The Mortgage Process Doesn’t Have To Be Scary [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

  • Applying for a mortgage is a big step towards homeownership, but it doesn’t need to be one you fear. Here are some tips to help you prepare.
  • Know your credit score and work to build strong credit. When you’re ready, lean on your agent to connect you with a lender so you can get pre-approved and begin your home search.
  • Any major life change can be scary, and buying a home is no different. Let’s connect so you have an advisor by your side to take the fear out of the equation.

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Does Your House Have What Buyers Want? | MyKCM

The rise in remote work is changing what many Americans want in their homes. Many companies are choosing to delay reopening or go remote full-time, and today’s buyers are looking for homes with more space to support their work needs.

As a seller, if you no longer need the extra room you have in your home, rest assured there are buyers who do.

Remote Work Is Here To Stay

Remote work remains a reality for many Americans. A recent poll from Garter, Inc. shows many organizations have not yet returned their offices:

“. . . 66% of organizations are delaying reopening their offices due to new COVID-19 variants.”

And it’s not just companies that are choosing to remain remote for the time being – workers are seeking more…

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Housing Challenge or Housing Opportunity? It Depends. | MyKCM

The biggest challenge in real estate today is the lack of available homes for sale. The low housing supply has caused homes throughout the country to appreciate at a much faster rate than what we’ve experienced historically.

There are many reasons for the limited number of homes on the market, but as you can see in the graph below, we’re well below where we’ve been for most of the past 10 years. Today, across the country, there is only a 2.4- month supply of homes available for sale:

The Opportunity 

This lack of homes for sale is creating a challenge for many buyers who are growing frustrated in their search. On the other hand, this is a huge opportunity for sellers as low supply is driving up home values. According to CoreLogic,…

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There Are More Homes Available Now than There Were This Spring | MyKCM

There’s a lot of talk lately about how challenging it can be to find a home to buy. While housing inventory is still low, there are a few important things to understand about the supply of homes for sale as we move into the end of the year.

The Number of Homes for Sale Usually Peaks in the Fall

In the residential real estate market, trends generally follow a predictable and seasonal pattern. Typically, the number of homes available for sale (or active monthly listings) peaks in the fall. But in a chapter where so little feels normal, the question becomes: should we expect a fall peak this year?

If we look at the active monthly listings for 2021 (shown in the chart below), we’ll see that the number of homes on the market has increased…

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Knowledge Is Power When It Comes to Appraisals and Inspections | MyKCM

Buyers in today’s market often have questions about the importance of getting a home appraisal and an inspection. That’s because high buyer demand and low housing supply are driving intense competition and leading some buyers to consider waiving those contingencies to stand out in the crowded market.

But is that the best move? Buying a home is one of the most important transactions in your lifetime, and it’s critical to keep your best interests in mind. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from the appraisal and the inspection, and why each one can potentially save you a lot of time, money, and headaches down the road.

Home Appraisal

The home appraisal is a critical step for securing a mortgage on your home. As Home Light explains:

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Looking To Move? It Could Be Time To Build Your Dream Home. | MyKCM

While today’s supply of homes for sale is still low, the number of newly built homes is increasing. If you’re ready to sell but have held off because you weren’t sure you’d be able to find a home to move into, newly built homes and those under construction can provide the options you’ve been waiting for. The latest Census data shows the inventory of new homes is increasing this year (see graph below):

 

With more new homes coming to the market, this means you’ll have more options to choose from if you’re ready to buy. Of course, if you do consider a newly built home, you’ll want to keep timing in mind. The supply shown in the graph above includes homes at various stages of the construction process – some are near completion while…

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What Does the Future Hold for Home Prices? | MyKCM

If you’re looking to buy or sell a house, chances are you’ve heard talk about today’s rising home prices. And while this increase in home values is great news for sellers, you may be wondering what the future holds. Will prices continue to rise with time, or should you expect them to fall?

To answer that question, let’s first understand a few terms you may be hearing right now.

  • Appreciation is an increase in the value of an asset.
  • Depreciation is a decrease in the value of an asset.
  • Deceleration is when something happens at a slower pace.

It’s important to note home prices have increased, or appreciated, for 114 straight months. To find out if that trend may continue, look to the experts. Pulsenomics surveyed over 100…

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Gas or Wood Fireplace

 

When debating whether to choose a gas fireplace vs. a wood fireplace, there are many factors to consider. Whether you’re building a brand new home, or updating a fireplace you already have, each option has it's pros and cons, so you want to make the right decision for your lifestyle.

First, think about your existing fireplace setup. If you have a current fireplace, what is the setup, and can it be easily converted? Depending on which type you prefer, you may need to hire contractors to build or convert it to the type you want. The cost will play a major factor in a fireplace renovation regardless of type, but note that a gas installation is typically higher than a wood-burning fireplace insert because you must run gas lines.  

If you’re…

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Readers Choice Winner

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC, October 2021 – Charter One Realty has received the Readers’ Choice Award for Best Real Estate Company from the readers of three local publications -  the Bluffton Today, Island Packet, and Hilton Head Monthly.  For over a decade, all three publications have counted on the community to identify the “best of the best” in Hilton Head and Bluffton and celebrate local businesses delivering outstanding customer experiences. These awards recognize the top local companies in the Coastal Lowcountry, from restaurants and shops to mortgage lenders and real estate companies. At separate times during the year, each publication holds a nomination and voting round where winners are selected based on the company holding the highest number of…

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Halloween Events

It’s the spookiest time of year and we don’t know about you, but Halloween is one of our favorite holidays of the year in the Lowcountry. The turning of the season aligns perfectly with trick-or-treating and all of the other fun events we enjoy in the cooling temperatures.

If you are equally excited about 2021 Lowcountry Halloween events, keep reading! We rounded up some ultra-fun events for you to enjoy this season.

Whether you like to indulge in a full-blown monster bash, hours of horrifying haunted houses, or friendly “boos” for the kids, the Lowcountry has a Halloween celebration just for you. 

 

Lowcountry Halloween Events For Kids and Families

Spooky Halloween Party in Beaufort

Perfect for families with young kids, the Spooky…

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