Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela

Take several property managers out to lunch or for a drink and you'll get the scoop on what rents the best in Myrtle Beach.  If you don't have time to do it, don't worry; I already have.  Here is the scoop:

This is what makes the most money in Myrtle Beach:

1. Newer projects with lots of amenities: indoor/outdoor pools, hot tubs, lazy rivers.

Here are some great ones to invest in:

Baywatch Resort.  Located in Crescent Beach, within 2 minutes of Restaurant Row, Tanger Outlets, Alabama Theater, Barefoot Landing, Colonial Mall, the House of Blues, this location simply can not be beat.  It is the quietest busy place you'll ever find.  The oceanfront adjoins Atlantic beach, so you can have your peace and quiet on the beach, if the outside bar and all the lazy rivers and pool activities get too intense. 

Baywatch has MANY pools, Jacuzzis and lazy rivers, some indoors, some outdoors.   Two on site restaurants, spa/gym, outside bar, the works. 

The rooms are larger at Baywatch, than in many of the newer projects.  All the bedrooms have a window, which is not the case in many projects.  Baywatch Resort is about four years old and has over 500 condos in three separate towers.

Personally, there is NOTHING that I don't like about Baywatch Resort.  It is one great fun Palace.  My favorite condos there are the corner 2BR units in the North and the South towers.  They have plenty of windows and the south tower has wrap around balconies.  My second favorite condos at Baywatch are the one bedroom corner units.  They sleep 8, have a full kitchen, amazing views and 22 ft. balconies.  Buy the 2BR corner unit AND the 1BR corner unit next door, and you own the entire side of the building and have yourself a 3BR/3BA lock-out (increased marketability and better rentals).  The entire wing will set you back about $ 455,000 (that's the correct price of today, not the fantasy price the sellers are wanting).

Baywatch is an excellent Oceanfront Condo Resort to invest or rent in.  There is an on-site property management, but Elliott Realty and Century 21 Thomas manage over a hundred units there.  

Avista Resort.  TripAdvisor.com gives this oceanfront project the highest rating.  The 3BR/3BA corner units in Avista confer a view unlike any other on any beach, and they are my favorite 3BR units in the entire Myrtle Beach.  Every room has a wall of glass overlooking the blue Atlantic and the living room has both walls made out of glass.   Talking about having an intimate relationship with the ocean....   These 3BR/3BA condos are currently selling for under $ 500K and they bring in over $ 50K in income per year.  

Located in SOS territory.  For all of you who don't know, shagging is "THEE DANCE" and North Myrtle Beach is the capital of SHAGGING.  Avista is located mere steps to all the HOT Shagging Spots like Fat Harold's.  If you've never shagged, you owe it to yourself to try.  I have, after almost slapping a fellow for asking me if I wanted to go shagging with him.  He meant the dance, and so I went.  Shagging is exhilarating, FUN, FUN, FUN!  The atmosphere at Fat Harold's, where I shagged is the best.  Don't miss it!  "Kids" of all ages shag there: 21 to 81. 

Shaggingand drinking go together like peanut butter and jelly, so Avista's short walking distance to all these pubs and shagging venues may be the reason the rentals there are so abundant...  Main Street in North Myrtle Beach is lively beyond belief, yet it is one notch down from the crazy busy world of downtown Myrtle Beach. 

The only thing I don't like about Avista is the fact that many of the 1BR condos there have no windows in the Bedroom.  Everything else in Avista is primo.  Location, amenities, decor. 

There is an on-site property management, but Elliott's, Century 21 Thomas and several others manage units at Avista.

Prince Resort:

Prince Resort.  I never thought it could happen.  I wasn't happy about it when they started building it.  I hated the idea of a concrete and steel building encumbering the tranquility of the Cherry Grove Pier, a legendary edifice treasured by all the fishermen.  Then it happened:  I fell in love with Prince Resort! 

The project is simply gorgeous.   The decor is ultra modern, South Beach Style.  There are two towers, one oceanfront, the other one second row, with amazing views.  Each tower has heated pools, Jacuzzi and lazy rivers, all of them outdoors.  The second row tower has all the water features on the 9-th floor.  Imagine the weird feeling sun tanning and swimming 9 floors above sea level.  Yeah, it's awesome!

The Cherry Grove Pier is attached to Prince Resort, so your husband can just wake up and go fishing.  The kids can enjoy the pools downstairs, and you can watch all of them from your balcony.  You can have lunch at the wonderful grill restaurant on the pier and dinner at the fancy, oceanfront restaurant within the Prince Resort.   You can put a boat on the channels behind the Resort. 

What I like best about Prince Resort:  the tranquility and the amazing setting, along with the stunning building and modern decor.  There is water EVERYWHERE.  My favorite condo:  the one bedroom corner units.  They have so much bang for the dollar (I just sold one there for $ 155K).  With amazing views from the wall of windows on both sides, they simply have no rivals (with the exception of the Baywatch corner units) when it comes to views. 

See you at the Beach!

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

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Such Beauty here...

The weather is warm.  The beaches are not crowded...  Come visit us in March!

Relax in Myrtle Beach...

Perhaps buy your own Oceanfront condo...

Broadway At The Beach...  Hard Rock Theme Park (will be open soon)...  Barefoot Landing...   House of Blues...

Alligator Adventure...  Dixie Stampede...  Alabama Theater....  Palace Theater...  Tanger Outlets...

A good meal at over 1,000 restaurants....  

A good golf session at one ouf our 90+ courses...

Boating..

Check out these fine Oceanfront Condotels:  Avista Resort, Baywatch Resort, Prince Resort.

Join us for the best time.  Myrtle Beach is the destination for March, April, May...  and the rest of the 9 months!

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

www.MyrtleBeachHomes.us                                                 Join TravelingRainers!

Nothing prepared me for the beauty that is Montserrat, a magical place where art meets history and religion, a cultural crossroads and a sacred location imbibed with an aura of the divine.  Never mind the thousands of tourists lined up to kiss the Black Madonna statue - you kiss the glass container where the almost thousand year old wooden sculpture is preserved.   Montserrat maintains it's air of inspiration and sacredness in spite of the large crowds.

The drive itself takes you to another dimension; it's almost like you are ascending into Heaven.  High up towards the sky, the monoliths piercing through the clouds, revealing the churches and buildings appearing one with the mountain.  It is uplifting and eerie all at the same time.

There are several walking trails cutting through the mountains.  Every 20-30 meters you have a work of art to admire.  It is an incredible outside museum of the highest caliber.   Everyone who is anyone in the art world has at least a piece of work exposed there.   My travel guides did not reveal the amazing array of art present here.  Wow!  It just took my breath away!

One of the trails leads to the top of the mountain where Legend has it that the real Madonna, Mary Mother of Christ, made an apparition during the 12-th century.  The basilica built on the exact spot where the shepherds saw the vision of the divine Madonna  is small and modest, but it reverberates with the echoes of prayers and a certain energy of life(see the uppermost picture on the right).   There is a large room where people bring offerings for the miracles bestowed upon them by the Madonna, or the miracles they ask for.  It is very emotional to look at the offerings, alongside the pictures and the thousands of letters.   There are crutches there, baby clothes, ultrasound pictures,  soccer balls, even a toupee. 

Montserrat touched and inspired me.  If you have a chance to go and see it, do so!  You will never regret it.  It is only about an hour away from Barcelona. 

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

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Go Somewhere Next Week!

For the past several years me and my daughter have gone on a cruise during spring break.  This will be the first year that we're not going. 

She is turning 15 soon and wants to go to the beach here at home and be with her friends.  I can't say that I blame her; our beaches are the best and the weather is so beautiful now.

Still...  I need a vacation!

I want to take a break.  If I stay here, they'll know where to get me...  and I'll end up working.  I like it when I'm on a ship!  I usually tell everyone that I am in the middle of the ocean, so there will be no communication.  Yes, I know, they have e-mail and Internet on the ship and I can even text and use the phone if I am willing to pay $$$ per minute...

I still want to take a vacation.   Perhaps we can just go by car 4-8 hours away.  I thought about taking my daughter and her girlfriends to Washington DC.  They want to see the Holocaust museum.  I love seeing all the art there and the Museum of Natural History. 

Maybe I'll take a cruise in May.  There is a nice ship leaving from Charleston.   There is something so wonderful about being in the middle of the ocean.  I always take a balcony room and sleep with my window open.  The negative ions in the middle of the ocean are so nurturing.  I am always so refreshed after a cruise.  I spend all my time outdoors.  They have jogging trails, pools, tennis courts, ice skating rink, basketball courts, miniature golf, rock climbing.  One of the boats I've been on, Navigator of the Seas, even had a rollerblading track (yes, I did bring my Rollerblades and went around the track many times...)

Last spring we took Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas.  It was a beautiful ship, but smaller than my absolute favorite - Navigator of the Seas.  If you ever take Navigator, be sure to check out the Salsa Nightclub.  It's so full of life and the live band is so amazing.  All the Latinos converge there and the salsa dancing reigns supreme.  I fell in love with salsa dancing on Navigator of the Seas.  I can shake with the best of them...

I really should have booked that cruise....

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

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With only 1.47% of our oceanfront inventory selling per month, yesterday's FANTASY pricing is so far removed from the reality of 2008, that I don't even write offers anymore, I just dial for dollars.  Let me explain.

Take the following example:

Oceanfront in Myrtle Beach - Baywatch Resort - The Fantasy vs. The Reality:

The Asking Prices (THE FANTASY) are as follows:

Efficiencies:                $ 109,000 - $ 209,900

1BR/1BA:                   $ 187,000 - $ 248,999

2BR/2BA:                   $ 289,500 - $ 504,900

3BR units:                   $ 379,900 - $ 637,900

The Prices of Units Actually Sold (THE REALITY) is as follows:

Efficiencies:    $ 69,000                                  only one sold during the past 6 months

1BR/1BA:       $ 164,900 - $ 205,000             5 sold during the past 6 months

2BR/2BA:       $ 289,000 - $ 318,000             4 sold during the past 6 months

No 3 BR units were sold at Baywatch during the last 6 months.

As you can see, the discount on the efficiency is between 36.70% and 67.13% !!!  Buyers and Sellers are SO FAR APART, that it doesn't even make sense to write offers anymore.  I just call all the listing agents of particular products I am following for my investor clients and make verbal offers.  Most agents know me and like working with me.  They typically keep me in the loop and put "deals" on my lap the moment they get them. 

Yes, the Sellers may WANT $ 109,000, but when those bills hit and they are having a really bad day, they typically call their Agent asking about any "bites" on the unit.  The Agent will remind them of my low offer.  Catch the Seller at the right time, and "Voila!" you have a deal! 

Here is the Conversation: 

Listing Agent: "Mirela, do you still have that Buyer who wants that efficiency for $ 69,000?" 

"Yup!", I answer. 

"Write it up; Seller will take it now".  

I deliver the goods within the day.   We can close within the week.  Seller stays out of trouble and Buyer purchases at the correct price.  A lot of my investors pay cash. 

Clean, simple, everybody wins.  The market is what it is; I just know how to navigate it for the maximum bang within the time restraints of my 14 hour workdays!

Oceanfront Condos in Myrtle Beach by Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

DON'T READ THIS IF you are the mother of a son.  Especially don't read this if you are the mother of a son who wants to join the military.   It will make you cry.  It made me cry writing it, and I still get misty eyed as I read it yet again.  The following is an "over grown comment" I made last night on Melissa Grant's blog: "What is the age of reason?  My son is 15 and wants to join the Military". 

Dear Melissa,

Your words resonate with me.  My son was the same way.  It all officially started in high school with the ROTC program, but the signs were there long before that, when he used to move his plastic armies (those little military figurines) across the large World map I had bought for him.  By the way, you forgot to mention the shoe polishing endeavors...  my son was obsessed with polishing his ROTC shoes...

I sent him to the Citadel summer camp, thinking that the rigors of the military will sink in after three weeks there, but he came back even more excited and eventually became a Citadel Summer Camp counselor.  In case you don't know, "The Citadel" is the South's version of West Point.

The Citadel was the only college he applied to.  He did the early application, in his junior year, if I remember correctly.  He got accepted.  His first year there was rough.  I remember that first day.  I signed him in and he went in for a brief hour and came back very bothered.  It looked like he had been crying, but would not disclose what they did to him.  I left him at the Citadel with a heavy heart and wrote him a letter every day while he was in "Hell Week".  That was the only way to communicate with him.  I had absolutely NO access to him during that time.  No phone, no e-mail, no visits, nothing.  At the end of that period, I can't remember if it was one week or two, it felt like forever to me, he called me up and said: "Mom, what's with all the letters?"  They apparently held the letters during "Hell Week", and gave him ALL of them at the end of it. 

During the first year at the Citadel it was rough.  He never confessed to it, but I know the attrition rate was quite high among the cadets; I think only a small percentage of them actually finish that first, dreadful year.  My son was one of them.  He went on to become a Leader at The Citadel.  He was one of the Big Bosses on campus.  He became a Summerall Guard, a very high honor, the top of the top at the college.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Citadel in 2006.

Early on, during his feverish pitch with the ROTC, I only asked him two things:  1.  If you like the military, attend a military college;  2.  Don't join ANY branch of the military until your last year of military college.  Never mind the scholarships they offer; I'll pay the tuition!  Never mind that all your friends are joining.  Just wait to join!  If, after 4 years of military training, you still want to join, go ahead and join.  I played the card "I was in labor with you for 30 hours..."

That's exactly what he did.  He joined the Marines at the end of his senior year at The Citadel.  He went to Quantico, VA for 6 months.  The first 6 weeks of his training it was arduous.  At one point, while in the hospital with fever and pure exhaustion, with gashing blisters on his feet from all the marching/running through water in wet boots, he considered quitting.  He called me wanting my advice.  As much as I would have loved for him to quit and come home to momma, I told him to honor his commitment.  I told him to finish the training, and if he still wanted to quit after that, he could reject his commission.  Always finish what you start; you don't want to go through life with "what if's"...  It's not good for the soul...

He finished his training.  He accepted the commission.  He is now an officer in the Marines.  He turned 24 today, my St. Patrick's Day Baby...  My Lucky Charm...  He got a standing ovation at my sister's wedding, standing ever so tall and proud in his Marine uniform.  He will be deployed some time this year or the next.  Am I scared?  You bet!  My son is the very core of my heart, and I am crying as I am writing you these lines.  I pray for him every night and I can't wait for this war to be over!

Some of his Citadel buddies have already come back from the trenches.  Some did not. 

In spite of all my fears, I am glad that my son is following his heart!  I've always taught him to do just that.  You have to honor the wonderful person that you've raised and accept their choices.  You have to encourage them to live an authentic life, one that may be very different from the choices you would make for them.  You will probably get a lot further with him and help him make better choice by encouraging him to attend military college first, before enlisting in the military.  He would be a much better soldier that way (or at least that's how you can sell him on the program...). 

The Citadel and VMA both have early orientation programs.  You could look into it for this summer.   

Kids should not be in wars.  Wars should be fought with paint guns.  We'd have Eternal World Peace if all the politicians were mothers...

Stay strong, Melissa!  You've raised a good kid.  Now gently guide him towards the military career that he desires by taking the long road to battle via the military college.  Who knows, it might even cure his military "itch": half the cadets graduating from The Citadel embrace a civilian career instead of the G.I.Joe one...

Good luck!  Call me anytime!  I would love to help!

Sincerely - Mirela

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

    Celebrating the receipt of his Citadel Ring in 2005, with his then girlfriend, Mary, who is now his wife.  I am the proud mother in the middle.

My son & his wife.

     Marines marching at Quantico, VA, in 2006, when my son received his commission.

Who is Kelly Shahan, you ask?  Is she a movie star?  Is she an author?  A journalist?  Who is Kelly Shahan?

Kelly Shahan is simply the most beautiful, nicest person I know.  She has a Big Smile, and a kind word always.  She is always sunny and bright and you'd think she never has a care in the world. 

Is she outrageously rich, you ask?  Yes, she is outrageously rich, but not in money.  Kelly Shahan is outrageously rich in attitude.

I ran into her at the grocery store today.  She had a big, red wound on her pretty, little nose.  I asked her what happened.  She apparently was cooking the grits at her church yesterday, when it splattered and gave her a second degree burn.  "Thank God it didn't get my eye!" was her final response.

"Thank God it didn't get my eye" ???   Other people would have lamented about the pain, the inconvenience, the future scar, the bad luck, you name it, they would have delved into it.  Not Kelly Shahan.  She's just happy it didn't hit her eye.  Aha!  Therein lies Kelly's secret:  the glass is always half full...

Kelly is a successful business woman, a successful wife (married to the same man, her best friend, for the past 20 years), a successful mother of the most popular girl in school, a brainiac teenage goddess/honors student.   Kelly Shahan, in my opinion, is the most successful woman I know.  When I grow up I want to be Kelly Shahan!

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

www.MyrtleBeachHomes.us

Kelly and I were born on the same day (not the same year).  Here we are celebrating our birthdays together in 2005.  My mom is on the right.

       Kelly and her husband and the girls (our daughters, who are best friends).  My, how the girls have grown.  This picture was taken a mere three years ago and they are now gorgeous, young ladies...

•1.                  You sold my home too fast!

•2.                  I don't think you need the money.  You are too well dressed and your car is too fancy.

•3.                  I think you are overpaid.  You only spent three days with us.  We decided to negotiate directly with the Sellers.

•4.                  It took you too long to bring me an offer.

•5.                  We are not making enough money from the sale and think you should cut your commission.

•6.                  We don't like the picture of our home you posted on the cover of that magazine.

•7.                  You inconvenienced us by showing the home too many times.

•8.                  The Buyers' offer was too low.  Even though we accepted, you should have gotten a higher offer.

•9.                  We don't like the couple you sold our home to.

Now it's your turn!  We need more reasons why we are not owed a commission. 

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

Remember that Pantene shampoo commercial: "don't hate me because I'm beautiful"?  I should run my own commercial:  "Don't hate me because I'm still selling a lot of Real Estate even in this market!"

True:  I work EVEN more than I did before (I can't believe that is even possible, but, yes, I'm doing it!!)

True:  Even "A Dog With A Bone" like me, loses a deal once and again in this tight market.

True:  I spend HUGE amounts on advertising!

True:  It hurts seeing so many dear friends, agents and builders lose everything they've worked so hard for.  It hurts!

True:  ActiveRain has been a pillar of strength for me, providing education and networking critical to my business.

Great tools acquired here:

Contact management - FREE & EASY:  http://www.realfuturecrm.com/public/

Property Management - Label it with your brand and give it as a gift to your investors.  They'll love you for it.  You'll love the cost:  Free!  https://www.trexglobal.com/property_manager

Awesome Flyers you can post on line on all the Real Estate Websites with the click of the mouse.  Turn the flyer into a one property website by purchasing the .com for that address.  Can you say: Repeat Listings?  http://www.realbird.com/

Add pizzazz to you pictures on all your posts and e-brochures.  Cost:  Free!  http://www.slide.com/  

How easily accessible is that home by walking?   Check http://www.walkscore.com/

Enjoy and Good Luck!  Pass It Forward!  We need to stay strong and help each other out! 

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

It occurred to me recently that I have inadvertently developed another niche for myself:  "Divorce Realty".   Don't laugh, I can explain!

Having failed miserably at, not one, but two marriages, I am perhaps the least likely to pass judgment on the demise of a marriage and the most likely to navigate successfully over the sea of unfortunate details inherent in such endeavor. 

I divorced successfully the second time (I guess practice makes perfect...).  What is a successful divorce, you ask?  Many people do not believe that "successful" and "divorce" can co-exist in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence.  I beg to differ. 

A successful divorce occurs when both parties recognize that anger, although honored for what it is, has no place in financial dealings.  Although marriage is an affair of the heart, divorce is best put in the context of a business endeavor. 

Divorce attorneys should charge a flat rate for a divorce, that way they would be less likely to instigate lengthy procedures and stir up dirt, only to drive their incomes up.  Perhaps a divorce financial planner and a divorce Realtor should be the main advisers, not the attorneys.  The correct advice should take into consideration each party's current condition and formulate the strategy most likely to benefit both parties.  The vision should be long term, not myopic, and the welfare of the children should be the most important consideration. 

A successful divorce keeps the family unit together.   I'm still close to my ex-husband's mother and grown children.   Why not?  I loved them before the divorce, how can I "un-love" them after the divorce?  I will write a second blog about the attributes of a good "Divorce Realtor".  I would love your input on the subject!  

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte             JOIN THE DIVORCE REALTORS GROUP

www.MyrtleBeachHomes.us

Little River - Longs, SC, Sales Figures for February, 2008

There are currently 568 available homes for sale in the Little River - Longs Area.  The cheapest home in the area is priced at $ 42,900.  It is a 4BR/2Ba manufactured home on .4 acre lot and it is a foreclosure.  The most expensive home is a 5BR/5.5BA, over 6,000 sq. ft., located on the Intercoastal Waterway at Paradise Island, in Little River.

Of these 568 available homes, only 27 homes were sold during the month of February, 2008.   That figure represents 4.75% of inventory, about a half a percent higher than the overall Myrtle Beach market sales performance on single family homes for the last quarter of 2007, which stood at 4.21%.

The most affordable home sold, closed in February, 2008, for $ 71,900.  It was a bank owned property, 3BR/2Ba manufactured home on a half acre lot in Little River. 

The most expensive home sold in February went for $ 850,000.  Originally priced at $ 899,900, it was a 4BR/4.5BA, 4,300 sq. ft. home on a .37 acre lot, located in the subdivision of Big Landing, in Little River, SC.

Myrtle Beach Homes by Mirela Monte

www.MyrtleBeachHomes.US

The Smart Car, just enough room for two...  takes as much space parked the usual way, or sideways.

You haven't seen congestion until you drive Barcelona at 5pm on a Friday afternoon...   

 We saw the fanciest cars in Monaco and Cannes.   "007" really must party there; his cars are all over the place.

The dreaded roundabouts...  This is where the Spaniards think they're supposed to switch lanes.  (Next pix) Vienna is still sporting the carriage, but only on occasion.  Ah, romance...

TravelingRainers

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

www.MyrtleBeachHomes.us

"Mom, you really need a boyfriend!" said my son, after seeing the pictures I had taken on our trip through Europe.  Whatever did he mean?   What's a lonely American girl to do on her European vacation, but take pictures of the places and people of those lovely countries...  Here are some good examples of my observations captured on film:

This fine building houses the headquarters for the Water Company in Barcelona, Spain...

This was the changing of the guard at Schonbrunne Palace, in Vienna, Austria.   It was an "exciting" event!

These anatomically correct  piggies, were in the store window of a fine porcelain shop in Venice, Italy.

                        Geneva, Switzerland, with it's famous fountain...

This was taken in Madrid.  Notice the couple behind me on the bench...  making out in plain view in the middle of the day.  I had turned my back to them, so I wouldn't see them...

         The "Museu de Erotica", or The Erotic Museum in Las Rablas, Barcelona, Spain.

Ah...  the dreaded roundabout in Perpignan, France.  Maybe this had something to do with it all...  Yeah, that's it!

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

Join our new AR Travel Club and share your Travel Stories and Pictures:  TravelingRainers

There have been a million innovations in how we do the business, but we are still using antiquated signage.  Why?  Hasn't anyone come up with a revolutionary, new type of signage?   This is 2008, why are we using the same old signs we used to use in the ‘60"s? 

What are your thoughts on the subject?  Has anyone discovered something new and exciting in the Signage Business?  

Our company loses more money on signage than anything else.  People steal the signs, throw away the $ 45 aluminum facing and the $ 30 worth of riders, in order to use the $ 15 frames for their garage sales or open houses.

Talking House...  Lighted For Sale sign...  "I'm gorgeous inside"...  "We Buy Ugly Houses"... 

..."Where's the Beef?'

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

Instead of lamenting about how I got left behind by the Royal Caribbean cruise liner, I will do what I usually do with the rest of my life: concentrate on the lessons learnt.  Here is what I have learnt from the experience of being left behind on the island of St. Martin:

1.  Before disembarking a cruise ship, make sure you understand the exact time you are supposed to return by. 

2.  Whenever leaving the ship, make sure you have your passport, enough cash and at least a couple of credit cards.

3.  Your cell phone may not operate in a foreign land, but at least it contains the important telephone numbers.  Take your cell phone with you!

4.  No matter how short you THINK your visit may be, take a change of clothing.

5.  Always pray before going to bed and ask for guidance.  You may need it the next day. 

1. 6.  If you are left behind on a foreign island, and the entire $ 200 you had on you was spent on souvenirs, take the souvenirs back to the street vendors and ask for the cash back.  Look desperate and determined and carefully remove the cash from their clenched fists.  It's a big hassle, I know, but the cash will come in handy when you want a bite to eat and you have no other means to pay for the food.

7.  In St. Martin public phones don't take coins, they work solely with special phone cards.  Domestic phone cards are found everywhere.  International phone cards are a specialty product sold by only a few outfits on the island.  Make sure you understand that, and explain it when asking where to buy the INTERNATIONAL phone card.

8.  Don't burn any bridges!  Maintain a good enough relationship with your ex-husband, so that if you are ever stranded on an island without any money, or viable credit cards, and you can't remember anyone else's phone number because you are solely dependent on your smart phone, which you neglected to take with you on the island, you could still call him up and beg him for a few thousand dollars to get yourself back home.

9.  When on the island of St. Martin and you are expecting money by Western Union from a benevolent ex-husband, make sure you understand which part of the island you are on: the Dutch side, or the other side.  This will keep you from having to travel across the island with no money.

10.  Don't take "No!" for an answer.  Keep asking the same question many different ways.  Just because an airline representative gives you one answer, don't take that as the final answer.  Go stand in line again and go to another airline representative's window: you might get a different answer.  Note: it may take more than two attempts, but if you are stranded on an island, it really doesn't matter how many times you wait in line, or how long that line is; you've got all the time in the World!

11.  When arriving in Charlotte International Airport on a cold spring night, wearing nothing but your skimpy beach outfit that you've spent the last three days in, expect some looks from the other travelers.

12.  Remember, car rental companies will not rent you a vehicle without a credit card.  Being intrepid helps you avoid hitchhiking or the Greyhound bus, which are the only means of transportation for a girl with nothing but a little cash.   Rounding up a few passengers for the limo ride back to Myrtle Beach, which you negotiated based on the assumption that you could talk several strangers into traveling with you, thus sharing in the cost, is not an easy task, especially when wearing above mentioned outfit.   On the other hand, the outfit may help.

13.  Chances are that if you call a locksmith at 3 o'clock in the morning, the only one you'll be able to reach or convince to break you into your own home is a drunken one.  Chances are that he'll break at least one of your locks and overcharge you by about a hundred bucks.   That's all right, once in your own home, you can write him a check!

14.  Once safe and sound in your own home, you should peel off the skimpy beach outfit, take a hot shower, go to bed and dream of your next vacation...  in Aspen!

Also read part I: How I Got Left Behind In St. Martin... (this has nothing to do with Real Estate)

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte                             www.MyrtleBeachGuru.info

Join us in our own Travel Group:  TravelingRainers!  Post your own stories about your travel adventures! 

There are currently 64 condos available for sale at Baywatch.  Of these, 6 are showing "pending sale" (waiting to close). 

The Asking Prices (THE FANTASY) are as follows:

Efficiencies:                $ 109,000 - $ 209,900

1BR/1BA:                   $ 187,000 - $ 248,999

2BR/2BA:                   $ 289,500 - $ 504,900

3BR units:                   $ 379,900 - $ 637,900

Of the 64 available units, only 10 units have actually sold during the past 6 months.  That "trickle" of activity represents a sales ratio of 2.61% per month.  Only 2.61% of the Baywatch inventory has been sold per month, during the past 6 months.  At that rate of activity, it will take 3 years, 2.5 months to exhaust the current inventory of listings. 

That being said, Baywatch is one of the most successful oceanfront projects in the Myrtle Beach area.  The overall oceanfront activity for the area was 1.47% in February, more than a full percentage point less than Baywatch activity...

What does a plethora of inventory coupled with little sales activity accomplish?  A good depression of prices.  Here is the reality, something both the Buyers and Sellers should note:

The Prices of Units Actually Sold (THE REALITY) is as follows:

Efficiencies:    $ 69,000                                  only one sold during the past 6 months

1BR/1BA:       $ 164,900 - $ 205,000             5 sold during the past 6 months

2BR/2BA:       $ 289,000 - $ 318,000             4 sold during the past 6 months

No 3 BR units were sold at Baywatch during the last 6 months.

The prices of the sold units should be the asking prices of available units.  If that was the case, we would see a lot more activity.  Until the Sellers realize that pink carpeting and other intrinsic factors like a different view of the beach, or a gold commode, simply do not justify a price tag of $ 100,000 more, or even $ 5,000 more, we will continue to see the trickle of activity of the last six months continue...   The market is different in 2008 than it was in 2005...  Sellers take note!

Oceanfront in Myrtle Beach, by Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

With over 500 condos, in three towers, BayWatch Resort, is one of the loveliest Oceanfront projects in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Indoor, outdoor pools, lazy rivers, jacuzzi's, spas, 2 on site restaurants, on site property management, convention centers, this Oceanfront Resort has it all.  Located within 2-4 minutes of Restaurant Row, Colonial Mall, Tanger Outlets, Barefoot Landing, Alligator Adventure, The Alabama Theater, The House of Blues.

The tale of being stranded on the island of St. Martin makes for a good party story, and we all laugh about it now, but in real life, being stranded in paradise is not as much fun as you'd think...

It all started on a bright, sunny day, when our beautiful, immense, Royal Caribbean mega cruiser set anchor on the blue waters of the island of St. Martin.  My boyfriend was going on a day long dive, and my daughter and I rented a jeep and set upon exploring the island. 

We had an enchanting day, basking in all the beauty:  white sands, crystal clear blue waters, majestic sites.  We even visited the famous beach by the airport, where the signage indicates the danger of currents created by jets taking off and there are stories of people being literally swept off their feet by the heavy currents of the 747's taking off.  Ominous signage indicates the danger, but there is nothing like watching the planes take off and land, literally above your head.  If you have never experienced it, I highly recommend it.  It is particularly enticing to adrenaline junkies...  (like me, I guess...)

 Oops... It's late...  tune in tomorrow for part two!

By the way, join us in our new travel club, TravelingRainers.   ... Shameless plug...  I know... sorry about the story interruption!   I promise I'll make up for it tomorrow!   My story is THAT good!  ...Well worth the wait, you'll see...

Click here for part II of the story

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

I just finished giving an agent a counter to an offer his clients made on one of my listings.  He questioned me on an issue.  He authoritatively explained to me what the paragraph meant and condescendingly asked how long I had been in Real Estate. 

I've been waiting for this one!  Ok, here's a rendition of just how it went down:

Good old boy Agent:  "... That's what that paragraph says!  Mirela, how long have you been in Real Estate?" You have to envision his tone here, done in that superior "teacher to student" voice that an older, southern man naturally assumes when dealing with a young woman.

Me:  "I've been a Realtor since 1988.  I am a Broker in Charge in both South Carolina AND North Carolina.  I am a GRI, ABR, currently taking RLI classes and ..."

Good old boy Agent:   "OK, OK, OK, fine!"  He quickly interrupted my barrage of accreditations.  "Sorry!" he mustered in a muffled tone.  Translation - "Sorry!" as in "sorry, I couldn't put one over on you"... 

Ah, education, it sure comes in handy!

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/

Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Condos - Sales for February 2008

Out of a total inventory of 2,724 oceanfront condos currently for sale in the entire Myrtle Beach area, only 40 units were sold during the month of February, 2008.  That means that only 1.47% of the Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Condo inventory sold during the month of February.

Least expensive was a 400 sq. ft. efficiency at Sands Ocean Club, a 29 yr. old building, located in the Arcadian Area of Myrtle Beach.   It was originally priced at $ 112,500.  It sold in February for $ 70,500.

The most expensive oceanfront unit sold during February, was a 1,900 sq. ft., 4BR/3BA at Captain's Quarters @ Litchfield By The Sea.  It sold for $ 1,250,000.

The most affordable 1BR oceanfront unit sold during February was at Landmark Resort in Myrtle Beach.  Originally priced at $ 189,921, it sold for $ 126,000.

The least expensive 2BR/2BA oceanfront unit sold during February, was initially offered at $ 399,900.  It finally sold in February for more than $ 200,000 less, closing at a mere $ 195,000.  It had been on the market for a total of 1046 days!!!  The unit was located at Bluewater Resort in Myrtle Beach.

$ 310,000 marked the lowest price for a 3BR/2BA oceanfront condo sold during February.  It was a 1,100 sq. ft., unit in immaculate condition, located at Palmetto Dunes in Surfside Beach.

The least expensive 4BR/3BA unit sold during February went for $ 500,000 and it was located at Windy Hill Dune, a lovely, 6 year old, concrete and steel building.

Nothing larger than a 4BR unit was sold during February in an oceanfront building.  All units mentioned were sold furnished.

Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Condos by Mirela Monte

http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/