About Abe Safa

About Abe Safa

About Abe Safa

Living by the ocean is a healthier way to live. You'll be more tempted to spend time outside in the sun and in the fresh air. In addition, beach vacations have been shown to decrease stress and increase focus. You'll likely sleep better by living by the beach and you may even lower your risk of heart disease. 

When you choose to live in Myrtle Beach it's like being on vacation year-round. You'll get to enjoy the beach whenever you want and the ocean water will feel so good on a daily basis. If you're considering a beachfront condo in Myrtle Beach because you want a healthier lifestyle, you may be ready.

You're Retired or About Ready To

Retiring to live by the beach is a dream of many people as they work their lives away. If you've retired or you're considering retiring soon, you may be ready to buy and enjoy an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach.

Condos are very low maintenance as you don't have to cut any grass or maintain any outdoor areas of the property. In addition, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your new condo and the beach found right outside your door.

Financially You're Ready

It's awesome to be ready to live by the beach in all other aspects, but if you're not financially ready, it doesn't make much sense. The good news is an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach won't cost nearly as much as one in Florida, California or many other beach states in the United States. Myrtle Beach real estate is more affordable than many other areas of the country.

If your finances are in order and you'd like to live in an oceanfront condo choosing Myrtle Beach may just make perfect sense. Whether it's meant to be a vacation home or your primary residences, you'll likely be able to afford a Myrtle Beach condo on the beach over many other beach areas in the country.

Are you ready to live in an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach? If so, let us help you find the perfect condo today. 

About Abe Safa

Receive the Latest Local Market Stats

Curious about local real estate? So are we! Every month we review trends in our real estate market and consider the number of homes on the market in each price tier, the amount of time particular homes have been listed for sale, specific neighborhood trends, the median price and square footage of each home sold and so much more. We’d love to invite you to do the same!

Get Local Market Reports Sent Directly to You

You can sign up here to receive your own market report, delivered as often as you like! It contains current information on pending, active and just sold properties so you can see actual homes in your neighborhood. You can review your area on a larger scale, as well, by refining your search to include properties across the city or county. As you notice price and size trends, please contact us for clarification or to have any questions answered.

We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.

About Abe Safa

Spring is a great time to visit Myrtle Beach. The weather is warm and the beaches and restaurants are uncrowded since tourist season isn’t in full swing yet. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do. Below you will find a list of Myrtle Beach Spring 2014 events that will keep you entertained during your visit. We hope you will take advantage of all that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

MARCH

March 1, 2014
The Amazing Myrtle Beach State Park Challenge Race – view info

This is Myrtle Beach’s version of the Amazing Race. Answer questions about Myrtle Beach State Park, solve puzzles and complete challenges in this contest that covers six to eight miles. Two people per team. Registration is now open. Call the Nature Center at 843-238-0874.

March 8- March 16, 2014
53rd Annual CAN-AM Days

It isn’t officially Spring in Myrtle Beach until the Canadians get here. We welcome our northern neighbors with a parade on Ocean Boulevard and that’s just the beginning. The whole week is full of planned activities designed to enhance the relationship between our two countries. All are welcome to participate in Can-Am days.

March 15, 2014
The 26th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Myrtle Beach

The largest parade on the Grand Strand begins at 9:00 am in North Myrtle Beach. After the parade, Main Street becomes a block party. Enjoy bag pipers Irish folk songs and dancing, plus Irish food and beer served all day. Don’t miss this one.

March 15, 2014
Irish Fest

Meet your friends at Myrtle Beach’s newest party spot – Market Common. Enjoy a celebration of all things Irish from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sample Irish food, beers and a traditional oyster roast. This is a family friendly festival with face painting and inflatables just for the kids.

March 20 – March 22, 2014
26th Annual Run to the Sun

Run to the Sun is Myrtle Beach’s premiere car show. Car enthusiasts from across the country meet at the old Myrtle Square Mall Parking Lot to show off their vintage vehicles. Then Three days of full of cruising along Ocean Boulevard, car shows and races begin.

March 28, 2014
6th Annual Myrtle Beach Beer Fest

Find more info at http://www.myrtlebeachbeerfest.com/

This popular event takes place at the House of Blues. Samples some of the best craft beers from around the country. Call House of Blues 843-272-3000 for more information.

APRIL

Art in the Park

A great event for our local artists to be able to show their work in a casual atmosphere. There are some real gems to be found at Art in the Park. The event is hosted by the The Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild. The event is held throughout the year beginning in April. Dates have not yet been determined. Keep your eye out for it.

April 4- 13, 2014
Society of Stranders (SOS) Spring Safari

The Spring Safari is a 10 day celebration of the State Dance of South Carolina – the Shag in North Myrtle Beach. The event includes planned activities, a parade, and shagging events in the local clubs.

MAY

May 3, 2014
Rivertown Music & Arts Festival

While you are visiting don’t miss the chance to tour the town of Conway – just a few miles west of Myrtle Beach. Conway host the annual Rivertown Music and Arts Festival. Local and regional bands provide the sounds of jazz, gospel, steel drums and more! Local artists display their pottery, wood, glass and paintings. Be sure to visit the River Walk and enjoy some local cuisine at some fine restaurants tucked away in this historic southern town.

May 9-18, 2014
Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2014

Spring Rally! There is nothing like the sound of a Harley engine and you will see and here them all at this event. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful machines as they cruise up and down the Grand Strand. Numerous vendors, local bars and venues bring plenty of biker fun to the beach for this event.

May 10, 2014
8th Annual Mayfest on Main

Come on out from 10a.m. to 6 p.m. and enjoy live music, crafts and food vendors all along Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. The weather is usually perfect for this outdoor event.

May 17 – 18 2014
33rd Annual Little River Blue Crab Festival – view info

You can’t say you’ve been to the grand Strand until you’ve gone to the annual Blue Crab Festival on Little River Waterfront. Enjoy your blue crab and cold beverage as you watch the fishing boats come in with their catch. There will be live entertainment, vendors, a wide selection of food choices and of course all the Blue Crab you can eat. Bring the whole family!

May 23 – 26, 2014  (Memorial Day Weekend)
Black Bike Week 2014

Atlantic Beach Bike Week closes out the spring and starts the summer on the Grand Strand. The Atlantic Bike week features custom and stock motorcycles of every make and model. There will be plenty of places to find good food and good fun, plus live entertainment and vendors selling all types of bikes and accessories.

Feel free to comment about these events and more on our Myrtle Beach Visitors Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/myrtlebeachvisitors.

About Abe Safa

It may be a buyer’s market, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to get the most from the sale of your condo.

First, you need to be realistic with your expectations. Accept the cards you’ve been dealt and do the best you can. While this can be hard, especially when other condos in your building were selling for top dollar just a few years ago, times have changed.  So don’t let your ego or unrealistic expectations get in the way of getting a fair price in today’s market.

Study the market. What’s the competition look like? Put yourself in the place of a buyer and look at ads in the newspaper, online and in real estate magazines. Get in your car and spend some time looking at all the condos you can. The condo amenities in Myrtle Beach like pools and lazy rivers are generally accessible for short periods of time for you to take a look. Attend open houses and eavesdrop on others attending. All of this helps you get a better idea of what buyers are looking for and what your condo should be selling for.

Make your condo ready for immediate occupancy. When buyers have a wide selection of condos to choose from, they’re not going to want to buy one that needs a lot of work unless it’s bargain priced. You need to remove any reason a buyer could say no.

Think about offering incentives. Lowering your price isn’t the only incentive you can offer. Perhaps you can pay the buyer’s discount points to help lower their mortgage rate, provide flexibility with closing dates, or pay closing costs. You might even consider a premium for the buyer’s agent with extra commission or another perk to help spur extra effort on their part.

And, of course, the most important thing of all is to put the right price on your property. Just because your home was worth tens of thousands of dollars more several years ago doesn’t mean that’s the price it will sell for today. It’s important for you and your Realtor to do adequate research and set a fair price on your condo in today’s market. While it’s not uncommon in a seller’s market to ask for as much as 20% more than you expect to get, in a buyer’s market, 3-5% more is more realistic.

For more good info on buying and selling, check out this real estate blog for Myrtle Beach.

About Abe Safa

If buying a condo is the most important financial decision most people make in their lives, selling a condo is certainly a close second. And the most important step in selling a condo is finding the right Realtor with the sales and marketing expertise you need.

First, always work with a licensed REALTOR®. As a member of the National Association of Realtors, these real estate professionals meet the association’s strict code of ethics that can often exceed the requirements of state law. And they must meet stringent education and licensing requirements as well.

Questions you’ll want answers to include:

• Is the agent’s real estate license in good standing? The state’s real estate governing agency will have this information.
• Is the agent a member of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a cooperative information network with descriptions of other condos for sale in a particular area? Almost all will be, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure.
• What, if any, real estate designations does the agent hold? Designations and certifications from programs offered by the National Association of Realtors show a higher level of skills and knowledge in specific real estate areas. Just because a Realtor has no such designations doesn’t mean they’re not highly capable, but having them is further assurance of their expertise.
• And, of course, get references and check them.

Ask friends, associates and others whose opinion you trust for recommendations of experienced Realtors and then focus on the three that seem to be the best. Ask each to come visit your property and to then produce a marketing analysis for it, giving the specifics of his or her plan to sell it. Be sure to get the marketing analysis and sales plan in writing

The market analysis for your home should compare it with at least three other condos currently on the market, three recent sales of comparable condos, and three inactive listings that didn’t sell. It’s a good idea to take a drive to see some of the properties in the market analysis to make sure there aren’t major discrepancies. And if there are, ask why. There could be very good reasons.

Other tips for deciding whether you have the right Realtor.

About Abe Safa

While most people wouldn’t trust a podiatrist to operate on their brain, it’s surprising how many turn to a friend, relative or colleague for help with one of the biggest decisions of their lives, buying a first or second home. But it doesn’t take a doctorate degree to know what studies show: when buying or selling a condo in Myrtle Beach or other great Grand Strand communities, the sooner you take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of a professional Realtor, the better.

First, REALTORS® can help you determine your budget for investing in a new condo, explain various financing options, and refer you to lenders best able to handle your needs.

REALTORS® provide objectivity. Just because it’s love at first sight with a vacation condo for sale in Myrtle Beach or elsewhere in the Grand Strand doesn’t make it a good buy or the right house for you. REALTORS® provide the objective viewpoint needed in assessing all aspects of a buying a condo.

Your REALTOR® knows there’s more to negotiations than just price and understands the complexities of contracts as they relate to financing, terms, repairs, furnishings and more. And REALTORS® provide due diligence for property, making sure required tests and inspections are taken care of and that there’s a clear and unencumbered title. Plus, they are there to help guide you through the closing process.

Finally, REALTORS® know the market like no one else. Just having access to the MLS can only go so far in helping anyone in the market for Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, or other great Grand Strand condos for sale. With a network of previous clients, referrals, friends, colleagues in building and related trades, and other REALTORS®, a REALTOR® knows what’s on the market, what’s coming on the market and what the market’s doing at any given point in time.

About Abe Safa

Owning a home is likely the most important investment you’ll ever make. And buying a second home may well be the second. With low interest rates, an abundant inventory, and a housing market poised for a strong rebound, there’s never been a better time to buy a Myrtle Beach area condo for sale whether purely for personal use or as an investment opportunity. But since each offers different tax advantages, it’s important to understand them before you buy.

If you use your vacation condo for more than two weeks or for more than 10 percent of the time for which it is rented, the IRS considers the condo a personal residence. The mortgage interest you pay is all tax-deductible, just as it is on your first home. And you can write off the interest paid on home equity loans of up to $1.1 million secured by your first or second home and used to improve the properties.

If you rent for more than two weeks, though, the IRS considers it a business and you must report all rental income, but can deduct rental expenses, including maintenance. This can be a little complicated since you need to allocate expenses between personal and rental use. Having the property considered a business offers a number of flexible tax advantages that can be complicated. That’s why working with a Realtor who understands the advantages and disadvantages of both can be very important.

If you rent your condo for 14 or fewer days during the year, you don’t have to worry about tax considerations at all but can pocket the cash tax-free. Even if you’re charging $10,000 a week, the IRS doesn’t want to hear about it. The house is considered a personal residence, so you deduct mortgage interest and property taxes just as you do for your principal home.

About Abe Safa