Stimulus Package and Military Home Owners

For many years the government offered help to military home owners having to sell due to a base closure or force re-alignment. Not until this year did the government help military home owners who needed to sell because of PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders.

With the real estate market in such a decline nationally, the government saw a need to take some of the financial burden off of military home owners who are having to sell their homes for less than they owe on their mortgages.

Stimulus Package Helps Home Owners Too

Every day I meet with people who may not WANT to sell their home, but have decided they MUST sell to avoid foreclosure. My heart breaks for these folks, because most of the time I can’t help them. Either they owe too much on their home to price it low enough to sell in this market, or they don’t have enough equity in their home to refinance the loan.

Thankfully, as days go by, there are more and more options available to these struggling families. We can consider a short sale, we can rent the property to tenants, and now it’s becoming easier to talk to the bank about loan modification.

Real Estate Stimulus Seminar

Confused about the stimulus package and what it means to you? We’ve got answers for home buyers. Find out how you can take advantage of the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit at our Real Estate Stimulus Seminar this Thursday, February 26, at 6 p.m.

Topics will include an overview of the provisions in the stimulus signed by President Obama last week that benefit first-time home buyers; an explanation of the home buying process; information about loan products and processes; and a look at new construction communities in and around Goose Creek.

2009 Stimulus and First-Time Buyer Tax Credit

The stimulus plan signed into law by President Obama this week contains several provisions to prop up the ailing housing market. One of the most talked about is the $8000 tax credit for first-time home buyers. Click here to download a quick fact sheet created by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR) with information about what it is and who qualifies for it.

If you have any questions or would like to know more, call me at 843.574.3193. I will do my best to help.

Agent in the Creek Named Rookie of the Year

The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR) presented awards of distinction for 2008 to the top 3% of its membership Tuesday morning. The Association honored members who demonstrated exceptional sales achievement, involvement in the Association, dedication to continued education, and adherence to the Realtor® Code of Ethics.

Members were recognized in groups that included Rookie Realtor®, Director’s Circle, President’s Circle, Executive Circle, and Commercial. There was also an award given to the Realtor® of the Year.

Stephanie Davis of Carolina One Real Estate in Goose Creek was the only Rookie Realtor® award recipient. She earned the distinction with 14 homes sold

Real Estate Buzzing with Excitement

Once the holidays were over and the 2009 ball dropped, a funny thing happened to us at the real estate office: The phones started ringing!

When the market slows down agents continue to look busy. We spend time catching up with past clients, beefing up our marketing efforts, taking classes, etc. We may be on the phone a lot, we may even work late. But a lot of it is what I call “wishful working.” You know, staying busy today hoping to get a paycheck tomorrow. The office was quiet during the holidays, but we agents were there anyway.

Boy what a difference now. Hallway chatter has all but stopped, doors are closed, desks are messy, phones are ringing, we are busy. Everyone. Suddenly we’re doing all we can to keep up with all the people interested in buying and selling real estate. Last week alone I received phone calls from five people wanting to list their property or buy a house.

It’s overwhelming, but I’m ready. You won’t catch me off guard or too busy for your call. I’m here and I’m saying BRING IT ON. What a great year in real estate this is going to be. I’ve been looking forward to it all winter.

Click here to see a short video from ABC News that talks about the increased traffic in our market.

Short Sale in The Hamlets of Crowfield Plantation

100 Sedburgh Dr. in The Hamlets

In more than 18 months of writing this blog you have never seen me use it as a platform to focus on my listings. This listing, however, is going to be an exception. It is a short sale in The Hamlets and needs to get shown and sold fast.

This is six-bedroom executive home near the golf course on a large (0.4 acre) corner lot. The exterior is all brick with mature landscaping, lawn irrigation system, and

Landfill Solutions May Provide Relief for Residents – and Sellers

Several neighborhoods and communities near the Berkeley County landfill off of Highway 52 have a stigma: they stink.

Depending on which side of the landfill the communities are located, the odor of trash in the air can be quite strong – especially in the summer months. Today The Post & Courier published an article that discusses some of the plans and solutions Berkeley County has on the table for turning that landfill into a gold mine for the county – and making it virtually odor-free for nearby residents.

Forbes Recognizes Charleston’s Strong Market

While it’s true that all real estate is local, and we should always trust a local source of market information over a national one, it’s nice to see positive news on the national level about our local real estate market. This month Forbes Magazine named the Charleston, SC, housing market as one of the strongest 25 in the country, and said it will be one of the first markets to recover from the current nation-wide slump.

Top 10 Best Buys in Goose Creek

In this buyer’s market, buyers are looking for the best deal they can find. Makes sense. Lots of folks are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the steal of the century… but would they know it if it was staring them in the face? Maybe not. So I’m here to help. Of 444 active MLS listings, these are the Top 10 Best Buys in Goose Creek for the week of January 12, 2009.