Posts by : Alan Donald

Top 5 Home Buyer Concerns

Let's face it: The real estate market in the Charleston, SC area has changed substantially! Three years ago it had abundant listings, double-digit absorption rates and very eager sellers. Interest rates were low and going nowhere, and there was little urgency. Home prices were declining and buyers could take their time finding the right home, negotiating the right price and waiting for the market to touch bottom. 

Today the story is completely different: The local real estate market in some areas of the Charleston, SC, metro area (specifically in Mount Pleasant and Daniel Island, SC) are now under-supplied and prices are rising once again.

From our experience,...

Smelly Affairs

The sense of smell is a powerful motivator. When prospective buyers walk into a house, their senses are alert to visual, audio and smell stimuli to form that “first impression” .

It is well known that buyers respond more positively if they smell freshly baking oatmeal cookies instead 
of the lingering odors of mold, cigarette smoke or a household pet. 

Because you are used to some smells, you may not notice odors that visitors are aware of as soon as they walk in the door. Before placing your home for sale, 
ask a friend or neighbor to give it a "sniff test". If they notice any odors, you bet potential buyers are going to notice them too.

So, how do you 
get rid of th...

Why Is My Home Not Selling?

If you have had your home on the market for several months, you may start to wonder why it just isn't moving. How can you encourage buyers to look at your house and introduce new "zest" into the sale?

The first thing to do is to get together with your REALTOR and discuss showing activity and feedback received from buyers and showing agents. Is it the CONDITION of the home? Is it the PRICE? Has it been EASY TO SHOW on short notice? It's a numbers game - the more showings you get, the faster it will sell, if it is priced right. 

CONDITION - Does your home look the very best it can? With many options to choose from, buyers prefer to buy "move-in-ready" homes th...

What Would Your Mother-in-Law Think?

You can bet on it - the KITCHEN is one of the key areas of a home that most buyers will look at to short-list their preferred homes from a long list of available listings. A smart seller will devote time, attention and money to make the kitchen sparkle! Although many buyers want an updated kitchen (solid surface countertops, modern cabinets, stainless steel appliances, etc.), your kitchen does not have to be state-of-the art to be appealing.

Think first impressions: What would you do to impress your mother-in-law if she was coming to visit?

The first step towards enhancing the appeal of your kitchen is giving it a thorough cleaning and tidying up. M...

Why You Should NOT be Present During Your Home Showings!  

Once your home is listed for sale, it may be a difficult thing for you to step aside and let your REALTOR take over. Essentially, once you list the home, it ceases to be "the place you live in" and becomes a "showroom designed to attract buyers".

When prospective buyers arrive, you may be tempted to hang around to point out the hidden cabinet behind the kitchen door, the energy-saving features, the irrigation system or the electronic fence. But your presence most likely will be a hindrance, rather than a plus. If you really wish to sell, it is always best if you and your family leave the house whenever it is being shown!

The ...

USING CREATIVE NEGOTIATIONS

If a Buyer has an 850 Credit Score, 45%  down payment and does not have to sell a home, his/her offer on your home may be a strong one! However, many Buyers are not in this situation. And while as a Seller you would  like to get your asking price, on a cash deal with no contingencies, an experienced listing agent will prepare you for the possibility of receiving offers that involve less than ideal conditions and may require some compromise.


Experienced REALTORS® know how to structure creative offers to try to make an offer work, given that “a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush”. If a Buyer is low on cash, your Seller counter-offer may includ...

Keeping the Transaction Together

One of the most critical services a REALTOR can provide, is the ability to "keep the deal together" until closing.

Many Buyers and Sellers believe that, once the contract is signed, it is a binding commitment on both parties and things will flow smoothly to the closing. This is not the case! In a Seller's market where prices are rising, Sellers may receive backup offers for higher price than the first contract they accepted, and are "chomping at the bit" to see the first contract fall through. In a Buyer's market, the Buyers may see another property that offers better value than the one they just wrote a contract on, and may find the way to get out, usin...

White Lies Sellers Should Avoid Telling...

Many states have mandatory "Seller Disclosure" laws to protect the public.

Some Sellers may be tempted to tell a few "white lies" when they want to sell their home - after all - how will the Buyers find out if any issues were fixed? Sellers may think no harm is done by omitting facts or "bending the truth". 

However, very few people will tolerate being lied to. Litigation often follows the failure to disclose a known material fact about the house... 

The fact is there are some issues that call for brutal honesty or they may come back to bite you later! As your REALTORS, we always recommend our Seller clients to tell nothing but the complete ...

BUYER’S DUE DILIGENCE - INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS

After you conclude negotiations and “ratify” (sign) a contract to buy a home, you will usually have 30-45 days to do your Buyer's “due diligence” before the closing. Most buyers will request both a home and a termite inspection to be done, to make sure the home does not have any major problems. 

Your home inspector and your termite inspector may spend anywhere from one to four hours going over the home with a fine tooth comb, noting any defects and items that need attention or repair.

As a Buyer, you will need to produce a Repair Addendum with all your requests for repairs (within 48 hours of the scheduled deadline) for the Sellers to con...

BE PROACTIVE - DEAL WITH THE DEFECTS 


In any residential real estate transaction, the Buyers will likely conduct home and termite inspections as part of their "due diligence" to make sure the home is in good condition (for the price). Even if you are selling your home "as-is" (which means you are not willing to pay for any necessary repairs), most buyers will include an inspection contingency clause in their offer. 

These contingencies will allow them to hire any number of experts (including a home inspector, a termite inspector and a structural engineer) to make sure that the house is safe, structurally sound, free of leaks and that all the systems are working properly (i.e. that th...

Sunday July 14, 2013   2:00-4:00

View more details on this property!

Help me BUY a home!

MOVE-IN CONDITION AND NOT A SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE, SO YOU CAN MOVE INTO THIS HOME TODAY! ONE-STORY HOME ON BEAUTIFUL CORNER LOT, WITH FENCED BACKYARD. FRESHLY PAINTED INTERIOR (NEUTRAL COLORS) AND NEW CARPET - GREAT STARTER HOME OR RETIREMENT RETREAT. FULLY FENCED BACK YARD, IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT YARD AND ATTACHED, TWO CAR GARAGE. INSIDE, AN EAT-IN KITCHEN WITH SEPARATE DINING ROOM LEADS TO A GREAT ROOM WITH VAULTED CEILINGS, FIREPLACE AND LAMINATE WOOD FLOORS. THE MASTER SUITE HAS VAULTED CEILINGS, WALK-IN CLOSET, DUAL SINKS AND SEPARATE TUB AND SHOWER IN THE MASTER BATH. IV...

CURB APPEAL - FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT!!

We make thousands of small and big decisions every day. Our senses (eyesight, smell, feeling, hearing) are constantly telling us a story about our surroundings.

When we are looking to buy a home, those INITIAL impressions from the first few seconds after we stop in front of a home may make a positive or negative emotional impression that may outlast later impressions (remember that “an image is worth a thousand words”?).

This initial impression makes a statement about your home and yourself as the owner. Whether your home is contemporary or traditional, older or newer, its architectural features and curb appeal will impact potential buyers.

Yo...

SHOWINGS AND PETS

Most of us REALTORS are animal lovers and have pets of our own, but we also share many stories about showing homes where our clients went into a sneezing fit, we got bitten by a cantankerous furry creature, or opened the front door only to helplessly see a cute kitty scoot toward the nearest busy street.


It is essential to take pets and its effects into consideration if you want to put your house on the market.

Initially, make sure that you bring a friend who does NOT have any pets to do the "sniff test" and make sure your home does not have any pet odors. Steam clean carpets and vacuum all furniture. Wash all pet bedding and toys. Make sure to shampoo and comb your ...

Feeling Stressed? Patience is a Virtue (That Helps Get Deals Done!)

Sellers deal with anxiety, especially if they are also buying a home and depending upon the sale and closing of their existing home. In addition, As a Seller, you may have to also deal with the Buyers' anxiety!

For example, you may have reached an agreement with the Buyers and signed the contract for the sale of your home. After the contract was ratified, you notice that the Buyers begin to behave strangely, getting somewhat agitated and making additional (sometimes unreasonable) demands, like asking you to include your new washer and dryer (that did not convey), or may start questioning the structural integrity of your...

Who Represents Whom?

In South Carolina, state law maintains that the REALTOR must represent at least one of the parties in the transaction (cannot be neutral). 
Consumers have the option to hire an agent (become a CLIENT with fiduciary responsibility from the agent) or remain a CUSTOMER 
(at arm’s length) and represent him/herself in the transaction.

The LISTING AGENT always represents the seller. Sometimes a buyer will purchase a home with the help of the listing agent. 
In this case, known as DUAL agency (common in new construction), the agent assists both the buyer and the seller in the transaction. However, it is also possible 
that the buyers want an agent representing their inte...

A Moving Experience

You have a ratified contract, getting ready to close escrow - the transaction is looking like it's going to happen on track and  - you realize you need to arrange the move ASAP!

We recommend you contact a few different moving companies, they each offer different service options and price ranges, whether you are moving across the country or just within the neighborhood.

 Shopping for movers is like shopping for any other service. Call several companies for estimates, and ask each company exactly how their charges are calculated and what is included. How much insurance is included in the estimate? What is the cost for additional coverage? Are there special provision...