World Am "at the beach"

     Bev and I spent four evenings at the 19th hole at the Convention Center in Myrtle Beach as part of the 2012 Would Amateur Golf Tournament.  It was a lot of fun but very exhausting for we "seasoned" mature, older citizens.  We met a lot of really nice people from all over the world and we had a lot of great help in the booth.  Some were neighbors and some of the help was actually from Lancaster, Ohio, our home town. They are in the photo's as "the Lancaster connection".  We sold more than enough books to cover our booth fee, we got a free dinner, pizza, ice cream and drinks every night and I was interviewed on the stage by Charlie Rymer of the Golf Channel and PGA playing pro.  It doesn't get any better than that.  The winner of the tournament was Robert Mieczkowski from New Jersey.  Roger Clemmons who particapated along with his wife, finished tied for 9th place.
     In real estate news, the median price for a single family home increased by 1% in July compared to the same month last year. Condo prices were down 14% compared to the same month last year. Sales for SF homes rose 25% in July and condo sales increased 10% from the the same period last year. Foreclosure sales in the county dropped during the 2nd quarter from the same period last year, April thru June. 162 foreclosure homes were sold during that period which is down 61% from the 1st quarter and down 53% from the same period last year.  About 30% of SF homes and 34% of condo sales still are either forclosures or short sales.  Prices are still low so come on down, we're dealin!
     My book Murder on the Front Nine is still doing well.  My website is www.stevenmcmillen.com.  Anyone wishing a signed copy of the book can contact me at smcmillen@sc.rr.com or 843.399.9745.  The price is $14.95 plus $3.05 S&H.  In Lancaster, go to the Ohio Glass Museum for signed copies.
     See ya, Steve & Bev

 

Bev & me in the booth

 

Bev & our neighbors, Carol Ann & Dee

The Lancaster connection, Stephine, me, Kathy & Dawn

Charlie & yours truly on stage

 

Me & Charlie (he's a tall dude)

Part of the crowd

Stephine & Bev at River City Cafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Greg Norman "at the beach"

Greg Norman aims to launch a string of golf academies headquarted at Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach.  He flew into and out of NMB on Tuesday for the grand opening of the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy facility at Barefoot Golf Resort's driving range. The 10,000 square foot clubhouse is believed to be the second largest academy in the US.  It houses a gym featuring Cybex equipment, 2 classrooms, 1 meeting room, boys and girls locker rooms, 3 covered indoor/outdoor hitting bays, 6 offices and a club repair and storage area. The practice area includes a driving range that has a hitting area approximatley 75 yards long by 25 yards deep and 14 measured target greens.  It also includes an 8,000 square foot putting green, a 1,000 square foot flat putting green, a 6,000 square foot chipping green and 3 practice bunkers.  Greg Norman also has other interests in the Myrtle Beach area,  Greg Norman's Australian Grille at Barefoot Landing plus 2 golf courses, the Norman Course at Barefoot and the private Reserve Club at Pawleys Island. 
     For my readers back in Lancaster, I want to again thank the folks at The Ohio Glass Museum for their help with my book signing.  Also anyone in the Lancaster area wishing a signed copy of my book, MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE, the Glass Museum has books available for sale.
     The real estate market is still flat down here but activity is picking up.  There are a lot of bargins and cash is still king.  Come on down y'all, we're dealin!  See ya, Steve & Bev

                                         All pictures from Cherry Grove beach
Website www.stevenmcmillen.com   email smcmillen@sc.rr.com  843.995.0766
    
    
    

Goodbye EG, Hello Google

 The Eagle Gazette, in it's infinite wisdom, has decided to charge for people to read the online paper and my weekly blog.  Since I figured the majority of you were not going to pay to read my blog and look at my pictures, I'm moving to Google.
     I have been trying to "make hay while the sun is shining" before all of the tourists leave town.  That means doing book signings each night at Harborview (2 18 hole Putt-Putt courses, full driving range and an 18 hole lighted par 3 course)  I am also getting ready to do book signings at the 19th Hole at the The World Amateur Golf Tournament at the Convention Center in Myrtle Beach.  That will be the 27,28,29 & 30th of August. 
     Speaking of Harborview, on Sunday the 12th of August, I was doing my book signing and a family from Cleveland bought a book from me.  He asked where I was from in Ohio, I had a hat with OHIO STATE on it, and I said Lancaster.  It's a small world!  The gentleman I was talking to was the agent of Joey Ogilvie.  Isn't that a "hoot".
     The real estate market is still fairly flat and as usual, cash is king.  Come on down, we're dealin! See ya, Steve & Bev  My website - www.stevenmcmillen,com

Great Weather "at the beach"

     December has just been beautiful here in Myrtle Beach.  The temp is supposed to get to 66 today and 69 tomorrow, Jan. 1st, 2012.  Next week will cool down a little bit but temps are forecast to remain warm this winter.
     In Real Estate news, Foreclousures and Short Sales are driving the price of Single-Family Homes and Condos down.  The Medium price for a SF home in November, was $155,000, down 15% from the same month last year.  Condos are down to $92,000, a drop of 21%.  SF homes sales jumped 31% in November but condo sales dropped 7%.  IT IS A BUYER'S MARKET!  Call me at 843.995.0766 and tell what you are looking for and I will e-mail you listings to review.
     As far as the book "Murder on the Front Nine", is concerned, this coming week is D-Day.  It will go to a Publisher.  I can't wait.  It's been a long time getting to this point. 

                                         Listing for sale, North Myrtle Beach, Surf Club area

                                          Rear of house

                                          Listing North Myrtle Beach, close to Waterway

                                          Backyard same house

                                         Riding turtles on 17 in Little River

                                          Steve's new Facebook picture, pretty bad.         

Cool down "at the beach"

     The weather has been great until yesterday (Thursday).  Low to mid 70's and sunny.  Today only supposed to get to 60 but the the sun is shining and not much wind.
     The Barefoot Bridge was closed for repairs on Monday and won't be open again until Jan. 16th.  All of the people living there and the golfers will have to use the back entrance.
     The little River Blue Crab Festival has been cancelled for 2012.  The festival has been around for 30 years but too many people and too many (non-local) vendors has caused a local uproar.  It has lost its local appeal and feel.  The Arts & Craft aspect of the original festival has disapeared.  Hopefully cooler heads will prevail and it will continue.
     Ocean Lakes Campground in Surfside Beach has won 3 prestigious awards including Mega Park of the year as chosen by the National Assoc. of RV Parks and Campgrounds.  It was also named Campground of the year for the 5th time and named one of the top ten Favorite Parks in North America.
     In Real Estate news, Horry County delinquent tax sale started this past Monday with over 3000 properties up for sale. Single family home sales were up 16% in October while condo sales were down 8%.  The medium price for a SF home was down 5% to $165,000 from last year and the condo price was down 8% to $107,000 from last year.  Things are starting to pick-up.  A nice home in Belecroft went on the market for $139,000 and there was a cash offer and contract that very same day.  People are seeing the deals and taking advantage of them.
    Book publishing negotiations are in the works and I am just about ready to make the deal. 
    Bev and I hope y'all have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.  See ya,  Steve & Bev

    

Thanksgiving "at the beach"

     We spent Thanksgiving at our neighbors house.  It was very nice and we met some new friends.  There was more than enough to eat so, of course, I ate too much.  I spent much of the afternoon talking with Vic.  He is an artist and I can't wait to see some of his paintings.  We are both the same age and seem to have a lot in common.
     I e-mailed 4 self-publishing companies about my book and I an going to be very interested in seeing who gets back to me.  Since I am paying, I 'll bet I hear back from all 4. 
     A little bit about the book:  "Murder on the Front Nine"  set along the Grand Strand, is a tale of assassinations, black ops, corrupt politicians, Big Oil, the Columbian cocaine cartel and a treasure hunt, with a twist, off the SC coast.  Mickke D, ex-Green Beret, lets himself be pulled into an assassination investigation by 3 of his old Army buddies who he hasn't seen in over 15 years.  Bodies begin piling up, airplanes are blown up, buildings are burned down and Mickke D discovers that maybe one of his old buddies may not be as much of a friend as he once thought.
     Real Estate is still a great deal here "at the beach" so bring down some of that moldy money you have stashed away and invest it in a house or condo.  The return has to be better than what you're getting now.
     This is a great time to come "to the beach".  The weather is great, the beaches are empty and there are no lines at any restaurant.  I am including some beach pictures fopr y'all to enjoy.  See ya,  Steve

Saturday "at the beach"

     Saturday my loverly bride Beverly decided we were going down to "the taste of Georgetown" for lunch.  Gerogetown is the second oldest city in South Carolina.  It's more than an hour trip from Little River but it was worth the time.  You purchase tickets and then go around to all of the local venders and sample the food.  Of course we bought too many tickets and instead of giving the extras to some kid to "pig out" on, we ate them all ourselves.  We were stuffed but very happy.  I have included photos of Georgetown.
     If any of you are interested in purchasing a retirement home or second home "at the beach", I have two great listings.  The first one is located next to the Surf Club, a private Country Club, in North Myrtle Beach and only a nice walk or golf cart ride to the beach.  4 bedrooms, 3 baths, split bedrooms, 2700 heated square feet, ranch on 1/2 acre lot with out building.  Plenty of room for a pool.  Asking price $419,000. 
     The second home is next to the "waterway" in North Myrtle Beach.  3 bedrooms plus bonus room, 2 1/2 baths, large fenced in yard, end of street, plenty of privacy, 2000 heated square feet, two story.  Asking price is $279,000.  Any and all offers are welcome and will be considered.
     I am working on getting my first novel "Murder on the Front Nine" published, so if any of you have any friends in publishing, please let me know.  I can be reached at smcmillen@sc.rr.com or 843.995.0766
See ya, Steve McMillen