December makes its arrival in a few days and as it does our thoughts turn to holiday celebrations and cooler weather if they haven’t already. Here are some holiday celebrations to write on your calendar so you’re sure not to miss any local events! There are events taking place close to the Litchfield by the Sea vacation rentals you’ll be staying in, so there’s no reason not to attend.

The much-loved Christmas in the Inlet Holiday Home Tour will once again be taking place in Murrells Inlet. Eight stunning homes in historic Wachesaw Plantation will be open on the tour. The tour will be open for one day only on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ticket price is $25 advance per person and includes admission to the eight homes on the tour. Ticket sales will be limited, so call 843-357-2007 now to reserve your tickets. Gather your friends to get into the holiday spirit. Spend the day  touring these beautiful homes and stop to have lunch at any of our fine Inlet restaurants (lunch price not included in ticket cost). Happy holidays!

2011 Christmas Towne takes place on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The Myrtle Beach tree lighting celebration with appearances by Santa, live entertainment, and other fun and festive holiday activities.

Remember, there’s no finer accommodations in which to spend your holiday than in Litchfield by the Sea vacation rentals! Not all rentals are created equal so come take a look at how nice our Litchfield by the Sea vacation rentals are. You’ll be glad you did.

Fixed mortgage interest rates on Murrells Inlet real estate continues to hover at record lows. Interest rates had fallen an additional amount once the Federal Reserve said it would shuffle its holdings to drive down long-term interest rates.

Interest rates on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage hovered near 4 percent for the third consecutive week, remaining at 60-year lows, according to Freddie Mac. An average 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also slightly increased this week to 3.31 percent this week, down from last week’s 3.3 percent.

A drop in mortgage rates could provide some help to the economy if more people would refinance. When people refinance at lower rates, they pay less interest on their loans and have more money to spend, thus boosting the economy overall. Many people don’t realize that 100% of their refinancing (closing) costs can be wrapped back into the new loan amount.

Many homeowners with good jobs and stable finances have already refinanced in the past year. Last year at this time, the 30-year, fixed-rate averaged at 4.39 percent. Freddie Mac spokesman Chad Wandler said the recent interest rates haven’t been so low for at least 60 years since long-term rates began being recorded.

There’s just no good reason not to purchase Murrells Inlet real estate available at this time. Murrells Inlet real estate is surrounded by an abundance of amazing natural beauty, with championship golf courses near by, and the vast Atlantic Ocean steps away. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family and a wonderful place to live.