Coldwell Banker Chicora Blog

I Love Myrtle Beach!

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:36:54 -0500

Spring is here!! The birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and the temps are rising! What's not to love?! I absolutely love living in Myrtle Beach! Having the ocean in my backyard is such a blessing and one I take advantage of as often as I can. We see many visitors come through our area between Easter and Labor Day. I love hearing stories about families/retirees/graduates who come to visit and decide to move here because they love it so much! What I love even more is when I get to help them make that move.

As the Relocation Director for Coldwell Banker Chicora, I have the ability to help anyone who is buying or selling ANYWHERE in the world, not just in Myrtle Beach. If someone needs to sell his home in Ohio because he wants to move here, I can help find an agent in OH. If someone wants to purchase a vacation home here, I can help find an agent here. I can even help if Myrtle Beach is NOT part of the equation. Say you live in PA and decide you'd like to downsize and purchase a smaller home in the same area. Guess what? I can help you sell your home and purchase a new one! Because we are a member of the LARGEST Relocation Network in the world, I have the ability to help anywhere. I have built relationships with other Relocation Directors all over the country who are as eager to help you as I am.

Please call me if you have any questions about moving, regardless of where you are moving to or from. I would love to have the opportunity to help you! It's what I do!

Wendy Martin

843-233-8000 x132

relocate@chicora.net

AROUND THE WORLD OR DOWN THE STREET, WE HELP MOVE EVERYONE WE MEET!

Springtime in Myrtle Beach

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:38:40 -0500

It’s Spring Break time and I love the spring! Myrtle Beach comes alive as the days get longer and the warm sun and beautiful, blue sky wakes everyone up from the winter hibernation. I see people out everywhere running, biking and playing on the beach. The local festivals are planned, the artists are setting up street exhibits and the Boulevard is full of people walking the boardwalk, riding the Sky Wheel and checking out the beach shops. I love the energy that springtime brings.

I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to live in this wonderful place. This is why I enjoy working for Coldwell Banker Chicora. It is very rewarding to accommodate others moving to the area. With our superb sales team and amazing rental department, we have all aspects of home needs available to anyone wishing to make Myrtle Beach their home.

How's the Real Estate Market?

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:56:08 -0500

As a Realtor for nearly 30 years, the question of how the market is doing is one that has been asked many times, but never so often as it has recently. Everyone wants to know how the real estate market is doing because it affects so many other industries. From construction workers, to landscapers, architects, attorneys, and decorators to plumbers, real estate truly makes the world go around for a lot of professionals.

This became even more evident over the past 5 years as the market tumbled. With a slow, but steady recovery in place, national and local media outlets are reporting on the improving market so naturally, inquiring minds want to know.

It is important for everyone to keep in mind that real estate is local. What the market is doing in Los Angeles has nothing to do with what is happening in New York. Even the Case Schiller report from which so many news outlets share data, only comes from 20 markets. It may be a snapshot of real estate activity in a very broad sense, but it has nothing to do with individual markets unless yours is one of the 20 areas studied.

Here in Myrtle Beach, we continue to see a lot of interest in oceanfront, ocean view and golf course property. So much so, that inventory has dropped to levels that have created pockets of appreciating property as well as multiple offers. The Grand Strand, which encompasses Little River, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Carolina Forest, Surfside Beach, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island and Georgetown saw single family homes sales up by 32% in 2012, over 2011. Condominium sales were up almost 12% and residential lot sales were up slightly more than 40%. These are great numbers that have sparked a lot of interest, hence the increased question of: "So how's the real estate market?"

Last month, we saw our inventory continue to stabilize without any increases or drops in inventory. With the Spring golf traffic right around the corner, there will be plenty of buyers interested in property along the beach. Pent up demand is at one of the highest levels I have seen in 30 years and additional inventory will be needed to satisfy these buyer's needs. The recent Myrtle Beach Marathon was a great success with hundreds of participants and thousands of visitors. This spike in traffic created a lot of activity in our offices which resulted in more showings and interest in property for sale. In fact, we have seen activity from as far away as China!

Along with this stabilization and pockets of appreciation, we have seen foreclosures and short sales drop significantly on the Grand Strand. In fact, the distressed inventory for the Myrtle Beach market fell for eight straight months. This phenomenon seems to be echoed in the recent FNC Residential Price Index (RPI) which shows continuing momentum in the U.S. housing market with home prices rising to a two-year high in December.

So the answer to the question of "how is the real estate market doing?" is very simple: pretty good! We expect to see a continuation of the same thing we've witnessed over the last year and this means an improving market resulting from low inventory, a continued drop in distressed property and a lot of pent-up demand being unleashed on this beautiful area we call the Grand Strand.

Hillsborough Community

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 02:28:13 -0500

Wouldn’t you like a home in a beautiful neighborhood that is close to the beach, but not in the hustle and bustle of Myrtle Beach? Then look no more!!

The Hillsborough Community is the place to be with mature trees, beautiful landscaping and a special feel as you ride into this community. Hillsborough has an owner’s clubhouse, a large pool and a play area for kids. The Social Committee is active and has many planned activities for the community including a Pot Luck dinner every month, a Poker night for men, a garden club, a book club, and many others. Bike riding and walking are favorite pastimes. Neighbors wave and speak to you as you go by and it’s also a great place to walk your dog. Our new builder in Hillsborough is Jamie McLain with Shell Bay Builders, LLC. A local builder who is extremely flexible to adapt his plans to your needs! Under construction now is a home that should be ready for me to move into within the next 60 days or so. I’m anxious to get back on site and help you with choosing the best plan and homesite for your new home. From 3 to 4 bedrooms, single level and two stories, with exceptional included features, priced from $148,900 to $238,900. Call Laraine McCaskill at 843 446-5042 for more information.

The Month of Love

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:26:49 -0500

With February being the month of love I think of my own greatest love – the beach. Originally from the mountains of North Carolina the beach has always been a cherished place for me. I fell in-love with Myrtle Beach when I was just a little girl. The first time I looked at the big blue ocean, heard the sound of the waves and felt the sand between my toes, I knew I wanted to live here one day. In 2007 that dream became a reality. After purchasing a condo across the street from my greatest love, I packed away my mountain clothes and never looked back.

After settling in, I found so much more to love about Myrtle Beach than just the ocean. Plyler Park is always an exciting place to hangout. I have watched plays, listened to musicians and even ran the 5K Heart Walk organized in Plyler Park. There are also many great restaurants where you can sit outside and enjoy your lunch or an ice cream cone. With the Skywheel, the Boardwalk and the beach shops, I always feel like I’m on a vacation. Don’t get me wrong, the mountains are beautiful, but my heart belongs to the ocean.

As the Property Manager in Charge of Chicora’s Long Term Rentals, I have the honor of helping other Myrtle Beach lovers find a place to call home. If you are considering moving to this great place, or are just looking to change locations, let me help you find a rental. Check out www.chicorarentals.com for a list of our available properties. With over 700 properties on our rental program, we are the best on the beach.

Penny A. Rose, CMCA, PMIC

Property Manager In Charge

Chicora Long Term Rentals, LLC

3888 Renee Drive

Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

843-903-7400

www.chicorarentals.com

An Association Manager

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:07:35 -0500

For the person with the right skill set, a career as an Association Manager can be very rewarding. Association Managers have the opportunity to build relationships with many different people, from all walks of life and from anywhere in the world. Building relationships is the main component to being successful in business and personal endeavors. The common misconception is that Association Managers are simply a buffer to protect the HOA Board. An Association Manager with the proper skills and training can be an overall asset to the Board of a community and provide knowledgeable insight based upon years of experience managing associations. This very valuable input can help achieve the overall success of a community. Association Managers are typically the first contact for items from a running commode all the way to water pouring into a homeowner’s unit. An experienced Association Manager can pull from their “toolbox” the necessary contacts to help ensure that a homeowner gets the help that they need in the event of any situation that arises. Additionally, outside of the realm of maintenance items, an Association Manager can utilize their skills in the assistance of Association budget preparation, insurance renewals, contract negotiations and the list goes on and on. The position of an Association Manager has evolved from the person that typically handles the maintenance and contractor issues of an Association to now a person playing an integral role in the overall management and governance of communities in conjunction with the Board of Directors. The life of an Association Manager is never dull, but the return on the investment of their time and the relationships that can be cultivated are certainly worth their efforts.

Get Active in the New Year!

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:26:30 -0500

Happy New Year!

Some view a new year as a time to set new goals, or revisit the ones made from the previous year! J One of the most popular resolutions people make is to lose weight. Making healthier choices is a great thing. You feel better about yourself, have more energy, and set a positive example for those around you, but don’t stop there! According to the Mayo Clinic, adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. If exercise isn’t your thing, try to think of ways to make it more fun for you. Go for a brisk walk, play tag in the front yard with your kids, or find an exercise partner. Having a friend help keep you accountable works wonders! Sometimes setting goals for yourself gives you the motivation to work hard each day. Lucky for you, I have just the thing!

The 16^th Annual Myrtle Beach Marathon will be held February 14^th-16^th. This event continues to grow each year. The important thing to remember is this event is not for experienced runners only! There will be many events held that weekend such as: Ripley’s Family Fun Run, 5K, half marathon, and marathon. Talk about a sense of accomplishment! Imagine how wonderful you’ll feel when you cross the finish line!! Click on the link above to learn more. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

USAA can help you move to Myrtle Beach!

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:26:06 -0500

CB Chicora & USAA…like Peas & Carrots

Did you know we are the only USAA preferred broker in the Myrtle Beach area? WHAT?! Yes, it’s true. We have been for more than a decade! Our relationship with USAA is very important to us as is the relationship we build with each member we work with. USAA recently opened up their membership requirements and their numbers have grown considerably.

Who can become a USAA member?

• Anyone who is active military

• Military veterans

• Spouses of military veterans

• Widows, widowers and former spouses of USAA members

• Individuals whose parents are/were USAA members

• Former USAA members

When you partner with USAA MoversAdvantage®, you’re entitled to a dedicated USAA MoversAdvantage® Real Estate Coordinator to help you, access to USAA MoversAdvantage® preferred Real Estate Agents, and up to $3,100 cash bonus when you buy and sell your home. CASH BONUS??? Yes! If you buy and/or sell a home through the USAA MoversAdvantage® program, you will receive a bonus after you close! Score!

If you would like to learn more, ask your agent about your eligibility for cash back through the USAA MoversAdvantage® program or give me a call at 843-233-8000!

Wendy Martin
Relocation Director
Coldwell Banker Chicora
(P) 843.233.8000
(F) 843.233.8900
relocate@chicora.net

www.usaa.com/inet/ent_utils/McLogon

RELOCATE to Myrtle Beach

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:13:54 -0500

I have so many wonderful childhood memories that center around growing up in the
Myrtle Beach area. I can remember running from the waves as they would crash on the shore, visiting the historic Myrtle Beach Pavilion again and again, and battling with my brother over the most intense 18 holes of mini-golf you’ve ever seen!! We had such a great time not only during the summer, but year round.

Now that I’m grown with kids of my own, I want them to have the same wonderful memories as I do which is why I continue to call Myrtle Beach home. They LOVE living near the beach and plead with us over and over and over (those of you with young kids know what I mean) to take them to Family Kingdom to ride rides.

Myrtle Beach is so much more than a vacation destination. Don’t get me wrong…it’s an incredible place to bring your family, but perhaps you’ve been toying with the idea of making it your permanent destination. Or maybe you’re thinking now would be a great time to purchase an investment property…a place you could rent out when you’re not using it yourself. If this is something that has crossed your mind, but something has been holding you back, don’t wait any longer!

As the Relocation Director for Coldwell Banker Chicora, I want to help make your dreams a reality! My love and appreciation of our beautiful area drives me to assist you with your real estate/relocation needs. It is my job, but even more than that, it is my personal commitment to help make your relocation process as seamless and stress free as possible. Coldwell Banker Chicora has a team of dedicated REALTORS® who are eager to help find the perfect property for you.

Not only am I able to assist with your real estate needs in our area, I’m also able to help anywhere in the world. Coldwell Banker Chicora is a member of the #1 global relocation network. I have built relationships with other Relocation Directors and their commitment is the same as mine…to offer trusted guidance for every move you make. We take great pride in our commitment to you.

Please give me a call or send me an email if I can help in any way!

Wendy Martin
Relocation Director
Coldwell Banker Chicora
(P) 843.233.8000
(F) 843.233.8900
relocate@chicora.net