Here is a Cypress River Plantation home that you should add to your short list when searching for Myrtle Beach real estate. This custom built measures over 4300 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bath rooms. This home has ample recess and can lighting enhancing the look of this upgrade kitchen to great room open floor plan. The kitchen has upgrade cabinetry, granite countertops and  a large pantry for more storage. Enjoy the three car garage extended garage for all your toys, long equipment or the ultimate man cave. The master suite is another must see in this home with a large his and hers bathroom vanities, garden tub and separate two person shower. There are many upgrades that are a must see in this Cypress River Plantation masterpiece.

Cypress River Plantation foreclosures don't come on the market every day. Within the community there are several great prices on lots, several new construction homes currently for sale, and many resale homes for sale in Cypress River Plantation.  For more information on this home at 132 Henry Middleton Blvd or other foreclosures in the Myrtle Beach area call Beach Realty Group at 843-267-4627.

The Dunes Club Foreclosure

Here is a beautiful 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath room home located in the The Dunes Club of Myrtle Beach. Built in 1970, this 3200+ square foot home has many upgraded features, and has been modernized to enjoy many of the essentials for custom built homes of today. This all brick French style home features heart pine flooring, a completely renovated kitchen, professionally landscaped curb appeal and much more. Similar size homes in The Dunes Club have recently sold between $450K and $590K, and the appointments of this home are middle of the road between the two Dunes Club homes. Having the address of 401 Patterson Drive in The Dunes Club offers you one of the most exclusive residential communities along the Grand Strand. There are many reasons that homeowners choose The Dunes Club as the location for their dream home.

Besides being situated on a 1/2 acre lot in one of Myrtle Beach's most sought after residential communities, this community also makes their home owner association fee voluntary for upkeep of the common areas around The Dunes Club. If you would like to take advantage of the many amenities, the beach club and many activities around the community, you may want to consider purchase the voluntary membership to The Dunes Club. For more information on this home or other foreclosures in the Myrtle Beach area call Beach Realty Group at 843-267-4627.

Is Your Homeowners Insurance Up To Date?

Homeowners insurance is very well needed if you are considering a Myrtle Beach real estate purchase. This coverage is even required for those with a mortgage which includes the majority of homeowners. Your home is more than likely your most valuable asset and it makes sense to be sure that you are protected and that you have the coverage you need. With all of the different options you can choose from it can be a bit confusing to figure out costs and coverage that you need.

For starters, basic homeowners insurance policies cover the primary dwelling, other ancillary structures on the home site such as detached garages, workshops, sheds, etc as well as the contents of the home. In addition your homeowners policy will also include liability coverage in case of accidental injury to someone on your property such as someone you’ve hired to work or even a guest at a party.

Homeowners insurance is required on real estate that is under a mortgage contract and while not required by law after the mortgage is paid in most areas, it is still smart thinking to keep your home covered. Think of it like this, if your home was lost due to a fire, tornado, hurricane or some other unforeseen even how would you replace it? Where would you live?

There are several things that influence the cost of a homeowners policy, the costs as well as the different “riders” insurance companies may use vary from state to state and in different geographical regions. On the west coast there are different coverage options due to the frequency and possibility of earthquake damage. In the Midwest, particularly the Southern Plains states, tornadoes are more frequent and therefor you want to be sure that you have enough coverage to cover wind damage from these violent storms.

If you live on the Gulf Coast or East Coast of the United States like you will if you purchase a Myrtle Beach home or a Myrtle Beach condo, you want to be sure that you are insured to protect against loss in case of a hurricane. This coverage is commonly known as "Wind N Hail". Many also think that if they have wind coverage it will protect them, however most damage from hurricanes tends to be from water, and not wind. Even if you don’t think you are in a flood zone you are better off to add flood coverage to your policy to guard against loss due to water damage. Many in the New England states found out the hard way last year when they were hit by Hurricane Sandy, many were unprepared and not covered by flood insurance and this proved to be a costly mistake.

If you have are a collector and have valuable collections of art, books, stamps, breakables, etc then you want to be sure to have a separate rider that covers these items. Of course, this would also apply to classic automobiles as well, if you own classic cars don’t rely on your car insurance to protect them on your property, add specific protection to cover theft or damage on site. Spring is a good time to check your policies, it’s the beginning of storm season and you don’t want to wait until a storm is upon you to think about it.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season in North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach residents who love sea turtles are in for a treat in the next month or so as sea turtle nesting season begins but the visits also require some responsibility on our part which is why there is a trained volunteer group that will be patrolling area beaches to watch out for these huge animals to render assistance if needed and to mark nesting sites.

Many who frequent the busy Grand Strand beaches are amazed that the large sea creatures would nest in such busy areas but we have personally seen them nest right in between two beach chairs in front of an enormous oceanfront condo. This is why it is so important to have a group like the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol to observe and record the nest locations so that they are not disturbed. The group, which found 18 sea turtle nests in 2011, doesn’t have any problem finding volunteers and as a matter of fact they have now had to limit the number of volunteers to 84 because it seems that everyone wants to be involved.

Being a volunteer with the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol isn’t all fun and games, those who volunteer to be part of the patrol are expected to chip in and get their hands dirty picking up trash from the beach as they walk their designated two mile section of beach each morning. Even though many may not consider this directly helpful to the sea turtles it really is, eliminating the trash from the beach also protects the turtles from possibly eating or becoming wrapped up in something than can harm them.

The volunteers also work hand in hand with the North Myrtle Beach sanitation department who getting on the beach at 4am usually discover the nests before anyone else. The turtles nest at night usually in the later hours to early morning before dawn and leave the area looking as if a bulldozer has been there from the tracks of their flippers. The sanitation department will call the volunteer organization if they see anything and usually these calls happen before 5am.

The North Myrtle Beach community is also proud of the group and stands with them as a whole helping with fund raisers, outreach and support to enable the organization to continue its much needed service in helping these protected and endangered animals. There have been many influential residents of North Myrtle Beach who have served as volunteers including the Mayor and some of the city councilmen, the group has even had celebrities join in!

You can find the volunteer group at almost every North Myrtle Beach event or festival educating the general public about sea turtles and what the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol does. They also have a hands-on exhibit at the North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum that is extremely popular with children.

Keep an eye out if you are out walking the beaches at night or early mornings and you just might see a fresh sea turtle nest yourself. Also, remember that towards the end of summer and early fall we will be experiencing the hatching season which also will require volunteers to help protect the hatchlings as they make their way from the nests on the beaches to the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Myrtle Beach Real Estate And New Construction Seeing Big Rebound

While many areas of the country have a glut of homes and in fact are even tearing down new homes that were foreclosed on in some areas the Myrtle Beach real estate market is beginning to experience the opposite problem, a lack of homes to sell!

Myrtle Beach home sales have risen 13.6% since February of 2012 according to the February Grand Strand Market Report released by SiteTech Systems, a company that tracks the Myrtle Beach real estate market. In addition, the single family median sales price bounced up to $175k from $160k in January. Every week there is less inventory available for sale in the distressed property market and the median price for condos is now at $110,000 which is higher than 2011 or 2012.

Some area REALTORS feel that the supply problem could be alleviated if financial institutions lending money to developers and contractors to build new homes would relax their rules somewhat. Currently the majority of lenders in the Myrtle Beach area only lend enough for the builder to construct two homes simultaneously. The fact remains that the law of supply and demand will govern the market so the fewer homes available for sale the higher the selling prices will go, how sharply prices rise will be dependent upon how quickly the building industry can catch up to the demand for new housing.

Meanwhile, the nationally known and recognized homebuilder Lennar announced the opening of its new Brookefield Estates community near Murrells Inlet, continuing its expansion in new developments in the Grand Strand region. A spokesperson for Lennar said that they expect to see nearly eighty percent growth from 2012 through this year. Due to the demand for housing independent homebuilders are also foreseeing increases of thirty to forty percent in business for 2013. The homes for sale in Brookefield range from $180k to over $220k but for a short time Lennar is giving $4000 towards closing costs.

Homes in the Myrtle Beach area vary greatly in cost of construction; homes in Brookefield for example will run around $100 per square feet making a 2000 square foot home cost $200,000 plus the cost of the home site. The cost of construction for some custom luxury homes can range from $140-$150 per square foot or higher depending upon the materials used and the price fluctuations of those materials.

All of the indicators show that this is a great time to buy, just as in the stock market it is better to buy on the way up than on the way down. With current interest rates at record lows and the current limited home supply now is the time to invest in Myrtle Beach real estate.

Myrtle Beach has a very diverse demographic with a mixture of transplants moving to the area from all ages and all walks of life. If you were to ask any of these new arrivals who have chosen to move to the Grand Strand area what drew them here, you would likely get a myriad of answers. Some of the attractions to the area include:

• Over 100 golf courses
• Temperate Climate
• Beautiful Beaches
• Dozens of freshwater lakes and ponds
• Affordable Housing
• Top Rated Schools

The neighborhoods in the Myrtle Beach area are very diverse and are as unique as the individuals who live in them. There are single family neighborhoods that are primarily inhabited by younger families with children and then there are golf course condo and villa communities that appeal more to empty nesters and retirees. In the Grand Strand area there is definitely a perfect neighborhood for just about everyone with amazing developments all throughout the region from Surfside Beach to Carolina Forest and everywhere in between.

Many young families like to live in communities that offer amenities and activities that help to give the kids something to keep them occupied and stimulate more family activities. There are numerous developments in the Myrtle Beach area that offer an abundance of amenities such as community clubhouse, swimming pool, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, golf and more. The key is to check the neighborhoods out so that you can choose the one that is perfect for you and your family.

School districts can vary a great deal, as a parent I can tell you from experience that the performance of schools can be very different from school to school within a given city, county or state. Many locales brag about the dominance of their school system, but usually they are using the best figures and throwing out the worst. If you have children or you are planning to have a family then the school system will be very important to you. Take the time to research the schools and the curriculum they offer and be sure that the school is a match for what you want for your children.

Noise can also be an issue that can make you miserable even though you may love your home. It is a good idea to go by the neighborhood you are considering at different times of the day so you can see firsthand what kind of traffic they have through the neighborhood as well as ascertain the level of road noise you may have to deal with. That quiet Cul-de-sac may become party central on the weekends so it pays to do a little research. Check local maps as well to be sure you aren’t near an airport or railroad tracks.

Accessibility is also a concern for many, some people like to be within walking distance of activities, shopping and dining and for others a short drive is preferable. Check the area and determine how far it is to get to the grocery store, dentist, doctor, etc. You will be surprised to find how many communities are almost entirely self-sufficient.

Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas all along the Grand Strand have a diversity of activities to offer and some neighborhoods are designed to cater to particular activities. Whether you love golfing, boating, sailing, swimming, fishing, or tennis you will find communities that are designed to cater to these specific lifestyles where you can enjoy your favorite pastime without ever leaving home. Another important statistic to be aware of is the crime rate, which thankfully in the Grand Strand region is lower than average. It is a good idea to check into this thoroughly before falling in love with a particular home or neighborhood.

Resale value is another important consideration when choosing a neighborhood, resale values can also vary quite dramatically even from one area of a large neighborhood to another. Many people buy with the intention of never leaving, but things happen so it is best to be prepared and at least have a good idea of the upward potential for the property and the community.

2013 has already seen interest rate fluctuations with current rates as low as they have ever been at under 3% for 15 year mortgages and as low as 3.5% for 30 year loans. Lower interest rates mean the opportunity for lower payments or reduce the term of the repayment schedule. For prospective new home owners there is also the option of “more house”, the lower interest rate increases buying power allowing one to qualify for a larger mortgage should you so desire.

Lower interest rates not only stimulate the mortgage industry with many choosing to refinance their loans in order to reduce payments and/or the total amount repaid but it also serves to stimulate the real estate market by helping some who have been sitting on the fence make the decision to purchase a new home. If you are looking for a new home in Myrtle Beach this year here are some of the mortgage changes you need to be aware of when applying for a mortgage.

Due to the unprecedented foreclosure rate and other factors the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau put a rule in force at the beginning of the year requiring all mortgage lenders to take additional steps to make sure that homebuyers have proven ability to repay the proposed mortgage they are applying for. Under the guidelines of the new “Ability to Repay” rule designed to protect consumers from some of the lending practices that created much of the current foreclosure crisis there are certain basic requirements that all new mortgages going forward must comply with.

A large component in this new rule is what the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau calls “qualified mortgages”, under the new rules financial institutions must issue these new mortgages which will be known as Qualified Mortgages (QM) and Qualified Residential Mortgages. The CFPB will also be responsible in large part for deciding the amount of legal liability lenders are subject to when writing loans while many of these more restrictive lending requirements will become permanent. 

The new lending standards may make it a little tougher for some potential homeowners to qualify but it is a necessary safety measure to prevent consumers from being saddled with mortgages they cannot afford. The new rates are a great reason to look at Myrtle Beach homes and condos whether for first or second home or for vacation rental property. Beach Realty Group is your Realtor of choice for properties along the Grand Strand and our team members are experts in the area. Give us a call and let us show you the best kept secret in South Carolina.