Posts by : Adrianne Anderson

June is the first full month of summer and in most markets across the country begins the time of year when families can move without interrupting the school schedule. This certainly happens in the Grand Strand real estate market however, it is not as prominent as many people think. Our market is a retiree and vacation market and those buyers and sellers are not concerned at all with the school schedule. 

On the contrary, viewing an investment condo right now can be very tricky because if it's a good investment, it's rented full time and almost impossible to see for yourself before making an offer. My vote- challenge yourself to be a real investor and buy it based on the numbers. When you...

Last year, I had the goal of walking the coast from Pawleys Island to Cherry Grove. I'm excited to share that mission is accomplished. With more than 60 miles of beaches stretching across Horry and Georgetown counties, it was amazing to see all of our beaches. We split our walks into sections of 5-8 miles and our part 2 article ended at Singleton Swash in front of the Dunes Club.

Singleton Swash to 17 Ave S North Myrtle Beach:

The walk from Singleton Swash to North Myrtle Beach took us past the Apache Campground and the Apache Pier in the Arcadian Shores section of Myrtle Beach. Due to geography and roads, this section of the beach is its own pennisula and includes Ocean Annies and the ...

One of more common questions I receive about our area is am I going to be eaten or killed by one of the following: snakes, sharks and/or alligators. Let’s look at the numbers! 

Number of fatal attacks in Horry and Georgetown Counties on record:

Shark: Zero
Alligator: One
Snake: Zero
As demonstrated by these numbers… the chances of you being fatally attacked by a shark, snake or alligator is virtually zero. If you have stairs in your house, you are much more likely to die from those attacking you. That said, I’m not moving to Florida where those numbers are significantly higher. 4 people died from snake bites in 2022 alone, 30 people have died from alligator attacks since 1948 and 16 deadly...

Choosing the right color palette for your home is more than just a matter of aesthetics; it significantly impacts the atmosphere and mood of each room. Here's a guide to understanding the impact of colors and how to choose the perfect palette for your home:

Neutral colors: Whites, beiges and grays

Neutral colors create a sense of calm and elegance. White makes rooms feel spacious and airy. Beige adds warmth and complements natural materials. Gray provides a sophisticated, modern look and pairs well with bold accents.

Cool colors: Blues, greens and purples

Blue promotes a serene and calming atmosphere, perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms. Green symbolizes nature and creates a refreshing...

First you need to understand what a cash-out refinance is. In such a refinance, you swap your existing mortgage loan for a new mortgage in which you borrow a higher amount. You use the found cash to pay for whatever you'd like.

For example, say you owe $150,000 on your current mortgage. You might refinance that for a new mortgage with a balance of $220,000. You'd then receive the extra $70,000 in a lump-sum payment. You could use that money to pay for anything from a kitchen remodel to a master bedroom addition to your child's college tuition.

There are some limits. The amount you can borrow with a cash-out refinance is limited by the equity in your home. Equity is the difference betwee...

Whether you are planning a complete renovation or looking to update a few elements of your existing bathroom space, you will want to consider adding a mirrored medicine cabinet. While some may think the mirror is outdated, the modern medicine cabinet is returning with more style and greater functionality to complement any space. There are two installation options.

The first is to recess the cabinet into the wall. You'll need to create the space if one does not already exist. Generally speaking, older homes will have an existing cutout. It's then a matter of finding a similar-size mirror or creating more space. These mirrors sit inside the wall and have a streamlined, modern appearance.

Lighting is a crucial aspect of interior design, and choosing the right fixtures for each room can significantly impact the overall ambiance and functionality of the space. Here are five reasons why lighting matters and why selecting the appropriate fixtures is essential for every room:

1. Aesthetic appeal

Different rooms serve various purposes and have unique design aesthetics. The right lighting fixtures can enhance a room's overall look and feel, complementing its style and contributing to the desired atmosphere. Whether you're aiming for a cozy, intimate space or a bright, open environment, selecting fixtures that align with the room's aesthetic can elevate the visual appeal.

2. Ta...

With many families just trying to survive and finish out the school year, May is right in between the peak spring market and the busy summer moving months. Here are a few numbers from the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors that caught our eye when we looked at May activity:

Supply is down month over month but way up compared to last year. The number of homes for sale dropped in May for the first time since February 2023. However, compared to May ofnlast year, we have almost 25% more inventory of properties on the market.

Pending sales are up and May finishes out with the most pending contracts (1,730) so far this year compared to prior months.  June closings should reflect this b...

In order to make an informed decision, there are several things to consider before choosing a backsplash to install. You can enhance the visual appeal of your space, meet your functional needs and choose a design that stands the test of time. Let's take a closer look at what you need to consider.

Style and aesthetic

Consider the overall style and aesthetic of your space. The backsplash should complement the existing design elements, such as cabinets, countertops and flooring. Decide whether you want a backsplash that blends seamlessly with the surroundings or makes a bold statement as a focal point.

Materials selection

Backsplashes come in a variety of materials, each with unique char...

Termites:

By far, the most important bugs to become familiar with in our area are termites. Termites look like winged ants and they eat wood. That includes trees in the forests and also includes the lumber that makes up the frame of your home. If your home is not regularly treated for termites, it’s not a question of if you’ll have termites, it’s a question of when. Termites can cause very serious damage to a home and can it be severe enough to render a home structural unsound and uninhabitable. Our standard South Carolina real estate contract includes a special section dedicated to a CL-100 report. This report details the findings of a wood eating organism inspection. This inspection wi...

Decorating a small bathroom that expresses your personality and aesthetic can be challenging. Usually, these bathrooms are in high-traffic areas that see a lot of use. For that reason, care needs to be taken when planning how style and function can blend well together to create the best small bathroom possible. Here are some ideas to inspire you on your quest to make a big impact when designing your small bathroom:

Get rid of clutter — Before embarking on any renovation or design upgrade, take a good, hard look at the room to see whether it needs to be decluttered. The rule of thumb is that less is more, and this is especially true in small spaces. You want to make sure all the surfaces ...

While preppy style started as a fashion trend, it has also influenced the understated interior design of the same name. Ralph Lauren, considered the father of all things preppy, has marketed both preppy fashion and interior design, making it accessible to a mass audience. Preppy style mimics the imagined interior spaces of "old money" Northeasterners. It allows those living anywhere in the country to present themselves as preppies even if they have never been to Cape Cod. Here are some recommendations for achieving the real preppy look through a few decorative details:

Pattern play

While the preppy home may look comfortable and easy, it is anything but. What makes the signature preppy s...

From the scorching summer heat to the bitter cold of winter snowstorms, it is essential to make your home weather resistant no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. An added benefit is that weatherproofing prevents mold and mildew from growing, which can have a negative impact on your health. Here are some practical tips that even a newbie homeowner can do to make the exterior of their home weather resistant right now:

Inspect the roof

Your roof is your home's first line of defense against the elements. It is important to inspect your roof regularly to check for any damaged or missing shingles. These should be replaced immediately. In regions that receive heavy snowfall, make sure yo...

You may not have to look any further than your parents' attic and basement to uncover authentic treasures from the 1970s. With the recent appreciation for maximalist style, it's little wonder why '70s style would come bouncing back to the interior design scene. The '70s were known for over-the-top "more is more" style. There is a wide variety of eclectic styles from the era to choose from, including hippie chic, boho, disco and psychedelic.

The warm, earthy, burnt orange and avocado green tones of the '70s can still pleasingly mingle alongside bolder oranges, yellows and greens to create this retro color palette. While shades of brown were all the rage back in the day, the more muted col...

A HELOC allows you to borrow against the equity in your home. Equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and what your home is worth. Say your home is worth $400,000 and you owe $200,000 on your mortgage. That means you have $200,000 in equity.

You might then qualify for a HELOC of $170,000. With a HELOC, though, you don't have to borrow the full $170,000. You might borrow $40,000 for a major kitchen remodel. If that's all you borrow, then that's what you pay back, with interest. You'll pay back what you borrow with regular monthly payments.

Homeowners like HELOCs because they come with flexibility: You only borrow what you need. That's how this borrowing vehicle dif...

Micro cement coating has become a popular option for both indoor and outdoor walls, floors and ceilings due to the many advantages it offers. What are some of these advantages? To start, micro cement is a smart choice for bathrooms and kitchens as it provides a hygienic and stain-free surface. The material is slip-proof and mold free, which makes it a smart choice for shower floors as well. Because it is a good conductor of heat, many choose to install micro cement over underfloor heating.

Micro cement adheres well to the top surface of many renovation projects without creating any waste. This includes tile, wood, plaster, marble and ceramic surfaces. Another feature in its favor is that...

Adrianne and I can guarantee that we will sell your house if you have infinite resources and no requirements for updates or timeframe or price. Most of our clients, however, have a bottom dollar and they have circumstances in their lives that provide challenges when selling their property. When we meet with our clients, we consider their timeframe, the condition of their property and the price they want to sell it for. Our goal is to help our clients sell their home while balancing time, price and condition in an ever changing market. If it doesn’t make financial sense or our clients don’t have the ability to make updates, we often list properties that need updates. If our clients don’t m...

The open kitchen concept has its fan base among those who love the idea of seamlessly integrating their kitchens with their living and dining rooms. In this configuration, the cook is not isolated in the kitchen. The open plan allows for the chef to share food prep and cooking responsibilities with family and friends in a more inclusive way.

But before you decide to start taking down walls, here are some of the pros and cons to consider:

The pros

Inclusiveness — As already mentioned, the open design allows for the kitchen to become more inclusive. The kitchen not only functions as the place for food preparation, but it can also be the place where children do homework while being superv...

May is a great month in coastal South Carolina for a variety of reasons. With our sub-tropical climate, the weather warms up and most cold snaps are gone. The temperature ranges from the 70’s in the morning and evening and 80’s during the day. Because schools aren’t out, the restaurants and tourist attractions aren’t over crowded. This is the perfect time as a local to get out and about and enjoy all the things that make our area a popular destination for visitors. 

Our family likes to enjoy the beach all year but the strand is typically less crowded in May and you can bring outdoor games that take up room. In the summer, it can be rude to set up bocce, Kuub, or horseshoes when other fol...

April is the beginning of the “Spring” market when traditionally, more folks list their home for sale. Families with children begin a plan to move around the school schedule and will list in April in hopes of a June closing. Our market is impacted by this but, since we are a destination and retirement area, many of our buyers aren’t concerned at all about the school calendar. April can also be the month where folks finish their taxes and (A): get a rebate check to help with a down payment or (B): are told by their accountant about the tax benefits of having an investment property. 

According to the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors, the median price for all property types increase...