Mobile Version of MyCharlestonAgent Just Launched

This item was filled under [ Uncategorized ]

The mobile version of  MyCharlestonAgent.com is now live.   It features the same user-friendly interface as the main site but is designed for easy use on cell phones.

It also has a built in feature that recognizes your location based on GPS and displays houses for sale close to your current location, so it is perfect to use if you are driving around neighborhoods you like,  just pull up mycharlestonagent.com and see what’s for sale.

On your phone, go to www.mycharlestonagent.com or scan the QR code below to open the mobile site.

 

Tired of Renting ?

This item was filled under [ Buyer Tips, Renters ]

If you are renting, you are making one person rich, your landlord.

Despite the troubles in the housing market, owning a home is one of the best investments you can make.

There are so many financial benefits to owning instead of renting.

  • Your mortgage is fixed. No more rent increases
  • Your mortgage pays down the loan. It is like a savings account each month.
  • You can reduce the amount you pay in tax with write offs
  • Your house value will increase over time which increases your net worth
  • Your mortgage will probably be lower than your rent in today’s hot rental market
  • Interest rates today are at historically low rates. You can lock in these rates for length of your mortgage
  • House prices are down approx 25% from the peak in Charleston

One of the big myths of becoming a homeowner is that you need a lot of money to buy a house.

This is not always the case.

  • Are you or were you in the military, if so, you could be eligible for a 0% down, VA loan
  • Some builders offer 100% financing
  • FHA loans are available with only 3.5% downpayment
  • To reduce the amount you need even further, you can ask for the seller to pay closing costs.

We had a case recently where the buyer got a 100% loan and actually got money back at closing. His monthly mortgage on the brand new construction he bought was lower than the rent he had been paying on his run down rental.

To find out more about securing your financial future (instead of your landlord’s), contact us at   darragh@mycharlestonagent.com or 843 452 2325

 


Charleston County Mails Out New Tax Assessment Letters

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If you live in Charleston County, you will be receiving your new tax assessment in the mail around now. The last tax assessment was in 2003 so your assessed value has probably increased.

When you get your assessment letter, confirm that your assessment ration is 0.04 (if it is your primary residence). If it is 0.06 and you live in the home as your primary residence, then you should apply to get it lowered to 0.04.

The 15% cap is in place, so for most homeowners, any increase of the assessed value over the previous assessed value will be capped to 15%.  Note this cap is for the assessed value, not the tax due.

These letters are not bills, the bills will come out later in the year. If you don’t agree with your assessed value, you have 90 days to appeal it.

If you have any questions about your assessment, please contact Anton or Darragh

Belle Hall – Mt Pleasant’s Hottest Neighborhood – Outperforming the Rest of Mt Pleasant

This item was filled under [ Belle Hall, Mount Pleasant ]

Belle Hall Plantation in Mt Pleasant has always been a popular neighborhood but the pace of sales in the neighborhood this year is making it Mt Pleasant’s best performing neighborhood, far outperforming the market.

To get the most relevant results, it’s best to split Belle Hall in two.   The Island, Hibben & Evian are at a higher price point, so we will look at those separately. Let’s look first at the other subsections within Belle Hall i.e. priced under $500,000.

The numbers are amazing. Belle Hall is outperforming the market by 4 to 1.   In 2011 so far,  27 homes have sold or are under contract to sell.  There are only 9 homes currently for sale.  That means there is little more than 2 months worth of inventory in Belle Hall.   Compare that with the rest of Mount Pleasant where there is nearly 8 months of inventory.  There is no other neighborhood in the Mt Pleasant, maybe even the Charleston MLS that is as hot as that.

 

 

Looking at how quickly houses under $500k are selling in Belle Hall, the numbers are equally positive,  53% of homes listed sold with 14 days, 87% sold within 30 days.   Again comparing to the rest of the Mt Pleasant market, the average house takes 90 days to sell. Note : Non-short sale homes.

If you have been thinking of selling your home in Belle Hall, these numbers show the incredible demand on homes in there.

Demand on rentals in Belle Hall has driven the rental prices up, we listed a 1500sqft home in The Veranda this month for rent at $1600.  The webpage got 900 hits within 48 hours and the house rented immediately. That house had previously rented for $1350.

Looking at The Island, Hibben and Evian, there numbers are also very positive. 18 homes have sold or are under contract this year with only 15 for sale.  That is less than 6 months inventory, that is a 60% lower than  the Mt Pleasant average of 16 months inventory at that price point.

We offer free home valuations in Belle Hall Plantation. Our office is conveniently located at the entrance to Belle Hall in the Moultrie Office Park.

For more information or questions on Belle Hall, please contact me at  darragh@mycharlestonagent.com

 

 

Mount Pleasant – Some Stats That Might Surprise You

This item was filled under [ Uncategorized ]

How is the market doing in Mt Pleasant ?

We have the lowest inventory in 6 years right now in Mount Pleasant

Our inventory has dropped by 50% in 5 years, there are now less than 1000 homes for sale in Mt Pleasant.

For every 4 homes up for sale, 1 of them is under contract.

More posts will be added

This item was filled under [ Real Estate Tips, Seller Tips, Single Family Home ]

6/7/2011

More posts will be added shortly. Please check back soon

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