Helpful Information for Buyers and Sellers

So you decided on buying a property along the Grand Strand, now what about property taxes. If you are not familiar with the term the “Grand Strand”, it consists of many areas and cities along the north coastline of South Carolina. The most recognized area along the Grand Strand is Myrtle Beach, SC.  Other areas include North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, Conway, Carolina Forest, Briarcliffe, and Socastee.

There are two things to consider when figuring out what your taxes will be on your property. If it is an investment property, second home, vacant land, or commercial property the taxes will be figured at 6%.(This is not 6% of the assessed value, so don’t fall out of your chair) Say you own a vacant lot…

The Grand Strand has many areas along the coast that offer oceanfront homes, as of July, 3 2010 there are currently 132 oceanfront homes listed along the Grand Strand. From oceanfront estates to vacation homes that offer great investment potential you are sure to find an oceanfront home that will suit your needs. I will break down the areas along the Grand Strand and the type of oceanfront properties you will find in each area.

Myrtle Beach is the most recognized area along the Grand Strand and offers oceanfront homes from $975,000-$4,900,000. Many of the oceanfront homes located along “Golden Mile” section of Myrtle Beach are located on larger oceanfront lots. If you are looking for an oceanfront vacation rental a majority of the homes found along…

Home Upgrades That Increase the Sales Price Of Your Home

When you decide to complete a major home improvement project you want to make sure that the value you add to the home is closely connected to the project’s cost. There are many upgrades that pay for themselves and allow you to sell your home for a higher price. Conversely, there are improvements that can cost a great deal without ever really adding any real difference to your home’s resell value. Let’s take a look at a few of the considerations, projects, and pitfalls when it comes to home upgrades that increase the sales price of your home.

How Long Will You Be In the Home?

Understanding the amount of time that you plan on living in your home is very important when it comes to planning for…

I thought I would create this blog to educate individuals that visit my blog and website on the short sale timeline and process. I just submitted an offer to IndyMac(Now One West Bank) on a house in the Murrells Inlet area. I will continue to update this blog as the short sale is negotiated and hopefully approved. The buyer is a first time home buyer, so we are hoping to get everything approved and closed by the June 30th homebuyer tax credit deadline.

If you still have questions about what a short sale is, I will be posting a blog in the next few days that will help you to understand a short sale. 

 Update 1. 

4/25/10 - We got all of the contracts signed, filled out the short sale packet, and put together all necessary paperwork.

4/26/10 - We…

Benefits of Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing

Homes in hot climates will often have high utility costs due to the need of cooling the home during extremely high temperatures. To combat this many homeowners turn to energy-efficient air-conditioning units and increased insulation, but they often overlook one home improvement that could significantly reduce their cooling costs. This green home improvement is a radiant barrier. This article will take a look at the benefits of radiant barrier roof sheathing when it comes to keeping your house comfortable while reducing your energy bills.

What is a Radiant Barrier?

Before we get too far it is important to understand what a radiant barrier is and how it works. A radiant barrier is composed of an aluminum…

Inexpensive Things to Do to Help Sell Your House

Your home is one of your most important investments, so when it comes time to finally sell you want to make sure that you get the highest sales price. There are many effective ways to increase the value of your home in a quick and inexpensive manner. Follow these tips for a few inexpensive things to do to help sell your house, and you are guaranteed to have buyers see your home in its best light.

Clean, Clean, Clean

The single easiest thing you can do to prepare your home for selling is to give it an extensive and thorough cleaning. Take this time to take everything out of your closet, scrub all the walls, and make sure the home looks and smells completely clean. Think of a spring cleaning taken to…

Tankless hot water heaters are becoming increasingly popular across the country. Their ability to reduce a homeowner’s utility costs, while lessening their impact on the environment has led to an increasing demand for this superior type of hot water technology. In the US, Rinnai is the number one brand for tankless water heaters. Let's take a look at the benefits of a Rinnai hot water heater.

Endless Hot Water

If you've ever had the experience of jumping into a shower only to discover that all of the hot water is gone, then you understand how wonderful the idea of an unlimited supply of hot water can be. The truth is that much of the hot water used in the home is needed at specific times of the…

Today’s difficult real estate environment makes it more important than ever that your home stands out when you go to sell it. First impressions matter, which is why your house’s landscaping has a big impact on the perceived value of the home. Let's take a look at how landscaping can help sell your house.

Curb Appeal

The moment that a potential buyer pulls up to your home and takes a look for the first time they make a decision as to whether or not they can see themselves living in the house. A beautiful first impression of lush landscaping and a well manicured lawn will let the buyers know that you have loved and cared for the home. On the other hand, poorly maintained shrubs and plantings, along with a yard full of weeds, will lead the buyer to…

It is always good to have a firm grasp on what you are looking for before you venture out with a REALTOR®. I know it is kind of hard to get a feel for an area when you are searching online, but with the help of a knowledgeable REALTOR® you should be able to get a pretty good understanding.

Where do you search online?

With so much emphasis put on online advertising most of the areas you will be searching should have a couple good websites, either company or individual REALTOR® sites; with properties updated daily or every couple of days through the MLS. What is MLS? MLS, is the Multiple Listing Service that REALTORS® input properties into and use to search for available properties. Most properties that REALTORS® list are entered into this multiple…