If you are thinking of selling, it is important to have the right agent in today's challenging market.
5 Questions to Ask Your Potential Agent
1. Where do they rank among their peers?
2. What have they accomplished in this challenging market?
3. What are they doing different in this market?
4. How does their marketing plan specifically apply to your house?
5. Are they there after the sale?
Give me a call at 843-209-9667 to get my answers to the above or email me for the. Have a happy haloween.
Randall
Great Investment Opportunity for Cash Buyer in James Island
1530 Fort Johnson Road, #4L, Charleston, SC - only five minutes from the beach!This is NOT a short sale. A great opportunity for any investor client you may have...$90,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2 full bath, 3rd floor condo in the Brigadier Condos. Our client says sell and sell now.
There is litigation with the building that will most likely result in a $2000-$3000 assessment in the near future according to the HOA. The unit had previously been rented for $750 per month and is vacant and very clean. Monthly regime is $245. With the litigation, this will most likely need to be a cash buyer which is reflected in the listing price. MLS# 2827414.
For more info, please give me a call at 843-209-9667.
There is litigation with the building that will most likely result in a $2000-$3000 assessment in the near future according to the HOA. The unit had previously been rented for $750 per month and is vacant and very clean. Monthly regime is $245. With the litigation, this will most likely need to be a cash buyer which is reflected in the listing price. MLS# 2827414.
For more info, please give me a call at 843-209-9667.
How does the First Time Home Buyer Credit work?
I have gotten a lot of questions about the first time home buyer credit that was passed into law recently and here is a brief summary. This program allows eligible first time home buyers from 4/9/08 through 6/30/09 to receive up to a $7500 tax credit on their home purchase. Certain income restrictions apply and the credit is paid back over the next 15 years on your income taxes. It is in essence, a tax-free loan from the government. So if you have recently bought your first home, you can put the credit on your 2008 tax returns. For those buying after Jan. 1, 2008 and before June 30, 2009 it will go on your 2009 taxes.
The reason the gov't passed this program is a for a hopeful domino effect. This extra money will encourage someone to buy their first home thereby enabling the seller to buy a new home and so on. They are hoping this will add new buyers to the current slow market.
Feel free to call or email if you have any questions on this, it is an excellent program for first time buyers but just remember you do pay the money back...it is now free as some people are saying.
The reason the gov't passed this program is a for a hopeful domino effect. This extra money will encourage someone to buy their first home thereby enabling the seller to buy a new home and so on. They are hoping this will add new buyers to the current slow market.
Feel free to call or email if you have any questions on this, it is an excellent program for first time buyers but just remember you do pay the money back...it is now free as some people are saying.
Up to 100% financing with Doctor Loan program
One of my mortgage contacts has a great program for licensed medical doctors. This program is through Josh Feldman at SunTrust Bank and his number is 843-958-1316 and email is joshua.feldman@suntrust.com. Here are the details and feel free to call Josh for more info.
The Doctor Loan Program
Up to 100% financing
No monthly mortgage insurance payments
Eligible on purchase and rate/term refinances
Construction loans, fixed rate, ARM and interest-only financing available
Loan amounts up to 1.5 million
The Doctor Loan Program
Up to 100% financing
No monthly mortgage insurance payments
Eligible on purchase and rate/term refinances
Construction loans, fixed rate, ARM and interest-only financing available
Loan amounts up to 1.5 million
New Listing on James Island
900 Longwood Lane in Patriots Plantation - Give me a call at 209-9667 for a personal showing.
This 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home in Patriots Plantation has been impeccably kept by the current owners. The 2600 sq. foot plus home has an open floor with a kitchen and dining area that are meant for entertaining. Gorgeous hardwood floors, smooth kitchen counter tops, smooth high ceilings & crown molding are just a few of this home's features. There is a sunroom that overlooks a large backyard and newly expanded deck. The master bedroom has a trayed ceiling and a large master bath with whirlpool tub and walk-in closet. There is also a room off the master that will make an excellent home office or nursery. The two additional upstairs bedrooms are oversized with lots of closet space and a Jack and Jill bathroom. Fresh landscaping and three new palm trees welcome you upon entering the home. Right side of fence has extra large gates for boat storage area in sideyard. The home is on a quite cul-de-sac and the lot backs up to an eagle sanctuary and protected grounds.
Is this a good time to buy a home?
I have gotten this question many times recently and always answer with that it depends on your personal situation. Real estate runs in cycles and we are currently in the low end of the cycle where buyers have the advantage over sellers. Many buyers right now seem to be sitting on the fence waiting for the market to bottom out to get the best possible deal on a home. The only problem here is that the only way you know when the cycle hits bottom is when it is already on the way back up. Ask your agent or give me a call if you have any other questions. Everyone's answers to the above question depends on the current family and financial situations and a good Realtor can help guide the way to that answer.
Charleston, SC - ranked #2 US City to visit
Charleston was recently ranked the #2 US city to visit in a study by Conde Nast. We bumped past New York City and San Fransico remained #1 for the 16th straight year. Here is the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20081020/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_readers__choice
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20081020/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_readers__choice
Positive news in today's paper
The Post & Courier reported some positive news in the our paper today. At a meeting of local Realtors, Mayor Joe Riley and Charleston County official, there was a positive forecast of over 85,000 new residents moving to the area in the next 10-12 years. This equals to a need of 42,000 new homes in the area to handle the increased population. Area Realtors viewed this is a positive for the business however the city & county are being cautious on how to handle the growth of the area in a healthy and manageable fashion. The big picture is that people still want to move to our area which is a great thing.
Neighborhood Open House, Sunday 1-3pm, The Villages in St. Johns Woods, Johns Island
Neighborhood Open House
The Villages in St. Johns Woods, Johns Island
Sunday, Oct. 19th, 1-3pm
Six houses will be open for viewing including my below listing:
4081 Easy Amy Lane, $408,000, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage, screened porch
This custom built Lowcountry home in The Villages at St. Johns Woods features an open floor plan with Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors, Anderson windows & doors, double crown molding throughout, 10 foot ceilings on the first floor and a solid mahogany front door. The kitchen has high quality cabinets, stainless steel appliances, gas stove and granite countertops. The spacious master opens up to a screened porch and the master bath has a large jetted tub, separate shower, dual sinks and a walk-in closet. This home is full of light due the oversized windows throughout the home. There is a full front porch and large screened porch in the rear. The rear porch has a natural gas hook-up for your grill. The fenced in backyard gives plenty of privacy to this home and is the perfect space for pets and gardening. The garage has an oversized 18 foot wide garage door that easily fits two large vehicles and there is enough space to add a storage room or workshop above the garage. The Villages at St. Johns Woods is Lowcountry living at its finest with sidewalks, walking trails and a community pool.
New Public Pier on James Island
The 2.5-acre plot of waterfront property on James Island known as Sunrise Park is expected to undergo a few changes in the coming months, namely the addition of a pier.
The city of Charleston has budgeted up to $450,000 to build a 190-foot pier with a 20-foot by 20-foot pierhead and a 40-foot floating dock at the park, which was officially renamed Milton P. Demetre Park in 2000. The park is located on Wampler Drive near the James Island Yacht Club.
But parkgoers are split on whether the pier will make the park more enjoyable or take away from its quiet charm and air of solitude.
On one hand, the pier will afford a place in the park for anglers and crabbers and also give canoeists and kayakers access to the water.
“This is an opportunity to keep it a passive park and give the public some other options,” City Council- woman Kathleen Wilson told The Post and Courier.
Some residents, however, see the park as a sort of natural sanctuary that, if given a pier, would attract too many people
Wilson said the city is communicating with park’s neighbors about pier plans and efforts that will be made to prevent parking and traffic problems and to keep the park passive. Park hours — dawn to dusk — will be posted, she said, and police are being asked to patrol the area to keep it from be- coming a late-night hangout.
The city of Charleston has budgeted up to $450,000 to build a 190-foot pier with a 20-foot by 20-foot pierhead and a 40-foot floating dock at the park, which was officially renamed Milton P. Demetre Park in 2000. The park is located on Wampler Drive near the James Island Yacht Club.
But parkgoers are split on whether the pier will make the park more enjoyable or take away from its quiet charm and air of solitude.
On one hand, the pier will afford a place in the park for anglers and crabbers and also give canoeists and kayakers access to the water.
“This is an opportunity to keep it a passive park and give the public some other options,” City Council- woman Kathleen Wilson told The Post and Courier.
Some residents, however, see the park as a sort of natural sanctuary that, if given a pier, would attract too many people
Wilson said the city is communicating with park’s neighbors about pier plans and efforts that will be made to prevent parking and traffic problems and to keep the park passive. Park hours — dawn to dusk — will be posted, she said, and police are being asked to patrol the area to keep it from be- coming a late-night hangout.
Current Economic Situation
Our head person at Carolina One Real Estate sent out the following on ways to look at and handle the current financial situation that is affecting everyone. I thought this was a pretty good perspective for anyone:
1. There have been other crises in all of our lives ... maybe financial, maybe health, maybe a disaster (an accident or fire). And - for those who remember - there have been other challenging real estate markets: 18% interest rates, Hurricane Hugo, Naval Base closing, 9/11. Reflect back. Whatever it was, how did you handle it? What pulled you through? Have a determination that this is not going to beat you; you are going to beat it. It all starts with our personal mental attitude; let's get tough. Everything is cyclical. Nothing lasts forever.
2. Fear is physical. Face it. And deal with it in a physical way ... get exercise and work it out of your body. Work out, walk, bicycle ... it doesn't matter what you do, but do something every day. It's good for your health - physically, mentally, emotionally - and it conquers fear.
3. You've heard, "You are what you eat." You are also what you think. It's important to know what's going on in the world but fill your head - and your thoughts - with more than negative media. Seek out positive, affirming messages ... books, CDs, people who nourish you.
4. With any investment, is it smarter to buy when it's high or low? Embrace the "pessimism" and find the advantage. Whether it's the stock market or the real estate market, this is exactly the time to make a smart investment rather than in the midst of the hot market of 3 years ago. It just makes sense. Let's help our clients find the opportunity in this market. They need us; what you do everyday makes a real difference.
5. Offer to help someone less fortunate. It helps us count our many blessings and puts everything else in perspective.
1. There have been other crises in all of our lives ... maybe financial, maybe health, maybe a disaster (an accident or fire). And - for those who remember - there have been other challenging real estate markets: 18% interest rates, Hurricane Hugo, Naval Base closing, 9/11. Reflect back. Whatever it was, how did you handle it? What pulled you through? Have a determination that this is not going to beat you; you are going to beat it. It all starts with our personal mental attitude; let's get tough. Everything is cyclical. Nothing lasts forever.
2. Fear is physical. Face it. And deal with it in a physical way ... get exercise and work it out of your body. Work out, walk, bicycle ... it doesn't matter what you do, but do something every day. It's good for your health - physically, mentally, emotionally - and it conquers fear.
3. You've heard, "You are what you eat." You are also what you think. It's important to know what's going on in the world but fill your head - and your thoughts - with more than negative media. Seek out positive, affirming messages ... books, CDs, people who nourish you.
4. With any investment, is it smarter to buy when it's high or low? Embrace the "pessimism" and find the advantage. Whether it's the stock market or the real estate market, this is exactly the time to make a smart investment rather than in the midst of the hot market of 3 years ago. It just makes sense. Let's help our clients find the opportunity in this market. They need us; what you do everyday makes a real difference.
5. Offer to help someone less fortunate. It helps us count our many blessings and puts everything else in perspective.
Win a free gas card
Sorry it has been so long since my last post, I was on vacation for a week and then took a week to get caught up on everything.
The real estate company I am work for, Carolina One Real Estate, is giving away a $25 gas card each day to drive more traffic to the website. All you do is enter your name and email and your info is not sold or used for any other reasons. It will ask if you are working with a realtor and if you put in my name, Randall Sandin, I will win a second $25 gas card that I will give to you as well. So you will win $50 in gas. I have already had one winner of $50 and would like to see a lot more. Here is the link so go sign up right away. Feel free to sign up every member of your family including kids and dogs!!!
http://www.carolinaonerealestate.com
The real estate company I am work for, Carolina One Real Estate, is giving away a $25 gas card each day to drive more traffic to the website. All you do is enter your name and email and your info is not sold or used for any other reasons. It will ask if you are working with a realtor and if you put in my name, Randall Sandin, I will win a second $25 gas card that I will give to you as well. So you will win $50 in gas. I have already had one winner of $50 and would like to see a lot more. Here is the link so go sign up right away. Feel free to sign up every member of your family including kids and dogs!!!
http://www.carolinaonerealestate.com
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