COOL HAPPENINGS! 

The Summer on the Grand Strand is in full swing for Real Estate and Summer Fun Activities! Whether you live here or coming to visit we hope you have a fun-filled and safe summer! Below is a list of activity highlights worth doing or visiting here in the Myrtle Beach area!

JUNE:

JULY:

AUGUST:

September 9, 2009:  Great day to get married at Lovers Lane Myrtle Beach!  Call Linda for info!  843-457-7771

Check for more details on the above Myrtle Beach Activities and More!

Attention Free Style Music Park!! Click here for Summer Schedule & Events!

 California Home Prices Drop 32% Amid Foreclosures, Realtors Say

By Dan Levy - Bloomberg Courtesy of Patricia Viayra and the Luxury Home Council

May 23 (Bloomberg) -- California home prices tumbled 32 percent in April from a year earlier as ``distressed'' properties and a lack of financing cut demand, the state realtors group said.

The median existing home price fell to $403,870, the California Association of Realtors said in a statement today. Sales increased 2.5 percent, ending 30 months of consecutive year-on-year declines. Homes priced under $500,000 accounted for 64 percent of sales compared with 40 percent a year earlier.

California had the second-highest U.S. foreclosure rate in April, one for every 204 households, and the most foreclosure filings for the 16th consecutive month, RealtyTrac Inc., a seller of default data, reported on May 14. Sales increased in northern and southern California last month as buyers purchased discounted properties that had been in some stage of default, DataQuick Information Systems said this week.

``Both tighter underwriting standards and the ongoing effects of the credit/liquidity crunch continue to constrain sales,'' William Brown, president of the association, said in the statement.

 Home Tour Red Flags courtesy of Linda Gross and CRS

Frontdoor.com, HGTV’s real estate Web site, identifies several potential problems that buyers should look out for when touring a home.

1. Mediocre Maintenance. Three layers of roofing and gutters with plants growing out of them are signs that the owners have not kept up with the property. What else have they neglected?
2. Foundation Failures. If the yard slopes toward the house, it could cause water to run down the foundation walls or into the basement, which could result in costly repairs. Also if foundation cracks or bulges are thicker than 1/3 inch, the house could have serious structural issues.
3. Faulty Wiring. Make sure all switches and outlets function properly. Flickering lights, circuits that don’t work, and warm or hot outlets or faceplates are all symptoms of wiring problems.
4. Fresh Paint …On One Wall. New paint can spruce up walls, but they can also hide bigger problems, such as water damage, mildew or mold.
5. Foggy or Non-functioning Windows. Check for water in between double-paned windows and make sure all windows work properly.
6. Structural Walls and Floors. The house may have an open floor plan, but was it always open or did the homeowners renovate? If a load-bearing wall was removed without adjusting the framing, it can shift weight to other parts of the house.
7. Bugs. No one wants a house with a pest problem. Look for evidence of unwelcome creatures as you tour your home.

 fast fact >>  >>  >>  >>  >>  >>  >>

Dirt and dust build-up on exterior light bulbs

can cause light loss of up to 40 percent!! Source: GELighting.com

FEATURED LUXURY HOME 

Cypress River Plantation Estate     $950,000

3 Beds and 3 Baths with Pool        Virtual Tour

 Light Up the Night courtesy of Linda Gross and CRS

  If you’re looking to spice up the outside appearance of your home, exterior lighting offers many options. To get you started, the lighting pros at GE explain some basic lighting techniques.
     Ambient lighting, such as yard lights and porch lights, provide overall illumination, while task lighting consists of low-voltage lights along sidewalks and paths. Accent lighting includes spotlights and other types of special-effect lighting to dramatize outdoor sculptures and fountains.
     To add depth and drama, try uplighting trees, landscape features and architectural elements by placing lights at an angle so objects are lit from below. Backlighting, which is achieved by angling a light against a wall or fence behind an object, creates a beautiful silhouette.
     For security, make sure patios, porches and other outdoor living spaces are well lit, especially where there are steps that can be a potential tripping hazard. To prevent uninvited pests from crashing your next patio party, use bug lights, which contain a special coating that makes the light invisible to bugs, so they aren’t drawn to it.
     Whichever lighting technique you use, use Energy Star bulbs, which use up to 75 percent less energy and last 8 to 10 times longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs. Outdoor timers and motion sensors also can save money and conserve energy. To get maximum effect from your outdoor lighting, clean exposed bulbs several times during the season.
     Once you master these few lighting techniques, your home will exude a warm glow that attracts admirers and would-be buyers.

 Work With a Proven Leader

Buying a home is one of the biggest and most emotional decisions you will ever make. So it’s important to work with someone who can provide sound advice and a steady, guiding hand when you need it. That’s why a CRS agent is the best person for the job. Linda Gross- Broker/Owner is a CRS agent!

A Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is a proven leader in residential real estate. CRSs are among the top 4 percent of all agents in the country. CRS agents have a high volume of transactions and advanced training in areas such as business planning, real estate investing, marketing and technology. They have years of experience, demonstrated success and professional advice to help you make smart decisions about buying or selling your home.