Vintage Estates Realty

Brookgreen Gardens – Not Just For Springtime!

admin — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 18:10:57 +0000

One of the best things about nearby Brookgreen Gardens is the fact that you don’t have to wait until springtime to enjoy it!

Brookgreen Gardens, located in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is just a short drive from the shops, restaurants and leisurely amusements of Pawleys Island. It’s beauty rivals any public gardens located in the Southeast United States. Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington founded the non-profit in 1931 to preserve the native flora and fauna of the area and to display Anna’s sculpture art naturally within a garden museum setting.

The Lowcountry Zoo doesn’t hibernate in the winter, and this National Historic Landmark has the only zoo on the Carolina coasts accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Brookgreen Gardens’ zoo flourishes with native alligators, bald eagles, owls, foxes, hawks, deer, turkeys and river otters living in their naturalistic habitats. After visiting the woodland animals of the swamps and waters of the Lowcountry, head to the Domestic Animals of the Plantation Exhibit connecting the zoo to the Lowcountry Trail. You’ll see rare breeds of chickens, horses, mules, cows and sheep, giving you a taste of animal life in the 1800’s.

Stroll along the elevated Cypress Aviary boardwalk—built over a cypress swamp—and watch the native birds feed and fly around you, all while enjoying the heavenly scent of winter honeysuckle as its fragrance fills the gardens.

You’ll need a full day at Brookgreen Gardens to take in a workshop or two, stroll through winter’s finest flora and fauna, visit the zoo, and experience the 1,400-plus art works from over 350 sculptors placed throughout the Gardens.

Contact The Lachicotte Company at 843-237-2094 or email us and allow us to tell you about the incredible opportunities to buy and own real estate along the Grand Strand. From North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach and southward to Murrells Inlet and Pawley’s Island, The Lachicotte Company showcases Coastal Living at its best.

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Tips To Prepare Your Home For Sale

admin — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 17:29:53 +0000

Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island home sellers need to be particularly attentive when preparing to sell their home to be sure that it makes a positive impact on potential home buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors, the second-biggest reason – after price – that a home doesn’t sell is because the homeowner hasn’t taken care of details such as ensuring the house is clean and uncluttered, the décor is neutral, and playing up the home’s best features. Here are some tips to consider when preparing your home for sale that will put your house in the best light:

•Pack up all of your personal memorabilia. The potential buyers don’t need to see your life in the house, they need to be able to visualize their life in the house.

•Put away all the objects you do not need on a daily basis. Books, pictures, personal décor, any other knick knacks that once added familiarity and a homey touch to the space will appear as clutter to potential buyers.

•As the seller you need to sell the idea that your house is maintained well. You can do this by arranging closets and cabinets to portray a neat and orderly appearance, it’s this kind of attention to detail that will pay off in the long run.

•Clean every square inch of the house until it shines. Make small repairs as you go along, patch the nail holes, put up fresh paint, fix the squeaky door. Again it’s in the attention to detail!

•Be sure your house looks as immaculate from the outside as it does within, the front yard is the first glimpse of the house potential homebuyers will see, be sure it leaves a lasting impression.

•Understand that once you decide to sell, the home is now just a house. Put aside personal feelings, say goodbye to each room, and begin to look at the house as a product which needs to be sold.

Contact The Lachicotte Company at 843-237-2094 or email usand allow us to tell you about the incredible opportunities to buy and own real estate along the Grand Strand. From North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach and southward to Murrells Inlet and Pawley’s Island, The Lachicotte Company showcases Coastal Living at its best.

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5 Tips For Homebuyers On Finding And Buying A Home

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:52:37 +0000

At times, buying a home can seem a daunting process, when all homebuyers really need is some good sound advice to raise their confidence. Below are 5 tips that will alleviate some of the stress associated with finding and financing a new home, and help guide you in choosing a home you will be satisfied with long after you move in.

1. Being preapproved gives you an edge. Getting preapproved for a loan before you begin house hunting not only keeps you focused on what your affordable price range is, it also allows you to make an offer quickly.

2. Limit the number of houses you look at. Looking at too many homes can be overwhelming and confusing. Create a “must have” list and have your agent help find the inventory that best matches your needs.

3. Learn about the neighborhood. Your daily life will be influenced by the schools, neighbors, and amenities of your new neighborhood – visit the area at different times of the day to be sure that you will be satisfied with not only your new home, but life in your new neighborhood as well.

4. Be sure to have a home inspection. Despite the fact that you may have a keen eye, there may be problems that lay within walls, under carpets, and other places potential home buyers overlook. A certified home inspector will let you know if there are any problems and what is needed to rectify them.

5. Submit your best offer. This is no time to haggle, great properties often receive multiple offers. Present your best, realistic offer upfront and be prepared to compromise on things such as closing dates and any repairs you think may be essential.

Perhaps most importantly, finding a knowledgeable agent who meets your needs and is committed to promoting your best interests will help facilitate a smooth process. Contact The Lachicotte Company at 843-237-2094 or email us and allow us to tell you about the incredible opportunities to buy and own real estate along the Grand Strand. From North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach and southward to Murrells Inlet and Pawley’s Island, The Lachicotte Company showcases Coastal Living at its best.

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The 5th Annual Winyah Bay Heritage Festival

admin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:46:13 +0000

Outdoor lovers–if you know what pluff mud is, you know that if you step in this soft, dark, marshy soil that you’ll sink right in just like President Grover Cleveland did in North Inlet back in the late 1880s when the Winyah Bay area, less than 15 minutes from Pawley’s Island, was first discovered to be a hunting paradise. The 5th Annual Winyah Bay Heritage Festival is like that—it submerges you in history, ripe with bountiful tradition that includes conservation, preservation, art, hunting, fishing and dogs. The festival invites you to enjoy family-friendly lowcountry events and exhibits at the Bobby Alford Recreation Center from March 2-4, 2012, at East Bay Park in Georgetown, South Carolina.

Kids will enjoy the “Birds of Prey” decoy painting and duck calling clinics as well as “Snakes in Your Own Backyard.” Always a hit, the Palmetto Dock Dogs demonstrate the fine art of jumping, retrieving and getting a good scratch behind the ears for a job well done. Fishing guides show you how to cast a wide net for the best fishing spots and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources bring their fishing simulator and shooting range. Kids of all ages love the hands-on exhibits.

Meet Georgetown’s own, featured artist Joseph Cave. You can see his painting, “View of Chicora Wood Plantation,” on display at the Georgetown County Museum at 632 Prince Street. It will be auctioned off March 2 to coincide with the festival. All proceeds will be donated to the Georgetown County Historical Society.

Come celebrate the rich regional waterfowl and fishing heritage of the area at the 5th Annual Winyah Bay Heritage Festival! Tickets are $10 for either Saturday or Sunday, or plan to come both days for $15. Children under 13 enjoy the festivities free of charge!

This area of northeastern South Carolina has an appeal that is easy to understand once you experience its’ pleasures of laid-back, southern living. Contact Vintage Estates Realty, whether your desire is deep sea or fly fishing, oceanfront and marsh front living, golf course or river front communities, we can assist you in finding Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island real estate that fits your lifestyle.

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Vintage Estates Agents of the Year 2011

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:46:40 +0000

Don Thomas, Broker in Charge for Vintage Estates Realty, is pleased to announce our Agents of the Year for 2011.

Sales Agent of the Year is Chip Abernethy

Listing Agent of the Year is Robbie Buice

Contact us at Vintage Estates Realty and allow us to tell you about the incredible opportunities to buy and own real estate along the Grand Strand. From North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach and southward to Murrells Inlet and Pawley’s Island, Vintage Estates Realty showcases Coastal Living at its best.

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Brookgreen Gardens Offers Something for Everyone!

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:07:48 +0000

February is a great month to visit Brookgreen Gardens in nearby Murrells Inlet. Founded in 1931, Brookgreen Gardens exists as a garden museum with more than 300 acres of gardens preserving plants and wildlife native to the Coastal Carolinas while at the same time showcasing sculpture art in a natural setting. These are a few of the events taking place throughout February:

Celebrate the rich Gullah Culture with the lecture series, “A Be a Been Yah,” a 50-minute presentation that complements the exhibit, Etched In the Eyes, The Spirit of a People Called Gullah Geechee. Join noted actor and Gullah storyteller Ron Daise at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays throughout the months of January and February.

Saturdays are a wonderful opportunity of catch up with friends, old and new, at Winter Teas at Brookgreen. Experience high tea and great conversation on Saturdays throughout the month of February at the Pavilion Restaurant for scones, clotted cream, finger sandwiches and other delights with your choice of two seating times.

On Sunday, February 12, talented chefs will take you step-by-step through preparing a four course Valentine meal at the “Romantic Dinner For Two by You” cooking demonstration, and send you off with recipe cards to create your own romantic dinner at home.

Explore the Gardens! Mild temperatures create a wonderful year-round garden at Brookgreen and visitors can always enjoy interesting sights. Many seasonal plants, trees, and shrubs can be enjoyed this month, including the fagrant ‘Winter Honeysuckle’, Flowering Quince, and Star Magnolia.

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Myrtle Beach Marathon Listed as One of the Top 10 Winter Marathons

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:35:32 +0000

USA Today recently named the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon as one of the best Winter Marathons in which to participate! The event, in its fifteenth year, is known for attracting thousands to the Grand Strand to walk, bike, and run in a race that benefits a greater cause: the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of South Carolina and the Horry County Chapter of the American Red Cross. This year’s marathon events will be held February 16-18, 2012. That weekend, nearly ten thousand athletes will take to the streets of Myrtle Beach in a fundraising effort that to date has produced more than $3 million for area agencies.

If the idea of running 26 miles seems a little daunting, consider signing up for the 13.1-mile half-marathon run. Or, make it an event for family and/or friends with the Ripley’s Family Fun Run or the RBC 5k. The picturesque backdrop of the beach and the Atlantic Ocean coupled with an average February temperature of 61 degrees provide an optimal atmosphere for a weekend of play!

The Myrtle Beach Convention Center will serve as the headquarters for the weekend’s events. Be sure to plan to celebrate your athletic achievement by attending one of two post-race parties at the House of Blues or Ripley’s Aquarium (for Junior entrants and families). There are many other activities planned, so make a weekend of it, and reserve your spot today!

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Myrtle Beach Restaurant Week

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:37:23 +0000

Along with the beautiful beaches, fabulous golf, and endless entertainment found here in Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand, you’ll find oustanding restaurants offering a variety of cuisine, from scrumptious steaks to fresh seafood, and Restaurant Week South Carolina is the perfect time to get a taste of some of the local Myrtle Beach eateries.

Myrtle Beach Restaurant Week kicks off on January 12 and runs until January 22nd giving you eleven delicious days to sample a variety of tasty dishes prepared by skilled local chefs. Participating restaurants offer special menus and pricing on appetizers, entrees, and desserts, so whether you plan to visit a tried-and-true favorite spot or discover a new one, be sure to bring your appetite! Participating restaurants, several of which made The OpenTable Top Ten Diners’ Choice restaurants for Myrtle Beach, include:

Aspen Grille, 5101 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach
View Aspen Grille Restaurant Week Menu

Cafe Amalfi, 10000 Beach Club Drive, Myrtle Beach
View Cafe Amalfi Restaurant Week Menu

Croissants Bistro and Bakery, 3751 Robert M Grissom Pky, Myrtle Beach
View Croissants Bistro Restaurant Week Menu

Crossroads at House of Blues, 4640 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
View Crossroads Restaurant Week Menu

Fuddruckers of Myrtle Beach, 2101 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach
Fuddruckers of N Myrtle Beach,10435 N Kings Hwy, N. Myrtle Beach
View Fuddruckers Restaurant Week Menu

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 8761 Marina Parkway, Myrtle Beach
View Ruth’s Chris Restaurant Week Menu

The Melting Pot, 5001 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach
View Melting Pot Restaurant Week Menu

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar, 3044 Howard Ave, Myrtle Beach
View Tommy Bahama Restaurant Week Menu

WaterScapes Restaurant at the Marina Inn, 8121 Amalfi Place, Myrtle Beach
View WaterScapes Restaurant Week Menu

Wild Wing Cafe – North Myrtle Beach, 4706 Hwy. 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
View Wild Wing Cafe Restaurant Week Menu

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Carolina Opry Theater – Myrtle Beach Entertainment at its Best!

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:05:03 +0000

Myrtle Beach is widely acclaimed as a number one vacation spot for families. With sixty miles of opulent beaches, first class dining, and many opportunities to shop and explore the area’s cultural roots through historic landmarks, it isn’t hard to figure out how to fill up your days. But what to do when the sun goes down? Those in the know head to the Grand Strand’s Carolina Opry Theater for live entertainment that is sure to awe and amaze!

The Carolina Opry has been offering the best in live Grand Strand entertainment for more than twenty-five years. Theater attendees can choose from one of four shows throughout the year: The Carolina Opry, The Carolina Opry Christmas Special, Good Vibrations, or the LIGHT Laser Extravaganza. Each of these live shows has received much acclaim and many awards, making them one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular attractions.

The Carolina Opry’s excellence in entertainment has garnered it national attention, with write-ups in the New York Times and USA Today, as well as features on NBC and CNN and several other media outlets. The shows have won South Carolina’s highest awards, including the prestigious Governor’s Cup. Locally, the show has received a people’s choice award as the Best Show in Myrtle Beach every year since the poll’s inception. Visitors to the 2000+ seat theater will be dazzled with a blend of comedy, music and dance in a theater that features the latest in lighting and sound for maximum enjoyment. Consider making a night of it with dinner in one of Myrtle Beach’s many award-winning restaurants.

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Vintage Estates’ Broker In Charge, Don Thomas, Inducted Into The CCAR Board of Directors

admin — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:13:35 +0000

Vintage Estates’ Broker In Charge, Don Thomas, was inducted into the Board of Directors for the year 2012 for Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors today. Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® is a trade association of REALTORS® and other professionals in related industries united in purpose and dedicated to provide knowledgeable and ethical real estate services to consumers and fellow REALTORS.

Congratulations Don!

Vintage Estates Realty is a full service real estate company specializing in customer service in both residential and commercial real estate. We offer expertise and skills in today’s marketplace with cutting edge technology for both buyers and sellers along with exceptional marketing programs for our sellers. Contact Vintage Estates, we have two offices located in Myrtle Beach and Pawley’s Island and the rest of the world through our connection with Christie’s International Real Estate.

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