Sue says...

Today I thought I would share with you all a recent experience I had.  I am sure many of you probably have had the same one as well.  It goes like this. You make an appointment for a Doctor ( in this case I was driving my step dad to his eye appointment) and he warned me he usually has to wait.  With that thought in mind I did bring my kindle with me, figured I would catch up on some reading... His appointment was for 2:30 for which we arrived promptly.  After signing in and updating some of his info we sat down to wait to be called. I was really surprised when they called him about 2:50.  I thought wow, that wasn't long at all.  I now settled in to read. At about 4:00 my step dad comes out, I start to stand thinking he is all done and ready to go......NOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT he hasn't even seen the doctor yet!!  He was inside the golden doors waiting in line with about 4 people ahead of him....Now for those of you who know me, I would have left if it were my appointment.  My t

Does Moving Up Make Sense?  These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move. 1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, but if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains. 2. Has your income or financial situation improved? If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving.  3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood? The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down in for good. For example, you may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job o

Continuing with our travel south, the next stop is Litchfield.  Established in 1978, this popular unincorporated beach community took its name from Litchfield Plantation, a rice plantation on the Waccamaw River. Quiet yet lots to do, restaurants, golf, shopping, biking, beach. Enjoy the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway that is part of the East Coast Greenway . This flat paved trail parallels US 17 from Murrell’s Inlet to Sandy Island Road near Huntington Beach State Park. By using sections of completed trail and roads with Share the Road signs, you can ride or walk from Murrell’s Inlet to Pawley’s Island.  Length: 6.0 miles of continuous trail and two sections of approximately 4.0 miles. Visit Hammockcoastsc.com for more information. For more information about homes available in the Litchfield area call or email - Sue Lucas Broker Associate Re/Max Southern Shores 843-997-4595 www.suelucas.com   sl1586@sccoast.net Facebook

Murrells Inlet is located south of Surfside Beach and Garden City.   Murrells Inlet is split between two counties  Horry and Georgetown Counties. The town was once primarily a fishing village, but has grown substantially.  It is most known for the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk —the 1/2 mile long boardwalk overlooking a pristine saltmarsh—and the many award-winning seafood and barbecue restaurants along Highway 17 Business in the central business district. One of my favorite attractions is the beautiful Brookgreen Gardens . Be sure to visit Huntington State Park  and the Atalya Castle For more information about homes for sale in the Murrells Inlet area: call, email or visit my website. Sue Lucas Broker Associate Re/Max Southern Shores 843-997-4595 www.suelucas.com   sl1586@sccoast.net Facebook

Seems like a silly question, but here is your answer. Which Way Should Your Ceiling Fan Turn in Summer? The Cool Way! Make sure your ceiling fans rotate in the correct direction to cool you in summer. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Sue Lucas Broker Associate Re/Max Southern Shores 843-997-4595 www.suelucas.com   sl1586@sccoast.net Facebook

Not sure what or if there is a difference between Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval? click link below...   Pre-Qual vs. Pre-approved  Sue Lucas  Broker Associate  Re/Max Southern Shores  843-997-4595  www.suelucas.com  sl1586@sccoast.net Facebook

Looking to make a move to the Myrtle Beach area? There are some great homes available... start your search here . The market is definitely heating up.  Now is the time to buy.  Watch the latest market update here .  Let me know how I can help you.   You can check out my other website at www.suelucas.com Sue Lucas Broker Associate Re/Max Southern Shores 843-997-4595 www.suelucas.com   sl1586@sccoast.net Facebook

Here are 6 reasons that may turn off a buyer to your home.   1. Dirt:   The No. 1 biggest mistake is not getting the home in the best possible condition.  Prior to putting your house on the market do a deep clean -clean carpets, shine those hardwood floors, steam-clean tile and grout and carpets and replace carpets if necessary.  2. Odors:   Especially kitchen odors, next to the kitchen, the smelliest room in the house is actually the living room. That's typically the room that has the most fabric, so that is where odors get absorbed.  3. Old fixtures:  Change out old fixtures in your house, including outdated ceiling fans. Light fixtures should be replaced prior to listing a home. New cabinet hardware and doorknobs make a huge difference. 4. Wallpaper:  When buyers see wallpaper, they think of another thing to add to their to-do list.  If your wallpaper is outdated remove and paint the walls. 5. Popcorn acoustic ceilings:  These ceiling were popular in the 1960s and

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible. Find a real estate agent who you connect with . Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell . If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long. Don’t ask for too many opinions.  It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the

Located just south of Surfside Beach is Garden City. Garden City stretches south to the mouth of Murrells Inlet and straddles the Horry/Georgetown County line. At the heart of Garden City is the Pier !!! located off N. Waccamaw Drive at Atlantic Avenue.  During the summer enjoy music, fishing or just walking the Pier.   click here to read more. View the Pier live here . A little bit further south in Garden City you can enjoy boating at the Marlin Quay Marina  a full service marina with store and a restaurant. Finish off your day at the beach here at one of the best restaurants in the area - The Gulfstream Cafe . Enjoy the breathtaking sunsets over the marsh. For more information about Garden City Beach: Sue Lucas Broker Associate Re/Max Southern Shores 843-997-4595 www.suelucas.com   sl1586@sccoast.net Facebook

6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale By preparing for a real estate short sale, you can emerge with a great home at a favorable price. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin. 2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine. 3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.  4. Find y

Dos and Don’ts of Homebuyer Incentives Homebuyer incentives can be smart marketing or a waste of money. Find out when and how to use them. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.  2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.  3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.  4. Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don’t forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs — including taxes, attorney’s fee, and transfer fees — average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price.  5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.  6. D

Open House Timeline: Countdown to a Successful Sale An inviting open house can put your home on buyers’ short lists. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Make an Offer That Sellers Can't Refuse

Good video from The Myrtle Beach Chamber about whats going on in and around the Myrtle Beach area..... check it out. Beyond the Beach

How to Assess the Real Cost of a Fixer-Upper House When you buy a fixer-upper house, you can save a ton of money, or get yourself in a financial fix. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Known as "The Family Beach" and located just south of Myrtle Beach. Surfside Beach is the perfect year round or vacation spot.  The Pristine Beaches are cleaned daily and supervised by lifeguards and police.   There are several beach access points offering showers, restrooms and foot showers. Stop by the Surfside Pier -  originally built in 1953. It has been rebuilt at least three times with the current length at 830 feet. There are many great restaurants in the area - River city Cafe sits next to the Pier for Oceanfront dining and my favorite spot anytime of the year!!!! Enjoy the many local attractions, miniature golf, Water park,  oceanfront camping and you are just minutes to the Coastal Grand Mall, The Market Commons and all the attractions in Myrtle Beach, but away from the traffic!!! So the next time you are down, be sure to check out the Surfside Beach area. Links: Town of Surfside Beach Surfside Pier Restaurants: Bubb