Do You Know How Much Your House Is Really Worth?




Want to know something important you probably don’t have a professional check for you nearly as often as you should? Spoiler alert: it’s the value of your home.

Because here’s the reality. Your house is likely the biggest financial asset you have. And if you’ve lived in it for a few years or more, chances are it’s been quietly building wealth for you in the background – even if you haven’t been keeping tabs on it.

You might be surprised by just how much it’s grown, even as the market has shifted over the past few months.

What Is Home Equity?

That hidden wealth in your home is called equity. It’s the difference between what your house is worth today and what you still owe on your mortgage.…

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Why Now May Be a Key 2025 Moment To Sell Your House




Mortgage rates are finally heading in the right direction – and buyers are starting to jump back in.

According to the data, buyer demand picked up considerably once mortgage rates hit a new low for 2025. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports that applications for home loans were up 23% compared to the first week of September last year.

If you’ve been waiting to sell, or your listing recently expired because the market was slower than you hoped it would be, now’s the time to reconsider your move. Buyer demand is the highest it’s been since July – and you don’t want to miss this window.

When Rates Drop, Buyers React

Here’s what’s happening. The 30-year mortgage rate dropped to …

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What a Fed Rate Cut Could Mean for Mortgage Rates




The Federal Reserve (the Fed) meets this week, and expectations are high that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate. But does that mean mortgage rates will drop? Let’s clear up the confusion.

The Fed Doesn’t Directly Set Mortgage Rates

Right now, all eyes are on the Fed. Most economists expect they'll cut the Federal Funds Rate at their mid-September meeting to try to head off a potential recession.

According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are already betting on it. There’s virtually a 100% chance of a September cut. And based on what we know now, there’s about a 92% chance it’ll be a small cut (25 basis points) and an 8% chance it will be a bigger cut (50 basis points):

So, what exactly…

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When it comes to buying or selling a home in the South Carolina Lowcountry, one name stands above the rest: Charter One Realty. With decades of experience, a reputation for excellence, and the largest team of local experts, we are proud to be recognized as the #1 real estate company in the Lowcountry, serving Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, Daufuskie Island, Okatie, and Savannah.

What Makes Charter One Realty #1 in the Lowcountry?

Charter One Realty is ranked at the top because of our unmatched local expertise, deep knowledge of the luxury real estate market, and proven results. Our agents are more than salespeople — they are trusted advisors who live and work in the communities they serve. Buyers and sellers rely on us because we consistently…

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