Click here for this week's analysis update.

As you can see from the graphs, the closings were down from last year which could be caused from the negative outlook that the media portrays, or this could be from the mortgage problems that started showing up just a short while ago. There has been something in the paper everyday on how much the mortgage companies and the banks are writing off which has scared so many possible buyers, right out of the market. Donald Trump was recently interviewed by Larry King and when asked what he thought of the current real estate market he stated: "It's an amazing situation. There are tremendous opportunities. You know what's interesting; I was begging people not to buy real estate two years ago. And everybody was interested in buying. And now they are less interested, and this is the time they should be going out -- not buying, negotiating to buy. This is the time!" This information was obtained from the October 15, 2007 interview on CNN. Click here to view the clip or click here to view the transcript.

There are some great buys today in the Myrtle Beach real estate market, and they will only last a short time. If people continue waiting for the properties to go down in price they could miss a golden opportunity. The Money section of the Sun News had some interesting facts about Myrtle Beach last week. It was labeled Better Times coming in '08. I have outlined some of the positive news below:

	Employment		Tourism		Retail
2006	+  6%		+  5.0 %		+ 10.4%
2007	+  4.1%		+  3.3 %		+  2.4%
2008	+  4.6%		+  4.0 %		+  5.4%

We have a lot of positive things happening in our market and we feel we live in Paradise. If we can help you with anything at the beach, give us a call, we would be glad to help.

Have a great Week!

Walkers Woods - CAROLINA FOREST REAL ESTATE

The summer is over and as we settle down for fall, and begin prepping for Halloween, we would like to bring you up to date on what is currently going on in Walkers Woods as reported through the CCAR MLS.

Through October 4, 2007 there have been 12 homes that have sold at an average price per heated square foot of $122.35. Last year during the same time there were 22 homes which sold at an average price per heated square foot of $134.53. In both 2007 and 2006, the homes sold at an average rate of 95.9% of asking price.

Walkers Woods has done quite well in comparison to some other neighborhoods around the beach. We feel this is the result of Walkers Woods being in a prime location and an award-winning school district. If you are considering selling your home be sure to choose a Realtor who will reflect the unique character and appeal of Walkers Woods in their marketing campaign. If you have any questions or would like more information please feel free to contact us.

Tidewater Plantation/The Bluffs

In an article entitled, Myrtle Beach Remains a Strong Golf & Real Estate Choice, on WorldGolf.com, William K Wolfrum writes that Myrtle Beach has become the ultimate destination for traveling golfers throughout the globe. This statement is well supported by the rapid and strong appreciation in golf communities like Tidewater Plantation/The Bluffs around the Strand. According to Wolfrum, Americans purchased about one million vacation homes and over one third cited golf as a deciding factor in their purchase. In fact, in this same article, Tidewater Golf Club Plantation is featured as one course that helps make Myrtle Beach shine! So it should come as no surprise to its residents that such praise and popularity have coupled to produce one of the most sought after and esteemed communities on the beach. As a resident, you are probably familiar with the dramatic increase in the price per square foot of the custom homes found in Tidewater Plantation/The Bluffs; however, if you aren't, we have included the following graph for your review.

As you can see, there has been a significant increase in the average price per square foot of homes from 2005 to 2006. In fact, from the close of the Second Quarter 2005 through the Second Quarter 2006, the average price per square foot increased by 23.9%! While this increase is noteworthy, what might reveal more about Tidewater Plantation's strength is that, while the rest of the country began experiencing a real estate slump in the Third Quarter of 2005, Tidewater Plantation/The Bluffs continue to appreciate throughout 2006. In addition, even in this nationwide 'leveling off' of real estate prices, homes in Tidewater Plantation/The Bluffs are not taking any longer to sell. In the Second Quarter 2005, homes in your community remained on the market for 140 days and this number only very slightly increased to 149 days in the Second Quarter 2006.

However, the reputation of your community isn't enough to sell your home. An established Real Estate Team, with a proven marketing system, can create the exposure, both locally and nationally, that your home needs. The Willis Team offers you 4 Real Estate professionals dedicated to honest advice and around-the-clock service. If you are interested in listing your home, or know someone who is interested in buying in your neighborhood, let us know. We are always available!

Spring Lake - Carolina Forest Real Estate

As heightened numbers of buyers express an interest in Carolina Forest, the homes in Spring Lake have experienced a dramatic price appreciation! Looking at what has happened in Spring Lake in the last year you can tell why it is one of the top communities to live in. According to the Multiple Listing Service, as of August 9th 2006, 35 homes have sold since July 1st 2005 from $199,900.00 - $355,500.00 and there are currently 3 homes pending contract that were listed from $244,900.00 - $379,000.00. There are also 17 homes currently listed for sale, priced from $249,900.00 - $399,000.00. On June 15, 2006 the Sun News wrote that there's no bubble in the Grand Strand real estate market.  In fact analyzing the numbers, Spring Lake supports this statement with the average appreciation of 19.8% over the past year. To better understand the price activity in Spring Lake we are including the following graph, which illustrates the average sold prices in the past 12 months, by quarter.

Marketing property correctly is the most vital component in a successful transaction. We stay on the edge of technology while keeping afloat with the current market conditions. We advertise both locally and nationally in popular real estate magazines such as Homes and Land and Buyers Guide. We advertise on nationally recognized web sites such as Reatlor.com, Homes.com, and ColdwellBanker.com as well as our personal web site, www.SCBeachRealEstate.com. We take visual tours of each of our listings so potential buyers can have a dynamic view of the property.

If you have any questions on this or any other community in the area please feel free to contact us.

Plantation Lakes - CAROLINA FOREST REAL ESTATE

Hello from the Willis Team, there is a lot going on today with real estate in Myrtle Beach and we wanted to let you know what is going on in Plantation Lakes, according to the CCAR MLS.

Homes Year to date through 9/30/2007 there have been 20 homes sold at an average price of $547,594. They sold at 91.79% of original price and were on the market for an average of 205 days. Last year for the same time period there were 17 homes that sold for an average of $592,124. They sold at 98% of asking price and were on the market for an average of 138 days.

Lots There were 34 lots sold through 9/30/2007 versus 41 for the same time period last year. The lots sold for 88% of original price this year which was an average sold price of $173,128 versus 92% of original price last year with an average sold price of $179,340. The average days on market for lots has increased by 23 days this year going from 124 days to 147 days.

Even though this may not look good, Plantation Lakes has actually performed much better than other neighborhoods around the beach. I feel this is because Plantation Lakes is still a highly sought after community. With the recent drop in interest rates, and the banks getting more control on their credit losses, we should start seeing more progress. Since the interest rate decline we have already started to see more positive news which will have a positive impact on the real estate market.

Remember we live in the 5th fastest growing metroplex in the United States and the #1 beach in the US according to Yahoo Travel.

If you have any questions on this or any other community in the area please feel free to contact us.

Analysis Completed August 30th, 2007

Comparing 5 Week Time Frame 2007 With Same Time 2006:

  Jul 23 - 29, 2007 Jul 30 - Aug 5, 2007 Aug 6 - 12, 2007 Aug 13 - 19, 2007 Aug 20 - 26, 2007 Land New Active Listings 197 159 130 202 208 New Under Contract 6 8 4 15 8 Expired/Withdrawn 4 2 10 0 1 Closed 20 27 25 22 17 Residential New Active Listings 216 219 246 233 245 New Under Contract 24 18 13 6 13 Expired/Withdrawn 17 8 3 2 9 Closed 95 112 72 74 57 ? Condominiums New Active Listings 368 257 218 206 267 New Under Contract 28 17 7 14 65 Expired/Withdrawn 5 5 3 2 2 Closed 73 68 49 39 38 ** Compiled from the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service ***   Jul 23 - 29, 2006 Jul 30 - Aug 5, 2006 Aug 6 - 12, 2006 Aug 13 - 19, 2006 Aug 20 - 26, 2006 Land New Active Listings 21 27 15 33 29 New Under Contract 2 3 3 3 11 Expired/Withdrawn 2 0 7 6 2 Closed 68 40 38 45 38 Residential New Active Listings 9 17 12 10 10 New Under Contract 2 2 3 2 8 Expired/Withdrawn 3 7 4 5 3 Closed 137 133 72 102 108 ? Condominiums New Active Listings 46 34 35 30 41 New Under Contract 116 27 3 0 1 Expired/Withdrawn 6 8 8 11 6 Closed 90 130 98 108 87 ** Compiled from the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service ***

The Long Bay Club

As autumn settles along the Grand Strand, dedicated golfers flock to the area. In fact, in an article entitled Myrtle Beach Remains a Strong Golf and Real Estate Choice, on WorldGolf.com, William K. Wolfrum says that Myrtle Beach is the ultimate destination for traveling golfers throughout the globe! As a resident of Long Bay, you probably understand the appeal of golf course communities well! However, your appreciation of world-class golf courses and perfectly manicured neighborhoods is a popular sentiment these days. In the same article, Wolfrum notes that of the one million Americans who purchased second homes, golf was a deciding factor in nearly 1/3 of the purchases! The amazing increase in the price per square foot of homes in Long Bay can be attributed to the boom in golf course communities appeal combined with Myrtle Beach's beautiful climate and low cost of living

In fact, the average price per square foot in Long Bay increased by 31% from the Third Quarter 2005 to the Third Quarter 2006! On average, in the Third Quarter 2006, homes sold for an astounding 98.6% of their asking price! Obviously, your community is in incredibly high demand at the moment! Perhaps what is most phenomenal about these statistics is that Long Bay continues to set unprecedented appreciation figures while the rest of the country experiences a leveling off of real estate prices. If you have any questions on this or any other community in the area please feel free to contact us.

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Analysis for the Years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

After we released the YTD 10/31/2006 compared to 2005 numbers, we had a number of people to ask about the prior years. We have completed an analysis of those years and it is completed for you below.

LAND

	Units Sold	Average Price	% of Asking Price	Days on MLS
2003	1,170	$ 109,200	91%	219
2004	1,631	$ 141,886	92%	202
2005	2,531	$ 161,777	95%	180
10/31/06	2,020	$ 173,362	98%	156

RESIDENTIAL

	Units Sold	Average Price	% of Asking Price	Days on MLS
2003	3,979	$ 187,623	95%	113
2004	5,001?	$ 212,515	96%	101
2005	6,239	$ 254,003	97%	112
10/31/06	4,963	$ 271,941	98%	143

CONDOMINIUMS

	Units Sold	Average Price	% of Asking Price	Days on MLS
2003	4,347	$ 130,823	97%	128
2004	6,464	$ 149,851	98%	98
2005	9,361	$ 192,705?	98%	60
10/31/06	5,472	?$ 220,920	98%	198

OCEANFRONT CONDOS

	Units Sold	Average Price	% of Asking Price	Days on MLS
2003	1,417?	$ 186,751	97%	137
2004	1,722	$ 219,875	98%	81
2005	2,608	$ 276,804?	98%	58
10/31/06	1,441	$ 296,061	97%	223

This is the information as provided in our MLS for Horry County, as you can see the numbers are pretty impressive and show a continued trend in purchases of Real Estate in the Myrtle Beach market as well as a great increase in property values.

Hello from the Willis Team! We would like to give you our latest analysis through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Carolina Waterway Plantation.

Carolina Waterway Homes

Currently there are 2 homes available on the Intracoastal Waterway with the list prices of $1,499,000 and $1,595,000. There are 15 homes available not on the intracoastal waterway with the highest list price of $750,000, the average price of $586,126, and a low price of $359,900.
As of September 19th, 2006, YTD there have been 14 non waterway homes sold through the MLS with an average price of $479,395. The average listing price of the homes were $202.23 per square foot of living space. The homes averaged 95% of asking price.

Carolina Waterway Land

There are 64 lots available that range in price from $132,000 to $499,000. Of the 64 lots available, 1 is under contract.
From January 1st, 2005 to September 19th, 2005, there were 117 lots sold at an average price of $132,202 and average days on the MLS were 154.
From January 1st, 2006 to September 19th, 2006 there were 20 lots sold at an average price of $195,060 and average days on MLS were 175. In 2006 the lots that were sold averaged 96% of asking price.

If you have any questions on this or any other community in the area please feel free to contact us.

The Bluffs on the Waterway

Homes

Currently there are 3 homes available on the Intracoastal Waterway with the highest list price of $1,699,000 and lowest price of $1,499,000. There are 14 homes available not on the intracoastal waterway with the highest list price of $1,095,900, the average price of $750,839, and a low price of $479,000.

As of August 23, 2006, YTD there have been 3 homes sold through the MLS with an average price of $412,967. The average listing price of the homes were $230.69 per square foot of living space non waterway, and $333.31 per square foot on the intracoastal waterway. The homes averaged 95% of asking price.

Land

There are 60 lots available that range in price from $139,900 to $624,900. Of the 60 lots available, 6 are under contract.
From January 1st, 2005 to August 23rd, 2005, there were 55 lots sold at an average price of $113,425.00 and average days on the MLS were 172.
From January 1st, 2006 to August 23rd, 2006 there were 27 lots sold at an average price of $216,565.00 and average days on MLS were 148. In 2006 the lots that were sold averaged 95% of asking price.

If you have any questions on this or any other community in the area please feel free to contact us.

As Barefoot Resort gains the deserved credit of being one of the premier communities of the Grand Strand we wanted to bring you up to date on what is going on in this community as reported through the CCAR MLS.

Year to date through October 1st, 2007 there have been 13 homes that have sold with an average price of $303,277. They were on the MLS for an average of 162 days and sold for an average of 89% of the original listing price.

In 2006 for the same time period, there were 8 homes sold at an average price of $349,087 and were on the MLS for an average of 123 days and sold for an average of 94% of the original listing price.

Barefoot Resort has actually performed much better than many other neighborhoods around the beach, and?we feel this is because Barefoot Resort is still a highly sought after community.  If you have any questions on this or any other community in the area please feel free to contact us.

Myrtle beach international airport had more people-traffic through last month than this time last year which shows we are growing, and soon they will start planning on enlarging the airport to be ready for when we are at full capacity. We can't wait, this is an important part of our growth. Florida exploded with people from other countries buying property up like there's no tomorrow, and we can do the same here. With our climate being more refined and yet not as humid we do have plenty to offer.  Contact us for all your Myrtle Beach real estate needs.

Here are some of our recent E-Flyers that have been sent out on our properties. You can view the E-flyer by clicking on the links.

Grande Dunes Real Estate - Seville 7444
Magnificent Mediterranean steel framed home nestled in the exclusive Gated community of Seville part of the Grande Dunes, this spectacular home has four bedrooms and a study that could be the fifth bedroom, 3 and half bathrooms, the master is on the first floor, equipped with electric appliances, but has gas hook ups installed, for the gourmet chef, plus formal dining room, with over 3000 heated sq ft, this home has more than we can mention. All within a mile of the Blue Atlantic, and the Grande Dunes Ocean Club. just completed, so call now to see about special financing availability, and start living your dream!!

Carolina Forest Real Estate - Bay Meadows 611
Wonderful 2 bedroom/2 bath unit in Bay Meadows on 3rd floor of elevator building with vaulted ceilings, magnificent views, steps from the pool, located in the highly sought after Carolina Forest community, close to all that the Grand Strand offers including: shopping, airport, golf, restaurants, colleges, and the Sparkling Blue Atlantic.

North Myrtle Beach Real Estate - Marina Bay 1404
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!!! This luxurious home is perfectly designed in the heart of the North Myrtle Beach area directly on the ICW. This magnificent 5 BD/6.5 BA home comes with all the extra options from 3? Brazilian Cherry floors, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, interior elevator, Whimsical Fun Room, total 4-car garage, individual baths for each bedroom, huge master bath with an extra large 6x6 shower w/rainhead & Jacuzzi. The exterior comes equipped with Gunite pool w/large hot tub directly on the ICW and the largest dock in Marina Bay (125 Ft.).

Our most recent E-Flyer sent out for a real estate in Carolina Forest - the Bluffs on the Waterway. You can view the E-flyer by clicking here. Elegant 4 BR/2.5BA home with a study located in the prestigious gated community of The Bluffs on the Waterway. Hardwood floors, tile in the kitchen and foyer w/carpet in the bedrooms, granite countertops in kitchen, gas fireplace, and 12’ ceilings. Amenities include: Boat Launch/Storage, 2 - Club Houses, Playground, Community Pool,
and Tennis Court.