Meet the Agent - Alec Smith

Alec Smith entered the real estate business directly out of college, after interning with a Top Producing Agent in Jacksonville, Florida. Alec then joined a small reputable brokerage in Downtown Beaufort where he learned the ropes with the help of his Broker. Alec made the jump to Charter One Realty last month and is already seeing success in the business. 

Charter One Realty sat down with Alec to learn more about how he got his start and some of his favorite aspects of life in the Lowcountry.

CHARTER ONE REALTY: When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in real estate?

Alec Smith: I knew I wanted to pursue a career in real estate after completing a summer internship in college. I was fortunate enough to get a better understanding of…

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Help Spread Smiles this Holiday Season! Charter One Realty Hosts 7th Annual Toy Drive.

Hilton Head Island, SC, October 2022 – Charter One Realty has announced the start of the 7th Annual Holiday Toy Drive in partnership with Deep Well, Bluffton Self Help, and The United Way. Members of the community are invited to drop off new, unwrapped toys at the company’s sales offices through Monday, December 5th. The toys will be delivered throughout the holidays in conjunction with local charities that assist financially and physically disadvantaged children.

“As part of our holiday tradition for 7 years, we invite the public to join Charter One's efforts to bring holiday cheer to families and children who are less fortunate,” said Paige Rose, CMO of Charter One Realty. “At Charter One, we feel it’s important to give back to the communities in…

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Perspective Matters

Perspective Matters When Selling Your House Today

Does the latest news about the housing market have you questioning your plans to sell your house? If so, perspective is key. Here are some of the ways a trusted real estate professional can explain the shift that’s happening today and why it’s still a sellers’ market even during the cooldown.

Fewer Homes for Sale than Pre-Pandemic

While the supply of homes available for sale has increased this year compared to last, we’re still nowhere near what’s considered a balanced market. A recent article from Calculated Risk helps put this year’s increased inventory into context (see graph below):

It shows supply this year has surpassed 2021 levels by over 30%. But the further back you look,…

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Four Things That Help Determine Your Mortgage Rate

Four Things That Help Determine Your Mortgage Rate

If you’re looking to buy a home, you probably want to secure the lowest interest rate possible for your home loan. Over the last couple of years, that was easier to do as the housing market saw record-low mortgage rates, but this year rates have risen dramatically.

If you’re looking for ways to combat today’s higher rates and lock in the lowest one you can, here are a few factors to focus on. Since approval opportunities can vary, connect with a trusted lender for customized advice.

Your Credit Score

Credit scores can play a big role in your mortgage rate. Freddie Mac explains:

“When you build and maintain strong credit, mortgage lenders have greater confidence when qualifying you…

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Fall Housing Market - What the Experts are Saying

What Are Experts Saying About the Fall Housing Market?

The housing market is rapidly changing from the peak frenzy it saw over the past two years. That means you probably have questions about what your best move is if you’re thinking of buying or selling this fall.

To help you make a confident decision, lean on the professionals for insights. Here are a few things experts are saying about the fall housing market.

Expert Quotes for Fall Homebuyers

A recent article from realtor.com:

“This fall, a more moderate pace of home selling, more listings to choose from, and softening price growth will provide some breathing room for buyers searching for a home during what is typically the best time to buy a home.”

Michael Lane, VP and…

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Homebuyers Should Be Asking These Questions Now

Two Questions Every Homebuyer Should Ask Themselves Right Now

Rising interest rates have begun to slow an overheated housing market as monthly mortgage payments have risen dramatically since the beginning of the year. This is leaving some people who want to purchase a home priced out of the market and others wondering if now is the time to buy one. But this rise in borrowing cost shows no signs of letting up soon.

Economic uncertainty and the volatility of the financial markets are causing mortgage rates to rise. George Ratiu, Senior Economist and Manager of Economic Research at realtor.com, says this:

“While even two months ago rates above 7% may have seemed unthinkable, at the current pace, we can expect rates to surpass that level in…

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Long-Term Homeownership Benefits

The Long-Term Benefit of Homeownership

Today’s cooling housing market, the rise in mortgage rates, and mounting economic concerns have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to factor the long-term benefits of homeownership into your decision.

Consider 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 you gain equity and wealth as home values grow with time.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“Home equity gains are built up through price appreciation and by paying off the…

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Lowcountry Real Estate Market Report - September 2022

MARKET UPDATE - September 2022

The U.S. real estate market continues to slow as we move into fall, as rising consumer prices and higher mortgage interest rates squeeze homebuyer budgets and cool activity. Affordability challenges have priced many buyers out of the market this year, and buyers who do succeed in purchasing a home are finding that the costs of homeownership have increased significantly, with monthly mortgage payments more than 55% higher than a year ago, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Inventory remains lower than normal, and as the market continues to shift, experts project homes will begin to spend more days on market, and price growth will slow in the months ahead.

Hilton Head & Mainland Real Estate Market Update…

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Signature Sales, September 2022 - Charter One Realty

Charter One Realty's consistent investments on behalf of Buyers, Sellers, and Communities for over three decades pay dividends for our clients. Like the international luxury brands, Charter One Realty employs world-class marketing with a global reach.

But one need only look at actual sales in the area’s luxury communities, and at the area’s $1,000,000+ transactions to understand that Charter One Realty is the Lowcountry’s Leading Luxury Brand.

Announcing our September 2022 Charter One Realty Signature Sales. Like the international luxury brands, Charter One Realty employs world-class marketing with a global reach. And when it comes to Luxury Properties, we dominate the market.

We successfully listed, marketed, and negotiated the sale of 18…

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How To Prep Your House for Sale This Fall

How To Prep Your House for Sale This Fall

Today’s housing market is different than it was just a few months ago. And if you’re thinking about selling your house, that may leave you wondering what you need to do differently as a result. The answer is simple. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately and create a solid plan can help bring in the greatest return on your investment.

Here are a few simple tips to make sure you maximize the sale of your house this fall.

1. Price It Right

One of the first things buyers will notice is the price of your house. That’s because the price sends a message to home shoppers. Pricing your house too high to begin with could put you at a disadvantage by discouraging buyers from making an…

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