Canadian Golfers Flying South to Myrtle Beach for the Winter

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — One of the greatest dislikes native Canadian golfers have, is that their golf season is just way too short. By the time you actually get into your golfing groove, it's time to pack up your golf equipment, and brace for the winter. I mean seriously, you can only watch so much golf television.

It seems that Canadians are beginning to start booking Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Hotels as a regular vacation destination due to their year long golf season.

It is common knowledge that Myrtle Beach is often considered the golf capital of the world. It has roughly over one hundred different golf courses. This solicits every aspiring and enjoyment golfer world wide.

Booking Myrtle Beach resorts has become a much easier task with the U.S. Dollar weakening, and the Canadian dollar strengthening, it's very feasible for golfers to book a hotel or condo for a couple of months and just spend their time enjoying some of the best golf in the world.

It is greatly advised that you take the time to research your Myrtle Beach accommodations. Find out what people are saying are the best resorts and hotels, and go with that. One site we recommend is Myrtle Beach Hotels. Don't depend on a companies "self-promotion" find out what the general public is saying.

Myrtle Beach Area Information

As a small resort town that receives millions of visitors each year; Myrtle Beach sits next to the Atlantic Ocean where people come to enjoy the beach, golf, fine dining, entertainment and of course shopping.

Although a top vacation spot for those in the United States a lot of the tourists come here from Canada and other countries. Myrtle Beach has many cultural events throughout the year along with a farmers market and many, many great golf courses.They host music and wine festivals,jazz and art festivals, concerts, and car shows.

The city has many public parks and Harley-Davidson has a spring rally that occurs each May, there is also a bikefest during Memorial weekend and in October is a fall bike rally.

There is great fishing in and south of Myrtle Beach in Murells Inlet with of course great fish restaurants. Also there is a secluded resort in Pawleys Island that has somewhat of a slower pace.

The average priced home in Myrtle Beach is $229,000. There are several primary and elementary school along with 2 middle schools and a high school. Ten miles from Myrtle Beach is Coastal Carolina University which serves more than 4500 students and there is Horry-Georgetown Technical College which offers on-campus and online learning opportunities for traditional and non-traditional classes and has a school located right in Myrtle Beach.

If you're thinking of staying in Myrtle Beach and want to ensure comfort while you are here, get all the info you need on area Myrtle Beach hotels here by users who have already tried them out.

Myrtle Beach Resort Icon 'Sands Resorts' Gets New Owner

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Hotelier Lee Rawcliffe, who is the current owner of Sands Ocean Club and Sands Beach Club, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,; has acquired the remainder of the Sands Resorts chain of oceanfront resorts, including Ocean Dunes Resort & Villas, Sand Dunes Resort Hotel, Ocean Forest Villas and Ocean Forest Plaza. During its 35-year history, Sands Resorts established itself as Myrtle Beach's largest brand accommodations provider. Sands pioneered the affordable golf package, is home to the popular oceanfront Ocean Annie's Beach Bar, and established many amenities including its Kid's Club and water park. However, during the past decade, Sands and other established resorts have received new competition from an aggressive building boom in Myrtle Beach real estate and city-funded convention facilities. "A shaky economy and changing leisure interests present a dynamic challenge to the company and the resort industry as a whole," said Rawcliffe. "In response, we've announced renovations and improvements to properties, including new food and beverage venues, renovated high-tech convention facilities, and more amusements and activities for kids." The company is also completely revamping its Web site to include the state's only on-line booking of airfare, rental cars, lodging and full vacation packages. In response to an increased demand for activities geared toward women, Rawcliffe has constructed Atlantis Spa at Sands Ocean Club and plans to enlarge the facility and perhaps expand it to other Sands Resorts. "So-called 'Girl's Weekends' are gaining in popularity," says Rawcliffe. "They are becoming a big a part of the leisure market as women look for ways to relax with friends." All Sands Resorts now offer free wireless Internet, free Internet kiosks, and free local telephone service. Over the next few months they will be installing 42-inch flat screen TVs in all guest rooms and condominiums. On- site activities, professionally supervised children's programs, and courtesy transportation will continue to be improved and promoted together with high- tech conveniences. "Our guests are looking for one-click vacation packages, better value, and better service," Rawcliffe explains. "The days of renovating every decade or so are over. Our properties are under renovation every day and staff retraining is a continuing effort." The company is retaining many of its veteran managers and key department heads together with an enlarged staff of guest service providers. "There's a new generation of leisure traveler out there and we must be a new generation of resort operators."

SOURCE Sands Resorts

MYRTLE BEACH CONDOS FAVOR BUYERS AS MARKET SHIFTS

Myrtle Beach condo prices skyrocketed last year and may have priced a lot of people out of the market. But the time to buy could be now. The change to the buyers market was caused by the number of Myrtle Beach condos for sale having tripled since the first quarter last year on the Grand Strand.
Rachel Broadhurst, president of Century 21 Broadhurst has been quoted as saying “ This would be an excellent time for people wanting to buy more affordable Myrtle Beach condos, because some of the condos have decreased in price, thus giving them more options”.
First quarter statistics of this year, as compared to the same time last year show 6,300 more condos on the market as reported by the Multiple Listing Service. Also Myrtle Beach condo sales from that same time period last year have dropped four percent. In contrast the sales of single-family homes have had a forty-two percent increase. There has been a dramatic increase in prices because more people are putting their property up for sale. Compared to last year there has been a twenty-four percent increase in the medium price of condos.
The condo market has several factors in play. Hotel and apartment conversions have increased in large numbers and have been added to the market. This has caused some condo prices to go down because of the increase listings and less demand from people wanting to buy. People aren’t losing money; they’re just not making as much money as they should. According to Broadhurst, she doesn’t think that increase of twenty-four percent to happen again, but she does think sales will definitely pick up.

Myrtle Beach Wants to Build Tallest Sand Castle . . . Again!

15 years ago, all of the residents and tourists that were staying the Myrtle Beach Condos along the Grand Strande watched as over 10,000 people helped build the world's longest sand castle. However, one record for this mammoth size sand castle is not enough for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, they say they want to do it again.

In 1991 the record, which still stands according to the Guinness Book of World Records web site, was created with more than 16 miles of sand castle. This time, the are leaders are hoping to achieve this second record during the Sun Fun Festival which runs on the Grand Strand from May 31 - June 7.

Parkfest, in Falmount, Maine, has held the record for the tallest sandcastle over the past 3 years. Myrtle Beach says that with over 70 dump trucks of sand, they will be able to build a sandacastle that is 35 feet tall and 60 feet wide. This will definately increase the value of Myrtle Beach Vacation Homes during that time.

Expert Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Real Estate Assistance

Many times we find that there are a number of people who come looking to purchase a Myrtle Beach Vacation Home or Myrtle Beach oceanfront condos but don't know where to turn to get the best help available in the area. That is why we put together this list of four Myrtle Beach property experts. We aranged them in alphebetical order as they all are equally capable to assist you with your real estate and condo purchase needs.

• Gene Carter - www.myrtlebeachadvantage.com
• Marty Corley - www.myrtlebeachsand.com
• Skip Brodhun - www.myrtlebeachproperties.net
• Tim Thomas - www.southcarolinacondos.net

What you need when you are looking for a capable real estate agent to assist you in buying Myrtle Beach vacation homes, residences, or condos is someone that is familiar with the area and can help you to identify the best areas of Myrtle Beach to explore. This quality list of agents showcases those that have the ability to help you make the perfect purchase.

Myrtle Beach Schedules Upscale Changes

With visitors reaching the millions coming from just the East Coast every summer, Myrtle Beach will have some upscale changes to show them when they return in the future. This so-called urban village will showcase a shopping district including stores, restaurants, and a theatre as well as thousands of upscale homes just a couple of blocks from the ocean on what was previously known as the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

On Thursday, March 23, 2006, RWO Acquisitions announced their plans for Withers Preserve, which is providing 2,000 upscale residences as well as a new boulevard decorated with live oaks and black post lamps which lead the way through the old base. This new development is offering people the opportunity to be able to leave their cars at home while they walk to the nearby shops and recreation areas.

Many feel that this new housing development merged with the upcoming changes at the site of the old 11-acre Pavilion amusement park will give the area a very “trendy” image.

The Grande Strand boasts a mere 13 million visitors each year, who come to enjoy their 60 miles of beaches stretching from the North Carolina state line on down to Georgetown. The greatest percentage of visitors comes from it’s neighboring state of North Carolina followed by New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia according to the Myrtle Beach chamber of commerce.

This will however, be the last year that the Pavilion with its kiddie rides, carousal and roller coaster stays open. The complex has lost money in its recent years and it is being considered to develop hotels, shops, and other attractions on its site. The plans expect to be released over the next several months.
Brad Dean, the Myrtle Beach chamber of commerce’s president and chief executive was quoted as saying, “With the Pavilion, it’s the end of an era but it will also spark massive redevelopment in downtown Myrtle Beach.” He also said that it will “raise the profile” on Myrtle Beach Condos and residential development.