Dargan Real Estate - Myrtle Beach, SC

Office: (843) 712-2585 Fax: (888) 712-1027 Email Us

Archives for July 2013

Myrtle Beach Condo Favorites

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We have recently posted several houses that are available in the Myrtle Beach area, but there are literally thousands of condos to choose from if you prefer the benefits of owning a condominium. Condos on the oceanfront or waterway are usually a bit pricier than purchasing a nearby home because of their location. However, you definitely want to look at waterfront property first if you’re looking to purchase a rental property, as those properties bring in more income. If you have questions about which properties have the best reputations in regard to home owner associations or which ones are popular with vacationers, we are more than happy to answer those questions!

Listed below are just a few Myrtle Beach condominiums that are favorites of both locals and tourists alike!

Sand Dunes – 201 74th Avenue North

Landmark Resort – 1501 S. Ocean Blvd

Myrtle Beach Resort – 5905 S. Kings Hwy

Bluewater Resort – 2001 S. Ocean Blvd

Bay View Resort – 504 N. Ocean Blvd

Bay Watch Resort – 2701 S. Ocean Blvd

Anderson Ocean Club – 2600 N. Ocean Blvd

Caravelle Resort – 6900 N. Ocean Blvd

Grande Dunes – 101 Grande Dunes Blvd

Sandcastle Resort – 2207 S. Ocean Blvd

Kingston Plantation – 9800 Queensway Blvd

Contact us today! 843-712-2585

10 Home Staging Tips

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Listed below are a few helpful tips to consider as you stage your home for a sale.

1. Get rid of all that clutter.

Having too much furniture can contribute to a cluttered look. Once you’ve scaled back on some of your belongings, you’ll notice the rooms appear much larger!

2. Group your furniture together.

Contrary to popular belief, rooms look smaller when furniture is pushed up against the wall. Pull the sofa and chairs out, and place them in conversational groups. This allows smooth traffic flow and makes the room appear larger.

3. Transform your rooms.

Transforming is especially important for those rooms that serve no real purpose. Create something that will add value to your home. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. It can be as simple as throwing down a comfy rug and adding pillows to create a yoga room or adding a small table and chair by a window to create a reading nook. Get creative!

4. Light it up.

Most of our homes are not lit properly. Aim to keep light of at least 100 watts for each 50 square feet.  Also, display more than one or two fixtures in each room. You will need three different types of lighting throughout the house: ambient lighting for general or overhead, task lighting for underneath cabinets or for reading, and accent lighting for tables and walls.

5. Keep things neutral.

Bright, bold colors tend to scare away potential offers. Repaint off-white walls a warm and inviting neutral hue. Neutral colors help tone down any outdated finishes.

6. Experiment with color.

This sounds contradictory to the last tip but it’s okay to go bolder (or more specifically, darker) in the bedroom. Darker colors make bedrooms seem more cozy and intimate. If you tend to be afraid of bolder colors, try painting only an accent wall instead.

7. Accessorize.

Accessories can add charm to a room. They look best in groups of odd numbers like three and displayed in a triangular formation, rather than lined up. Be sure to vary height and width and keep larger or taller items at the back.

8. Keep things serene.

Create a peaceful and calming bedroom by keeping luxurious linens in soft colors on the bed. It’s best to clean out the closet, as well. Buyers love homes with a lot of storage space, and the less you have in your closet, the more storage it appears you have.

9. Finish all projects.

Unfinished projects could scare off potential buyers. It’s cheaper to fix the crack in the sidewalk or the missing floorboard than to deduct money from the asking price if a potential buyer requests it.

10. Prim and polish.

Put out items like rolled up towels, candles, and baskets in bathrooms. It’s a cheap and easy way to create a polished look that will create a spa-like atmosphere.

Largest Increase To Pending Home Sales In 7 Years!

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The latest real estate news remains positive!

The housing market has shown increased improvements over the past year. These improvements are visible in a variety of statistics, including those related to the increased number of home sales.

According to a report at Realtor.com, the number of pending home sales in May increased by 6.7 percent from those seen in April with a total increase of 12.1 percent this year. That’s the largest increase for the housing market since 2006! It also marks the 25th consecutive month in which there was an annual increase reported.

According to the National Association of Realtors, prices are projected to rise approximately 10 percent from those in 2012 by the end of the year. This rise could be the result of buyers hoping to take advantage of current prices before potential increases in mortgage interest rates. Despite those probable increases, buyers will likely continue to rise in the market by the end of the year. Even with the predicted higher interest rates, prices will still be more affordable than those that were in place prior to the financial downturn. The price increases aren’t all bad either because they’re likely to encourage potential sellers and loosen the demand that has been building among buyers for some time.

Featured Property: 1380 Bermuda Grass Drive Myrtle Beach, SC

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Located at 1380 Bermuda Grass Drive is one of our great featured properties!

This property is a charming 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home conveniently located in Carolina Forest. The Carolina Forest community is a wonderful place to live as it boasts one of the best school districts in Horry County. More specifically, this house is located within the gated neighborhood of Brighton Lakes. Brighton Lakes amenities include a clubhouse and swimming pool for you and your family to enjoy.

This beautiful home feels like a brand new property with many upgrades you’re sure to love.  Double tray and vaulted ceilings, as well as an open floor plan, create a bright and spacious atmosphere. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, dark cherry wood cabinetry, and a gorgeous blue tile backsplash are just a few of the luxurious accents in this beautiful kitchen. Other accents include a convenient work island and breakfast nook. The master suite looks out over the lake, has plush carpeting, and a huge walk-in closet. The master bathroom has double vanities, tile flooring, a glass shower, and a large garden tub for relaxation.

A few property extras include a large laundry room with a front load washer/dryer and an awesome covered back patio. The patio is perfect for listening to the tranquil sounds of the fountains as you look out on the lake. As an added bonus, the surrounding windows and doors are insulated to keep those hot and cold temperatures outside where they belong. Also, the two-car garage and cul-de-sac location give you a bit of added privacy.

1380 Bermuda Grass Drive truly is a wonderful property. Contact Caroline Dargan to set up your appointment to see this home TODAY. It’s priced to sell and won’t be on the market for long.

843-712-2585

 

CF Grass Lane

Blue Backsplash

Kitchen

Kitchen Island

Nook

Dining Room

Open Floor Plan

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Laundry Room

Porch

Lake

The Initial Mortgage Meeting: What To Take With You

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One of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever make in life is buying a home. It’s important to know every option available in order to fully maximize your investment.

After you’ve decided which financial institution will be handling your mortgage, it’s a good idea to set up a meeting with one of their mortgage advisors. He or she can help you determine the type of mortgage that best suits your personal needs, in addition to calculate how much money you can borrow.

You should take documents that reflect your income and the amount you spend on average each month with you. This information will more than likely be verified later through credit checks (when you officially apply for a mortgage loan), but having bank statements or wage slips with you will help the mortgage advisor determine how much you can comfortably borrow. You may not need the maximum amount you are able to borrow, but this figure is often helpful when looking at potential properties.

It’s also extremely helpful to fill out a monthly budget plan prior to the meeting. You may be fairly certain how much money you spend, in relation to the money you bring in, but a monthly budget can shed light on areas you may have overlooked or failed to factor into your equation. It’s important to consider the new mortgage payment amount, as well as any potential increases to your monthly bills, if upsizing, to calculate an appropriate amount you can afford.

A meeting with a mortgage advisor is also the perfect opportunity to learn more about the mortgage lending process and what types of deals may be available to you. It’s important to consider every factor to determine which type of mortgage is best for you. Take your time, ask a lot of questions, and decide when YOU feel comfortable.

 

Featured Property: 4334 Windy Heights Drive North Myrtle Beach, SC

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You don’t want to miss this gorgeous, featured property located at 4334 Windy Heights Drive in North Myrtle Beach, SC. It has all of the appealing touches you could ask for without the steep price tag.

This 4 bedroom, 4 bath home is located in a gated community within minutes of the beach and local shopping. The moment you walk into the home, you cannot help but notice that no detail was left unturned. From the gorgeous winding staircase, to the dark hardwood floors, everything about this property feels luxurious.

The fabulous details don’t stop there. Vaulted ceilings, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, upgraded cabinets, a downstairs master suite with a lavish soaking tub, rainmaker shower, granite double vanities, a spacious master walk-in closet, private outdoor patio, and a two-car garage that is both heated and cooled are just a few more to mention.

The master suite is located on the bottom floor, and the additional three bedrooms are located upstairs. One of the upstairs bedrooms was previously used as a media room and has the same gorgeous hardwood flooring as the downstairs living area. We’re sure you will fall in love with the Mediterranean style home the moment you walk inside.

Windy Heights Front

Living Room Overhead Windy Heights

Kitchen Windy Heights

Media Room Windy Heights

Ocean Windy Heights

Contact Caroline Dargan today to schedule a showing of this hidden treasure!

Celebrating Independence Day Along The Grand Strand

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The smell of hot dogs on the grill and sounds of booming fireworks are probably a few things that come to mind when you think about celebrating the birth of our Nation.  Add in the sight of a moonlit ocean, the feel of white sand between your toes, and the smell of salt in the air, and you’ll quickly realize there’s no better time to own property in Myrtle Beach.

There are a vast number of choices along the Grand Strand when it comes to deciding how to celebrate this Fourth of July. Grilling out back is always a fine idea, but we’ve got you covered if you’d prefer to venture out on the town for food, fun, and fireworks.

WEDNESDAY
To kick off your holiday celebration a little early, watch the Pelicans play ball at TicketReturn.com Field, and stay around for their fireworks show after the game. TicketReturn.com Field is located at 1251 21st Avenue North (across from Broadway at the Beach).

THURSDAY
Think you’re a pro at eating cupcakes? Celebrate at Croissants Bistro and Bakery (3751 Robert Grissom Parkway, Myrtle Beach) by entering their 2nd Annual 4th of July Cupcake Eating Contest. Contest from 3 to 5 p.m.

If you’re big on parades, head down to the intersection of Highway 17 Business and Calhoun Street in Garden City Beach for their 4th of July Garden City Golf Cart Parade. Line-up begins at 2 p.m. Parade starts at 3 p.m.

Another fun parade, as well as a long-standing, 4th of July tradition, is the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade. The parade begins at 5:45 p.m. along the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk. After the parade, enjoy fireworks from Garden City Point at 9:30 p.m. and the Marsh Walk at 10 p.m.

However you choose to spend your day, keep an eye out for vintage military aircraft flying overhead. Despite the sequester, volunteers have continued to make the annual “Salute from the Shore” possible this year. The flyover will start at the North Carolina border at 1 p.m. and will continue to fly south over every beach in South Carolina. You can locate the flight schedule on the webpage salutefromtheshore.org.

As for fireworks, you can expect shows from every location along the Grand Strand.

In Myrtle Beach, Broadway at the Beach will display their annual 4th of July display at 10 p.m. over Lake Broadway. You can also watch a patriotic juggler and live music from the Celebrity Square stage starting at 7 p.m. (1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach)

In Murrells Inlet, as previously mentioned, fireworks will be displayed along the Marsh Walk at 10 p.m.

In Garden City Beach, as previously mentioned, fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. from Garden City Point.

In Surfside Beach, a 4th of July Celebration will kick off at 6 p.m. and last through 10 p.m. Enjoy fireworks with live entertainment at Surfside Drive and Ocean Boulevard. Fireworks will be displayed from the Surfside Beach Pier at 9:30 p.m. (11 North Ocean Boulevard, Surfside Beach)

In North Myrtle Beach, fireworks will be displayed at Barefoot Landing at 10:15 p.m. (4898 Highway 17, North Myrtle Beach)

In Cherry Grove, fireworks can be seen at the Cherry Grove Pier at 9:30 p.m. (3500 North Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach)

Dargan Real Estate wishes you all a safe and happy Fourth of July!