Maybe you have read about the real estate market in the Charleston, SC area and are wondering what to do. You wouldn’t be the only one! Information is valuable when you understand the context and what it means.
The number of new real estate listings is slowing. The number of current listings is decreasing. There are more price reductions each week than there are price increases. Mortgage rates are low and there are tax incentives that are about to expire. Is it the time to buy real estate?
Making sense of the information can be difficult. Especially if you think that we haven’t hit the bottom yet! After all prices are being lowered more than they are being raised. But maybe we have essentially hit bottom because there are fewer listings and fewer new listings coming on the market. Rates are low now, but they WILL go up…soon, maybe. What should you do?
One of the Dunes Properties professional real estate agents can help you to make sense of the market. I am one of those agents and I can help you make sense of the confusing information you read each day about real estate. Our market is good. Whether you are buying your first home or moving to you dream home, I can help you to make the best decision about the time to buy real estate.
The deadline is rapidly approaching for Tax Credits for first time home buyers and home sellers considering moving up. Should you make your move? Call for a free, no-obligation consultation to see if you can benefit by making your move now versus waiting until later this year.
The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009’s tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up home buyers ends April 30, 2010. You can purchase by June 30, 2010 but must have a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010.
The first time buyers tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence also ends April 30, 2010. A purchase completed by June 30, 2010 (with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010) may qualify.
Historically low interest rates, historically low housing prices in most areas and great values in the move up home market make this the perfect time to act. Call me for a free consultation to run the numbers for you. Don’t miss out on the great values!
The Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel was held last week in Myrtle Beach, SC. There were many speakers both educational and inspirational. But one of the most interesting things to come out of the meeting was the announcement of a new tag line for our state and new marketing campaign. Although it certainly still applies, “Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places” has been retired in favor of “South Carolina-Made for Vacations.”
Yes, South Carolina is made for vacations. Check out our available Folly Beach rentals if you are interested in some R & R for the summer season or if you want to get out now from all that snow! Or if a downtown bed and breakfast is more your speed, we can help you with that too.
If you aren’t sure South Carolina might be for you, the Golf Channel is premiering a new show tonight- “Destination South Carolina.” In addition to our fantastic golf the show will highlight our history, cuisine and other great attributes.
If you’re like me and not so sure about watching The Golf Channel, you can read the profile on The Best of Charleston here in Forbeslife .
Once you are in Charleston and fall in love- we’d love to have you for a neighbor so drop by one of our island offices or our Real Estate Studio in the downtown shopping district on King St. and have a no pressure, informational chat with one of our real estate professionals to see how Charleston can fit into your lifestyle. Moody’s predicts Charleston will be one of the top five recovering real estate markets in 2010.
There will be Mardi Gras celebrations on Folly Beach this Saturday February 13th, 2010 from 12-5 for the annual Folly Gras party and parade. Wear your beads and most colorful outfit and come down to Center Street and celebrate New Orleans style.
Parade trophies will be awarded for the following categories:
***Best Float***
***Best Golf Cart***
***Best Costume***
Parade Rules!
Decorated Floats, Golf Carts, Marching, & Alternative transportation only! NO CARS OR TRUCKS UNLESS THEY ARE PULLING A FLOAT! You must be in Mardi Gras costume to participate! We Welcome decorated pets!
Must be at the Folly Beach Public Boat Landing by 1:30 pm for lineup
We have asked our restaurants to prepare special New Orleans food fare and Mardi Gras drinks beginning at 1 pm. There will also be a trophy awarded to a restaurant for Best Food Fare.
We will have live music set up at different locations on Center Street. The Parade will begin at 2 pm and start at the Public Boat Landing. When the Parade ends at the Holiday Inn, Indian, Huron, Hudson will reopen. There will be music, dancing and food in the streets provided by our own businesses from 1 to 5 pm.
Masks will be sold at City Hall for $2.00 first come first served. Free beads given with each mask.
Four times a year Dunes Properties participates in the Adopt a Highway program. Agents, employees and their families volunteer on a Saturday morning and we slowly meander down Palm Boulevard in our snazzy orange safety vest with large orange garbage bags. We’re quite a sight!
Over the years we’ve discovered some odd things (many should not be mentioned in polite company)- and we’ve encountered local wildlife. I’ve caught a glimpses of a fox, seen many rabbits hopping in and out of the marsh, colorful golden silk spiders in webs between the trees, narrowly avoided fire ant hills and this weekend I saw my first blueberry tree! Growing wild right there along one of the docks and along the roadside.
Dunes Properties has cleaned up several hundred pounds of litter over the years and we take pride in helping our island neighbors. We love the Isle of Palms and want to make sure she’ll be in fine condition for the next generation to come and is picture perfect for her visitors.
The Charleston Trident Realtors Association just posted a video about the Charleston Real Estate Market in 2009. There are some great facts in there so click play and enjoy!
Act fast on this opportunity to own an incredible Folly Beach deep water property for a steal! The builder has thrown his hands up and will let it go at auction prices to avoid foreclosure or short sale. This waterfront property will need to be finished which gives you a chance to add your tastes, and has awesome views of the Folly River Wait! It gets better, it is sold with a shared deep water dock! This is a huge home on Folly Beach for a fraction of what it should really cost. There were two available now only one left.
It took two tractor-trailers filled with 65,000 pounds of oysters to feed the ten thousand visitors who rolled onto the grounds at Boone Hall Plantation to kick off the 2010 Lowcountry Oyster Festival on Sunday, January 30th. This event has been named in the “top 20 events in the southeast” by the Southeastern Tourism Society.
Activities on the main stage include: the “Oyster Shucking Contest”, the “Oyster Eating Contest” and local live entertainment. A favorite to watch or participate in! Also, the winner of the “Oyster Recipe Contest” was announced and the kids loved the “Children’s Area” designed to keep them happy and having fun.
Proceeds benefitted the Ronald McDonald House, Hollings Cancer Center, Travel Council and Charleston County Science Materials Resource Center.
Live music was enjoyed by all who attended this Charleston festival favorite. “We came out to volunteer selling buckets of oysters and eat some of course… We’ve seen lots of friends and had a great time.” said Kristy Kearney a downtown Charlestonian.
This Sunday at Boone Hall Plantation come say hello to many Dunes Properties agents, employees and even our President himself, Randy Walker. We’ll be volunteering on behalf of Hollings Cancer Center and serving up buckets of oysters at the 2010 Lowcountry Oyster Roast.
The festival offers many other food options from local restaurants as well entertainment, contests and activities for kids. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House, Hollings Cancer Center, Travel Council and Charleston County Science Materials Resource Center.
Here’s a few facts about oysters:
There’s no way to tell males from females by their shells and they may change sexes a few times in their lifetime
Oysters can be eaten 12 months a year (not just ones ending in “r”). The “r” myth probably came about when oysters needed to be shipped and there was inadequate refrigeration in the warmer months
Oysters are nutritionally well balanced and recommended for low cholesterol diets
Bring your gloves, shucking knife, and appetite! We hope to see you there.
The Taste of Folly Beach 2010 was a great time with a great turnout. The streets were full of fans of Folly and their energy beat back the overcast skies, and warmed up the lower temperatures. The sun made an appearance here and there, which was a welcome sight for the many participating Folly establishments.
The chili cookoff sponsored by Planet Follywood was extra competitive this year with over 30 entries. The awards were given out as follows:
1st place Ryan Galloway
2nd place Chef Aaron from Locklears
3rd place Chef Jonathan from Blu
Honorable mention Nick the kid
Brian Hawkins from the Folly Beach Crabshack won the server olympics, the finals featuread a photo finish with Brian winning by holding more beverage in his two cups.
The hot dog eating contest was entertaining. The winner ate 6 hot dogs, and there were images that conjured up memories of “Stand By Me”.
The tunes were provided by the Hawkes. Some of the largest crowds were in front of the stage dancing and swinging to the music.
As usual when Center Street closes, a good time was had by all. Make sure and come out next year!
Mary A. Sicard
Traci Magnus
Narkiewicz Rebecca
Betty Poore
Randolph Walker
islandmitch
Susan St. Hilaire
mccurdy444
jackhurley
davelandry
Kristin B. Walker
James Schiller
Vince Perna
Mark Fuchs
Adam Killermann
