Charter One Realty Blog - Paige Rose

Is a 20% Down Payment Really Necessary To Purchase a Home?

There’s a common misconception that, as a homebuyer, you need to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. In fact, a recent survey by Lending Tree asks what is keeping consumers from purchasing a home. For over half of those surveyed, the ability to afford a down payment is the biggest hurdle.

That may be because those individuals assume a 20% down payment is necessary. While putting more money down if you’re able can benefit buyers, putting 20% down is not mandatory. As Freddie Mac puts it:

“The most damaging down payment myth—since it stops the homebuying process before it can start—is the belief that 20% is necessary.”

If saving that much money sounds overwhelming, you might be ready to give up on the…

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Metal Roof vs. Shingle Roof: How To Choose

Are you in the market for a new roof? Perhaps you’re building your dream home, and it’s time to decide what roof to put on. Choosing a roofing material is a big decision - not only because of the high cost but because your roof material says a lot about your design taste.

In the Lowcountry, roof aesthetics tip between two main roof styles: a metal roof vs. a shingle roof. If you're from anywhere with warmer temperatures, you might be more used to tile roofs. We don’t see many tile roofs in this region, so we’re going to focus this article on the two main roof materials used here.

Shingles are likely the first material that comes to mind when you think about what a run-of-the-mill roof looks like. Gone are the days of metal roofs exclusively being…

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2021 Kitchen Design Trends

Who doesn’t love a gorgeous kitchen? It is once again time to review some of our favorite kitchen designs! From outstanding backsplash designs to simple hardware swaps, the heart of the home tells a story the moment you enter it. 

In 2021, design trends shifted ever-so-slightly away from the much-loved “farmhouse” look. If you recently embraced shiplap, metals, and wood tones, don’t fret. There are simple ways to keep your kitchen looking fresh and on-trend in 2021.

As you consider new changes to your kitchen space, decide if you want the design to whisper, talk or yell! This helps you decide how bold to go with each design element. Read more to check out our 2021 kitchen design trends and gather up new ideas for reimagining your current space! 

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Charter One Realty Best Real Estate Company

We want to thank the community for once again naming Charter One Realty as the area's "Best Real Estate Company" in the recent Lowcountry's Best Contest. This recognition would not be possible without your support. Thank you to our clients, family, and friends for your continued loyalty. 

The agents at Charter One Realty are proud to call the Lowcountry home. Our Charter One Realty Agents live in the Lowcountry, raise their families here, work in our communities, and give back to those in need right here. Why is this important? We are proud to call our communities home and are dedicated to making the Lowcountry the very best that it can be.

Our dedication to the community and our clients has led us to be the #1 brokerage in the Lowcountry,…

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Best Playgrounds in the Lowcountry

When it is time to take the kids out for an adventure, do you visit all the wonderful playgrounds in and around Bluffton? Slides, swings, and play structures of all sizes are inviting for kids of all ages and can provide hours of entertainment. 

The best playgrounds in the Lowcountry are safe and, equally important, have lots of lovely neighbors ready to welcome you and your children for some playtime.

As more and more families move to Bluffton and the surrounding areas, we’re seeing more parks and playgrounds being developed for our children. We’ve created a list of our favorite playgrounds in town! 

With most playgrounds near or in a local park, anything is possible for your energetic kids! 

Kids will be making neighborhood friends and…

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Is the Number of Homes for Sale Finally Growing?

An important metric in today’s residential real estate market is the number of homes available for sale. The shortage of available housing inventory is the major reason for the double-digit price appreciation we’ve seen in each of the last two years. It’s the reason many would-be purchasers are frustrated with the bidding wars over the homes that are available. However, signs of relief are finally appearing.

According to data from realtor.com, active listings have increased over the last four months. They define active listings as:

“The active listing count tracks the number of for sale properties on the market, excluding pending listings where a pending status is available. This is a snapshot measure of how many active listings can…

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5 Tips for Making Your Best Offer

In today’s sellers’ market, standing out as a buyer is critical. Multi-offer scenarios and bidding wars are the norm due to the low supply of houses for sale and high buyer demand. If you’re buying this fall, you’ll want every advantage, especially when you’ve found the home of your dreams.

Below are five things to keep in mind when it’s time to make an offer.

1. Know Your Budget

Knowing your budget and what you can afford is critical to your success as a homebuyer. The best way to understand your numbers is to work with a lender so you can get pre-approved for a loan. As Freddie Mac puts it:

“This pre-approval allows you to look for a home with greater confidence and demonstrates to the seller that you are a serious buyer.”

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Why It’s Still Safe To Sell Your Home

If you’re on the fence about whether or not you want to sell your house this year, there’s good news. Real estate professionals are highly experienced in how to sell houses safely during the pandemic. Over the last year, agents have adopted new technologies and safety measures designed to keep you safe. And experts say these practices are here to stay. As Bob Goldberg, CEO of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), puts it:

“The pandemic has confirmed to all of us in the industry that technology will continue to transform real estate.”

Below is a closer look at some of the new tools real estate professionals are using to better serve sellers.

New and Existing Technology Are Impacting the Process

In the 2021 Realtor…

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The Truth About Today's Buyer Demand

When it comes to the latest news in real estate, there are a lot of sensational headlines in the media. In times like this, when it can be hard to know what to believe, put your trust in the experts. Those of us in the housing market respect that buying or selling a home is a major life decision, and we offer advice based on what the data shows.

Despite what you may have read, the housing market is still undeniably strong. Here’s a look at what leading experts have to say about buyer demand today and how it continues to shape the industry:

Michael Lane, President at ShowingTime:

“In general, there are definite signs of cooling demand. However, buyer traffic is still at historically high levels compared to pre-pandemic showings.”

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Signature Sales August 2021 - 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.  

Charter One Realty listed, marketed, and/or negotiated the sale of the

following $1 Million Plus properties in August 2021.

Street Address  |  Community  |  Sale Price

 101 Headwaters Road | Palmetto Bluff | $7,500,000*  

  67 Baynard Park Road | Sea Pines | $4,250,000  

  611 Old…

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