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        <title>Charleston Real Estate Market Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/2012-12/</link>
        <description>Get local info and tips from Charleston real estate agents on market trends, financing, new communities, upcoming events, and more!</description>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/new-years-eve-in-charleston-sc.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/new-years-eve-in-charleston-sc.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>New Years Eve in Charleston, SC</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
We hope you have a happy New Year Here are 5 local events in Charleston to help you bring in the New Year in style:




Barsa New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party: at Barsa Tapas Lounge; tickets are $25 before or $30 at the door; read more at http://barsacharleston.com/


The Snyder Grand Ball: at the South Carolina Aquarium; this is the 12th annual event for this ball; tickets are $135 per person; http://www.snydergrandball.com/


Mercury’s New Year’s Eve: at Mercury Bar in downtown Charleston; tickets are $30; http://events.postandcourier.com/charleston_sc/events/show/298217727-mercurys-new-years-eve


Republic New Year’s Eve: located on King Street in downtown Charleston; $35 general admission; get tickets at http://www.kicktickets.com/charleston-1/7947/2012/12/31/republic-new-years-eve-2013-republic


Noon Year’s Eve Celebration: Most kids in Charleston will be (hopefully) sleeping when the new year rings in, so the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is offering their own kid-friendly event. At noon, staff, kids, and parents will count down to 2013 You can read more on their site, http://explorecml.org/




If buying or selling a home is one of your goals for 2013, let us help you succeed Contact us to get started working on your Charleston real estate investment
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    <pubDate>Sat, 29 Dec 2012 10:43:47 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/many-thanks-to-our-current-and-past-clients.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/many-thanks-to-our-current-and-past-clients.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Many Thanks to Our Current and Past Clients</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
We wanted to take a minute to thank our current and past clients. This has been one of our most successful years in the past decade. So much of our business comes from past clients who return to us for buying investment properties or moving up to a larger home. Or, they recommend us to their friends and family. Thank you for helping us do what we love – guiding buyers and sellers to make the best financial decisions possible. For most people, buying a home is the single largest investment they make in their lifetimes, and we are honored that you choose us to facilitate the process.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:30:15 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/should-i-look-at-charleston-new-homes-or-existing-homes.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/should-i-look-at-charleston-new-homes-or-existing-homes.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Should I look at Charleston New Homes or Existing Homes?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are many ways to go about finding a home in the Charleston real estate market that suits your taste, budget, and time frame. New homes are gorgeous, short sales and foreclosures are inexpensive, and re-sales usually mean a quicker closing. You first need to ask yourself, “Where do my priorities lie in regards to purchasing my new home?” Do you need a home to move into right away? Do you need a home to fix up in order to save money initially? Or, do you really want a classic older home with a story to tell?


For instance, let’s say that your current home has sold, and you need to be out within 30 days. You need a home to move into right away, and you can’t fathom having to move into a rental and then your new home. In this case, timing is your biggest priority, and you may want to start with a re-sale or a new construction home that is almost complete and can close within 30 days. John Weiland Homes, Beazer Homes, David Weekley, and others build Mount Pleasant new homes that can often close in a short timeframe. Build time for Charleston new construction homes can range from approximately 4 to 9 months. Builders in today’s market will not normally take a contract contingent upon the buyers selling their current home. The reason is that homes can take longer to sell in this market, so the builder is more likely to sell the home to another buyer in the time it takes for your home to sell.


A newly constructed home comes with at least a 2-10 home warranty, which is required by law. This is usually a 2 year systems (plumbing, roof, HVAC, electrical and more) and a 10 year structural warranty (covering the foundation of the home). John Weiland Homes has a 5-20 home warranty, which is unmatched in the Charleston real estate market. What people love most about a newly constructed home is that they get to choose the flooring, cabinets, counters, colors, etc. A new home also has a cleanliness that cannot be replicated by simply cleaning or painting an older home top to bottom. Buyers also love the fact that the home will be turn-key and move-in ready. They do not have to worry about renovating their kitchen while living in the home, for example.


If you find yourself in a position where you need to move to Charleston quickly, take a look at Mount Pleasant new construction that is complete or almost complete. This suburb has the largest supply of new homes in tri-county Charleston, so it’s a good place to start your home search. Also, view all of the existing homes within your price range that are regular sales – not foreclosure or short sale homes because they are not guaranteed to close within 30-45 days. You do not want the stress of being homeless and having no place to put your valued possessions.


If you feel that you have more time than money, then looking at short sales and foreclosures would be a good option for you. A short sale is when the owner owes his/her bank more than the home is worth, and the owner is selling it and shorting the mortgage company the difference. Sometimes the mortgage company agrees to being shorted, and sometimes it does not. Ask your Charleston real estate agent for details on each short sale home you view to see the likelihood of your closing on the home. Short sales take longer on average than a foreclosure – usually about 90 days or longer. Foreclosure is where the mortgage company has repossessed the home due to the owners not paying their payments for an extended period of time. These types of sales usually take place within 60 days.


If time is on your side, you should look at all homes of interest so that you can consider all your options. Charleston’s new homes and resale homes can be just as affordable as short sales and foreclosures, so don’t head straight to short sales and foreclosures just to find a deal. Resale homes are a nice option for buyers looking to move quickly, but not necessarily for someone who needs to sell another home or who needs to wait several months to move. Usually, sellers only allow the closing to be 30-60 days out from the contract date at most. Existing homes in older neighborhoods have an appeal that cannot be replicated because you can’t plant 100 year old oak trees on a new construction lot. Lot sizes are typically larger in older neighborhoods, as well. Being that Charleston is a historic area, many buyers prefer older homes, and they don’t mind renovating or sprucing up. These folks normally find new construction neighborhoods to be too cookie cutter looking because all the homes are similar in size, shape, and the materials used to build. For people who value historic homes, Mount Pleasant’s Old Village and Downtown Charleston are great places to begin the house hunt.


Whether you need to move fast, take your time to build or find the perfect home, save money, or restore a classic home, Charleston has it all. By prioritizing your needs, you will be able to more quickly and easily find a home in the Charleston real estate market that is perfect for you and your family.
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    <pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:25:25 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-new-construction-homes-build-on-your-favorite-lot.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-new-construction-homes-build-on-your-favorite-lot.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Charleston New Construction Homes: Build On Your Favorite Lot</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Do you already own a lot in the Charleston real estate market, or have you found the perfect plot of land to build your new home? Have you looked at John Weiland’s Mount Pleasant new homes and loved them, but the lots were not private enough or not large enough? If you said yes to any of these questions, then I may have a solution: build your perfect home on your perfect lot.


Several builders in the Charleston real estate market will build a custom home on a lot of your choosing. I have personally found that larger builders tend to be able to quote better prices due to the fact that they have access to large suppliers, and the builder typically buys the materials to build the home in bulk. Small builders may be just as competent, but they usually have to charge a bit more for the materials because the smaller builders cannot purchase large amounts of each product. David Weekley Homes, John Weiland Homes, and many other custom builders build Charleston new construction on your lot. In other words, they are not tied solely to the communities they represent.


Most builders require that you obtain financing if you are not paying cash for your lot. They want you to purchase your lot and close on your lot prior to closing on the construction loan(s). Some banks will lend the new construction funds in a couple of different draws or more requiring a closing for each draw. Some banks will combine the lot and first draw into one closing and have a second closing for when the home is complete. It is not easy to obtain a new construction loan these days, as not many banks even will offer this type of loan. You may even end up closing with two different banks. (We can help you find financing.)


Using the builder’s preferred financial institution is usually the best plan of action because the builder has normally done some research on the best lot and Charleston new construction homes packages available for the best rates in our market. Local banks usually know the area well enough to see a catastrophic event before it occurs. For example, if your bank is located in a mountain community where flood insurance is not a regular occurrence, your loan officer may not think to ask how much the flood insurance will be nor will he/she think to order a flood declaration page from your insurance company. The builder’s representative or your Charleston real estate agent will catch this mistake before you sign the closing documents, more than likely, but you will end up having a delayed closing. Do yourself a favor and shop locally.


Build on your lot programs are a great solution for buyers wanting their dream home who cannot find one already existing (meaning pre-owned). Although financing can be more difficult, getting a mortgage locally and interviewing the builder’s preferred bank will save you hardship in the building process.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:04:47 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-holiday-events-for-the-week-of-december-16.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-holiday-events-for-the-week-of-december-16.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Charleston Holiday Events for the Week of December 16</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you are planning your family fun time and creating new holiday traditions, consider these fun-filled activities in Charleston this season:




Visit with Santa: This is a free event on Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 12-2 PM. Children can play games, enjoy music, make crafts, and get pictures with Santa (bring your own camera). Located at the Darby Building, 302 Pitt Street, in Mt. Pleasant. Read more on the Town of Mount Pleasant’s website, www.tompsc.com


Danielle Howle and Fireworks Show Prime Time Xmas Special: On Wednesday, Dec. 19, there will be a guitar-strumming event for singers and songwriters. Admission is $5. Starts at 9 PM at Fiery Rons Home Team BBQ, 2209 Middle Street, on Sullivan’s Island


Family Craft Tent: On Wednesday, Dec. 19, kids can enjoy free crafts and family activities at the Holiday Festival of Lights, provided by the Childrens Museum of the Lowcountry. Price: Included with admission (which is $12/vehicle Sunday through Thursday, $15/vehicle Friday through Saturday). The Holiday Festival of Lights is the most popular December event in Charleston. People come from all over the state to see 3 miles of light displays (many showcasing local Charleston icons) which include millions of colorful bulbs. www.holidayfestivaloflights.com. James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, on James Island




Living in Charleston, SC is a great experience year-round. Were so lucky to have mild weather and a range of festivals and other entertainment options from January to December. If youre considering moving to Charleston, contact us with any questions
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    <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:34:08 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/mount-pleasant-new-construction-how-to-obtain-a-building-permit-from-the-town-of-mount-pleasant.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/mount-pleasant-new-construction-how-to-obtain-a-building-permit-from-the-town-of-mount-pleasant.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Mount Pleasant New Construction: How to obtain a building permit</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Applying for a building permit in Charleston is not just a one-step process, so itrsquo;s best to get your application in as soon as possible. The town of Mount Pleasant is especially particular, so it can sometimes be a lengthier process for this suburb. As a builder, you must be licensed, and your license must be updated. Then you may start submitting information to the Town of Mount Pleasantrsquo;s Planning and Development Department for review. If you pass this review, you can then get a permit to build the home and sell it in the Charleston real estate market for a profit.


The first step is to submit a Building Permit Application for New Homes. The Town of Mount Pleasant has a website, www.townofmountpleasant.com/, where you can click on Planning (under Departments). The Building Inspection, Planning, and Engineering Divisions are combined for the Planning and Development Department. If you need specific information on a parcel of land, information about zoning, or maps, they are available to view in this department. Christiane Farrell is the Director, and her contact information is: 100 Ann Edwards Ln., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Ph: (843) 884-1229 Fx: (843) 856-2195. The Planning and Development office is open Monday- Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.


The Planning and Development Department has many duties. The department is split into two divisions: Planning and Engineering, and also the Building Inspection Division. Among being the Board and Commission, some of these duties and responsibilities of the Planning and Engineering Division include enforcing and administering the Townrsquo;s land development regulations and zoning ordinances. The Planning Department also issues the Subdivision development requirements, design guidelines, and tree protection guidelines. It has the authority to re-zone parcels and issue sign permits. Itrsquo;s also active in the implementation of the GIS Mapping system to organize parcels of land for taxing as well as documenting boundaries and ownership of Charleston real estate.


The Building Inspection Division is in charge of issuing approvals for Mount Pleasant new construction plans, construction permits, and Certificates of Occupancy (or COrsquo;s). It makes sure that builders are in ADA compliance and building code compliance, and it checks to see that the Charleston new homes are within flood zone guidelines, the street lighting is taken care of, and that municipal impact fees are paid in full. It also includes the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals where specific cases are brought to the board for special approval.


After you submit your application to the Planning and Development Department, you will be contacted upon review of your Mount Pleasant new construction application. There are no specific time frames on the application indicating how long it may take to hear back from the department. Time frames vary from application to application regarding Charleston new homes. Getting started and diving into the application is the fastest way to obtain your building permit.


If you have any questions about this process, we specialize in Mount Pleasant real estate (and new construction homes make up the majority of our sales). Feel free to email or call us
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:52:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/bi-monthly-mls-statistics-for-tri-county-charleston.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/bi-monthly-mls-statistics-for-tri-county-charleston.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Bi-Monthly MLS Statistics for Tri-County Charleston</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The MLS stats are in for November 16-30, 2012. When comparing YTD (Year to Date) numbers for 2011 and 2012, here are the findings:




5,213 Active listings in 2012 compared to 6,488 in 2011 (that’s a decrease of 1,275, or 20 fewer homes for sale than this time last year)


the number of closed homes for 2012 was 9,325 (remember that this was a few weeks ago) compared to 8,227; this is an increase of 1,098, or 13 listings that have closed




These numbers show that the Charleston real estate market as a whole is recovering well. If we focus on specific areas, here’s what we find:




areas with the highest number of closed homes include West Ashley (with 40 closed homes in this two week period), James Island (24 closed), North Charleston (60), Mt. Pleasant (74), Summerville/Ladson/Ridgeville (96), and Goose Creek (38)


areas with the lowest number of closings are Rural West Ashley (3), Wadmalaw (1), Folly Beach (5), Kiawah/Seabrook (5), Sullivan’s Island (0), Isle of Palms (2), Wild Dunes (3), and Moncks Corner (1)




You’ll find that in general this past year, the beaches have not performed as well as other areas of Charleston. Economists and other real estate experts expect that these areas will be some of the last sections of the Charleston market to recover – partly because of the higher price ranges and partly because these are usually second homes. In other words, most home buyers who are looking to relocate for a job, move up to a bigger primary home, or purchase their first home are not looking at the beaches (and these groups make up the majority of home buyers right now).
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    <pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:59:20 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/purchasing-power-for-todays-interest-rates.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/purchasing-power-for-todays-interest-rates.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Purchasing Power for Today’s Interest Rates</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
We’ve gotten a lot of mortgage questions recently, so I wanted to take a minute to explain the hype about the very low interest rates we’re seeing right now (rates are holding steady around the 3.5 to 4 range). A 1 change in interest rate produces a 10 change in purchasing power. So, for example, let’s say that you can afford a $300K home at a 4 interest rate. If interest rates go up to 5, you’ll only be able to afford a $270K home. In other words, you’ll be making the same monthly payment, but more of that money will be spent paying interest rather than the house itself.


Although interest rates are expected to remain low over the next year, home prices are not in the Charleston real estate market. In fact, Charleston’s prices have risen 6 so far this year. As we continue with an unusually busy holiday season, it’s expected that this steady demand we’re seeing will continue to raise prices over the next 6 months as buyers take advantage of today’s combined low interest rates and home prices.


If you’re interested in finding out how much you’ll be able to afford based on the current interest rates, I have included the contact info for our in-house lender:


Joel Greer with Carolina One Mortgage  o: 843-414-2489 / c: 843-327-1575  email: joel.greer@gbmail.com  website: http://www.joelgreerloans.com/


And when you’re ready to start scoping out neighborhoods and to see firsthand what homes in your price range look like, we’re here to help
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:24:30 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-real-estate-market-trends-in-2012.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/charleston-real-estate-market-trends-in-2012.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Charleston Real Estate Market Trends in 2012</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The Charleston real estate market has continued its trends of lower inventories and rising prices. The inventory of homes for sale is down 21 from last year causing the number of days on the market to drop significantly. Right now, the homes that are priced well and show well are selling within a week or two of being listed, often with multiple offers.


What does this mean for you as a buyer? When you find a home you want to see, let us know so that we can make an appointment Acting quickly will boost your chances of being able to purchase that top pick among the homes that are your favorites. Prices are no longer going down, but rather trending up, so right now we are seeing many buyers ready to purchase who had previously waited for the bottom of the market. In other words, now is a great time to purchase a new home or investment property.


So far in 2012, there have been 9,861 homes sell in tri-county Charleston. Prices are up 6 across the board (which takes into consideration even the slower areas that see less demand). If you have any questions regarding buying, selling, or refinancing your home we would be glad to guide you through this process
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    <pubDate>Sat, 08 Dec 2012 10:08:21 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/holiday-events-coming-up-in-charleston.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com/blog/holiday-events-coming-up-in-charleston.html</link>
        <author>keadle@thekeadlegroup.com (Lee and Katherine Keadle)</author>
        <title>Holiday Events Coming Up in Charleston</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Here are a few enlightening holiday events coming up in the Charleston area:




Mt. Pleasant Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: On Sunday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 PM, gather at Moultrie Middle School in Mt. Pleasant for the tree lighting and a fireworks display. Then stay for the parade down Coleman Blvd.


Grand Illumination: From 6-8 PM on Thursday, Dec. 13 and also Friday, Dec. 14, you can step back in time to a Christmas of 1782. Wander through candlelit and torchlit gardens and hear costumed interpreters tell stories of the holiday season when the British evacuated Charleston at the end of the Revolutionary War. Afterward, enjoy a fire and a Southern buffet dinner in the Pavilion. Located in West Ashley at Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Rd. $45/adults, $20/children, $35/foundation volunteers.


Breakfast with the Grinch: On Saturday, Dec. 15, at 8:30 AM enjoy breakfast while watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Children can also get their pictures taken with the Grinch and Santa Claus (bring your own camera). Register by Dec. 12. Located at St. Andrews Parks and Playground in West Ashley, 195 Playground Road




Have a wonderful week preparing for your family’s holiday celebrations
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    <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:18:42 -0500</pubDate>
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