Sandy's Blog

I can't believe what I'm about to say, "I have become a cold weather wimp".  When we lived in Maryland I thought 50 degrees was Spring and no winter coat weather. After living full-time in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for over five years if the temperature is below 60 degrees I'm putting on the heavy coat.  I have to say that this winter and last were below normal temperatures and I am ready for this weekend when we may hit 70 degrees.  I want to see more winters where my heavy coat never comes out of the closet.

Yesterday I left the house early because the weather report said clouds were moving into the Myrtle Beach area and I wanted sunshine to take pictures of a variety of real estate properties.  

My first stop was a home under construction in a community called Rivers Edge where I had helped my clients find a place for their retirement.  Whenever my clients are out-of-state I periodically take pictures when they are having a home built.

Next I headed for the ocean in North Myrtle Beach to take pictures of a fantastic condo I am getting ready to list on the MLS.  The seller failed to tell me that the condo was rented for the winter months by a family from Canada.  The front desk gained permission for me to come take pictures but the tenants and their belongings were everywhere.  I'll have to go back and take the interior pictures but the ocean front balcony view was worth the trip.

Next I was off to Charleston Landing in North Myrtle Beach to take some pictures of a lot where a builder plans to build a home that is of interest to one of my clients.

Last I had five homes within Tidewater Plantation to preview and take pictures of areas that were not in their MLS listings.

I filled an entire disk with pictures and it was a long day.

I was reminded yesterday of something that had happened to us when we moved to a new state.  It does not matter how high your credit score or how much money you have in the bank if you are moving to another state, maybe to retire, do not plan on getting a mortgage in the new state if you put on the application that it will be your new principal residence.  

Lenders look at income primarily from a job.  They do not care about most of the investment income or interest.

If you want to get a mortgage instead of using your savings or investments you may have to say you want to purchase a second home.  They may charge a little higher interest rate but with rates today that will still be a bargain.  

I plan to place this blog as an article on Retire Near Myrtle Beach.

Through Google I found "Sites" where you can build web pages and even an entire site.  They have even made it possible, if you have a domain name, to give the site your URL domain name and they are hosting at no cost.  So far I have created about 15 pages all with their own URLs.  Take a look at my newest site and tell me what you think NorthMyrtleBeachRealEstateNow.com  It is only a few days old so I will continue to build.

Yesterday the weather report said we were expected to get 3 - 5" of snow.  They cancelled the Myrtle Beach Marathon after many people had traveled far to participate.  In some ways I understand because the system we were expected to get had not occurred during the past ten years.

In the northern section of North Myrtle Beach it didn't begin to snow until late last night.  This morning, Saturday, some grass areas seemed to have an inch and a few feet away there was only a dusting.  Pavement everywhere was only wet.  Myrtle Beach is about fifteen miles south and they may have received a bit more snow but I bet someone is sorry they cancelled the Marathon.

     a few feet away 

Snowflakes at Night                A Dusting of Snow                                      Tidewater Golf Course 2/13/10

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

• 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