Category Archives: Selling Real Estate (For Sellers)

This category features posts relating to real estate marketing information, techniques and strategies for today’s seller.

Proof That It Is A GOOD Time to Sell!

Proof that NOW is a Good Time to Sell | Keeping Current Matters

Most homeowners believe that the winter is not a good time to sell. This belief is based on the fact that historically the number of buyers decreases in the winter and then increases dramatically during the spring buying market. Though this is still true, there is an interesting pattern developing over the last few months.

The number of prospective purchasers actively looking at a home (foot traffic) has remained strong going into the fall. As a matter of fact, the foot traffic far exceeds the numbers reported for the same months last year (see chart):

Foot Traffic Still High

At the same time, the National Association of Realtors revealed that the months’ supply of housing inventory has decreased from 5.5 months to 5.3. That equates to less competition for homeowners selling today as compared to next spring when many homeowners will decide to put their home on the market.

Bottom Line

Since buying activity is still strong, this might be a great time to put your house on the market.

From KCM Crew

Gena Glaze


 

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A Big Shout-Out To PETSMART!

Selling Your Home with Kids and Dogs

This tip actually came from one of my Sellers – Great idea!

Two kids and a dog, A Realtor is on their way to show your home….and its raining. What to do?

 GO TO PETSMART!

Petsmart is one of the few stores that allows dogs inside the store…And kids love Petsmart!  The kids will be entertained, the dog will have fun and Mom or Dad can make good use of their time by purchasing needed pet supplies.  A fun family outing!

So, Thank You, PetsSmart!  Now, if they only had a lounge and served snacks!

Gena Glaze

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Real Estate Discounts & Rebates for Military Members! Charleston SC

We are proudly participating in the U.S. Military On the Move™ program that offers discounts to Military members.

MEMBERS THAT QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNT;  1.All active duty military personnel of all the armed forces and Coast Guard  2. All retired military personnel (20 years)   3. All military personnel designated as wounded warriors status

BENEFIT; The discount is 20% of commissions earned on the functional side of which the member participates. The discount is typically in the form of a cash rebate (depending on the lender’s guidelines) and Qualified Sellers may opt for a reduction in the list commission.

EXAMPLE;  If a qualified member purchased a $200,000 home and the “buy-side” of the commission was 3%, the member would receive a $1,200 reward.  Alternatively, If a qualified seller sold their home for $200,000, they could feasibly save $1.200 on the listing commission.

This is an awesome reward for military members!

We are proud to support our military!  Please contact us for more information.

Travis Glaze and Gena Glaze

CONTACT US

 

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Berkeley County Activity Leads to Increased Home Sales in March

Berkeley County Activity Leads to Increased Home Sales in March

CHARLESTON, SC— According to preliminary data released today by the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® (CTAR), 1,110 homes sold at a median price of $219,316 in March. Last March, 1,075 homes sold at a median price of $200,789 in the region.

Inventory increased significantly in March–there are currently 5,873 homes listed as ‘active’ for sale in the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service (CTMLS). Last March there were 5,745 homes available and last month, 5,565. A growing inventory will supply interested buyers with more choices and keep prices from inflating on an unrealistic basis.

“As the spring buying season begins, the expected trend has continued—a small but sustainable increase in sales” said 2014 CTAR President Corwyn Melette. “The additional inventory will result in more interested buyers and help keep our market stable over the next few months. The substantial sales gains this month in Berkeley County were supported by a concentration of activity in the new Cane Bay Plantation and Daniel Island as well” said Melette.

February Adjustment
Preliminary data reported for February 2014 indicated that 791 homes sold at a median price of $210,000. Adjusted figures now show 813 homes sold a median price of $207,000.

Berkeley County
248 homes sold at a median price of $176,601 in Berkeley County in March. Last March, 201 homes sold at a median price of $168,000. The most active area in the county was in the North area bordered by Jedburg Road, Highway 17A and College Park, with 59 sales at a median price of $171,500.

Charleston County
In Charleston County in March, 626 homes sold at a median price of $280,000. Last March, 649 homes sold at a median price of $245,000. 210 homes sold in Mt. Pleasant at a median price $390,633. Other top areas were West Ashley (outside I526) with 77 sales at a median price of $219,000 and  North Charleston (outside I-526) with 64 sales at a median price of $131,295.

Dorchester County
191 homes sold at a median price of $159,000 in March in Dorchester County.  Last March, 189 homes sold at a median price of $162,500. The most active area was Summerville/Ridgeville, where 85 homes sold at a median price of $173,000.

-Market Reports from Charleston Trident Association of Realtors

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3 Reasons to Sell Your Home this Spring

Many sellers are still hesitant about putting their house up for sale. Where are prices headed? Where are interest rates headed? These are all valid questions. However, there are several reasons to sell your home sooner rather than later. Here are three of those reasons.

1. Demand is about to skyrocket

Most people realize that the housing market is hottest from April through June. The most serious buyers are well aware of this and, for that reason, come out in early spring in order to beat the heavy competition. We also have a pent-up demand as many buyers pushed off their home search this winter because of extreme weather. Sellers in markets where seasonal weather is never an issue must realize that buyers relocating to their region will increase dramatically this spring as these purchasers finally decide to escape the freezing temperatures of the winters in the north.

These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the market right now!

2. There Is Less Competition – For Now

Housing supply always grows from the spring through the early summer. Also, there has been a growing desire for many homeowners to move as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. Homeowners have seen a return to positive equity as prices increased over the last eighteen months. Many of these homes will be coming to the market in the near future.

The choices buyers have will continue to increase over the next few months. Don’t wait until all the other potential sellers in your market put their homes up for sale

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3. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up

If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by approximately 4% this year and 8% by the end of 2015. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. You can also lock-in your 30 year housing expense with an interest rate at about 4.5% right now. Freddie Mac projects rates to be 5.1% by this time next year and 5.7% by the fourth quarter of 2015.

Moving up to a new home will be less expensive this spring than later this year or next year.

If you are a real estate professional and want great information on where prices and interest rates are headed over the next 18 months, we cover both in the March edition of Keeping Current Matters. If you are already one of our 6,000+ members, login in to get the educational resources you need to intelligently discuss the future of values and interest rates with your clients.

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Money Magazine: Buy Now Not Later

From; KCM Crew 3/24/14

We have often suggested that potential home buyers consider rising interest rates when thinking about the true cost of a home. Remember, cost is not determined by price alone but by price and mortgage rate. The longer a buyer waits, the higher the mortgage payment will be if rates continue to increase (as is projected by Fannie MaeFreddie Mac, the National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association).

Money Magazine, in its latest issue, agreed with our analysis as they also warned their readership of the same ramification if they waited to buy a home.

Here is what they said:

“BE MINDFUL OF RATES. The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed loan is predicted to climb from the current 4.4% to 5.3% by the 2015 spring buying season, according to Freddie Mac. For a $250,000 loan, that means that a borrower who waits would pay $136 more per month and an additional $49,090 in interest over the life of the loan. Will you need a big loan? Better to act soon before rates tick up.”

And the monthly increase Money mentioned did not take into consideration that prices are also projected to increase over the next year. Here is what the additional cost would be if prices rise by the 4.5% projected by the latest Home Price Expectation Surveyand interest rates go to 5.3%.

3.24-Blog-Visual2

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