I have an idea:  why don't we invite some agents from other continents and other countries to join AR? 

Terry Kuehn's article about the World Real Estate Market:  "Ireland, Spain, Australia and Britain all beat us" inspired this idea. 

I recently wrote a blog entitled:  "Show us Your Market!  Amazing Comparison!!!  You Have to See This!" after my trip to the Hamptons and my introduction to a $ 75,000,000 listing there (Yes, you read right: 75 million dollars!!!).  

I invited my readers to reveal what the $ 400,000 budget and the million dollar budget would garner in their respective markets.  Our wonderful AR members, generous as usual, have shared prices and pictures, making the comments escalate the value of that blog from "fair" to "outstanding". 

I very much enjoyed learning what the dollar can command in various parts of America (USA and Canada; what the heck, we are but one country, except for they have a better health care system).  It was quite an education.  Now I'm wondering about the Real Estate prices in the rest of the World. 

Inviting members from other countries would be easy enough:  a five minute Internet search in the country of your choice and a few invites to specific agents.  Most people speak English, even in the far reaching corners of the World ("The World is Flat", remember?), not to mention that many of us here are bilingual.  I could invite members from Romania, since I am fluent in Romanian.  Or we could use Google Translator and convey whatever message we want to put on the AR Invite.  So what do you say?  Are you game?  Let's go International!

AR Rocks!  ...Worldwide!  Let's do it!

PS:  The fringe benefit is that it might actually garner us some International clients...  Not too shabby!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection     

Proud Optimist!

WOW!  Incredible!  I am floored!

A few months ago I helped a foreign family settle here.  They needed the help; they were in a bad situation and I helped.   I didn't even think twice; it just needed to be done and I did it. 

Within a few weeks they both had jobs, social security numbers and modes of transportation.  They were good, hard working people and it made me very happy to watch them succeed and get integrated here.

I just had the most amazing thing happen: a business proposition I simply can not refuse that will put my firm on the big map within the next 24 months... all as a direct result of my helping this family.  Unbelievable, but true!

Random acts of kindness credo:

•1.     If you can help, always do!  Walking away when you know you can help is a very bad thing for your karma.

•2.     No one needs to know about your kind deeds.  Don't boast about it and don't expect anything in return.  Just do it because it's the right thing to do.  Being good to another living soul will nurture your soul.  It's the best antidote for depression.

•3.     When you do the right thing, the right thing will come right back to you.  Call it serendipity, call it whatever, you are creating a lovely life for yourself, filled with joy, peace and contentment.

Since that's my credo, I never expected anything like this to happen, so I am absolutely floored.   Whew!  Wow!  Amazing!  I just had to share this with you!

Life's short...  Live well!  Perform random acts of kindness!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection

I am - LUCKY!

I think - PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY GOOD, even when they have momentary "hick-ups"...

I can - DREAM BIG AND THEN MAKE IT COME TRUE.

I want - TO LIVE FULLY. 

I have- THE MOST AMAZING KIDS.  I am in awe of them and I've learnt so much from them!

I wish - I COULD LIVE 150 YEARS IN GOOD HEALTH.

I hate - THE WORD "HATE". 

I miss- MY MOM'S COOKING.  Zacusca is simply my most favorite dish in the entire World.  Sarmale, varza cu carne, salata de beof, supa de varza, mici, clatite.  Yum, yum!  Mom, I hope you're reading this...

I fear - DYING AND BEING SICK. 

I feel - LOVE! 

I hear - PEOPLE'S THOUGHTS.   I understand a lot more than the spoken words...

I smell - GOOD.  ALWAYS.  My olfactory is like a dog's: I can find things by smelling for them...  Bad odor is very difficult for me to take. 

I search - FOR ANSWERS TO EVERYTHING.  I'm extremely curious and want to know as much as possible about everything.

I regret - I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING I REGRET.  I don't do well with Regret...

I love - LIFE!

I care - ABOUT EVERYBODY.  I can't help myself; I just do!

I always - HOPE!  I believe that anyone can achieve ANYTHING.  I have seen homeless people become billionaires.  The Human Spirit is AMAZING!

I am not - ON TIME...  EVER!  I detest that about myself!

I believe - IN PEOPLE!

I dance - REGULARLY for fun and exercise.  I love to Salsa!

I sing - BADLY!  My daughter claims that I could beat that guy who made a career out of singing off key on American Idol, and I have to agree with her.  My singing is beautiful in my head only; as soon as I open my mouth the sound horrifies even me!  My talking voice is good and as long as I don't try to make a melody out of it I'm fine... and so is everyone else around me...   I CAN DANCE THOUGH! 

I don't always - FOLLOW UP WITH MY LEADS

I write - A LOT!  Always have.  I have mountains of diaries and tons of pieces saved in my computers.  I've even gotten published on a few occasions. 

I win - IN LIFE... and Love...  Never at gambling...

I lose- MY PATIENCE IN TRAFFIC.   You'd have to wash out my mouth after a heavy day on the road.  Ex:  ".uck the .ucking .uckers!"

I never - HEAR THE WORD ‘NO"...  All I hear is "Maybe"!

I listen - TO PEOPLE.  I REALLY LISTEN!  Always 100%.  I hear them better that way... (This kind of contradicts the previous statement, doesn't it?  That's a woman for you...)

I can usually be found - ENGAGED BY LIFE.

I'm scared of - NOT LIVING FULLY ENOUGH...  DYING....  BEING SICK...

I read - NON FICTION...  LOTS OF IT.

I forget - AND FORGIVE...

I just - WANT TO LIVE 150 GOOD YEARS!

I am happy about - BEING ALIVE AND HAVING ACHIEVED MY DREAMS! 

...So I tagged myself - please refer to the title!

Now I'm tagging: 

Sylvie Conde    http://activerain.com/blogsview/651108/Changes-to-Localism-Approved

Tamara Perlman  http://activerain.com/blogs/tperlman

Kara Casamassina   http://activerain.com/kara803

Gene Wunderlich   http://activerain.com/genewunderlich

Chris Lambos    http://activerain.com/lambos

Robert Rauf   http://activerain.com/rrauf

Susan Mangigian   http://activerain.com/susanman

Sherry Scales   http://activerain.com/sherryscales

Gregory Lohr   http://activerain.com/savinghomesacrossamerica

Fred Jaeger   http://activerain.com/coatue

I always like lists of 10...

Mirela, The Optimist of Optimists

*Note: 

1.  Anyone reading this, HAS to comment.

2.  Anyone commenting HAS to write their very own MeMe, addressing these very same questions.

...I see you!

•1.     There is never a need to raise your voice here; nobody else does.

•2.     S  L  O  W  down your tempo;  no one else is in any hurry.

•3.     "We'll get to it, when we get to it", means just that.  It may be tomorrow or next week, or even next month... 

•4.     Borrow a second name; as in Peggy-Sue, Billy-Mae, Mary-Anne...  You get the picture...  No one has only one name here, except for Bubba.

•5.     Never use cuss words here!  If you want to be "ugly" you can just use the Southern:  "Bless his little heart, he just can't help himself, can he?"  Believe me, that's enough of an insult!  I know it seems innocuous enough to a Northerner, but take my word for it, that's how it's done here!

•6.     "Dear Lord, Sweet Jesus!" replaces any other expletive when something really BIG happens.

•7.     If someone bakes you a pie, go ahead and eat it; it's not laced with anything and the person bringing it to you doesn't expect any favors in return. 

•8.     Don't worry about locking your doors!  If you leave your home unlocked the worst that can happen is your neighbor may come in and bring you a pie...

•9.     Kids address their elders with Miss or Mister, as in Mr. Bob, Miss Kelly, etc.  You don't have to be old to qualify for being "an elder", anyone over twenty something qualifies.

•10.    Just ignore the confederate flag!  And please, no arguments about who won the war!

•11.    When you're in a foreign country it helps to know a few words in their language to show appreciation for the culture.  When in France you should at least know: "Bonjour, Ca Va?"  In the South you can just make frequent use of "Ya'll", "ain't" and "fixin'..."   As in "ya'll ain't from around here.  I'm fixin' to go."

•12.   When in the South, smile ya'll!  Ain't no need to be in any hurry!  Ya'll  have a seat on this rockin' chair yonder and have another sip of this fine lemonade!  I'm fixin' to learn ya'll some Southern!

Mirela Monte, Your Southern Translator                                Join The Optimist Group!

10 homes have been sold at the Grande Dunes this year.

The least expensive home sold at the Grande Dunes this year was originally priced at $795,000 and sold in April for $625,000.  It was a two year old, 3BR/2.5BA, 3,600 sq. ft. home.  It had been on the market for 275 days.

The most expensive home sold at the Grande Dunes this year was originally priced at $3,600,000 and sold for cash in January for $3,005,000.  It had been on the market for 183 days and closed within 5 days of the accepted offer. 

The home had 4BR/4BA/2HBA and it was over 6,000 sq. ft.  The home was brand new and located on the Intercoastal Waterway with its own boat dock.

The average price of sold homes for 2008 at the Grande Dunes was $1,447,700 and the median price was $1,256,000.

Mirela Monte, Your Grande Dunes Connection                                    

10 Reasons to Visit Myrtle Beach:

•1.     The sand is white and fine.

•2.     The Atlantic is warm here.

•3.     It is sunny most of the time.  When it rains, it usually doesn't last long

•4.     People are so friendly and nice.  No one is in a hurry.  The only "finger" you'll get here is the thumbs up...

•5.     We have around 100 Golf Courses.

•6.     It's cheap to live here & cheap to visit.  Where else can you buy an oceanfront condo for under $ 70,000?

•7.     The Hard Rock Theme Park.

•8.     Market Common.

•9.     The House of Blues, The Palace, The Carolina Opry, Dixie Stampede, the Alabama Theater.

•10.      The Intercoastal Waterway and all the wonderful boating.

See You soon!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                         Join The Optimist Group!

It is widely practiced in Europe.  It is the standard course of treatment in Great Britain.  It's finally catching on in the states. 

Known as "Sublingual Immunotherapy", it is easy to administer (daily drops under your tongue), safer and much more effective than the allergy injections.

In his book "Hormones, Health and Happiness", Dr. Steven Hotze describes the treatment at length.  You can also check out the website at www.allergychoices.com

Be Well!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                       Join The Optimist Group!

Maybe it's because I'm the mother of a son I cherish.  Maybe it's because I'm the mother of a son who is currently serving in the military.  Maybe it's because I've only visited it after dusk.  There are lots of maybes, but one thing is for sure:

Never have I encountered a more emotional monument than the Vietnam Memorial. 

As I make my way down into the monument and as the slab of shiny, black marble to my left grows taller and taller, revealing more and more names of fallen soldiers perfectly chiseled into the stone, I feel a knot forming in my throat and tears welling in my eyes and then I lose it.  It happens every time I visit this edifice: I just bawl my eyes out.  I'm crying now just remembering my encounters with "The Wall"...

58,256...  That's the number of names on the wall, each one someone's son, each one someone's husband, boyfriend, father, brother, best friend...

58,256 fallen soldiers.  The stark reality of the significance of each name is underlined by the flowers, the flyers, the cards and tokens of affection left against the wall in memory of someone dear, someone still missed all these years later...  Every so often you come across a person lovingly touching the stone, lightly caressing a name on the wall, the way they used to stroke a loved one's face or hair; that bit of slab honoring their lost love pacifying their angst...  I shudder at the mere thought of the pain left behind by each and every one of those names on the wall...

The 58,256 dead or missing in action denoted on the memorial are at least remembered, yet we all know men who returned from Vietnam alive, but not living, mere remnants of the people they used to be, the tacit fallen soldiers whose names are not inscribed on any edifice, yet who gave their lives nevertheless...

If we can not mandate that only the parents of soldiers sent into battle be allowed to make the decisions of war and peace, at least we should impose that our legislators visit The Vietnam Memorial with regularity!   The Wall is a powerful reminder of the possible losses incurred by a single, executive decision...

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                     

Join The Optimist Group! 

Here is what $ 400,000 garners you in the Hamptons vs. Myrtle Beach: 

Here is the million dollar market: The first set of pictures is of the front and back of a home available for sale for $ 2.2 MIL in the Hamptons.  

The second set of pictures is of a home sold in July in Myrtle Beach for $ 1,250,000.  

Show us your market!  What does $ 400K garner you in your market?  How about the million dollar mark? 

Please share your market with us!  I would love to know!  We all would!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection

Join The Optimist Group!

"Cheap Psychological Tricks for Parents: 62 Sure-Fire Secrets and Solutions for Successful Parenting" by Perry W. Buffington, is one of those rare books every parent should have right there on the main counter, to refer to on a daily basis.  The advice is savvy and easy to follow.   Here are some examples:

If you want to help your child have a positive attitude, you must accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.  So instead of saying "take this glass and do not spill it," say: "take this glass of milk and hold it with both hands." Say "close the door gently, please" instead of saying "do not slam the door."  When saying the negative, a child will think about that action, and so then those outcomes are inevitable. Say the positive and your child will think about that action instead.

Give your child an analog watch rather than a digital watch. An analog watch - one with hands - teaches the entire concept of time. As your child learns how long it takes the hands to move, he spatially and intuitively learns how much time is used up in that interval.  So when you say five more minutes, your child will actually know how much time that is.

Use a clean, red cloth to soak up the blood from cuts and scrapes, so your child doesn't see evidence of his pain.

Potty train boys: to get them to aim straight, put a small boat or other floating object in the toilet as a target.

I wish I had this book when my kids were little, but as the parent of a teenage daughter, I still found plenty of helpful advice.   

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                         

Join The Optimist Group!

•1.     What are the monthly HOA dues? 

In the Myrtle Beach area, monthly HOA/POA fees (Homeowners Association Fees) for Oceanfront Condos vary greatly:  from the low $ 100's per month to thousands of dollars per month.

•2.     Do the monthly HOA fees cover the building insurance?

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.  This can add thousands of dollars to your yearly bill.

•3.     What is the best property management firm to use for this particular condo? 

"On site" property management firms can charge up to 50% of your yearly gross rent, which can really eat into your profits.  Off site management firms charge significantly less - 15%-30%.  Doing your homework in this particular area will make a huge difference to your bottom line.

•4.     Ask your Realtor how many oceanfront condos they've sold lately.  You need a Realtor who specializes in Oceanfront Condos.    It's also best to have your very own Buyers' Agent, to ensure proper representation.   Buying from the agent who is already representing the Seller can cost you thousands more.

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Realtor                      

Baywatch Resort in North Myrtle Beach

Baywatch is not just another TV Show.  In the North Myrtle Beach area, Baywatch Resort is a prime example of Oceanfront Vacation Nirvana.  With three nineteen-floor towers located right on the sand, over a dozen indoor/outdoor pools and lazy rivers, Baywatch rules over Crescent Beach. 

Here you'll find over 500 oceanfront condos with ample balconies overlooking the blue Atlantic, comfortable interiors, on site management, two restaurants, a couple of pool side bars and convention halls, making Baywatch Resort seem like a small city.

Located within 2-3minutes of Restaurant Row, Colonial Mall, Tanger Outlet Mall, Barefoot Landing, Alligator Adventure, Alabama Theater, the House of Blues and Kingston Plantation, Baywatch Resort is an ideal vacation destination. 

If you are thinking of investing where you vacation, Baywatch is a perfect oceanfront investment opportunity.  With prices starting at only $ 90,000 for a fully furnished condo, now is the time to jump in!  Having sold a multitude of units in Baywatch, I can advise you of every opportunity extant here.  Buy at the Beach!  Life is short; live it well!

Baywatch Resort Realtor Mirela Monte                                    Join The TravelingRainers

Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach

As if the blue Atlantic and white sand was not enough, Avista is also surrounded by both man made and nature's bounty.   To the North of it lays the most picturesque part of the beach, also known as "The Golden Mile of North Myrtle Beach", Ocean Drive's finest tenant, Tilghman Estates.  With sprawling mansions and charming low country style homes set amidst oak and magnolia trees, you have to pinch yourself to see if you haven't drifted into some movie induced la-la land. 

To the South of it lays Main Street, the heart of North Myrtle Beach and the shagging capital of the World.   Familiar names like "Fat Harold's" and "The Spanish Galleon" beckon the passerby's with its upbeat music and bucolic crowds.  The fact that Avista is within a stone throw away, certainly doesn't hurt its popularity with the revelers.  Add to that a high rating accorded to it by TripAdvisor.com the iconoclast of travel, and you've got yourself a winner. 

Whether you're investing at the Beach, or just want to soak in the sun for a few days, there is no better place than Avista.  With prices lower than they've been since pre-construction in 2005, now is the time to purchase a piece of this hugely popular resort.

Mirela Monte, Your Avista Connection                               

Join The TravelingRainers Group!

With water taking up much of Cherry Grove Beach, and homes perched on top of canals a la Venice, Italy, this part of North Myrtle Beach is still reminiscent of the past, when shagging was the most exciting thing happening here and fishing was the other hobby.  A single family home starts in the $ 300,000's, still a bargain compared to other coastal areas.  With high end projects such as "Prince Resort", parts of Cherry Grove are starting to resemble the illustrious South Beach.   With prices in the $ 200,000's for an oceanfront condo in this famed project, this is still a good entry level vacation home for the average investor.

Ocean Drive: with majestic million dollar homes and wide stretches of fine sand, Ocean Drive and Tilghman Estates sport the most enticing environment for the privileged few who can afford the luxury.  The Surf Club, the famous Beach Country Club takes many acres of this beautiful place, but the average Joe can still make do with a nice Oceanfront condo at Avista Resort for under the $ 200,000 mark.

North Myrtle Beach's Main Street, the Shagging Capital of the World is where you'll find the famous "Fat Harold's", the Place to be and be seen if you are quick on your feet - as in dancing, of course...   With quaint little shops and vibrant pubs, evenings here are quite ebullient.  The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and many other events take place here, the heart of North Myrtle Beach, the nucleus of activity of this place.

Crescent Beach, to the south of Main Street is a mix of small condo buildings along side beach homes and huge concrete and steel structures.  Here you'll find the popular Baywatch Resort, a three tower complex on the sand with superb amenities. 

Atlantic Beach, only four blocks wide is morphing rapidly.  Much of the oceanfront has been recently transacted and awaiting development.

The southernmost part of North Myrtle Beach is Windy Hill Beach, a wide stretch of Beach, densely populated with large condo projects and the occasional beach home.  This is where Beach Cove resides and where the new multi million dollar development encompassing 50 acres of prime land is currently under construction.  Known as North Beach Plantation, this is a high end project, where a 5 Bedroom oceanfront condo is selling for the not so paltry price of over two million.  Within walking distance of Barefoot Landing and only a few minutes away from Colonial Mall, Tanger Outlets and Restaurant Row, Windy Hill is in the center of it all.   The famous Alabama Theater and The House of Blues reside right across the street, within Barefoot Landing.

North Myrtle Beach has it all.  Relax here!  Celebrate here!  Sun Worship here!  Have the vacation of a lifetime!  Enjoy it for the allocated week or month and don't envy me too much: I reside here!  Oh, yes, this is living!

Your North Myrtle Beach Connection, Mirela Monte                       Join The Optimist Group!

"Where's Waldo?" was my son's favorite book when he was a kid.  He used to spend hours on end trying to find Waldo.   If you are the parent of a child between the ages of 3 to 11, you probably know Waldo.  If you don't, you should! 

I have just returned from a 9 day vacation.  I've had the pleasure of visiting many amazing places.  I will be posting blogs all throughout next week about the extraordinary locations visited. 

In the tradition of "Where's Waldo?" can you guess where I've been?  The answers will keep coming over the next 10 days, starting with Monday. 

...So:  WHERE'S MIRELA?

(Or better yet, where has Mirela been?)  Please give it your best shot!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                        Join The Optimist Group!

If you haven't seen it yet, you owe it to yourself to do so!  This pedestrian friendly shopping center / grand development is the most impressive neighborhood in Myrtle Beach.   High end shops mixed in with quaint boutiques line up the expansive sidewalks; trendy eateries like PF Chang's sporting outdoor dining options for the thorough enjoyment of countless visitors savoring the mild Myrtle Beach weather...  This is simply one of the most delightful shopping / dining environments at the Beach!

If the 29 acres of lakes peppered throughout the 100 acre redevelopment built on the grounds of the old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base are not enticing enough, then perhaps the many parks extant here might beckon you to call this place home.  With several single family home projects, town homes and condos, you have ample choices.   A unique product called "work & live" is found here:  you own the building.  Downstairs you have your shop, complete with store frontage (zoned commercial), and the upper two levels are your home.  Live & work... see!  What an innovative idea!

In the tradition of I'On, this pedestrian friendly neighborhood has it all:  from a supermarket that you can walk to from your home, to an ample Movie Theater, to shops, pubs and restaurants, Market Common has it all.  For a quick education on all the Real Estate Opportunities this extraordinary development confers, please call me! 

Mirela Monte, Your Market Common Connection                                     Join The Optimist Group!

For those of you not familiar with the movie "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" here is the scoop:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Shoot_Horses,_Don't_They%3F

After my own personal marathon, I feel like someone needs to put me out of my misery.  This week just about did me in.  I wrote and received over three million dollars worth of offers, and none of them have come to fruition.  Disappointed clients and 16 hour days spent working for naught.  I sincerely gave it my ALL.  It was beyond INTENSE... 

I have a big, fat zero to show for all my efforts!  Zilch...  Nada...

I've had weeks like this before.  Here is how I usually deal with them: 

•1.     I write down a synopsis of each deal.  I critique myself.  I look at every angle and ask myself the hard question: "what could I have done differently, knowing what I know now?"

•2.     The next question asked on each deal is:  "What have I learnt from this experience?"

When talking to yourself like this, it is best to do it in writing.  Your subconscious takes over and guides you to places you didn't know existed.  If you don't believe me, do the exercise!  I swear by this methodology!  

You will be surprised by the answers.  I am always surprised myself and I have used this to hone my skills for many years.  It probably works with all professional failures, but I've just never tried it on more trivial problems.  I will be performing the exercise tonight or tomorrow.  Much good will be derived from it.  Who knows, maybe some of the deals that are now comatose will be revived by week's end.  That's usually what happens after this exercise. 

Remember: each failure brings you that much closer to your goal, if you derive the right lessons from it! 

Success without failure is impossible.   So, what are you waiting for:  Hurry up and fail!  Fail often and hard and get to your destination faster!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                    Join The Optimist Group!

Hall of Shame:

As I'm working on my last load of laundry for the evening, I'm lamenting about how much I hate my dryer.  I bought it as a set because it was pretty,  it had a lot of buttons and drying options, a steel drum and most importantly: it was available in stainless steel.  The front loading washer and dryer set me back about $ 2,600 a couple of years ago and the dryer has been giving me headaches since that fateful day when I first plugged it in.  This is actually the second dryer; the manufacturer sent it to me after being unable to fix it, following about a half dozen attempts to do so.   If I can save someone else the aggravation here it is:  the offender is an LG dryer.  Don't get one!  The washer is good, the dryer is horrible!

Hall of Fame:

I love my dishwasher!  It's so quiet that you can't even tell it's on.  You have to look to the floor to see if it's washing: there is a little red light reflecting on the floor to indicate that it's on.  The dishes come out spotless, regardless of how dirty they were when they went in.  It can delay the wash for many hours and consumes very little soap or water.  The brand:  Bosch.  I will never buy another brand of dishwashers again.  It's the best dishwasher I've ever had!

Now it's your turn:  please share your appliance Hall of Shame/Hall of Fame story!  As Real Estate Agents, advisors and investors in Real Estate, appliances are very important.

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection

Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach SC

As if the blue Atlantic and white sand was not enough, Avista is also surrounded by both man made and nature's bounty.   To the North of it lays the most picturesque part of the beach, also known as "The Golden Mile of North Myrtle Beach", Ocean Drive's finest tenant, Tilghman Estates.  With sprawling mansions and charming low country style homes set amidst oak and magnolia trees, you have to pinch yourself to see if you haven't drifted into some movie induced la-la land. 

To the South of it lays Main Street, the heart of North Myrtle Beach and the shagging capital of the World.   Familiar names like "Fat Harold's" and "The Spanish Galleon" beckon the passerby's with its upbeat music and bucolic crowds.  The fact that Avista is within a stone throw away, certainly doesn't hurt its popularity with the revelers.  Add to that the highest rating accorded to it by TripAdvisor.com, the iconoclast of travel, and you've got yourself a winner. 

Whether you're investing at the Beach, or just want to soak in the sun for a few days, there is no better place than Avista.  With prices lower than they've been since pre-construction in 2005, now is the time to purchase a piece of this hugely popular resort.

Mirela Monte, Your Avista Connection                        Proud Optimist!

Grande Dunes, Luxury Real Estate in Myrtle Beach

Grande Dunes, is the Big Daddy of Luxury Living at the Beach.  An exclusive Ocean to Intercoastal address, it features classic Mediterranean architecture and abundant amenities including two golf course clubhouses, two 18-hole championship golf courses, as well as the new Marina Inn. The 2,200 acre community also offers an award-winning tennis and fitness center, a 25,000 square foot Ocean Club, and a 130-slip marina within a planned Marina Village.  Whether you are looking for a million dollar home, a waterway or oceanfront luxury condo, Grande Dunes is where you will find it if you require five star accommodations.  For the ultimate in luxury and tranquility in the Myrtle Beach area, this gated community is the answer.

Mirela Monte, Your Grande Dunes Real Estate Connection                                 Join The Optimist Group!