Housing options - Many housing options in all price ranges exist in Murrells Inlet. Private golf communites, Oak lined Streets, Creekfront or waterway, Murrells Inlet has something for everyone.
Amenities - Salt Creek with access to the Atlantic, Intercoastal Waterway, Waccamaw Community Hospital, Inlet Square Mall, Restaurants, Murrells Inlet Boat Ramp, Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens, Marshwalk, Veteran’s Pier & Bike Path.
Climate - Sunny & Mild.
Recreation - On land or water numerous recreational opportunites can be found in Murrells Inlet.
Home Prices - While other markets across the country have seen price declines, home prices along the Waccamaw Neck have remained stable.
Under a law passed in 2006 homebuyers may have suffered serious sticker shock when they received their property tax bills, especially if they had relied on what the former owner may have been paying. The new owners are immediately taxed at the sale price of the property instead of the former 5 year assessments.
Good news for homeowners is that the House approved bill H.4942 by a 102 to 0 vote, paving the way for a much needed change in the law. Not only will the new law reduce the inequities that exsist between neighboring properties, hopefully it will help to increase home sales. The current tax could be cause for buyers to delay purchasing, especially if they are aware the law could be about to change saving them hundreds of dollars on their property tax bills.
With the landslide passage in the House a hold up in the Senate Finance Committee would be detrimental to our states economy and unexpected. If you would like more information send me an email.
UPDATE
6/20/2008 - The Senate failed to pass this important bill this year. Point of Sale assessment remains the law and buyers need to be aware how the new assessments will affect their bottom line. Property is reassessed at the purchase price at the time of sale.
The lastest news released from the South Carolina Association of REALTORS® shows a drop in home sales along the Grand Strand and throughout the State. Home prices have also adjusted downward in some areas but with interest rates low, it is a good time for buyers in the market.
Buyers in a slower market may have the luxury of taking their time in finding a home but unless your lender gives you a rate lock, increasing interest rates could be a concern. It is a good idea to talk with your lender about this option.
Real Estate listing agents know that pricing homes properly for sellers will get it sold and if you are looking to buy, the right time is when you find the one home that suits your needs and your price. If you find the home that you love, other buyers could have found it too!
Don’t be fooled by a slow market, it could cost you your dream home. Timing is everything and if you are considering the perfect home for your family it may not pay to wait. Instead, have your Buyers Agent give you up to the minute market information on comparable property sales in Murrells Inlet, and make your offer.
For 17 years Murrells Inlet residents have devoted time and effort towards cleaning up the streets and the creek in Murrells Inlet. Chip Smith’s vision for cleaning up the creek after Hurricane Hugo in 1989, has continued to pull the community together for a cleaner environment. Many volunteers have helped to continue this annual clean up in Murrells Inlet.
The full moon tide enables boats and kayaks to get into the marsh and gather trash that has accumulated in those areas. All debris is collected at Morris Park Landing and the Hot Fish Club in Murrells Inlet and an after cleanup BBQ, chowder and live music will be held throughout the afternoon.
A recent poll conducted by the South Carolina Association of REALTORS® revealed that over 90% of agents thought the media was having a negative influence on clients. Not surprising since a majority of the media stories on housing appear to be negative.
There is no doubt that many homeowners have been experiencing difficulties in making mortgage payments and are in some stage of default with their home loans. There are also markets all over the county that have seen losses in home values.
What the media does not seem to report is that all markets are not the same and many locations in South Carolina are not seeing the sky falling or drastic price drops in home values. In addition, the media does not seem to report the value of homeownership. A home is the most valuable asset we possess and you can’t live in your 401K, or other investment accounts nor can they store your belongings and keep you warm and dry or give you a good place to raise your family.
By overlooking the local nature of real estate and failing to emphasis the benefits of owning a home, the media is certainly affecting the home buying and selling public in a negative way. The rise and fall of home prices in many markets should be cause for alarm but the media hype appears to be bias and could be cause for further price reductions in some areas.
Having a REALTOR® evaluate the local market can help buyers and sellers make informed decisions. Unlike some of the media reports, your local Real Estate Professional may not be so negative on the value of homeownership and the purchase of real property.
In the Murrells Inlet market along with a majority of the Waccamaw Neck home prices have remained stable and new homes continue to be built in many areas. The decline in the number of homes sold could be linked to the negative media and only time will reveal if our area will see price declines experienced in other markets across the country.
