After the traditional gift-giving season ends, January is usually a pretty slow time of the year for kids – especially the kids who need help most. This January, the Horry County Children’s Shelter will be the recipient of canned goods and much-needed supplies, thanks to the efforts of several local real estate companies (including Price & Company Realty) involved in this weekend’s Bluffs Parade Of Homes, to be held on Saturday and Sunday at The Bluffs on the Waterway in Carolina Forest.

The Shelter always receives a surge of donations around the holidays, but kids in crisis arrive at the door every day of the year.

The Bluffs On The Waterway, a gated waterfront community, will be open to the public on Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27 from 10am to 3pm and guests will be able to visit 14 unique custom-designed homes.

“The Bluffs is truly a one-of-a-kind neighborhood,” said event organizer Chris Price. “The Mediterranean architecture and carefree waterway lifestyle compliment each other perfectly. Once you see it, you’ll love it!”

Admission to the Bluffs Parade of Homes is free, but the donation of kid-friendly canned food items or $10.00 cash donation per person is suggested. 100% of all donations will directly benefit the Horry County Children’s Shelter. To show their appreciation, participating local businesses will be giving away prizes and discounts to guests throughout the event. For more information call 843.272.1266 or click here.

The media’s focus on real estate has continued into the new year, but as the good news grows, they have no choice but to report the good news before they spin it. Let me show you how to read between the lines and get at the truth in real estate journalism.

In the Myrtle Beach Sun News last week, the lead real estate article goes into some detail of local North Carolina and South Carolina real estate numbers, national numbers, local interviews and national generalizations. If you can read between the lines and focus on what is important in our local real estate market, and what local real estate experts say, you are sure to come up with something closely resembling the truth. I’ve taken that article and done this for you.

First, here is the article as it appeared in the newspaper. Note that the author switches back and forth between generalities, national hype and local news.

Once you strip out the generalities and hype, what’s left are only those parts of the article that are (a) local, (b) fact-based and (c ) direct quotes from local experts. Click here to see how the story changes.

When you can read between the lines, and focus on what is true and local, the news about real estate is much better for us here on the Grand Strand, and we have every reason to expect that the good news will keep getting better.

Myrtle Beach took center stage last night as the six top Republican Presidential contenders debated at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and broadcast live by Fox News. Traffic ground to a standstill around the Convention Center, and we heard reports of several local businesses, including the Wachovia Bank branch down the block on Oak Street, closing early on Thursday in anticipation of the crowd.

Welcoming the candidates was what can best be described as an only-in-Myrtle-Beach sand sculpture shown below.
An overview of the massive sculpture… Click on it for a bigger image.

Close-ups from left to right… Click on any picture for a bigger image.

The Democratic Candidates will be in town debating on January 21st.

You may have heard this phrase in the sporting world, but here in the Carolinas, “Half-Back” has a WHOLE different meaning.

There is an entire segment of the population who, in their desperation to get away from the cold and snowy winters up North, pack up and move as far South as possible with dreams of Florida’s palm trees, sunny days and a laid-back lifestyle.

A few years (months?) go by and the realization hits… it’s REALLY HOT here! 80’s and sunny all year round sounded great when it was snowing… but in reality, this “perfect” Florida weather becomes monotonous – even oppressive! Maybe they still have family up North and resent the fact that it takes two days to get there by car. Oh sure, airfare isn’t that bad, but there’s the inevitable hassle of airports and rental cars. Wouldn’t it be great if… um… they hadn’t moved SO FAR south?

And this is what we refer to as a “half-back”. The Carolinas are home to many, many “half-backs” thanks to it’s centralized location, milder climate, and reasonably priced real estate. We have the palm trees, warm, sunny days, coastal breezes, and four distinct seasons… plus, you can get most anywhere in one day’s drive.

Thinking of migrating? Keep the Carolinas in mind… we’ve got the best of both worlds!

Price & Company Realty has agents licensed in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Let us help you find the perfect location for you, your family, and your lifestyle. Where do you want to be?