I’ve now spoken with three parents (and one teacher) who were lucky enough to see this weekend’s sold-out production of the musical “Cats” at Carolina Forest High School.

Those of you who know me, know that I am something of a Broadway nut. During its long production run, I saw Cats twice on Broadway, once on National Tour, and once in Regional Theatre. Over the years, I’ve also seen two high school productions of Cats, and I’m sorry I missed this one.

By all accounts, the cast and crew of Carolina Forest High School put on a top notch show and the talent – including singers, dancers, and those that could do both – was far beyond your everyday high school musical (pun fully intended).

So… although I wasn’t there to say so personally… “Bravo!” to everyone at Carolina Forest High School. In addition to the Broadway-worthy talent on your stage, your student body shines just as brightly, surpassing Horry County and the national SAT average with ease. All of Myrtle Beach is proud of you!

House Republicans introduced a plan this morning to give all homebuyers a $15,000 tax credit, regardless of whether this would be a first-time purchase or not. “If you get the homes sold, if you get the market moving again, you begin to address a fundamental problem in the collapse in our credit markets as well” said Eric Cantor, Republican from Virginia.

The plan also includes help for homeowners refinancing their home ($5,000) and exclusions from tax liability for homeowners who modify their mortgages.

Since most Myrtle Beach real estate buyers are second-home buyers, removal of the limit to first-time buyers only will definitely help our market. Alas, experts agree that most parts of the plan stand little chance of passing the Democrat-controlled House.

But we can hope.

On the heels of their successful golf promotion, Direct Air has brought back their “Family Ties” promotion.  Here’s how it works:

Step 1. Buy up to twenty round-trip tickets to Myrtle Beach for $140.00 each. (That includes taxes, by the way.)

Step 2. You get to play Santa Claus and pick who gets to fly to Myrtle Beach. (The airline doesn’t make you choose up front.)

Step 3. Christmas in July? No problem! (You can pick travel dates at any time, and fly from April through December, 2009.)

This is a great deal if you know you’ll be coming to Myrtle Beach this year, but don’t yet know the details.  Click here to see details of their offer, and hey… as long as you’re going to be in Myrtle Beach, call us and say, “Ho Ho Ho” and we’ll help you find the perfect piece of real estate!

This is the #1 question everyone asks about the Myrtle Beach real estate market these days.

My answer is in two parts, and it depends on who you are and what you’re doing.  Are you a buyer or a seller?  Are you a short-term speculator or a long-term investor?

First, real estate markets always move in cycles, and these cycles are always changing.  As shown in this illustration, we are either at the top of the market, falling, at the bottom, or on the rise.

Clearly, the best time to buy is when the market is in the bottom right quadrant – falling or at the bottom. But you won’t know when we’ve moved through the bottom and start back up on the rise… you’ll only be able to look back in time and point to it.

Second, consider the basic law of supply and demand.  The supply of real estate has essentially become frozen.  Residential construction has pretty much stopped for now… just ask any home builder you know.    Plus, they’re not making any more land. We all know this.  As for demand, is there interest from people wanting to buy? Of course!  Our population is continually growing; people migrate and are living much longer.

So… how’s the market?  For buyers and long-term investors, right now we have your Real Estate Trifecta:

1. We are defiantly in the bottom right quadrant of the cycle.
2. Interest rates are at historic lows.
3. People want to sell, and many are desperate to sell.

So who is going to bring back our real estate market?

The number of homes for sale along the Grand Strand in February – roughly 13,233 – is down from last February’s 14,310.

The number of homes snapped up during the month – 326, according to the MLS – was higher than January’s 284.

Take your choice – agree with and bemoan the doom and gloom today, and lament in 2010 that you should have bought in 2009… or let us show you one of the great real estate deals to be had in Myrtle Beach today.

It’s time to get off your ass.