Bring on the Bike Rallies

The Myrtle Beach City Council had a workshop today to discuss the impact of new proposals and procedures that could have a year-round impact on local businesses.

The proposed ordnances are aimed at controlling the Biker Rally crowds, but the discussion will have an impact on hundreds and hundreds of businesses.

This is always a hot topic in the area, and is sure to get the locals riled up one way or another. Me? I love the Bike Rallies! I think they are a ton of fun, bring a tremendous amount of revenue and exposure to the city, and sure do liven up this town.

The Rallies are a tradition here in the Grand Strand and started in the 40's. They are said to attract 300,000 visitors to the area. With poker runs, custom bike shows, live bands, tough guys, cool chicks... who could ask for more?

Local business owner, Karon Mitchell told SCNow.com, “On an estimate, I took in around $300,000 for Harley Week at all 3 hotels. Ok, that’s a hunk of change for me as a small motel owner.” Mitchell also says she makes about the same during the Atlantic Beach Bike Fest.

I agree. That's a lot of cash (and that's just one small motel chain.) Bring it on!

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel: A Destination in Itself

Recently I took a drive up the Eastern Shore and visited Georgetown, DE and Ocean City, MD. It was my first time to the area, and the I enjoyed the drive as much as the destinations.

One highlight of the trip was crossing over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT). The cost is $12.00 each way, but well worth it. The Bridge Tunnel is amazing. It connects the Virginia mainland at Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore and streamlines any trip North of Wilmington, DE by cutting 95 miles off the trip.

The bridge was selected as "One of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World" when it opened in 1964. To meet traffic demands, a parallel bridge was started in 1995 and once again drew attention to the remarkable construction and engineering.

The bridge is so long that it seemed to disappear in the distance. Hundreds of seagulls stop for a break from the wide open waters and rest on the rails and street lights.

The CBBT is 20 miles long and includes 2 one mile long tunnels. It also carries US 13, the main north-south highway on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

My buddy Jan will be happy to know that the CBBT offers a driving assistance program where the police arrange for an employee to assist and drive a customer's vehicle across the bridge-tunnel when they have a phobia that prevents them from doing so themselves. The management offers the driver as a complimentary community service and states that it prevents unsafe driving conditions that could occur due to any phobia presenting itself. The Police Department arranges the escort and can be reached at 757-331-2960. There are occasionally wait times.

If you're a bird watcher, you can observe birds and waterfowl resting on one of the four man-made islands. The concrete, steel, asphalt and rocks make a perfect resting spot for birds migrating in the spring and fall.

There's also a great fishing pier that gives you the opportunity to leave the boat and home, and still enjoy a deep sea fishing experience. Sea Gull Pier is open year round and is wheel chair accessible. No fishing license is required, and there is no fee except to $12.00 per vehicle to access the bridge itself.

I stopped in the restaurant/gift shop and strolled around. They have complete menu for breakfast lunch and dinner, along with plenty of mementos of your trip across the bridge-tunnel.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was definitely impressive and one of the highlights of my trip to the Eastern Shore.

Check out the New T3 Police Cruisers

It kind of looks like a suped up Jazzy chair, but this vehicle won the 2007 Innovation Award for Best Vehicle and the Spark Award at the International Spark Design Awards. The T3 vehicles are electric motorized three wheel vehicles and the city of Myrtle Beach just purchased three of them for the police force.

The T3s are designed and manufactured by T3 Motion, Inc. with public safety officers and private security markets in mind. It is set to travel at 12 miles per hour and gets officers out of their cars, onto the streets, and interacting with the public. They increase mobility, and are fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.

Perfect for Myrtle Beach in the busy tourist season.

The T3s were purchased with $30,000.00 in seized drug money and the city has trained 30 officers how to use them. Officers will begin cruising around on them Monday and will be used in The Market Common area and Third Avenue South to 21st Avenue North.

They're designed to help officers tackle many of their daily functions, including patrolling public areas. The T3's improve the efficiency of the police force; they cover more ground more quickly, and reduce fatigue which is important during our hot summer months.

It's exciting technology and Lt. Richard Show of the Myrtle Beach Police Department told The Sun News that we are one of only two areas in the state using the vehicles.

We're always looking to make things better in the Grand Stand! If your interested in one of our many Oceanfront condos, or any other Myrtle Beach real estate, be sure to visit the Myrtle Beach Condos .net website. They specialize in oceanfront condos in Myrtle Beach and can help you find the perfect home.

The Market Common: All about Location

It lacks visibility. It lacks familiarity. Many Myrtle Beach residents have no idea where it is and zip right by it! And... that's just the way developers planned it.

The Market Common is tucked away and off the beaten path, nestled in between Kings Highway and the bypass. Clayton McCaffery, vice president of leasing for McCaffery Interests, told The Sun News that they would have never done this project right on Highway 17 or the Bypass.

McCaffery Interests is developing The Market Common. The vision was to make another shopping area off of the main interstate, but to create an urban village in an area that allowed room for expansion and creativity. It will be an hot spot for Myrtle Beach condos and Myrtle Beach real estate, where residents live amongst shops and residential properties are mixed with commercial real estate.

Now that the The Market Common is making it 's debut, expect to hear a lot more buzz and see more billboards and other advertisements. This is one of the most exciting projects launching in the city of Myrtle Beach!

Interested in a Fixer-Upper?

I'm a do it your selfer... I've tackled tile, minor wall repairs, painting and this weekend, I took out an ugly light fixture and brightened up my dining area with a great ceiling fan.

It's one of the things I love about the Myrtle Beach real estate market; there are some fantastic deals available if you are willing to put in some TLC.

Many of the condos in Myrtle Beach have deeply discounted pricing because they need a bit of work. Take my condo for example. The light fixtures were dated, the carpet was mauve, and it needed some fresh paint. It's been a lot of work, but when I sit back and look at all that I have accomplished, I give myself a little pat on the back.

Plus, my hard work has paid off. Not only do I love the new look, but I've significantly increased my property value.

If you want to grab yourself a great deal and put in a little elbow grease, there are a lot of Myrtle Beach condos right up your alley. The Myrtle Beach Condo Store can help and will find you the perfect fixer upper that will be a fantastic investment and a fun project to work on.

There is Plenty of Sunshine in Myrtle Beach!

If it still feels like winter, and you are shivering from the cold... hop in your car or jump on a plane and head to Myrtle Beach! It's sunny and warm most days in the early spring and perfect for a bike ride or stroll on the beach.

It's easy to get to from Myrtle Beach from most major cities in the Northeast, and we have affordable air service with airlines like Spirit and Air Tran. We also have service with major airlines like USAir, Continental and Delta.

There are 60 miles of coastline along the Ocean and it's a golfer's paradise with more than 100 golf courses in the area. With so many amenities, the Myrtle Beach real estate market gets a tremendous boost from snowbirds who are looking for Myrtle Beach condos as second homes.

Many resorts offer swimming pools and ocean access. If your family is sports minded, there are plenty resorts with golfing, tennis, and bike trails available that are just minutes from the beach.

It's the perfect place to stay and play!

Myrtle Beach Sun Fun Expands

Traditionally the Myrtle Beach Sun Fun festival includes a parade, sand castle building competition, and beauty pageants to attract both locals and tourist in the Grand Strand area. This year the Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event, hopes to expand the celebration throughout the summer months.

The chamber hopes to extend the opening events in June to include two weekends and then continue concerts, kids programs and festivals, and other competitions throughout the remaining summer months.

Tentative plans include wave runner competitions, volleyball tournaments and surfing competitions.

The tourism leaders are even extending the festival activities from the downtown Myrtle Beach area to The Market Common; which is a new residential, shopping and dining complex at the old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Festivities will kick off at The Market Common on June 7th with fireworks and a concert.

Sun Fun will encompass the entire Myrtle Beach area, but don't worry! There will still be plenty to do in the downtown area, where the events are traditionally held. The chamber plans the double the amount of events that will take place in the heart of the city.

We're going to have a fantastic summer in Myrtle Beach. If you are interested in a second home, this is the perfect place to consider! Myrtle Beach real estate is a great investment opportunity and The Myrtle Beach Condo Store can help you with 1031 Tax Exchanges and will also show you a variety of Myrtle Beach Condos available.

Keeping Costs Low

County spokesperson, Lisa Bourcier, told The Sun News that bids submitted for the new general aviation terminal at Myrtle Beach were much higher than the $4 million that was budgeted for the project.

Seven companies submitted bids and the lowest bid was $1 million over budget. The county plants to have the architects working on the project get together next week to determine how to lower the costs of building the terminal.

It usually takes about two weeks to wrap things up and finalize contracts once a bid is accepted, but it's going to take longer for this project as the county works to lower the cost.

The airport is within the Myrtle Beach city limits and is run by Horry County. The current terminal is in an old military terminal and services private planes.

If you're interested in living in our town, visit the Myrtle Beach Condo Store websites. The Condo Store is affiliated with Keller Williams in Myrtle Beach and specializes in Myrtle Beach condos, Pawleys Island condos and 1031 Tax Exchanges.

Bike Week 2008 is going to Rock

Bike Week in Myrtle Beach is literally going to rock this year thanks to the Myrtle Beach Hard Rock Theme Park. The park has secured concerts with Charlie Daniels and .38 Special during the Mid-May Bike Week.

Concerts at the park will be held in the Born in the USA section of the park and regular performances are included in your ticket price.

The Hard Rock Amphitheatre can seat 2000 visitors, has standing room for 10,000 and will also have room for 8000 more fans on the lawn! The park plans to have local and regional groups as entertainment during the day with 6-8 headliners the first year.

This year Bike Week runs from May 9th- 18th, with a fall rally planned for October 1st-5th.

This town always has something going on! If you are interested in Pawleys Island real estate, Myrtle Beach real estate or 1031 Tax Exchanges, be sure to contact David O'Connell at The Condo Store. David can be reached 843-455-5500 and can offer you a no obligation evaluation of your needs.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse coming to Grande Dunes

Hooray! There's a new steak in town. A spokesman for Burroughs & Chapin Co. Inc. confirmed that Ruth's Chris Steak House will be opening at Grande Dunes on March 24.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of dining at a Ruth's Chris Steak House, they are internationally renowned for their unbeatable USDA Prime steak. Each steak is aged for tenderness with a cut that ensures that the steak will be juicy, and then it is seared to absolute perfection at 1800 degrees.

You can literally hear your steak coming as they bring it to your table on a 500 degree platter. It stays nice and warm through your entire meal.

The 9,500 square-foot restaurant have about 115 employees and serves dinner daily. Ruth's Chris also has market fresh seafood and choices for vegetarians.

It's one more luxury that is making Myrtle Beach great! If you are interested in living in our community, there is a variety of Myrtle Beach real estate available. Contact David O'Connell at 843-455-5500. David specializes in oceanfront condos in Myrtle Beach and 1031 Tax Exchanges.

McLean Park's Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 22, 2008 is going to be another great day for North Myrtle Beach residents. The city is going to have it's annual easter egg hunt at McLean Park and it's going to fun for kids of all ages.

Egg hunting areas are set up for all age groups: 2 and under, 3-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds, 9-11 year olds, and ages 12 and up.

McLean Park is a 10 acre park that is the perfect location for the festivities. It features a two-acre lake, multiple grills for family cookouts after the egg hunt, a quarter mile walking trail, tennis courts and restroom facilities.

It's going to be exciting for the younger children because the Easter Bunny is going to stop by for a visit and hand out candy. The North Strand Optimist Club will also have activities, attractions and refreshments for the event.

The event is free and everyone is welcome! Call the North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation department if you need additional informaton: 843-280-5570.

You know I love this area. It's a great place to live. If you are interested in owning a piece of paradise, call David O'Connell directly at 843-455-5500. David specializes in North Myrtle Beach real estate, as well as Myrtle Beach condos and Myrtle Beach resorts.

Keeping NMB Safe

Last week, the six officers who make up North Myrtle Beach's Beach Patrol completed personal watercraft training (PWC). This makes the team the only rescue technician instructors along the East Coast certified by Rescue Training International (RTI).

It's just one more way that the Grand Strand demonstrates that that safety is the number one priority while residents and tourists alike enjoy our beaches during the summer.

The team is now trained in maneuvering in rough surf, rip current rescues, victim towing and more. In addition to the six patrol officers completing the instruction, five of the cities head lifeguards were also certified with RTI as PWC technicians.

All of the North Myrtle Beach lifeguards participate in RTI training and combined with the PWC techs, it makes the team highly skilled and well qualified to protect residents and visitors during the busy tourist season.

Come and enjoy the fun! You might just want to stay.

If you would like to see some of the great North Myrtle Beach condos for sale or any other Myrtle Beach real estate, be sure to visit the Myrtle Beach Condo Store websites.

Towers on the Grove

While perusing web articles and newspapers to find interesting info for my blog, I came across this great new construction project that is well underway and ahead of schedule: Towers on the Grove. It replaces Cherry Grove Manor, a popular vacation spot for families in the Northern end of North Myrtle Beach.

If you are interested in North Myrtle Beach condos, this is a property you definitely want to want to keep in mind. The building is going to be incredibly snazzy and will be absolutely spectacular when the project is complete. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, private beach access, a full service restaurant, and commercial real estate space for a variety of specialty shops.

The units feature upscale furniture and accessories including granite counter tops in the kitchens and baths, at least one jacuzzi style tub, as well as tiled entryways, kitchens and baths. There is also a custom furniture selection available that includes flat screen TVs.

Upgraded packages are available and include stainless steel appliances, ceiling fans, deluxe cabinetry, crown molding and the option of a custom tile backsplash in the kitchen.

What's amazing about these oceanfront condos in North Myrtle Beach is that there is a starting price point of just $149,900. Towers on the Grove will have floor plans ranging from affordable efficiencies to prestigious three bedroom condos with oceanfront views.

Wouldn't it be great to scoot down the elevators, stop the by the on-site lounge to grab a pina colada, head out to the tropical pool deck and then float around on the lazy river on your day off? This property really is the total package.

If you would like more information about Towers on the Grove or any other condo in the Myrtle Beach area, visit the Myrtle Beach Condo Store websites.

Small Businesses have Eye on Future Profits

Most people driving by the Waccamaw Pottery probably have their eyes on the Hard Rock Theme Park, but several small business owners have their eye on future profits.

Some small businesses in the area have been around a long time, but more recently Myrtle Beach businessmen have been eyeing the area. Experts say that the theme park can expect to draw between 25,000 and 30,000 customers each day and the hope is that being so close to the action will be great for business.

Joseph Carver told SCNow.com that he thought Waccamaw Pottery would be the perfect location for his sandwich shop “Coasters.” Even though the park hasn’t opened yet, he says the he is already getting new customers because of the draw of the theme park.

All in all, the influx of tourist into the area is going to be great for a variety of businesses and will help make the local economy even stronger.

If you are interested in making an investment in Myrtle Beach real estate, commercial real estate or 1031 tax exchanges, contact David O’Connell directly at 843-455-5500. David is affiliated with Keller Williams and specializes in property along the Grand Strand.

Spirit Expands Air Service from Myrtle Beach to Orlando

Starting June 12 , Spirit Airlines will begin direct flights between Myrtle Beach and Orlando.

The competition is heating up with Spirit Airlines making the announcement on the heals of Allegiant Air announcing that they were beginning non-stop Orlando flights from Wilmington.

It’s a quick flight departing from Myrtle Beach at 11:05am and arriving at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) at 12:35p. You could be in Disney by 2:00pm!

Return flights are expected to depart Orlando at 4:15pm and with arrivals back into the Grand Strand by 5:45pm.

It’s great to see Spirit Airlines expand routes in the Myrtle Beach area. Currently Spirit carries more than 318,000 passengers each year to and from the Myrtle Beach area.

Not only will Myrtle Beach residents be flying south, but it is expected that the expanded route will give the Orlando residents a chance to check out our new, exciting theme park. Golfers will also enjoy the chance to visit our less crowded courses while staying in one of our great oceanfront condos in Myrtle Beach.

Who knows? It might just lead to a second home purchase of one of our great Myrtle Beach resorts.

Tanger Outlet gets Multi-Million Dollar Facelift

The Myrtle Beach Tanger outlets, located at HWY 501 and HWY 17, offer a collection of over 200 brand name outlet stores and welcome nearly 10 million enthusiastic shoppers year.

Tanger began a $20 million makeover project last December at the HWY 501 location. The design will have the charm of small town America, combined with the whimsy of Victorian accents.

Stanley K. Tanger, Chairman and CEO of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. told The Earth News that renovation projects are an important investment in the economic growth of their shopping centers as well as the communities that they are a part of.

Myrtle Beach is one of the nation’s top vacation destinations and offers a variety of accommodations from oceanfront condos in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas, to resorts with an island feel, as well as hotel accommodations ranging from 2-4 star.

The $20 million makeover ensures that the HWY 501 Tanger shopping center will continue to draw customers and be a location that is vibrant and attractive for many years to come. Plans include a Main Street style storefront where shoppers will stroll streetscapes that have a pleasant park-like feel. There will be seating areas to relax and landscape touches that are reminiscent of gardens.

The work is expected to be completed this fall and is just one more way that our area continues to grow and to improve upon itself.

If your interested in owning Myrtle Beach real estate or in 1031 Exchange information, contact David O'Connell directly at 843-455-5500. David specializes in Myrtle Beach commercial real estate and 1031 transactions

Updates and Improvements for MB Transit System

It’s an exciting year for Myrtle Beach with many updates and improvements in the works for our transit system. Residents and Vacationers can expect to see the groundbreaking for Myrtle Beach International’s new air terminal, an expanded bus system and new roads.

The focus is on increasing ways people can get to the Grand Strand and making it a breeze for them to get around town once they arrive.

Mike Barbee, a project manager for the SC Department of Transportation told The Sun News that if a vacationer comes here this year and spends a lot of time sitting in traffic, next year they may decide to go somewhere else.

Myrtle Beach real estate owners and residents of surrounding areas will love the Main Street connector in North Myrtle Beach. It’s slated to open in spring 2009. The $85 million project will connect to SC 31 and drop you directly off in the heart of North Myrtle Beach, eliminating a tremendous amount of traffic on HWY 17.

A friend who rents one of the oceanfront condos in North Myrtle Beach says she is excited about the new connector and how easy it is going to be to get to the south end and shop without having to fuss with the traffic.

MB Airport Expanding

The Myrtle Beach Airport will begin construction on a $4 million general aviation terminal in 2008 and hopes to complete the project by 2009. The new terminal is going to provide service for private and charter flights.

Plans include an 11,000 square foot building that has conference rooms, a lounge for the pilots and office space.

The airport is also working to bring new carriers to the terminals. The new carriers will open new routes to and from the area, and the competition will help keep ticket prices low.

Don Schunk, economist with Coastal Carolina University, told The Sun News that travelers fly to neighboring airports because it's less expensive, and it's important for Myrtle Beach to open more options for air service.

Vacationers and business professionals alike want the convenience of an airport that has a variety of nonstop and direct routes available at affordable prices. These factors help drive a strong market for Myrtle Beach real estate. It makes it easier for someone to own a second home in the Grand Strand if they don't have to drive 2 hours from Charleston because of pricing and flight availability.

Myrtle Beach gets better everyday! If you are interested in Myrtle Beach condos or other real estate in the Grand Strand, contact the Myrtle Beach Condo Store.

Myrtle Beach Job Fair a Big Success

The job market is on the upswing for the Grand Strand area. The annual job fair was much busier than in recent years and that's a great indication that there will be strong job growth. In fact, Don Schunk, a research economist with Coastal Grand University, told The Sun News that with the new information from the sate, he will be increasing his original estimates of job growth from 3.2%.

The strong local economy is fantastic news for those who live in Myrtle Beach, and for business owners of commercial real estate.

Approximately 140 companies were actively seeking new employees, and over 5200 potential candidates made their way to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center center to turn in resumes.

One of the major driving forces in this positive trend is the opening of Hard Rock Park, which is opening in April. The park expects to hire on an additional 3000 employees throughout the upcoming year.

The improved job market should have a nice impact on our real estate market with entry level employees looking for affordable condos in Myrtle Beach, as well as condos in Little River, Pawleys Island, North Myrtle Beach and other surrounding areas.

Parks for Pawleys (update)

Residents from the Waccamaw Neck area are meeting at Waccamaw High School to look at several preliminary parks and recreation projects being put together for the area.

Several proposed projects are exciting and include four tournament-level soccer fields and a tennis court complex that has up to 32 courts and a pro shop!

Baseball fields and multi-use fields are also in the plans. It's fantastic news for those who own homes in Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach. The amenities enhance the quality of life for all the area residents and the health benefits of fostering an active lifestyle are invaluable .

Residents will be able to view the proposed plans for their communities at the Georgetown Middle School auditorium at 6pm on Thursday.

Four public input meetings are planned and then cost estimates will be prepared for further discussion.

If you own Pawleys Island property or real estate in the surrounding area, this is a great time to get involved in your community and show support for the proposed projects. Attending the Georgetown County Council meetings is a great way to start. Those meetings take place at 5:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. For more information call 843-545-3058 or visit the Georgetown County webpage.

Tax Rebate Should Boost Myrtle Beach Economy

The government has an economic stimulus plan that is set to rebate tax revenue to about 136 million Americans. The amounts range between $300-$1200 are set to start arriving in homes across the U.S. in May.

It's the start of the tourist season, so the timing is perfect for Myrtle Beach businesses. The rebates could have a substantial effect on the local economy. Those checks will arrive just in time to be cashed and hopefully spent in the pursuit of happiness here at the Strand.

The extra money could mean an upgrade in room accommodations, an extra night of vacation, or more money being spent with our local retailers.

It's also great for those who own private Myrtle Beach real estate or commercial real estate. Those checks are will go a long way towards sprucing up properties and will benefit our local home improvement stores.

All in all, there are big hopes that the money will help jump-start the local and national economy. We'll have to wait until May to see, but I can't wait to get my check! I promise to do my part to help the economy and will not save one dime of it.

More Parks for Pawleys

A group of concerned parents from Pawleys Island met Friday night at the local library to discuss the recreational facilities in the city. The group feels that the current recreation areas are few and far in between, as well as in disrepair.

Public amenities contribute to a healthy housing market. Improving local park and recreation fascilities can only benefit the community and owners of Pawleys Island real estate.

It’s important for a community to have the sense of connection that a park brings. Whether it’s relaxing and enjoying a sunset, taking your dog for a brisk walk, or bringing friends and family together for a cookout; public amenities enrich the neighborhood and those who live there.

The concerned citizens plan to take their concerns to a county council meeting next week that's being held in Georgetown.

For those who rent or own homes in Pawleys Island, you can get involved by attending the Georgetown County Council meetings at 5:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. For more information call 843-545-3058 or visit the Georgetown County webpage.

Keeping North Myrtle Beach Beautiful

Wednesday marked the kick off of The Great American Cleanup of South Carolina. It’s a fantastic program that focuses on cleaning up parks, neighborhoods, beaches and other areas of South Carolina, including North Myrtle Beach.

Volunteers state that cigarette butts are one of the main things they are constantly picking up. Bottles come in second. Participants want to show locals and tourists alike that they are proud of the city and care enough about North Myrtle Beach to pick up trash that doesn’t belong to them.

When others see their cleanup efforts, they may think twice before flicking a cigarette butt into the sand.

Keep America Beautiful sponsors The Great American Cleanup and is the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. They promote the idea that we all have an obligation to preserve and protect our environment. Three areas that Keep America Beautiful focuses on are preventing litter, reducing waste and beautifying communities.

The postive effects are far-reaching. Owners of commercial real estate, single family homes, and oceanfront condos in North Myrtle Beach alike will benefit from the local efforts of The Great American Cleanup.

If you would like to participate in the efforts of keep North Myrtle Beach beautiful, visit http://www.palmettopride.com/.

Community Working Together for Cleaner Water

There’s great news for owners of homes in Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet. Officials from Coastal Carolina University are establishing a volunteer water monitoring program that will help meet the areas new requirements for storm water management.

Susan Libs, professor of marine science at CCU told The Myrtle Beach Sun News that they will be working to characterize sources of land based pollution.

Community involvement is key and volunteers will help monitor the water on a bi-weekly basis. After gathering data on the quality of the water, steps can be taken to improve the water quality by identifying sources of pollution.

Fresh, clean water is an important environmental asset of the area and helps foster our thriving tourist industry.

Volunteers are trained to test for various water pollutants including E coli bacteria. They will also monitor nitrogen and ammonia levels. It’s all part of keeping the waterways clean and healthy, which is fantastic for those who own Pawleys Island property and Murrells Inlet homes.

Get Ready for Some Fun!

Whether you come to Myrtle Beach to vacation, or own your own piece of Myrtle Beach real estate, there will always be plenty of sunshine and activities for you and your family to enjoy.

The Sun News voted The Family Kingdom Amusement Park the best Family Amusement Value in Myrtle Beach.

The park offers over 30 rides and attractions and is conveniently located on Ocean Boulevard in the heart of the city. There are plenty of games, family entertainment, and an electrifying wooden roller coaster. It also features the largest ferris wheel in the state of South Carolina. (And who can resist the cotton candy, corndogs and funnel cakes?)

Serving the area for more than 40 years, Family Kingdom is a tradition for locals and visitors alike.

Don’t forget to visit The Family Kingdom Water Park. It’s located directly across from the amusment park and offers waterflumes, speed slides and a relaxing lazy river.

It's the perfect place for a corperate outing or church function. Family Kingdom offers discounts to groups of 16 or more. They also have three group dining menus available which would be a great way to take the hassle out of your next family reunion.

Come to Myrtle Beach and discover the fun! If you would like more information about The Family Kingdom Amusement park, be sure to visit their website: www.family-kingdom.com

Canadians Flocking South

Myrtle Beach was just a vacation spot for many Canadians, but thanks to a strong Canadian dollar many are now calling the Grand Strand home.

Year after year, Canadian tourists have visited the Grand Stand and enjoyed our warm weather and beautiful golf courses.

“It’s been a good getaway for us from the cold here in Canada,” Jennifer Boodram told Jessica Foster of The Myrtle Beach Sun News. “In a couple of years when we decide to retire, we’ll probably spend most of our winters here.”

The Canadian dollar, known as the loonie, has surged against the US dollar. This drastic rise in value has contributed to a real estate market that is appealing to our northern friends. For the first time since 1976, the Canadian dollar rose to a modern-day high in 2007 and was valued higher than the US dollar. There have been some fluctuations and the loonie value has recently dropped closer to $1.01 compared to the US dollar.

Real estate agents, excited by the trend, have started marketing efforts in Canada. One realtor in Murrells Inlet, has already sent about 350 direct mailings to Canadian residents and tells The Myrtle Beach Sun News that she is exploring newspaper advertisements as well.
In addition to the strong Canadian dollar, lower interest rates, affordable home prices and better availability of direct air service make the Myrtle Beach real estate even more attractive.

One local real estate company sold 8 homes to Canadians over the past six months. It’s clear that they are seeing the value of owning Myrtle Beach condos and homes.

In January, the Grand Strand pricing for a single family home was $255,211, compared to an average home price of $317,825 in Canada. Condos in Myrtle Beach had an average price of $218,232. It’s clear that the Myrtle Beach area is very appealing to the Canadian market.

Many Canadians are looking for second homes so they can rent them out, use them as vacation homes, or use them full time when they decide to retire. The bulk of homes purchased by Canadians are in the south, and near the ocean or mountains because they are popular vacation destinations.

When The Sun News spoke to Robin Scange of Ontario, she said that it was nice to have their own property to vacation to and that it was a place that her friends and family were going to enjoy. Robin also plans to rent it out when it is not in use by the family.

Some Canadians have had a difficult time financing their new homes. There are additional closing costs, passport requirements, and also a 10% tax charged to foreign inventors through the Foreign Investment Property Act. In fact 28% of Canadian buyers choose to pay in cash instead of taking out a mortgage.

RBC Centura, a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Canada has been able to assist several Canadian buyers because they have offices in Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island.

With the strong loonie and many Canadians looking for a place to retire, it’s clear that it is a market with a strong potential for realtors.

A Great Day at Mingo!

My friend Jan and I went to Pawleys Island last week to take some photos of the area surrounding Pawleys Plantation.

We absolutely fell in love with Mingo at Willbrook Plantation, a residential village with restaurants, shops, business offices, a spa and bakery. The homes offer special features like hardwood floors, built-in book shelves and the unit we looked at had a gas fireplace. Amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, manicured lawns, professional landscaping, along with beautiful trees and shrubs.

Jan and I relaxed while walking around the shopping area. The boardwalk wraps around a picture perfect lake with two waterfalls and an arched wooden bridge. The homes are within walking distance of 4 restaurants, a Blockbuster Video, and grocery store. You can even ride your bike to the beach!

It was a fantastic day and we were able to get a lot of great photos.

If you are interested in Mingo , Pawleys Plantation, or any other Pawley Island real estate, be sure to contact The Myrtle Beach Condo Store. They can help you find the perfect place to live!

Ready for Great Weather?

Myrtle Beach is fast becoming a year-round destination for vacationers. The mild temperatures during the off seasons appeal to golfers and tennis players alike.

It’s easy to enjoy the 60 mile stretch of beaches known as the Grand Strand throughout the entire year. How about starting your winter morning off with a hot cup of coffee and a brisk walk on the beach? The average temperature is 45 degrees in January. On cooler days it's comfortable to wear a long sleeve shirt with a light jacket.

My friend Lisa and I love walking our dogs on the beach during the winter. It's nice and cool, and there are no crowds.

The Myrtle Beach area welcomes millions of tourists including students, families, golfers and snowbirds. Many snowbirds come to visit only to find themselves looking at Myrtle Beach real estate and planning to move. One snowbird said it was appealing to consider living in a resort area where she could enjoy the sand, surf and warm climate all year long. It's a fantastic lifestyle.

If you would like more information on relocating to this great area, visit The Myrtle Beach Condo Store.

Superstition

The Chicago Tribune says that she is “…one terrific storyteller,” and Newsweek says she is one of the most popular voices in fiction.”

Mother of three, Karen Robards, is the author of 33 books including Superstition.

Superstition is set in the picturesque town of Pawleys Island, SC, which is 20 minutes south of Myrtle Beach. It must be exciting for the residents who own Pawleys Island real estate to read her thriller based in their hometown.

The book is about the unsolved murder of a teenager and the disappearance of her two friends. The mansion where the teenager was murdered is haunted and a reporter looking for a big break sets up a séance but ends up being murdered in the same fashion as the original teenager.

A resident who lives in Pawleys Plantation said that the book had her on the edge of her seat and she had to get up several times to make sure her doors were locked.

Karen Robards is a fantastic suspense writer and this is a great read. The next time you are in a bookstore, be sure to pick up a copy of Superstition.

BiLo Myrtle Beach Marathon and Relay

Myrtle Beach hosted their 11th annual marathon today. It’s exciting to think that over 5,300 people ran 13-26 miles through the city this morning.

Residents of Myrtle Beach expected some headaches, but the city had preparations in place to keep congestion to a minimum, including blocking off several major streets, and posting extra police officers along the race route to keep things running smoothly and safely.

One of the main sections of the course took runners down Ocean Blvd. Owners of the oceanfront condos in Myrtle Beach enjoyed watching the marathon from their balconies. I would imagine that it was a great way to spend the morning.

With the mild winter temperatures and the active lifestyle, owning a beautiful condo in Myrtle Beach would be fantastic.

Pawleys Island

With its white sandy beaches, Pawleys Island has been a favorite vacation spot since the 1700’s. Locals claim that Pawleys Island is the oldest resort area in the United States .

Prestigious rice and indigo planters escaped the summer heat by moving their families to cottages on the Island for the summer. Nine of the cottages are still in use and make up the Pawleys Island “Historic District.”

Historic Georgetown just 10 miles south and the action of Myrtle Beach 20 minutes north. The great location makes Pawleys Island real estate the perfect choice for a new home.

Visit The Myrtle Beach Condo Store to keep up to date on all the best deals for this fantastic beach community.