Sandy's Blog

Ocean Front Unit 1409 Mar Vista Grande in North Myrtle Beach SC

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:16:57 -0600

Large luxurious ocean front 3 BR 3 BA condo at Mar Vista Grande in North Myrtle Beach. Beautiful upscale newer concrete and steel building with enclosed corridors, four parking decks below, indoor and outdoor pools and spas. This Penthouse unit has high ceilings, granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances and a huge balcony ready for you to enjoy the sites and sounds of the ocean waves as they approach the white sandy beach. A short walk to the famous Main Street of North Myrtle Beach. Asking $579,000

Freezing At 52 Degrees

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:40:46 -0600

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.

A Day Of Myrtle Beach Area Real Estate Photos

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:50:31 -0600

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.

No Mortgage For Principal Residence In A New State

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:13:23 -0600

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.

Building A Website

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:48:13 -0600

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.

Snow In North Myrtle Beach SC

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:18:16 -0600

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

Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR)

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:53:05 -0600

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.

Understanding Google - Or Not

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:13:26 -0600

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

Lots 1, 2, and 3 on S Highway 905 in Longs SC

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:13:03 -0600

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

3938 Pinebrook Circle, Little River SC 29566

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:11:15 -0600

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.

A Good Day For Real Estate In The Myrtle Beach SC Area

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:38:24 -0600

The real estate market is going up and down everywhere. Realtors, like myself, also see up and down days. Yesterday was a slow day that was spent taking pictures of new listings and working on my web site Myrtle Beach Real Estate. Today has been non-stop. I'm sitting here at 9:30 P.M. thinking about how great it feels when you have a good day.

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.

Lots For $35,000 in Charleston Landing, North Myrtle Beach SC

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:59:42 -0600

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

Seasons Greetings From Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:14:01 -0600

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

Short-Sale Approved By Bank

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:07:00 -0600

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

Fall Colors In The Myrtle Beach SC Area

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Chicora) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:38:18 -0600

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.