Increase your Buying Power

The Myrtle Beach area is currently in a buyer’s market along with most of the country.  With prices stable to falling is a great time to consider purchasing condos in Myrtle Beach.  Known for its 100 plus golf courses, tourist attractions, and cost of living Myrtle Beach is a top US vacation destination and retirement location.  For those from the north looking to vacation or relocate to Myrtle Beach SC, here are some comparisons to sway your decision:

Following table explanation:  $47,228 in Myrtle Beach has the equivalent buying power that $60,000 does in Baltimore.

Salary		Comparable Myrtle Beach Salary
Baltimore	$60,000	$47,228
D.C.	$60,000	$40,135
Philadelphia	$60,000	$45,260
NYC(Manhattan)	$60,000	$27,354

Percentages represent Myrtle Beach’s basic necessities compared to the cities listed.

	NYC	Baltimore	D.C.	Phila.
Groceries	29.8% - Less	4.6%- Less	7.5%-Less	19.0%-Less
Housing	78.6% - Less	47.3%- Less	62.8%-Less	44.5%-Less
Utilities	38.5% - Less	22.7%- Less	23.9%-Less	22.0%-Less
Transportation	16.9% - Less	10.6%- Less	10.9%-Less	10.2%-Less
Healthcare	26.2% - Less	9.5%- Less	14.7%-Less	15.4%-Less

*Data is provided by ACCRA for Myrtle Beach SC, Baltimore, MD, District of Columbia, Philadelphia and New York City.

Seller/Owner Financing

Seller financing is quite rare and can be risky if not done through a reputable real estate attorney.  With banks tightening their loan approval requirements seller financing could be an option.  All the terms, including down payments, duration, payments, interest, and default/repossession criteria, of the loan should be covered; an attorney will aid you with this.  Seller financing could be for any amount that you’re comfortable with dealing.  Perhaps the buyer was only cleared for the majority of the asking price from the bank but is short $20,000.  Seller financing could get that home or condo sold.  Sellers and buyers could also negotiate on some type of trading, a car or some property that the buyer already possesses in return for a smaller loan or more attractive terms.  The financing rate could be a guaranteed investment income for the seller should the buyer keep the loan for the full term.  Buyers remember that a higher interest offer is bait to get the seller to bite and will reduce to eliminate the closing cost associated with bank financing.  If bank financing conditions become more attractive/loose then you can replace the seller’s loan with a bank loan to take advantage of interest rates and save money.

Ask your Condo-World realtor for more information on seller financing as an option for your North Myrtle Beach condo.  We specialize in Myrtle Beach condos for sale.

Protect yourself with Sunscreen

Today was a break from the scorcher of last week.  This upcoming week will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid to upper 80s.  Enjoy the ocean breeze and fine sands of Myrtle Beach South Carolina this summer.  However, during all the fun and excitement remember to protect your skin.  Long-term sun exposure has been linked to serious skin ailments.

SPF 15 or more is recommended.  Sunscreen should be applied generously 30 minutes prior to exposure.  It should be reapplied every 2 hours, after swimming, intense perspiration, and in combination with towel drying.  Therefore water-resistant and water-proof sunscreens are recommended.  Some studies even suggest that sunscreen helps protect against the aging effects of the sun.

Remember that the sun is strongest between 11am and 4pm. Also, just because it is cloudy doesn’t mean the UV rays are not still harmful.

Now that you’re protected contact us about Myrtle Beach oceanfront condos and Myrtle Beach vacation rentals.

Pending Sales Index shows Positive

Despite the real estate slump, rising unemployment, and foreclosures the overall US pending sales index, according to National Association of Realtors, is positive for the month of April.  Not only positive but has increased by 6.3% from March to April; the largest gain in at least 12 months.  Although positive for now, it is still 13.1% below April’s rates of last year.  Reasoning for this could be caused by significant home price drops especially in places like California, Arizona, and Florida where in some cases prices have dropped by 40%, discounting by banks that have repossessed, and low interest rates.  As far as the south, sales pending rates have risen by 4.6% from March to April but down by 22.5% from last year; the worst of the 4 regions.  However, the running average for pending sales in the south over the past 3 months has remained stable.

Contact Condo-World about Myrtle Beach condos for sale and an analysis of the current market conditions.  We also specialize in Myrtle Beach SC condos, Myrtle Beach vacation rentals, and Myrtle Beach vacation packages.

Go with a trusted name in Myrtle Beach condo rentals

Con men have been taking advantage of free listing sites such as Craigslist to victimize rental seekers.  Phony real estate agents and landlords have taken security deposits, and in some cases the first month’s rent from unsuspecting consumers.  If you are going to take this route for your search here are some things that you should consider prior to dishing out any money.  Browse with care and check the credentials of who you are dealing with; this is imperative if you are located far from the property of interest.  If this is private, check the property record online to see if the listed property owner and the landlord you are interacting with are the same.  If dealing with a real estate agent, ask them for their state license number and check that online as well.  Visit their office and website.  If possible and highly recommended, visit the property physically with whoever you plan to lease from.  This will provide greater evidence that the property is legit.  If this is through a "claimed" agent then check the other listing services for the same property and see if the information adds up.

Free listing services are a fantastic way to find rentals but browse carefully and check backgrounds.  Dealing with an established company will help to alleviate these concerns and provide you with peace of mind.  Condo-World is the premier realty agency for condo rentals in Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach vacation packages.  So leave the worrying to us browse our website for Myrtle Beach vacation deals and enjoy your Myrtle Beach vacation.

Gas Savings

Due to rising gas prices everything is going up from food to airline tickets.  Every business or service that requires transportation of raw materials to finished goods is and will continue to be affected.  But summer is here and Myrtle Beach vacation packages are a great way to spend it without burning a hole in your pocket.  Here are a few tips that will help you cut costs at the pump and possibly increase gas mileage while driving to your Myrtle Beach condo rental.

Driving Behavior

• Slow down.  Research has shown that driving at 55 versus 65, 65 versus 75 and so on will save gas on trips.  Most automatic cars are 4 or 5 speeds.  When driving on the higher RPMs of each gear you waste more gas.  You can control the amount of gas used by keeping your speed down and ultimately RPMs which will burn less gas.
• Slower acceleration.  The faster you accelerate the more gas you burn.  This concept follows the same rule as above.  By accelerating faster your car will run through the higher RPMs of each gear due to the higher flow of gas to the engine. 
• Reduce drag.  If you watch NASCAR or other types of racing then you have heard of drag.  Drag is referred to as the negative effects air has on your car’s motion.  The faster you drive the more drag will affect your car.  On long trips, following behind an 18-wheeler will significantly reduce the effects of drag but be careful and not get too close.  It’s recommended to keep 4 car lengths for safety and at this distance the savings is still worthwhile.  Also, remove bicycle racks and such things to help reduce drag.
• Consistent speeds.  Maintaining a constant speed will use gas at a consistent rate versus constant acceleration and deceleration which uses more gas.
• Windows down versus AC.  At lower speeds, having your windows down will save more gas than using the AC.  However, at higher speeds this is not the case.  At these speeds having the windows down will create more drag.  Running the AC is more fuel efficient in speeds in excess of 45/50 miles per hour.

Maintenance

• Check tire pressures once a week.  Rolling resistance is a factor when it comes to gas mileage; the lower your tires pressure the more rolling resistance and gas usage.
• Change the oil and filter every 3 months or 3000 miles unless you have special oil that allows for longer durations and mileage.
• Get your car tuned up.  A tuned car will help to gain the most miles per gallon.  A car that is not tuned will burn more gas to compensate for the rest of the system.
• Keep fuel injectors clean.  You can buy fuel injection cleaner for under $8 and it only needs to be done every so often.
• Replace air filters and fuel filters when due.  Air filters are relatively cheap and can usually be installed by you quickly.  Fuel filters are a bit more expensive and require some experience but don’t need to be changed very often.

Other Tips

• Consider buying a hybrid, smaller car or motorcycle/scooter for the obvious reasons. 
• Manuel transmissions get better gas mileage, are cheaper to maintain, and cheaper to purchase versus their automatic cousins
• Get a credit card that offers some time of gas savings.
• Remove unneeded junk out of your car the extra weight causes your car to work harder, using more fuel.
• Cheaper gas stations.  There are website that you can find and bookmark that will let you know the cheapest gas stations in your area for that day.
• Drive less.  Carpool, walk, or ride a bike to get where you are going.  If you need to go out, combine trips.
• I suggest filling up when you put gas in the car.  With current conditions where gas keeps rising the gas today could be cheaper than gas next week.   Filling up now could be cheaper than filling up next week.

Happy driving!  Contact a Condo-World agent about condo rentals Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach vacation deals, and other vacation rentals in Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

 

Hot weather means Summer Vacation!

With the temperatures already in the 80s and 90s along the east coast it’s time to start thinking about summer vacation.  Consider a Myrtle Beach vacation.  What better place to take the family during those hot days then the beach and better yet, water parks.  Myrtle Beach is home to three exciting water parks.  Family Kingdom Amusement & Water Park offers the best of both worlds with admissions under $20 per park.  Or scale up to “10 stories” at Myrtle Waves Water Park and experience speeds up to “50 per second” down Turbo Twisters a closed tubular water slide.

Check out Myrtle Beach SC from the skies.  Huffman Helicopter Tours offers helicopter tours of the area.  Feel the wind and exhilaration of parasailing; ask your Condo-World agent about parasailing companies and opportunities.

For those who would like to keep to the ground, walk through a tunnel in a shark tank at Ripley’s Believe or Not Aquarium and visit the IMAX theater.

There are sightseeing cruises offered by Great American Riverboat Co. and lovely gardens and incredible American sculptures at Brookgreen Gardens.  For you golf enthusiasts the area is home to numerous world-class golf courses and unique miniature golf courses for the whole family.

Only one thing left to do, find the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation rental.  Contact Condo-World about condos in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals.

Sticky Fingers restaraunt is opening a new location in North Myrtle Beach.

Lucrative vacation rentals in Myrtle Beach

Owning beach homes or Myrtle Beach condos can be
lucrative, if rented out, and convenient. This type
of real estate will provide you with cash flow
throughout the summer, and depending on the location
winter as well, from the hundreds or even thousands
per week in rental income. Also, this can provide you
with a nice, guaranteed Myrtle Beach vacation home for
a week or so in the summer.

Think of this Myrtle Beach condo rental in terms of a
business. By providing the right product/service you
can have loyal, good customer base again and again.
This will also give you piece of mind through knowing
that your asset is being taken care of and that a
predictable income is likely. In order to provide
this you need to realize what your customers want.
This is vacation for them; they want it to feel like
that. Try to make your Myrtle Beach vacation rental
have a feel that is different from their homes and
everyday life. Since it is a beach environment, make
it feel like a tropical paradise but don't overdo it
with too many tacky, childish things. Purchase nice
but easy to clean furniture, leather over cloth -
glass over wood, for the rental home or condo. No one
wants to walk into a vacation home with dingy
furniture no matter how nice the décor or paint. Old,
messy furniture can destroy the appearance. If a
home, make sure the outer appearance is pleasing to
the eye; the comments above apply here as well. Give
your tenants (customers) some perks. Have a number of
local restaurant menus and attractions' info easily
available and, if possibly, some coupons. A fantastic
perk that I always appreciated was a reasonable number
of beach tags if the local beaches require them.
There is nothing better than realizing that the local
beach is private but you're provided with free access.
Lastly, remember that the beach is an outdoor
activity. Provide your guests with something to do if
the weather turns sour: board games and/or local
indoor activity ideas such as an arcade or bowling.