Wish you were HERE! Spent Easter visiting my daughter, grandsons, and brother….. the ‘other daughter’ had a vacation at the beach planned so she is at my house enjoying the beach, restaurants, and shops. Maybe we could wave as we pass each other on opposite sides of I-77. I left Ohio on April 11, it had SNOWED! I promised I would not tell anyone Shiela was out running errands and getting the car washed with the sunroof open. So– you did not hear that from me! The entire country had a mild winter- absolutely fantastic weather at the beach. I have been very busy– and meeting very nice people in the process! Pat and Natalie prepared an Easter feast. Speaking of eating– already 2 great meals at cousin Carol’s restaurant. If ever traveling through Hubbard Ohio stop in at C’s Waffles. Much more than breakfast on the menu and all is great. I finally did it!!!! My boat is at the marina- just call and they put it on the water and after docking they take it out, rinse the boat off / flush the engine then put it away until I call next. No fighting the ramp congestion this year. The convenience will be appricated as I use it more. Not only planning on some joy rides but also a lot of fishing and crabbing too. April 22 and up to a foot of snpw forecast in NW Pa,, 3″ – 4″ in Pittsburgh possible. I really feel bad (smirk)! It was great seeing Bob and Marsha from Pa while they visited the area. Tom stopped for a few days of golf on his return from FL too. Always great to have old friends visiting the area. Much better when they move here!

The picture shows a small old wooden boat with two fishermen. Notice the outboard motor is not on the transom but about 1/3 from the stern inside the boat. These boats are used by those using nets. When pulling the net in it will not be damaged by the propeller and the motor will not be in the way.

SUNSET BEACH PIER- The Sunset Beach NC pier is the southern most pier in NC. Just minutes from the SC border and 30 minutes from Myrtle Beach. Visit their website at http://sunsetbeachpier.com/ for the daily fishing report and the web cam to view conditions 24/7. The pier is 900′ long and was built over a blockade runner. Check their grill menu and photo wall. Tide charts are posted – bait and tackle available if you left yours at home. Maybe I’ll see you there as I have a season pass.

Did you know Horry County SC and Brunswick County NC are 2 of the fastest growing counties in the country? The numbers are by percentage and not by total population. There is still a lot of rural area in both counties. There are many reasons these counties are growing: weather, amenities, cost of living, cost of coastal area real estate, and so much more. There are around 3100 counties in the US and both counties mentioned are in the top 100!

Nationally, the median price of a home rose more than 1 percent in 73 metro areas in February. Some areas rose considerably more. The number of listings dropped 22% over the previous year. Only Phila Pa and Springfield IL saw the number of listings rise. New home sales fluctuate but have been rising most months recently. Locally March numbers indicated few sales than last year. Not a huge drop but lower none the less. Sales year to date are still ahead of last year. About 50% of sales were cash indicating investors are finding this a great time to allocate cash to real estate, especially as rents have risen and continue to rise. Locally, days on market dropped over 3% to 173.

FORECLOSURES – the following listings were available on April 13, 2012. They were listed between January 1 and today. In the area of Brunswick County I serve there were 31 single family home listings and they can be found at http://bcarnc.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Brunswick&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=JZi5FLz3tQIC%2FtL6pU13BZi4IlXKKp%2F1KlMEqplf4JU%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=&CurrentSID=124717516 . Find prices from $64,900 to $551,900. In the SC area I serve the following single family homes were listed during the period. Prices of single family homes range from $13,900 (has fire damage to $795,000. Those 96 listings can be found at http://ccar.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=f0f2cbf8-71c8-42c4-834f-9867b57a1eeb&Report=Yes and the condos in the same area are listed from $13,000 to $497,500. They can be found at http://ccar.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=130fa085-580f-4c82-81c3-232ea022df7d&Report=Yes

NEW LISTINGS:     You really need to check out this fantastic home in the Wakefield subdivision:http://rakoci.com/idx/mls-1205074-286_junco_circle_longs_sc_29568    The home is only a few years old and better than new as the homeowner is a handyman’s handyman. He has upgraded inside and outside the home. Looking for a great condo near the beach? This subdivision is less than a mile from Cherry Grove Beach in North Myrtle Beach! Spacious! One owner! About 9 years old! FIRST FLOOR unit! http://rakoci.com/idx/mls-1200730-1058_sea_mountain_hwy_north_myrtle_beach_sc_29582 I know many happy homeowners in Seven Oaks.

I’m often asked if a home inspection is needed. It is suggested every purchase have a home inspection, including those sold new by contractors. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission publishes a brochure that buyers are required to receive on home inspections. That indicates how important they believe it is. Most lenders require an acceptable home inspection before releasing funds.  A home inspection usually costs between $300 and $450. If items are found the seller can be asked to repair them and if refused by the seller the deal may be voided or renegotiated. If the inspector misses a huge problem they may be held liable.  The scope of the inspection needs to be understood. Inspectors are not experts on every system in a home and may suggest an expert be called to give an opinion on the roof, AC unit, and etc. The inspectors contract should spell out the scope and responsibilites of the inspector. He should indicate he is insured or find another inspector. Use an independent inspector- not one affiliated with your builder or the seller. The inspector will provide a written report with photos. Make sure you understand the entire report. Inspectors know you may not be familiar with all his findings and are happy to explain what they report. Often a buyer will ask why would the seller wish to repair items instead of waiting for another buyer. The answer is once the seller is aware of a problem he is required to disclose it to all potential buyers.

There is a button on my website that will take you to about every community in the area. If you have a community or several communities of interest click the “View Communities” button on the right of the lower bar on my website (www.rakoci.com). It will take you to http://rakoci.com/view-all-communities/ where the communities are listed. When you choose a community a map showing the location of the community and all the active listings there are shown. I pay dearly for this tool to help you in your search. For additional information on any listing, just drop me an email or call me.

The fishing— I think everyone knows I have the smallest boat I ever owned at 17’2″. Getting through the inlets and onto the Atlantic even 10 miles or less is a challenge. Naturally, the water is bluer there than in the ICW and inlets so then reports of others out there is relyed upon. I’m very happy my neighbor, Joe Selleck, comes along often. There was a recent article in the Brunswick Beacon, our weekly newspaper, expounding many reasons to take kids fishing. Not only are they the future of the sport but one day we may hope they allow us to tag along with them. I cannot wait to get my twin grandsons on the water this summer. It is more exciting watching them catch than it is being the one catching! Fishing had an early start this year due to the mild winter. To make it even better the ocean has often been cooperating permitting offshore expeditions. Those going offshore have had great fortune with wahoo. They have also boated some black fin tuna and Mahi-mahi. I’ve heard of blue fins to 400 pounds being released too. Inshore fishermen expect March to bring redfish and speckled trout. This year whiting and bluefish arrived early. Most recently the sea mullet have been filling coolers on the piers for the experienced fishermen (use a small 2 hook rig with a weight and no hardware). When you feel those fellow bite- set the hook!  Flounder are being caught- but most are undersize so far (mud minnows getting the most action). Water temps at the piers are in the high 60s so the king mackeral should be showing up real soon. Don’t forget– if you need any fishing equipment contact to at protackle1@hotmail.com. He says he has ‘the lowest prices in the world’. Not only his domestic sales but international sales prove it. If you are going to be in the area and want to wet a line make sure to call me! 

I’m a veteran and take special pride assisting other veterans!

Time to hit the “send” button knowing it will only be 71 & sunny here but 38 and 4″ – 6″ of snow expected in Pa. Sure glad I’ll miss that on 4/22/12! Take care everyone!

 The weather has been fantastic. Wish you were here! We had a nice visit with Ray and Kathy! They may be moving to the area soon. Did you notice the headline 2/27 stating “pending sales” are near a 2 year high?

If you have a specific community in mind go to my website ( www.rakoci.com ) and click the “View all Communites” button. A list of communities will come up, select those interested in and all ACTIVE listings in that community will come up to view. I pay dearly for that service, please take advantage of it.

Did you see “Warren Buffett says along with equities, single-family homes are a very attractive investment right now. Appearing live on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Buffett tells Becky Quick he’d buy up “a couple hundred thousand” single family homes if it were practical to do so. If held for a long period of time and purchased at low rates, Buffett says houses are even better than stocks.  He advises buyers to take out a 30-year mortgage and refinance if rates go down. Supposedly the best investor ever, a Billionaire 2nd only in wealth to Bill Gates, maybe it is an easy call???

FORECLOSURES!! There is still a lot of interest in foreclosures and fewer have arrived on the market recently. A seach of the NC MLS for new forclossure listings over the past 90 days only found 18! The prices range from $54,900 to $883,800. Find them here: http://bcarnc.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Brunswick&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=UKQXGORzCf5eTZOdc%2B%2BGCauR%2FJEhw0gFqirHKo7z%2FnA%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=&CurrentSID=136197653    Now for area listings in SC. As you will see the number in the area of SC is also lower. You can find detached homes priced from $24,700 to $795,000 here: http://ccar.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=79133ef7-c831-48fc-9f21-a4a06702b839&Report=Yes  That brings us to condos and townhouses. There are 111 and can be found at http://ccar.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=ceca6d78-c8be-457b-a336-c6315d96ec93&Report=Yes .

Clark Howard is mostly WRONG, at least in this area! This is the first time I have disagreed with him, and here is why. Clark Howard said buyers should to always go to the listing agent and you will pay less as the seller will pay less in commission. So I went to see how many other Realtors have a “variable commission”. Commissions the sellers pay in this area are negotiable, but mostly range in the 5% – 6% area. Don’t think Realtors are getting wealthy as the commission is split betwen the buyers agency and sellers agency. Now we are down to 2.5% – 3% most often. Next, the agency commission is split again with the agent. Another time we will get into costs associated to both sides. I searched many listings on both MLS services I belong to and found only one that has variable commissions- ME. There may be others, but were not found Many agencies have a policy against variables. What that means is if the commission is 5% or 6% or any other number agreed on by the seller and agency that is what it will be. That amount is the amount the seller is under contract to pay even if no other agency is involved. Guess who the listing agent is working for? How about the person PAYING which is the seller. Think 2, 3, 4 times  before thinking the listing agent will or even is able to cut the commission agreed upon. Have a buyers agent working for you, preferrably one with the ABR (accredited Buyers Representative) designation.

Capital Economics is expecting big things in the housing markets this year. They state the AVERAGE crefit score to qualify for a mortgage this year will be 700. I have heard from lenders that have less stringent score requirements already. They feel crefit availability will also rise this year. They state banks are lending 3.5 times borrower earnings instead of the 3.2 times recently. They state Loan to Value ratios (LTV) are now running 82% instead of the recent 74%.

The information from Capital Economics is not enough to cause prices to rise considerably and there are other factors that could effect prices and loan availability including world economics. Existing home sales continue to rise and inventory is being reduced. We hope that trend continues! Inventory has dropped nearly 21% nationally which will have an impact locally as those wishing to purchase here are able to sell their present home. Interest rates hovering around 4% +/- allow buyers more purchasing power as the rate impacts the amount of the monthly payment. Housing is expected to positively effect the GDP for the first time in seven years this year.  

 If your house is on the market you have been hearing me make suggestions to help it sell. Everyone knows to ‘de-clutter’. Next to keeping it clean is to ‘de-personalize’ by eliminating photos and family. Buyers need to visualize THEIR momentos there. Don’y forget to secure your valuables and medications. Most often it has been suggested you not be home during showings. I know it is a pain to go for a drive or walk every time a potential buyer is scheduled but is should be done. When buyers see the owner in the home they are uncomfortable even if you remain out of sight. Don’t simply go outside and sit in yyour car either as the buyers will feel they are putting you out and rushed. They are less prone to opening closets and cabinets when you are near. We all know how important storage space is and it is important buyers KNOW how much is available as they will pass on making an offer if they question that or anything else. The goal is to have potential buyers comfortable in your home and to be there a long time finding all the wonderful points about living there.

VETERANS– It may be time to consider a VA Loan! One mortgage broker states he has closed more VA Loans in the past 2 years than in the past decade. One reason for that is many of the conventional programs available in the past are no longer offered. A veteran can often get a mortgage with zero dollars out of pocket. That is correct- NO down payment and does not permit the lender to add Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) fees. When investigating mortgages or becoming pre-approved by a lender it is a great time to to investigate the VA loan program and how it can benefit you.

La Belle Amie Vineyard – If you are not aware of the programs there on many Saturday afternoons. I suggest you go to their website and sign up for their email (http://labelleamie.com/). Admission is free and they often have specials on their wine. Wine tastings, vineyard tours and live entertainment every week. As I write this I’m planning on the Parrot Head Fesatival tomorrow (Feb 25). The entertainment varies from big band to rock to oldies and everything in between. Just short drive across the state line and Silver Coast Winery can easily be found (http://www.silvercoastwinery.com/).                                                                                 The following are future programs at Belle Amie:

March 10 – Remember When Oldies Fest
March 24 – Blues & Jazz Fest
April 7 – Fools Rush In Oldies Music Fest
April 21 – Spring Swing/Big Band Fest
May 5 – Key West Music & Wine Fest
June 9 – First Blush of Summer Fest
June 23 – American Pie Oldies Music Fest
July 7 – Independence Big Band Blast
July 28 – Summer Parrot Head Festival
Aug 18 – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Oldies Music Fest 

The fishing,,, not many fishing reports have been found the past couple weeks. Yes, it is late February but flounder can be found in-shore due to our mild winter. Many are small but anglers and giggers are finding keepers. Many are being caught by those targeting speckled trout and redfish. Those fish are biting scented soft baits fished very slowly on or near bottom close to hard structure. Docks, piers, bridges, and jetties are most productive. Much of the time those soft baits are out-producing live bait! A favorite of mine and many others is GULP shrimp. Everyone seems to have a favorite color, mine is pearl white. The 3″ catches a lot of fish but the 4″ catches bigger fish. Don’t be afraid to toss a 5″ Gulp Jerk Shad either. I have a jar of Gulp Pogies too. To be honest– I have a collection of Gulp baits. Retrieve slowly and stop/jerk once in a while. Use a Carolina Rig or the lightest jig head possible (1/8, 1/4, 3/8 oz). Fishing has slowed the past week or two– but will pick up soon. The fish are still here, just not biting like they are starved. Hard structure with baracles are producing black drum– someone said fresh winter clam meat has been getting results on them. The redfish and speck bite is best on sunny days and the best time for the black drum has been at night. From the surf– the skates and dogfish are still biting. A chunk of cutbait works best. Normally skates, small sharks, and rays are considered a pain but can be fun to catch in the surf when nothing else is biting. Gigging is still productive most nights. Just be careful as only a few giggers are out at night. 

Help Wanted – I do not fish in freshwater or GOLF! If anyone wants to add some info on those subjects just drop it to me by email.  

Hard to believe how time flys at the beach! Time to hit the send button. Y’all take care. See ya at the beach! As Jimmy Buffet says “gotta stop wishin and gotta go fishin”
 

Hard to believe it is February!  Well, I finished 2 days of classes last week and now only need to submit the papers for a Broker In Charge (BIC) license. That’s it, no more licenses in either state. YEA!!!   The weather has been great! I’m still getting the boat on the water. The golfers are out every day it does not rain. It is a great time to vacation in the area as prices are low and lines are short (lines are mostly non-existant now). The ladies shopping say they are finding some great bargains too. Must start getting tax info ready for the CPA but not yet a priority!

 Recent articles in local papers have positive comments on the current real estate status and the near future outlook is positive. Area homebuilders have stated building has picked up. The MLS in both Horry/Georgetown County SC and Brunswick County NC show the number of transactions in 2011 to be higher than 2010 which was higher than 2009. Although prices were down they seem to be stabilizing, especially in the detached home market. Investors are in and paying cash while those looking to relocate or buy a 2nd home are finding interest rates extremely low. January 2012 numbers indicate the trend is still positive. Nationally, many areas are seeing the same trend!

Foreclosures! Foreclosures are still a hot topic! Not that long ago they were hardly mentioned. The best deal I have seen in a long time was not a short sale or foreclosure. It was a nice home on the inland side of the ICW in Sunset Beach. The owner just wanted it sold and took an unbelievable offer! There are 94 recent foreclosure listings in the local SC MLS. They range in price from $24,700 to $795,000. To view them click here: http://ccar.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=94197db0-780d-4124-8543-e44f5fba1c15&Report=Yes

Condo / townhouse listings in the same areas can be found by clicking here:  http://ccar.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=2f553590-1d6c-4ca6-81d3-a00f16c75037&Report=Yes  There are 97 listings from $20,000 to $359,000.

The local NC MLS allows detached homes, condos, and townhoumes to be searched at the same time. Although several counties are available here only Brunswick is included as most want to be near the beach and golf. I will be happy to search other counties upon request. Nearly 100 foreclosure lisings can be found here: http://bcarnc.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Brunswick&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=KE0MEzwL42FtzA7b%2F95CwdbN93aZ5nvSoRRAOrpPEXM%3D&KeyRid=1

As always, do not hesitate to contact me for additional information or to view any of these listings.

Several have asked  about Concealed Carry in the Carolinas. Both states issue Concealed Handgun Permits after a detailed process. The process of both states are similar. CHPs are issued by the county sheriff to residents. A very stringent background check is completed by both states. Both states require a course to be taken in their state no matter if or when the course was taken in another state. The courses are 8 hours and include classroom instruction and proficiency on the range. Expect it to take about 90 days from beginning the process until receiving your permit.

ATTN SC Real Estate licencees!RECIPROCITY  —  Effective March 1, 2012, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission will terminate the reciprocal agreement with South Carolina Real Estate Commission.If you already have a reciprocal license, this will not affect your license. Renew as required.To reciprocate as a licensee to North Carolina, contact the North Carolina Real Estate Commission http://www.ncrec.gov/default.html <http://www.ncrec.gov/default.html> . Currently you will need the 90 hour broker course to be completed within 3 years and no test will be administered. After Feb 29 you will need 57 hours for a provisional license and be required to pass the course and state test before taking the 90 hour brokers courses. Contact me if you need assistance!!!

These are actual comments made by South Carolina Troopers that were taken off their car videos:

1. “You know, stop lights don’t come any redder than the one you just went through.”

2. “Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they’re new. They’ll stretch after you wear them a while.”

3. “If you take your hands off the car, I’ll make your birth certificate a worthless document.”   (My Favorite)

4. “If you run, you’ll only go to jail tired.”

5. “Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that’s the speed of the bullet that’ll be chasing you.” (LOVE IT)

6. “You don’t know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?”

7. “Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don’t think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I ‘ m the shift supervisor?”

8. “Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I ‘ m warning you not to do that again or I’ll give you another ticket.”

9. “The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?”

10. “Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop.”

11. “Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven.

12. “In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC.” (National Crime Information Center)

13. “Just how big were those ‘ two beers ‘ you say you had?”

14. “No sir, we don’t have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we’re allowed to write as many tickets as we can.”

15. “I ‘ m glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail.”

AND THE WINNER IS….

16. “You didn’t think we give pretty women tickets? You’re right, we don ‘ t. Sign here.”

Many items are important to different people when it comes to buying a home. Access to transportation is high on nearly everyone’s list. Not always public transportation is a concern but important highways too. Many want to know restaurants, shopping, and medical services is close. A recent survey found 18% of buyers find the desire for open spaces, parks, beaches, and etc to near the top of their wish list. Although the number seems high only 55% of those with children under 18 had a great concern of nearby schools and that dropped to 27% of total homebuyers. Safety was higher on the list of many. Although difficult to tell in many areas most wanted to buy in a neighborhood where they believed property values stood the best chance of rising and rising significantly. The point is, when you call me to LIST your home be certain to make me aware of these points that stand out. When you call to have me help you BUY a home be certain to have your list of priorities, a list much longer than the number of bedrooms and baths.

Fishing – well at this time of year it is not often ‘catching’. The indication is strong the fishing is slow when a newspaper weekly in the column is dedicated to a lure! A locally popular, but nothing else. The page did have pictures of 3 nice catches though. Two were of over slot red drum and the other a stringer spotted sea trout. The mild winter has provided unusual reports. Many flounder are still being found inshore and in the ICW. They are being caught by those targeting the huge redfish schools or speckled trout in the shallows. OK,, I confess my neighbor and I launched from Ocean Isle ramp around 9 AM. The tide was extremely high but dropped far and fast by 3PM. We fished the marsh and ICW near Sunset Beach Bridge and caught……… nothing but one very large blue crab. The weather was fine and we saw only 3 other boats all day. It was a great day! Who would have thought it possible to get a little sunburn in February?

A great townhome in a wonderful location. Three bedroom / 2 bath townhouse that will take your breath away. Check it out at http://loginlax.rapmls.com/Menu.aspx?hidMLS=BRWC&SID=a645ef6a-e786-4727-9fec-1a5dda9de3e1 Check all my listings at http://rakoci.com/idx/?idx-q-ListingAgentID=15144 and remember to search directly from the MLS’ at my website homepage.

Just a reminder Valentine’s Day is coming soon. Make sure to take a minute to wish all those special people in your life a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ocean Isle Beach NC is a wonderful place to vacation or live!

Ocean Isle Beach is a barrier island attached to the mainland by a bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, Ocean Isle has everything you need for a relaxing vacation. Home to just 525 year-round residents but gains thousands of vacationers during the summer.

Ocean Isle Beach is one of the southernmost of North Carolina’s unique barrier islands. Miles of powder white sand, sun-danced waves, and windswept marshlands make our community one of the greatest places you will find.
In contrast to other resort areas along the southeastern coast, Ocean Isle has chosen to avoid the everyday hustle and bustle. Instead, this resort island has sustained a family beach atmosphere and has proudly kept itself on a low-key, low-rise course. It’s the perfect place for vacationers and your vacation home.

Ocean Isle Beach lies between the historic port of Wilmington, N.C. and the tourist attractions of Myrtle Beach, S.C.. Although Ocean Isle Beach has grown and developed over the years, it has maintained its relaxed and leisurely charm.

Stretching for seven miles along the Atlantic Ocean, our beach provides the perfect place for a relaxing morning swim in the surf, building sandcastles with your family or turtle-watching in the evening.

Fishing the Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier or taking advantage of one of the local charter fishing services is a great way to experience the area. If you bring your own boat, you may launch from the town’s public boat ramp on the ICW.

Golfers will find more than 100 courses within a 45-minute drive of Ocean Isle.

Children can enjoy the planned activities at the Ocean Isle Beach Community Center, Monday through Thursday in the summers, or learn about our coastal history through the educational programming at the Museum of Coastal Carolina. My grandsons had a fantastic experience there!

Ocean Isle is special to me and my family. Special enough to have built a home on the mainland at Ocean Isle Beach and have no regrets. Come on down and allow me to show you around!

Time to hit the send button - Y’all take care and call if I can help in any way! John

John Rakoci Broker   Eagle Realty   Licensed NC & SC

john@rakoci.com       www.rakoci.com    843 655 7777

Hard to believe it is the middle of January in a new year! The weather has been great and a lot going on!

A little house cleaning first on the real estate front. I am looking for Realtors licensed in NC or SC or both. Please contact me to find out what Eagle Realty has to offer and I feel certain you will be surprised. If you or anyone you know has property you are considering selling I would like to talk to you- I need listings. If considering a purchase read the info below from the latest MLS stats. Interest rates are at record low levels! As more is learned of this new program it will become easier and more fun for all to read. If you are receiving it from a friend or found it online and would like your own copy, you can sign up on my website or simply send me an email.

The 1^st thing that many begin thinking of after the holidays is vacation! There are many options from Myrtle Beach SC to Ocean Isle Beach NC available. Beach front? Second or 3^rd row? One bedroom or seven? Golf course maybe? It is not too early to begin planning for summer now. There is more information online than you will believe or need. Want something unusual, like fishing charters available or helicopter rides? Just let me know and I’ll try to find it for you. When you have an idea of your housing needs call Renee at 843 503 6154. If she cannot find what you need let me know as I’m confident I can find someone that will find exactly what you want. The best vacation rentals go quickly so don’t wait too long. Also, use a reputable rental agent you don’t want to arrive and find the unit rented is not available. If looking for a long term rental or find the desire to be a snowbird, just let me know and I’ll help you find a place in your budget. When time to OWN that special place at the beach I’m here to help you find it!

As always there is great interest in FORECLOSURES so the following information is being provided. Just to mix things up for a change NC foreclosures are 1^st. There are 27 listings added since October 1^st. They can be found at http://bcarnc.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Brunswick&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=UKQXGORzCf5eTZOdc%2B%2BGCbrWJNUOUTd2fckLc6WW%2BbE%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=&CurrentSID=178303585 . How about a condo 2 – 3 blocks from the beach for $39,000? In the SC detached homes in foreclosure listings 65 were found added since October 1^st. Unless very handy you may wish to bypass the 1^st one. Find them here http://ccar.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=4c1e3da1-6e46-47a5-81d2-61c3c2bcc719&Report=Yes . Ok, moving on to condos and townhouses there were 147 listed in the same time frame. Check them out here http://ccar.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=386a286c-fbbe-46c3-9bff-545fd7854bb3&Report=Yes . I have not verified any of those listings beyond they are in foreclosure. Naturally, location and condition will determine price in most cases. Call or email for more info.

We have had a little company (and expect more soon) and went to Ohio to visit family over Christmas and New Years. It was quite different without Mom this year but great to see daughters, grandsons, and brother. The snow held off until the day we left for home. By the time we hit WV I was happy the new truck had 4 wheel drive. I was reminded not to leave out a close family member that is rarely mentioned, Buster! His picture is in this newsletter. Buster was born Christmas 1999 and has done a great job of training his “parents” ever since. Unlike boating up north, it CONTINUES here. I could call it fishing, but boating is more correct as there is very little catching this time of year. Fishermen interested in bargains should make ProTackle a favorite seller on Ebay and if they have a special need email Tom at Protackle1@hotmail.com .

MLS Stats — Stabilization in the Single Family Home market continues! December was the 7^th straight month of inventory reduction. Condo inventory also is declining, down nearly 8% from December 2010.  Single family home sales were up 5.2% over 2010. Condo sales were flat and have remained steady since mid-2009. If anyone would like the complete report, please email or call and it will be provided.

Thanks Bob Bierre for reminding me Erie Pa has had over 27” of snow as of January 14. They are excited being so far below average. I’m happy for them, but happier that we rarely see snow at the beach.

 South Carolina expects to see a population gain of about 1 million people over the next few years. Most of that gain is expected to be near the coast. That growth will require 250,000 homes to be built. Brunswick County NC continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in the US.

 Three new listings since the last time and they are very interesting. The 1^st is a 2 bedroom / 2 bath condo in Seven Oaks. Seven Oaks is one of my favorite condo communities! Best of all this is a 1^st floor unit. http://rakoci.com/idx/mls-1200730-1058_sea_mountain_hwy_north_myrtle_beach_sc_29582 . Looking for a detached home? This recently built home was remodeled last year! What a great job they did. Additionally, the furniture is negotiable so all you need to bring is your toothbrush! http://rakoci.com/idx/mls-1119407-936_elderberry_lane_sunset_beach_nc_28468 . Are you age 48 or more? Looking for a quiet community of people that meet that requirement? If so you have to look at this home! http://rakoci.com/idx/mls-1118015-4315_rivergate_little_river_sc_29566 .

 I have a few 2012 calendars left. They are the magnet type that most find a place for on the refrigerator. If you want one, drop me a note. I’ll send them until the supply is gone.

 OK, who has not been to my new website yet? Why haven’t you? The website designer did a great job of making it more user friendly for you. Check out the search options for both North Carolina and South Carolina! You can make comments on the blog page too. Check out the “Pre Construction” page! There are three great communities by Bill Clark Homes featured. Homes can be built from $189,000. There are great deals by other builders available also. Additionally many fantastic existing homes are on the market.

 Winter temperatures are hard on all of us. They are also hard on pets and wildlife. We can turn the thermostat up a couple degrees, light the fireplace, or simply add a sweater to take a chill off. Outdoor pets need extra care as temps drop. Make certain bedding is dry and fresh. They may need a little extra food in addition to being certain water is available and not frozen. Our feathered friends need extra food too, and a water supply. My brother goes an extra mile. He feeds wild turkey, deer, and other wildlife year round. If he can do that we can buy bird seed. Not to forget – his bird seed expense can get excessive. Black bears are lazy and will often raid his birdfeeders. Not only do they eat the seed but damage feeders beyond repair.

 Well, time to hit the send/publish button. Don’t be a stranger; call, write, or drop by!

I called about adding a screen porch and Richard arrived soon after. They drew up the plans and had everything required for the HOA approval and county permits. It did not take long to have the job completed. The employees cleaned up each day and were professional and congenial. After seeing my porch several neighbors expressed an interest and they have already completed a job for one of them.  OH,, and I’m having them back after the holidays!

If you need a job done correctly in Brunswick Cty NC, Horry Cty SC or Georgetown Cty SC do not hesitate to call me at 843 655 7777 or Richard at 843 651 6514. Prices — extremely competitive and they have promised to sharpen their pencil to give those referred by me their best deal possible! Check www.carolinahomeexteriors to see their work.

Welcome: Yes, it has been a while since an update has been sent. I think you will find the new format worth the wait. Check out the entirely new website. You will find much more information available. Searching for real estate in South Carolina has become much easier. North Carolina searches are not yet able to take advantage of the new technology, but simple also. Check it out at www.rakoci.com.

What to do: Here we are at the Christmas Season. If you are planning on visiting from now until Christmas strongly consider taking in one of the Christmas shows. I have seen all but one and that will change this year! Check out the clips at the URLs and choose one— or more to see. Alabama Theater has always put on a great show and a preview can be found at http://www.alabama-theatre.com/06/ChristmasShow.html . The Carolina Opry Theater is another that I have enjoyed visiting. Not only their Christmas show! The ‘buttons’ will preview the Christmas and other performances too at www.thecarolinaopry.com . The one Christmas show I have not seen YET is at The Palace Theater. Christmas on Ice looks exciting! Check it out at http://www.palacetheatremyrtlebeach.com/shows-christmas-main.cfm . A short drive to Conway SC you will find another show. It is new so I have not previewed it yet. Check out The Theater of the Republic http://theatreoftherepublic.com/ . Legends in Concert will entertain you with a fantastic show. Info on Legends can be found at http://legendsinconcert.com/locations/myrtle-beach/ All of these have great talent at low prices. Also, no matter what time of year you visit the beach these theaters have great shows available!

Market Matters: October Stats. LISTINGS – the number of listings is down in Horry County from October of the last two years while the number of residential lots is up. Single Family Homes: The number of closed contracts is up compared to last month and also higher than those of the past 2 years. The year to date Average sale price for October is higher than both years. Condos: October and year to date condo sales are down for the month but over the year for both 2009 and 2010. Prices are down for the last two years but edged up in October over last year. Residential Lots: The number of listings is up but the number of sales has gone up the steadily as prices dropped. Distressed: The number of distressed (foreclosures and short sales) is down. Anyone that desires the entire report only needs to contact me and request it.

Foreclosures: Currently there are 171 single family homes actively listed in Horry and Georgetown SC Counties. They can be found at http://ccar.paragonrels.com/ParagonLS/Default.mvc#2,1,2 . There are 114 condo/townhouse active foreclosure listings at http://ccar.paragonrels.com/ParagonLS/Default.mvc#3,1,2 . Brunswick County NC has a total of 105 foreclosures in all categories which can be found at http://loginlax.rapmls.com/Menu.aspx?hidMLS=BRWC&SID=82353df9-55e5-4226-8668-431766c93655

From the MLS: Nationally, sales were up 1.3% over last month and 9% over last October. Along the Grand Strand single family home sales jumped 16% in October over October 2010! Condo sales dropped 8% over the same period. Many in the market for a condo decided current prices and interest rates put a single family home within reach now. Inventory has dropped to an 8 month supply.

EVERY transaction this year will generate a donation to Hospice or the Cancer Society in memory of mom. Additionally, Eagle Realty donates to a ministry from each transaction.

Wish you were here: A lot has been happening the past couple months. Many friends and relatives have been down to visit. October was a great month for local festivals as usual in the area. Pat even realized she likes oysters! I have to thank my brother for helping supply the boat with fishing supplies; he is a distributor for many manufacturers. Even with that help, the fish are winning. The weather has been great. Fortunately, the two major storms of the year passed us by quite a distance. Building in the area is still going on. Builders in both NC and SC are offering a lot for less. Some samples are on my site on the pre-construction page. Gary & Jan’s new home is complete by. My friends that golf have been busy, the neighborhood even named their group and get out at least weekly.

· ClubPet Adoption

CHALLENGE: We are asking all of our friends to get 5 of their friends to make a $10.00 donation to CPA in the month of December..then if they too can get 5 of their friends to make a $10.00 donation to CPA in December. This could raise all the monies needed to cover the $5,000.00 fuel oil bill to heat the kennels for the winter….Donations can be made thru PayPal at clubpetde@aol.com or mailed to the shelter. We will post on New Year’s Day on Facebook what was collected thru this challenge….This is an easy one, please help us keep them warm.

Sellers need to remember these 7 items:

Poor curb appeal — Buyers will only drive by if the house looks unappealing. Clean up your front yard by tidying plants and pulling up weeds. Painting the trim, mow the lawn and place potted plants by the freshly painted door.

Unpleasant odors — Buyers surely will notice odors. Smoking and pets are the main causes. The house should air out before showings – don’t try to hide the odor with another scent.

Loud and scary pets – In addition to the odor of some pets, a big dog or noisy bird can send some buyers running. Keep your dog away when you have showings so your potential buyers aren’t distracted or frightened.

Moisture — Problems with moisture are a big turn-off to many buyers. Make sure your basement doesn’t smell damp and there are no signs of moisture on the walls.

Dirt and grime — Although dirt is usually only cosmetic, buyers often see it as how the home in general is maintained. Make sure your kitchen and bathroom are especially freshened.

Bad Condition — Replace any tired or out-of-date carpets and/or wallpaper with neutral colors.

Overprice — A home priced too high compared to similar properties in the area will chase buyers away. Most activity comes early in the listing. So take your broker’s advice when it comes to pricing your home.

That’s all for now. Never hesitate to contact me if I can help in any way!

When you’re at the beach, keep an eye out for narrow, muddy streaks in the ocean where there aren’t any waves breaking.Most people panic when caught in a rip while swimming the ocean. DO NOT PANIC. The rip is pulling you out with greater force than you can swim against. Fighting the rip is a waste of energy. Try to swim parallel to the beach. If the force to too great allow the rip to pull you beyond the bar where the force will dissipate quickly, then swim parallel to the beach before turning toward shore.It is also a great idea to stay away from piers that extend out into the ocean.To survive any trouble in the water, you have to keep calm, and you have to save energy. Never wait to call for help or signal others on the beach. The sooner help arrives the better chance you and the help will survive. If you notice someone in trouble do not rush in to help. Notify the life guard, beach patrol, and others on the beach. Do not attempt to rescue alone. Two that drowned recently died after saving others.

Always take a life jacket, surf board, or other floatation device to assist you and the person in trouble.Six people were rescued from rip currents yesterday at Myrtle Beach. Several drowned last week including a young girl rescued several days before. She died of ‘secondary drowning’ or of complications of near drowning. Even if you get to shore after a difficult time in the water it is best to get checked out at the hospital. The young girl went to the hospital where she died. Come to the beach, have fun, play safe, and go home healthy so you can visit again!

The on camera flash will often make the image look hard and is especially hard on portraits of women and children not to mention the dreaded ‘red eye’. There are several ways to soften flash results. I often use a flash completely off the camera which is not an option for most Realtors.

An optional flash in the hotshoe if provided on your camera can really lighten softly bu simply adjusting the light to bounce off the white ceiling. Have a wierd color ceiling- or unable to bounce your flash? Take one shot with a tissue over the flash to diffuse the light.. 

I doubt any Realtor has time to learn Photoshop CS4 or wants to spend $600 for the software. I sure do not. However, those with patience and dedication can learn Photoshop Elements 7 at around $80 plus $20 for an instruction book and about the same for a 3 CD training set. Surprising what a $450 digital SLR can do above a ‘point and shoot’… actually ‘IN ADDITION to point and shoot’. 

Using the software that comes with the camera is fine or Photoshop Starter Version which is free and can be used with any cameras. You will be surprised at what the free software can do with just a few minutes of your time. Check out the Nikon D40 – it comes with a great 18 – 55 lens (wide angle to normal). I keep one just like that and another body with a 55 – 190 telephoto lens in my vehicle all the time.

No one needs 2 camera bodies, I take a lot of photos and never need to change. OK,, I keep a couple more lenses never needed in real estate, a tripod, and other ‘extras’. The new digital SLR cameras will make you look like a pro out of the box. Digital means no film to buy. A $15 4 gig card can hold up to 4000 photos and can be formated to start as new again. Don’t like the shot? Trash it and take it again. Do yourself a favor, buy a digital camera for your business, it makes a good tax deduction. Buy an extra storage card and keep it with you 24/7 you may get some shots to post here or with your advertising– not to mention your family.

Next they went outside as the Ocean Isle Beach fire department brought a large truck. The boys and girls climbed all over it like a bunch of ants while being supervised by the firemen. They were able to sit in the drivers seat and put on a fireman’s coat and helmet.

At this point we packed up their coloring books and ‘jr fireman’ badges they received for a quick dinner at Sharkey’s on the ICW as we had to be back by 7PM. At 7 sharp, a program was given on the animals that can be found on the island. Parents, grandparents, and the kids really enjoyed it and a presentation about the turtles that nest on the island- plus an invitation to come to a nest later as 147 eggs were about to hatch.

The children were next on a scavenger hunt through the museum. After they returned they were each given a box containing an owl ‘pellet’. I though it was something from the owl’s bottom but NO- it comes from the top. The pellets are sold to the museum sanitized and wrapped in foil. The boys and girls have a pointed stick to pull the fur and feathers apart. Inside they find what else the owl could not digest. Owls eat birds, mice, and other small animals. Tiny bones were found in all. Scotty found a bird skull and Dominic found the skull of a mouse.

That was only ONE day’s program. Every day something different is going on. A family pass is only $49! This is the best $49 you can spend to help make your beach vacation more enjoyable. Check out their website at http://www.museumofcc.org/ and don’t forget to stop by my website too at www.rakoci.com.