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.