The Choice is Yours...Finding an Agent in Pawleys Island

I checked recently to see how many active REALTORS there are in Pawleys Island. The tally was around 300...yes 300 in a pretty small town.

So how do you choose the right agent to work with when buying your new home? The internet makes it simpler to begin your search, but it all comes down to basic human contact and interaction. This is one of the most important decisions of your lifetime: deciding where to buy your house, and settling on which one is the perfect place to put down roots and start making memories. So, shop around and find the perfect person to help you find the perfect home.

Find an agent who works real estate FULL TIME. Out of 300 local Pawleys Island agents, you can bet some of them practice real estate "on the side" and have another job that is their primary focus. You should find someone who is dedicated to helping people buy and sell homes, so they can give you the proper attention you need in this process.  You need your agent to have the flexibility to show you property at your convenience.


Make sure your agent is an expert on Pawleys Island. The Grand Strand stretches for over 60 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.  That's a LOT of different neighborhoods. Be sure the agent you choose has a distinct knowledge of how Pawleys Island works. Pawleys Island has a fiercely local scene going on, so be sure your agents knows all the nooks and crannies.  Ask your agent about the current state of the market as it applies to each neighborhood in which you are looking.

Ask what your agent's process will be in helping you find the right home. Engaging in this conversation will help you figure out the most important thing about your new agent: DO I LIKE YOU? You should feel completely comfortable with your agent; that you can ask them anything at any time.  Ask them how they will communicate with you (text, email, phone, or some other online service), and how often. Be specific about information you hope to receive in the process (Comparative Market Analysis or CMA, neighborhood restrictions, taxes, insurance, and other information about prospective house choices).
Do you feel like the agent is REALLY paying attention to what you want and need? Listen to your gut when choosing your agent, if you feel uncomfortable, this might not be the right person to help you make this big decision. Remember, there are around 300 agents in Pawleys Island alone. Choose wisely.

Understand how your agent gets paid.  At some point, whether right away or after establishing a relationship, your agent will present a Buyer's Agency Agreement for you to sign. Read it over and ask for an explanation. Most of the time, the seller pays the agent their commission according to the percentage entered in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). But, it would be wise to discuss what happens if you choose a house that is For Sale By Owner (FSBO) or any other situation that might cause you, the buyer, to pay the commission.

Ask your agent to explain what dual agency means and what happens if that situation arises. Dual agency can happen if you decide to put an offer on one of your agent's listings or one of your agent's office listings. Dual agency is common, and usually no problem. However, once you have entered dual agency, your agent is limited as to how much they can advise you about how much to offer and any confidential information about the seller.

Ask a lot of questions. Some you might want to keep in mind are:

• What is your background and experience?
• Can you provide references?
• Do you have any skills and experience that help you spot possible "red flags" in a house, such as signs of mold, water damage, or structural problems?

I am sure you can come up with some others that are more specific to you.

Of course, I would love to help you find your dream home in Pawleys Island. Give me a shout and use these suggestions to find out if I am the right agent for YOU.

Happy house hunting!

Rachel

Pawleys Island Surf Scene

You might be surprised to find that Pawleys Island has an intense and active surf scene. I "married into the mob" so to speak.  My husband, Tommy, has been a surfer all his life. He stood on a surfboard not long after he learned to walk.  It certainly helps that his Mom ran a surf shop in Surfside Beach when he was growing up. So, I am always welcome out in the line-up since my husband knows all the local hot shots. In fact, he IS one of the local hot shots!

My husband with his surfing trophies, in front of his Mom's surf shop, circa 1980-something!

The thing about Pawleys Island surfing, is that the waves are not always what you would call epic. But, when it is "going off", EVERYONE who is anyone in the local surf scene is at the beach.  Most of the general public will think of big, beautiful West Coast waves and Hawaiian surf breaks when they imagine world class surfing. They may not be aware that Kelly Slater, 11 time ASP surfing World Champion, started out surfing East Coast waves.  Our East Coast waves may be smaller, but they are mighty!

My observation is that our more modest and mellow waves develop better and highly skilled surfers. The reasoning is that the nature of our waves makes our surfers more grateful for good waves, more selective, and thus more aggressive in a competition situation. Take Luke Gordon, for example.  Luke is an 11-year-old local Pawleys Island legend in the making, winning titles alongside local Garden City super stars, Cam and Cole Richards.  If Luke is not off hanging around fellow Quicksilver endorsee Kelly Slater, catching waves at some world-class surf break in the tropics, you will find him at the Pawleys Island Pier, slashing every wave he catches. (Click here to see Luke in action.) And, Luke is in good company at the pier, since there are always a ton of local kids (guys and girls, young and old!) out in the water with him.

If you are visiting or relocating to Pawleys Island with the kids, and they would like to try surfing, check in with Scott Benston at his local surf shop, Surf the Earth. He offers a fantastic surf camp for kids of all ages. Year round, you can rent surfboards, kayaks, or paddle boards to explore the local waters. Surf the Earth also offers some outrageously fashionable clothes that you ladies might want to check out while you are hanging out, renting boards, etc. Ask Scott's beautiful wife, Deanna to help you!

On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Earth Day was also Surf Day in Pawleys Island. I hit the beach with my family so my husband could catch some surf and I could catch some photos! (I am also an avid surfer, but when my daughter, Roxie is with me, I would much rather play with her that hit the waves!) It was a great day for Pawleys Island waves and the surfers were all smiles.

Tommy catching a beautiful backside left.

Frontside right...

Unknown local surfer catching some air!

Have a fabulous day everyone!

Rachel

Pawleys Island-What We Are and What We Are NOT!

Arrogantly Shabby.

Whoever came up with this phrase to describe Pawleys Island was dead on. After spending a little time here, you would know what I mean. There is a definite shabby style to our arrogantly elite little town. The best way I can describe the vibe of Pawleys Island is with an image of a hammock swinging gently in the ocean breeze with a dozing debutante dangling one flip-flopped foot over the edge.

We love the moss hanging from live oak trees, shading us from the hot summer sun. We love the sand between our toes. We love pluff mud! We love rocking chairs and screened porches.

Pawleys Island is located on the South end of the Grand Strand, but we are definitely unlike most of what comes to mind when people think of Myrtle Beach.  Colorful billboards, jumbo beachwear stores, mouth watering buffets, outlet shopping, and raucous nightlife are all a great draw for Myrtle Beach tourism. Broadway at the Beach offers all kinds of day and nighttime activities and entertainment for all ages. There is plenty of hustle and bustle to break up your day at the beach.

Some people want a little slower pace, so they come South to us in Pawleys Island. You are only about 20 minutes away from all of the excitement, but still a world away. We like to call it more relaxed and laid back. There are no hi-rise hotels down our way, so you will find our beaches a little less crowded.  We consider ourselves very family friendly, and retirees love us as well.

Slip on your flip-flops and slow it down about ten notches. You will fit in just fine in Pawleys Island.

I would love to fill you in on some great hidden places to check out. Give me a shout anytime.

Rachel

Sowing Seeds

This is my first official blog. I live in Pawleys Island, SC. I think it is one of the most magical places on earth and I intend to make you fall in love with it as well.

I am starting a 90 day "life reset". They (whoever "they" are) say that good and bad habits are formed in 21 days, but REAL change happens after consistent effort for 90 days. I am a huge fan of P90X, an intense 90 day workout program. I started the program over this week. And, I am giving myself 90 days to prove to myself I can cultivate a beautiful garden. Off we go...

Today, I worked for a few hours on a new raised garden in my backyard. Last year, I couldn't grow a thing since the ground was mostly sand.

So, I got myself a raised garden kit, 16 x 40lbs bags of organic potting soil, some seeds, and some bulbs I bought off a fundraiser at my daughter's school. I lovingly planted everything and left the garden to be watered by the oncoming storm.

A downpour that lasted 3 hours and turned my raised garden into a swimming pool....

Not sure if all of my seeds and bulbs will end up where I first plan them, but it is a start. Let's see what happens...