Renting With The Best

Garden City Realty

GARDEN CITY REALTY, INC. serves Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach along the South Carolina coast. According to Advertising Director Adrian Dorman, the area offers all the advantages of the Grand Strand, without the disadvantages.

"We are about eight miles south of Myrtle Beach, with clean, sandy beaches," Dorman explained. "There is far less traffic and the beaches are not as crowded. We also have house rentals, which are great for big groups. You won't find that in Myrtle Beach."

Garden City Realty can offer more than 500 luxury condos, beach houses and cottages and is a member of the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors and an affiliate of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and RELO. Dorman pointed out that the company has learned a lesson about planning ahead in its 35 years in the vacation and real estate business.

"It's important for people to do a little research, especially for attractions and shows, which may sell out weeks or months in advance," he said. "Plus there are often discounts for booking online or calling early to make reservations. Visitors definitely should inquire about early rates."

Garden City Realty's job doesn't end with finding great places for visitors to stay. The company also provides a high level of continuing customer care.

"I have been with Garden City Realty since 1983, when I purchased my first beach house in South Carolina. I would not have anyone else look after my home. I have been approached many times by other realty companies in the area," said Robert Metzler. "Garden City Realty provides me with good renters, and the maintenance department looks after the house as if it was their own. I could not be happier, even after 17 years."

More than one property owner has realized over the years that it makes sense to hire Garden City Realty to manage rental property.

"I purchased my house in February 2005 and have been working with Garden City Realty since that time. After I hired GCR as my property manager, all my worries and headaches about marketing the property and repairs were history," said Thomas G. Gevas. "I believe they are the premier property management company in the area; they were my first choice and continue to be my first choice."

Garden City Realty takes marketing its properties seriously, participating in the Digital Vacation Network, which allows customers to go green, take virtual tours and view all properties simply by visiting a variety of online vacation sites.

"Everything is online these days, and access is amazingly fast," said Dorman. "We constantly hear people say they use the Internet to browse and book properties."

Kimberly Raley-Rimes, director of marketing-sales for Garden City Realty, pointed out that the company's nine sales professionals have a combined 200 years of experience.

"We are unique in that our vacation rental department provides us with access to more than 7,000 potential buyers annually," she said. "History has shown that visitors often return to Garden City Realty to invest in their own beach property."

To learn more about Garden City Realty, visit www.GardenCityRealty.com or call (800) 395-5930.

Garden City Realty can be found on The Digital Vacation Network for South Carolina and can be accessed through www.MyrtleBeachVacationGuides.com, www.CharlestonVacationGuides.com or www.HiltonHeadGuides.com.

By Stacy E. Domingo