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Wish To Sell Your Daniel Island Home? You Better Price it Perfectly!

Sat, Apr 15th 2017 8:15 am by Alan Donald Daniel Island

Wish To Sell Your Daniel Island Home? You Better Price it Perfectly!

For many years now, Daniel Island has been one of the "darling" sub-markets in the Charleston, SC area. As a planned "affluent" and predictable community, Daniel Island has enjoyed strong appreciation (parallel to, and sometimes ahead of Mount Pleasant's).
Months of Inventory Chart for Daniel Island, Charleston SC 29492
However, prices have risen to the point where demand is starting to pull back, and right now Daniel Island is poised to become an "oversupplied" or "Buyer's Market" once again (see graph). In the graph, each point represents a 12-month average, so the curve represents the trend.

Absorption by MLS Area - Daniel Island SC 29492In the first quarter of 2017, there were 59 sales closed on Daniel Island, and the current inv...




All the Room Without the Yard Work!

Fri, Apr 14th 2017 9:41 am by Alan Donald Alans Listings

Don't Miss Out! Listings like this one don't become available very often.

2017 Grey Marsh Rd Mount PleasantThis Mount Pleasant luxury townhome provides ample living space with no yard work to worry about! Lots of closet storage, 4th bedroom downstairs, double Lowcountry front porches.

Main floor with 9' ceilings, hardwood floors, plantation shutters and crown molding. Gourmet kitchen with 42'' wood cabinets and granite countertops, breakfast bar with three pendant lights, stainless steel appliances, pantry and a large eat-in area with a fireplace.

Large master bedroom on main floor has double closets, master bathroom with tiled floors, double vanities, separate garden tub and shower. Upstairs there are two large bed...




New John Wieland Community in Mt Pleasant - Fantastic Location!!

Tue, Apr 11th 2017 12:18 pm by Alan Donald New Construction

The Oaks Marsh View is a new community being developed by John Wieland Homes and you simply cannot beat the location!  Sitting along the marsh, just off of Ben Sawyer Blvd in Mt Pleasant, you are just minutes away from lounging on the beaches of Sullivans Island or eating fish tacos at Poe's Tavern.  

There are a total of 53 home sites in the community (14+ sites have already sold) and currently 4 spec homes being built (available for quick move-in).  There are 2 marsh sites available as well, although these will not last long!  There are six floor plans to choose from in the neighborhood; Dillion, Dawson, Foster, Chesapeake, Carter and the Faulkner (which is John Wieland's model home ...




Events & Activities in Charleston, SC - April 2017 Edition

Sat, Apr 1st 2017 8:30 am by Alan Donald Newsletters

Spring weather is here and the azaleas are in bloom! The Volvo WTA Open Tennis Tournament is here in Charleston the first week in April. The Tennis Channel is having full coverage all week and they are making a big deal out of this. It’s come to be a very respected tournament and the start of the clay season.

Blessing of the Fleet in Mount PleasantThe Cooper River Bridge Run is also April 1 and the Summerville Flowertown Festival is also on this first weekend. What a great month to be in Charleston, SC. The Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet also happens in April. 

Here is a partial calendar of events in the Charleston area for April, 2017:

1: 40th Cooper River Bridge Run

1: Harlem Globetrotters, N Chas Coliseum

1: Nitt...




Charleston, SC Real Estate Market Update - April 2017

Sat, Apr 1st 2017 8:30 am by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate

Charleston, SC is getting abundant positive publicity, both domestically and internationally. Top Chef just finished airing the season that was filmed here. The Tennis Channel is making a huge deal out of their first ever full week coverage of the WTA Volvo Car Open tournament here next week on Daniel Island, they are calling it the premier clay tournament in America (Volvo is the main sponsor and they are also busy building their new manufacturing plant built in Ridgeville, in the outskirts of the Charleston, SC Metro Area.

Charleston, SC residential real estate had its 2nd busiest year ever in 2016 and it looks like 2017 is setting up to be even better. Buying activity has been the str...




Flood Insurance Update

Sat, Apr 1st 2017 8:30 am by Alan Donald Flood Insurance

What You Need to Know About Flood Insurance.

 

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the topic of flood insurance.  Charleston is part of the Lowcountry and ALL homes in the Charleston area are in a flood zone.  Charleston and Berkeley counties are participating communities in the National Flood Insurance Program. Therefore, every home is in a flood zone.There is no such thing as buying a home in Charleston that is "not in a flood zone".  Lenders may not require flood insurance on homes in an X flood zone, but the home still sits in a flood plain (the X zone accounts for 25% of all flood claims).  The key question when buying a home is -- which flood zone is the home in and how does...



Millionaires to Millennials: Buy Now!

Tue, Mar 28th 2017 10:18 am by Alan Donald Buyers

Millionaire to Millennials: Buy Now! | MyKCM

Self-made millionaire David Bach was quoted in a CNBC article explaining that "the single biggest mistake millennials are making" is not purchasing a home because buying real estate is "an escalator to wealth.”

Bach went on to explain:

"If millennials don't buy a home, their chances of actually having any wealth in this country are little to none. The average homeowner to this day is 38 times wealthier than a renter."

In his bestselling book, “The Automatic Millionaire,” Bach does the math:

"As a renter, you can easily spend half a million dollars or more on rent over the years ($1,500 a month for 30 years comes to $540,000), and in the end wind up just where you started...




4 Great Reasons to Buy This Spring!

Mon, Mar 20th 2017 2:08 pm by Alan Donald Buyers

4 Great Reasons to Buy This Spring! | MyKCMHere are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.9% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 4.8% over the next year.

The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have remained around 4% over the last couple months. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fanni...




How to Recycle & Dispose of Old Electronic Equipment in Charleston

Fri, Mar 10th 2017 2:38 pm by Alan Donald Charleston
I read this on the newsletter "The Green Connection" produced by the City of Charleston Department of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability - and thought it would be interesting to share it.
 Electronic Waste Disposal Options
Electronics in our landfills are not good for our 
Why Recycle Electronics The Right Way
Why Recycle Electronics The Right Way
communities. Potentially hazardous material such as lead and mercury can pose a risk to human health and the environment if not properly managed. Electronics also contain valuable material such as precious metals that can be recovered through responsible recycling.   For these reasons the state of South Carolina began regulating the electro...



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The Connection Between Home Prices & Family Wealth

Wed, Mar 8th 2017 3:57 pm by Alan Donald Real Estate

Over the next five years, home prices are expected to appreciate 3.22% per year on average and to grow by 17.3% cumulatively, according to Pulsenomics’ most recent Home Price Expectation Survey.

So, what does this mean for homeowners and their equity position?

As an example, let’s assume a young couple purchased and closed on a $250,000 home in January. If we look at only the projected increase in the price of that home, how much equity will they earn over the next 5 years?'

The Connection Between Home Prices & Family Wealth | MyKCM

Since the experts predict that home prices will increase by 4.4% this year alone, the young homeowners will have gained $11,000 in equity in just one year.

Over a five-year period, their equity will increase b...



Charleston Real Estate - March 2017 Update

Tue, Feb 28th 2017 5:51 pm by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate

While 2016 was our second busiest year ever for Charleston Real Estate, 2017 has really started off with a bang.

January was the busiest January in history for Charleston real estate. Inventory is low and demand is very high, which could lead to prices going up even more. Currently, mean prices are still below the trend line going back to 1991, but that may change soon if inventory stays this low.

Stratton by the Sound in Mount PleasantFortunately, supply is likely to increase slightly, since many new construction builders are actively working all over the metro area. There are quite a few new neighborhoods under construction - including Ashton Woods' Stratton-by-the-Sound in Mount Pleasant and Pulte Homes' The Arbors in St....



Charleston Events and Activities for March, 2017

Tue, Feb 28th 2017 4:38 pm by Alan Donald Events

March is here but it felt like spring all through February. The azaleas and camellias are already in bloom, as temperatures were in the 70’s most of last month. March features the Wine and Food Festival, the Charleston Fashion Week and the beginning of the Flowertown Festival in Summerville. The 70th Festival of House and Gardens begins on the 16th and runs until April 22. And don’t forget the Cooper River Bridge Run on April 1st.

Cooper River Bridge Run

Here’s your March calendar of events:

1-5: 12th Annual Charleston Wine and Food Festival

3: Artwalk, 10 downtown art galleries

3: Ron White, N Chas PAC

3: Los Lonely Boys, Music Hall

4: IOP Beach Festival

8: Anne Selleck, Kiawah Turtle Point

10: Rick...



Use Your Tax Refund as a Downpayment! - Renting Vs. Owning

Fri, Feb 17th 2017 2:02 pm by Alan Donald First Time Home Buyers

When speaking with potential first time home buyers, the biggest obstacle is typically coming up with the down payment.  Tax time and allocating the tax refund to the down payment is an ideal way to help first time buyers into a home.  Here is a handy grid to show what they can afford, in relation to rent. These figures do include the taxes, insurance, and PMI. 

Thank you to Jim Duffy with Atlantic Bay Mortgage for sharing!  To learn more about mortgage process contact Jim, 843-735-0865.

Thinking of buying a home in 2017?  Call Meghan Bowes, our team buyer specialist, to get the process started today!  843-900-0155.




The Impact of Homeownership on Educational Achievement

Thu, Feb 9th 2017 11:05 am by Alan Donald General

The Impact of Homeownership on Educational Achievement | MyKCM

The National Association of Realtors recently released a study titled 'Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing.’The study confirmed a long-standing belief of most Americans:

“Owning a home embodies the promise of individual autonomy and is the aspiration of most American households. Homeownership allows households to accumulate wealth and social status, and is the basis for a number of positive social, economic, family and civic outcomes.”

Today, we want to cover the section of the report that quoted several studies concentrating on the impact homeownership has on educational achievement. Here are some of the major findings on this issue revealed in the rep...




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Charleston Area Real Estate Market Update - February 2017

Thu, Feb 2nd 2017 12:45 pm by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate

The real estate market here is sizzling hot - January 2017 was the busiest January we’ve ever experienced, and 2016 was the 2nd busiest year ever, second only to 2005 by just a few hundred home sales. We sold over 17,000 houses and that was up over 10% over 2015. The graph shows a 3-month average for closed sales since 2004. 

The median sales price was at an all time high of $245,000, but this was only a modest 4.3% gain over 2015.

Many factors are pointing to 2017 being even a better year: We continue to receive good news from every angle. Volvo is going to open their new plant here this year in Ridgeville (Goose Creek/Summerville area). You can still buy a home on that side of town ...




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2 Myths That May Be Holding Back Buyers

Thu, Feb 2nd 2017 10:25 am by Alan Donald First Time Home Buyers

Fannie Mae’s article, “What Consumers (Don’t) Know About Mortgage Qualification Criteria, revealed that “only 5 to 16 percent of respondents know the correct ranges for key mortgage qualification criteria.

Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment

Millennial Downpayment Graph

Fannie Mae’s survey revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the report, 76% of Americans either don’t know (40%) or are misinformed (36%) about the minimum down payment required.

Many believe that they need at least 20% down to buy their dream home, but many programs actually let buyers put down as little as 3%.  Above are the results of a Digital Risk survey of Millennials w...




Events & Activities for the Charleston, SC Area - February 2017 Edition

Thu, Feb 2nd 2017 10:18 am by Alan Donald Alans Listings

Taj ExpressFebruary is here and we might have a handful of cold days, but so far the weather has been fantastic. Only 3 days failed to reach 50 degrees in January. Right now, we look to have none of those in the first 10 days.

February brings us the South Eastern Wildlife Expo on the weekend of 17-19. Amazingly, Dave Chappelle is in town for 4 shows in 2 nights at the Music Hall.

Boxcar Betty’s chicken sandwich was voted best Fried Chicken by Foursquare and Charleston was rated 19th best city for ultimate livability by US News and World Review.

Here is your February calendar of events:

1: America’s Got Talent, Charleston Convention Center

1-2: Dave Chappelle, Charleston Music Hall

2-5: Go...




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What to Expect From Your Home Inspection

Sun, Jan 29th 2017 4:59 pm by Alan Donald Buyers

What to Expect From Your Home Inspection | MyKCM

So you made an offer, it was accepted, and now your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. More often than not, your agent may have made your offer contingent on a clean home inspection.

This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price paid for the home, ask the sellers to cover repairs, or even, in some cases, walk away. Your agent can advise you on the best course of action once the report is filed.

How to Choose an Inspector

Your agent will most likely have a short list of inspectors that they have worked with in the past that they can recommend to you. Realtor.com suggests that you consider the following 5 areas when choosing the right home inspecto...




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Have You Saved Enough for Closing Costs?

Mon, Jan 23rd 2017 9:32 am by Alan Donald Buyers

Have You Saved Enough for Closing Costs? | MyKCM

There are many potential homebuyers, and even sellers, who believe that they need at least a 20% down payment in order to buy a home or move on to their next home. Time after time, we have dispelled this myth by showing that many loan programs allow you to put down as little as 3% (or 0% with a VA loan).

If you have saved up your down payment and are ready to start your home search, one other piece of the puzzle is to make sure that you have saved enough for your closing costs.

Freddie Mac defines closing costs as:

“Closing costs, also called settlement fees, will need to be paid when you obtain a mortgage. These are fees charged by people representing your purchase, includin...




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322 Seneca River Dr, Summerville - Beautiful Home on Pond Lot

Thu, Jan 19th 2017 2:45 pm by Alan Donald Alans Listings

Great Home Build On A Large, Premium Pond Lot That Is Ready To Move Right Into!

Downstairs features an Open Plan living/dining/kitchen with laminate hardwood floors, and opening up to a fabulous screened in porch overlooking the pond. New paint and landscaping! Upstairs The Nice Sized Master Bathroom Has Double Vanities And Separate Tub And Shower. The Large Master Bedroom Has A View Of The Pond And A Nice Walk-In Closet. Two Other Well-Sized Bedrooms And A Full Bath Flow Very Nicely. A 2-Car Detached Garage Is Connected By A Breezeway, So You Don't Have To Get Wet! The Backyard Is Fenced. Great Location, Close To Shopping, Places Of Worship, Hospitals And Large Companies Such As Boein...



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