NORTH MYRTLE BEACH --The sound of clapping and "yeahs" could be heard as Sen. John McCain greeted those gathered at the Tilghman Forest neighborhood on 11th Avenue North.
Wearing a blue cap with "NAVY" emblazoned across it in gold letters, McCain walked down the block Friday and shook residents' hands before heading to the community's clubhouse to speak to the crowd gathered there.
He later joined another crowd for lunch at Rick's Kitchen on 15th Avenue South in North Myrtle Beach.
McCain said his troop exit plan would be to make sure that the Iraqi forces are at a point where they can take over more responsibility.
To solve illegal immigration in the U.S., he said "we've got to have secured borders first."
McCain would like to see border patrol officers with high-tech equipment.
He said he thinks there's a need for a temporary work program through which immigrants could get temporary visas to work in the United States, but individuals should have to go back to their own countries once they finished work here. McCain also said there's still a need to address the issue of the estimated 12 million people already in the U.S. illegally.
Regarding health care, he would like to see American households receive a $5,000 refundable tax credit to allow people to find the best health care.
He also proposed walk-in clinics and allowing veterans to go to their doctor of choice.
He also acknowledged a need to improve education.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Myrtle Beach Real estate a good value
Clearly, real estate offers potential for solid returns. What's more, especially in times of stock market volatility, there's a certain comfort to buying a bricks-and-mortar investment.
But for many of us, buying and owning real estate can be more complicated than investing in stocks and bonds. Investing in real estate requires everything from tax and budgeting expertise to people-management skills. And, particularly as the subprime lending mess sorts itself out, beneficial real estate opportunities may be more difficult to gauge.
Owning a home:
Of course, the most common real estate investment is home-ownership. For first-time homebuyers attempting to decide if such a purchase is the right financial move, Freddie Mac, one of America's biggest buyers of home mortgages, offers a detailed analysis of benefits and potential snags.
Freddie Mac points out the obvious benefits as having a place to call home, possibly paying less than you would to rent and locking in a monthly payment with a fixed-rate mortgage. As far as those intangible pluses, a Harvard University paper, "The Social Benefits and Costs of Homeownership: A Critical Assessment of the Research," found strong evidence that homeowners are more likely to be satisfied with their homes and neighborhoods, participate in volunteer and political activities and stay in their homes longer, contributing to neighborhood stability.
Rental properties:
For many investors hoping to generate steady profits from real estate investments, buying rental properties and becoming a landlord is a good option.
In an ideal world, you buy a reasonably priced, well-maintained property in an ideal location that attracts the world's best tenants.
In addition to setting a rent that covers your mortgage, taxes and includes a profit, your property appreciates in value over the course of the mortgage. That translates into a reliable income stream that's fairly inflation-proof.
If you are thinking of becoming a landlord, first and foremost it's vital to have financial reserves for that unexpected $10,000 for a new roof. You should also think carefully about your own skill set and the amount of time you can dedicate to managing your investments.
But for many of us, buying and owning real estate can be more complicated than investing in stocks and bonds. Investing in real estate requires everything from tax and budgeting expertise to people-management skills. And, particularly as the subprime lending mess sorts itself out, beneficial real estate opportunities may be more difficult to gauge.
Owning a home:
Of course, the most common real estate investment is home-ownership. For first-time homebuyers attempting to decide if such a purchase is the right financial move, Freddie Mac, one of America's biggest buyers of home mortgages, offers a detailed analysis of benefits and potential snags.
Freddie Mac points out the obvious benefits as having a place to call home, possibly paying less than you would to rent and locking in a monthly payment with a fixed-rate mortgage. As far as those intangible pluses, a Harvard University paper, "The Social Benefits and Costs of Homeownership: A Critical Assessment of the Research," found strong evidence that homeowners are more likely to be satisfied with their homes and neighborhoods, participate in volunteer and political activities and stay in their homes longer, contributing to neighborhood stability.
Rental properties:
For many investors hoping to generate steady profits from real estate investments, buying rental properties and becoming a landlord is a good option.
In an ideal world, you buy a reasonably priced, well-maintained property in an ideal location that attracts the world's best tenants.
In addition to setting a rent that covers your mortgage, taxes and includes a profit, your property appreciates in value over the course of the mortgage. That translates into a reliable income stream that's fairly inflation-proof.
If you are thinking of becoming a landlord, first and foremost it's vital to have financial reserves for that unexpected $10,000 for a new roof. You should also think carefully about your own skill set and the amount of time you can dedicate to managing your investments.
Lennar and Morgan Stanley Real Estate
Lennar Corporation , one of the nation's largest homebuilders, and Morgan Stanley Real Estate, an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., announced today that they have formed a strategic land investment venture to acquire, develop, manage and sell residential real estate. Concurrent with its formation, the new investment venture acquired a diversified portfolio of land from Lennar.
The properties acquired by the new entity consist of approximately 11,000 homesites in 32 communities located throughout the country. The land portfolio includes a mix of raw land as well as partially and fully developed homesites in both active and future communities. The communities are located in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada and New Jersey.
Lennar acquired a 20% ownership interest and 50% voting rights in the investment venture. As of September 30, 2007, the acquired properties had a net book value of approximately $1.3 billion and the sales price was $525 million. Lennar will manage the land investment venture's operations and will receive fees for its services. It will also receive disproportionate distributions to the extent the investment venture exceeds financial targets. As a part of the transaction, Lennar entered into option agreements and rights of first offer providing Lennar the opportunity to purchase certain finished homesites at current market values at the time of exercise from the investment venture.
The properties acquired by the new entity consist of approximately 11,000 homesites in 32 communities located throughout the country. The land portfolio includes a mix of raw land as well as partially and fully developed homesites in both active and future communities. The communities are located in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada and New Jersey.
Lennar acquired a 20% ownership interest and 50% voting rights in the investment venture. As of September 30, 2007, the acquired properties had a net book value of approximately $1.3 billion and the sales price was $525 million. Lennar will manage the land investment venture's operations and will receive fees for its services. It will also receive disproportionate distributions to the extent the investment venture exceeds financial targets. As a part of the transaction, Lennar entered into option agreements and rights of first offer providing Lennar the opportunity to purchase certain finished homesites at current market values at the time of exercise from the investment venture.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Myrtle Beach renourished 2007
Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach are the first to get new sand, with the rest of the county's shoreline to be replenished over the coming year.
Dredges are scraping up sand from about 3 miles offshore, then pumping it onto the beach, where it drains for a bit before being smoothed and shaped by bulldozers.
Horry County's beaches were last renourished 10 years ago.
Ten years ago, the work cost $54 million. It is expected to cost at least that much this time around. Corps Maj. Bryan Pratt of the Charleston District said the agency is committed to maintaining the beaches through 2046, adding to them every eight years.
3 million cubic yards of sand will be distributed along the Grand Strand.
Garden City Beach-Surfside Beach 750,000 cubic yards on 7.7 miles
Myrtle Beach 1.5 million cubic yards on 9 miles
North Myrtle Beach 750,000 cubic yards on 8.6 miles The sand, if piled on a football field, would rise as high as the Empire State Building.
www.843Realtor.com
Dredges are scraping up sand from about 3 miles offshore, then pumping it onto the beach, where it drains for a bit before being smoothed and shaped by bulldozers.
Horry County's beaches were last renourished 10 years ago.
Ten years ago, the work cost $54 million. It is expected to cost at least that much this time around. Corps Maj. Bryan Pratt of the Charleston District said the agency is committed to maintaining the beaches through 2046, adding to them every eight years.
3 million cubic yards of sand will be distributed along the Grand Strand.
Garden City Beach-Surfside Beach 750,000 cubic yards on 7.7 miles
Myrtle Beach 1.5 million cubic yards on 9 miles
North Myrtle Beach 750,000 cubic yards on 8.6 miles The sand, if piled on a football field, would rise as high as the Empire State Building.
www.843Realtor.com
Getting you home ready for Winter
Water Sources
1. Clean your gutters and downspouts - Gutters and downspouts play an important role in diverting water away from foundation walls. Clean them before the winter weather sets in to keep your basement dry and leak free.2. Drain exterior water lines - Prevent frozen pipes by removing, draining and storing outdoor hoses. Open the outside faucets to allow water to drain and leave them open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.3. Treat your garbage disposal to a hot water bath - Cooking for large family gatherings or holiday parties can put extra stress on everyday appliances such as garbage disposals. Prevent plumbing problems and costly repairs by flushing the garbage disposal with one pot of hot water and a half cup of baking soda before and after the holidays.
Fire, Ventilation and Heat
4. Inspect your home heating systems - Nearly half (44%) of all home heating fires occur in December. Remember to schedule a professional inspection of your home’s heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces and water heaters before winter weather sets in. In addition, stock up on furnace filters and change them regularly. If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly. When water appears, close them.5. Recaulk and weather-strip your doors and windows - According to the Department of Energy, the cost to heat an average home is approximately $1,400 annually. Save money and energy by checking caulking for decay around doors, windows, corner boards and joints. Recaulk and add weather-stripping as needed.6. Trim back tree limbs - Carbon monoxide poisoning is most common during winter months, particularly because of increased use of fireplaces and furnaces. Protect your family by identifying overgrown tree limbs hanging over the chimney or flue, as blockages could affect the draft and create higher carbon monoxide levels within a home. Homeowners should also consider installing a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. Batteries should be replaced in the spring and fall.7. Keep a fire extinguisher handy- Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States. Make sure to place your fire extinguishers away from potential fire sources. If you’re cooking in the kitchen, for instance, place the fire extinguisher away from the stove to ensure that you can reach the extinguisher in the event of an emergency.
Electrical
8. Test your electrical circuit shut-off switch - Plug outdoor decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Ensure that the circuit shuts-off properly by using a nightlight or radio. Click the circuit button. If it clicks and the nightlight or radio stays on, the circuit has not shut off. Consider contacting an ASHI Certified Inspector to evaluate the problem.9. Practice ladder safety - Falls account for an average of 5.1 million injuries and nearly 6,000 deaths a year. Before you hang the Christmas lights, wrap pipe insulation around your ladder beams (the vertical members that the rungs are attached to). The insulation will help prevent the ladder from slipping and provide insulation against electrical shock.10. Use extension cords sparingly- Remember to avoid using extension cords when possible. If you use them, do not run them across hallways or doorways, under carpeting or furniture or through walls. Never staple them in place.
Note: ASHI encourages homeowners who are unfamiliar with or uncomfortable performing any of the tasks listed above to hire a professional.
www.843Realtor.com
1. Clean your gutters and downspouts - Gutters and downspouts play an important role in diverting water away from foundation walls. Clean them before the winter weather sets in to keep your basement dry and leak free.2. Drain exterior water lines - Prevent frozen pipes by removing, draining and storing outdoor hoses. Open the outside faucets to allow water to drain and leave them open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.3. Treat your garbage disposal to a hot water bath - Cooking for large family gatherings or holiday parties can put extra stress on everyday appliances such as garbage disposals. Prevent plumbing problems and costly repairs by flushing the garbage disposal with one pot of hot water and a half cup of baking soda before and after the holidays.
Fire, Ventilation and Heat
4. Inspect your home heating systems - Nearly half (44%) of all home heating fires occur in December. Remember to schedule a professional inspection of your home’s heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces and water heaters before winter weather sets in. In addition, stock up on furnace filters and change them regularly. If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly. When water appears, close them.5. Recaulk and weather-strip your doors and windows - According to the Department of Energy, the cost to heat an average home is approximately $1,400 annually. Save money and energy by checking caulking for decay around doors, windows, corner boards and joints. Recaulk and add weather-stripping as needed.6. Trim back tree limbs - Carbon monoxide poisoning is most common during winter months, particularly because of increased use of fireplaces and furnaces. Protect your family by identifying overgrown tree limbs hanging over the chimney or flue, as blockages could affect the draft and create higher carbon monoxide levels within a home. Homeowners should also consider installing a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. Batteries should be replaced in the spring and fall.7. Keep a fire extinguisher handy- Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States. Make sure to place your fire extinguishers away from potential fire sources. If you’re cooking in the kitchen, for instance, place the fire extinguisher away from the stove to ensure that you can reach the extinguisher in the event of an emergency.
Electrical
8. Test your electrical circuit shut-off switch - Plug outdoor decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Ensure that the circuit shuts-off properly by using a nightlight or radio. Click the circuit button. If it clicks and the nightlight or radio stays on, the circuit has not shut off. Consider contacting an ASHI Certified Inspector to evaluate the problem.9. Practice ladder safety - Falls account for an average of 5.1 million injuries and nearly 6,000 deaths a year. Before you hang the Christmas lights, wrap pipe insulation around your ladder beams (the vertical members that the rungs are attached to). The insulation will help prevent the ladder from slipping and provide insulation against electrical shock.10. Use extension cords sparingly- Remember to avoid using extension cords when possible. If you use them, do not run them across hallways or doorways, under carpeting or furniture or through walls. Never staple them in place.
Note: ASHI encourages homeowners who are unfamiliar with or uncomfortable performing any of the tasks listed above to hire a professional.
www.843Realtor.com
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Dozens of threatened species call S.C. home
Nearly 30 percent of the nation's most threatened bird species can be found in South Carolina, according to a conservation report released Wednesday.
Of 178 rare bird species in danger of extinction, 53 spend at least part of their lives in the Palmetto State. The biggest threat to them is suburban sprawl, especially along the coast, according to the Audubon and American Bird Conservancy's WatchList 2007.
Keeping cats indoors, leashing dogs on the beach, volunteering to protect nesting colonies, and donating to wetland conservation are among the ways South Carolinians can help save the endangered birds, the report said.
Birds come to South Carolina for its wide range of habitats, from the beaches and salt marshes to the mountains, but development is limiting their places to breed and rest, according to the report.
WatchList species in South Carolina include the swallow-tailed kite, red-headed woodpecker, wood thrush and Bachman's sparrow.
Of 178 rare bird species in danger of extinction, 53 spend at least part of their lives in the Palmetto State. The biggest threat to them is suburban sprawl, especially along the coast, according to the Audubon and American Bird Conservancy's WatchList 2007.
Keeping cats indoors, leashing dogs on the beach, volunteering to protect nesting colonies, and donating to wetland conservation are among the ways South Carolinians can help save the endangered birds, the report said.
Birds come to South Carolina for its wide range of habitats, from the beaches and salt marshes to the mountains, but development is limiting their places to breed and rest, according to the report.
WatchList species in South Carolina include the swallow-tailed kite, red-headed woodpecker, wood thrush and Bachman's sparrow.
Good news expected Thursday from Real Estate report
A morsel of good news for the beleaguered real estate industry is expected to emerge Thursday from a closely watched quarterly government report.
While the report from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight probably will show an increase in U.S. home prices for the third quarter compared with last year, it may be the last time the index rises for quite a while, economists say.
A separate report Wednesday from the National Association of Realtors said the median price of a home sold in October declined to $207,800, a drop of 5.1 percent from a year ago, the biggest year-over-year price decline on record.
But many economists consider the OFHEO and Case-Shiller indexes to be better measurements of the housing market than the Realtors' report.
That's because both indexes examine price changes for the same properties over time instead of calculating a median price for houses sold during a particular month or quarter.
Doing so prevents the data from being skewed by changes in the mix of houses sold. For example, sales of more expensive homes in any particular month or quarter would push median prices upward.
www.843Realtor.com
While the report from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight probably will show an increase in U.S. home prices for the third quarter compared with last year, it may be the last time the index rises for quite a while, economists say.
A separate report Wednesday from the National Association of Realtors said the median price of a home sold in October declined to $207,800, a drop of 5.1 percent from a year ago, the biggest year-over-year price decline on record.
But many economists consider the OFHEO and Case-Shiller indexes to be better measurements of the housing market than the Realtors' report.
That's because both indexes examine price changes for the same properties over time instead of calculating a median price for houses sold during a particular month or quarter.
Doing so prevents the data from being skewed by changes in the mix of houses sold. For example, sales of more expensive homes in any particular month or quarter would push median prices upward.
www.843Realtor.com
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Surfside Beach Smoking Ban
An Horry County judge on Tuesday denied a temporary restraining order to a group of Surfside Beach businesses worried the town's smoking ban will harm their profits.
The businesses, mostly bars and restaurants, sought the injunction against the town so they may allow their customers to smoke inside their respective buildings.
They argued they're suffering "irreparable harm" in the face of the ban, which council passed July 24. It took effect Oct. 1, followed by a 30-day grace period.
The case comes at a time when the S.C. Supreme Court is reviewing a similar ban enacted by Greenville City Council Oct. 30, 2006, then overturned in March. It could set a legal precedent and pave the way for a statewide indoor smoking ban as in other states - something many have said is around the corner for South Carolina.
www.843Realtor.com
The businesses, mostly bars and restaurants, sought the injunction against the town so they may allow their customers to smoke inside their respective buildings.
They argued they're suffering "irreparable harm" in the face of the ban, which council passed July 24. It took effect Oct. 1, followed by a 30-day grace period.
The case comes at a time when the S.C. Supreme Court is reviewing a similar ban enacted by Greenville City Council Oct. 30, 2006, then overturned in March. It could set a legal precedent and pave the way for a statewide indoor smoking ban as in other states - something many have said is around the corner for South Carolina.
www.843Realtor.com
MB approves resolution answering questions on airport
In passing Councilman Wayne Gray's four-part resolution, Myrtle Beach City Council members on Tuesday unanimously answered one question Horry County hasn't officially asked yet and two it has asked repeatedly.
No, the city won't remove the Community Appearance Board from the planning process at the Myrtle Beach International Airport; yes, the city favors just one runway; yes, the city wants Harrelson Boulevard extended; and yes, the city will help develop and implement marketing strategies that will help the region as well as the airport.
The other thing it makes clear is that "as a collective body, we support the east-side terminal [expansion or new construction]," Gray said after Tuesday's City Council meeting. His resolution tells the county that the city will act as a co-applicant on all east-side terminal expansion or building plans.
He acknowledged his resolution was a response to a three-part resolution Horry County Council members passed several weeks ago in a 6-5 vote. The county resolved to appear before the City Council to ask if the appearance board - which scuttled the county's plans for a west-side terminal in April - could be removed from the process; to ask the city again for its feelings on the possibility of a second runway; and to ask the city whether it supports expanding the east-side terminal.
www.843Realtor.com
No, the city won't remove the Community Appearance Board from the planning process at the Myrtle Beach International Airport; yes, the city favors just one runway; yes, the city wants Harrelson Boulevard extended; and yes, the city will help develop and implement marketing strategies that will help the region as well as the airport.
The other thing it makes clear is that "as a collective body, we support the east-side terminal [expansion or new construction]," Gray said after Tuesday's City Council meeting. His resolution tells the county that the city will act as a co-applicant on all east-side terminal expansion or building plans.
He acknowledged his resolution was a response to a three-part resolution Horry County Council members passed several weeks ago in a 6-5 vote. The county resolved to appear before the City Council to ask if the appearance board - which scuttled the county's plans for a west-side terminal in April - could be removed from the process; to ask the city again for its feelings on the possibility of a second runway; and to ask the city whether it supports expanding the east-side terminal.
www.843Realtor.com
Roads get $85 million grant
Horry County garnered another $85 million in state road funds Tuesday, clinching money to cover the rising costs of extending the Carolina Bays Parkway.
"That's a very important grant for Horry County," said Don Leonard, chairman of the state Infrastructure Bank that awarded the funds. "Without that grant, the Carolina Bays Parkway would never be completed." The bank was established 10 years ago, partly because of Horry County's road problems. It is assigned to assist with high-dollar projects of state significance.
The 4.2-mile Carolina Bays project will take the road, also known as S.C. 31, from the current end point at S.C. 544 to S.C. 707. The two-lane S.C. 707 will be expanded to five lanes down to U.S. 17 Bypass at Murrells Inlet. What had been estimated as a $246 million project is now projected to cost $331 million, said County Attorney John Weaver. He and Steve Gosnell represented the county at the bank meeting in Columbia.
Of that amount, about $7 million is extra right of way costs to buy Osprey Plantation before any homes could be built there. The road corridor goes through the middle of it.
The rest of the extra money is to cover rising costs for materials and construction, Weaver said. The county will pay the rest of the project costs with money from the 1 percent road sales tax.
Some of the money could be recovered when the remaining portions of what was Osprey Plantation are resold by the county (once the land required for the road is determined), Weaver said.
www.843Realtor.com
"That's a very important grant for Horry County," said Don Leonard, chairman of the state Infrastructure Bank that awarded the funds. "Without that grant, the Carolina Bays Parkway would never be completed." The bank was established 10 years ago, partly because of Horry County's road problems. It is assigned to assist with high-dollar projects of state significance.
The 4.2-mile Carolina Bays project will take the road, also known as S.C. 31, from the current end point at S.C. 544 to S.C. 707. The two-lane S.C. 707 will be expanded to five lanes down to U.S. 17 Bypass at Murrells Inlet. What had been estimated as a $246 million project is now projected to cost $331 million, said County Attorney John Weaver. He and Steve Gosnell represented the county at the bank meeting in Columbia.
Of that amount, about $7 million is extra right of way costs to buy Osprey Plantation before any homes could be built there. The road corridor goes through the middle of it.
The rest of the extra money is to cover rising costs for materials and construction, Weaver said. The county will pay the rest of the project costs with money from the 1 percent road sales tax.
Some of the money could be recovered when the remaining portions of what was Osprey Plantation are resold by the county (once the land required for the road is determined), Weaver said.
www.843Realtor.com
Different marketing concepts
"There is not a real estate office I have been to in the last year where inventory levels have never been higher. Pages and pages of flyer’s, open house books, and price reduction signs litter the office. Online brokers have page after page of virtual tours and panoramic views. Countless amounts of listings where the agent signed the listing agreement, knowing it would never sell at that price, but thought in time, the seller would “see the light” or “need to reduce.” The agent thought, “If I don’t take it, my competitor will and I will lose it.” And like clockwork we have thousands of listings that are getting reduced, but unfortunately it is too late, as the sellers lag behind the market. The streets are lined with properties for sale, open house balloons flap in the wind and agents sit in homes on Sunday afternoon with sign-in sheets and Yankee candles burning in the foyer.
The culture of our business has been built to believe that an unsold listing bears some fruit. It brings buyers of other homes we can sell. It provides a legal billboard to promote our name. It provides a vehicle to advertise who we are in traditional print. After all, an unsold listing, if played right, is like chum on a blue fishing boat–it’s great bait!"
This is not the www.843Realtor.com business plan.
The culture of our business has been built to believe that an unsold listing bears some fruit. It brings buyers of other homes we can sell. It provides a legal billboard to promote our name. It provides a vehicle to advertise who we are in traditional print. After all, an unsold listing, if played right, is like chum on a blue fishing boat–it’s great bait!"
This is not the www.843Realtor.com business plan.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Myrtle Beach International Airport update
Myrtle Beach City Council members could extend a small olive branch to Horry County today in passing a resolution regarding the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
Councilman Wayne Gray's resolution reiterates one the city passed in July supporting one runway; a new or expanded east-side terminal; expanding Harrelson Boulevard; and reducing airlines' landing costs and developing marketing campaigns for the area and the airport.
The potential peace pipe is a clause that says the city would "serve as a 'co-applicant' with the county" to all city boards and commissions on building permits for the east-side terminal.
"We'd be placing our stamp of approval on the east-side terminal," Gray said, though not making any financial obligation to the building process.
Whether the county accepts the offering remains to be seen. County Council recently resolved to ask the city to remove its Community Appearance Board from the airport planning process and to ask the city about a second runway.
In April, the appearance board tanked the county's plans for a west-side terminal.
More than a month ago, the county asked the city to support including a second runway in the airport's master plan; the city held fast to its position that one runway is sufficient
www.843Realtor.com
Councilman Wayne Gray's resolution reiterates one the city passed in July supporting one runway; a new or expanded east-side terminal; expanding Harrelson Boulevard; and reducing airlines' landing costs and developing marketing campaigns for the area and the airport.
The potential peace pipe is a clause that says the city would "serve as a 'co-applicant' with the county" to all city boards and commissions on building permits for the east-side terminal.
"We'd be placing our stamp of approval on the east-side terminal," Gray said, though not making any financial obligation to the building process.
Whether the county accepts the offering remains to be seen. County Council recently resolved to ask the city to remove its Community Appearance Board from the airport planning process and to ask the city about a second runway.
In April, the appearance board tanked the county's plans for a west-side terminal.
More than a month ago, the county asked the city to support including a second runway in the airport's master plan; the city held fast to its position that one runway is sufficient
www.843Realtor.com
84% of recent home buyers used the Internet
A new survey finds that 88% of public rely on Web sites as their primary source for the latest real state news and information, with newspapers coming in a distant second at 12%. The poll reinforces the results of a study earlier this month by the National Association of REALTORS(R) concerning the use of the Internet to buy or sell homes.
A study released on Nov. 13 by the National Association of REALTORS (R) (NAR) shows a similar reliance on Web sites by people looking to buy or sell residential real estate. According to the 2007 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 84% of recent home buyers used the Internet in their search, up from 80% in 2006.
Segal observed that, “Web sites represent the new level playing fields for real estate agents and brokers who want to promote themselves or their properties. Although real estate professionals know how to promote listings, this latest poll shows that it is essential they also know how to promote themselves to the media.”
www.843Realtor.com
A study released on Nov. 13 by the National Association of REALTORS (R) (NAR) shows a similar reliance on Web sites by people looking to buy or sell residential real estate. According to the 2007 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 84% of recent home buyers used the Internet in their search, up from 80% in 2006.
Segal observed that, “Web sites represent the new level playing fields for real estate agents and brokers who want to promote themselves or their properties. Although real estate professionals know how to promote listings, this latest poll shows that it is essential they also know how to promote themselves to the media.”
www.843Realtor.com
Monday, November 26, 2007
Presidential hopeful Ron Paul in town today
Presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is planning a stop in Myrtle Beach today.
Paul's campaign organizers have a rally and reception planned for 7:15 p.m. at the Landmark Resort Hotel, 1501 S. Ocean Blvd., according to a statement released Sunday.
Paul has a press conference planned for 6:30 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach International Airport's General Aviation Building, the statement shows.
www.843Realtor.com
Paul's campaign organizers have a rally and reception planned for 7:15 p.m. at the Landmark Resort Hotel, 1501 S. Ocean Blvd., according to a statement released Sunday.
Paul has a press conference planned for 6:30 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach International Airport's General Aviation Building, the statement shows.
www.843Realtor.com
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Lobbyist in the Grand Strand and Charleston
When Congress passed a major water resources bill in September, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Henry Brown issued a news release applauding authorization of $76 million for key projects in the Grand Strand and Charleston.
Lobbyist Howard Marlowe wasn't mentioned in the news release, even though he'd spent more than two years helping to get the coastal projects into the water measure.
The anonymity doesn't bother Marlowe one bit.
"It's a lot of trench work, but we've got no complaints," Marlowe said. "It's what we're hired to do, and we're good at it."
Since 2005, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, Myrtle Beach and other Grand Strand communities have paid Marlowe nearly $187,000 to secure federal funds for beach-renourishment, ocean outfalls and stormwater drainage upgrades.
On a separate lobbying contract with prominent law firm Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough, Myrtle Beach alone has spent $320,000 since 2004 to get federal aid for its downtown redevelopment initiative.
Over a shorter period of time, Horry County has paid two other lobbyists, Don Fowler and John Napier, a total of $400,000 to obtain federal money to build a new terminal at the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
The council voted in September to extend the contracts of Fowler and Napier, at $13,000 per month. The lobbyists got the new contracts even though the airport expansion has stalled and the Federal Aviation Authority wants the county to return $7 million it had received for the new terminal.
Horry County Administrator Danny Knight said the two lobbyists did their job by helping the county obtain pledges of $43 million in federal aid for the airport expansion. It wasn't their fault, he said, that the city's Community Appearances Board rejected the project in April.
In recent years, a growing number of cities, towns, counties, universities and other public entities throughout South Carolina have joined the Grand Strand governments in hiring Washington lobbyists.
By the end of the year, dozens of taxpayer-funded local governments, agencies and other public entities around the state will have spent $3.5 million over 18 months on Washington lobbyists, based on interviews with 32 lobbyists and officials and an examination of more than 100 contracts and required disclosure reports.
That's enough to pay the salaries of 21 members of Congress - more than twice the size of the S.C. delegation.
Sen. Jim DeMint, a Greenville Republican, said this hidden army of lobbyists isn't needed.
DeMint blames public entities' increasing use of Washington lobbyists on a mad rush to get appropriations "earmarks" - money set aside by lawmakers for local projects.
"Towns that can't afford a new stoplight are spending thousands of dollars on lobbyists," DeMint said. "It's shameful that they feel they need to spend so much to come up here and try to get back some of their taxpayers' money."
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Lobbyist Howard Marlowe wasn't mentioned in the news release, even though he'd spent more than two years helping to get the coastal projects into the water measure.
The anonymity doesn't bother Marlowe one bit.
"It's a lot of trench work, but we've got no complaints," Marlowe said. "It's what we're hired to do, and we're good at it."
Since 2005, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, Myrtle Beach and other Grand Strand communities have paid Marlowe nearly $187,000 to secure federal funds for beach-renourishment, ocean outfalls and stormwater drainage upgrades.
On a separate lobbying contract with prominent law firm Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough, Myrtle Beach alone has spent $320,000 since 2004 to get federal aid for its downtown redevelopment initiative.
Over a shorter period of time, Horry County has paid two other lobbyists, Don Fowler and John Napier, a total of $400,000 to obtain federal money to build a new terminal at the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
The council voted in September to extend the contracts of Fowler and Napier, at $13,000 per month. The lobbyists got the new contracts even though the airport expansion has stalled and the Federal Aviation Authority wants the county to return $7 million it had received for the new terminal.
Horry County Administrator Danny Knight said the two lobbyists did their job by helping the county obtain pledges of $43 million in federal aid for the airport expansion. It wasn't their fault, he said, that the city's Community Appearances Board rejected the project in April.
In recent years, a growing number of cities, towns, counties, universities and other public entities throughout South Carolina have joined the Grand Strand governments in hiring Washington lobbyists.
By the end of the year, dozens of taxpayer-funded local governments, agencies and other public entities around the state will have spent $3.5 million over 18 months on Washington lobbyists, based on interviews with 32 lobbyists and officials and an examination of more than 100 contracts and required disclosure reports.
That's enough to pay the salaries of 21 members of Congress - more than twice the size of the S.C. delegation.
Sen. Jim DeMint, a Greenville Republican, said this hidden army of lobbyists isn't needed.
DeMint blames public entities' increasing use of Washington lobbyists on a mad rush to get appropriations "earmarks" - money set aside by lawmakers for local projects.
"Towns that can't afford a new stoplight are spending thousands of dollars on lobbyists," DeMint said. "It's shameful that they feel they need to spend so much to come up here and try to get back some of their taxpayers' money."
www.843Realtor.com
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