Whenever I come across an excellent example of something I’d like to emulate - or I think you’d like to emulate - I always try to post it here and find a way to link it to Myrtle Beach real estate.

Today’s example has absolutely nothing to do with real estate, other than the subject of the post being my 8 year-old son, Greg.

About a month ago, we happened to be in a local indoor sports venue called “Sports Zone.”  And on this particular afternoon, the local Elks Lodge was running their annual Soccer Shoot-Out for local kids.  We did not know this in advance and, in fact, when Greg first saw it, he wanted nothing to do with it. (This is a kid that, if he can’t immediately be the best at something, he doesn’t want to even try it.)

In the end, the magnetism of “fun” won out over the possibility of being anything other than The Best.

The kids in his age range were given three chances to kick a soccer ball through five increasingly-smaller goals, for a total of 15 chances.   We watched a couple of kids do pretty well, and then it was Greg’s turn.  For a kid that has never played soccer, we agreed that he did quite well, scoring 12 out of 15 goals that day.

Imagine, then, our surprise at receiving a letter inviting us to an award ceremony  at the Elks Lodge a week later ~ apparently the kid who never played soccer was one of the top three!

Now imagine our surprise to discover that the non-soccer player won first place, AND was being invited to the state championship.

Well, the state championship was this past weekend, and Greg, who has now decided that he WANTS to play soccer (because apparently he CAN be number one), fully understood that he was going up against all the other #1’s in South Carolina.

Right before they called his name, he turned to me and said, “Dad, if I do really well, do you think that Mom will let me play soccer on a team?”

Ah, the moment of truth.

“I don’t know if she will, with all of your other activities, but I’ll back you up if you do well here today.”

He flashed the normally-mischievious smile which I now understand was actually dogged determination. Now he had a tangible reason to do well this day.

Greg tied for first place in his age group, and the Elks hastily set up a tie-breaker in which both children were to kick five balls through the narrowest goal, winner take all.

The other child went first - four goals. Greg looked at him, with his soccer team uniform and Go-ahead-beat-this look on his face.  Greg stepped up - four goals.

Tie-breaker number two presented both kids with more pressure, and it showed. The other child went first again, and was only able to score two goals.  Greg looked at me with the fierce determination we all have with a winning goal in plan view.

When it was all over, Greg had scored only one goal.

But the most amazing thing happened. It did not faze him one bit.  His determination to find a way to get Mom to let him play soccer on a team took him to the state championship against the Number One soccer-playing kid in South Carolina - and only one measly goal separated them.

And his determination won - Mom said Greg can play on a soccer team next year.

Where will your determination take you in 2009?

So I was reading what passes for “news” today, and came across this analysis of the real estate market:

Real estate sales on the Grand Strand have taken a dip this year: There were 4,759 home sales January through September, down from 6,865 during the same period in 2007, according to data from the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors. Median prices - where half sell for more and half sell for less - dropped 8 percent for single-family houses and 18 percent for condos during that period.

So, let’s see if I understand correctly:

1. The Myrtle Beach real estate market has cooled off - but not ground to a halt. More than 5,000 homes have sold so far this year (as of mid-October).  Good news or bad news? You decide.

2. With bargain hunters on the loose, lower priced homes are selling faster than higher priced homes. But if I have a home correctly valued and it takes a few months longer (than it used to) to sell it, the 8% drop in median prices has no effect on my bottom line.  No 30% drops like in some parts of California or Las Vegas. Good news or bad news? You decide.

3. With the perceived return to value, Myrtle Beach real estate looks even more attractive to potential buyers. Good news or bad news? You decide.

Direct Air announced today their annual Family Ties promotion, where you can purchase round trip travel between select cities (including, of course, Myrtle Beach) for $140 round trip. The unique - and convenient - part of the promotion is that you can purchase up to twenty round trip tickets without having to select travel dates - or even passenger names - up front.

The tickets are good for travel from December 1 through next October.  This promo is perfect if you know you’ll be here in Myrtle Beach to check up on your real estate or purchase more property, but don’t quite know when just yet.  Details here.

Since you and I aren’t going to get bailout money from Washington, let’s make sure that Washington helps the Myrtle Beach real estate market recover.  Tell Washington to direct more of the bailout funds toward alleviating challenges in real estate and everyone affected by it.

The National Association of Realtors issued its Four Point Plan today, which would:

1. Make the $7500 first-time homebuyer tax credit available to all buyers, and eliminate the repayment requirement. The credit’s limited availability and repayment requirement severely limit the credit’s use and effectiveness.

2. Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent. New rules set to take effect in 2009 will reduce them. Now is not the time to limit mortgage affordability.

3. Get the Treasury relief program back on track and target more funds to mortgage relief. Create a federal mortgage interest buy-down program to make below-market rates available and stabilize home prices.

4. Permanently bar banks from engaging in real estate brokerage and management. The banks have proven they have enough to do to simply manage the loan process. Banks should not manage home sales and purchases.

If you agree, make your voice heard!

Last week, we freely elected a new President. Today we observe Veteran’s Day, thanks in part to an Act of Congress approved May 13, 1938, making the 11th of November each year a legal holiday - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be known as “Armistice Day.”

Armistice Day was originally a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I.  After World War II, which required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history, and after
American forces fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress amended the Act by replacing the word “Armistice” with “Veterans”.  With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. Veterans Day is a day of celebration to honor our veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

And so…

To the brave men and women currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.. to those who have served in the past… and to those who service ended with the ultimate sacrifice… on behalf of all of us whose daily real estate efforts here in Myrtle Beach thrive in freedom…

Thank You!

P.S. - I don’t know if this bumper sticker slogan was written by a veteran, but it is appropriate to share today: “If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, thank a veteran.”