Category Archives: Uncategorized

Living In South Carolina

Took another trip to Charleston, South Carolina a few days ago but this time went to a plantation to take some pictures.  I primarily focused on nature.  Dragonfly  Crane  White Peacock

Peacock  Female Peacock

Gecko  Live Oak  Morning Glory

Banks Hurt Home Sales

Years ago I wrote blogs about how banks and other mortgage lenders had basically caused the real estate boom because they were lending any amount to anyone.   The rapid increase in prices for real estate became ridiculous to say the least.  Than the boom went bust and lenders were faced with pay-back for their greed but the government bailed many of them out.

The country is trying to recover and real estate is a large part of that recovery. People want to purchase real estate but now banks have made the qualifications for a mortgage almost impossible even for those with excellent credit.  The FDIC found that for the fiscal year ending March 2011 loan volumes fell by $260 billion while the banks assets grew by $80 billion and profits were up by $12 billion.

The majority of banks are now so large and spread over so many states that they are no longer the place where you put your money and they lent you theirs.  Hopefull someone at the top of those institutions will realize that banks are hurting home sales which is hurting our economy.

Home Sales Rise

Selling A Home
Existing Home Sales Rise

Existing Home Sales Rise  – Sales of existing homes rose in March, according to the National Association of Realtors. 

Sales that closed are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 3.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.10 million in March from an upwardly revised 4.92 million in February, but are 6.3 percent below the 5.44 million pace in March 2010. Sales were at elevated levels from March through June of 2010 in response to the home buyer tax credit.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, expects the improving sales pattern to continue. “Existing-home sales have risen in six of the past eight months, so we’re clearly on a recovery path,” he said. “With rising jobs and excellent affordability conditions, we project moderate improvements into 2012, but not every month will show a gain – primarily because some buyers are finding it too difficult to obtain a mortgage. For those fortunate enough to qualify for financing, monthly mortgage payments as a percent of income have been at record lows.”

To read more about home sales and the real estate market read Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market News on my website.

Las Vegas

The Valley of Las Vegas

Mountains and multi-lane highways

Well I finally decided to take a trip to Las Vegas and made sure my one piece of luggage was within the size and weight limits for a carry-on. While boarding the plane I was told the overhead compartments were full and they would check my little suitcase and send it to Las Vegas. I arrived but my suitcase decided to go to Kansas City. After managing to survive until the next afternoon I enjoyed their above average temperatures and the fact that Las Vegas looked nothing like I had imagined. To see all my pictures visit my Facebook page Sandy Keller, Realtor in Myrtle Beach

Google Page Ranks

Saw an article today that says Google is finally going to do something about cheaters who have learned the tricks of high page rank without actually providing valuable content. I hope that is true since I have worked building my own websites for years without using any source that claims to get you to number one for the best search terms. To read more about what Google plans to do read online Wall Street Journal.

Real Estate Sales In Myrtle Beach

Will the winter weather in the northeast have an impact on real estate sales in Myrtle Beach? 

You have a choice between white snow or white sand  -

North Myrtle Beach SC Fall Weather

If more of us from the northeast had known or now find out that you do not have to leave the colors of Fall when you buy a home in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina we may have made the purchase sooner.   Throughout the Fall season in the Myrtle Beach area people who visit are surprized to see the beautiful colors that remind them of the northeast.  The pictures are just a hint of the colors because there are some areas where the variety of trees all make the transformation. 

Weather In North Myrtle Beach SC

Fall Colors In North Myrtle Beach SC

Myrtle Beach Real Estate                          Myrtle Beach Retirement

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1909658/real-estate-buyers-are-coming-to-myrtle-beach-even-though-lenders-are-pulling-foreclosures-off-the-market

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1909658/real-estate-buyers-are-coming-to-myrtle-beach-even-though-lenders-are-pulling-foreclosures-off-the-market.

10 Year Anniversary Of Barefoot Resort

Stage at Barefoot Resort

Stage on Driving Range at Barefoot Resort

Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach, SC  held their 10 year anniversary this weekend. The celebration offered something for everyone. Food, fun, music, car washes, discounted golf, activities for the children, and a fantastic fireworks show had residents in the party mode. 

Darryl Worley concert Barefoot Resort

Darryl Worley concert at Barefoot Resort's 10th Anniversary

After eating a huge Angus burger at the Barefoot Resort Sports Bar and Grill we went to the Darryl Worley concert on stage at the Driving Range.  He is a country music singer and if you haven’t heard his songs, “Have You Forgotten” about 9-11, “I Just Came Back (from a war)” or the one that was taken off the radio by the powers that be, “Keep The Change” about the state of America today, you may want to give them a listen.  The only way to hear “Keep The Change” is to download it from his website, DarrylWorley.com.  He put on a great show!  
The evening ended with one of the best fireworks shows I had ever seen.
Fireworks at Barefoot Resort for 10th Birthday

Fireworks on 9-25-2010 at Barefoot Resort

Short Sale or Not

Found a great short sale deal for my real estate buyer clients. After doing my homework found the mortgage owed is over $300,000 but asking price is $169,000 contingent on bank approval. My thought is that the real estate agent that listed the property knows the bank will not accept an offer that low but is hoping for a bidding war between prospective buyers and the bank. What do you think –