Charter One Realty Blog

The Truths Young Homebuyers Need To Hear

For many young or first-time homebuyers, purchasing a home can feel intimidating. A recent survey shows some homebuyers ages 25 to 40 may be unsure about the homebuying process and what they can afford. It found:

• “1 in 4 underestimated their buying potential by $150k or more”
• “1 in 4 underestimated the increase in value by $100k or more”
• “47% don’t know what a good interest rate is”

Because they feel uncertain, many young homebuyers have given up on their search, or worse, they’ve decided homebuying isn’t for them and never started on their journey to begin with.

If you’re interested in buying but aren’t sure where to begin, here are three key concepts about homeownership you should understand before you get started.

1. What You…

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A Look at Home Price Appreciation Through 2025

Home prices have increased significantly over the last year, which in turn has grown the net worth of homeowners. Appreciation and home equity are directly linked – as the value of a home increases, so does a homeowner’s equity. And with these recent gains, homeowners are witnessing their financial stability and well-being grow to record levels.

In more good news for homeowners, the most recent Home Price Expectations Survey – a survey of a national panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists – forecasts home prices will continue appreciating over the next five years, adding to the record amount of equity homeowners have already gained over the past year. Below are the expected year-over-year rates…

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Home Builders Ramp Up Construction Based on Demand

If you’re thinking of buying a home, there really is no time like the present. With today’s low mortgage rates, you have a great opportunity to get more home for your money. The challenge is inventory. Like you, many buyers want to capitalize on these market conditions, and it’s leading to more buyer competition and bidding wars.

If you’re having a hard time finding a home to buy, it may be time to talk to your trusted real estate advisor about a newly built home. Early indicators show new-home construction is beginning to ramp up. While new homes alone won’t be able to fix all of the inventory challenges, this does mean you’ll soon have more options as you search for a home. As a buyer, a newly built home may be exactly what you’re looking for – it’s…

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How to Save on Utility Bills in a Lowcountry Summer

If you opened your power bill in June and asked yourself, “How do I lower my utility bills?,” don’t worry. The simple answer is to make your home energy efficient.

There is no doubt July and August bring the hottest temperatures of the year. Compared to the porch-sitting, brisk weather we enjoy in Fall and Spring, Summer in the Lowcountry has us closing our windows and running the air conditioner 24 hours a day.

So, how can you stay comfortable this season without breaking the bank? In this article, we will teach you a few tips and tricks for how to save on utility bills during summer!

Good news: There are many ways to make your home as energy-efficient as possible. Below is a list of inexpensive, low-stakes investment tips and action items to…

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Best Lowcountry Beaches: Hilton Head Beaches

Ready to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf? Find the best Lowcountry beaches with our insider guide here! Our top four picks for Hilton Head beaches (in alphabetical order) are:

1. Coligny Beach Park

2. Folly Field Beach Park

3. Islander’s Beach Park

4. Mitchelville Beach Park

Summer is upon us and because it is officially beach season, we’re explaining why each of these beaches might be perfect for you. 

Hilton Head beaches offer a variety of experiences depending on the kind of beach day you desire. Whether you want to live like a local on a private, peaceful beachfront...or explore the expansive, amenity-filled beaches that make Hilton Head Island famous, you will know exactly where to go with our guide.

Living on the…

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What Do Experts See on the Horizon for the Second Half of the Year?

As we move into the latter half of the year, questions about what’s to come are top of mind for buyers and sellers. Near record-low mortgage rates coupled with rising home price appreciation kicked off a robust housing market in the first half of 2021, but what does the forecast tell us about what’s on the horizon?

Mortgage Rates Will Likely Increase, but Remain Low

Many experts are projecting a rise in interest rates. The latest Quarterly Forecast from Freddie Mac states:

We forecast that mortgage rates will continue to rise through the end of next year. We estimate the 30-year fixed mortgage rate will average 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2021, rising to 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2022.

However, even as mortgage rates rise, the…

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Are We in a Housing Bubble? Experts Say No.

The question of whether the real estate market is a bubble ready to pop seems to be dominating a lot of conversations – and everyone has an opinion. Yet, when it comes down to it, the opinions that carry the most weight are the ones based on experience and expertise.

Here are four expert opinions from professionals and organizations that have devoted their careers to giving great advice to the housing industry.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies in their The State of the Nation’s Housing 2021 report:

… conditions today are quite different than in the early 2000s, particularly in terms of credit availability. The current climb in house prices instead reflects strong demand amid tight supply, helped along by record-low interest rates.

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Lowcountry Real Estate Market Report - June 2021

Summer’s here, and with vaccination rates on the rise, buyers continue to flood the market in search of their next home, with rock bottom inventory and record-high sales prices reported throughout much of the country. Although closed sales were down nationally, overall demand for housing remains high, in part due to attractively low-interest rates, offering buyers some relief and affordability in a fiercely competitive market.

Hilton Head & Mainland Real Estate Market Update - June 2021

For the 12- month period spanning July 2020 through June 2021, pending sales in the Hilton Head region were up 50.1 percent overall. Market-wide, inventory levels were down 65.8 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the condo segment, where it…

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A Wise Decision, Leading to a GREAT EXPERIENCE

The decision to sell our home came with many questions and many anxieties. We knew we lacked the skill and knowledge to maximize our sales opportunity.  We made a fantastic choice in selecting Diana Sroufe to lead us through the myriad of decisions and actions that come with the sale of a home.  From the very first moment, we knew we had not only a consummate professional, but a true friend, helping us. She skillfully assisted us in navigating the sales price decision, the development of marketing materials, and the best way to advertise our property to the world through Charter One Realty.  It was so evident that every decision that she made had our desires, needs, and goals as her very first and highest priority...she put us first...not herself or…

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Pre-Approval Makes All the Difference When Buying a Home

You may have been told that it’s important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today’s market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand out to sellers as a serious homebuyer.

Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home right now. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Just as important, being able to present a pre-approval letter shows sellers you’re a qualified buyer, something that can really help you land your dream home in an ultra-competitive market.

With limited…

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