March 2017

Why do some homes sell quickly while others sit on the market for months, even in a strong sellers’ market? Price, location, and schools certainly affect resale, but showability is also a huge factor. Homes that appear clean and well maintained stand out to buyers – both in photos online and in person during showings.

Some studies have revealed that buyers decide within the first two minutes of a showing whether or not they’re going to make an offer to purchase. For sellers, this means that first impressions count. If you want to sell your home quickly for the highest amount possible, use our check list to make sure your listing makes a great first impression. The good news is that most of these check list items are free or inexpensive. Cleaning,

So, you want to be a real estate agent? Markets around the country are performing so strongly that we’re seeing a wave of new agents who are just starting out their real estate careers. The Charleston real estate market is no exception, and our office sees new agent faces monthly. You’ll find entire classes and webinars dedicated to these topics for good reason:

• Social media marketing
• Keeping in touch with your Sphere of Influence (sometimes called SOI)
• Listing presentations
• Creating a positive mindset
• Ninja Selling

These subjects are crucial for starting a successful real estate career. However, the best advice I can give to new agents is to NOT be a salesman.

Don’t Be a Salesman

Nobody likes a salesman, saleswoman, or

Folly Beach is one of the best areas of Charleston for vacation rentals. Known for its laid back style and colorful atmosphere, Folly Beach is one of South Carolina’s most popular beaches. Visitors flock from all over the country to walk its pier, eat at its local restaurants and bars, photograph the Morris Island lighthouse, surf in its competitions, and relax on its 6 miles of oceanfront.

If you’d like to earn income from your Folly Beach home, you should consider placing it on a local rental program. Folly’s popularity and rentability make it ideal for generating income, and you can still enjoy using the home during weeks that you’re in town. Renting out your vacation home can be a fantastic way to:

• Help cover the costs of insurance,

When you’re getting ready to make an offer on a home, it’s important to do your homework and learn as much as possible before signing a contract to purchase. Otherwise, you can risk losing your earnest money or feeling pressured to buy a home that simply doesn’t meet your needs. The questions listed below go above and beyond simply getting a good deal on a home. Your Realtor can pull comps and statistics that show whether a home is worth its list price. However, these questions dig deeper into the investment aspect of purchasing and help prevent common surprise issues from derailing the contract.

When was the home initially listed for sale?

Most homes in today’s fast paced real estate market sell quickly, so if a home has sat for longer than the

Ten years ago when I was a newer real estate agent, I took my own listing photos. I didn’t want to fork out the $150-350 to hire a professional photographer, especially when a higher square footage could put the cost above that $350 range. I had a really expensive Canon camera, and I’d take almost 100 photos in order to get those great 25 or 30 shots needed for an MLS report.

As my business grew, I became more willing to spend money to market listings. Keep in mind that a real estate agent does not get paid until the deal closes, so there’s always a risk that I’ll spend hundreds of dollars on a listing that doesn’t sell. (I should mention that I now am able to be selective in the listings I take on, and I won’t agree to list a home unless I’m

Getting married and buying a first home are two of the most stressful events a young couple can undertake, yet newlyweds consistently take on these goals back to back – often within the same year. We’ve created these home buying tips specifically with newlywed couples in mind. We hope you’ll learn from the mistakes we’ve seen some of our buyer couples make when purchasing their first home together!

Both Newlyweds Should Make a List of Must Haves in Their New Home

This is not a dream list of wants but rather features that you must have in your home together. Examples can include a fenced backyard for your dog or a walk in closet in the master bedroom. Once you’ve each made your list, compare them to see which features are shared and which ones

When you bought your home years ago, it was the perfect fit. However, your needs have changed, and you’re now ready to consider buying a bigger home. Before you make a decision, it’s a good idea to consider the move from different angles to make sure that you’re truly ready for the additional expense and upkeep that come with larger homes. We’ve included in this check list signs that you’re ready to sell your current property and move up to a larger home:

• You just got married and are having trouble fitting your spouse’s stuff into your existing home. I see lots of newlywed home buyers needing their own separate closets (or at least a full scale walk in), dual vanities in the master bath, or a nice backyard for the dog that is inevitably in their

When choosing the right home to buy, it’s important to think about resale and future value since this real estate purchase will be one of the biggest investments you’ll make. While it’s easy to replace flooring or update bathrooms, modifying a floor plan is much more difficult. It can take weeks (and tens of thousands of dollars) for a contractor to knock out walls or relocate plumbing. Especially if you’re comparing older homes that need some work to elevate them to modern standards, it’s important to find a good floor plan that appeals to buyers today.

Whether a home is new or old, 1 story or 3 stories, small or large, most buyers look for these 3 features in their floor plan. Keeping these trends in mind will help you to choose a good floor plan