They’ve done it again.  Actualy, they do it every few days.  If you regularly fly to Myrtle Beach (or want to) for real estate reasons or just for fun, you really should check out Spirit Air’s sales as well as DirectAir’s sales.

Every once in a while someone pops up into your life that makes you stop and take notice.

Mike Desormeaux is one of those people.  You know the type. His work ethic is second to none, his desire to make others successful in their investments is unstoppable.  He’s like the energizer bunny.  No matter what obstacle pops up in his way he just keeps going and going.

And, even though Mike’s story has nothing whatsoever to do with Myrtle Beach real estate, I think you’ll agree that it is completely relevant.

Mike was out with a bunch of friends earlier this year and just as friends do, a few of them were complaining about events in their life. People who had lied to them, cheated them, not lived up to their word. You know the type of conversation. It’s the same one that’s going on in your local bar or Starbucks right now.

Mike walked back to his car that night and said to one of his friends that life shouldn’t be this way. We should focus on good deeds, good talk, progress, support, encouragement, opportunity, possibilities.

And then his friend shared a story that made all the difference.

Mike’s friend’s parents owned a furniture store years ago, and one night they found someone sleeping in the doorway of the store. Instead of chasing the person away, they offered to take him to their house, to enjoy dinner with them, and to have a good night’s sleep in a warm bed. The person took up the offer.

The story blew Mike away.

He decided right there that he had to do something about it.  But how do you keep these kinds of stories going? How to you create a tidal wave of action that has one person doing a good deed for another and then them for another?  How do you create a domino effect of actions?

It took awhile for Mike’s idea to take shape.  But today, his idea is ready to go.  It’s not new, not by a long shot.  It’s actually based on that movie, “Pay It Forward”.  But the implementation is absolutely brilliant.

Here’s how it works:

1. You do a good deed.
2. You pass on a special key chain that has a unique number on it.
3. You share your story.
4. You follow your key chain as it creates a “chain of action”.
5. Watch as the story you started unfolds!

And the neat part…..each key chain is encoded with the original do-gooder’s postal code, so that you can see how far your key chain travels!  Your good deed at the Starbucks in your town may end up resulting in good deeds being done for someone else half way across the country!

And you can watch it happen! To get started, grab a key chain at www.ChainOfAction.com. Mike is paying for the start up of this with his own money. No sponsors, no help, nothing. He used eLance.com to help him build the website and that’s it.   I have no idea how he is paying for the supplies (I assume it’s from his own pocket) and I believe his family is helping him mail out the key chains, so be patient!

And let’s pass this story on!  Amidst all the chaos in the world right now let’s grow Mike’s idea on our own.  Let’s take matters into our own hands.  Go to www.ChainofAction.com right now to get your key chain.

Thanks to Tom Karadza, our affiliate in Toronto, for sharing this inspiring story.

Direct Air has announced airfares to Myrtle Beach from every destination they serve for just $140.00 total round trip. They call it “Family Ties” but we call it, “Hurry up and grab ahold of this deal right now before they sell them all!”

Family Ties avoids the airline nonsense we all hate but have learned to live with:

1. You don’t have to pick your travel dates now.

2. You don’t have to pick your traveling companions now.

3. In fact, you don’t even have to be the one who travels at all.

You can purchase up to twenty round-trip certificates which are valid from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009.  Choose your travel dates and travel buddies later.

Check out the details (including the fine print) here, or call them at 1-877-432-DIRECT (3473).

If you’re coming to Myrtle Beach to check out real estate deals, or check in on your real estate portfolio, this is the deal you’ve been waiting for.  For qualified buyers, Price & Company Realty might even cover some of your travel expenses. Ask for details!

“Myrtle Beach has so much affordable inventory in new and existing homes and condos that you’re likely to feel like a kid in a candy store.”

Thus begins Carole Jacobs’ write-up of Myrtle Beach in this month’s edition of Where to Retire magazine.

The article quotes our very own Chris Price discussing current trends in Myrtle Beach real estate, including what retirees from New Jersey and New York are finding here - and why they’re putting down roots immediately.

Pick up this month’s Where To Retire to see the whole thing. Carole’s article is entitled, “8 Popular Spots With Home Bargains Now.”

Remember the old joke, “What do you call the guy who graduated last in his class in medical school?”

The answer?  “Doctor!”

The same principle applies to real estate.

For a financial transaction that may be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, who do you want representing your interest?  Should you settle for a real estate agent who dabbles part time, has the fanciest website, or makes unkept promises?  Or, should you choose the Myrtle Beach real estate professionals who, when the Sun News (our local newspaper) is looking for expert advice, they call first?

Yes, our very own Chris Price was quoted again last week in the Sun News, as seems to be happening more and more often these days. And he’s in good company, quoted right next to Tom Maeser, whom everyone in town knows as the go-to guy, our very own “Mr. Real Estate.”

Of course I’m biased. But when it’s my hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line, I want an acknowledged expert on my side. Every time.