Buying a Home in Charleston, SC

After owners have lived in a home for several years, they often realize that they’ve filled up the space quite well – perhaps more than they expected when they first bought the home. Like a hermit crab who grows to fit the size of his shell, homeowners often question whether an addition is the solution or whether they should find a different home altogether.

For homeowners who have completely outgrown their home, the only solution is usually to move up to a larger home. This will require selling your current home and buying a new one. If you’re trying to decide whether you should build an addition or move altogether, we’ve included some talking points below that should help you decide which option is better!

Will the home addition actually solve

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

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

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

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

Although there are numerous financial and personal benefits of buying a home, ownership is not for everyone. And it’s better to have this realization before you make an offer on a home than after. There are steep penalties for biting off more than you can chew such as losing your earnest money and even defaulting on your mortgage (and damaging your credit for many years to come). If you’re wavering on whether or not to buy, pay attention to these signs below that indicate you should hold off on a home purchase.

Your Monthly Income is Unpredictable

For salaried workers who can rely on steady paychecks each month, financing a home is pretty straightforward. Whether you’re budgeting monthly expenses or getting approved through a lender, the numbers

In many cities around the country right now, it’s actually more expensive to rent than it is to own a home. For example, Charleston recently had one of the biggest quarter over quarter rent increases in the country. Because rental listings are in such high demand, landlords are able to up the rent price by several hundred dollars when it’s time to renew the lease. We’re seeing required lease periods of two or more years, and still these homes are getting rented out within days of being listed.

According to the Charleston MLS (Multiple Listing Service), the median rent price is $1,795 per month. Compare this to the median sales price of $240,000. Using a mortgage calculator, you’ll see that even with a low 3.5% down payment, the monthly mortgage

As Realtors who have represented hundreds of home buyers, we can testify that appraisals bring about lots of questions. Our clients generally view the appraisal and the home inspection as the biggest hurdles of the purchasing process once we’re under contract. We’ve included below the most commonly asked questions along with our answers!

Do I have to get an appraisal?
If you’re taking out a mortgage to pay for your home, your lender will require an appraisal prior to closing. The reason is that the bank wants to make sure should you default on your loan, they’ll be able to sell the home for approximately the loan value. However, if you’re paying in cash, it’s completely up to you as to whether you get an appraisal. In some cases, it can be a good