Sandy's Blog

I have just completed the required core course and webinars for my Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) certification.  Even though I had been a buyer's agent and a seller's agent in some short sale and foreclosure transactions I wanted to know more and I am glad I went through the certification process.

I was under the assumption that a short sale seller proves their hardship to the lender, the lender takes less than what is owed on the property and the seller walks away with out a forclosure showing up on their credit history.  I found out in the class that sometimes the seller has to workout the balance owed on the mortgage with the lender or may have to liquidate other assets and bring cash to the closing table, but it is true that in many cases the lender will accept the short sale payment and remove remaining debt from the seller.  Also a short sale may affect your credit for about two years (50 points off your credit score) while a foreclosure is on your credit about seven years (200 points off your credit score). 

Myrtle Beach Real Estate for information and real estate for sale including short sales and foreclosures.

Myrtle Beach Retirement is the place for those considering retirement.  Your source for information and real estate for sale in the Grand Strand area of North and South Carolina.

I have several websites that are both competing with hundreds of thousands of others for specific search terms or words.  Site A is huge with valid content that I have spent years entering along with thousands of dollars to improve.  If you have the Google Page Rank of importance in your tool bar you'll see ActiveRain is 5/10 while my Site A is only 2/10.  That's fine I know that my Site A doesn't hold a candle to ActiveRain, the problem is that my Site B that was just started during the end of 2009, and has 0 importance to Google is found with numerous combinations of search terms within the first six pages of a Google Search.  I'm definitely not complaining about that situation with Site B but; where is Site A? 

How does Google rate the importance of a website?  I thought I knew until my baby, Site B, jumped in front of hundreds of thousands to be on page two of a Google Search yet was deemed unimportant.   

Myrtle Beach Real Estate                                    Myrtle Beach Retirement

Only 15 minutes from the ocean at North Myrtle Beach these lots are cleared, level, and dry.  Close to all the Grand Strand area of Myrtle Beach has to offer but ten miles away from the crowds.  Buy now and build when you are ready.  No POA fees and they are not within a subdivision. The Asking Price is $34,900 each but sellers will reduce the price if you buy two or all three of the lots plus they may consider some financing.  

Contact me, Sandy Keller, for information.                Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Home for sale just five minutes from North Myrtle Beach with 3 BR 2 BA plus a bonus area loft.  Just about everything is new in and out with this home sitting on a double lot. Asking $144,900

The neighborhood of Pinebrook is a hidden gem with its entrance directly off of Hwy 17 which is close to everything North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach has to offer. The town of Little River begins at the state line of North and South Carolina so this home offers location, location, location.  

Community POA fees are only $45 per month and cover the swimming pool and trash pickup.  Cable TV is available in the neighborhood but there is a not easily seen satellite dish in the yard.  The large master suite and one guest bedroom are on the 1st floor.  The third huge bedroom and bonus loft area are upstairs (spiral staircase).  New appliances and a washer/dryer are included with the purchase of this home.   

• Today a short sale I had helped by clients find went to closing.  They were great during the months of waiting and are very happy with their purchase.

• Client received an automatic listing update for a unit we had viewed last summer and will let me know tomorrow if they are ready to make an offer.

• Found a condo unit for some clients who have been searching for several years.  Now that the place of their dreams is available they will probably go through some sleepless nights.   

I also have a web site for those thinking about Retirement Near Myrtle Beach.

A unique neighborhood five minutes from the ocean with the charm of historic Charleston, the amenities of a neighborhood pool, gazebo, sidewalks, and two minutes to the beach.  There are already homes built and occupied to give you the low country idea for your new home.  You can choose your own builder and house plans as long as you maintain the neighborhood guidelines.   Contact me for more information.

Myrtle Beach Real Estate

A reflection of the past year showed ups and downs in life as well as in real estate.  While Myrtle Beach is a great area for retirement it does not offer a great job market, but the economy seemed to take its time before attacking jobs in this area of the coastal Carolinas.  While I thank my lucky stars for the Clients I have been able to help many of the other Realtors who have been in the business for years have had to stop working in real estate or limit the time they are available.   Now that real estate sales are turning around and we have seen the holiday season bring higher sales to local stores the future looks brighter.

Happy New Year!

Myrtle Beach Real Estate                                     Myrtle Beach Retirement

I think someone from the Bank must have seen my ActiveRain blog because yesterday I got an email and call that the Bank had approved our Short-Sale contract offer.  The purchase is set to close in four weeks.

My clients are very excited because they will soon own a brand new, large, two bedroom two bath ocean front condo and paying much less then comparable condos are selling for today. 

In the Myrtle Beach area if you are interested in an ocean front or ocean view condo be prepared to pay cash.  Short-Sales almost always have to be a cash offer but during the past year Lenders have almost stopped making loans for the condos along the ocean.  They base their fears on a word they invented, "condotel".  Every Lender has a different definition but if they determine a building is a "condotel" they do not want to lend money to anyone to make a purchase.  So if you have a dream of owning an ocean front condo there are some fantastic units available but you'll need to get with your financial planner to work on the best way to pay for your dream.

Myrtle Beach Real Estate                                       Retire Near Myrtle Beach

I went for my morning walk today and realized the time was running out to take a picture of the beautiful Fall colors.  If you don't visit the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area in November you may not realize that even though the weather is semi-tropical we actually have all four seasons.  

A Crape Myrtle in my front yard with red, orange, and yellow Fall colors.

You may have heard about the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit extension but have you heard that if you lived in your principal residence for five out of the past eight years and purchase your next principal residence from December 1, 2009 - April 30, 2010 you may qualify for a $6,500.  

If you are thinking about retirement or just moving to the Myrtle Beach area now is the time.  If retirement is on your mind do not be concerned when you look up retirement communities and you only see a few.  There are hundreds of homes available in communities that are primarily filled with those fifty years old and up.   

Buying a home now for your retirement in a few years could be the answer to your savings sitting in a bank earning very low interest.  Home prices are low and even if you can't afford to pay cash a mortgage can be affordable with today's low rates.  IRS allows you to claim mortgage interest and property tax payments for up to three homes by simply putting the total combined amount paid on your Itemized Deduction form. 

Myrtle Beach Real Estate                                     Myrtle Beach Retirement