What is the temperature of the Myrtle Beach market?

I get asked this questions a lot. Other forms of the question are "Is Myrtle Beach a buyer's market?" or "Are prices depreciating in Myrtle Beach?"

I would say the Myrtle Beach market is "lukewarm" now. Lukewarm is great for buyers. Buyers who have ever considered purchasing a second home or investment property should seriously consider the Myrtle Beach, SC market now! Sellers, especially of ocean front condos, are offering their condos for sale at lower prices and they are offering great incentives. Incentives include paying for closing costs, buying down your interest rate and paying for the HOA for a specific time. Now is also a great time to buy a property off the beach.

Because Myrtle Beach is a resort town, it will always be a popular place to visit and own real estate. As with all real estate markets, the Myrtle Beach market will experience ups and downs. I believe in the long run, "ups" will outnumber "downs." To be in a position to take advantage of future price appreciation, now is the time to buy!

For Sale - Ocean Front Condo for Sale at The Caravelle Resort

Own a piece of a Myrtle Beach landmark! Over the past year, eight million dollars have been spent renovating the guest rooms and suites at the Caravelle Hotel. Condo ownership at the Caravelle Resort, located in the Golden Mile, the coveted northern section of Myrtle Beach, can now be yours! Upgraded details include cermaic tile, custom upholstery, window treatments and bed coverings, plasma TVs and crown molding.

You will enjoy magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean from the ocean front balcony stretching off the living room. The "kiddie" pool was completed in May 2007 and new elevators were installed in February 2007. Other amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, hot tubs, restaurants, a game room and ice cream shop and a poolside grill. Come see this beautiful condo today!

Sun Fun Follow Up

Tropical Storm Barry prevented me from attending any of the weekend festivities associatied with the Sun Fun Festival. I planned to take lots of pictures and post them here. Hopefully, the sandcastle got built, and I can stop by to snap a shot of the final masterpiece! Feel free to check out the Sun Fun Festival website at http://www.sunfunfestival.com/.

TS Barry did bring some much needed rain to the Myrtle Beach area. By the time the weather hit our shores, Barry had been downgraded to a Tropical Depression. We were glad to get the rain without the damage!

Sun Fun Festival

It's time for Myrtle Beach's Annual Sun Fun Festival. The Festival kicks off today (May 31, 2007) and continues through June 4, 2007. Last year, Myrtle Beach competed for the World's Tallest Sandcastle. We won, but the victory was short-lived. We're competing again this year for the title of World's Tallest Sandcastle! The Festival includes concerts, beach parties, air shows and pageants. If you will be in town this weekend, stop by one of the Sun Fun Festival events. Several celebrities will be in town...maybe you will get to meet one of them! More information on the Sun Fun Festival can be found at http://www.sunfunfestival.com/.

For Sale - Sands Ocean Club Efficiency

For visitors familar with the north end of Myrtle Beach, Ocean Annie's is a favorite spot for good times and good music. Why not own a condo steps from Ocean Annie's? Now you can! I recently listed an ocean view efficiency condo at the Sands Ocean Club. With numerous on-site amenities plus close proximity to Ocean Annie's, the Sands Ocean Club is a fun place to stay on your vacation. Get the best of both worlds... use the condo for personal vacations plus have the flexibility of on-site rentals. Have someone else help pay your mortgage! Contact me today for details on this condo - by phone at 1-800-814-2712, ext. 4101 or by email at Kathy@KathyRukat.com.

Happy New Year!

Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and happy New Year!

Should I List (or Keep My House on the Market) During the Holiday Season?

If your home is on the market going in to the holiday season, you may be asking yourself if you should keep it on the market during the holiday season. Should you put your home on the market during the holiday season if you are thinking about listing your home?

REALTORs hear this question a lot this time of year. You may have fewer showings during the last few days of the year. People tend to be busy shopping, baking, going to parties and spending time with friends and family this time of the year. They may defer looking for a home until things quiet down after the first of the year. However, the buyers that make time to search for a home during the holiday season tend to be more serious than other buyers. So, don't be turned off by fewer showings.

Some tips to help your home show well (and sell!) during the holiday season:

• As with other times of the year, keep your home neat and tidy. I know it's harder this time of the year, but clean homes show better than dirty homes.
• If you live in a snowy climate, remove snow and ice from walkways.
• Keep holiday decorations to a minimum. Less is more with decorations while trying to sell your home. You want potential buyers to focus on the beautiful features of your home, not the decorations.
• Do not put up offensive decorations.
• Keep gifts (and other valuables) put away during showings. You do not want to attract potential thieves.
• If you have pictures of your yard during the spring, put them out for potential buyers to see. Seeing your plants in "full bloom" may help a buyer make a decision.

If I can help you answer any real estate questions you may have, let me know. I can be reached by email at Kathy@KathyRukat.com or by phone at (843) 267-2710.