We have a Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM Tuesday. It's the first time I've heard those words during the past six years.

Burrr.. Stay warm and safe then plan your trip to Myrtle Beach for the Marathon that takes place February 12 - 15. There will be a Full Marathon of 26 miles, Half-Marathon, 5 K Race, Children's Fun Run, and Bicycle Ride.

Several years ago some people thought I was crazy to waste my time trying to help customers who wanted to buy real estate near Myrtle Beach but didn't know what or where. It may have taken a couple of years but two of those buyers closed on their purchases within the past couple of weeks. (I could have had four closings recently if lenders hadn't made rediculious requirements or completely stopped making loans to certain coastal area properties.) Another lesson became a reality from the saying, "Don't always judge people by their appearance" when someone walked-in wearing an old raggy tee shirt and worn jeans and then made a cash purchase with the proof-of-funds showing millions. When the economy turns, and it will, I hope we're all a little crazy.

Scan a single page 4 x 6 Calendar, place it into a document, add your personal information but do not exceed 5 x 7 inches. Print on 5 x 7 photo paper. Cost per calendar approximately $.25

Holiday cards can be found that are approximately 5.2 x 7.2 (perfect) but larger also work fine. I found cards $8.99 for 18 cards on sale 50% off = $.25 per card. After creating a signature and changing the font color to match the card through Word I printed it on each card.

I changed the font color to dark green and printed the addressed envelopes. Placed a stamp on envelope = $.42

Grand total $.92 each to send all my clients and customers a 2009 personal calendar and holiday greeting.

Even if you vacation every year in Myrtle Beach buying real estate here can be a challenge if you live in another State. There are also thousands of people who have never been to Myrtle Beach but want to buy real estate because they know someone who has, or they realize that no where else in the Country can you find real estate close to the beach priced much lower.

After vacationing in the Myrtle Beach area for many years, we purchased a second home here and then several years after that made it our permanent residence. Yes, we moved away from our grown children and grandchild (now grandchildren) but we actually see them more now.

Even though we had extensive knowledge of real estate we did not know that we should have had a Realtor as our Buyer’s Agent working in our best interest. It was not until I went to school to become a Realtor that I found out that real estate buyer’s can choose a Realtor to be their Agent and it is free even if they never make a purchase. So that would be the first thing you will want to do after you verify that the Realtor will show you all properties of interest listed in the MLS, not limiting them to their real estate company or their own listings.

If you plan to visit Myrtle Beach or you would like to search for real estate here from an out of the area location simply tell your Realtor what type of real estate is of interest and, if you have decided on, an area within the Grand Strand. Public access MLS systems do not offer the flexibility that the official MLS system has, so your Realtor can enter your requirements and pull up only real estate listings that match those requirements. If you provide your email address your Realtor can send you those listings. Since pictures within each MLS listing are only as good as the Agent who took the picture for their listing you may need more. After you have narrowed down your property choices and if you are not sure of something because of a picture or lack of one, a good Realtor will preview the property for you and take additional pictures to help in your choice.

To view the inside of any residential property you must be accompanied by a Realtor and the listing real estate company must be notified, so if your plan to travel to Myrtle Beach to look your Realtor will be prepared. If you want to make your choice without traveling, select two or three of your favorite properties and have your Realtor provide you with other cost details or the contact information for those who can provide you with the information. Now with the help of your Realtor’s knowledge you will be able to decide if you want to make an offer and how much you want to offer.

Your Realtor should understand the concerns of Buyers and Sellers who live in another State and your best interest should always be their prime concern. Even after you have made a purchase if you need someone to accept deliveries of furniture or installation of utilities, Realtors, like myself, are here to help our out-of-State clients.