2020 housing market was unexpectedly turbulent towards the end of the first quarter due to the pandemic that spread across the country. As the first wave of COVID-19 hit in the spring, housing market activity slowed substantially before staging a dramatic comeback just a couple months later.

Buyer activity was the leader again in 2020. With mortgage interest rates setting record lows multiple times throughout the year and a strong drive by many buyers to secure a better housing situation – in part due to the new realities brought on by COVID-19 – many segments of the market experienced a multiple-offer frenzy not seen in the last 15 years or more.

While markedly improved from their COVID-19 spring lows, seller activity continued to lag buyer demand,

According to the latest CoreLogic Home Price Insights Report, nationwide home values increased by 8.2% over the last twelve months. The dramatic rise was brought about as the inventory of homes for sale reached historic lows at the same time buyer demand was buoyed by record-low mortgage rates. As CoreLogic explained:

Home price growth remained consistently elevated throughout 2020. Home sales for the year are expected to register above 2019 levels. Meanwhile, the availability of for-sale homes has dwindled as demand increased and coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks continued across the country, which delayed some sellers from putting their homes on the market.

While the pandemic left many in positions of financial insecurity, those who

It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces. However, despite the anticipation of what’s to come, we can still have deep sentimental attachments to the home we’re leaving behind. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale depending on how we manage them.

When it comes to the bottom line, homeowners need to know what it takes to avoid costly mistakes when it’s time to move. Being mindful and prepared for the process can help you stay on the right track when selling your house this year.

1.  Price Your Home Right

When inventory is low, like it is in the current market, it’s common to think buyers will pay whatever we ask when setting a listing price. Believe it or not, that’s not always true.

Choosing the right real estate professional to work with is one of the most important decisions you can make in your home buying or selling process. The right agent can explain current market conditions and break down exactly what they mean for you.

Contracts - We help with all disclosures and contracts necessary in today's heavily regulated environment.

Experience- Charter One Realty closed more than $1.5 Billion in sales in 2020, and we have been the top-producing real estate brokerage for over a decade. Our agents are well-versed in real estate and experienced with the entire sales process.

Negotiations - Charter One Realty negotiated more than 2,700 transactions in 2020. We act as a buffer in negotiations with all parties throughout

If one of the questions you’re asking yourself is, “Should I sell my house this year?” consumer sentiment about selling today should boost your confidence in the right direction. Even with the current health crisis that continues to challenge our nation, Americans still feel good about selling a house. Here’s why.

According to the latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index from Fannie Mae, 57% of consumer respondents to their survey indicate now is a good time to buy a home, while 59% feel it’s a good time to sell one:

“The percentage of respondents who say it is a good time to sell a home remained the same at 59%, while the percentage who say it’s a bad time to sell decreased from 35% to 33%. As a result, the net share of those who say it is a

Our goal this year is to take on home organization with a new motivation. We admire others’ clean spaces and looking at their beautifully styled homes, but we know the best home is always the one we’re in, shared with loved ones. You can make your home as enviable as those in the magazine with a few organization tricks that instantly improve a space. Plus, the feeling of a freshly tidied room helps us move about the day with a clear mind and encourages us to be creative. 

This year, it’s all about tackling the smaller spots in our homes that can make a big difference in our daily lives. So now that you’ve stored the holiday decor and the house is primed for some extra attention, check out how we are approaching home organization after all this time at

This year will be remembered for many reasons, and optimism is one thing that’s been in short supply since the spring. We’re experiencing a global pandemic, social unrest, an economic downturn, and natural disasters, just to name a few. The challenges brought on by the health crisis have also forced many homeowners to reevaluate their space and what they need in a home going into 2021. So, experts are forecasting that next year is one in which we can be optimistic about real estate for three key reasons.

1. The Economy Is Expected to Continue Improving

Tim Duy from the University of Oregon puts it this way:

“There is nothing fundamentally ‘broken’ in the economy that needs to heal…there was no obvious financial bubble driving excessive

Beaufort Real Estate Update | November 2020

November saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average top 30,000 for the first time, while mortgage rates reached new record lows again. These new records have provided encouragement for buyers to move forward on home purchases, which continued to remain strong overall for the month.

New listings in the Beaufort Region were up 8.3 percent to 222. Pending sales increased 56.4 percent to 244. Inventory shrank 41.0 percent to 544 units.

Prices moved higher as median sales price was up 12.6 percent to $270,168. Days on market decreased 20.5 percent to 70 days. Months supply of inventory was down 54.3 percent to 2.1 months, indicating that demand increased relative to supply.

Showing activity remains higher than

We are excited to celebrate the end of 2020 and start the New Year with hope and motivation to tackle our plans and projects. But first, we must reminisce on how far we have come!. Let’s set aside some time to reflect and think of how we can make next year better than ever.

Itching to get out your party outfits and wish 2020 a not-so-fond farewell? You aren’t the only one. Yes, our parties will be much smaller this year but we still managed to track down a few Lowcountry New Year’s events you can attend while wearing your most glamorous mask.

The last holiday of the season is usually host to the largest gatherings of all, but our caring community urges residents and visitors to mask up and maintain the necessary social distancing. Unfortunately,

It is safe to say we are all looking forward to the New Year. 2020 has been tough in many ways for lots of folks here in the beloved Lowcountry. We’ve come together in many ways as well and as we close out this year, we look ahead with hope for a safe and beautiful 2021.

With so much of our time spent at home lately, freshening up our spaces has been top of mind. In keeping with our love of all things “home”,  we’ve rounded up 2021 interior design trends we think you’ll love.

If you didn’t get a chance to redo your interiors during 2020, you may have at least reimagined what your home could look like. Whether it’s embracing cozy colors, incorporating vintage items, or adding plants in your home, now is a great time to dream and plan a refresh.