Charter One Realty Blog

Real Estate Voted the Best Investment Eight Years in a Row

In an annual Gallup poll, Americans chose real estate as the best long-term investment. And it’s not the first time it’s topped the list, either. Real estate has been on a winning streak for the past eight years, consistently gaining traction as the best long-term investment (see graph below):

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home this year, this poll should reassure you. Even when inflation is rising like it is today, Americans agree an investment like real estate truly shines.

Why Is Real Estate a Great Investment During Times of High Inflation?

With inflation reaching its highest level in 40 years, it’s more important than ever to understand the financial benefits of homeownership. Rising inflation means prices are…

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4 Simple Graphs Showing Why This Is Not a Housing Bubble

A recent survey revealed that many consumers believe there’s a housing bubble beginning to form. That feeling is understandable, as year-over-year home price appreciation is still in the double digits. However, this market is very different than it was during the housing crash 15 years ago. Here are four key reasons why today is nothing like the last time.

1. Houses Are Not Unaffordable Like They Were During the Housing Boom

The affordability formula has three components: the price of the home, wages earned by the purchaser, and the mortgage rate available at the time. Conventional lending standards say a purchaser should not spend more than 28% of their gross income on their mortgage payment.

Fifteen years ago, prices were high,…

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Lowcountry Real Estate Market Report - January 2022

The 2022 real estate market begins where 2021 left off, in which existing home sales reached their highest level since 2006, with the National Association of REALTORS® reporting sales were up 8.5% compared to the previous year as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates. Home sales would’ve been even greater were it not for soaring sales prices and a shortage of homes for sale in many markets, forcing a multitude of buyers to temporarily put their home purchase plans on hold.

Hilton Head & Mainland Real Estate Market Update - January 2022

For the 12- month period spanning February 2021 through January 2022, pending sales in the Hilton Head region were down -3.9 percent overall. Market-wide, inventory levels were down…

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Why It's Worth Getting a Pro to Sell Your Home...Especially in This Market

When you sell your home yourself, it's known as "for sale by owner" (FSBO). With limited inventory and listings spending relatively little time on the market, selling your home yourself may seem like a way to save money. Acting as your own seller's agent sounds appealing, but here are some compelling reasons why you may want to reconsider.

1. Real Estate is a Full-Time Job

Can you rush home every time someone wants to see your home? Can you excuse yourself from a meeting every time your phone rings with a potential buyer? At the end of a long workday, do you have the energy to take advantage of every possible opportunity to market your home? Are you an expert in marketing homes?

Your answer to all of these questions is probably "no." A Real…

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Want Top Dollar for Your House? Now’s the Time To List It.

When you’re selling any item, you usually want to sell it for the greatest profit possible. That happens when there’s a strong demand and a limited supply for that item. In the real estate market, that time is right now. If you’re thinking of selling your house this year, here are two reasons why now’s the time to list.

1. Demand Is Very Strong This Winter

A recent article in Inman News explains:

“Spring, the hottest time of year for homebuyers and sellers, has started early, according to economists. . . . ‘Home shopping season appears to already be in full swing!’”

And they aren’t the only ones saying buyers are already out in full force. That claim is backed up with data released last week by ShowingTime. The ShowingTime…

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Charter One Realty Welcomes Krista Wilson

Krista Wilson Joins Charter One Realty

BLUFFTON, SC, February 2022 – Charter One Realty is pleased to announce that Krista Wilson has joined the company as an Agent, partnering with John Weber and the John Weber Team. Krista and her team bring over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and real estate in the Coastal Lowcountry. Krista has joined the company at their Berkeley Hall office located in Bluffton, SC, and can be reached at 912-441-5328 or by email at Krista@thejohnweberteam.com.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Krista moved to Hilton Head Island in 1976. She has watched this area grow for the past 45 years and has seen the changes that make the Lowcountry what it is today.

Krista began her career in the Luxury Hospitality…

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Charter One Realty Welcomes Terri Brackenbury

BLUFFTON, SC, February 2022 – Charter One Realty is pleased to announce that Terri Brackenbury has joined the company as an Agent, partnering with Rich Reed and the Lowcountry Specialists team. Terri and her team bring over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and real estate in the Coastal Lowcountry. Terri has joined the company at their Promenade office located in Bluffton, SC and can be reached at 570-269-8735 or by email at TerriBrackenbury@CharterOneRealty.com.

Originally from Northeast Pennsylvania, Terri Ann Brackenbury discovered the Lowcountry back in 2009 when she and her husband Dennis decided to rent a home on Hilton Head for the winter to get away from the cold Northeast. After renting for a few more winters on HH, they decided to…

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Consumers Agree: It’s a Good Time To Sell

In today’s sellers’ market, many homeowners in the Lowcountry are weighing their options and trying to decide if they should sell their house. If you’re in that group, you may be balancing things like the ongoing health crisis, rising mortgage rates, and your own changing needs to determine your best time to make a move.

However, recent data shows that time may already be here. According to the latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae, 76% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell.

Looking back over the past few years, it's clear consumers are incredibly optimistic today. The graph below shows the percentage of survey respondents who say it’s a good time to sell a house, and their positive outlook is on the rise.…

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Millions of Americans Have Discovered the Benefits of Multigenerational Households

If your needs are changing, you may be thinking about sharing a home with additional loved ones, such as grandparents, adult children, or other extended family members. Whether it’s for financial or health-related circumstances, or simply because you’ve reached a new phase of life, you might be wondering if living with multiple generations under the same roof is a good move for you. Many people have found themselves in a similar situation and they’ve already made the choice to live in a multigenerational home.

What Is a Multigenerational Home?

The Pew Research Center defines a multigenerational household as a home with two or more adult generations. They include households with grandparents and grandchildren under the age of 25. As you…

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Owning Is More Affordable than Renting in the Majority of the Country

If you were thinking about buying a home this year, but already pressed pause on your plans due to rising home prices and increasing mortgage rates, there’s something you should consider. According to the latest report from ATTOM Data, owning a home is more affordable than renting in the majority of the country. The 2022 Rental Affordability Report says:

“. . . Owning a median-priced home is more affordable than the average rent on a three-bedroom property in 666, or 58 percent, of the 1,154 U.S. counties analyzed for the report. That means major home ownership expenses consume a smaller portion of average local wages than renting.”

Other experts in the industry offer additional perspectives on renting today. In the…

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