MORE BUYERS are coming to Myrtle Beach looking for a deal… and they’re finding them. I see it in my business… and other agents in town confirm it.

Realtor.com is also showing an increase in web traffic for Myrtle Beach… with a 24.6% increase in search activity, year over year. Myrtle Beach now ranks 42nd in the list of 135 national markets with the biggest growth in web traffic. Realtor.com is the national home search website of the National Association of Realtors.

Home and condo prices continue to decline… driven by bank foreclosures and short sales. Other motivated sellers want to cut their losses and move on. Expect more market weakness this fall as monthly carrying costs begin to take their toll on owners.

MLS data shows that Grand Strand home prices are down 7% and Grand Strand condo prices are down 20%, year over year. It’s been a tough year for sellers… but a great year for buyers.

We’ve got some units here that are back to their original selling prices, said Coastal Carolina Association of Realtor’s market analyst Tom Maeser. In some cases with new homes, they’re selling below what they were selling for when they were first built.

There are still “hurdles to overcome” said Maeser including tight credit markets, and the uncertainty surrounding the presidential election.

Investment opportunities abound in Myrtle Beach for buyers with cash or great credit… who are willing to take a long term (3-5 year) perspective. Some of my clients have picked up amazing bargains.

For more information on “Best Buys” and to order my Special Report on “How to Maximize Your Investment in a Buyer’s Market”… go to my website BarbaraChartier.com , or call me toll-free at 1-888-494-8654.

Data Resource: Jessica Foster, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach

SELLING A HOME in Myrtle Beach is a legal transaction subject to the laws of the State of South Carolina. That’s why most property owners let a professional Realtor® and attorney handle the paperwork for them… they want to stay out of trouble.

Today’s answer in the series - “Answers to the Ten Most Common Questions Home Sellers Ask” – addresses a legal issue.*

Question #9 - “If there is something wrong with my Myrtle Beach home, do I have to tell the buyer?”

ABSOLUTELY – South Carolina has real estate consumer protection laws that benefit both buyer and seller. Not only is it in the seller’s best interest to disclose everything regarding the state of the property, it is also illegal not to do so.

Every seller of residential property is required to fill out a Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement provided by the State. As the seller, you are responsible for giving this completed form/questionnaire to the buyer prior to signing a contract for sale. Your Realtor® is also required to disclose any material facts about the property which he/she knows.

What to do? Sellers who think they have a problem can hire a licensed Home Inspector to inspect the property prior to putting it on the market… and get the problem fixed. A seller who goes above and beyond the law’s requirements for home inspections and disclosure will make buyers more comfortable about buying his/her home and, in some cases, even pay more for it.

*This Q & A is not offered as legal advice. For specific legal advice on this or any real estate related issue consult your attorney.

Next Monday - “How can I tell a good offer from a bad one?”
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For more information on preparing your property for sale, order Barbara’s free Special Report: “7 Insider Secrets on Showcasing Your Home for a Successful Sale.” Order online at www.BarbaraChartier.com , or call her 24/7 hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-494-8654 Ext 224… for recorded directions.

Looking for some fun over Labor Day weekend? Here are a cvouple things to check out.

Beach, Boogie and BBQ Festival at Grand Park in Myrtle Beach ~ click on this link for details.

The festival begins with Carolina Beach Music, Friday Night at 5:30 pm and ends with Fireworks, Saturday Night at 9:30 pm.

In between, there’ll be a “whole lot of eating going on.”

 Myrtle Beach World BBQ Sandwich Eating Championship Aug. 30 (2pm – 3pm) featuring Joey Chestnut – the winner of this year’s Nathan’s Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Joey will defend his world record of 45 pulled pork BBQ sandwiches in 10 minutes.

 South Carolina’s official BBQ cooking competition, a 5K run/walk, free celebrity meet and greets, a free John Michael Montgomery concert, children’s rides and games, boat rides, beach music and a 2008 Sun Fun Ford Focus Giveaway round out the fun.

Broadway at the Beach local discounts start Sept. 2

Broadway at the Beach has released its list of 2008-09 local discounts valid (with a local ID) Sept. 2 through May 24. Click on this link for details.

Discounts typically range from 10-15% and include shops, food, and entertainment venues.

Beijing Games: Local Myrtle Beach Realtor - Barbara Chartier of Century21 Coastal Lifestyles - finally realized her childhood dream. After years of training and hard work, Barbara made Team USA’s Women’s Weightlifting Team in Beijing.

Chartier’s Olympic trials nearly ended however when an equipment failure threatened disqualification on her final lift. Barbara, nevertheless, pressed on to finish in heroic fashion. See video rewind.

Further controversy surrounded Chartier’s claim that she was the oldest woman ever in Olympic competition. After a review of Chartier’s passport, IOC officials denied her claim, observing that her passport showed an age of 35. Chartier’s response, “You can’t trust passports.”

Now back at work in Myrtle Beach - When it comes to “heavy lifting”, you can always trust Barbara Chartier - Your Realtor in Myrtle Beach

SELLING A HOME is an important investment decision – one wrong step can cost the seller dearly. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of “Answers to the Ten Most Common Questions Home Sellers Ask.”

Question #8 - “What do I need to do to prepare my home for sale?”

WOW YOUR BUYERS – Selling your home involves more than simply putting a sign in the front yard, particularly in today’s highly competitive market. Most prospective buyers make their decisions based on the emotional reactions they form upon first seeing your home. You want them to establish a connection to your home and see themselves living comfortably in it.

The principle is the same for investment property. In Myrtle Beach, where most of the property is investor-owned, buyers are looking for homes or condos in mint, move-in condition. It’s difficult to have work done on property from a distance, and most investors do not want to spend their family’s vacation time in Myrtle Beach fixing up property.

To maximize your home’s appeal to potential buyers, you need your property to look its best. It’s the “WOW” factor… buyers see it and want it. Prepare your home for sale by fixing it, cleaning it, painting it, and staging it to appeal to buyers. Showcase your property so that it will stand out in the minds of buyers. Modest investments of time and money can greatly improve salability and may bring you a higher price.

Next Week - “What if there’s something wrong with my home? Do I have to tell the buyer?”
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For more information on preparing your property for sale, order Barbara’s free Special Report: “7 Insider Secrets on Showcasing Your Home for a Successful Sale.” Order online at BarbaraChartier.com , or call her 24/7 hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-494-8654 Ext 224… for recorded directions.

SELLING A HOME involves a lot of hard work and expertise, particularly in today’s market. Setting the price, marketing the property and liability concerns are the primary reasons sellers turn to a Realtor®, according to research by the National Association of Realtors®.

This Monday morning series – “Answers to the Ten Most Common Questions Home Sellers Ask” – is written with you in mind.

Question #7 – “How can I find the right Realtor® in Myrtle Beach?”

LOOKS OUT FOR YOU – Take time to interview each potential agent. Look at the professionalism of his or her marketing materials and get a feel for how comfortable you feel talking with this person. (I mentioned the importance of compatibility last week.) Don’t be afraid to ask for references.

Evaluate candidates on the basis of their experience, qualifications, enthusiasm, and personality. Most importantly, make sure you choose someone who is going to put in a lot of hard work on your behalf.

You should feel confident that the agent you choose is a trustworthy and knowledgeable individual, working full-time and representing a solid and reputable agency, who will treat your best interests as paramount. If you don’t, look for someone else.

Next Week – “What do I need to do to prepare my home for sale?”
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Barbara Chartier is a professional you can trust to put your priorities and your family first. For more information about Barbara, go to the Meet Barbara page of her website.

MORE HOME BUYERS ARE PAYING CASH for property in Myrtle Beach. In the first half of 2008, 22% of the buyers paid cash, compared to 16% in 2007 – an increase of 37% year over year.

Who’s paying cash?

 Second-home buyers of vacation / investment property… older buyers looking to diversify their investments.
 Baby-boomers looking ahead to retirement in Myrtle Beach… some have inherited the money, or taken it out of another real estate market.
 Foreign nationals taking advantage of the weak dollar.

Working the credit crunch.

The tightening of the credit market is working to the cash buyer’s advantage. It’s a lot tougher to get a mortgage these days, especially on investment property. The credit crunch has narrowed the pool of qualified buyers considerably.

Cash buyers have more negotiating power. Sellers love cash buyers because sales are not contingent on financing and they can close quicker.

Follow the money.

Is it true that people who can pay cash for vacation / investment property are better real estate investors? Not necessarily. But they do have sufficient financial resources to enable them to risk entering a real estate market a little early… before it shows definite signs of recovery. They can afford to buy low now… and wait out the market.

It’s a buyer’s market in Myrtle Beach. Right now there are some amazing deals, particularly along the oceanfront… and cash buyers are making the most of them.

Barbara Chartier - For more information on great buys, call my 24/7 hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-494-8654, Ext 1. I’ll return your call within 24 hours.

Resource: Jessica Foster, The Sun News in Myrtle Beach

Selling a home can be tricky… even for experienced home sellers. Keeping up with market changes and overcoming marketing problems can be frustrating, even overwhelming. That’s why timely information is so important for success in real estate. And that’s the purpose of this Monday morning series: “Answers to the Ten Most Common Questions Home Sellers Ask.”

Question #6 – “Does choosing the right agent really make a difference?”

FITS WITH YOU - Contrary to conventional wisdom, all Realtors® are not created equal. The key to choosing the right agent is to find someone whose personal style and methods fit in with your own. Start by getting referrals from friends or by contacting local agents and setting up interviews. Never go blindly with a referral. What works for your friend may not work for you.

Success in real estate involves honest, open, communication between the seller and the Realtor®. That’s why compatibility is so important. I have found, in working with clients over the years, that when we connect personally I am better able to understand their priorities and needs and help them realize their real estate goals. When there is a fit between the home seller and the agent the whole process goes smoother.

Next Week – “How can I find the right Realtor®?”

Are we compatible? For more information about me, go to the Meet Barbara page of my website, or call my 24/7 hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-494-8654, Ext 112 to order my Personal Brochure.