Charleston Real Estate Market Blog

Shiplap is one of the biggest new construction home trends we’re seeing right now. It’s become the modern day version of wainscoting or bead board, and we’re finding this finish on walls, ceilings, fireplaces, and cabinetry. In a coastal real estate market like Charleston, South Carolina, shiplap can brighten a home and make it feel more open and airy. Despite its bright, white color, shiplap is surprisingly easy to keep clean since the glossy finish makes it wipe-able with a mild cleaner.

Whether you’re looking to spruce up your home or update the home you’re planning to purchase, here are 5 popular trends we’ve seen with shiplap. Depending on the project you choose, this can be an affordable DIY improvement since it’s solely cosmetic. Tip: a

As Charleston Realtors who specialize in new construction, we get questions daily from home buyers about the building process. Most buyers who consider new construction are in the $300-600K price point because there are very few options in Charleston County below this range. Below you’ll see some of the most frequently asked questions we get from these home buyers, regardless of the Charleston area they’re considering.

What are the Best Selling New Construction Communities in Charleston?

In Mt. Pleasant, the best options and the most popular communities tend to be Carolina Park, Oyster Point, Dunes West, and Tupelo (the latter is almost sold out because it’s the most affordable in this list). James Island has been mostly developed already, so it

A home buyer’s credit score helps determine the down payment she’ll make at closing, her buying power (how much she qualifies for), the Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premium, interest rate, and the overall monthly mortgage payment. Because credit affects so many aspects of the lending process, every home buyer should care about her credit. It’s amazing how even a 20 or 40 point increase can change the affordability of the home you purchase when the price of the home stays the same. For buyers who can push their credit score over the 680 milestone, we see a substantial improvement in their mortgage options.

I’d like to make very clear that not all credit enhancement programs are trustworthy or effective. In fact, I think probably only a small

Unless you’re a first time home buyer, chances are that you’ll want to sell your current home before buying a new one. Even buyers who can afford to pay two mortgages at once (and can get lender qualification for two loans) don’t want the burden of double mortgage payments. In an effort to avoid this double mortgage dilemma, many buyers assume that they should go ahead and list their current home and wait for it to go under contract before finding the next home to purchase. Theoretically, this plan makes perfect sense. However, in markets like Charleston South Carolina, this strategy will more than likely put you in a tougher position. Here’s why.

It’s Easier to Sell a Home Than to Buy One

In my 13+ years of real estate, I’ve never seen a

If appreciation and resale value are important factors in your next home purchase, you should certainly compare the public schools for the areas that you’re considering. We’ve talked before on our blog about how public schools affect real estate values, and this trend should matter whether or not you have school aged children. In short, homes that are zoned for better public schools tend to perform better as real estate investments.

So where are the best public schools in Charleston? Let’s first take a look at neighborhood schools which don’t require applications or waiting lists. Students gain admission to these schools simply by living in a neighborhood zoned for automatic entry.

Mount Pleasant, James Island, and Summerville are Zoned for the

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