Myrtle Beach Real Estate Report

Gene Carter and The Beach Pro Team

1-800-872-4488

GeneCarter@BeachProTeam.com 

www.MyrtleBeachAdvantage.com 

January 26, 2012
Volume 2012   Issue 01
In This Issue
Summer Sales Volume in January?
Snowbirds, Golfers & Debates
December Reports
Best Buys
Upcoming Bank-Owned Listings
Foreclosure Auction

Gene Carter CDPE
Gene

Professional, Courteous Service / 25 Years Experience / Oceanfront, Waterway & Golf Real Estate Specialist in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Surfside, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Pawleys Island, Carolina Forest
Hoffman Logo

 

2200 Premier Resorts Blvd

North Myrtle Beach
South Carolina  29582
 

iPhone Property Search App

CLICK HERE (Code 7530)

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This iPhone app will allow you to search for Myrtle Beach Properties.
USE CODE 7530
News Flashes

   

 

MYRTLE BEACH BOARDWALK TO BE EXPANDED!

 

This is being done in conjunction with the creation of a new oceanfront city park and a large new oceanfront Mexican restaurant to be built in the coming months.

 

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Click on the "Calendar of Events" below for more happenings. 

 

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The current 30 year fixed interest rate is approximately  4% for our oceanfront developer owned condos in Sandy Beach II and Holiday Sands.  Over 50 buyers took advantage of the 65% price discounts and super-low interest rates in 2011.  Contact me for details.

 

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The Hoffman Group, in 2011, had almost $94M   

in closed condominium sales, 81% more than our next closest competitor (around $52M in closed condominium sales).

Quick Links...

 

Greetings!

Greetings from Myrtle Beach and Happy New Year!

From the weather prospective, January is the coldest month of the year but it's surprisingly hot for real estate sales. Check out the stats in my article about seasonal sales volume - the truth might surprise you.

 

It is a fact that January is generally the slowest month of the year for tourism but the Grand Strand is by no means deserted. There's still plenty of activity, as detailed below in "Snowbirds, Golfers and Debates".

 

This is a busy time of year for me as well. I'm currently working on several projects that should enable me and my team to improve the level of service we are able to provide for our customers and clients. My website (which crashed and was partially rebuilt about this time last year) is being dramatically improved and expanded. I am also implementing new technologies which should result in faster response times and more complete service.

 

One new service that's ready to go is an iPhone app (Iink in the margin of this newsletter) that will allow you to search our MLS and request info on the go (sorry, no Android or Blackberry versions yet). I personally don't have an iPhone so any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Let's all have a great 2012!

Summer Sales Volume in January?

The title of this article may seem unlikely.  Most followers of real estate markets, particularly for resort properties, assume that spring and summer are the best sales time periods.  Well, spring is indeed the strongest but sales volume actually has historically picked up in January.  In fact, as the title suggests, the activity level is similar to that of the summer months.

Take a look at the following chart......Click to Read More 
Snowbirds, Golfers & Debates Jan 2012

 

Many of the live theatres and a few restaurants and hotels take winter breaks during January but fewer and fewer take this step each year. One reason is that January and February are the peak months for "snowbirds", northern residents who stay on the Grand Strand for several months each winter. These visitors flock to the early bird (no pun intended) and two-for one offerings that many of the local restaurants serve up this time of year. They also frequent local golf courses and other attractions, providing much needed business.

 

There are also quite a few golfers that visit during January and even more during February. The weather most days is still suitable for outdoor activities and the rates for golf packages are at their lowest.

 

Weekends are busy if the weather forecast is favorable. Also, special events and holidays occasionally generate crowds rivaling summer levels. The week between Christmas and New Year's seemed like a spring weekend, with temperatures in the 70's and local restaurants and nightclubs packed with tourists and locals.

 

One special event that was a great success was the Republican Presidential Candidate Debate that was held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Monday, Jan. 16, which was also the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. In addition to the entertainment and informational value of the lively debate (which proved to be pivotal in the SC Primary), the event provided super exposure for our area.   

GOP Puts Spotlight on Grand Strand   

Many Eyes on Myrtle Beach for Debate 

This is not the first debate of this kind to be held in Myrtle Beach. The Republican and Democratic candidates both held debates here in 2008. 

December Reports

Ocean

Below are links to several detailed reports on the current state of our local real estate market complete with statistics for just about anything imaginable.  Please keep in mind that these statistics cover a broad range of properties and that particular areas or developments may behave quite differently. 

 

My comments:

 

The attached reports are more of the same compared with recent months - which is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

As I have been saying to my clients and also in these newsletters, the available inventory is clearly declining. In fact, the Site Tech Grand Strand Market Report notes that this is the seventh straight month of declining inventory for both houses and condos in our market. My personal observations are in agreement with these stats.  

 

The CCAR Monthly Indicators report states that 2011 was another "Transition Year" rather than a "recovery" year. I agree with this assessment as well. Prices have stabilized for most developments and subdivisions but have not really turned the corner and started rising yet. The shrinking inventory and the continually increasing buyer interest are, however, good signs that at least modest improvement is not too far away. The last paragraph of the Monthly Indicators report sums it up well:  

 

"Ultimately, the upcoming spring market should be a major tell about the future direction of housing. Sellers are seeing multiple-offer situations; buyers are seeing sub-4.0 percent loans; supply-demand trends are more balanced. When it gets down to it, that's a stable foundation and a far cry from 2009. While the fundamentals are better, the foreclosure situation and political unknowns remain wildcards. For now, enjoy the fresh canvas"

 

As always please contact me if I can be of service in any way.

See link below to interpret terms used in these reports.

Myrtle Beach Market Update
North Myrtle Beach Market Update
Grand Strand Market Report
South Carolina Monthly Indicators
Housing Overview

Real Estate Terms
Best Buys (My Picks)
Caribbian
Caribbean

The following current listings are exceptionally well-priced and represent great values.  This is a live link to listings and will change according to changes in the MLS (Pending, Sold, etc.)


Listing Brochures: Link to Listings
Listing Spreadsheet: Link to Spreadsheet
Upcoming Bank-Owned Listings

Margate
Margate Tower
The following properties (see list) were recently purchased by various banks at our most recent foreclosure auction and I can arrange for you to be notified the moment any one or more of these properties are listed in MLS......
Monthly Foreclosure Auction (Feb. 6th) 
Blue Water Keyes
Blue Water Keyes

I can arrange for you to acquire the property of your choice (see list) at  upcoming monthly Horry County foreclosure auctions.  My contact can purchase a property of your choosing at the auction within pre-determined parameters, allowing you to buy a "foreclosure" property before it is ever listed in MLS to avoid the inevitable bidding war if it is priced well.  Please contact me for details.

The following are my picks (see list) for best buys at the upcoming February 6th auction..Read full story
If you are considering buying or listing any property on the Grand Strand, or if I can be of assistance in any other way, please contact me.  Also, please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends or acquaintances and of course I will be happy to add them to my email list.

Finally, please let me know if you are going to be in the area and would like to get together.

See you at the beach!

Gene Carter
Beach Pro Team
Cell Phone:  843-455-4785
Email:  GeneCarter@BeachProTeam.com
Website:  www.MyrtleBeachAdvantage.com

This newsletter expresses the opinion of Gene Carter CPDE.  Specific property information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.