Stacey Baumgardner, an elementary teacher from Ohio, cherishes the childhood memories of summer holidays on the Jersey Shore. When she retired from teaching she knew she wanted a vacation home near the coastline.
Stacey mentioned her idea to her parents, and they immediately asked her if she’d be interested in buying a joint vacation/retirement home in the Myrtle Beach area.
“My parents have vacationed here many times with my brother and his family and my sister and her family. Unfortunately, they always took these vacations in September which is when I was starting my new school year. As I listened to the stories, and saw the wonderful pictures, I always thought Myrtle Beach would be a great place to visit.”
Stacey began researching Myrtle Beach and decided it was the perfect place to purchase her vacation home. As she researched she began to narrow down her list of requirements which included close proximity to the beach, nearby restaurants and activities, great sidewalks for walking, and an area where she’d feel safe and secure to take long evening walks.
As Stacey delved deeper into her property search she discovered the Dreamlife Realty website. Stacey sent an email and Dreamlife agent Wendy Howard quickly responded.
“Our emails led to phone calls, which led to us actually coming to Myrtle Beach to look at properties. After a lot of back and forth over the phone and emails, Wendy lined up several properties that my parents and I were interested in. I could not have asked for a better realtor.”
Stacey, who is visually impaired and has limited mobility knew that some of her requirements were very specific, and from past experiences knew that it was sometimes hard for people to understand her specific needs.
“It was very important for me to find a place that would accommodate all of my needs. Wendy really took the time to get to know not just me, but also my parents. She never took anything for granted and was always easy to talk with.”
Stacey told Wendy that she’d seen a commercial for Barefoot Resort and was intrigued. Wendy was able to line up several properties that met Stacey’s criteria, and with her parents along, they checked out the listings that Wendy identified. Later that same day, after falling in love with a condo in Barefoot, Wendy and her parents made an offer.
“Needless to say my buying experience was absolutely wonderful, and I love how Wendy was respectful, kind, and caring through the entire process. I am still, to this day, in contact with Wendy. I am very honored to say she has gone from being my realtor to a very dear friend. We always get together when I come down and I always look forward to seeing her.”
Stacey says,
When buying a house, you can use any realtor you want, but if you want to be treated like family, you need to use Dreamlife
Stacey’s parents will be retiring permanently to Myrtle Beach in the next couple of years, and Stacey hopes to eventually do the same as well. For now, their new condo will be the place where they all meet as a family, and Stacey is looking forward to building sandcastles with her nephews and spending girl time with her niece, taking advantage of the abundant shopping near Barefoot Resort.
“My parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this past June, and we all were able to celebrate with them by coming to Myrtle Beach. At that time we were able to start making some special family memories.”
For Stacey, living the Dreamlife is about independence. Something intangible and priceless.
“My condo gives me independence and as a person who is visually impaired and does have a hard time getting around that is the greatest thing anyone could give me. I will always be grateful to Wendy for giving me this spectacular gift. My advice; life is short. You need to enjoy life to the fullest. I guarantee that you will have no regrets.
