Home Tips Archives - North Myrtle Beach Real Estate Sales Blog

April 30, 2023May 1, 2023

3 Fun Garden Projects the Kids Will Love

Spring is here on the Grand Strand, and it’s time to start thinking about planting your gardens for the year. Instead of working on the garden on your own, allow the kids to join in the fun and help out. We at North Beach Realty have come up with a few fun garden projects that the kids will love too. Let’s look at three different things that the kids can join to help make the gardens a little more fun.

Sandbox Gardens

If your kids are a little older and no longer use that sandbox that you purchased or built for them, we have the perfect solution. This year use the sandbox as an herb garden instead of letting it sit and collect water or other critters in it. Have the kids help you clean it out and add some new dirt and fresh mulch to it. Then let the kids pick out which herbs they want to grow in the sandbox and allow them to plant the seeds. Your kids will love taking care of the herbs and watching them grow into something they can eat.

Decorating Wooden Spoon Garden Markers

Another fun project that your kids can do to help get the garden ready this year is to make their markers—buying several wooden spoons from the local dollar store, painting them, and allowing each one to decorate them. If the child is old enough to write, have them write the name of the plant on each spoon. After they have been decorated, be sure to seal them with some polyacrylic to sit outside in the garden next to each plant. Think of the fun everyone will have by doing these cute markers for the garden!

Easy Bird Feeder

Little ones always love watching the birds come into the yard during the spring and summer months. Instead of putting out a regular bird feeder that you purchase from the store this year, allow your kids to make a new one to add to the garden. One easy bird feeder that your kids can make is using a 2-liter bottle. Cut the middle halfway down to make it more like a boat. Next, add some string to each end of the bottle and put some birdseed into the bottle. Now it’s time to hang in your yard or garden and let the kids watch the birds come to enjoy their food. What a great way to spend a rainy day by making something fun for their garden with the kids.

A Few Honorable Mentions

We didn’t want to stop with just three, so we wanted to mention a few more that the kids would love.

Eggshell Seed Starters – if you want to recycle your eggshells, why not use them as a seed starter? Add a little soil to the eggshell, put a seed in it, water it, and watch it sprout. Transfer it to the ground or a pot when it gets large enough.
Colander Hanging Baskets – who want to plant your flowers in an ordinary pot when you can use old colanders instead? If you’re looking for some colorful ones, check out local thrift stores and paint them with outdoor paint. Then add your plants, add some string, and water away.
Felt Gardens – for the younger kids in the family who are just too young to help with the garden, making them their very own garden out of felt is just the ticket. This way, they can grow their little garden and still enjoy it 365 days a year inside the home.

You and your kids can do many other fun projects to get your garden ready this spring, but these are a few we wanted to share with you. If you haven’t found your next dream home here in North Myrtle Beach, allow us at North Beach Realty to help you out. We look forward to hearing about what projects you and your family did this year.

March 31, 2023April 1, 2023

Top 6 Spring Cleaning Tasks for your Home in North Myrtle Beach

Top 5 Spring Cleaning Tasks for your Home in North Myrtle Beach

Now that spring has arrived on the coast of South Carolina, it’s time for a little spring cleaning. As homeowners, there will always be things to do around your property during certain times of the year. Spring time is the best for many different tasks as you can get a head start for the summer months. If you are selling your home this summer, then doing these things this spring is essential to complete these maintenance tasks. Let’s look below at what our top 6 spring cleaning tasks you can do around your home.

Cleaning the Gutters

During the course of the winter months, you may notice that your gutters on your home are blocked with debris. While it may not be a favorite task to do as a homeowner, it can help you save money in the long run. A good cleaning of the gutters will help you in the long run so that there is no damage to your roof. Having a good runoff away from your home will help keep the pooling of water from forming at the base of your home. This can be a danger when it freezes or can even cause extensive damage to the foundation of your home as it sits. Just grab a ladder, gloves and a water hose to clean up the gutters.

Clean the Dryer Vents

This is a task that many homeowners forget to do anytime of the year but cleaning your dryer vents can help prevent a fire. Having dirty dryer vents can cause fires and this is something that you don’t want to happen. Taking a look at the vents on both the dryer and where it leaves your home is going to be the key. This task will take less than a few minutes to make sure that the vents are clean and not dirty to help prevent a fire later down the road.

Pressure Wash the Siding

November into early December is when you will stop mowing your lawn, but it’s also time to put the mower up for the season. Now that it’s spring time, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have your mower ready for the season. Check the spark plugs and cables and make sure that the blades are ready to cut the grass for the season. This can allow for a more evenly cut lawn without missing patches throughout the yard or having to go over the same spot a few times. It will also help save you money by getting the mower ready now rather than having to have it fixed later during the summer months.

Lawn Gear Ready

The fall and winter months can be a little rough on your home’s siding and can take a beating. From the rain and cold weather, it can cause for a few things to collect on the side of your home such as dirt, dust and algae. This can make your home look dirty and unattractive and can increase the wear on the siding when it’s not cleaned for months or even years. This can be an easy clean up with a little soap, brush and water hose to get it cleaned up. Or to make things a little simpler than renting or purchasing a pressure washer can be a better investment for years to come.

Clean & Re-Stain the Deck

Part of a good spring cleaning of your home would be to clean the deck of the dirt, dust and grime and re-stain it. This can help give your deck a new look by pressure washing the deck and can help make the wood last longer. Re-staining your deck will also help protect against the rain, sun and other elements outdoors. If you have a screened in porch, then this can also help preserve the wood and last longer without having to replace pieces of the deck later down the road. There are so many different color stains or even sealants that you can choose from, so just head to the hardware store and choose the one you like.

Update your First Aid Kits & Check Smoke Detectors

Two things often overlooked while doing a little spring cleaning are updating your first aid kits and checking your smoke detectors. This, for many, may seem like a hassle to check, but we, too, are guilty of not being diligent and checking even our own homes. Get your first aid kit together if you don’t have one and include some essential things like Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, gauze, tape, Tylenol, Motrin, and medications for the kids, and we can’t forget about our pets. Also, check all your smoke detectors every six months, but if you forgot to do so, you might want to check them as soon as possible.

While there are many other things you can do to clean during this time of the year, we felt these are the best ones to tell you about. If you are thinking of placing your home for sale, we would love to help you and your family with the process. If you are in the search for a new home in the North Myrtle Beach area, we’d love to help you in that important search. We look forward to helping you and your family find the next best home this year!

December 31, 2022January 1, 2023

Freshen Up Your Curb Appeal Before You List Your Home

Are you thinking of putting your home on the market this spring? It should not come as a surprise that before you list your home that you need to make it shine. Prospective buyers will be coming through your home peeking in every nook and cranny to see what kind of space your home has. But while many homeowners focus on the inside, you will want to freshen up the outside of your home. The right curb appeal when you place your home on the market can help bring in many prospective buyers. We at North Beach Realty have come up with a few inexpensive steps to help you freshen up the curb appeal of your home before you list it.

Clean the Outside of the Home

Whenever you have a home for sale on the market, you want to make sure that it has been cleaned. For many potential home buyers, they want to see your home sparkle as bright as it can be and making sure your driveway is clean is a start. Over the years your driveway can become dirty from dirt, from grass clippings and more. While repaving may seem like a good option for a few people, it’s not necessary for most. Having someone come out and cleaning your driveway can sometimes be a little costly, but these days you can purchase one for less than $200. You can use the pressure washer to clean the siding on your home as well so this can be a good investment for your current home and your future home.

Freshen Up the Landscaping

While many potential buyers don’t care about what the landscaping looks like, to many it does. If you haven’t tidied up the front beds or don’t have any in front of your home, it’s a must do. It can get pretty costly to redo the landscaping, but we suggest only do a few things to help with the curb appeal. While some front yards may need more than $200 worth of work done, you can get it done for less than that price. We suggest that you do the work yourself or ask a few friends to help, put down some fresh mulch and add some easy-to-care-for plants. If you aren’t too sure which plants would work best for the area, we can suggest a few. Early Wonder Camellia, Crape myrtles, Hydrangea and Beach Ball Pittosporum are beautiful plants and work well in the climate in the south.

Front Porch Sittin’

Another wonderful way that you can add to your curb appeal is by adding a few easy things to your front porch. Many potential homeowners are looking for a front porch to sit on year-round so having an inviting one will help. If your front porch is a little on the small side, have no worries because you can add a few small things to help make it seem larger. Adding a few small planters by the front door or on the steps can help add some color to the house. Maybe changing out the light fixtures can help add a new look to your home as well. Adding a few additional things such as a small bench or a few rocking chairs to it will make the front porch inviting and welcoming to all potential buyers. Add a new welcome mat and an elegant wreath to the front door area to help make it cheerier and inviting.

New Look for the Front Door

This is one step that many homeowners overlook when they freshen up their curb appeal, the front door. Adding a fresh coat of paint to yours is not only a cheap and easy trick, but it can transform the way your home looks. Buyers will often times wait outside of the home for a few minutes while their agent is getting the keys out of the lockbox, so they have time to look at the front door. We suggest putting on a coat of paint that will help warm up the home and entry way but will also add to the curb appeal of your home. You can never go wrong with a classic color such as red, black, gray or even a coastal color such as light green or light blue.

Install Landscape Lighting

Did you know that having landscape lighting can make a significant impact on your curb appeal? Adding this can illuminate those dark pathways and your driveway and give you a sense of safety and security. Many homeowners looking to sell their homes use solar fixtures instead of hardwiring them. This can be costly if you hardwire them, as you’ll have to hire someone to do it. Plus, solar light fixtures are more budget-friendly, and they have so many different fixtures to choose from now. It may be hard to choose just one style for your landscape.

While there are many other ways that you can help freshen up the curb appeal to your home, these are just a few that we thought you’d like. Seeing the results after you have completed the above can help you be able to add more curb appeal to your beautiful home for the new homeowners. If you are still searching for a new home in the North Myrtle Beach area, please contact us today! We hope that you and your family will be able to sell your home and find a new home in the area.

December 1, 2021December 1, 2021

Decorate your New North Myrtle Beach Home for the Holidays

white snowflake on tree blurred in background with white lights and bokeh

Did you recently just purchase a new home in the North Myrtle Beach area? If the answer is yes, then now is the time to decorate it for the holidays. We at North Beach Realty want to share a few ways that you can get your home ready for your family and guests. Let’s look below at some things you can do in your new home to decorate for the holiday season.

Simple Yet, Inviting

Christmas living room interior in light colors with a Christmas tree near the window

Now that you’re a new homeowner, we know that decorating for the holidays can be expensive, especially if you don’t have any decoration at all. You can decorate your home after you’ve moved in by keeping the decorations simple yet inviting. Just decorating, say the living room and front porch, can be inviting enough for many homeowners; it has taken them years to build up their holiday decorations. Choosing a theme to decorate your home can be an easy way to keep it simple. We promise you that simple doesn’t mean cheap by any means; we know that you just want your home to be warm and inviting for others.

What Kind of Tree

Another significant debate that seems to be going around is what kind of tree you’d like to have in your house. If you are team artificial tree, you know that the investment for a good tree is a lot upfront, but you don’t have to worry about getting a new one each year. If you’re team real tree, then you have to worry about keeping it alive until the holidays are over. Another thing that can be costly each year is getting a new tree and putting the lights onto the tree. No matter what kind of tree you choose for your home, know that it will be bringing cheer into your home.

Decorations

light brown flooring, silver lantern with candle, simple decorating with branches, boxes with gifts and lights with ornaments

After you’ve chosen your theme and tree, it’s time to start decorating your home for the holidays. For outside your home, you can decorate your front porch with lights and garland, as well as add some wreaths onto the windows and door. Inside your home, add a little flair to your mantle (if you have one) and pops of color with the linens. There are so many things that you can do to decorate your home and head into a local craft or hobby store, and you’ll find an endless number of decorations to choose from.

This holiday season will be a little more exciting as you celebrate the holidays in your new home. If you are still looking for that perfect North Myrtle Beach home, give us a call today. We hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday!

September 30, 2021September 30, 2021

3 DIY Decorating Ideas for your New Home in North Myrtle Beach

Vintage chair makeover do it yourself project - chalk paint and new fabric

Have you recently purchased your home located here in North Myrtle Beach, and do you still need to decorate it? Have no fear, as we at North Beach Realty wanted to share a few fun DIY decorating ideas with you. Whether your home is your vacation home or your permanent home here at the beach, we’ve got 43ideas for you. Let’s peek at those three DIY decorating ideas that you can do within your new home here in North Myrtle Beach.

Chalkboard for Kitchen

A blonde woman stands with her back and writes in chalk on a black board in the kitchen at home. To-do list in the kitchen. Mom is home alone.

For many families, having a whiteboard or chalkboard in their kitchen can be a good thing. You can add this to your new home by finding a spot on the wall that would be a great place to have it. Then purchase some chalkboard paint, some crown molding or any kind of molding, and a few nails along with some paint for the trim. Then paint the area you’d like to put the chalkboard, frame it out with the molding and tada, you have your chalkboard. Write down your grocery list or make it a calendar and use it to keep up with your daily lives.

Picture Frame Shelf

Another great idea that you can do in your home to help decorate your walls is to find a few larger picture frames and make them into shelves. Head to a local thrift store or if you have some lying around your home, measure the inside of the frame where you’d like the shelf area to be. If you don’t have any extra boards or lumber lying around, a 2×4 board will work perfectly and cut and piece together the shelf. Then attach it to the picture frame, and you have created a little shelf for you to display fun things around your home. It’s a quick and easy project to let the kids get involved in too.

Rustic Mason Jars

White mason jar centerpiece with canvass flower and babies breath inside on a wood stump

If you’re into the rustic, farmhouse look that has become very popular over recent years, then this project is just for you. Mason jars are easy to locate, and many have them in their home already to use for storage. Start by painting each jar the color you’d like with craft paint, and then if you’d like to add lettering onto them, you can for an added look. Then take a piece of twine and wrap it around the top of the jar after the paint has dried. If you’d like to add a rustic look to the jars, take some extra fine sandpaper and sand a few spots on the jars. And just like that, you’ve made yourself some fun, rustic jars to put flowers in or other things lying around your home.

While there are many other easy DIY decorating ideas, you can do in your home, and we wanted to share these with you. If you’re still on the hunt for your perfect home located here in North Myrtle Beach, we’d love to help. We hope that you and your family will enjoy these fun DIY decorating ideas for your home!

August 31, 2021August 31, 2021

3 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Fall

new luxury home with elegant touches including covered entrance, and columns

It’s hard to believe that fall will be here before we know it, and now is the time to start getting ready. If only we could just decorate our home to get ready for fall, but there is much more to do to get your home prepared as a homeowner. We at North Beach Realty want to share with you all a few things that are a must. Let’s look below at our top 3 ways on how you can get your home ready for fall.

Clean the Gutters

Man cleaning the gutter from autumn leaves

Owning a home at the beach can be a great thing but making sure that all the gutters are free of debris can be overwhelming. If your home happens to have any trees around it, then you may not have noticed that your gutters are not draining correctly. If they are not, then you’ll not only have a flooded interior but also some damage to the roof as well. Be sure to clean out all the debris and leaves and check for any clogs before winter. This, in the long run, can help save you money as there will be no damage to your home.

Fertilize your Yard

Fertilizer for a lawn is added to a spreader, man pouring from orange bucket into the spreader with a handle and wheels

Another way that you can get your home ready is by getting your yard fertilized. Even if your yard looks amazing now, you’ll want to keep it looking that way year-round. Applying fertilizer in the early part of September to the first few weeks of October is the best time. Head to a local hardware store and pick up the right fertilizer for your yard. While your grass may look like it’s not growing and it might seem dead, applying fertilizer will allow for no extra damage to be done. By the time spring rolls around, your lawn should be back to its beauty without spending extra money on it.

Organize your Garage

Hand tools and many different items of a handyman in a garage

If your home has a garage and you have kids, your garage may seem like a hot mess right now. But one of the ways that you can get ready for the fall and the cooler months is organizing it. Head to the store and pick up a few boxes to store the items you won’t use in the fall or winter. Let the kids join in as they probably helped make the mess and spend the afternoon cleaning it together. Think of the fun memories you’ll make, and you might find that one thing you thought was long gone.

There are many other ways to get your home ready for fall, but we wanted to share these with you. If you haven’t found your next dream home located here on the Grand Strand, give us a call today. We hope that these few things will help get your family and home ready for the cooler months!

July 31, 2021July 31, 2021

Best Dog Parks in the Myrtle Beach Area

Did you just recently purchase a new home in the Myrtle Beach area, and you’re looking for a great place to take your pups to? If the answer is yes, allow us at North Beach Realty to share some of the best dog parks in the area. Myrtle Beach is a great place to live and own pets as there are many fun things to do with them but allowing them to play outdoors with you can be even better.

McLean Park

Jack Russell Terrier walking kindly on loose leash, man walking dog on leash, dog park

McLean Park is an excellent option if your home is in the North Myrtle Beach area. While they don’t have a dedicated dog area, it’s still a perfect place for some fresh air in the great outdoors. They have many different paths to take your dogs for a walk, but they don’t have a no-leash area. So be sure to bring with you their leashes, harnesses, toys, and water for them. Not only can this be a good day at the park with the dogs, but also for the whole family as you get outside to enjoy the weather.

Waggin’ Tails Dog Park

Just like the name of the park, Waggin’ Tails Dog Park is a great option where your pups can be off the leash. It is located nearby in Little River, SC, on Citizens Circle and is part of the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. The dog park offers you a fenced-in playground for the dogs and has a separate area for small dogs, large dogs, water fountains, waste bags, and parking. Think of the fun you’ll have with your pups at the dog park and how much energy they will be getting out!

Barc Parc North

Another great park that you can take your pups to is Barc Park North. Located on Claire Chopin Epps Drive in Myrtle Beach is where you’ll find an excellent location for your dogs to be fenced in. There is a separate area for small dogs and larger dogs, water fountains, and plenty of shade for them to relax in. There are also many benches for you and your family to sit in while your dogs interact.

There are plenty of other fun places that your family can go to for your dogs to enjoy some time outdoors, but we wanted to share these with you. If you haven’t found your perfect forever home in the Myrtle Beach area, we’d love to chat with you. We hope that these few dog parks in the area will be a joy to take your dogs to play.

June 28, 2021June 28, 2021

Create the Perfect Staycation at Home this Summer

Summer is here, and that means that the kids are home from school while you’re trying to figure out what to do. This summer, create the perfect vacation right at home. Take advantage of the Grand Strand this year instead of going off to another destination. We at North Beach Realty want to share a few fun ideas to help you create the perfect staycation this summer.

Camp from Home

Even if you can’t get away from life at home this summer, it doesn’t mean that you can’t go camping. One of the best ways you and your family can connect is by putting the electronic devices away for a night or two. Pitch a tent in the backyard and get your camping gear together as you all sit around the fire pit and make s’mores. The best thing about camping from home is you can still take a shower and have the kitchen. Think of the fun everyone will have soaking up the fun and laughter on your next camping adventure.

Explore North Myrtle Beach

Another great way to create your perfect staycation this summer is by exploring the area. While many will want to stay home due to how busy it can be, get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Visit one of the amusement parks in the area or try a new restaurant that’s recently opened. One of the best things about living on the Grand Strand is something new is opening all the time. Don’t worry about running your errands; just take time to enjoy North Myrtle Beach.

Movie Time

If your family loves to watch movies, recreate your movie theater in your backyard or living room. If you choose in your yard, break out all the comfy blankets, pillows, and bug spray to sit back and relax. If you decide to do it indoors, set the room up like you’re at a movie theater, complete with popcorn and butter. Go to the local dollar store and grab some favorite candies as you’d find in the theater and a few drinks. Then pick the movie you want to watch, turn the lights low and have fun!

There are many other ways that you can create the perfect staycation this summer, but we wanted to share these. If you haven’t found your ideal home in North Myrtle Beach yet, we’d love to help you. North Beach Realty can’t wait to hear about your next staycation!

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021

3 Tips to Keep your Home Cool this Summer

Summer is almost here, and we are sure feeling the higher temps here on the Grand Strand. Owning a home on the coast can be wonderful, but we know that keeping your home cool can be challenging. We at North Beach Realty wanted to share a few tips with you on how you can keep your home cool this summer. Let’s take a peek below at how you can keep your home cool without a large electric bill.

Closed Blinds

Summer is the best time to take advantage of all the sunlight, and naturally, we all think of opening our blinds during the day. But did you know that keeping your blinds open all day could make your home warmer? Yes, it’s true. Keeping your blinds open during the hottest times of the day could be causing your electric bill to rise faster. Keeping your blinds closed during the hottest time of the day will allow you to keep your home cool. This little tip will help you keep the house cool and help you save money on your electric bill each month. If you like to open your blinds, do so early in the morning before noon, and as the sun is setting for that natural light to shine in your home.

Blackout Curtains or Shades

Another way that you can keep your home cooler during the summer is by investing in some blackout curtains or shades. These are used most often in bedrooms and kids’ rooms as they block out the sunlight and keep the room cooler. Did you know that most curtains that are neutral colors with a white backing will cause your rooms to get up to 30% warmer? Who knew?! If you don’t want curtains, but you’d rather have something more minimalist looking, then check out blackout shades. Both the curtains and shades work the same in keeping the sunlight out and your rooms cooler.

Turn those Fans On

If your home has ceiling fans in just about all the bedrooms and living rooms, then turn them on. Not only will it help circulate air throughout your home, but it will help keep you cool during the day too. Ensure that the fan is set counterclockwise to be sure to get cooled off. One way to tell if your fan is set to counterclockwise is, do you feel the cool air blowing down on you? If not, then your fan is spinning clockwise, and that will be making you feel like your roasting instead of cooling off.

There are several other ways to keep your home cooler this summer here on the Grand Strand, but we wanted to share these with you. If you are still searching for that perfect home located in the North Myrtle Beach area, give us a call today. We look forward to hearing how these few

April 1, 2021April 1, 2021

4 Cleaning Hacks to Try this Spring

It’s hard to believe that spring has arrived, and now is the perfect time to start thinking about doing a little deep cleaning to your home. No matter how hard we want to believe that our homes could never be that dirty but it’s not always about cleaning. It’s about organizing it and more. We at North Beach Realty want to share four cleaning hacks that you can try out this spring in your home below.

Use White Vinegar to Deep Clean the Showerhead

If you prefer to use an all-natural cleaner in your bathroom, we have the perfect solution for you. Fill a plastic Ziplock bag with white distilled vinegar and secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band and let it sit overnight. The next morning run the shower after removing the vinegar, and you will find that it may spray a little better.

Banish Water Rings with a Hair Dryer or Iron

Did you or someone you know to place a glass full of drink onto a wood table and they have left the water rings? If so, then we have the perfect hack for you to get rid of them. Take the hairdryer on high heat and blow the heat onto the water spots. Within a few minutes, you may find that they are disappearing. If that doesn’t work, then you can take an iron and place a washcloth of a hand towel on top of the water spots and continue to do so until they are gone.

Use a Lemon to Remove Water Stain from your Faucets

Do you have those hard water stains on your faucets in your home, and not sure how to get rid of them? We know the struggle, and we have the perfect solution for you. Be sure to get a lemon or two when you head to the grocery store before trying this out. Take half of a lemon and rub it onto the faucet you’re trying to clean. And voila, the stains are gone!

Dusting Made Easy

If you’re like most of the adults out there, dusting the home has to be the one chore we all dislike. For many times when we might dust, it’s like the dust will automatically find another item in your home to make their new best friend. But did you know that if you take fabric softener sheets that they are a great way to clean your electronics, blinds, and more? Yes, that’s a much easier way to dust your home, and it’s a lot cheaper too.

While there are many other ways that you can deep clean your home this spring, these are the few we wanted to share with you. If you are still trying to find your dream home located on the Grand Strand, allow us with North Beach Realty to help you!