Charleston Real Estate Market Blog

7. Furnaces – A proper inspection will ensure that the burner, the blower, and the heat exchanger are all in working order. It should also ensure that there are low levels of carbon monoxide being produced and that no rusting or debris clogging up the works.

8.  Garages - Many of the standards of a home apply to a garage. The more common mistakes in garages are things such as “do-it-yourself” wiring, unsafe overhead door mechanisms, improper firewall separation between the house and garage, and the lack of a fire rated door between home and garage.

9. Insulation and Ventilation - This can be one of the most common causes of high heating bills. A lack of sufficient insulation can also cause moisture problems and cost the homeowner a lot of

Most home buyers know that they need to get a home inspection before they purchase a home, but many buyers know very little about the actual home inspection process. Home inspections are usually required by the mortgage lender, and we strongly recommend getting this performed. It’s important for new home buyers to familiarize themselves with this process as it makes them knowledgeable about the home they are purchasing. In understanding the process, it is necessary to define exactly what a home inspection is, and what an inspector's responsibilities are.

A home inspection is simply a visual inspection of a structure and property, and it is made by a trained and qualified professional. This inspector should be able to accurately assess the condition

When getting your home in Charleston ready to sell, don’t forget that there are many things that you can do to increase your home's value. After spending time addressing the inside of the home itself, head outside and apply the same critical eye to the yard and exterior of your home. This is your chance to create a real visual impact with your home. Curb appeal is very important in the sale of a home, as it is more often the curb appeal that interests people in a home in the first place.

There are so many different things that can be done to a yard to spruce up the home's appearance that it is sometimes hard to know where to start. If there is any junk lying about, start with getting rid of it. A clean slate to work on is always a great starting

Around the summer of last year, the Charleston real estate market (like many others around the country) experienced a drop in home prices.  Fluctuations are natural in real estate markets and anything else that is economically based.  Most of us are familiar with the charts that have a wavy line that steadily rises with a pattern of high points (called crests) followed by low points (called troughs).  The Charleston real estate market had experienced such a rapid increase of home prices in the eight years before that a drop in the market was predicted months before it started to happen.

Most real estate experts agree that this is the lowest point – the trough – of real estate prices.  Some experts even believe that prices are starting to go up again

The islands that surround Charleston are associated with a distinct lifestyle of luxury and relaxation.  Islands like James Island, Johns Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Sullivan's Island, Wadmalaw Island, and Daniel Island are home to a number of beautiful homes and resort communities. If you are considering a move to the Charleston area and have always wanted to enjoy waterfront real estate in Charleston or any of its surrounding areas, these islands are worth a look.

Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, and Daniel Island showcase high-class housing with a great variety of recreational options like golf, tennis, and horseback riding. Many of the islands are home to some of the most historic homes and sites in the area, such as Fort Moultrie and

One of the most important aspects of any home that you move into is, without a doubt, the area. Homes may look fantastic online, but there is always the possibility that the area the home is in may be less than desirable.

Whether you’re moving across the country or across town, it’s a good idea to do a little research and find out as much as possible about the place that you are considering calling home. The logical place to start your research is the internet.  However, when you have questions, be sure to talk with your realtor. You may want to find a Realtor who specializes in the area that you are interested in. Realtors are a great source of information, and usually they know more about a given area than just about anyone.

When you start

These days it is simply not enough to just throw your home on the local Charleston real estate market and hope for the best. We agree that sometimes this works, but if you want to get top dollar for your home you are going to have to ensure that it is set apart from the majority of listed homes on the MLS. So, how can the average home owners set their home apart from the others? Make a few upgrades. But - be sure to do it the right way!

There are several things that the average buyer takes into account when looking at a home. You probably already know what they are - after all, you bought the home you are now selling, right?! A great area to start is in the kitchen. Are the appliances out of date? Replacing them is well worth the expense, as new

James Island, SC is one of the most popular areas to live in Charleston, and it has a wide selection of homes to choose from.  In price ranges under $200,000, we recommend looking at condos and townhouses in James Island.  You can find a condo with one bedroom and one bath right now for about $140,000.  These are some of the least expensive homes on James Island that are in a good location.  James Island townhouses are slightly more expensive, and they start around $150,000.

Houses on James Island start around $210,000.  Although it’s possible to find houses in James Island for less, most home buyers choose not to invest in these after they go to see them.  They generally need more work and out-of-pocket expense than most buyers are willing to

Mount Pleasant in Charleston, SC has plenty of neighborhoods for home buyers to choose from.  In price ranges under $250,000, we recommend that home buyers look at condos and townhouses.  It is possible to find single family houses in Mt. Pleasant under $250,000.  However, these houses are usually either modular homes, or they would require more repairs and out-of-pocket expenses than most people want to make.  In Mt. Pleasant, you can find a good starter house in price ranges just under $300,000. 

But, don’t worry if you can’t afford $300K for a home!  Mount Pleasant has plenty of nice townhouses and condos starting around $160,000 right now.  These prices are some of the lowest Mount Pleasant has seen in a couple of years, so it is a good time to

When you’re looking at homes to buy in Charleston, SC, be sure to keep in mind the basic real estate principles of progression and regression.  In a nutshell, these principles state that it is better to buy a lower priced home in a neighborhood of varying real estate prices in Charleston or in any other real estate market. 

In a neighborhood where home prices vary, the lower priced homes will increase in value because of the higher priced homes.  The more expensive homes raise the property value of the less expensive homes.  This idea is called the principle of progression.

On the other hand, the more expensive homes “go down in value” because of the less expensive homes.  These higher priced homes will not literally depreciate in value