As Home Equity Rises, So Does Your Wealth | MyKCM

Homeownership is still a crucial part of the American dream. For those people who own a home (and those looking to buy one), it’s clear that being a homeowner has considerable benefits both emotionally and financially. In addition to long-term stability, buying a home is one of the best ways to increase your net worth. This boost to your wealth comes in the form of equity.

Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation.

The best thing about equity is that it often grows without you even realizing it, especially in a sellers’ market like we’re in now. In today’s real estate market, the combination of low housing supply and high buyer demand is driving home values up.…

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If You’re a Buyer, Is Offering Asking Price Enough? | MyKCM

 

In today’s real estate market, buyers shouldn’t shop for a home with the expectation they’ll be able to negotiate a lower sales price. In a typical housing market, buyers try to determine how much less than the asking price they can offer and still get the home. From there, the buyer and seller typically negotiate and agree on a revised price somewhere in the middle.

Things Are Different Today

Today’s housing market is anything but normal. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes today are:

  • Receiving an average of  3.8 offers
  • Selling in just 17 days

Homes selling quickly and receiving multiple offers highlights how competitive the housing market is right now. This is due, in large part, to the low…

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Don’t Tackle Selling Your Home on Your Own - an Agent Can Help | MyKCM

If you’re looking to maximize your sale and minimize your effort, you need to work with a real estate professional. In a sellers’ market like today’s, it can be tempting to list your house on your own – known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO). But the truth is, a real estate professional can save you time and money by managing every step of the process, from pricing your home to reviewing documents and handling negotiations.

Before you decide to sell your house on your own, here are five reasons why working with an agent is your best bet to maximize the sale of your home.

1. First impressions are everything – and an agent knows how to make a great one.

Prepping a house for sale requires a significant amount of time and effort, even though…

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Early October is the Sweet Spot for Buyers | MyKCM

 

Are you looking to buy a home? If so, we’ve got good news for you.

While there’s no denying the housing market is having a great year, many of the headlines are focused on the perks for sellers. But what about buyers today? As a buyer, you’re likely braving bidding wars and weighing low mortgage rates versus price appreciation as you search for your dream home. If you find yourself a bit discouraged, hear this: there are clear signs buyers may have more opportunities this fall.

According to realtor.com, the sweet spot for buyers is just around the corner. In a recent study, experts analyzed housing market trends by looking at data from the past several years. When applied to the current market, experts determined the ideal week to buy a…

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Is a 20% Down Payment Really Necessary To Purchase a Home? | MyKCM

There’s a common misconception that, as a homebuyer, you need to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. In fact, a recent survey by Lending Tree asks what is keeping consumers from purchasing a home. For over half of those surveyed, the ability to afford a down payment is the biggest hurdle.

That may be because those individuals assume a 20% down payment is necessary. While putting more money down if you’re able can benefit buyers, putting 20% down is not mandatory. As Freddie Mac puts it:

“The most damaging down payment myth—since it stops the homebuying process before it can start—is the belief that 20% is necessary.”

If saving that much money sounds overwhelming, you might be ready to give up on the…

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Are you in the market for a new roof? Perhaps you’re building your dream home, and it’s time to decide what roof to put on. Choosing a roofing material is a big decision - not only because of the high cost but because your roof material says a lot about your design taste.

In the Lowcountry, roof aesthetics tip between two main roof styles: a metal roof vs. a shingle roof. If you're from anywhere with warmer temperatures, you might be more used to tile roofs. We don’t see many tile roofs in this region, so we’re going to focus this article on the two main roof materials used here.

Shingles are likely the first material that comes to mind when you think about what a run-of-the-mill roof looks like. Gone are the days of metal roofs exclusively being…

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Who doesn’t love a gorgeous kitchen? It is once again time to review some of our favorite kitchen designs! From outstanding backsplash designs to simple hardware swaps, the heart of the home tells a story the moment you enter it. 

In 2021, design trends shifted ever-so-slightly away from the much-loved “farmhouse” look. If you recently embraced shiplap, metals, and wood tones, don’t fret. There are simple ways to keep your kitchen looking fresh and on-trend in 2021.

As you consider new changes to your kitchen space, decide if you want the design to whisper, talk or yell! This helps you decide how bold to go with each design element. Read more to check out our 2021 kitchen design trends and gather up new ideas for reimagining your current space! 

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Best Real Estate Company

We want to thank the community for once again naming Charter One Realty as the area's "Best Real Estate Company" in the recent Lowcountry's Best Contest. This recognition would not be possible without your support. Thank you to our clients, family, and friends for your continued loyalty. 

The agents at Charter One Realty are proud to call the Lowcountry home. Our Charter One Realty Agents live in the Lowcountry, raise their families here, work in our communities, and give back to those in need right here. Why is this important? We are proud to call our communities home and are dedicated to making the Lowcountry the very best that it can be.

Our dedication to the community and our clients has led us to be the #1 brokerage in the Lowcountry,…

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When it is time to take the kids out for an adventure, do you visit all the wonderful playgrounds in and around Bluffton? Slides, swings, and play structures of all sizes are inviting for kids of all ages and can provide hours of entertainment. 

The best playgrounds in the Lowcountry are safe and, equally important, have lots of lovely neighbors ready to welcome you and your children for some playtime.

As more and more families move to Bluffton and the surrounding areas, we’re seeing more parks and playgrounds being developed for our children. We’ve created a list of our favorite playgrounds in town! 

With most playgrounds near or in a local park, anything is possible for your energetic kids! 

Kids will be making neighborhood friends and…

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Is the Number of Homes for Sale Finally Growing? | MyKCM

An important metric in today’s residential real estate market is the number of homes available for sale. The shortage of available housing inventory is the major reason for the double-digit price appreciation we’ve seen in each of the last two years. It’s the reason many would-be purchasers are frustrated with the bidding wars over the homes that are available. However, signs of relief are finally appearing.

According to data from realtor.com, active listings have increased over the last four months. They define active listings as:

The active listing count tracks the number of for sale properties on the market, excluding pending listings where a pending status is available. This is a snapshot measure of how many active listings can…

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