Buying or Selling in The Grand Strand?

Today’s buyers are looking for a multitude of options for their property, but one key aspect remains constant – value. In other words, what you get for what you give. How does this relate to today’s buyers?

In the past few years, buyers have opted for overall square footage as compared to the features and amenities included in the property. Essentially they were looking for the largest property for the best price.

With the recent housing, mortgage market situation, and wallets tightening, buyers are looking for much more than pure size. Value conscious, long term focused and price-centric, today’s buyer is thinking about what it will cost to maintain their property over the long run. Buyers are realizing that it pays to invest in properties with money saving features such as newer, more energy efficient air conditioning systems and hot water tanks. After all, money saved is money well spent on something that can increase the property’s value or make the additions that they’ve always wanted. Sellers should keep this in mind, and possibly consider investing a bit to upgrade appliances and replace heat and air systems to make the property more appealing.  Read more about Myrtle Beach real estate.

Grand Strand Beach Homes for Sale

3805 S Ocean Blvd. #503, North Myrtle Beach

$1,293,000 - 5 Beds, 4 Baths, 3,178 Sf

MLS® # 2512337

Snead Realty Group

100 North Beach Blvd. 1902, North Myrtle Beach

$1,399,900 - 4 Beds, 4 Baths, 2,204 Sf

MLS® # 2512354

Scalise Realty Powered by KW Cell: 843-267-5710

500 23rd Ave. S, North Myrtle Beach

$1,150,000 - 6 Beds, 4 Baths, 2,857 Sf

MLS® # 2512377

Realty ONE Group Dockside

441 Saint Julian Ln., Myrtle Beach

$1,949,999 - 5 Beds, 5 Baths, 4,000 Sf

MLS® # 2512215

KingOne Properties

437 Saint Julian Ln., Myrtle Beach

$1,999,999 - 5 Beds, 5 Baths, 4,178 Sf

MLS® # 2512216

KingOne Properties

603 Sea Island Way, North Myrtle Beach

$1,020,000 - 4 Beds, 3 Baths, 2,980 Sf

MLS® # 2512221

Keller Williams Pawleys Island Office: 843-443-9400

3709 N Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach

$2,699,000 - 8 Beds, 11 Baths, 5,376 Sf

MLS® # 2512153

Volunteer Marketing & Rea

4501 S Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach

$1,800,000 - 7 Beds, 5 Baths, 2,176 Sf

MLS® # 2511997

CENTURY 21 Thomas

9485 Ronda Ct., Myrtle Beach

$3,500,000 - 5 Beds, 6 Baths, 4,500 Sf

MLS® # 2512004

RE/MAX Executive Cell: 843-213-8812

969 S Waccamaw Dr., Garden City Beach

$1,995,000 - 5 Beds, 4 Baths, 2,415 Sf

MLS® # 2512012

Dunes Realty Sales

600 48th Ave. S 201, North Myrtle Beach

$1,150,000 - 4 Beds, 5 Baths, 3,177 Sf

MLS® # 2511961

Century 21 Barefoot Realty

1279 Fiddlehead Way, Myrtle Beach

$1,149,000 - 4 Beds, 4 Baths, 3,928 Sf

MLS® # 2511709

Redfin Corporation

More About Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Jessica Garrett, a recent buyer in Prestwick Golf and Tennis in Surfside had this to say about her home,

“We were looking for a house we would want to live in for a long time. We wanted something for the long haul. We only looked in established neighborhoods like Prestwick, Sienna Park and Plantation Point; where there wasn't a surplus of lots for sale. We wanted a great location and a home that was move-in ready."

She added, "Because we had done so much work on our first house, we didn’t want to purchase something we had to completely remodel. It’s one thing to get a good deal on a house, but when you are looking in your price range, you have to consider all the added expenses of remodeling and replacing to the purchase price. We were also pleased to find that the home we ended up purchasing in Prestwick had a fenced-in backyard.”

Jessica’s story is a great example of how today’s buyer is lifestyle and value oriented. However, her story is not necessarily a blanket statement. Different age groups are looking for different features, and different lifestyles require different amenities. Young buyers tend to look for homes that are located in our around the suburbs and are close to schools, stores, etc. Older buyers are less interested in these attributes, and tend to be more focused on single level homes with sprinkler systems and flat lawns – features that make life easier.

So, what are some characteristics that today’s buyers are looking for?

According to the National Association of Realtors, the top five features are centralized air conditioning, walk in closet in the master bedroom, bedroom on the main floor, a patio, and an oversized garage. They also favor a great garage over a living room. If they find the features that they want, today’s home buyer is more than willing to pay for it.

Kerry Ann Dame has a degree in Art History from the University of California and twenty years experience designing interiors, furnishings and accessories. She is the co-owner of Posh Living in Surfside Beach, and illustrates several key attributes of today’s buyer and their attitude:

“People are changing their mindset from a few years ago. They aren’t going in saying 'if it doesn’t work out we’ll just move in a few years.' Now people are preparing themselves to be in their next purchase for 8-10 years or even until they retire. Some clients have made a first floor master their priority so that if they don’t want to move in later years they won’t have to."

Others are examining the function of their current homes. We had one client that hated schlepping laundry to her upstairs laundry room. She knew her children were getting older and she wouldn’t be doing toddler laundry anymore. She looked for a laundry room off the kitchen where it was more accessible. People are considering the stage of life they are in and purchasing accordingly.

We have even noticed the trend in the way home buyers are purchasing furniture. They've said they are tired of buying a sofa every five years, so many of them are choosing much higher quality pieces that will last. The same trend goes with flooring. All of this reflects the mood of the buying public now.

Buyers don’t want to compromise, they want the best that they can get with their hard earned money. They are in it for the long run, and they want something that will last.

How will you find your dream property with all the features you desire, at the price you want? If you are trying to sell your property, do you have an experienced Realtor to make suggestions for ways to improve your home's value and make it sell faster?

Whether you are buying or selling, we have the solution. Let us guide you in your Myrtle Beach real estate transactions.