The Great News About Real Estate in 2010 - 06/29/10 04:47 PM
A very small portion of the population are able to offer cash on a home they are interested in buying.  For the rest of us, we keep a close eye on mortgage rates so as to get the best deal.  Most people set a budget amount of "X" amount of dollars per month, and depending upon the mortgage rate that person will seek out a certain loan amount.   The better the interest rate the more you are able to borrow, which in turn usually means a bigger/better home for the buyer.  
For example, a person who has a monthly payment … (1 comments)

Mortgage rates now the lowest ever on record - 06/29/10 02:19 PM
Excellent graph showing the sustained low mortgage rates this year.
Via Dan Miller (Keller Williams Realty, Madison, Wisconsin):
According to the latest Freddie Mac weekly mortgage market survey, rates have dropped to their lowest levels on record. Here's the trend over the last 20 weeks.

For anyone that's been thinking of locking in, now is the time :).
Have a great weekend,
Dan Miller, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty and www.DaneCountyMarket.com
… (0 comments)

Who's Calling The Shots on ActiveRain - The New "Called Shots" Feature - 06/29/10 02:13 PM
 
Recent post by Brad!  I like the idea!
 
Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):
We have a new feature which I'm sure many of you have already noticed on your "MY HOME" pages. 

Since we released the new "SUGGEST" for feature button, we've been getting a really good response from members helping us to find and report suggested content for the ActiveRain Feature Board.  You'll notice today that we've placed a new metric "CALLED SHOTS" counter in the status area of each members "my home" page. This little tracker tool will tally a total of how many posts … (0 comments)

Quotes of the Day - 29 Jun 2010 - 06/29/10 02:10 PM
Quotes of the Day 29 June 2010




"To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable." - Oscar Wilde
 
 
 

 

"The radical of one century is the conservative of the next.  The radical invents the views.  When he has work them out the conservative adopts them." - Mark Twain
 
 
 

 
"Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away."  - Francois de La Rochefoucauld
 
 
 
 
… (2 comments)

"Our Dogs Won't Bite" - 06/28/10 05:34 PM
This past weekend I met with a husband and wife who were out of town buyers.  Before we met I scheduled a hand full of homes that they stated were of interest to them.  When scheduling the homes I was informed by CSS that one of the houses had dogs that would be in the kitchen.  I thought to myself, "the dogs will be either enclosed in the kitchen or in a kennel in the kitchen.  No big deal."  
After looking at several of the homes we had scheduled, we arrived at the home with the dogs.  As we approached … (9 comments)

Charleston Real Estate Environmental Issues - 06/25/10 01:55 PM
When buying and selling real estate in South Carolina, and more specifically the metro Charleston area, there are a few environmental issues you should be aware of that may affect the sale or purchase.  These items should not be overlooked and if applicable you should consult a Realtor and/or an attorney.
1. Asbestos - Asbestos is a naturally occurring rock that is ground up and used for a variety of purposes.  It is a known carcinogen and has been subject to state and federal regulation since 1986.  Legislation to address the handling, removal and disposal of asbestos and curb the dangerous … (0 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Nazi Germany Zeppelin - 06/23/10 04:18 PM
Wordless Wednesday - Nazi Germany Zeppelin

This is a popular picture for anyone who was stationed at Rhein Main Air Base in Frankfurt Germany.  Most people got a digital or paper copy of it. I was stationed there from 1997-2001.  Not sure who took the picture but it is dated to the late 1930's.  Nazi Germany used Rhein Main AB during the 1930's for their Zeppelin's (blimps).  The most famous of which was the Hindenburg which was later the album cover for Led Zeppelin's first album.
Other Blogs: Liberty Hall Plantation, Goose Creek SC The Elms Plantation Goose Creek Real … (2 comments)

Your Choice of a Lender Can Cost You Your Dream House - 06/22/10 03:20 PM
Good blog and valid points by Patricia Kennedy!
Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):
For the past couple of days, one of my favorite colleagues has been helping his sellers choose among three good offers on their house.   And like many multiple offer situations, each buyers had strong and not so strong elements to the contracts they had written.
In this case, an otherwise strong offer was weakened by, not just the financing, but also the choice of lender.  With an escalator clause, this offer had the best price - quite a bit higher than the asking price.  But it also … (0 comments)

Military Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) Expanded - 06/16/10 03:37 PM

The Military Homeowners Assistance Program has been expanded to help members who have been ordered to Permanently Change Stations (PCS).  The military loves to abbreviate everything so the program is affectionately known as HAP.  I was in a class yesterday given by one of the directors at the Savannah HAP Field Office.  Here is the information he relayed to us.
HAP was initially designed in 1966 to provide monetary relief to service members (including Coast Guard) and federal employees who suffer financial loss on the sale of their home (primary residence) due to base closure or realignment.   In 2009 Congress … (2 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - 16 Jun 2010 - Fun in the Sun - 06/16/10 12:38 PM
Wordless Wednesday - 16 Jun 2010

Photo taken at the beach at Isle of Palms SC.  Tourists and locals enjoying the sun and surf. 
Other Blogs: Liberty Hall Plantation, Goose Creek SC The Elms Plantation Goose Creek Real Estate Crowfield Plantation Goose Creek SC Charleston Real Estate Housing Appreciation Trend: A Case Study What's So Great About Charleston SC? I'ON in Mt. Pleasant SC … (4 comments)

11 Tools That Should Be In Every Homeowner's Toolbox - 06/11/10 08:55 PM
 
Good list from a home inspector from Virginia.  Are you missing anything?
 
Via Troy Pappas - Virginia Beach Home Inspector (Safe House Property Inspections):
Working as a home inspector in Virginia Beach I am asked every now and then what will be needed for this simple repair or fix around the home. So I figured what a better list to have than a must have tool list for a new homeowner. This list is by no means a complete list of tools that one would require for a full workshop,but these eleven items will come in handy for most small … (1 comments)

HAP : Homeowners’ Assistance Program - Aid for the Distressed Military Home Seller - 06/11/10 03:10 PM
 
Via John M. Cameron (Century 21 North Homes Realty, Inc.):
HAP : Homeowners’ Assistance Program  - Aid for the Distressed Military Home Seller
 
 
There’s a travesty happening from the Pacific to the
Atlantic, and all through the heartland of our fine country.  As we all know, the good old US of A is in an economic and housing crisis, and everyone is being affected.  It is reported that 25% of homeowners owe more than their home is worth.  A staggering statistic in itself, but not really pertinent unless you actually have to move.   Having to write a check … (1 comments)

The Convenience Factor...Would You Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store? - 06/06/10 11:57 AM
 
Is this where Real Estate is going?  Would you use a Realtor with a kiosk at a grocery store?
 
Via Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate:
Remember the first time you went grocery shopping and rolled your shopping cart right past the newest location for your local bank?  Today, ATM machines and banks are a normal part of grocery shopping all around the country.  But, according to the latest Realtor magazine (June 2010) in an article entitled, 'The Convenience Factor', this trend towards creating a broader shopping experience may soon be enlarged to include your neighborhood Real Estate Brokerage!
According … (1 comments)

Charleston Hurrican Evacuation Routes 2010 - 06/04/10 02:41 PM
Hurricane season has officially begun as of June 1st.  For those in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, it is just a way of life.  The best way to combat the fear of the unknown is to have a plan.  The South Carolina Department of Transporation has devised evacuation routes to help your evacuation plans.  Read carefully and be prepared!

Edisto Island and Adams Run: [MAP] Evacuees from Edisto Island and Adams Run will take SC 174 to US 17.  They will then take US 17 south to SC 64. SC 64 will take them to Walterboro and eventually to Augusta. … (3 comments)

Homes for Sale in Crowfield Plantation, Goose Creek SC - 06/03/10 12:48 PM

www.112Mon.info - 112 Monsarret Lane
Cadbury subsection of Crowfield Plantation in Goose Creek SC.
Exceptional one-story home with an open floor plan located in the highly desirable Crowfield Plantation. Seller is offering a 1 year home warranty through American Home Shield with an acceptable offer. Quality new carpet installed on 5/21/10. The home features a formal living room to entertain guests as well as a den/family room. There is an eat-in kitchen as well as a formal dining area. The kitchen is accentuated with ceramic tile, an island, and signature series stainless steel appliances purchased in 2009. The master bedroom … (0 comments)