You're finally ready to upgrade to a bigger house in your desired location, but there's one catch: you have to move across the country. Myrtle Beach homeowners may have mastered Myrtle Beach house hunting, but doing it in a location that requires travel can be a logistical nightmare—especially when the distance in question is more than an afternoon’s drive.

Chin up! Many others find themselves in the same kind of house hunting bind all the time. No matter how unworkable it seems as first, you will find your new home—and there’s plenty of help out there to see that it happens with less difficulty than you’d suppose.

Here are some of the ways that make long distance house hunting easier:

Research Online

If you know little about the area you are heading to, there are many ways to get your bearings online. It’s easy to get a sense of what the area is known for, which places are safe, what the local cultural highlights are, and other characteristics that distinguish the area. Almost every town has its own site and a Chamber of Commerce site as well; and resources like the City-Data website can flesh out lots of other details.

Experienced Agent

Your long distance house hunting will require the services of an energetic real estate agent there on the scene. You can ask your future employer for a local recommendation, or use the web to search for stand-out candidates. In addition to a solid track record in the community, the agent you choose should be familiar with the unique challenges that go with out-of-state house hunting. The phrase you are looking for is ‘relocation experience.’

Cost of Living Differential

There may be significant cost of living differences between your current location and your new one. Consult cost of living charts (they’re online, too!). When you visit, pick up local store fliers to get a more visceral feel for the current cost of goods and other expenses in your new area. If the numbers shock (in either direction), be doubly sure factor in the percentage differential when you establish your housing budget.

Identify Must-Haves

Create a concise list of must-haves for your new home. This doesn’t just help your out-of-town real estate agent to find the listings that best fit your relocation needs, it also focuses your own priorities. An accurate list can cut down the number of trips you’ll need to take before you zero in on your house hunting target.

Make the Most of Visits

Every trip will take a lot of energy, but after the home tours are over, stick around to experience what the desired neighborhoods feel like at all times of day. If it’s practical, consider renting a room or apartment through a service like AirBnB. It’s a real plus if you can arrange your stay right in a desired neighborhood instead of in the kind of commercial area where hotels are usually located.

If you are an out-of-stater about to arrive for a Myrtle Beach house hunting adventure, or a Myrtle Beach resident with an impending long distance search of your own, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are here to offer all kinds of relocation help and advice! If you are of a mind to take advantage of the rising market, we hope you will stop by or give us a call. We hope you won't hesitate to contact us! Trust in your local Myrtle Beach Real Estate Experts at Plantation Realty Group! (843)796-2111

Starting on March 5th, South Carolina started receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. So far, 1,328,495 doses have been given. 

President Joe Biden announced that America may reopen for small events by July 4th which is months earlier than expected before the vaccines. He is also ordering that every adult American will be eligible for one of the 3 vaccines available by May 1st.  

For more reopening information CLICK HERE

For more vaccine information CLICK HERE

For more COVID-19 information CLICK HERE

Inspire Coastal Grand, a new active adult community, is opening in April across the street from Coastal Grand Mall. The development will have 194 units offering amenities such as a pool, walking trails, and more. Developers plan to build businesses and offer services that pertain to the tenants at a further date. 

With a rise in tourism, Liberty Senior Living is looking to expand its former influence of assisted living and health care, to creating these adult neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. Being only 2 miles from the beach, it offers an excellent escape for older active adults to downsize while still having all of the luxuries of a "beach community".

For more information on Inspire Coastal Grand, please visit: https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/living/seniors-aging/article249805433.html 

Here is what to expect this Hurricane season here in Myrtle Beach according to NOAA:

-There is a 60% chance that the hurricane season in the Atlantic will be above normal

-There is a 30% chance that the hurricane season in the Atlantic will be average

-There is a 10% chance that the hurricane season in the Atlantic will be below normal

This season appears to increase due to multiple environmental factors. This includes the "high-activity era", which has been a factor since 1995.

It is being warned that every person's hurricane preparedness plans may need to adjust this year due to the CDC guidelines in place for COVID-19. Before this hurricane season, be sure to:

-Make a list of supplies you may need and restock your hurricane kit

-Check with your insurance companies to make sure any property of yours that could be damaged do to hazardous weather is covered

-Check which zone you live in so that if an evacuation takes place, you will know whether or not you are in that ratio

For more information on this topic check out cdc.gov/hurricanes or click here

Governor Henry McMaster made a decision that the 2020-2021 school year will be either face-to-face or virtual depending on which situation each parent feels is best.

These plans are to be submitted for approval by July 17, 2020.

McMaster has instructed the state superintendent to not approve anything that does not offer both of these options.

McMaster has suggested September 8, 2020, as the opening day for the school year.

For more information on this topic, CLICK HERE

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, President Trump has put in an order that suspends all foreign workers from entering the country until the end of 2020. This includes all H-1B, H-2B, J and L visas, which equals to over 500,000 legal guests according to the Whitehouse.

Exemptions are being placed for workers such as H-2B workers who are employed with the United States' food supply.

Unfortunately, this order will affect AHLA members who rely on these extra workers to come in during the summer months while tourists flood their cities for vacation. This could also affect the economic recovery for the hotel and hospitality sector significantly. 

Polls open for votes on Tuesday, June 23rd from 7AM-7PM for voters. It is highly suggested that all voters visit SCVoters.org prior to visiting voting polls to confirm this polling location.

According to the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association, the Horry County Welcome back Committee launched GreaterGrandStrandisOpen.com and the Greater Grand Strand Promise today which entails re-building up our community economically while still ridding of the Coronavirus.

To do this, the Small Business Administration is giving out small loans to help businesses' pay their employees until we are back on track as a community.   

For more information about this assistance from the Small Business Administration, please CLICK HERE

For more general information about the mission to bring the economy back up in Horry County while still continuing to stay safe, please CLICK HERE

According to the Horry County Public Information Department, Horry County Government will be reinstating the following protocols due to having 10 positive cases among their staff:

• Employees to be working remotely (currently 36 are doing this) due to possible exposure
• County officers are suggested to do business electronically
• Call before visiting offices due to some working by appointment only
• Community members visiting these offices are required to wear a mask inside the building

For more information from the Horry County Public Information Department, CLICK HERE

According to the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association, the following recommendations for phase 2 of reopening Myrtle Beach regarding the COVID-19 crisis are as follows:

• Do not cloth cover faces of children 2 years or younger
• Do not cloth cover faces of those who have difficulty breathing or are unconscious
• Do not cloth cover faces of those who are unable to remove the cloth without assistance 
• Highly recommended that restaurant use cloth covering of faces if possible
• Restaurant staff should be provided information on proper covering and uncovering of the face with a cloth and proper washing techniques

Tidelands Health and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will be returning to Pelicans Ballpark to offer more free COVID-19 testing. This drive-thru clinic will be offered from 10 am to 6 pm while supplies last.

Please CLICK HERE for more information about cloth face covering guidelines from the CDC.