The Team of Price & Company Realty's Blog

Ignore the Masses, Part 318

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:48:03 -0700

Bill Lagan walked into my office on Friday, slapped June's Money Magazine down on my desk, and said, "You're gonna love this <expletive deleted>." I knew I was in for something good, since I usually don't have to censor anything Bill says.

Do you remember the Bugs Bunny cartoons from years ago? I'm thinking specifically of Yosemite Sam hopping mad, jumping up and down, his face beet red, smoke coming out of his ears, yelling, "Oooooh, I HATE that rabbit!"

That's exactly how I feel right now about the editors of Money Magazine. And it galls me to think of how many of their readers will just accept what they write as excellent advice - and subsequently lose money because of it.

A few examples:

1. They quote a California-based economist who answered the question, "How will people know when it's okay to get back in(to the real estate market)?" His answer? "Simple. When prices stop falling for six months." Silly wabbit. His comments may hold true for California, but when it comes to Myrtle Beach real estate, wait six months and all of the great deals will be gone, interest rates will have risen another 50 to 100 basis points, and the Trumps and Buffets will be finished stuffing their real estate portfolios with home runs.

2. How about this zinger? "Face it: The house you buy today will more than likely be worth less next year." If this smackdown doesn't make the reader run screaming from a purchase, the writer's advice to ignore the seller's asking price and bid 10% below what comparable homes are selling for" sounds great but ignores the basic premise of buying the right home, as opposed to the best-priced home.

3. OK, more agent-bashing: "The real estate game has a built-in conflict of interest, since the listing agent and your agent both get paid by the seller." Are we really going to debate the value of real estate agents again? In what could be the biggest financial transaction of your adult life, would you rather go it alone or have the knowledge and advice of a professional who does this all the time? True, the seller pays the commission, but nobody gets paid until you find the perfect house and negotiate a 100% acceptable deal. If you're a serious buyer, using a buyer's agent (at the seller's expense) to help search, negotiate and advise just makes good sense.

4. "Up until now, you couldn't really operate in the residential real estate market without access to the National Association of Realtors' multiple-listing service. The monopoly meant that only realtors really knew what homes in your area were selling for. They'd be happy to share the data - in return for the standard 6% commission." Sorry, Money. Each of these three sentences is factually inaccurate. First, there has never been, and never will be, a national multiple listing service. All real estate is local, and the multiple listing services are, too. There is no monopoly. You can research the Myrtle Beach real estate market on our website as well as hundreds of others. You can search a wider area on realtor.com. Want to know what houses are selling for? There are numerous sources for this information - all of them free. And as for that "standard" 6% commission, well, now that's illegal. All commissions are negotiable, and shame on you for suggesting otherwise.

I could go on, but I've come to the conclusion that Money Magazine might best serve their readers by sticking to what it does best: continue recommend the good ol' stock market with its spectacular returns.
Hey, Money editors! With friends like you, who needs the rest of the national media?

- Richard Sander, P&C Sales Mgr

Our Top Three Real Estate Negotiation Strategies Right Now

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:35:38 -0700

Let's agree right away that every transaction is unique and probably much more complex than any of the strategies I present here today. But how can you position yourself - whether as buyer, seller, buyer's agent or seller's agent - to be dealing from a position of strength? Here are our top three winning negotiation strategies for the Myrtle Beach real estate market right now:

1. Market Expertise. Forget what the national media says about real estate. What's the state of the Myrtle Beach market right now? Today? This week? The more information you have about what's selling, what isn't selling, where and why, the better positioned you'll be to take advantage of even small fluctuations in the market. Having a well-connected real estate professional in your corner can be to your advantage.

2. Where Is The Leverage? Let's be honest. If you're a seller in the midst of a buyer's market, and your home has been on the market for months, and you aren't the lowest-priced home in the area, you have no leverage! If, however, you are the seller evaluating offers from three buyers on your spectacular house that's priced right, you have the luxury of picking the best offer - or negotiating with all of them!

If you're a seller in a buyer's market, however, all hope is not lost. You can, for example, improve your home's curb appeal, or present a potential buyer with an inspector's report. An experienced real estate professional can make recommendations like these to improve your home's desirability, make it stand out from the competition, and even justify a higher price. Your Realtor can also represent your home in an unemotional way that could wind up saving you thousands of dollars in the end.

3. Look Beneath The Hood. Price is not always the sole determining factor. Consider two identical homes, in the same neighborhood, that have sold for $155,000. One sold at that price with no concessions from the seller. The other seller agreed to replace the air conditioning unit, paint the downstairs, and cover the first $2,000 of the buyer's closing costs.

If you're the buyer, which deal would you prefer? Do you know how to negotiate these items and a dozen more? (Hint: we do.) If you're the seller, how do you get closer to making no concessions? (Hint: we know.)

These are our top three right now. Keep in mind that we haven't even touched on sellers negotiating only with pre-approved buyers, or with unrepresented buyers or sellers. And an experienced Realtor knows how to leverage these - and many more - to your advantage.

All you have to do is ask for our help!

- Richard Sander, P&C Sales Mgr

Alice's Restaurant is Coming to Myrtle Beach!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:10:55 -0700

Remember Alice's Restaurant? Back in the 1960's, it was a wildly popular song, then turned into a movie. Pretty soon, you'll be able to actually get a table at the famed "Alice's Restaurant" when it opens at Hard Rock Park.

Folk legend Arlo Guthrie stopped in last week to see how things were going, as the restuarant continues to take shape.

Hard Rock Park - committed to celebrating the spirit of rock ‘n' roll - is the perfect venue to honor Guthrie and his world-famous 18 minute long musical monologue. The restaurant will be park's only table-service restaurant ("sit down, sit in, you've got time"), offerring guests props and reminders of Thanksgiving Day 1965, including the "Group W Bench" and what will be the most popular table in the house: the reservations-only Arlo Table, a psychedelic trip featuring 60 artists that influenced Guthrie, or were influenced by him.

Surrounded by acoustic and folk music from the last four decades, the comfort food menu (created in part by Guthrie himself) will offer a complete selection of entrees, soups, salads and, of course, desserts. Many have names that will bring back memories, including Officer Obie's Pan Fried Pork Chops to the inevitable Thanksgiving Dinner. "It is an attraction in its own right," said Steven Goodwin, Hard Rock Park's CEO.

- Richard Sander, P&C Sales Mgr

Warm Weather To-Do List

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:02:48 -0700

As it gets warmer outside, make sure that your home's expenses don't make you hot under the collar. Here are our top ideas for this month:

1. If you live in a humid climate, and there are areas of your home that aren't air-conditioned, make sure that you have a dehumidifier installed in those areas, and that it is working properly.

2. If you have any window unit air conditioners, make sure there is no air leakage around them (caulk if necessary) and that they are operating properly. Install a clean air filter (or simply vacuum clean the existing one to save money).

3. Closely examine your deck for signs of deterioration. Tighten screws and railing bolts, and hammer down any exposed nails. Clean and reseal wood surfaces. Also check patio furniture for rust. Scrub rusted areas with a wire brush, then prime and paint. A small amount of time invested here will pay off in the long term.

4. Check and repair weather stripping and caulking. Gaps around your doors and windows inflate energy bills. If you can see light, imagine a giant sucking sound - that's money escaping unnecessarily.

Do you have other ideas for this month? Post them here!

- Richard Sander, P&C Sales Manager

South Carolina Wants Teachers!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:03:48 -0700

Everyone agrees that South Carolina needs more teachers, but now the state is doing what it can to lure new teachers here with generous housing assistance.

The state Housing Authority is making $20 million available for home loans to new teachers. This works out to be approximately 175 new loans (i.e., new teachers) this year, which will feature a 5.9% interest rate and up to $7,000 in down payment assistance (including the possibility of not having to pay the down payment back). Loan amounts of up to $240,000 are available from more than 200 South Carolina lenders.

Price & Company Realty knows a little somthing about teachers. Just ask our very own Bill Lagan!

- Richard Sander, P&C Sales Manager

Myrtle Beach continues to grow!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:52:03 -0700

Census Bureau data released last week show that Myrtle Beach continues to outpace most metropolitan areas in growth - despite the gloom and doom perpetuated by our friends in the national media.

The fastest-growing areas in the United States are in the Sunbelt. Experts credit much of the growth in the South to strong local economies and housing prices that are the most affordable in the United States.

The ten fastest-growing metro areas in the country are:

1. Palm Coast, Fla.: 7.2 percent
2. St. George, Utah: 5.1 percent
3. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.: 4.7 percent
4. Gainesville, Ga.: 4.5 percent
5. Austin-Round Rock, Texas: 4.3 percent
6. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, S.C.: 4.2 percent
7. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, N.C.-S.C.: 4.2 percent
8. New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, La.: 4 percent
9. Grand Junction, Colo.: 3.7 percent
10. Clarksville, Tenn.-Ky.: 3.7 percent

- Richard Sander, P&C Sales Manager

IRS Decision Helps Myrtle Beach Real Estate

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:49:16 -0700

As one of the most popular vacation-home markets, Myrtle Beach real estate investors will benefit from a recently-issued IRS document...

It used to be that nobody was really sure whether a vacation home would qualify as "investment property" under IRS rules governing §1031 tax-deferred exchanges. But, last month the IRS completely eliminated that uncertainty by clarifying under what circumstances one of the most popular forms of Myrtle Beach real estate - your vacation home - will be considered "held for investment" and qualify for a tax-deferred exchange.

If you already own a vacation home in Myrtle Beach, you must have owned the property for at least two years immediately preceeding the exchange (the "qualifying use period") and in each of the two twelve-month periods, you must have rented out the home for at least 14 days or more, at fair value, and your personal use must have been less than the number of days rented.

If you are considering purchasing Myrtle Beach real estate as a vacation home using tax-deferred exchange funds, you must own the home for at least two years after closing (the "qualifying use period") and within each of the 12-month periods, you must rent the home for at least 14 days or more, at fair value, and your personal use must be less than the greater of (1) 14 days, or (2) 10 percent of the number of days that your home was rented out. In other words, if you rent the property for 30 days, you can still use it for 14 days yourself, but if you rent it for 200 days, you can use it for up to 20 days without the IRS batting an eyelash.

As always, don't take my word for it. Consult with your tax professional before using the IRS tax code to your benefit!

-Richard Sander, Price & Company Sales Manager

Insurance Costs Finally Come Back Down to Earth

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:23:09 -0700

We received an email this morning from an owner of a condo in a waterway community here in Myrtle Beach. He, and this community, were hit especially hard by the insurance premium hikes after Hurricane Katrina. His HOA announced insurance rates for 2008 and he was kind enough to share the numbers with us. The difference was as dramatic as it was expected... and you can hear a big sigh of relief from Myrtle Beach real estate owners and investors alike. Take a look:

" ...received competitive bids from three carriers and we selected the one with the best coverage for the dollar. The new policy cost is $163,037, which represents a significant savings from our 2007 policy cost of $360,000 and a huge savings from the $917,000 policy that we had in 2006."

-Richard Sander, P&C Sales Manager

The Hard Rock Park is Open! But...

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:18:07 -0700

The long-awaited Hard Rock Park has finally opened. As Myrtle Beach's first full-scale theme park, excitement is high and the park expects to draw more than 40,000 visitors each day. It's sure to make the top five list of what to do in Myrtle Beach for many returning and new visitors to this beachfront town.

But there is another option in Myrtle Beach that should not be forgotten with all of the hoopla surrounding the "New Kid" in town. Our area is also home to a seaside gem, Family Kingdom.

More than 40 years ago, when Family Kingdom was built, seaside amusement parks were commonplace and virtually every beachfront resort town from Maine to Florida had one. But today there are fewer than twenty oceanside parks along the entire East Coast, making Family Kingdom all the more special. Its oceanfront location is unique; its wholesome atmosphere is appealing to families, and its status as Trip Advisor's "#5 Amusement Park" in the country (outside Orlando) distinguishes it from all other coastal attractions between Virginia and Florida.

Family Kingdom offers attractions that parents will remember well, and that today's kids should absolutely experience: the legendary Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster, the largest Ferris wheel in the state of South Carolina, and more than thirty other rides and attractions. It offers a complete amusement park experience with midway games, family entertainment and traditional park temptations such as funnel cakes, cotton candy and corndogs.

For some, Hard Rock's $50 admission fee will be hard to swallow. Family Kingdom's "no general admission" is a budget-friendly policy that enables families to stroll the midway affordably, buying tickets by the ride or purchasing unlimited-ride wristbands.

Family Kingdom is taking advantage of Hard Rock's opening by using a new tagline for this summer: "Nothing Rocks Like Family!" Now, now. We say that there's room in this town for both of you!

Visit them both at Hard Rock Park and Family Kingdom.

- Richard Sander, P&C Sales Manager

Southern Living Says Myrtle Beach is Second Only to Disney World...

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:13:15 -0700

Southern Living says Myrtle Beach is second only to Disney World as region's most popular family destination!

Time to make more room in the award storage cabinet.

Southern Living's annual Readers' Choice Awards, which reflect the view of the magazine's 47,000 readers, announced for 2008 that Myrtle Beach is second only to Walt Disney World as a family vacation destination.

This just confirms what those of you who are lucky enough to vacation here with kids already know... and why the Myrtle Beach real estate market is poised for a spectacular rebound once the media moves on to a new whipping boy.

- Richard Sander, P&C Sales Manager

I'm still my daddy's little girl

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:42:41 -0700

Ever since I was little, my dad was my hero. I remember when I was about 6 or 7, and I asked him what he did for a living, he told me he was a policeman. "No you're not," I told him. He assured me was, but I said, "You don't wear a uniform!" (He had transferred to another division after working the beat.)

That night, after I'd gone to bed, he called to me from downstairs. As I got to the top of the stairway looking down, there was my dad... in full dress uniform with his badge shining. I remember how it felt to see my dad right then, and how my eyes lit up.

My dad has since retired from the force, but he's still the smartest, coolest, cleverist, most incredible man I know. I marvel at the similarities between him and my husband, Chris, and how I really did marry a man just like my dad.

No matter how old I get, or how far away from home I am, I have always been and will always be my daddy's little girl. Here's to my dad this Father's Day. From 3,000 miles away, I send my love and appreciation for all that you've done for me in this life. My love always.

-Janna Price

Top Five Super Easy Items That Should Be On Your To-Do-List

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:08:58 -0700

Depending on where you live, you've probably had some spectacular days to remind you of what's in store over the next few months. Meanwhile, your home is in need of some TLC this month, so let's get right to it. Since we received such a positive response to last month's top five list, we're doing it again:

1. Wash your windows, both inside and out. If you can stand it, scrub the window frames and shutters (if you have them). Replace storm windows and doors with screens. Time to start letting in the fresh air!

2. Pressure-wash outside surfaces. Spray sidewalks, driveways, exterior siding, decks and fences. Pressure washers can be rented for $50 to $75 a day - and you can split the rental cost with a neighbor or two! Important: High-powered pressure washers can damage siding and decks if used improperly. Read the unit's operating instructions carefully.

3. Test your underground lawn sprinkler system. Monitor the system through a full cycle to make sure it survived the winter in good shape. Some sprinkler heads might need to be cleaned, adjusted or replaced.

4. Degrease your barbecue grill with a stiff brush and detergent. Gas grills require disassembly to clean burners. Use a soap solution to check the regulator and hoses for leaks (see your owner's manual). This dirty job could save you hundreds of dollars!

5. Clean and check your gutters. Remove leaves and other debris. If you find any cracks or leaky seals, clean the area and use a putty knife to apply a thick coat of rubber caulk. When the caulk dries, flush out your downspouts with a garden hose. If the downspouts don't effectively divert the water away from your foundation, buy splash blocks and place one under each gutter downspout.

- Richard Sander, Sales Manager

This Ain't No One Man-Show...

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:05:59 -0700

Whether you've followed my blogs in the past, or this is your first one, I'd like to thank you for reading. After a year of being on AR, I've decided that it's not just about me. I have a whole team behind me that give me ideas and inspiration. They write terrific blogs, and although they're not "high ranking", I felt they deserved as much attention and respect as mine did.

Therefore, I have changed my profile and am now acknowledging my entire team on this site. I have identified what personal information is mine, and will be adding my cohorts information in as we go along.

Meanwhile, I will be posting the blogs of all my team right here. My sales manager (and right hand man) Richard Sander, my advertising/marketing person & office manager (also my lovely wife) Janna, and my team of outstanding sales professionals, Bill Lagan, Carolyn Ball, Pam Atherton, Jack Sutherland, Phyliss Fillmore, and Steve Resseguie.

Thanks again for checking us out. We look forward to the chance to work with you in the future! If you're in or around Myrtle Beach, give us a holler! Call (843) 272-1266 or toll-free (877) 272-1266.

-Christopher Price

Friday Afternoon Funny

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:56:15 -0700

This struck me funny today... thought I'd share it...

I was walking past the mental hospital the other day and all the patients were shouting ,'13....13....13'

The fence was too high to see over but I saw a little gap in the planks and looked through to see what was going on.

OUCH! Some jerk poked me in the eye with a stick!

They started shouting again...

'14....14....14'...

Have a great weekend!

Personal Ad

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:17:20 -0700

Wouldn't it be great if we could post these types of ads in the Personals?

Beautiful 4BR/3.5BA seeks WLB for long term relationship. EZ2C and RTO in GWC with FCA! W2S&S, M2B&A! Lets GT & see if we are MFEO! $499K OBO!

WLB (water loving buyer)
RTO (ready to occupy)
GWC (gated waterfront community)
FCA (first class amenities - two clubhouses, swimming pool, tennis courts, playground area, walking trails, dual-lane boat launch, secured boat storage area & community day dock!)
W2S&S (walk to shopping and schools)
M2B&A (minutes to beach and airport)
GT (get together)
MFEO (made for each other)

Seriously folks, this beauiful home is just waiting for the perfect person to come along! Two-story great room with bright windows, built-ins, ceramic tile flooring, office/den area, 2nd story loft, and lots more. Seller is motivated, and looking for offers.

Let's talk!

Call (843) 272-1266, or click here to visit the property specific website. Looking for other properties in the Grand Strand? Visit our website and search the entire MLS for the one that's just right for you!

What's the best place to start?!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:39:57 -0700

With the various websites offering to post listings, I wonder if anyone has come up with the most time efficient way to manually enter listings onto these websites?

I understand that with Reallyo, you are able to use their code to input listings into CraigsList... but are there any other interactive or multi-use sites to make this process easier?

I appreciate the input and hope you all have a great weekend! It should be gorgeous here at the beach... so if you need to see some sunshine, come on out!

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Call Price & Company Realty for all your real estate needs in the coastal Carolinas! Visit our website at www.CarolinaWaterfront.net to peruse the listings in the area, or give us a call at (843) 272-1266! We look forward to working with you!

Do what Donald Trump does!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:31:22 -0700

You've heard it before. We are in a full-on Buyer's Market. But why are people so apprehensive to buy anything? Many are just sitting on the fence, unsure whether they should jump in.

1. Sellers are offering concessions and incentives to Buyers to make their homes more attractive.

2. There are lots of homes to choose from - in various price ranges.

3. Interest rates are lower than they have been in years.

4. If you wait for the market to "get better", you're going to end up paying more. No incentives, higher interest rates and less choices.

Savvy investors like Donald Trump love this kind of market. This is what they wait for! They wait for these types of conditions and then acquire as much real estate as they can get their hands on. It's the golden rule of investments - BUY LOW, SELL HIGH.

Get off the fence! Do what Donald Trump does!

Walk to the Hard Rock!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:09:22 -0700

A home in the middle of it all!

This comfortable condo in the heart of the River Oaks Golf Plantation overlooks the swimming pool, has views of the golf course , and is minutes to anywhere in Myrtle Beach. Tennis courts, indoor pool & putting green are within the community; while shops, restaurants, entertainment, and golf are just steps from your front door - including the Hard Rock Park. The Myrtle Beach International Airport (just 7 miles away) also offers convenient travel in and out of town.

Just $85,000!

Call Price & Company Realty today at (843) 272-1266 for more information about this property, or any other property in Myrtle Beach. Click here to visit our website, and search all of the MLS listings in this area.

Waterway vs. Oceanfront

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:46:46 -0700

Here in Myrtle Beach, we are fortunate to have the Intracoastal Waterway as an alternative route for nautical transportation. The ICW traverses the east coast of the United States from Texas to Main. It is calm, has a tidal variation of between 2-5' depending on the location, and is home to various shops, restaurants, marinas, and easy outlets to the Atlantic Ocean.

One benefit to living on the ICW is that (at least in Myrtle Beach), it does not see the extreme weather that the oceanfront is subject to. If a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching, the mandatory evacuation line is drawn at the ICW. Those living to the west of the storm and not required to evacuate.

Properties located on the ICW are usually far less expensive than the oceanfront, as well. And (most) homes constructed on the ICW don't require stilts or have to be raised, offering easier access to people who aren't fond of stairs.

One commonality between the ICW and the oceanfront is this very basic truth -- they aren't making any more of it.

Call Price & Company Realty today for information on waterfront properties at (843) 272-1266 or visit our website! Intracoastal Waterfront or Oceanfront - we'll get you where you want be.

Want Waterfront? Can't beat this...

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:44:39 -0700

"One man's loss is another man's gain."

From Will Rogers, "...out here I had been putting what little money I had in [waterfrontage], for the sole reason that there was only so much of it and no more, and that they wasn't making any more..."

So those two quotes may be overused, but there's no better way to introduce this property...

A pre-development community, The Boardwalk on the Waterway, was initially offered in late 2004. This community is located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway, on the west side (the mainland) of the Waterway, and is tucked away behind the new Hard Rock Park.

The infrastructure has been installed, and the "boardwalk" (a 6' walkway traversing the entire water frontage in the community) has been constructed over the protective seawall. A waterway gazebo, entrance gate and gatehouse have been constructed, and the road paving is completed.

The waterfront homesites were initially offered to the public at $272,880, and sold for as much as $399,880.

At this moment, you can acquire one of these DIRECT INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY homesites for just $229,900. (A larger, deeper homesite is also available at $257,900.) Remember, one man's loss is another man's gain...

If you've considered purchasing waterfront property in Myrtle Beach, it does not get any better than this. The community is located in the HEART of town, close to shops, entertainment, restaurants, golf courses and more. It's so easy to get around using the new highways, bridges and the airport (just a few miles down the road). You can even WALK to the Hard Rock Park. There is no timeframe you have to build in, and you can select your own builder.

If you are interested in one of these incredible deals, don't wait. Call Price & Company at (843) 272-1266 or visit our website for more information.

Myrtle Beach steps up with Market Commons!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:34 -0700

Every week, something new opens up at Market Commons - the upscale community/retail/restaurant complex in the former Air Force base in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The "big boys" have opened up in Myrtle Beach... and it's just the beginning.

Market Commons is home to many shops and restaurants, but I'll just call out a few of the major players:

PF Changs
Pottery Barn
Carlyle & Company
Anthropologies
Gordon Biersch Brewery
Williams-Sonoma
Orvis
Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe & Emporium
Banana Republic
and so much more...

In addition to all these shops and eateries, Market Commons offers live/work townhomes, condos and detached homes within walking distance to these above-mentioned shops, as well as a local supermarket. This is a self-contained community where anything you could need is within reach.

If you haven't been to Myrtle Beach lately... I suggest you come and check out all the new and exciting additions to our little town. Visit the Market Common website (click here) for a full list.

If you'd like more information on residential or commercial properties available in Market Common, please call Price & Company Realty at (843) 272-1266 or visit our website. We look forward to working with you!

When a Referral is more than just a "Referral"

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:42:55 -0700

I know that right now, with the constant barrage of negativity from the media, being a REALTOR might not sound like the ideal vocation to some. But this "job" offers so much more than a financial benefit. In the years I have been in real estate, I have had the privilege of meeting some incredible people. I am able to get to know them, learn their dreams, and be instrumental in making their financial goals a reality. I'm not interested in just showing people houses... I can't just stop there. My "clients" are my friends, and their long-term goals are what I'm interested in helping them accomplish.

I recently received a referral from one of my friends, a lady (another REALTOR) who I had helped buy and sell her first Myrtle Beach property. She is from another state, works for a major real estate franchise, and is a very successful agent. As with most franchises, it is customary for an agent to refer their clients to another franchise agent in the town the client is looking at. This is why the phone call I received was so special...

The agent called me to explain that he had clients in his state that were looking to find property in Myrtle Beach "sometime in the future", and asked if I would be willing to help them. I told him it would be my pleasure, and then asked how he had gotten a hold of my name. He had asked his co-worker if she knew of a franchise agent in Myrtle Beach that he could refer these folks to.

He said, "She told me there were some in the franchise, but if my folks wanted South Carolina, she wouldn't trust them to anyone but Chris Price."

That statement above is what this "job" is all about.

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Chris Price and Price & Company Realty are available for all your real estate needs in Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand, and South Carolina. We are also licensed in North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. Please call toll-free (877) 272-1266 or visit our website, www.CarolinaWaterfront.net, for more information about the area, available properties, or how you can get started investing in real estate. We look forward to working with you!

Hard Rock Park is open!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:19:54 -0700

That's right, Ladies and Gentleman... the Hard Rock Park is now open! Sort of...

Called the "Sound Check", the park's soft opening commenced on April 15, with a grand opening scheduled for May 9. (One woman even paid $1,829 for the first 4 seats on the "Stairway to Heaven" roller coaster - in the front, of course.)

A special opening celebration concert and golf tournament is scheduled for June 2 & 3, when the Eagles and the Moody Blues are scheduled to perform. Tickets are still available for the event; click here to tour the Hard Rock's website.

Come on down and be one of the first to experience the Hard Rock Park. Travel is easy with so many major cities offering direct flights to the Myrtle Beach International Airport, or by way of connections. Looking for a warmer climate? How do temperatures in the mid-70's sound? Palm trees, white sandy beaches, tons of restaurants and over 100 golf courses... what more could you want?!

Call Price & Company for more information at (843) 272-1266, or visit our website. We look forward to seeing you here!

Make A Wish - with just a click of your mouse!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:15:23 -0700

I posted a blog titled "Forget Oprah - Here's YOUR chance to GIVE... for FREE!" last night, and I really appreciate all the response I've received so far. I hope you will vote for John, but at the very least, be more aware of how many people are affected by this terrible disease,

As I noted before, I am issuing this plea to the entire AR community to help a friend's brother realize his dream...

John is a father of three, has been married for 13 years... and was diagnosed with Stage 4 inoperable lung cancer one year ago. He is an otherwise healthy 39-year old non-smoker with a strong faith and will. He has been undergoing treatment in a clinical study in Omaha, and his cancer has remained stable this past year.

YOU can help make his wish come true! John entered the Golf Digest US Open Contest, and has been selected as one of five finalists (out of 56,000 entries!). The winner is chosen by internet vote, and will get to play Torrey Pines (set as it is during the US Open) with three celebrities on June 6th.

To vote for John, please go to http://www.gdopencontest.com/. Voting ends on April 28th. John entered the contest in hopes of raising awareness about lung cancer.

Forget Oprah - Here's YOUR chance to GIVE... for FREE!

The Entire Team of Price & Company Professionals (Price & Company Realty) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:10:40 -0700

I received an e-mail from a friend today asking for my help. I am issuing this plea to the entire AR community to help his brother realize his dream...

John is a father of three, has been married for 13 years... and was diagnosed with Stage 4 inoperable lung cancer one year ago. He is an otherwise healthy 39-year old who has never smoked. He has a strong faith and will, and believes he will beat this disease. He has been undergoing treatment in a clinical study in Omaha, and his cancer has remained stable this past year.

Now here's the part where YOU can help! John entered the Golf Digest US Open Contest, and has been selected as one of five finalists. The winner is chosen by internet vote, and will get to play Torrey Pines (set as it is during the US Open) with three celebrities on June 6th.

To vote for John, please go to http://www.gdopencontest.com/. Voting ends on April 28th. John entered the contest in hopes of raising awareness about lung cancer.

In the words of golfer Arnold Palmer, "I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win."

My thanks, in advance, for your support.