Archives for September 2013
Myrtle Beach Communities: Plantation Point
The neighborhood of Plantation Point is situated in the heart of Myrtle Beach at 38th Avenue North. Residents enjoy living in this conveniently located neighborhood because of its easy access to Highway 17 Bypass, as well as nearby restaurants, grocery stores, and shopping venues.
The homes within Plantation Point consist of a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes. Some properties have views of the waterway while others have views of Myrtlewood’s Golf Course. In addition, a few properties have private docks for easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway.
Because the homes available offer a wide variety of styles and prices, there’s sure to be a home that appeals to everyone. View the properties available within Plantation Point HERE.
As always, contact us at Dargan Real Estate if you see anything you’re interested in viewing!
843-712-2585
DARGAN REAL ESTATE IS LOOKING FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL AGENTS TO JOIN OUR TEAM! CAL…
DARGAN REAL ESTATE IS LOOKING FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL AGENTS TO JOIN OUR TEAM! CALL TODAY! 843-712-2585
Buying A Home? There’s an App for That!
With today’s advanced technology, there’s an app for everything and purchasing real estate is no exception. The five apps listed below can offer helpful assistance during the home buying process.
Trulia – real estate search with interactive maps
Features
- separate sections listing homes for sale and homes for rent
- search limitations by lot size, year built, property type, price range, square footage
- an open house tab allows you to view open houses on any given day
- heatmap feature displays neighborhood crime incidents, rental prices, or homes prone to flooding
- amenities tab displays restaurants and schools nearby
- syncs with Yelp! and displays a map with nearby gas stations, grocery stores, shopping plazas, and more
Credit Karma – free credit scoring on the go
Features
- free credit monitoring
- notification when important changes are made to your credit report
- credit report card displays factors influencing your credit score
- free membership
- financial education and free tools allow users to take control of their credit score
Homesnap – creative home search powered by MLS data
Features
- snap a photo of a house for sale and read MLS data about it
- displays estimated value, last price home sold for, number of bedrooms and baths, local schools nearby, interior pictures + more
- save favorites and share with friends
- see what homes your friends have searched for or saved as a favorite
Zillow Mortgage – mortgage calculating tool
Features
- calculate the maximum amount you can afford on a home
- determine the monthly mortgage payment or if you should refinance
- shop current mortgage rates
- live mortgage rates and trends
- side-by-side customized loan quotes
- compare lender ratings and reviews
Houzz – interior home decorating and design ideas
Features
- over 1,500,000 photos of interior homes
- browse by style (modern, traditional, contemporary, eclectic, mediterranean, farmhouse, industrial, rustic)
- browse by room or location
- save the ideas you like to your favorites for quick access
Do you use an app that you find particularly helpful that isn’t on our list?
Share it with us!
The Buyer’s Guide to Condos & Townhouses
As home prices continue to rise, many homebuyers are considering condos or townhomes because they’re less expensive to buy. The good news: Myrtle Beach has a huge selection of condominiums to choose from and many offer an added benefit–gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean!
Buying a condo can be a great alternative to buying a house. However, the decision to purchase a condo is just as complex as it is with a house. PLUS–there’s a few additional things to consider.
Don’t worry; we’re here to help you sort it all out.
HOAs
We’ve already discussed the Pros & Cons of HOAs (Home Owner Associations), but homebuyers often forget to consider them before purchasing a condo.
While it’s definitely important to consider the cost of a monthly assessment fee (fees in Myrtle Beach range from $200 to $550 a month), it’s more important to determine the return investment on your money. For example, one HOA might offer the lowest fee but neglect to properly collect fees from members. That poses a huge problem when expensive repairs are needed because it could end up costing you more money in the long run.
Find out how delinquent dues are handled. Look through financial documents for upcoming assessments and the current amount held in reserve. Is it enough to cover the cost of upcoming repairs?
It’s also a good idea to call the property manager for additional information about the services offered and the property’s current financial situation. The more you ask, the better.
In addition, thoroughly read and consider the HOA rules and regulations or covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R’s). Rules can dictate anything from what you can place on the balcony or hang on the front door to what types of pets are allowed on the property, if any.
You need to know if there’s anything listed in the covenant that you can’t live with or can’t live without.
Property Management
It’s often difficult to find public information about the property management of a specific complex. The best way to determine the overall happiness of residents is to ask for a copy of the minutes from the last board meeting. Reading over the meeting minutes will provide a general idea of any issues neighbors may be arguing about, the types of repairs coming up, and the amount of money being spent.
Also–if you get an opportunity to meet a current resident, ask them any questions you may have about the property.
Lifestyle
It’s important to remember that living in a condo or townhouse is much different than living in a single-family home. These differences include shared walls, added noise, and close interaction with neighbors. Are you prepared to live with these changes?
Questions to Consider:
What is the parking situation? Are spots reserved? Where are visitors required to park?
Are there quiet hours?
Are homeowners allowed to offer their unit as a vacation rental? Are homeowners allowed to lease their unit to short-term or long-term tenants?
What percentage of units are occupied by owners? *The higher the percentage, the more marketable the property should be at resale.
How much turnover occurs in the building? *This should tell you how happy owners are with the property. The average stay in a two-to-four unit building is five years and the average stay in a building with 5+ units is four years.
Is the building currently involved in litigation? *This is a bad sign. Attorney and court fees will eat away at the reserve and likely drive up assessment fees.
How much (and how often) have fees been raised in the past?
What amenities and maintenance is included in the assessment fee?
Does the monthly assessment fee include the cost of insurance on the building?
What special quarterly or annual fees have been mandated in the last five to ten years? How much was each owner required to pay?
DARGAN REAL ESTATE AS A COMPANY IS GROWING! WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL…
DARGAN REAL ESTATE AS A COMPANY IS GROWING! WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL AGENTS TO JOIN OUR TEAM. PLEASE CONTACT DECK DARGAN @ 843-685-1589 0R EMAIL DDARGAN@DARGANREALESTATE.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION!
5 Reasons to Choose a New Home Over a Resale
1. Little or No Maintenance
It goes without saying that little maintenance (or none at all) is required when you purchase a new home versus a resale. That means you don’t have to worry about replacing the roof anytime soon or ripping down the outdated wallpaper. Buying a home is one of the most stressful events in one’s life. Think about how nice it would be to relax and enjoy your new home instead of working to make it the way you want it.
2. Warranties
In addition to less maintenance, new homes come with warranties that protect your wallet if anything goes wrong with the roofing or structure of the property. They offer new homebuyers a level of comfort and security that might not be possible with a resale property.
3. Modern & Efficient
New homes are built to code with efficiency in mind and stocked with equally efficient and modern appliances. These modern conveniences help reduce utility bills. In addition, newer homes can accommodate advanced technologies with more outlets and sophisticated security systems and lighting plans.
4. Customization
The ability to personalize your home is one of the biggest perks of buying a new home rather than a resale. You can customize everything from the flooring and countertops to the placement of the bathrooms. The options are endless.
5. Bargaining Power
The ability to bargain with a builder tends to be easier than bargaining with an individual homeowner. Individual sellers have an emotional attachment to the property that can blind them to the true value of the home. Also, builders are often financially stable and have the capacity to absorb a loss on a sale. Think about it: a small loss over a large number of lots hurts a lot less than the same loss on one.
Plain and simple: IT’S NEW.
I think we can all agree there’s nothing better than owning something that’s never been used. When you purchase a new home, you will be the first to sleep in the bedrooms, cook in the kitchen, and lounge in the den. There’s just something wonderful about it.