Charter One Realty Blog

Lowcountry Real Estate Market Report - January 2021

The new year has begun, and with it comes many people who have made buying or selling a home part of their 2021 resolutions. While ongoing unemployment claims remain elevated due to COVID-19, they are substantially lower than what they were during their peak and have had little effect on buyer demand thus far.

Hilton Head & Mainland Real Estate Market Update - January 2021

For the 12-month period spanning February 2020 through January 2021, pending sales in the Hilton Head region were up 35.9 percent overall. The price range with the largest gain in sales was the $650,001 and above range, where they increased 98.6 percent.

Market-wide, inventory levels were down 64.1 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the single-family…

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3 Reasons We Are Definitely Not in a Housing Bubble

Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they’re forecast to appreciate by about five percent this year. This has some voicing concern that we may be in another housing bubble like the one we experienced a little over a decade ago. Here are three reasons why this market is totally different.

1. This time, housing supply is extremely limited

The price of any market item is determined by supply and demand. If supply is high and demand is low, prices normally decrease. If supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally increase.

In real estate, supply and demand are measured in “months’ supply of inventory,” which is based on the number of current homes for sale compared to the number of buyers in the market. The normal…

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The Luxury Market Is Attracting Buyers in 2021

As more people continue to identify their changing needs this year, some are turning to the upscale housing sector for more space or finer features. In their most recent Luxury Market Report, the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) shares:

“In a snapshot of 2020, despite the devasting effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the luxury real estate market has seen one of its strongest years since 2008. In comparison to experts’ predictions in early 2020, it is remarkable how significant demands for property type, location, and amenity preferences have changed amid the pandemic.”

With more opportunities to work from home and a growing interest in having extra space for things like virtual school, working out, and cooking more meals, the desire to own a…

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Dining Room Décor: How to Set a Table

Looking forward to more opportunities for hosting in 2021? Perhaps you are looking for a refresher on how to set a table. Or maybe you know how to set a table, but you need some ideas for designing a gorgeous tablescape to wow your guests! This article will teach you everything you need to know to make your dining room the star of the show.

When you walk into a dining room, the most dominant furniture is the dining table. No matter your style, it is important to dress it up (or down) to make it stand out and become a cohesive part of the room. No table is complete without decor, and even when it isn’t in use, it’s great to leave your table “set” to finish the look of your room.

How to Set a Table

First, let’s cover the basics of how to…

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Haute Residence Welcomes Charter One Realty Agent, Alison Melton, To Its Exclusive Real Estate Network

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 09, 2021

Haute Residence is pleased to welcome Alison Melton of Charter One Realty to the exclusive Haute Residence Network as its representative in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, South Carolina, luxury real estate markets.

Alison Melton, REALTOR® is the Managing Partner of The Melton Group, a client-centered team of luxury real estate professionals providing buyers and sellers with a sense of ease and certainty, powered by the leading brokerage in the Lowcountry, Charter One Realty. The Melton Group specializes in private golf & waterfront communities spanning from Sea Pines to Palmetto Bluff. Alison is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), has also received the prestigious CNE…

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2020 Realtor Service Awards

Congratulations to the 2020 Realtor Service Award Recipients

Each year, the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors recognizes Realtors® who have done exceptional work to advance their association, education, and community. These members epitomize what it means to be a Realtor®.

Only a small percentage of the Realtor Association is honored with this distinction. The award recognizes those professionals who are passionate about the real estate industry and their community while adhering to the Realtor® Code of Ethics. These individuals have achieved higher levels of education, served in leadership positions within the association, and volunteered for several organizations in the community.

The following Charter One Realty sales professionals…

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6 Foundational Benefits of Homeownership Today

Over the past year, our homes have become an integral part of our lives more than ever. They’re much more than the houses we live in. They’re our workplaces, virtual schools, and safe havens that provide shelter, stability, and protection through the evolving health crisis. Today, 65.8% of Americans are fortunate enough to call their homes their own.

As we continue to think about the future, our goals for the year, and what we want to achieve well beyond 2021, it’s a great time to look at the benefits of owning a home. Below are some highlights and quotes on the benefits of homeownership shared by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). From feel-good motivations to economic and social impacts on the local community, these items may give you…

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Why Owning a Home Is a Powerful Financial Decision

In today’s housing market, there are clear financial benefits to owning a home: increasing equity, the chance to build your net worth, and appreciating home values, just to name a few. If you’re a renter, it’s never too early to think about how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here’s a dive into three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for them now can steer you in the direction of greater financial security and savings.

1. You Won’t Always Have a Monthly Housing Payment

Personal finance advisor Dave Ramsey explains:

“Every payment brings you closer to owning the house. When you pay your rent, that money is spent. Gone. Bye. Not returning. But when you pay your mortgage, you work toward…

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The Best Closet Remodels and Organization Tips for 2021

We are gathering the best closet remodels and organization tips today! We get inspiration for custom closet designs from sources like interior designers’ photos, walking through our listings, on Pinterest and Instagram, and even on home design TV shows. 

There are so many options for functional, maximized closets, so we narrowed down how to get your dream closet by time and budget investment. If you’re in the market for a custom closet, or ready to DIY with organization to refresh your closet space, read on!

We rank closet remodels from difficult to easy. To help you navigate this article, please note: 

• The “difficult” means the effort calls for the most time and budget investment. This type of design will require a large budget, possibly…

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What’s the Difference Between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection?

If you’re planning to buy a home, an appraisal is an important step in the process. It’s a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy. In most cases, an appraisal is ordered by the lender to confirm or verify the value of the home prior to lending a buyer money for the purchase. It’s also a different step in the process from a home inspection, which assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. Here’s the breakdown of each one and why they’re both important when buying a home.

Home Appraisal

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“A home purchase is typically the largest investment someone will make. Protect yourself by getting your investment appraised! An appraiser will…

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