A lease option WIN WIN for all - 07/31/08 09:56 PM
I previously asked you how do you feel about lease option to purchase(s)?  Today, I received a call from a very well respected agent that showed one of my listings.  Her buyers were interested but only in a lease option for 12 months.  So the natural questions come up...why do they want to lease option? What's their true purchasing power? How long will it realistically take?  Pros, cons?  How much monthly? How much down?  Is this really going to be in the best interest of my seller...and the list goes on.  Well, it was very clear these folks were very promising … (3 comments)

New Housing Bill-what does it mean to buyers and sellers? - 07/30/08 08:56 PM
A new bill was passed by Congress today which will affect Buyers and Seller. 
•1.    DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE BAN: The bill will remove downpayment assistance (DPA) programs for FHA loans effective September 30, 2008.  However, it's not too late!  Now is the time to buy! It's time to get under contract before the deadline.  Sellers, this means, the only way for a non-veteran borroweRS to get 100% financing is going to be gone in less than 60 days. 
•2.    INCREASE FHA DOWNPAYMENT: Additionally, the minimum downpayment has increased from 3% to 3.5%.
•3.    INCREASE LOAN LIMITS: There was a … (4 comments)

Charleston mid-year state of the market address - 07/23/08 05:38 PM
We have passed the halfway mark for 2008. 
2007 closed out the year with just under 13,000 closed transactions.  We are behind the mark as of June 30, 2008.  During the same time frame in 2007, January through June, There were 16,223 new listings that came on the market. 7634 went under contract or pending and 7015 sold with an average list price of $300,975 with an average days on market of 78 days.  The median price was $209,142 and sellers received 96% of list price.
From January to June, 2008, there were 12,706 new listings.  As of June 30, 2008, … (0 comments)

Trust me to do my job - 07/18/08 11:04 PM
A seller called me because they are unhappy with the flyer or some other marketing piece?
-You left out the square footage.   -You left off the fireplace.  -You didn't copy the floorplan on the back. What about x, y, and z?
I love when a client is involved and makes suggestions or asks questions.  I really do. It's a cooperative effort and I need the seller's participation.  However, I do need a seller to trust me that my marketing tools and experience are really working to your advantage.  There are things that we do and don't do for a reason, however, I'm … (10 comments)

What do you do when the door is ajar on a vacant property? - 07/17/08 11:40 PM
I was showing property downtown last week in Hampton Park.  We got to a house close to Burke High and the stadium.  My notes said the property was vacant so I was surprised to see the front door open.  As I knocked, yelled and then peeked in, it was clearly vacant, however, I was concerned about the door being left open.  My client and I waited on the front porch as my mind raced. First I called the listing agent. No answer, he's on vacation. So I called the back up number.  The agent had no idea and didn't have the … (6 comments)

Going Green - 07/15/08 11:14 AM
Our office had a vendor come to our sales meeting last week and I signed up for a free evaluation of my house to see how inefficient it was and what fixes could be done.  The company, Eco Unit offers several different "green services" to include Green Fiber insulation, Radiant Barriers, Proper Sealing, Window Films, and Rain Barrels.  My home is fairly new, but he still had some recommendations based on my roof line, where the sun spends most of the time and after a short trip through my attic crawl space.  Interestingly, he pegged every warm area in my house without me … (12 comments)

The most darling community - 07/14/08 05:52 PM
I had an Open House on Sunday in White Gables located in Summerville, SC. It was a great turnout for a steamy Sunday afternoon.  This community is patterned after downtown Charleston, but without the price tag and with cheaper taxes!  It's less than 5 miles from historic downtown Summerville and included in the awesome Dorchester District II schools! Anyone will love driving home every day and enjoy the well landscaped neighborhood, amenities, and friendly neighbors!  When you enter the neighborhood, you are greeted by ponds, fountains and arbors.  It's quite picturesque.  It feels like Rainbow Row as you troll down the … (1 comments)

Are lease options a good idea? - 07/08/08 05:10 PM
As interest rates remain unsteady and lenders tighten guidelines, there is a general sentiment among buyers that still believe renting is a waste of money; however, they don't have enough of a downpayment to make a purchase. Lease options or "rent to own" homes can provide cash poor buyers a route to homeownership. There is no "standard" lease option so whatever the buyer and seller can agree to is a legitimate agreement but it should be in writing and I recommend it be reviewed by an attorney. Buyer should be cautious as there are many vague areas that you need to make … (4 comments)

What does being an American mean to you? - 07/05/08 03:47 PM
In reflection of yesterday's celebration of Independence Day, I'd like to share just a slice of my story.
My dad served 26 years in the US Army.  My mom met my dad during his tour in South Korea in 1975. She immigrated to the United States from South Korea.  It was always her dream to come to America.  She was finally naturalized in 1984. I was born on American soil in South Korea.  I moved to Charleston in 1980 when my father was stationed at Charleston AFB.  Charleston has become home, one that I adore and love.
I can't tell you … (6 comments)

It's needed for houses young and old... - 07/01/08 06:42 PM
It's time to add yet another strong recommendation to new listings, for houses young and old alike.  Pre listing inspections.  I do a pre-CL100 (or termite report) for older homes where the likelihood of termite issues increase when a termite bond is not present. I also suggest a pre listing inspection for older homes too.  I have a vendor that does pre listing termite reports for FREE as it's a great way for him to earn business when termites are present. A pre listing inspection lets a seller know what might become an issue when the real deal happens and if a seller can … (2 comments)

Normal Market = Normal Realtor? What's Normal? - 07/01/08 08:26 AM
I read an article about a normal market and I started wondering...what exactly is a normal market?  Hmmm...a leveling of house prices, buyers no longer buying on speculation and sellers only selling when it's necessary??   Ok, well, that seems to be happening, but it doesn't feel normal with more than 3 times the inventory from when I started 4 years ago. 
We are in a recorrection period in hopes of getting back to some level or normalization might be a better way to put it.  So then I started to think....what does normal mean to me?  I've only been in the business for 4 … (0 comments)

 
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Michele Reneau, Realtor, GRI ~ Charleston, SC Relocation Experts Team

Summerville, SC

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Certified Staging Professional (CSP) Elite Instructor

Address: 628 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC, 29464

Office Phone: (843) 814-6680

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Charleston SC real estate, Military Relocation Experts serving Goose Creek SC, Summerville, SC and surrounding areas. CSP Elite Instructor, How to Maximize Your Client's Equity Through Home Staging.



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