Sandy's Blog

986 Bear Lake Dr in Longs SC Visit Open House Saturday July 31st 1 to 4 PM

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:49:38 -0400

Home on Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in Long Bay. A 3 bedroom 2 bath all brick home with large rooms and plenty of storage. New roof, 3 year old HVAC and hot water heater with an asking price of $269,000.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Open House on Sunday August 1st at 3938 Pinebrook Circle 1 to 4 PM

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:21:44 -0400

Home in Little River, South Carolina 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. Now Asking $139,000

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.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Buyers Hesitate

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:14:58 -0400

After speaking with several other realtors it seems clear that the buyers who come to Myrtle Beach looking for real estate have begun to hesitate signing the contract to make an offer. They may be people we have been working with for a long time or vacationers who decide they would like to take advantage of the fantastic deals available but when we find them exactly what they say they want, they hesitate and begin to second guess their real estate purchase.

Personally, I do not want anyone to purchase real estate today that they will not be happy with tomorrow or that they can not afford. The sad thing is letting the chance of a lifetime pass bye and regreting it tomorrow.

How is real estate moving in other parts of the country?

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

North Carolina Real Estate Broker-In-Charge

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 12:21:37 -0400

Since last year I had had three real estate sales in Brunswick County, North Carolina I decided it might be worth it to declare myself as my own Broker-In-Charge. This week my license from the State of North Carolina arrived so yesterday I rejoined the Brunswick County Association of Realtors (BCAR) for access to the official MLS system for their North Carolina area and their lock boxes.

I will now need to purchase Errors and Omissions (E & O) insurance and find a North Carolina real estate attorney to put any earnest money checks into their trust account. Many people have said, "Why bother?" because I was licensed, could take clients into North Carolina and represent them as I prepared the offer's to purchase agreements just as I do in South Carolina. My thought is that I like to know the details about a property when I send my client a listing to take them to see a property. Plus, who wants to run all over town picking up keys to homes or condos you want to show.

I will be taking my clients to Calabash, Carolina Shores, Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Shallotte, North Carolina.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Finding The Perfect Real Estate In The Myrtle Beach Area

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:33:37 -0400

Everyone who wants to buy real estate, especially in a coastal area, has an idea of the perfect property. Many during the current market think that a foreclosure or short-sale automatically means they are getting the best deal so they are asking for a "fixer-upper". The facts that those of us working in the Myrtle Beach area have discovered are a foreclosure or short-sale could be a new construction and if any foreclosure or short-sale was a purchase made during the "boom" in real estate they may be priced well above a similar property selling normally.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Real Estate In North Myrtle Beach SC At North Beach Plantation

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:57:58 -0400

I recently took some clients to North Beach Plantation and we all felt like we had arrived at a Caribbean luxury resort and since it is such a unique neighborhood in North Myrtle Beach you may want to know what it has to offer.

North Beach Plantation spreads from Hwy 17 to the ocean beside 48^th Ave. S in the Windy Hill section of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A private beach with no street to cross as you walk or use your golf cart type vehicle through the Plantation to the beach.

Oceanfront condos are available in the Towers and single family homes are clustered in their own neighborhoods within the North Beach Plantation.

The Cinzia Spa, a Fitness Center, a Lounge / Restaurant and more make North Beach Plantation a place to consider as home. The Cinzia Spa has 17,000 square feet within the grand Plantation building and presently has a physician on site. The Spa is not included within the low monthly POA fees but the huge state-of-the-art Fitness Center is included (personal trainers and aerobic exercise classes are available for a fee).

The Towers offer one to five bedroom units while the Bridge between them is actually a lounge and restaurant. In the fall of 2010 an up-scale restaurant will open in the grand Plantation building for an additional dining experience.

Single family homes are now available in the Appleton Neighborhood and the Cottages on Margaret. Some areas that are marked on the North Beach Plantation - Plan as future development are actually under development and they include a single family home neighborhood closest to the ocean that has plans for a gated entrance.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Rejoining Brunswick County Board of Realtors

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:57:14 -0400

I hold a real estate agent license in South and a real estate broker license in North Carolina, have membership in the National Association of Realtors, the South Carolina Assocation of Realtors, the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors and until a few months ago the Brunswick County Association of Realtors in NC. Both States require a Broker-In-Charge over each office to be responsible for the agents and / or brokers who are affiliated with that office.

When I changed real estate company affiliation I kept all my licenses and memberships but because my new Broker-In-Charge, even though licensed in North Carolina, was not a member of the Brunswick Association of Realtors, I had to give up my membership. Now I have to go to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission and declair myself as Broker-In-Charge and pay very high Broker fees just to have access to their inner MLS system. The sad thing is anyone can access the public site for the MLS listings but you have to be a Broker member to access additional details about property listings that are vital when I am showing my clients properties in Brunswick County, North Carolina.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Getting Known For Myrtle Beach Real Estate Means Referrals

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:17:24 -0400

After five years of working on my websites, blogs, and networking my friends, site visitors, associates and Realtors from around the Country are sending me referrals of people interested in purchasing real estate in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina coastal Grand Strand area.

The work never ends and the almost 24 / 7 schedule is not for those who want an easy task. While many other real estate agents have disappeared those of us who evolved into the internet are still here. Many late nights sitting at the computer trying to tell the world what it wants to know is much harder then taking people out to view real estate but it is paying off with more then just direct contacts from buyers and sellers. How? Referrals, referrals and more referrals!

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Leave The Attitude Somewhere Else

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:41:03 -0400

I recently received a call from a man who wanted to look at real estate in the Myrtle Beach area. He gave me his list of "must have" so I did a search and emailed listings to him. He called me again and said for me to make sure the houses were in neighborhoods with friendly people that didn't have an attitude.

After explaining that even though I was familiar with a neighborhood I had no way of knowing the personality of the residents. I suggested that once he choose a few neighborhoods he should spend some time walking around them and introducing himself to the residents. His reaction was that he didn't want to go walking up to strangers and how dare I suggest such a thing. After he yelled, "Just forget it!" I said, "I already have" and hung up the phone.

It sounded like he was the type of person he didn't want to live near and I wouldn't want to either. People who are used to the big cities and people with attitude need to realize most people who want to retire in the Myrtle Beach area want to leave all that nonsense somewhere else.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

986 Bear Lake Drive Longs SC

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:52:43 -0400

Custom all brick home with over 3100 square feet under roof on the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course at Long Bay Club. Minutes from North Myrtle Beach a beautiful neighborhood of custom homes ranging from fifteen years old to brand new. 3 BR 2 BA Asking Price $269,000

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Real Estate and Weather Are Hot In Myrtle Beach SC

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:59:52 -0400

Temperatures during the past few days have been about ten degrees above normal in the Myrtle Beach area and the humidity is even worse. I doubt if it has anything to do with the weather but yesterday two families sent me an email requesting information on real estate for sale in South Carolina and North Carolina close to Myrtle Beach.

Requests for information about real estate for sale in the Myrtle Beach area that are forwarded through one of the large real estate websites are numerous but rarely do you get a response from those who you send information. That is why I have never paid to be on those type of real estate sites, but using the free levels of those sites, blogging through sources such as ActiveRain, and providing websites that actually try to provide information are paying off for me.

The two families I mention above emailed me and I sent them information within an hour. Both responded, one has already provided the dates they will be in the Myrtle Beach area to look at real estate and the other is in the process of finding a place to stay while they look. I just hope the weather is back to normal while we're out exploring but if not we'll spend extra time at the oceanfront condos letting the breeze keep us cool.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Today's Condo Sales In Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:50:12 -0400

Today one of the lenders who had originally called a condo complex a "condotel" decided to reconsider and the purchase is due to close within a week. Thank heaven for common sense.

Every Realtor helping condo buyers in a beach area where short-term rentals are allowed may encounter a last minute problem with the underwriters if a mortgage is involved. Also with new Fannie Mae requirements condos anywhere in the country could have things pop-up that are unexpected. In the past we would give our clients names of local lenders and it was up to the buyer to work out the details of getting their mortgage in place for closing. Now it is still the buyers responsibility to obtain their mortgage but to avoid a lot of problems a buyer needs their own Realtor more then ever.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Condo Sales In Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:23:43 -0400

Condo sales in coastal areas like Myrtle Beach have been hit hard not just by the economy but what has become a term we hear too often "condotel". Lenders basically stopped making mortgage loans for any condo they considered a "condotel" and each lender had their own definition. During the past year we had seen a few lenders return to offer mortgages to qualified buyers of what was considered a "condotel" so we say thank you to those lenders.

In the beginning of the "condotel" saga primarily high-rise condo buildings that had a Front Desk check-in and allowed rentals for a week or less were branded. The criteria expanded in so many directions that I won't take up your time trying to list what some lenders used to turn down a loan.

There have been some lenders who will make a loan on a particular condo building today but not tomorrow which has been a challenge for those of us who have people who want to buy a condo. Recently a national lender didn't care that there was no front desk, no daily cleaning service, no on site restaurants, or any of the other criteria many had listed. Also the fact the entire complex was primarily occupied by residents and second-home owners did not seem to make a difference because someone in the lender's underwriting department Googled the name of the complex. Evidently at least one major lender thinks that if the By-Laws of a condo building or complex do not restrict short-term rentals and if even one person uses the internet to rent their unit themselves or has a rental company with a website handle their rental offering their condo for rent on a short-term basis the entire complex is a "condotel" because it showed up when Googled.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Price Reduction For Lots On S HWY 905 In Longs SC

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Sun, 30 May 2010 13:10:55 -0400

Price reduction to $29,900 each for Lots 1, 2, and 3 just south of HWY 9 on S HWY 905 and minutes from the ocean at North Myrtle Beach, SC. Lots are cleared so you can build now or wait until you are ready. Public water and sewer accessable. Buy two or all three lots for a further price reduction. Lots are not in a neighborhood and have no POA fees.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo

Listings On A High Ranked Website For Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Sandy Keller, ABR, CNRS, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR (SC Beach Real Estate) — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:08:16 -0400

I recently joined SC Beach Real Estate and they put several of my listings on their websites. Their sites rank on the first page of all the major search engines and they are currently number one on Google for Myrtle Beach Real Estate. Today several inquires for one of my listings were forwarded to me from the company website.

Many people I know that have a business think that simply having a website is all you need. That may be true if everyone knows your web address but chances are they will be searching and a high search engine ranking helps. I'm happy to be associated with a company that has great web presence because the majority of people searching for real estate use the Internet.

SANDY KELLER, ABR, SFR, e-PRO, REALTOR

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Retirement and Real Estate Near Myrtle Beach

Sandy Keller's Page On Yahoo