Jeremy | Myrtle Beach Homes | Carolina Forest Homes

Jul 31 2019

2019 South Carolina Tax Free Weekend Starts August 2nd

The 2019 South Carolina Tax free weekend starts this Friday and will run through the weekend. This is one special weekend that comes once every year right before the school year begins. During this tax free weekend, certain items are sold without any South Carolina tax applied. Some of the items on this list include:

Clothing
School Supplies
Computers & Electronics For Education.

This year’s tax free weekend here in Myrtle Beach, SC is August 2nd-4th. If you would like to see a complete list of items that this tax free weekend applies to, check out this list from the South Carolina Tax office. Also, for more information, make sure to visit the State of South Carolina Department of Revenue site. They have a lot more information including a FAQ section to answer any specific questions you may have regarding this once a year event.

I know in previous years I have seen many people use this weekend to the fullest purchasing new computers for their children to take to school or for a business, purchasing clothing for family members and much more. The weekend is normally a very busy one for malls and electronic stores, so if you are not looking for a great bargain & saving a few bucks, I would suggest skipping the outing to Coastal Grand Mall, The Market Common, or Best Buy of Myrtle Beach this weekend just to window shop.

If you are trying to clean up on these special deals, I would contact the stores you are planning to visit to find out their special hours of operation this weekend. Many are opening early and planning on staying around later than the normal business hours. One thing I know for sure, I have used this weekend to save hundreds of dollars in the past.

As many of you know, I am a large fan of Apple Products and in the past I have purchased computers on this weekend to get the savings. If I were to go out & purchase a new 17″ Macbook Pro this weekend I would save over $250.00 off the price just on tax!

This weekend is the perfect time to save money on back to school clothing, shoes, computers, and so much more in Myrtle Beach & surrounding areas. Some beds and bedding items are also included in the tax free weekend, so if you are buying that new home in Myrtle Beach and want new sheets for your bedroom, you might want to pick them up this weekend & save a few dollars on the taxes.

Jul 11 2019

Does Myrtle Beach Have Palm Trees?

One of the top questions asked in google about Myrtle Beach is Does Myrtle Beach have palm trees? The simplest answer to this question is yes. Myrtle Beach is in South Carolina which is known as the Palmetto State. This nickname is referring the to Sabal palm that appears on our state flag.

Throughout all of Myrtle Beach you can find hundreds of palms all over the place. From when you make trips to shop at The Market Common, the mall, or the outlets. If take a walk around Broadway At The Beach or visit the Skywheel, your are sure to find palm trees.

Palm trees can be found all over Myrtle Beach in commercial applications, but they can also be found growing in the wild and also in many of the developments as well.

As you drive through the main road in Plantation Lakes you can see them lining the street. If you drive around just about any other neighborhood in the area, you are sure to find many homes with some species of a palm growing somewhere.

Overall, palm trees are actually a very common thing to find growing in Myrtle Beach. This is due to the mild winters we have in our area. If we do experience a hard frost, you might have to prune off a few branches on your palm, but as soon as the warmth of spring & summer come around, that palm tree will be back growing beautiful branches.

So in closing, does Myrtle Beach have palm trees? You betcha!

Jun 28 2019

Does Myrtle Beach Have A Boardwalk?

One of the top questions asked about this area is “Does Myrtle Beach Have A Boardwalk?” Well, up until 2010, there was no boardwalk here in the area. In May of that year, Myrtle Beach opened a 1.2 Mile Boardwalk that runs from the 14th Ave Pier down to the 2nd Avenue Pier.

Along the boardwalk are some of the most iconic attractions of Myrtle Beach. There are so many things to do in the area. You can go for a ride on the Myrtle Beach Skywheel, dine at one of the many restaurants, listen to live music, play in the parks, visit the Fun Plaza, or simply head down enjoy the magnificent beach.

You can also go deep sea fishing off of either of the piers that bookend the boardwalk. Here’s a few images of the area:

In addition to all of the awesome places to check out along the boardwalk, one of the biggest events of the year, the Carolina Country Music festival takes place here each year.

In addition, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has many other fantastic things to do like listening to live music at The Bowery, or having your mind blown by Ripleys Believe it or Not. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, I’m sure the boardwalk can satisfy that too with some ice cream or a trip over to It’s Sugar.

History of Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

Myrtle Beach has not had a boardwalk forever. In fact I remember visiting here as a child and always wondering why there was no such thing here. I remember all the fond memories I had of growing up and visiting the Jersey shore and the time we would spend down on the boardwalk but never understanding why there wasn’t one here in Myrtle Beach. So, I did some investigating.

According to wikipedia, there used to be a wooden boardwalk here in the 1930’s. In 1940, this got an upgrade to concrete in some sections with plans to expand. Unfortunately, these plans got delayed by World War II. Then in 1954, Hurricane Hazel came through and destroyed the wooden sections only leaving behind the concrete segment between 9th & 11th Avenue North which later became renamed Mr. Joe White Ave. In 2008 the 1.2 mile long boardwalk rebuild was started and it finally completed in May of 2010.

So, the next time you are visiting Myrtle Beach, make sure to plan a trip down to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and enjoy some of the most iconic sites the area has to offer!

May 17 2019

First-Time Homeowner’s Guide to Paying for Home Maintenance

Buying your first home in Myrtle Beach means finally gaining the freedom to decorate, remodel, and landscape to your heart’s content. Of course, it also means you’re now responsible for anything and everything that goes wrong with your house. The cost of upkeep catches many first-time homeowners off guard. When you’re accustomed to simply calling the landlord for a fix, the first repair bill over $1,000 comes as a pretty big shock.

Affording home repairs is stressful if you’re not prepared. You don’t want to delay a fix and let the problem grow bigger, but you don’t want to put it on a credit card and pay high interest rates either. This guide explains how first-time homeowners can plan ahead for home repairs and what to do when a major repair catches you by surprise.

Working with Contractors

How can you be sure you’re not getting ripped off when hiring a contractor? It’s a fair question — contractor scams do exist and first-time homeowners are an enticing target. However, a lack of experience in vetting contractors doesn’t have to lead to overpaying for shoddy work.

Before contacting contractors, ask for referrals from friends and neighbors and check online to find highly rated contractors in your area. Once you have a list, call contractors and ask for references and other pertinent information. Choose two or three contractors you’re interested in and request estimates. You’ll need to provide detailed project information to get accurate quotes. Be sure to get everything in writing and consider not just price but also workmanship and reputation when selecting a contractor.

Always check what your contract says about clean-up. Some contractors include clean-up in the quoted price, whereas others charge a separate fee for this service. Even with clean-up included, there’s bound to be dust left behind, so consider hiring a professional cleaning crew to come in and deep clean after the project is complete.

Planning for Major Home Repairs

Luckily, most major home repairs are predictable. Roofs, HVAC systems, and water heaters all have typical lifespans. As systems get older, you can generally expect more problems.

These are some of the major home repairs homeowners should plan for:

Roofing: 15-50 years; $5,000-$14,000
Central air conditioning: 12-18 years, $500-$4,000
Furnace: 13-20 years; $2,500-$6,000
Siding: 15-50 years; $6,000-$22,000

Remember, these are only estimates; repair costs vary depending on the size of your home and the type of materials you choose.

You may want to include remodeling costs in your repair fund. While remodeling isn’t strictly necessary, most homeowners want to update over the years. Remodeling projects can get costly — bathroom remodels in Myrtle Beach average between $2,600 and $8,200 — and budgeting for them takes the stress out of a big remodeling bill.

Paying for Major Home Repairs

The best way to pay for major repairs is to start saving money. Begin a home repair fund when you buy a house, and if possible, contribute to it monthly. If saving isn’t your strong suit, set up an automatic monthly transfer to a high-yield savings account.

Unfortunately, repairs don’t always happen when we expect. If your home needs a major repair and you can’t pay cash, you need another way to finance the work without relying on high-interest credit cards. With enough equity in your home, you can do a cash out refinance with an APR under 5 percent. If that’s not possible, a personal loan may be your best option to finance needed repairs.

If you don’t plan for them, major home repairs could leave you longing for the days of responsibility-free renting. However, the high cost of home repairs shouldn’t turn your homeownership dream into a nightmare. By knowing what to expect from your home and saving accordingly, you turn major repairs into a predictable, manageable aspect of homeownership.

Image via Rawpixel

May 07 2019

6 Landscaping Tricks To Increase The Value of Your Myrtle Beach Home

Guest Post by Rachael Bain of Lawnstarter.com

Putting your home on the market in Myrtle Beach isn’t as simple as just calling a REALTOR®. The goal is to sell your home quickly and beat out the competition. That can sometimes leave little time to invest in large home improvement projects. Homeowners are often up against the clock in trying to present a clean and updated house that will bring the best offer in a short amount of time. Curb appeal is an essential part of selling your home, and there are certain things you can do to l boost interest without spending a lot of time or money. Consider these six landscaping tricks that will increase the value of your home when you list it this year:

Feed the Grass

The first thing a prospective home buyer sees is your lawn. It’s vital the grass is greener on your side of the fence! Regular mowing is essential, but also consider adding some extra effort to the turf to perk it up. Spreading slow-release fertilizer may take a few weeks to brighten up the dull spots. Consider using a quick release fertilizer that will provide instant color and make your landscaping stand out.

Plant Pops of Color

Nothing screams beauty and the arrival of a new season more than colorful blooms in the garden. Adding pops of bright color to the exterior of your home will add interest to your home, and boost the overall curb appeal. Consider planting native flowers that you often see in nearby parks and nature preserves. Black Eyed Susans and Wild Geraniums thrive in South Carolina and need little maintenance. Add plants to potted containers near the entrance and also around the backyard to draw attention to areas of the landscaping that you don’t want potential buyers to miss.

Pull Weeds

It isn’t a pleasant job, but pulling weeds from the yard will have a considerable impact on securing a top offer on your home. Check for areas of the yard where weeds have been allowed to grow unnoticed. Look behind plants, around corners, and along the fence line for any sprouts that could be a distraction.

Freshen Up the Mulch

Whether you use organic or inorganic mulching techniques, it’s vital that mulch looks fresh. It may have been a few years since you added new mulch and putting your home on the market is a great excuse to do it again… before the REALTOR® takes pictures. Inorganic mulch, like pebbles and stone, won’t need to be reapplied but you may need to rake out certain areas. Take a few minutes to relevel the mulch, especially in areas that see heavy traffic. Organic mulch, like bark dust we need another layer. If you don’t want to replace all the mulch, sprinkle some fresh bark dust on top to boost the color and overall appeal of your home.

Trim Overgrown Plants

It is easy for plants in South Carolina to grow out of control quickly. It may have been a while since you trimmed the tree in the front yard or shaped some of the bushes creating a privacy hedge in your backyard. Pay close attention to overgrown plants that need pruning as well as any dead or sick portions that you need to remove. Maintaining your landscaping will show potential buyers that you take care of your property.

Power Wash

You may not have noticed the discoloration on your siding, patio or deck. You’ll be amazed at the difference a simple power washing can bring to the outside of your home. Power washing removes the dirt, grime, and discoloration that can easily cloud the hardscaped areas of a yard. Rent a power washer to hose down not only the hardscaped regions of your yard but also the outside of the home for a fresh and updated look. Short on time? Some companies can do the job for you in just a few hours.

Selling your home in Myrtle Beach and preparing to move is often stressful and time-consuming. Consider these six landscaping tricks that will increase the value of your home without costing you a lot of time or money.

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