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Charleston, SC Real Estate News

By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
As everyone looks to cut corners financially, do not forget about the great resource we have here in Charleston County - our public library system. Here are a few great reasons to go to the library. Why pay $4 for a movie rental when you can pick one up for free and keep it for a week at the library? Why buy a new book when you can get it at the library for free? There is free computer access at all locations. There are great programs for children and adults - why spend $40 going to the movies when you can enjoy great stuff at the library for free. Pick up books on tape and enjoy listening in your car. You can read the paper there or browse just about any magazine you can think of. Here is a list of our local Charleston County Libraries: Main - 68 Calhoun Cooper River - 3503 Rivers Ave....
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Charleston Area Buyers and Sellers get Snapshot of Charleston Real Estate Market since 2005 through Interactive Real Estate Maps The Charleston Regional Business Journal recently released a set of Interactive Real Estate Maps allowing viewers to see 2008 Foreclosure Rates per South Carolina County and Home Sales in the Lowcountry (Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties) since 2005. The Homes Sale map displays Regional Data and County Data and includes the number of homes sold, the average days on market, and median home prices. Although home sales have decreased and average days on the market have increased in Charleston County since 2005, the median home price has gradually increased. While it's nice to get a quick visual of the Charleston area real estate trends, it's important...
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By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
With mortgage rates at record lows, many people are looking to refinance. Here are 7 things you need to know in today's market. Percentage Point break - a good rule of thumb is that the rate needs to be a full percentage point less than your current rate. Half rejected - with so many people looking to refinance and the tight credit market, do not expect to be automatically approved even if you do have a lot of equity in your home. FICO scores - 720 used to be the Gold Standard, now they are looking for 740 and above to get the best rate. Lower FICO scores equal a higher interest rate. Equity & Documentation - equity is key and you must be able to document the equity and will also have to document your income and assets. Fee Paying Options - fees range widely depending on each lender and...
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By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
Having been in the business for almost two years, it seems as if my job covers everything from helping clients move boxes to bringing bad news and everything in between. But in today's world of every bit of information being on the internet, I started wondering what my real job is for my clients. It is very simple once you think about it - my job is to diagnose and analyze the information and give the results to my client. With the zillows and trulias of the world, all the facts and figures of real estate are one touch away from all our clients. Where we as agents set ourselves apart is being able to take that same information and turn it into valuable data that can help a client make the best decision for their situation. We are all looking on WebMD if we have a cough or feel bad to fi...
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By Bobby Wallace, Sell Your Vacant Land The Hassle Free Way!
(Vacant Land Solutions)
How Do "Flippers " Rehabbers and Top Investors Know Whether A Property Is A Real Deal...or A Real "Dog"? Local Charleston Real Estate Investors Will Learn How To Can Research & Analyze Properties Without Waiting 2-3 Days For Your "Realtor Buddy" To get Back With You or Getting Dressed, Fighting Traffic, Finding A Parking Space, Clearing The Metal Detectors and Not Being Able To Find Anything In The Courthouse! Learn what the "Investor Power Tool" is and how it can save you time, money and prevent gray hair! Ronald C. Ayers, South Carolina and North Carolina Regional Manager for Court House Retrieval Systems will be the guest speaker at the Charleston Real Estate investor's Association February 3rd 2009 meeting. The location for the meeting will be at The North Charleston Inn, 2934 Monta...
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By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
I hit the 20,000 point mark last and did not even realize it was a big deal until I saw some other posts about people hitting certain marks. My goal is to keep posting, commenting and most importantly - learning from all the great people here on AR. This has been a great site to meet new people and expand my knowledge base especially since I have been in the business for a short period of time - coming up on two years. I feel the knowledge I am getting here is better than I get in classes - people sharing real issues over just reading it in a book. At a 2500 point per week pace, I will hit the 100,000 point mark just 31 short weeks. I am sure it will be here before I know it! Thanks to everyone who I have met so far. Search Charleston SC and Folly Beach SC real estate at http://www.char...
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By Key Yessaad
(Real Estate Web Trainer, LLC.)
Charleston Real Estate Training: Web & Blogging Intensive Realtor Training Seminar Wednesday February 4th, 2009 The Brokers of Exit Realty Charleston Group, Ann Marconi, Andy Ackerman, and Kathy Rawers are holding an intensive training on Real Estate Web and Blogging Strategy Wednesday February 4th 2009 led by Key Yessaad. The training is designed to help Realtors and Brokers devise an Internet and Blogging Strategy that produces results and transcends the arduous jargon that floats around the Real Estate Industry. Real Estate Professionals understand that having a successful Web presence is important but getting the right ideas and habits are few and far between... this course intends to answer the fundamental questions and offers a Plan of Action that Realtors can trust to design an o...
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By Kevin Breeland, CMB
OMG!!!! You have got to be kidding me.   $18,000,000,000...if you are a little rusty on your math that number is $18 Billion Dollars....yes $18 Billion. This is the dollar amount of bonuses handed out in Executive Bonus for 2008. How about this...it is the sixth largest year in bonuses. Now, I have to be honest about something. I tried to do some research about who got what and I did not really have any luck with details. I also tried to research how much was paid out last month in unemployment claims but did not find that answer either. I did find this out...last month...December 2008, EVERY STATE HAD AN INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT...ALL 50 STATES!!! Here are the Top Five for highest Unemployment in December, 2008, Michigan 10.6%, Rhode Island 10.0%, South Carolina 9.5%, Nevada 9.1%, and ...
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By Melissa Marro, Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging
(Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team)
This post is a tribute to Michele Reneau with Carolina One Real Estate.  Tonight through Twitter and Facebook updates I learned that she won for most closed sales in 2008 with Carolina One, the biggest real estate company in the Greater Charleston area.  Apparently it was a whopping 48 units.  With so many agents frustrated about the lack of sales, lack of leads and lack of closings, what's her secret? I would like to say that it is the amazing stager on her team..... but really I can't.  Sure, the fact that she chooses to use a stager and we've had a lot of success is part of it, but it's certainly not the entire story.  Michele works harder than just about any other agent I know.  She dedicates to working herself full time in this industry.  She networks like crazy, always has a posit...
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By Joan Weldon
(The Agent owned Company)
Thank you to everyone who responded to my first blog.  Your comments were very encouraging so I'll continue to blog.  Today I'm doing floor duty for four hours.  Some people may think this is a waste of time, but if you are not busy selling homes what better way to spend a few hours.  In the past I've picked up several clients by doing floor duty.  Someone called  this morning inquiring about a piece of property  for 599K.  Hopefully I'll be able to convert that caller into a sale.  Just think if I had gone grocery shopping or stayed home I miay have missed a great sale.  
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By Joan Weldon
(The Agent owned Company)
Hi, I'm in my Active Rain Class at the moment.  I'm new to this so I hope I will do ok.  While sitting in this class I can't help but think what on earth will I talk about each day.  Rick, my  very techno savvy fellow agent is teaching the class.  Thank you Rick. Real Estate is what I love to do, I've been at it for the past eight years.  The market is difficult at the moment, but I'm an optimist so I think the market will be back.  It's only a matter of time. I live in the beautiful Charleston, SC area and will welcome your referrals.  
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By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
What a nice surprise we received in Charleston, SC real estate market this week when our little community was named one of the top 25 strongest housing markets by Forbes magazine. They say we should see the bottom of this market by the end of the year and to only expect another 1.1% in price drops. I am not quite sure how they compile there information but sure hope they are correct. Business and activity has been picking up since the first of the years as prices are at 2005/06 levels and interest rates are still low. For information on the Charleston and Folly Beach real estate markets, contact Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or via email at rsandin@carolinaone.com. Search the entire Charleston Real Estate MLS at http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com  
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By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
Our broker-in-charge brought in a speaker this week to our office meeting. Of course, the speaker was pitching a motivational seminar for $499 and if you signed up that day you got it fro $399 - not to fond of that catch myself. However, the speaker had some real good points. One overview that I thought fit perfectly in today's crazy real estate market is below. 1. DREAM 2. STRUGGLE 3. PERSEVERE 4. SUCCESS I am guessing most people are in the # 2 & 3 areas right now with this market. I think those who can stick with it, push through, work harder and get better will succeed in amazing ways in these times where the others will drop out of the business. The best rises to the top in these times. Are you the best? Search Folly Beach, South Carolina Real Estate and Charleston, South Carolina ...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
If you have been thinking about adopting a new pet into your family, then listen up! Tomorrow, January 24th, three hundred shelters across the USA are holding Change a Pet's Life Day aimed at focusing attention on shelters and rescue groups and enticing potential adopters. And the best part?  Fees for the first 10 adoptions at each participating shelter will be paid for by Topeka-based Hill's Pet Nutrition, which organized the event! In addition to reimbursing shelters for the 3,000 pets the adopters won't have to pay for, Hill's is providing free Science Diet pet food and a training/information DVD to all adopters and launching a toll-free number to answer new-pet-owner questions. What an awesome opportunity for families across America to help so many homeless pets find new, loving ho...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
Have you ever wanted to learn how to Shag (the official dance of South Carolina)? Well now is your chance, JB Pivots in Charleston, SC is offering lessons every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The cost is $5.00 except when they have a band on Wednesday and then the cost is $8.00. Check out www.pivotsbeachclub.com to learn more.   Whether you're buying or selling a home, we want to earn your business. We invite you to contact us as we'd be happy to assist you with your important transaction. In addition, if you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in South Carolina, please contact us as we're more than willing to help. Please browse our website, www.JimAndMariaHart.com, for listings, reports and important local real estate information. Have a ...
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By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
As I check the MLS updates throughout the day, some of the price reductions just stun me. I was just checking the MLS just a few minutes ago and saw reductions from $5000 to $50,000 to even $900,000 for a place down in Edisto. It makes you wonder about why more homes are not selling with all these huge daily price reductions. it is pretty simple, the houses were way OVERPRICED from the beginning. Be very cautious not to let a price reduction get you to excited - this may be simply getting the house into the proper price range. Make sure you have a agent that does not encourage you due to the reductions, you have to know the current sold numbers and also history on the house to find that value. And in today's market you never realy know the seller's true movtivation until you put somethi...
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By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
A Taste of Folly Festival, Saturday, Jan 24th, noon-5pmCome out for a great time at Folly Beach this Saturday. Events will include an oyster roast, Folly Beach chili cook-off, Bert's Market hot dog eating contest and bake sale. There will be live music by the Oscar Rivers Trio and the blues trio Walkin' Mike Wolk.Folly Beach merchants and restaurants will have booths offering their wares and portions from their menus.For the kids there will be a 20-foot inflatable slide, face-painting, balloon animals and cup-cake decorating.The event will take place on Center Street and the street will be blocked off to traffic from Ashley to Hudson avenues. To sign up for the chili cook-off or the hot dog eating contest, stop by Bert's or Planet Follywood.To search Folly Beach, SC or Charleston, SC re...
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By Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate
(Carolina One Real Estate)
Do you have a preferred service provider list that you share with you clients? I know my sphere is always looking for services that ar related to their home. Every quarter I will be sending out an updated "service provider list" to my client base. This is a detialed list of everything from repairmen to mortgage people to plumbers that I know and trust. When something goes wrong with their home, it is great that they have a list of recommended people who they can call. Just a little thing to set you above the rest. Search Charleston SC real estate at http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com  
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By Kevin Breeland, CMB
Today, we have had the opportunity to witness history. It does not matter whether your candidate was or was not elected. What is important and noteworthy is we have witnessed for the 44th time in our history the peaceful transfer of power.   What makes this such a noteworthy event is this transfer of power takes place peacefully and democratically. There was no military coup, an overthrow of its citizens, not even one shot fired. This is a democracy in action and is just one of many reason I am proud to be an American.   Whether the new administration you voted for or not it is time for all American to come together and work towards the rebuilding of our economy and our country.   Today we witnessed history and as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and business person I am ho...
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By Key Yessaad
(Real Estate Web Trainer, LLC.)
Laptop Shopping List A few Things REALTORs should keep in mind By Key Yessaad - Real Estate Trainer - Updated 11/8/2008PDF version: Realtor-Laptop-Shopping-List.pdf Real Estate Professionals ask me all the time... "What laptop should I get Key?" and I always tell them: The cheapest one you can get your hands on. That's Right!!! The cheapest as long as it combines some the basics I describe in this article are met. Consumers and Realtors overbuy their technology needs because a lot of flash trumps facts. There are a few things that will make you a Savvy Laptop Shopper - the good news is: competition is fierce and prices are great... So what should you keep in mind before you buy your next Laptop: Think of your laptop as a disposal tool and don't expect it to last you more than 3 years. B...
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