North Myrtle Beach

What to Expect on the Day You Close on your Home

What to Expect on the Day You Close on your Home

Are you purchasing a home in the North Myrtle Beach area and aren’t sure what to expect on the day of closing? We at North Beach Realty can help you with those questions of uncertainty that comes along when you buy or sell your home. Many want to know when their closing date will be and where will the closing take place? Anyone who may be buying a home for the first time generally have many questions to ask as they prepare to settle into their new life as a homeowner. Let’s look below at what you can expect on the day you close on your new home.

Where Will the Closing Take Place?

For many of our clients, we are often asked after an offer has been accepted is ‘Where will the closing take place?’ Closings are generally held at lawyers’ offices or they can be held at the title company that issued the title policy for the house. This is normally a very neutral place that has access to technology so the documents can be signed and verified. This can be a very neutral place that does have access to technology so the documents can be signed and verified. You will be told where the closing will be at by your real estate agent once a date is confirmed.

Who Will Be at the Closing?

What to Expect on the Day You Close on your Home

We understand the importance of knowing who will be at the closing of your home. The buyers, sellers, lawyer, both Realtors will be at the closing. The mortgage lender may be there at the time of the closing so it can be a full table if everyone is there. Most times however it will be a small group at the time of the closing. There may be times where the buyers and sellers will go into the room at different times depending on the situation. If you have children, you can bring them along, but the process may be a little too long for the younger ones to sit through it.

What Will We Be Signing?

Many homeowners want to know what they will be signing on the day of closing and this is the important part. You’re closing documents will consist of the buyer’s packet and the seller’s packet. Most times the sellers will be the first to sign the paperwork as they normally have the least number of documents to sign. This process is the quickest of the whole day for everyone. Next up, it will be your turn to sign the documents. This is where you the buyer will go through each document and either initial or sign on the dotted line.  During the time of signing your documents, you will also have to pay the closing costs too. While you are finishing up with signing, the funds will be verified and soon you will be on your way to your new home.

What to Expect on the Day You Close on your Home

You will leave with your copy of the closing documents that you have just signed and the keys in your hands for your new home. If you are still on the hunt for a new home or vacation home in the North Myrtle Beach area, we’d love to help you find the one. And if you have just recently purchased a new home, congratulations and welcome to the area!

Must Have Tools for your Home

Must Have Tools for your Home

Owning your home can be an adventure in itself, but when something breaks you want to be able to fix it on your own, rather than hiring someone else. So, having your own tools is a must when you become a homeowner and we know which ones you must have. Luckily, you don’t need to have an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. We at North Beach Realty know what you need to have to keep your home in order especially when you’re a new homeowner.

Drill and Drill Bits

Must Have Tools for your Home

Having a multipurpose drill can be handy with a multiple of tasks around the house. From hanging up curtain rods to building a project in the garage, it’s nice to have a battery powered drill in the house. And when it comes to having drill bits in the house, we know that this is important for fixing things that may need some reinforcement. Getting a quality drill and drill bits can be found at just about any hardware store and sometimes you may find a good deal on one.

Crescent Wrench – Adjustable

While many others may suggest you have a wrench set, we don’t think you need to. The reason being is getting an adjustable crescent wrench will be just perfect. If you’d like to have a few that is better than spending a lot of money on a set that you won’t use often. The adjustable we like because you can adjust it to the size of the nuts or bolts that you will be working with in your home repairs. Some self-adjusting wrenches are self-ratcheting so that means that you won’t have to remove them from the bolt to tighten it.

Hammers

Must Have Tools for your Home

Having more than one hammer in your home is ideal for every homeowner. You might want to get a heavyweight one that can handle larger nails and a lightweight one for smaller projects. For most projects just, a basic hammer with the claw on the back is what you will need. We have found that having one inside the house and one in the garage is all you should need to complete any project. From hanging pictures to working on a new project for the house, having the right hammer is all you need in your home.

Hacksaw

Many have seen others use a hacksaw in the movies to cut down trees in the forest but having them in your house is a good thing too. They are a good cutting tool that you can use that is larger than a utility knife and you can get one for less than $20 at the hardware store. For some home projects that are good to have around in case you want to cut pipes (plastic or metal), tubing, wood, brackets and bolts. It’s a great tool to have around for those home projects you may want to do.

Variety of Hardware

Must Have Tools for your Home

Keeping a good selection of general purpose nails and screws on hand is what you want in your home. You can get a small organizer to store them into in your garage or workshop. You can always have a selection on hand so that when you are working on that specific project, you know right where to head to for it. Plus, if it’s clear then you can see if you’re running low and need to get more at the store. Another thing to have in your toolbox is a level and a tape measure. These can help you when it comes to hanging a shelf or even a picture onto your walls.

Utility Knife

Utility knives are always good to have throughout the home but away from children. They can be used for all sort of things such as opening boxes, making precision cuts, scoring, cutting tops off glue bottles and more. Many homeowners like to keep a small supply of them and they aren’t too expensive to replace either. But if you happen to get a good quality one, then you can just purchase replacement blades and hang onto the good ones.

Step Stool & Ladder

Must Have Tools for your Home

As a homeowner you want to get a sturdy step stool that you can keep inside of your home. We know that standing on a chair can be just as simple, but what if that chair isn’t high enough to reach the light in the kitchen or the bedroom closet. Having a step stool will not only help you reach those lightbulbs or cobwebs in the corners but will also keep you safe as well. Getting a good extension ladder is ideal for any outdoor project you may have. From cleaning out the gutters to putting lights up during the holidays, having one in your home is just what you need.

Screwdrivers

Yes, you may have your drill to assist you in this, but sometimes a drill may not be needed for a project. So, having a set of screwdrivers is perfect for your toolbox and home. There are many different types of screwdrivers so make sure you have a Phillips, slotted or one that has interchangeable heads will do. No matter how big or small the project is, having a good quality screwdriver is necessary in any home.

While there are many other tools that keeping in your home is a great thing for handy projects for around the home, these are the ones we thought would help you get a good start on things. Having a few other items around the home such as safety gloves and eye projection is a must in any home! If you aren’t a homeowner yet, but have been thinking of purchasing a home, please allow us at North Beach Realty to assist you. We look forward to helping you find your next dream home in North Myrtle Beach!

How to Prepare Your Home for Thanksgiving

How to Prepare Your Home for Thanksgiving

For many families, Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season and it will be here before you know it. Next week to be exact and if you haven’t started to prepare your home for the day then allow us to help you. We at North Beach Realty know that the holidays can stress many homeowners out, but let this year be a little different. We have several tips on how to prepare your home for Thanksgiving this year and we hope that it will allow for a stress-free day with friends and family.

Plan Ahead

How to Prepare Your Home for Thanksgiving

Planning ahead is the best way to get the holiday started. If you know how many people are coming to dinner, start making a shopping list and make sure you have enough plates and silverware. If you know what you are going to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, make a menu so that if you need to call in reinforcements they know what to do. Go ahead and shop for your ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner and clean out the fridge and freezer. You want to make sure you have the space for that turkey. Being prepared can not only help you be organized for the day but also can make for a stress-free day.

Make Room in the Closet

Even though you may live in North Myrtle Beach, it doesn’t mean that your guests may not need a small jacket. If you have a coat closet in your foyer, then plan ahead and clear out any extra things and place in bedroom closets or get rid of it. Hang one coat or jacket up in the closet and then leave a hanger one for each person coming to Thanksgiving dinner. You don’t want to show your guests the mess that may lie in that closet, so clean it out this weekend.

Clean Your Home

We all know that cleaning your home can sometimes be the most stressful thing before having guests over for the holidays. You want to make sure that the home is perfect for anyone who visits, but sometimes it’s not about the house being perfect. Enlist some help in cleaning the house such as your kids or if they aren’t around, asking your spouse to pitch in. We know that sometimes just making sure that your home is picked up, vacuumed and dusted is what it’s all about. Decorate the home a bit with some fall like decorations such as fresh flowers in a vase, maybe a scented candle or just having a blanket folded neatly over your couch can help make the guests feel cozy.

Get the Guest Room Ready

How to Prepare Your Home for Thanksgiving

If you have family that happens to be staying with you for a few nights, you want to make sure the Guest Room is ready to go. It’s always a good idea to make sure that the space that they will be staying in is clean and welcoming. Make sure you have clean linens on the bed, vacuum the room and get rid of those dust bunnies. If you are open to having them connect to your wi-fi, then have a small card on the nightstand with the information. Make this room or rooms inviting for them to come stay with you more often throughout the year. Having family or friends around during the holidays just makes it more special.

While there are many other things that you can do to prepare your home for Thanksgiving, these are just a few we thought would help. If you happen to be searching for a home in the North Myrtle Beach area for you to call your own this year, please let us at North Beach Realty help you out. We hope that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.

6 Great Ways Your Kids Can Help Move

6 Great Ways Your Kids Can Help Move

Moving to a new home can be exciting but also stressful for both you and your kids. But if you allow your kids to help preparing to move, then it will be better on your whole family. Giving your kids some responsibilities will not only keep them entertained but will also make them feel important during this big move. We at North Beach Realty have 6 great ways your kids can help move. Let’s look at what the kids can do to help move or prepare to move to the North Myrtle Beach area.

House Hunting

6 Great Ways Your Kids Can Help Move

The first stage of moving is finding another home to live in. Let your kids provide you with some input on where to move to. Bring them when you go look at a house or two and ask for their opinions on the home. You will learn some important insights from them about what they thought of the house and what they didn’t. Finding a house just isn’t about what you like, but it’s what the whole family loves. This in the end will help you and your family find the perfect home.

Getting Rid of Things

When moving, one rule of thumb to remember is less is better. Honestly, you never know how much stuff you have until you start to pack. Then it seems that you find everything and anything that you haven’t used for years. A good rule of thumb for getting rid of things easier is if you haven’t used it in the past two years let it go. This goes for your kids too, if they have clothing or toys that they haven’t worn or played with in years, let it go. But allowing your kids to help get rid of things is the best as they can say what they want to bring with them to the new house. And if your kids have a hard time parting with something, just let them know that there are less fortunate children out there who have nothing. Most times, this works like a charm and it helps them feel like they are doing something special too.

Decorating the Boxes

6 Great Ways Your Kids Can Help Move

After you have packed up a box or more, let your kids decorate the boxes. Giving them access to designing the boxes with what is in them will help make the job go a long way. If your child can write, have them label each box as well. Asking them to help participate in with packing will help them adjust a little easier too. And when you are finished packing up each room, finding them will hopefully be a little easier. Just including your kids in something like decorating the boxes can make them more excited for moving.

Clean Up Time

After the house or say each room is packed up and hopefully on a truck headed to your new home, you will want to clean it. But cleaning the house on your own can be stressful in its own, so why not let your kids help. Even toddlers can help clean up like wiping down surfaces and sweeping corners. If you assign each kid with a cleaning task appropriate for their age then your old home will be clean in no time. By middle school, your kids should be capable of doing things such as vacuuming, dusting and wiping the fridge clean. Just remember to not give the tasks to your kids if it involves using a lot of chemicals. But asking for help with the dusting, vacuuming, sweeping and more can help you not feel so stressed out.

Pack an Essential Bag

Whenever you move, we understand that not everything is going to get packed away. Packing an essential bag for each member in the family will help you for before and after the move. For each kid, pack items such as their toothbrush, toothpaste, pajamas, favorite blanket or toy, and a few changes of clothes. When it comes to packing an essential bag for the older kids, give them a list of what they will need and have them pack it. That way it gives them the flexibility to pack what they want, but they are still sticking to the list you gave them. They will also feel more like an individual and grown up if they do it on their own.

Unpacking Mode

6 Great Ways Your Kids Can Help Move

Once you have moved into your new home, you want to get your kids involved in the unpacking process. Put them in charge of unpacking their own boxes for their new room. Let them put their books on their bookshelf or their clothes in their dresser or closet. Just remember that you can always go back and rearrange what they have done if you don’t like it. But asking for their help with unpacking can help you as well. Once they have finished their bedrooms, then you can ask them to help put away other boxes in the house. This will help them feel important and will have less anxiety about moving to a new home. Make this process fun for them as they too are adjusting to a new home too.

There are many other things or ways to help your child not be stressed about moving, but these are a few we thought you would like. If you haven’t moved yet but are thinking of moving, then please contact one of our North Beach Realty Team Members to help you. We hope that you and your family can have a stress-free move.