Updated Carolina One New Homes List that can Close before the Tax Credit Expires

Here is a running list of all the new homes with Carolina One New Homes Division that can close before the tax credit expires.  These are all new construction homes that can get a C/O (Certificate of Occupancy) prior to the tax credit expiration.  You need to get a ratified contract by April 30th, and close by June 30th.

Please take a look at the following link, for the most updated list of new construction that will be completed prior to the tax credit deadline.  There are over 90 homes available:

Carolina One New Construction Homes that can close prior to the Tax Credit deadline

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It's Time to Lock in Rates, Buyers

I hope everyone had a great weekend here in Charleston.  It was absolutely beautiful, which is yet another reason we all live here.

After a significant jump in rates to start the week last week, rates settled down slightly at the end of the week and into the start of this week.  Unfortunately, I think we've begun a pattern that will continue throughout the rest of 2010...rates will be very volatile and moving up and down constantly, with a trend upwards.

If you're considering moving very soon, then I might suggest locking in your rate now.  Rates are constantly changing, so be sure to contact your lender.

Make it a great week!

-Mike

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Things to do in Charleston, SC for April!

April is a great month to be in Charleston.  The city and surrounding areas are in full bloom, the nights are longer, and the weather here is just perfect.  Whether you're getting the boat up and running, doing some spring cleaning in the house, or doing yard work- the temperature here seems to be just about right.

Meanwhile, in between those ambitious projects, there's plenty to enjoy around town:

• Festival of Houses and Gardens, downtown Charleston - Festival tours feature the interiors and gardens of approximately 150 historic private houses in 10 colonial and antebellum neighborhoods during the peak of the city's blooming season.  Tickets to the house and garden tours are $45 and can be ordered by calling (843) 723-1623.

• The 2010 Family Circle…

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"Homes for Our Heroes" Program Available!

South Carolina housing officials have $40 million to help teachers and first responders buy a home!  The State Housing Finance and Development Authority announced that this program will offer down payment assistance and low interest mortgages to teachers, firefighters, police and correctional officers and EMS workers who meet income criteria.

Customers will apply for the loans just like they would any home mortgage, but the money for the loans will come from bonds the housing agency has sold.

Maximum income levels for borrowers vary depending on where a person lives and the number of people living in the home.

Police Officers - Borrower must be a full-time police officer with state or local government agency including correctional officers with the…

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February Home Sales up 22% for the Charleston Region

According to new data from the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, homes sales were up 22% in February over last year for the Charleston, SC region.  A total of 509 homes sold in the Charleston area, and this was up from last year’s number at 417 in February of ’09.  The Tax Credit seems to be pushing these numbers.

The median home sales priced did not change much, it was at $179,900 for this February and last year’s was $179,450.  Since the beginning of the year, 851 homes have sold in the Charleston area, while 789 sold last year in the same timeframe.  That’s an increase of 10%.  The median sales price since January is up 5% over what it was last year.

Among the Tri-County area, Charleston County led in price increases and volume for…

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Condos for sale on Folly Beach, SC

It’s that time of year again for weekend excursions to Folly Beach.  It also happens to be the time of year where we see increased activity for condo purchases on Folly Beach.  I’d like to point out the different condo communities, in case anyone wanted to know each communities distance to the ocean, and what each condo community offers.

For a list of all the condos for sale on folly beach, please visit: Folly Beach condos for sale.  For each condo community, I’d like to talk briefly about the following 6 main condo communities on Folly Beach:

Charleston Oceanfront Villas- These are the creme of the crop! Oceanfront, Folly Beach with direct views of the Atlantic Ocean. These condos are of the best quality build/materials on Folly Beach (at the time…

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New Park Planned on Folly Beach

A new park is planned for Folly Beach.  The county Park and Recreation Commission intends on buying the Front Beach Inn and four other properties at East Arctic Avenue and East 2nd Street.  All of the 5 properties add up to about 1 acre.  For those of you that are not sure about the location, it’s just over from the pier and the large Holiday Inn.

The plan for the park is create a park facility with restrooms, showers, and a playground.  The goal was to create something similar to the layout at Isle of Palms County Park.

Some of the locals have strong opinions about how this came about.  I believe that it will positively affect the Folly Beach real estate market.  A view of the park instead of another high-rise hotel on front beach suits me just fine. …

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Time is Running Out for the Tax Credit!

I just wanted to mention to all of you first-time homebuyers out there and others looking to take advantage of the tax credit.  While there still is a little time left (59 days to get something under contract), I’m noticing something expected.  A lot of the good homes are now being scooped up at an extraordinary rate.  I was showing property to some first time homebuyers in Dunes West in Mount Pleasant, and in a couple of houses we saw other agents with buyers looking at the same houses we were.  That hasn’t happened (like this) to me in quite some time.   This is especially true in the $175-225K price range.  A lot of the inventory of homes is being absorbed.  Soon, the “stale bread” will be all that’s left.  Make sure that if you want to take advantage…

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West Ashley Real Estate "Deal of the Week!"

1336 S Sherwood Dr only $212K!

**Update: Sold in 5 days...Thanks everyone

This is it!  This is the best deal I've seen in a year at this price point.  The sellers have meticulously upgraded this home over the last 5 years, and it shows.  I know this is cliche in this business, but I fully expect this listing to sell immediately, that's how confident I am that this is a great deal.

3br, 2ba, 1636 sq ft.  Fresh paint on the exterior, interior, and ceilings.  An urban kitchen boasts butcher block and concrete counter tops, stainless appliances, white subway tile backsplash, and espresso cabinets. Gleaming hardwood floors help show off this home's open floor plan.  Bathrooms are completely renovated.  Oh, but I have saved the best for last, this home has…

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Good Morning America names Charleston in "Top 10 Cities for a Real Estate Bargain"

Zillow.com and Good Morning America revealed what they've deemed as the "Top 10 cities to bargain for a house".  Zillow said several factors were used to determine the cities mentioned including "where buyers were able to negotiate the biggest discount off of the list price".

Here are the Top 10 Cities:

1. Naples, FL
2. Cape Cod, MA
3. Charleston, SC
4. Merced, CA
5. Chicago, IL
6. Atlantic City, NJ
7. Cleveland, OH
8. New York City, NY
9. Flagstaff, AZ
10. Pittsburg, PA

The #1 example in Naples cited buyers having a full 7% off of list price in home sales.

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