Today I ran a 5K race at the incredibly beautiful Brookgreen Gardens. The money raised benefited the Brookgreen Zoo, a worthy cause. 190 people participated.

When that pistol was shot (why do they still do that anyway; it causes unnecessary smoke we inhale as we go by), the runners sped across that starting line like loaded guided missiles. The famous ones who win every race (show-offs!) did not impress me, although I must confess to a tinge of jealousy. I mean, just why do you need to run THAT fast?

In my book, the winner of the race was a thirty some year old mother pushing a stroller with a relatively large toddler in it. She placed in the top 10% (she beat my time). She did it with a smile on her face and toddler still intact.

I came in second for my age group, which was no consolation for my lousy time, never mind that I shaved some years off my age... The person I want to beat next year is the woman pushing the stroller! Surely by then, her toddler will be old enough to...

jog!

Run Forrest Mirela, Run! Join The Optimist Group!

It has been almost a month ago that I blogged about the possible closing of the post office in Anderson SC. But I am glad to reprot that the South Anderson branch post office has been removed from a list of branches being considered for closing by the United States Postal Service!

I do not understand how or why this post office was selected, but now the point seems to be moot. The important thing is this very important decision will mean so much to the residents of the south side of Anderson.

With my office just down the street from this post office on S Main Street in Anderson, it would have been an inconvenience for me. But for the older people that live on this side of town, it would have meant a trip to the other side of town. Instead of being able to walk to the post office, many would have been forced to drive or take the bus just to go to the post office. Not very green is it?

I am sure you have seen the recent news about how much money the post office lost in the past year. But closing post offices will not help them to make more money. Intelligent business decision are needed to increase revenues and cut costs. Not shutting down the cornerstone of a community!

Myrtle Beach Real Estate - Things to be Thankful For. Not all of us are fortunate enough to have a roof over our heads. The market place has changed and some people are losing their property to foreclosure. We work hard and life flies by fast but just take a moment to step back.

This Thanksgiving, let's all take a moment to appreciate how fortunate we are:

•· If we have a roof over our heads, and shelter

•· If we aren't starving we have the food to eat

•· If we are healthy and not suffering from a life threatening disease

•· If we have the family, relatives, and friends and we are not alone

•· We haven't had any terrorist actives recently in our country

•· If we live in a country that has rights and freedom

•· If we accomplish a goal for ourselves

•· Every day we have the opportunity to learn something new

•· The fact that we woke up this morning

The economy is tough it is right now. But we all have something to be thankful for.

•· The rain and the sunshine that makes things grow

•· The unconditional love of a pet

•· So many wonderful cultures and backgrounds

•· Nature all around us

•· Our faith

•· Weekends

•· Fun with family or friends

•· Our favorite season of the year will always come

•· Technology we have today

I can say I am fortunate that our real estate team has the skill level and knowledge to help people that are upside down on their mortgage sell their property and get out of the mortgage. We help many people by using our Myrtle Beach Short Sale system. In which case, the market value of the property is less than the current mortgage owed by the owner. With Our Proven System, we negotiate a deal with the lender which allows our sellers to sell the property without coming to closing with money. The market has changed and banks are more willing today to compromise with owners to decrease their losses. As Realtors, our job is to help people work out their problems.

On the other hand, we are fortunate that our real estate team has been able to help many buyers out together many good deals. Through hard work, knowledge and skill level, we have been able to help many people find the deal of the decade. Many buyers have bought Myrtle Beach bank owned properties and purchase their place at the beach with Myrtle Beach Foreclosures.

We all have a lot to be thankfull for this holiday. Lets all take the time to take a look at the brighter side of life.

We would like to thank all our family and friends for the support and growth this year.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks again,

The Jerry Pinkas Team

Battery Point

Battery Point is a lovely community conveniently located in Beaufort South Carolina just 3.5 miles from the downtown area. In addition, it is very close to Port Royal South Carolina and a very easy drive to head towards Savannah or Charleston from Beaufort County. This community is Neo-Traditional in design with lovely streetscape at every turn. The Charleston style homes line the street and grace the walking trails and side walks. From not only talking with the residents but also being one there is so much to love about Battery Point. This subdivision is located along the marshes of Battery Creek and a smart neighborhood design capitalizes this feature for all the residence in the community. All residents can enjoy the concrete lined walking trails and take in the water views. Morning walks on the trail allow you to view the Beaufort South Carolina sunrises and evening walks are a pleasure as well when the sunsets in the horizon. This community offers walking trails, pool, playground, pavilion, tennis, and a community dock. One of the favorite features for many of the residence is the waterfront and the ability to launch your boat from the community dock. It is a simple trip down the Battery Creek and you are in the major waterways of Beaufort County off you go. There are so many wonder attributes about Battery Point and the above mentions some main high lights. I look forward to showing you Battery Point as your Beaufort South Carolina Realtor.

For more Beaufort Community Pages click HERE

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market: October 2007 vs. October 2009

Single Family Homes

2007 2009

Available for sale: 6,360 6,227

Sold during October: 287 312

2007: 4.51% of the home inventory was sold during October. At this rate, we'll need over 22 months to sell out of our current inventory of listings.

2009: 5.01% of the home inventory was sold during October. At this rate, we’ll need almost 20 months to sell out of current inventory.

Conclusion: A home now sells two months faster than it did in 2007. The time it stays on the market is over a year and a half. We have a similar home inventory as we did in 2007 (available homes for sale).

Condos

Available for sale: 8,840 6,182

Sold during October: 362 288

2007: 4.10% of the condos were sold during October. At this rate, we'll need over 2 years to exhaust our condo inventory.

2009: 4.66% of the condos were sold during October. At this rate, we’ll need about 21.5 months to exhaust our condo inventory.

Conclusion: We now have over 30% less condo inventory available for sale than we did in 2007. Condos now sell about 3 months faster than they did in 2007.

Land

Available for sale: 5,670 5,216

Sold during October: 72 53

2007: 1.27% of our land inventory was sold during the month of October. At this rate, we'll need over 6.5 years to exhaust the existing inventory.

2009: 1.02% of our land inventory was sold during October. At this rate, we’ll need over 8 years to exhaust the exiting inventory.

Conclusion: Although we have 8% less inventory, it now takes 1.5 years longer to sell out of the land inventory than it did in 2007.

Multi-Family

Available for sale: 147 162

Sold during October: 4 2

2007: 2.72% of our multi family inventory was sold during October. At this rate, we'll need over 3 years to sell out of the existing inventory.

2009: 1.23% of the inventory has been sold in October. At this rate, we’ll need 6 years and 9 months to exhaust the current inventory.

Conclusion: Although we now have over 10% more inventory than we did in 2007, sales have been halved. It now takes 3 years and 9 months longer to sell out of the inventory than it did in 2007.

Grand Conclusion: Land is the most depressed Real Estate product in the Myrtle Beach Market, with a supply of over 8 years. Multi family is the next most depressed product with an almost 7 year supply (6yrs. 9mos). The condo market has 30% less inventory than it did two years ago and it’s selling 3 months sooner. The single home inventory remains virtually unchanged, yet selling 2 months earlier.

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection Proud Optimist!