359 Jardinere Walk just reduced to $280,000...

288 Mossy Oak Way just reduced to $274,900...

Buyers: Have a look at this new listing in The Courtyard section of Belle Hall Plantation:

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, convenient location (walk to elementary school). Sought after school district, close to shopping, easy drive to Downtown, Charleston International Airport, Boeing, etc.

Contact me today to arrange a showing!

Inventory Decreases in Belle Hall Plantation

Good news for Belle Hall homeowners: Inventory of single family, detached homes (SFD) has been steadily decreasing since reaching 69 active listings on the market in July 0f 2007 (and again in April of 2008). As of January 30, 2010, we have 38 homes in "Active" status on the MLS, and 5 more appear under contract.

Sales have been averaging between 4 and 5 a month in the last 12 months. Although we are still in a "buyers' market" and sales and inventory are seasonal (lower sales AND inventory levels during the Winter months are the "norm"), the trend is favorable to returning to a "balanced" real estate market (defined as a market with 6 months' inventory).

The following chart illustrates the current inventory (and its trend) vs. monthly sales for the past three years. If sales continue at least at the same monthly level than last year, is very plausible that Belle Hall may become one of the first neighborhoods in the Charleston Area to turn around and start experiencing appreciation in home values in the near future (i.e. this year!).

The Charleston (SC) real estate market has experienced an important change in sales momentum. Fueled by low mortgage interest rates, improved housing affordability (lower home prices), the $8,000 Tax Credit for first-time home buyers and the prospect of increased employment with the future Boeing plant being built near the Charleston International Airport, year-over-year monthly sales (i.e. October 2009/October 2008) have shown increases for the past four months, for the first time since October of 2006!

As this chart shows, this "turn" in the market trend signals positive things to come for our real estate market. Higher monthly sales = accelerated inventory reduction = shorter time to market supply/demand stabilization.

What does this mean for any potential buyer or homeowner? While in the short term (Fall/Winter 09) the market may still look it is declining, this change of momentum means that next year there will be increased demand for homes in the area. As a buyer this means increased competition, which will prevent them from negotiating "incredible deals". As a seller, this is good news in the long term. The market will return to a "balanced" market once we hit 5-7 months' inventory, which will place sellers in a more balanced negotiating position (right now buyers have a notable advantage).

Of course, market momentum may shift again if any of the underlying variables shift. For example, the market may slow down again if interest rates shift upwards dramatically. However, at this point this seems unlikely, given that inflation is not yet on the Fed's radar screen. But you never know...

My advice for buyers: Don't wait! Take advantage of this window of opportunity now!
My advice for sellers: Can you hang in there for another 9-16 months? You may be able to get a better price for your home if you can wait...

Great buys in Belle Hall!

With the soft real estate market, there are some great buying opportunities in Belle Hall Plantation. Four years ago, there were no listings in Belle Hall under $300,000. Today there are SEVEN listings under $300K!
There are also great buying opportunities in Hibben and Evian for more modern and upmarket homes. Follow this link for a list of current Belle Hall listings...
For more information on Belle Hall Plantation visit MyBelleHall.com

Got $23 Million to Spare?

An incredibly expensive home just hit the Charleston MLS:

32 LEGARE ST. South of Broad (Downtown Charleston) was just listed for $23 Million! Maybe this is not a big deal in New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles, but for Charleston this is a huge price! More details here..

Showings are at an 18-month high in Mt. Pleasant and also in Dorchester County (Summerville), according to data compiled by Centralized Showing Service, which records all showings booked for REALTORS via the MLS. Charleston (West Ashley) and areas of Berkeley County also exhibit a similar patter (see graphs). Because showings are an indicator of the level of buyer interest in the market, it can be used as a predictor for future sales, which will normally show up 2-3 months later.
Many factors may be contributing to this uptick in showings: Families are back from summer holidays, interest rates are still low, prices have continued to drop, and the $8,000 First-time Home Buyers' Tax Credit is encouraging renters to get in the game!

This is all good news that show the resiliency of our Charleston Area Market. I have always argued that Charleston is blessed because a) It is on the coast (almost everyobdy loves the beach); b) It has great weather (no snow); and c) Its economy is dependent on at least four different industries: Tourism & hospitality, logistics (the Port of Charleston), education (MUSC, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University) and the military (Charleston Air Force Base, SPAWAR and the Naval Weapons Station). So our economy should rebound quicker than a similar sized single-industry town...

Read More Articles Like This One at http://www.BuyHomesInCharleston.com/blog.html

This guide for first-time home buyers is intended to provide general information to help buyers be aware of the buying process, and to dispel any myths about buying a home. Please discuss your particular situation with the appropriate professionals before making any decisions.

So, You want to Buy a Home?
Since buying a home is a BIG financial commitment, many first-home buyers (and some repeat buyers) feel very intimidated by the whole process, which, in itself is rather uncomplicated, but it involves a lot of small steps, that, if not done right, can produce expensive mistakes.

In my 12 years in Real Estate I have dealt with many types of buyers and different scenarios, so I have developed a "method" to reduce stress and ensure success. Here's a brief synopsis of my recommended "Buying Process".

STEP 1 - Hire a REALTOR to Represent You
In SC, buyers can hire their own Buyer's Agent, normally at no cost to them. Once you hire a REALTOR as your Buyer's Agent, this person has a FIDUCIARY responsibility to represent you and protect your best interests. Buying a home is a "joint project" between you and your REALTOR. Make sure you establish a mutually agreeable communication pattern and that you have clear expectations of each other's responsibilities.

STEP 2 - Show Me the Money
Whether you are single and about to buy a home on your own, or (even more so) a couple with kids, money is always one of the crucial factors to explore upfront. Ask yourself these questions:

What's the total monthly payment that you would feel comfortable with, without stretching your finances or cramping your style?
Do you have an "emergency fund" in case there's a hiccup (loss of income, emergency, etc.)?
How much money do you have to put down toward the purchase?
Now, it's time to get PRE-APPROVED. Contact a local lender and they will be able to walk you through an application. The lending officer will review your INCOME, EXPENSES, ASSETS and LIABILITIES, plus your CREDIT SCORE. Based on a formula that takes into consideration several factors, the lender will tell you HOW MUCH is the maximum purchase price and loan amount you can have, the amount you must have ready for your down payment and your estimated MONTHLY PAYMENT.

Ask for a written PRE-APPROVAL letter and how long it is valid for. Keep in mind that (especially in this market) such a letter is often required by Sellers, and will give more weight to any offer you make.

STEP 3 - Define Your Needs and Wants
Some buyers do not have a clear picture of what they want, and in a "buyer's market", where there are literally thousands of available homes, they can get confused and frustrated quite easily. I recommend that you write down your needs and wants, and rank them in priority, for example:

MY/OUR BUYING CRITERIA

NEED (must have): Min. 3-bedrooms, "excellent" rated schools, 2,000 sq. ft., under $200,000, within a 45-minute drive to/from work.
WANT (would like to have): Community pool, bonus (FROG) room, 2-car garage.
NOTE: If there is more than one decision maker, make sure you all agree on at least the NEEDS column. It is important that you share these criteria and priorities with your REALTOR, to help him/her give you better selection of properties and provide better advice.

Next: Searching for a home and negotiating a contract....

SHOWINGS & 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 into consideration if you put your house on the market. Make sure you work out the showing arrangements/instructions carefully with your REALTOR®, since it is important for showing agents to know what to expect inside your home. Buyers could potentially be allergic or scared of cats or dogs (especially if they bring children along).

Although most pets are harmless, they may hinder the buyers' experience and put a "negative aura" for your home in their minds. It is difficult to get a buyer excited about your home if he or she is sneezing continuously or unwilling to cross the threshold because your dog is barking away intruders.

One of my fellow agents has this great listing in Mount Pleasant, popular price range, great location, priced right. Yet she has had the hardest time selling it because the owner refuses to clean up after his cat, and the house smells terrible! This home should have sold months ago, if this issue had been handled appropriately...

If your agent knows there might be a problem, you may wish to walk or cage your dog, vacuum the cat hairballs or do whatever is necessary to make sure that the showing goes smoothly.

Is the new $8K tax credit useful? Will it do THE JOB it was designed to do?

I'd like to find out what people think...is this federal program a good one, or is it just providing "lip service" to people concerned about the housing market?

Here's an article that appeared on CNN that describes the tax credit:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/13/real_estate/homebuyer_tax_credit_finalized/index.htm

What do you think?

Increased showing activity in Mt Pleasant will lead to more sales in the next two months...

ARE YOU BEHIND IN YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS?
DO YOU NEED TO SELL YOUR HOME?
DO YOU OWE THE BANK MORE THAN YOU CAN GET FOR YOUR HOME?

What are your OPTIONS?

Many people are not aware that they have a few options to explore when they are facing these situations. Some people just give up and abandon the house for the bank to take it over. Before you do this, it is important to explore other options that may affect your credit and personal finances less than foreclosure.

The first thing you have to find out is who owns your loan note (it may be different from the lender who sold you the loan and/or different from the company who services the loan). Once you find out who is holding your loan, you may want to call their LOSS MITIGATION DEPARTMENT, which specializes in dealing with these matters.

Notes: I am assuming that when you took the loan you were properly informed of the conditions, and that your lender performed all required disclosures as required by the Truth In Lending Act (if you feel you were not informed properly, or believe there was fraud involved in your loan, you have legal recourses you can pursue). Also, some of these options may have tax implications for you. If the lender accepts a short sale, the amount of principal they “forgive” may be counted as income for your tax return. It is essential to consult with your CPA and attorney before taking final action.

Option 1: LOAN FORBEARANCE Depending on your circumstances, a “temporary fix” option you might wish to consider as a way to prevent foreclosure is mortgage forbearance. This option is commonly used for temporary financial hardship situations such as short periods of unemployment or poor health. Mortgage forbearance enables you to temporarily stop making your mortgage payments. However, interest on your loan continues to accumulate and is added to the remaining principal balance of the loan. You are generally also asked to sign a forbearance agreement that states when the lender will require you to pay the amount you owe. Once the forbearance period comes to an end, you are once again obliged to make full payments on your home loan.

Option 2: LOAN MODIFICATION If your mortgage interest has readjusted upward (as in an ARM) and you cannot afford the new payment, or you are having trouble paying your mortgage and you are in a high-interest loan and cannot refinance, your lender may consider changing the terms of your loan to help you. Some of the factors that your lender will consider are: Nature of the hardship that is causing your mortgage payment problems; the amount of equity you have in the property; your ability to pay the mortgage; the amount owed on the mortgage; and mainly, what is financially better for them – whether to foreclose or pursue a loan workout with you or modify your loan.

Option 3: DEED EN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE This option basically provides a “free out of jail card” for the homeowner, who agrees to give the property back to the lender if the lender agrees to forgive the debt that was secured with the real estate. Deed-en-lieu-of-foreclosure is only approved by lenders in certain hardship circumstances (conditions vary according to each lender). Both sides have to enter the transaction voluntarily and in good faith. The property needs to be transferred at a fair market value.

Option 4: SHORT SALE In a declining real estate market, it is quite common for homeowners to owe more on their home than what they can net from sale at a “fair market price”, especially if they haven’t lived long in their home. In many cases you can still sell your home, provided that the lender(s) and other lienholders approve a short sale, where they are paid less than they are owed. Any other liens affecting the property (including mechanics’ liens, tax liens and any judgments against you, the owner) will have to be cleared to be able to “short-sell” the property.

Option 5: RE-FINANCE If you are in a situation where your loan is at a high interest rate, you may wish to consider re-financing (with the same or with a different lender) to lower your monthly payments. However, in the last two years the guidelines for re-financing have changed, making it impossible for some homeowners to re-finance their mortgage. The main recent changes affecting your ability to re-finance are: Declining home values; reduced loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios; your payment capability and your credit score.

Option 6: FORECLOSURE Foreclosure is a legal process whereby the lender(s) exercise their right to take possession of your home and kick you out for not honoring your commitment to pay the loan(s). This is a slow process (in SC it can take from 6+ months) and it is expensive for the lender. It also affects the homeowner’s credit substantially and for a long period of time. If you fail to pay your loan on time, you will first receive written notices that you are in default and warning you to pay or face foreclosure. After a few months (depending on the lender), they will issue a notice of their intention to foreclose. The case will be handed over to an attorney, who will file suit to foreclose and will file a lis pendens notice at the County Courthouse. Once the court rules the property will be sold to the highest bidder at public auction on the courthouse steps. If you are still living in the house, the new owner will file a motion to evict you.

Option 7: BANKRUPTCY In some particular cases, the only option that may make sense to you will be to file bankruptcy. The latest changes to the bankruptcy law make it a bit harder for some to file bankruptcy. Some filers with higher incomes won't be allowed to use Chapter 7, but will instead have to repay some of their debt under Chapter 13. You will have to get credit counseling before you can file a bankruptcy case. And, because the law imposes new requirements on lawyers, it may be tougher to find a bankruptcy attorney.

Alan Donald is a bilingual REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty in Charleston, SC.You can ask him questions by sending him an email to adonald@kwcharleston.com or by visiting his website at www.BuyHomesInCharleston.com .

TO "LOCK" OR TO "FLOAT"?

It is very important for home buyers or for those who want to re-finance to be aware that in these volatile financial markets we are living in, interest rates on mortgages can fluctuate substantially in a matter of hours! I have heard many stories from mortgage lenders about how they were able to lock a fantastic interest rate for a loan using a 2-3 hour "window of opportunity" that disappeared afterward, or others that missed out because they floated the loan (to "float" means to let the interest rate fluctuate with the market). Understanding how "locking-in" a rate works may help you evaluate your options and could result in thousands of dollars in savings!

So, what is a "lock"? A lock is a GUARANTEE from a lender that if you close your loan within a stipulated time (usually 30 days), the note on your loan (i.e. the nominal interest rate) will be set at a specific interest rate.

When you ask a lender for a quote (also called a "Good Faith Estimate" or GFE), you can ask how long the rate is good for. Bear in mind that until you lock the interest rate, it can (and probably will) change. If you think you need more time to close the transaction, ask the lender for an adjusted rate quote. If you are afraid that interest rates may rise, lock your rate now (rate locks are recommended when interest rates are on the rise, to avoid ending up with higher monthly payment than anticipated). Floating the loan in a volatile market is a gamble - you may win if rates drop, but you may also lose if they go up.

What many people don't know is that long-term mortgage rates don't depend on the inter-bank rates set by the Federal Reserve Bank. This rate normally affects only short-term lending (such as credit cards, car loans, home equity lines, etc.). Long-term rates depend on the behavior of the financial (stock & bond) markets. Thus, if bonds are in high demand, mortgage rates drop.

Professional mortgage representatives are constantly checking the financial markets and related news releases to be able to predict future movements in interest rates. Ask your lender to keep an eye out for a favorable rate to lock in your loan! This is one of the reasons why it is very important to pick a very sharp and experienced mortgage representative (if you ever have the need for one, I can recommend several...)

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE - ALSO GOING SOUTH?

Today I was reading an NAR update on Commercial Real Estate (CRE) - it seems that CRE is following the path that Residential Real Estate took two years ago!

Donald Trump just asked for more time to pay his $770 million in construction loans on his Chicago Tower. Many of the leading commercial developers are having difficulties making the payments on their construction loans because absorption has been slower than expected (when the economy slows down = fewer jobs = less need for space).

To add insult to injury, we'll see many banks suffering from defaults in their commercial loan portfolio next year... this is not good news for residential real estate either - more defaults = more restrictive credit for everyone.

On the flip side, Wall Street woes and unpredictability may convince investors that, after all, real estate is a great long-term leveraged investment!

REVERSE MORTGAGE PROGRAM UPDATED

The Daily Real Estate News reported today that the limit for FHA-backed reverse mortgages (or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages - HECMs) had been increased to $417,000.
This new regulation also places a 2% cap on origination fees for the first $200K of the loan amount, or a 1% cap for higher amounts, with a $6,000 limit (adjustable for inflation).
Senior citizens will be allowed to use HECMs to purchase a new property, and lenders will no longer be allowed to sell annuities and other financial products along with the mortgage.
I think this will increase the flexibility for those seniors (like my own parents) who are “house-rich” but “cash poor”. Good move!!

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO THE MORTGAGE MARKETS? (Sept. 18, 2008)

On the positive side, Freddie Mac reported that 30-year fixed rate mortgages fell this week for the 5th consecutive week. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), lenders saw a 58 % surge in mortgage applications since August 15th, led by a 122 % surge in re-financing applications. Fixed-rate mortgages are currently the predominant choice (95 % of all new applications) among home buyers. Applications for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) have fallen by almost 50 % since the end of last year.

After the government takeover of Freddie and Fannie last week, rates came down substantially (by almost 1%). We are now experiencing very low 30-yr rates (similar to 4 years ago). Definitely a great relief for potential buyers, and a great opportunity for refinancing higher interest loans.

On the other hand, there are a multitude of negative factors affecting the eligibility of buyers to get a loan. The Downpayment Assistance Programs (DAPs), that allowed 100% financing, are disappearing as of October 1st. Mortgage insurance rates are going to be drive (upward, I imagine) by credit scores. And lender underwriters went from one extreme (you just had to fog a mirror to get 100% financing three years ago), to the other (demanding an overwhelming amount of information and questioning issues that verge on the ridiculous for event low LTV loans).

So, on one hand we have great interest rates that should drive demand for housing up. On the other hand, it is difficult to qualify for those loans.

Where are we going? This is my crystal ball: I believe lenders will finally realize that they are in the business of lending money, not just in the business of avoiding losses. If they make it very difficult for buyers, their lending business will die. So they will probably start to relax their guidelines and requirements a little next year. I also believe that inflationary pressures are evident, and when inflation goes up, it affects negatively the stock and the bond markets, so I believe we’ll see mortgage rates creeping back up after the presidential election.

The next six months will be a great window of opportunity for buyers and investors who wish to buy inexpensive properties and get low interest rates. Beyond six months, it is hard to say… In the long term (4+ years), I believe real estate will prove that it is still one of the best and most stable investments around (look at the S&P 500 roller-coaster this week!)

REAL ESTATE JOKE OF THE MONTH

A client bought a new home and the broker ordered some flowers to be sent to him for the occasion. They arrived at the home and the owner read the card; it said "Rest in Peace".

The owner was angry and called the florist to complain. After he had told the florist of the obvious mistake and how angry he was, the florist said:

"Sir, I'm really sorry for the mistake, but rather than getting angry you should imagine this: somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they have flowers with a note saying, "Congratulations on Your New Home".

HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 - A MIXED BAG!

Although it has been heralded as a piece of "life-saving" legislation for the housing market, The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that will kick in on October 1st contains some important provisions that will affect our industry adversely:

1. It eliminates DAP (downpayment assistance programs) that allowed buyers to borrow 100% of the purchase price. While this makes sense from a risk-based analysis point of view (these types of loans defaulted at a much higher rate than loans where the buyer actually puts in a downpayment out of their own money) it does not stimulate the housing industry by restricting first-home buyers, who are the ones supporting the whole housing "food chain". No one disputes that homeowners have more to lose if they have a downpayment, so maybe they will "try harder" to make ends meet when the going gets tough. But a responsible, stable income buyer will be a better credit risk than an irresponsible buyer with a downpayment.
   
   Comment: I believe that this provision will affect the demand from first-home buyers substantially. In this economic climate it is very difficult for a person with moderate to low income to save any substantial amount for a downpayment. A more equitable and fair way of determining default risk and access to use these types of programs would be by looking at the buyer's ability to pay (income & employment history) and financial responsibility track record (i.e. credit scores).
   
   


2. It amends Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code (which is the exclusion that allows homeowners to sell their qualifying primary residence and exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a couple) of capital gain from capital gains tax. Many savvy investors were combining this exclusion with the 1031 exchange provisions to build up equity via several 1031 exchange transactions, and then convert this investment property to a primary residence to take advantage of the capital gain break. With this amendment, Section 121 no longer permits homeowners to take advantage of the full tax-free exclusion on the sale of a home that was their primary residence if there was a non-qualified use of the property (i.e. investment) prior to being held as primary residence.
   
   Comment: I believe this amendment is just closing a loophole that only savvy investors with high net worth were using, so I am OK with it. However, it will restrict the demand for investment property transacted with investors looking to maximize their tax-free equity, and the sale of homes via 1031 exchanges.
   
   


3. It provides up to $7,500 in tax credits for first home buyers (or individuals who have not owned a home in the last 3 years). While this is being publicized as a "great thing" for our industry, this amount is only an interest-free loan for a 15-year period.
   
   My opinion: People with irresponsible credit behavior will be lured into home ownership by the shine of this tax credit (we are already seeing many volume builders advertising this credit) , will spend the $7,500 on consumer goods when they receive it, and increase their indebtness to the point of default. I believe it is our duty as REALTORS to point out to our clients that they will have to pay this amount back, and strongly suggest that they use the $7,500 instead to pay off high interest credit lines, or principal off their mortgage to shorten the life of the loan, build equity and have some forced savings.
   

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PAVE THE WAY FOR MAGNOLIA
(Charleston Daily Journal)

Magnolia Development LLC has chosen two general contractors to begin road improvements in the upper peninsula area where it plans to build a large, mixed-use community on about 150 acres of highland. Workers are expected to begin constructing a 1,400-foot bridge and refurbishing three nearby roads next month.