Restaurant Review: The Wicked Tuna

The big news around the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk this spring has been the sale, extensive renovation and re-opening of the former Spud's restaurant.  Earlier this month, the suspense was lifted as The Wicked Tuna celebrated its grand opening.

Occupying one of the most impressive locations on the entire Grand Strand, the restaurant anchors the southern end of the Marshwalk, and offers its guests spectacular views of Murrells Inlet and Garden City Beach.  The interior features soaring ceilings with original sculpture and artwork, and nearly every table has a view.  The bar is divided into an interior and an exterior section, with the indoor section being home to an internally-lit glass sushi bar and table seating.  The outdoor bar is enclosed in the cooler months, but will remain open-air throughout the summer.  The Tiki Bar has remained from the old Spud's, but with several upgrades and improvements, and remains one of the area's best locations to enjoy a sunset.

All this is great, you say, but how's the food?  So far, I've been very impressed.  Yes, the service is still getting the kinks worked out, but has been friendly and professional each time I've visited.  The menu has a wide selection of both old favorites and creative new dishes as well as a number of daily specials.  One of the most impressive areas to me is the sushi menu, which contains more than 26 genuinely unique rolls (not an easy task in this day and age) along with a wide selection of nigiri and sashimi.  As for dinner, the Steamed Mussells appetizer was one of the best treatments of that dish I've had, and the Hogfish special was simple and delicious.  All in all, the food was top notch.

So, spectacular views, gorgeous interior, creative menu, wonderful food... surely there's something not to like, right?  Truth be told, you'll probably spend a few more dollars here than at some of the other Marshwalk offerings.  It's not outrageous by any means, and they do offer a diverse and low-priced kid's menu that will ease the blow for many families.  In my opinion, it's definitely worth a visit.

TripAdvisor names Brookgreen Gardens as one of the 2013 Top Ten Public Gardens in the United States

Frequent visitors to the Myrtle Beach area don't have to be reminded just how special a place we have in Brookgreen Gardens.  Located between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield and just minutes from the Dunes Realty office, this National Historic Landmark has the most significant collections of figurative sculpture in the country and only accredited zoo on the South and North Carolina coasts.  Now, Brookgreen can add one more accolade to its lengthy resume: holding the #6 spot on TripAdvisor's list of the Top Ten Public Gardens in the United States!


For 83 years, Brookgreen Gardens has been an inspiration, refuge and retreat for residents and visitors, where art meets nature. Designed in 1931 by Anna Hyatt Huntington in the shape of a spread-wing butterfly, the 9100-acre property is a testament to natural landscapes. A thriving rice plantation in the early 1700’s is now home to over 1200 works by 350 artists.
Countless awards, honors and accreditations guarantee a most pleasant and memorable experience for its guests of all ages. Seasonal events and exhibits make Brookgreen “ever changing, simply amazing”. The Butterfly House, Nights of a Thousand Candles, Cool Summer Evenings concerts, Creek Cruises, Children’s Discovery Room, Sculpture Workshops ~ the options are endless!


Open daily, Brookgreen has so much to offer that it would be nearly impossible to see and do it all in one day... that's why the regular admission ($14 for adults 13-64, $12 for seniors 65+, $7 for children 4-12 and free for children 3) is one of the Myrtle Beach area's best values: it's valid for seven consecutive days! 
For more details and an event schedule, just visit www.brookgreengardens.org.

Replacement Schedule for Vacation Rental Fixtures

First-time owners of vacation rental properties (and even some veterans) are often shocked by how quickly furniture and fixtures can wear out, even in family-friendly atmospheres like Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach.  Some are quick to point to misuse or intentional damage as the cause, but the truth of the matter is usually much less dramatic.

We've seen just about everything in our almost-45-years in the business, and the single biggest cause of faster-than-normal wear and tear isn't partying teenagers, bikers or the Beverly Hillbillies... it's simply the environment in which your property is located.  Salt and sand are enemies of almost anything man has ever invented, and both are found in abundance at the beach.  Whether it's a wet head on a couch, sandy toes on carpet or salt spray on an air conditioner, these two items find their way into, onto and under nearly everything, and the results are infallibly surprising to those unfamilar with the area.

Because of this, our recommended replacement schedules for furniture and fixtures can also come as a surprise.  While these timeframes certainly include some "wiggle room," homeowners should definitely begin the evaluation process when these dates are reached.


Furniture:
Upholstered couches and chairs: 3-5 years, although recovering often accomplishes the same goal
Carpet: 5 years
Dining Chairs: this depends on whether or not they have cushions; if so, 3-5 years, if not, replace as necessary

Kitchen:
Appliances: Replace as needed, but expect no more than 10 years maximum
Kitchen Cabinets: 10-12 years
Laminate countertops: 5-7 years; granite, Corian and other materials may last significantly longer
Cookware: Good quality (Calphalon, etc.,) 5 years, otherwise as needed

Kitchen Inventory/Utensils: Annually as necessary

Bedrooms:
Bedspreads or comforters: 2 years
Mattress and Box Springs: 5-10 years maximum

Bathrooms:
Shower Liner: Annually or as needed.
Bathroom Fixtures: 10-15 years or as needed.

General:
Vinyl Flooring: 5 years.
Color Schemes: Review every 5 years
Paint: Touch-up as needed, complete re-painting every 3-5 years.
Soft Goods: 5 year maximum
Case Goods (furniture, etc.:) 7 year maximum

Following these guidelines will ultimately result in happier guests, higher incomes and fewer hassles: three things that certainly rate high on any vacation rental homeowner's list.

Our Housekeeping Department has been anxiously awaiting the upcoming rental season... things are starting to get busy, and our inspectors are gearing up to ensure that our vacation homes and condos are ready for occupancy.


Many homeowners may not be aware of our procedures for Pre-Arrival Checks, but they play an important role in ensuring guest satisfaction. All rental properties that have not been serviced by housekeeping or have been vacant for more than 7 days are inspected by a member of our Housekeeping Service team prior to a guest's scheduled arrival. This process is especially important early in the rental season when many properties have been vacant for an extended period of time, but is necessary at other times as well.

Inspectors are trained to check for cleanliness, to make sure appliances are operational, utilities are functioning and to ensure that any maintenance issues can be addressed before the guest’s arrival. This service is provided at no cost to the homeowner, and the majority of the time our inspectors are able to handle this free preparation service for your properties themselves by doing some light dusting or sweeping up the occasional “palmetto bug” (incoming guests never appreciate our state bug.) If your property needs additional service from a housekeeper or a member of the Property Care Team, the inspector will notify the office of what's needed and we will make sure the concerns are handled and the property is readied for the guest.

If you (or your guest) is departing with a renter expected to arrive in the near future and would like us to come and complete an inspection before you head back home, please call our office and we will arrange for that inspection at no charge to you. Many owners have found that this can avoid additional charges for items that may need to be taken care of before an arrival that they can handle themselves before leaving.

Surfside Beach Parking and Traffic Changes in Effect for 2013

If you've been coming to the Myrtle Beach area for many years, you probably already know that what we call "The Grand Strand" is actually a conglomeration of nearly a dozen different municipalities, counties and jurisdictions.  Down in our neck of the woods, we deal primarily with three: Horry County, Georgetown County and the Town of Surfside Beach.  As you might expect, the differences in rules between these three can sometimes get a bit confusing.  We do our best to keep you up to date on where you can (and can't) do what, and the Town of Surfside Beach has recently made some changes to its parking and traffic flow policies that could have an effect on your vacation.

First of all and most noticeable, the town has recently installed parking meters in several locations along Ocean Boulevard and Seaside Drive.  At the same time, the town has instituted a "No Parking" policy along both of these roads in any location without a meter.  While the meters are located in the road's right of way and on town property, they may in many cases sit directly in front of rental properties.

What does this mean for you as a guest?  Well, we're still trying to figure that out.  Because the town has granted a "free parking" courtesy to town residents, we've asked if the same privelege will apply to rental guests, especially those parking in front of their properties.  We haven't yet heard back, but we'll let you know as soon as we receive a definitive answer.  We've also asked for the same courtesy to be extended to trailers during the area's three "Bike Week" festivals; while the town declined, they did offer free parking for trailers in both the 13th Avenue South and 16th Avenue North pay parking lots for those weeks.  (Dunes will also continue to allow trailer parking on our properties as well, including overflow capacity on the lot adjacent to our laundry on Highway 17 and Patrick Avenue in Garden City.)

In addition to the parking meters, the town has also changed the traffic flow on South Seaside Drive to a one-way pattern.  If you're familiar with the area, you know that Seaside runs between Ocean Boulevard and the beach in a few locations near the town's center, and its southern run consists of two two-block sections which are separated in the middle by Portofino III.  The new flow, which you can see on the map, consists of a "converging" pattern in which the northern and southern avenues head east, then towards each other on Seaside before meeting and heading back towards Ocean Boulevard on the middle avenue.  While this may present a minor inconvenience for a few properties, we'll provide new driving directions and don't think it will become a major issue.

For more information, you can visit the Town of Surfside Beach's website or give us a call at any time.

Policy and Procedure FAQs

If you've been staying with Dunes Realty long enough that you're on a first-name basis with our staff (as many guests are,) our Policies and Procedures are probably second nature by this point.  You've got the deadline for your tentative deposit memorized, your guest list filled out and, in some cases, your linens already packed.  However, if this is your first time staying with us, that looooooong list of Policies and Procedures can be a bit daunting.  Well, never fear... our Accounting team has put together this handy-dandy list of some of the most Frequently Asked Questions they receive to help ease your worrying and get you ready to relax.  (Of course, our staff is always available to help if you don't see the answer you're looking for here.)

Using Credit and Debit Cards:
Q: How soon is my card processed when I book online with Dunes Realty?
A: Usually your card is charged within 24 hours unless your reservation is booked over the weekend. In that case, we'll process the charge the following Monday

Q: I understand that the new credit card laws allow merchants to charge a processing fee for taking a payment. Does Dunes Realty charge anything?
A: No, there are no additional fees for using either your credit or debit card.

Q: If I use my debit card will my funds be put on hold if the charge is declined?
A: While Dunes Realty won't place the funds on hold, your bank might. If your card is declined, we'd strongly recommend that you contact your bank to verify their policies.

Q: Is there a limit as to how much money I can charge on my debit card even though I have plenty of funds in my account?
A: Again, this depends on your bank but there is typically per day or a per transaction limit for your protection. You may also run into a geographic limit; in other words, if you've used your card all over Poughkeepsie during the day, the bank may put the brakes on a charge from Garden City Beach just to ensure you haven't been hacked.
Q: I am expecting a refund on my card from Dunes Realty. How long should it take?
A: Dunes Realty typically processes refunds within 24 hours (with the exception of those occuring on the weekend, which are processed Monday morning.)  However, it may take several days for your bank to clear the funds back to your account. 


Seasonal Reservations:

Q: If I am here the week of Easter (March 30, 2013) this year, can I still make a tentative reservation for Easter week next year, even though it's in late April? We always come Easter week!
A: Yes. We base our tentative calendar on both Easter and the Fourth of July, so this year's guests will always have first choice of those weeks (subject to the homeowner's calendar, of course.)

Q: I want to take advantage of the Beach Bundle Discount but do not want all 5 linen services.
A: Unfortunately, no.  Ordering the entire Beach Bundle is the only way to receive the discount, as it takes into account the time and labor involved in packing, delivering and setting up the entire house.

Winter Rental Reservations:

Q: When will I be billed for the full deposit on my tentative monthly winter renter reservation if my arrival is prior to December 31st?
A: Anyone with a monthly reservation arriving from October through December is typically billed between mid-June and mid-July. The full deposit will be due 14 days after we mail out your deposit request. Once this process begins, all new Fall monthly reservations will follow the same procedure as weekly reservations; i.e., your deposit will be due within 14 days of booking.

Q: When will I be billed for the full deposit on my tentative monthly winter renter reservation if my arrival falls between January and March?
A: These reservations are typically billed between mid August and mid October. The schedule for billing these reservations is as follows:

- January Tentatives will be billed First and the deposit will be due November 1st
- February Tentatives will be billed Next and the deposit will be due December 1st
- March Tentatives will be billed Last and the deposit will be due December 15th

Once this process begins, all new Winter monthly reservations will follow the same procedure as weekly reservations; i.e., your deposit will be due within 14 days of booking.

Restaurant Review – Mr. Fish

If you find yourself taking the short drive to Myrtle Beach during your next stay with us and find yourself in the mood for seafood in a casual atmosphere, then you might want to try Mr. Fish, located on the corner of 34th Avenue North and Highway 17 Business (just north of the main downtown business district.)

Mr. Fish offers fresh seafood (they offer a seafood market directly next door) daily and sushi nightly for very affordable prices. Entrees generally range from $9-20 and are generous in their food portions. This reviewer is a frequent patron and has yet to come across a bad meal. I would recommend any of the specials as well as their fish or shrimp tacos. They also have some very tempting desserts, many of which are grit based. I know – sounds strange – until you taste them. If you don’t trust me – just check out Southern Living which names them one of the Top 10 Seafood Spots in South Carolina.

Mr. Fish is very active on Facebook and I suggest that you check out their page for an update on the daily specials – the pictures are enough to get you in the car and on your way.

NOTE: By the time you arrive this summer, there's a good chance Mr. Fish will have moved into its new location in the 6800 block of Highway 17 N.; the seafood market will remain at the 34th Avenue location.  The telephone and website will remain the same, so don't miss out!   www.mrfish.com
3401 N. Kings Highway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 839-3474
Open 7 days a week starting at 11 AM for lunch