Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership




If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home right now. While those market factors are important, there's more to consider. You should think about the long-term benefits of homeownership too.

Think about this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that grows your own wealth. That may be why, in a recent Fannie Mae survey, 76% of respondents say they believe buying…

64 Views, 0 Comments

Explaining Today’s Low Housing Supply [INFOGRAPHIC]




Some Highlights

  • Wondering why the supply of homes for sale is limited today? There are a few factors at play.
  • Lack of building over time, the mortgage rate lock-in effect, and people staying in their houses longer are three of the main reasons why supply is low.
  • But real estate agents know exactly where to look and what to do to make your dream a reality. Let’s connect so you have an expert on your side to help you successfully navigate the market and find your next home. 

83 Views, 0 Comments

Why Your House Didn’t Sell




If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, you’re likely feeling a little frustrated. Not to mention, you're also probably wondering what went wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next.

Did You Limit Access to Your House?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when selling your house is restricting the days and times when potential buyers can tour it. Being flexible with your schedule is important when you're selling your house, even though it might feel a bit stressful to drop everything and leave when buyers want to see it. After all, minimal access means minimal exposure to buyers. ShowingTime advises:

“. . . do your best to be as flexible as possible when…

57 Views, 0 Comments

MARKET UPDATE - September 2023

National sales of existing homes recently fell to a 7-month low, as surging borrowing costs, rising sales prices, and limited inventory continue to keep many would-be buyers out of the market. Borrowers have become increasingly sensitive to fluctuations in mortgage rates, which have remained above 7% since mid-August. With fewer buyers able to afford the costs of homeownership, existing-home sales declined 0.7% month-over-month and were down 15.3% year-over-year, according to the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR).

Prices have continued to increase this fall despite softening home sales nationwide, as a lack of inventory has kept the market competitive for prospective buyers, sparking bidding wars and causing homes…

628 Views, 0 Comments

The Best of November in the Lowcountry - Events You Will Not Want to Miss

Hilton Head Events

Louis Jadot Wine Dinner at Alexander's Restaurant

Join us for a special wine dinner at Alexander's Restaurant on Thursday, October 19, 2023. We will be featuring a selection of wonderful wines from Louis Jadot Winery, paired with delicious food created by our award-winning chefs.

Louis Jadot is one of the most prestigious winemakers in the world, and their wines are known for their elegance and complexity. We will be tasting a variety of their wines, including their famous Beaujolais, as well as their more recent releases from Burgundy and the Côte de Nuits.

The food pairings will be created by our executive chef, John Behan, who has a deep…

299 Views, 0 Comments

Celebrate the holidays with us by donating any new, unwrapped toy to our Holiday Toy Drive. We will gladly accept your donations at any Charter One Realty office location (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm) from now until December 4, 2023.

Toy donations will go to United Way's "Holiday Heros", Deep Well's "Santa Shop" and Bluffton Self Help's "Holiday Toy Shop" to help Coastal Lowcountry families in need this holiday season. Anyone wishing to help make a difference in the life of a child or family in our community, we invite you to stop by any of our offices to make a donation. 

We will graciously accept your donations at any of the offices listed below:

  • 2 North Forest Beach Drive, Suite 119 (Beach Market) - Hilton Head Island, SC
  • 5 Park Lane…

2363 Views, 0 Comments

Celebrating Excellence: Charter One Realty Dominates the 2023 Lowcountry's Best Awards

Best Real Estate Company Charter One Realty

The 2023 Lowcountry's Best Awards have just concluded, and the winners have been unveiled! Each year, the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette host the highly anticipated Lowcountry's Best Reader's Choice Awards, showcasing the finest businesses, individuals, and places in our community. We are thrilled to share that Charter One Realty has once again emerged as the Best Real Estate Company. But the accolades don't stop there – our exceptional team members, The John Weber Team and Michael Mark, have also secured top honors in their respective categories, further solidifying our commitment to excellence in the real estate industry.

Charter One Realty: Lowcountry's…

712 Views, 0 Comments


Fall Festivals, BBQ Cookoffs, and More: What to Do in October

The Fish and Grits Music Festival

"Great Music, Great Food, and Great Times!" 

OCTOBER 7, 2023

LOWCOUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK | HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC

The Lowcountry Fish & Grits Music Festival brings awareness to the unique Gullah Geechee culture and its connection to the African diaspora by showcasing great musical talent and local cuisine. 

TRACE YOUR ROOTS THROUGH MUSIC AND FOOD! 

Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival

October 14-22, 2023

Bluffton, SC

Experience the Annual Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival – an esteemed celebration that graces the picturesque historic district, renowned for its vibrant art scene, exceptional dining establishments, and the…

413 Views, 0 Comments

Why Today’s Housing Inventory Shows a Crash Isn’t on the Horizon




You might remember the housing crash in 2008, even if you didn't own a home at the time. If you’re worried there’s going to be a repeat of what happened back then, there's good news – the housing market now is different from 2008.

One important reason is there aren't enough homes for sale. That means there’s an undersupply, not an oversupply like the last time. For the market to crash, there would have to be too many houses for sale, but the data doesn't show that happening.

Housing supply comes from three main sources:

  • Homeowners deciding to sell their houses
  • Newly built homes
  • Distressed properties (foreclosures or short sales)

Here’s a closer look at…

372 Views, 0 Comments

The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price Appreciation




If you’re thinking of making a move, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? Despite what you may be hearing in the news, nationally, home prices aren’t falling. It’s just that price growth is beginning to normalize. Here’s the context you need to really understand that trend.

In the housing market, there are predictable ebbs and flows that happen each year. It’s called seasonality. Spring is the peak homebuying season when the market is most active. That activity is typically still strong in the summer but begins to wane as the cooler months approach. Home prices follow along with seasonality because prices appreciate most when…

464 Views, 0 Comments