.

At this stage of the housing game, it’s all about you and what you want or need; with some careful thought and planning you’ll make the decision that suits your lifestyle the best.