Posts by : Steve Gruenwald

Since November of 2011, I have seen an improvement in the real estate market in the Grand Strand. I believe, 2012 is our breakout year with home sales improving further.

I just listed this luxury townhome in the gated, golf community of Pawleys Plantation, Pawleys Island, SC 29585

92-2 Masters Place

After about 2 years, Consalvi's announced that they will close their business this Wednesday, November 30, 2011. It is sad to see these nice people close and to lose another small business in this world of big box franchises. There is some hope that they may reopen in the future in a new location. Best wishes, Lisa and Gary. You're the best!

Nosh, formerly Pawleys Island Inn, Tyler's Cove, Louis's at Pawleys and the Fish Camp Bar, High Hammock The Maverick, is now open and I hear good things about their food. The former owner/chef of the Community House in Pawleys Island, David Bardari, recently opened Nosh. The Community House was a locals favorite for many years before closing around 2004.

I have not yet dined at Nosh.

Click Here for More Information About Nosh

This Mortgage Market Press Release was received on April 27, 2011 from First Home Mortgage, compliments of Kathy Barnes and Ryan Heinemann:

"The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) concluded their two day meeting today. In a statement released just after the meeting, the Fed pledged to maintain the status quo of exceptionally low interest rates and follow through on their treasury purchase program which will end in June. Chairman Bernanke also spoke after the meeting in a press conference and answered questions. Bernanke said the Fed is committed to keeping monetary policy accommodative until job growth accelerates and the economic recovery is strong enough to withstand tighter credi...

A few years ago, we stayed in a Bed and Breakfast in Jacksonville, Florida where one of their breakfast choices was granola. It is by far, the best I've ever had. The B&B owner was kind enough to share the recipe. It's loaded with flavor, fiber and goes with milk or yogurt. Give it a try, I am sure you'll enjoy it.

Homemade Granola

Pawleys Island's most popular golf courses, True Blue and Caledonia announce their spring golf, travel specials.

True Blue and Caledonia Golf Specials

Have you ever wondered what the home of the future might look like? Most may think that future homes will have solar energy as an energy conservation feature. That may be true, but take a look at what might be considered the next generation of high tech homes. This video is made possible by Corning. Amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38

There's a buzz in the Pawleys Island community about Sanford's Smokehouse, which recently opened at 251 Willbrook Blvd., in Mingo. The owners have done some market research and discovered that what is not needed is more of the same in Pawleys Island. Sanford's specialty is gourmet, smoked meat...a first for this area.

Since I come from the BBQ Capitol, Memphis, Tennessee, I've been looking for a place nearby that reminds me of Tennessee Q.

Although I have not tried Sanford's, based on what I am hearing, Chef Rob Doerr has got it goin on! Yep, they are smoking beef brisket, salmon, prime rib over real hickory.

Check back in a few days, cause I'm headin to Sanford's for a little taste. I'll le...

I just listed the lowest price condo in True Blue! This is an excellent value and priced $8000-$10,000 under recent comparable sales. 562 Bluestem Drive Unit 54-F Pawleys Island, SC 29585

Virtual Tour 562 Bluestem Dr. 54-F

More growth and development underway on Business 17 in Murrells Inlet, SC. Land is being cleared for a new mixed use development called Murrells Inlet Village. Sinage on the property states commercial parcels from $189,000 and residential parcels from $89,000. This is more evidence that the economic recovery in the coastal areas of Pawleys Island is beginning. More details as they become available. Below is an aerial photo pinpointing the area under development.

Keller Williams Realty International last week introduced DotLoop.com. This is the latest in paperless technology for the Real Estate trade.

DotLoop incorporates, locally, all the South Carolina Real Estate forms into an email format with electronic signatures and is fully compliant with South Carolina Real Estate law.

For less tech savvy consumers, the DotLoop system also offers users the option of fax or pdf formats in addition to the paperless forms.

Keller Williams Realty International, with over 80,000 agents, has the exclusive rights to the DotLoop "green" paperless system.

Holiday Inn Express in Pawleys Island is now Baymont Inns and Suites. My research shows at this time, it is just a name change. Baymont Inns and Suites

The photos on my homepage are from local Pawleys Island photographer, Mike Covington, of Low Country Photos. Mike truly captures the natural beauty of this unspoiled South Carolina coastal area in each and every photograph he takes.

 For high quality images of wildlife and scenic areas in the South Carolina Low Country, go to www.lowcountryphotos.com

They make great gifts!

For home buyers who might need seller assistance or if you are a U.S. veteran, here are the loan limits for South Carolina. There are advantages to FHA and VA.

Did you know? VA Loans are assumable to qualified purchasers at the mortgage rate of the original loan. Of course, some restrictions apply. This is a great marketing tool for the VA seller.

FHA Click Here

VA Click Here

Sunday, December 26, 2010, 7:42 AM and it is snowing in Murrells Inlet, SC!

Sunday, December 26, 2010, 8:21 AM, snow ended and now raining.

For your convenience, I have created a new page with current local mortgage rates for the Grand Strand area. As new rates are published, I post them. South Carolina Mortgage Rates

Yesterday, on the busiest retail week before Christmas, against my better judgment, I went to a bookstore in Myrtle Beach, to use a gift card my daughter gave me for my birthday. The many sales associates were very attentive and the store was moderately busy. After browsing for about 45 minutes, I found a book that all of my family would enjoy. (2008 Edition of Cook's Country Recipes) I stopped at the Customer Service Desk (in this case, "No Customer Service Desk") and asked if I could pay for my book. I was told that I must go the the front or rear of the bookstore in order to checkout.

Needless to say, there was only one person at the front checkout and one at the back of the store. Th...

I set my alarm for 1:45 am on December 21, 2010 to get a glimpse of the rare occurrence of a lunar eclipse that hasn't happened on the winter solstice since the 1600's. I saw the beginning of the eclipse at 1:45 and about the left third of the moon was covered by earth's shadow. I set my alarm again for 3:30 am and unfortunately, the moon had disappeared due to cloud cover. I'm glad I saw what I could. Lunar Eclipse Time Lapse Video

I've been asked numerous times to explain the term Distressed Property. One definition includes the status known as Foreclosure. Another category includes a status referred to as Short Sale,  meaning the property owner has experienced financial hardship and can no longer fulfill the monthly mortgage obligation. Additionally, the value of the property is less than the mortgage balance. In other words, the owner is "upside down." Once the owner proves hardship to their Lender, the Lender may or may not choose to approve the Short Sale process rather than Foreclose on the property. Foreclosure is still an option for the Lender. This can be a lengthy process and typically the owner wil...