North Myrtle Beach

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!

Best Dog Parks in the Myrtle Beach Area

dog with frisbee, fence, grass

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

Dogs playing in a dog park

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.  

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!

3 Tips to Keep your Home Cool this Summer

Sunshine with temp gauge and clouds

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

closed blinds wooden

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

ceiling fan in master bedroom

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

4 Cleaning Hacks to Try this Spring

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

4 Cleaning Hacks to Try this Spring

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

4 Cleaning Hacks to Try this Spring

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!

Our Top 3 Things to do to Update your Home this Spring

Our Top 3 Things to do to Update your Home this Spring

Spring will be here in just a few short weeks, and now is the time to start thinking about doing those updates to your home. The winter may have been a little harsh this year with more rain than usual and colder temperatures, so doing a few updates will be okay. We at North Beach Realty want to share with you and your family how you can help update your home this spring, even on a budget. Let’s look below at our top 3 things you can do to update your home this spring.

Curb Appeal

Our Top 3 Things to do to Update your Home this Spring

One of the things that many homeowners love to do after a long winter is updating their curb appeal. This spring add some fresh color to your front porch by repainting the steps, shutters, or mailbox. Add some new flowers that line the walkway or add some fresh potted plants to the front porch. If you’re not sure what plants will help add some color and will make it through the season, head over to a local nursery. There are so many other ways that you can help update your curb appeal, but we wanted to share these with you.

Updating the Bedrooms

Another great thing that you can do inside your home is updating the bedrooms. The cool thing about owning your home is you can pick and choose if you’d like to update all the bedrooms or just a few of them. You can update them by adding a new paint color or wallpaper on the walls. Wallpaper isn’t like they were back in the ’80s and ’90s as they now have easy to remove wallpaper. After you update the walls, think about installing new flooring or cleaning the carpets. Add a splash of color to the bed linens and add a few extra décor pieces throughout the room to bring it all together. Even if you don’t spend a lot of money on the updates, you will still love the changes that it has brought to your home.

Kitchen Update

Our Top 3 Things to do to Update your Home this Spring

The kitchen is often known as the heart of the home as it’s where many love to gather for chats, eating, and just enjoying each other. If you happen to live in an older home and don’t like what you have now, may it be time for a kitchen update? You can do some of the things in your kitchen, install new flooring, adding a new backsplash, painting the cabinets a different color, or adding a splash of color to the walls. Update the windows with new blinds and curtains to go along with the new look of your kitchen. You can do this update on both a budget and you can redo the whole kitchen. The possibilities are endless when it comes to updating the heart of the home!

While there is an endless amount of updates that you can do to your home, these are the ones we wanted to share with you. If you are still on the hunt for your perfect North Myrtle Beach home, give us a call today. We hope that you and your family will enjoy all the updates you’ve made to your home this year!

3 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Vacation Home in North Myrtle Beach

3 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Vacation Home in North Myrtle Beach

Have you been thinking of buying a vacation home in the North Myrtle Beach area lately? If you have, then look no further as there are several reasons you should purchase one now. We at North Beach Realty want to share a few reasons why you should buy a vacation home here on the Grand Strand this year. Let’s look below at a few of the reasons we have come up with on why you should buy a vacation home this year.

Creating a “Home Away from Home”

3 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Vacation Home in North Myrtle Beach

One of the best benefits of owning your own vacation home in North Myrtle Beach is creating your “home away from home.” This is an excellent thing about owning a second home at the beach is you get to decorate the house just like you’ve always wanted to. Add a little coastal flair to the décor, get that oversized couch that you’d never get in your own home, and bring those cute towels that match the bathroom’s color. Let the kids decorate their own space and just enjoy spending time together while creating your “home away from home” at the beach!

Plan for your Retirement

Another great reason you should buy a vacation home now instead of waiting until later is planning for your retirement. While you may have a while before you retire, it’s never too early to start thinking about it. Buying a vacation home can open up many different options for you when it’s time to retire. One of the things to think about is where do you want to retire? Has it always been the beach? You will not only think about the future but think about how many new memories you can make with your grandkids at your new vacation home on the Grand Strand.

Take Affordable Vacations

3 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Vacation Home in North Myrtle Beach

Owning your own vacation home can come with its perks as you will always have a place to vacation. If you choose to rent out your own during the time you’re not at home, we can help you out with North Beach Vacations. Not only are you receiving income on a property that you purchased to use as your second home, but you’re also able to stay at your place without having to rent a different property. The options are endless when you purchase your own vacation home here in North Myrtle Beach!

There are so many other reasons you should buy a vacation home in North Myrtle Beach today, but we wanted to share them with you. If you are starting to look for that dream vacation home, allow us at North Beach Realty to help you out. We look forward to helping you and your family find that dream home here in the area!

Protect Your Home Against Pipe Freezing This Winter

A burst pipe due to pipe freezing from cold temperatures and no insulation.

This winter temperatures will dip down below freezing, even in beautiful sunny North Myrtle Beach (although only for a few weeks). Freezing temperatures might cause older pipes in your homes walls or crawl spaces that are not properly insulated to freeze, expand and then burst! Pipe freezing is a dangerous problem.

Pipes will freeze in your walls if there is not proper insulation! If there are signs of water damage, mold or even moisture buildup when you open a wall up that might be evidence that a pipe burst sometime in the past. This most likely came from improper insulation. The best thing to do if you find evidence of a burst pipe from freezing is to add more insulation before the temperatures drop below freezing! This will help keep the pipes from getting too cold.

Here are a few tips to prevent frozen pipes this winter:

  • Use insulation on the sides of your water tank to prevent freezing. This is the main source of water concentration in your home, if this freezes you are in going to be in a world of trouble.
  • Upgrade your pipes and water tanks if needed due to age or inability to function properly and efficiently. Older tanks and pipes may have rust and corrosion which will weaken any sensitive pressure points and may lead to pipes bursting under the pressure while freezing temperatures are present.
  • Repair or replace any leaking and or dripping pipes before the freezing cold weather comes. If you know of problems with your pipes or can plainly see where issues with pipes may arise it is in your best interest to fix the problem when the weather is still warmer so that when the temperatures drop those problems do not escalate.
A frozen outdoor pipe covered in ice. Pipe freezing is a dangerous problem.

Be Proactive When It Comes To Insulation & Protect Against Pipe Freezing!

When pipe freezing occurs, the water expands, which can cause the pipes to burst and then the thawed water starts a leak. A burst water pipe can cause serious damage to your home and property. Especially if you are using the property as a rental and it stays unoccupied for any length of time during the off season. Water damage from broken or burst pipes left untreated can become mold problems in as little as 48 hours!

If you know what to do when a frozen pipe does burst you can be two steps ahead of a bad situation. To help you out should you ever have the misfortune to experience cold weather related water damage here are a few helpful tips:

  • Turn off the water at the main shut off valve as soon as you notice the damage. This may seem obvious but in a panicked state of mind seeing a bunch of water flooding your property sometimes you feel overwhelmed and do not know where to start.
  • Turning on all your hot and cold taps, this will help purge the system of residual water. You do not want leftover water just sitting in your pipes while you are fixing the problem pipes.
  • Thaw any exposed pipes with a hairdryer or heat gun if possible. This will melt the built up ice and help you avoid more pipe ruptures while you are mitigating the current pipe freezing damage.

If the pipe burst damage has gone unnoticed for some time due to an absence in the unit, there could be significant issues with mold and other safety concerns. Call a professional restoration company in your service area immediately to dry you out fast!

There are many other ways that you can make your home safe during the cold weather. We, however, wanted to share these few with you. If you still haven’t found your dream home, then give us at North Beach Realty a call.

Create a Living Room the Whole Family will Love

Create a Living Room the Whole Family will Love

Have you recently moved into a new home here in North Myrtle Beach, and you’re looking for a way to decorate it? We know that moving into a new home can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we at North Beach Realty want to share how to create a living the whole family will love. Let’s look below how you can make that living room that everyone will love in your new home.

Furniture

Create a Living Room the Whole Family will Love

One of the most daunting tasks for creating that perfect living room that the whole family will love is furniture. If you have small children, we know that finding the right fabrics for your couches is the key. If you happen to get leather, you may realize that it’s not the right thing for the kids. Look at the different fabrics available in most furniture stores to see which will hide stains or have a protective coating on the fabric. There are so many other options available for you to choose from now that will be perfect for your family.

Make the Space Function

Another great thing to make sure your living room is right for your family is to make sure it’s functional. If you have a space that may not be that larger, you will want to make it work for your family. Have some built-ins put into the room for extra storage for the kid’s toys or other things you may need? Add a bookcase or two to hold all of the family books on as well as decorations. Let the kids add their flair to the decorating as they too want to help with the house.

Sit Back & Relax

Create a Living Room the Whole Family will Love

Now that you have made your new house into your dream home, it’s time to sit back and relax. Your living room is now just as you want it, and the kids love it too. So sit back and relax and enjoy some time with the family in your new room. Grab some drinks, popcorn, and let the kids pick the movie. Just have a good time spending your time together as a family in your new home.

There are many other ways that you can make your living room perfect for the whole family to love. We, however, wanted to share these few with you. If you still haven’t found your dream home, then give us at North Beach Realty a call.

Buy Your Beach Home This Fall in North Myrtle Beach

Buy Your Beach Home This Fall in North Myrtle Beach

Are you and your family looking to purchase a beach home in the North Myrtle Beach area this fall? If the answer is yes, then allow us at North Beach Realty to help with your purchase. We know that this is a big decision to make, and you want to make sure that you find the perfect home. Whether it will be your permanent home or a vacation rental, there are so many reasons why the fall is the best time to make that big purchase. Let’s look below to see why purchasing your beach home in the fall is the best in North Myrtle Beach.

Motivated Sellers

Buy Your Beach Home This Fall in North Myrtle Beach

Many home sellers will either list their homes for sale in the spring or summer months, but did you know that you may find the best deals in the fall? Since kids will be back in school and life will seem to be back to normal, it’s the right time for many to list their homes. They may be dealing with a significant life change or may not have found their home in the peak season. This is a good thing because maybe you will find the best deal around, or you will find just the perfect home you’ve been looking for!

Less Competition

Another great reason why purchasing your home this fall is there will be less competition. Many buyers may have already found their dream home during the spring and summer months. This, in return, can be a great time of the year to find your dream home in North Myrtle Beach. Many buyers are ready to close on their homes before the holidays, so this can be another benefit for you and your family. No matter when you are looking for a home, we at North Beach Realty can help you find one.

Bargains for New Home Items

Buy Your Beach Home This Fall in North Myrtle Beach

After you have closed on your new beach home, you may be looking for things to furnish it with. The fall months will typically have some fantastic deals on seasonal items such as fall bed sheets and comforters to rugs to protect your floors. You may be able to find a great deal on that new fridge you’ve been eying or that new bedroom suite. There are so many great things that you can furnish your home and decorate it for the fall season at bargain prices!

While there are many other reasons why the fall is the best time to buy your beach home in North Myrtle Beach, we wanted to share these with you. If you are currently looking for your perfect home in the area, then allow us at North Beach Realty to help with your search. We hope that you and your family will find your ideal beach home this season here on the Grand Strand!