Here's to creative thinking. The development team of Habersham, SC has created and released a development app, according to a Habersham marketing materials "gives users an easy-to-use interface and a complete resource for everything related to (the) award-winning town."  Habersham is one of the coolest, best thought-out neighborhoods in the Lowcountry. Condos and townhomes are currently available in the $240,000 on up, with single family homes available in the upper $200k range. For more information, visit my Habersham page at www.explorebeaufortrealestate.com. 01/16/2014

For years, Beaufort was yearning for a high-end condominium option in the downtown area. Located just over the Beaufort River from Historic Downtown Beaufort,  Hamilton Village is one of the growing number of high-end condos popping up in the Beaufort area.   Hamilton Village residents enjoy stellar views of the Beaufort River. There is an attractive pool on the grounds of the community, and dock space available on Factory Creek, which flows behind Hamilton Village.   All units are one level, and enjoy nice finishes and upgrades. Residents enjoy all the amenities of Beaufort, from the Lowcountry's beautiful views, fishing, golf, and more. The beaches of Hunting Island State Park are just down the road.   As with the case of many developments, Hamilton Village was slow getting out of the... 01/02/2014

One of the first statistics a lot of buyers want to know is Days on Market. When it comes to statistics regarding a bank-owned property, we can always disregard this statistic. Foreclouse is a process that usually takes a bank months to complete. Only after the several month foreclosure process will a property be ready for marketing. For instance, while researching investment property for a client earlier today, I came across a pair of homesites in an established, waterfront  neighborhood just outside, just outside of Beaufort. One of these homesites has a panoramic river view. The other is on tidal creek with an  existing dock. Both are bank-owned. The homesite with the river view is listed at $60,000, and has been on the market for almost 500 days. The tidal creek homesite with the do... 01/01/2014

I read an Assoiciated Press story this morning that reported gold "closed out its worst year since 1981." And, yet, I have heard absolutely no commercials in recent months from Rosalind Capital or any of theother gold peddlers regarding what a great time it is to buy. Crazy, isn't it, that a couple of years ago, when gold was at an all-time high, the airwaves were flooded -- and I mean flooded -- with commercials urging investors to jump in and buy.  Everyone from Sean Hannity to G. Gordon Liddy served as pitchmen for gold, touting the fact that the metal was at an all-time high, thus making it a great time to add gold to a financial portfolio. We in the real estate profession saw the same thing a few years ago. Here in Beaufort, we saw buyers almost knocking each other out of the way f... 12/31/2013

12/26/2013

Did you ever visit a place and then want to return soon.  Did you ever consider what it would be like to move there to live? We visited Beaufort SC this week and fell in love with it. The October weather was great as we walked along the Waterfront Park in Beaufort on the Beaufort River.  Having lunch and dinner on Bay Street enjoying the fresh Fall weather full of sunshine to go with our wine and crab cakes!  Walking among the shops off Baby Street was a pleasure.  Taking the carriage ride though Beaufort's Historical District to see the huge well preserved homes of the past was inspiring. Then the day trips to see the historic Lighthouse of Hunting Island along the wide flat beaches that reminded me of Daytona. Stopping at seafood restaurants for fresh shrimp and oysters is something I... 11/01/2013

Dear AR Friends, It has been a while since I posted, and I got hit smack in the face with the new dashboard menu. Can somebody please tell me how to get text to wrap around photos? Thanks in advance. Keith 10/24/2013

In recent months we have been able to enjoy the delightful sound of "normalcy" in the Beaufort, SC, real estate market. Real estate buyers are buying, sellers are selling, lenders are lending, and builders are building. Like the listing to the left, 219 Willow Point Road, a new build in the Willow Point subdivision in Burton. All major indices showcase fairly robust real estate price recovery. Consumer confidence isn't what it could be, but it's on the upswing In September, new listings in the Beaufort region decreased 5.3 percent to 179.  Pending home sales were up 28.2 percent to 100. Inventory levels shrank 13.2 percent to 1,435 units, according to the Beaufort County Association of Realtors. Prices were a tad soft. The Median Sales Price decreased 2.1 percent to $184,950. Days on Ma... 10/24/2013

Beaufort SC Real Estate Closing Attorneys Unlike a lot of other states, South Carolina requires attorneys to close mortgages instead of title companies.  Hmmm, maybe that's what happens when attorneys dominate the legislature, but that's a different post... The following is a list of real estate attorneys in the Beaufort South Carolina area that I have worked with in the past and who specialize in real estate transactions.  They are listed in no particular order, and I invite you to talk to a couple of them before you decide on who you will use. It is the job of the attorney on the buyers side to make sure the loan is closed properly, the loan proceeds are distributed in accordance with the HUD 1 which they also prepare, that the appropriate title searches have been done and title insur... 10/24/2013

 If you or anyone you know has any rea estate related questions regarding the Beaufort, SC real estate market, feel free to call me at 843.263.6886, or email me at strawn.keith@gmail.com, or visit my website, www.explorebeaufortrealestate.com. 09/16/2013

And now, for some good news. Median sales prices via the Beaufort Multiple Listing Service rose in August 2013, to $185,000, compared to the median sales price of $166,565 for August 2012, according to figures released this week by the Beaufort Association of Realtors. That is an increase of about 11 percent, according to BCAR stats. Other encouraging indicators include the year-to-date figures for 2013, which saw the median sales price for January through August increase to $183,000, up 4.6 percent from the same time period in 2012.  09/13/2013

One of the things that makes Beaufort, SC special is the Water Festival. Here is a scene from the opening ceremonies, last Friday, July 19. Opening ceremonies are always quite a site -- hundres of boats on the Beaufort River, and thousands of revelers at the downtown Beaufort Waterfront Park, where most of the events take place. If you are within a driveable distance from Beaufort, I would highly recommend coming down for a few hours. The festival continues through next Saturday, July 27. It is truly a wonderful festival in a waterfront community. Here is a link to the festival homepage. As you will see, there are events ongoing just about all the time. Have a great Sunday. Maybe we will see you in the next week or so!! www.explorebeaufortrealestate.com 07/21/2013

NEWPOINT -- Newpoint is a popular community located on Lady's Island, about 3.5 miles from Historic Downtown Beaufort. Known for its "neo-traditional" architecture, Newpoint was designed to look like turn-of-the-century Beaufort, SC, along with other coastal towns. Among the popular features of Newpoint homes are large porches, manageable homesites, and charming, old-style architecture. First developed in the early 1990s Newpoint spawned a revolution of other similar neighborhoods, from Battery Point and Broad Street, to Habersham and Coosaw Point. There have been six home sales in Newpoint in the past 12 months, with a median sales price of $459,500. Sale prices ranged from $295,000 to $720,000. As always, don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions about Newpoint, or any o... 07/19/2013

  It is similar to the famous Running of The Bulls without the horns, it separates the weak from the strong, the social from the awkward and men from boys. Nomads from near and far hear the call and make their way towards the water, the sun, the sand and the beer tent. It is an awakening of sorts, a back to basics of the very essence of summer a timeless call of nature that reverberates through the bone of every misplaced pirate across our great land. It is the time of year where bikinis replace business suits, work surrenders to play and common sense bows down to common ground. Hold on to your Koozie, it is Beaufort Water Festival 2013.   Women are carefully coated in spray tan and sunscreen slipping from Mom to Madonna in ten seconds flat. Men all of ages, sizes, shapes and sentiment ... 07/15/2013

Time for the 2013 Beaufort, SC Water Festival!               Beaufort Water Festival Insider Tips! When: July 19-25, 2013Hours: TOTALLY depends on each eventWhere: City of Beaufort, SC and on the Beaufort RiverWho: Everyone and AnyoneTickets: Mostly free but some ticketedWho to Contact: Event Organizers The Lowcountry's Premier Water Festival! It's back! Just like they have been doing since 1956, Beaufort has everything from beauty queens, to fun on the water with the Lions Club putting on the parade since the beginning of the festival. According to the History of the Festival. "In the early days of the Festival, it cost fifty cents to attend the Beauty Pageant, one dollar per couple to attend the Water Festival Ball (which was later changed to the Commodore’s Ball) and two dollars to a... 07/14/2013

As the spring real estate season bursts to life here in Beaufort, SC, many homebuyersand home sellers are deciding when to get involved, and whether or not to hire an agent. As a Beaufort real estate agent, I can assure you that now is the time buy a Beaufort home! Demand is high and inventory is low, so if you wait, you might miss out on the Beaufort house of your dreams. Also, BIG NEWS was released for a large chunk of South Carolina citizens! The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority has once again made funds available to South Carolina heroes wishing to buy a home. “Heroes” includes teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, nurses, veterans and EMS personnel. If you fit in this category and would like to buy a house, qualified ... 03/28/2013

Get excited for March in Beaufort, SC! It’s the month of St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, spring break, oysters and numerous activities to keep you busy! As your Beaufort real estate agent, I want to make sure you’re enjoying every minute of your time living in Beaufort. Therefore, I’ve created a list of March events and activities for you to look forward to. When one sparks your interest, add it to your calendar! Here are the upcoming Beaufort, SC events that caught my eye. To read this blog post in its entirety, please click here. Mike SackmanMike Sackman Real Estate, LLCCheck Out My WebsiteSee Beaufort, SC Homes for SaleBecome a Fan on FacebookFollow Me on TwitterConnect With Me on LinkedInContact Me 02/28/2013

Beaufort's Spring Island was just named Best South Carolina Community by a real estate website.This is exciting news for Beaufort premier exclusive community, located just south of the Broad River.. Spring Island is a 3,000-acre private island, and a perfect place to escape it all . Located in the Lowcountry, just south of Historic Beaufort, SC. Spring Island, was recognized by the website as being a carefully-preserved, upscale community, which has preserved its roots, back to when it was a working plantation about 200 years ago.If you are looking for an upscale, private community, to serve as either a primary residence, or for a vacation retreat, consider Spring Island, which is a remarkable community. According to the Spring Island website, there are 37 homes currently available, ran... 02/04/2013

One of the most ill-advised strategies to buying property is to fixate on what the seller paid, and refuse to allow the seller to make any money. This happens a lot in the current market, where gauging sellers is almost a point of pride to many buyers.It doesn't matter what the seller paid. Sometimes, there is opportunity for two people to make out well on a property, even in a short period of time.For instance, what if a home-seller paid "X" for a property, a year ago, and has it currently listed for "X PLUS 25 PERCENT?" Who says "X PLUS 25 PERCENT" still isn't below market value, and not a great opportunity for a buyer? Not me, that's for sure. So, focus on the important questions, like whether a property meets your family's needs. 01/29/2013

Can you believe that it’s almost the end of January? It seems like yesterday that we were doing last minute holiday shopping and making New Year’s Eve plans. Now that a new year has begun, there are a few changes in housing that buyers and sellers in the Beaufort, SC area should be aware of. Part of my job as a real estate professional for the community is to stay on top of the latest real estate trends and market shifts and report them back to my clients. Beaufort, SC real estate is always changing, but when you use the right professional, you can figure out whether or not you should enter the market. To see some of the upcoming changes in the market, see the full blog post here. Mike SackmanMike Sackman Real Estate, LLC Check Out My Website See Beaufort, SC Homes for Sale Become a Fan... 01/28/2013