Charter One Realty Blog - Paige Rose

Six Easy Day Trips From Hilton Head Island

Get ready for new summer adventures! Looking to squeeze in a few more getaways before summer ends? Choose from our list of short day trips from Hilton Head and explore our gorgeous and easy-to-reach surroundings. We selected a few towns close enough to Hilton Head that ensure you can get there and back in a single day without feeling exhausted.

We love the Lowcountry and we are very grateful that so much of it can be explored by a quick car trip. What’s not to love about a road trip under three hours? Mini-road trips pack all the fun in, with none of the “are we there yet” vibes no one likes.

If you are ready to expand your summer exploration horizons without needing a flight, check out what’s going on in the greater Lowcountry area and be tucked…

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Charter One Realty Ranks as a Top Brokerage in the Nation by Three Independent Ranking Firms

The RISMedia 2021 Power Broker Report and the Swanepoel Mega 1000 announce the nation's top producing brokerages based on sales volume and transaction sides. Both reports list Charter One Realty as one of the top brokerages, placing the firm in the top 1% of all brokerages nationwide. These rankings follow the REAL Trends Five Hundred rankings, where Charter one Realty ranked in the top 500 brokerages nationwide.

The largest part of the residential real estate brokerage industry is still populated with small, localized brokerage companies, according to the National Association of Realtors' 2019 Profile of Real Estate Firms. Given the plethora of small brokerages, the bigger players included in the Mega 1000 stand out. Although the Mega 1000…

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2021 Lowcountry Summer Activities

There are so many Lowcountry summer activities for every age in and around our beautiful, unique region. From Savannah to Charleston, the Lowcountry offers naturescapes and activities unlike anywhere else in the country.

This year, the Lowcountry summer activities are back in full force and we have gathered plenty that you’ll want to check off your list. 

Events are back and plentiful! Most highlight the outdoors and the beautiful scenery of the lowcountry. Pack the car, load up the kids, and head to the nearest festival or celebration in town—we have you covered on where to go!

There is something special about summer in our area, with locals and tourists both enjoying the water and outdoor activities together in the sunshine. If you’re a local…

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Diving Deep into Today’s Biggest Buyer Concerns

Last week, Fannie Mae released their Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). Though the survey showed 77% of respondents believe it’s a “good time to sell,” it also confirms what many are sensing: an increasing number of Americans believe it’s a “bad time to buy” a home. The percentage of those surveyed saying it’s a “bad time to buy” hit 64%, up from 56% last month and 38% last July.

The latest HPSI explains:

Consumers also continued to cite high home prices as the predominant reason for their ongoing and significant divergence in sentiment toward homebuying and home-selling conditions. While all surveyed segments have expressed greater negativity toward homebuying over the last few months, renters who say they are planning to buy a home in…

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Housing Supply Is Rising. What Does That Mean for You?

An important factor in today’s market is the number of homes for sale. While inventory levels continue to sit near historic lows, there are indications we may have hit the lowest point we’ll see. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, recently said of our supply challenges:

It looks like inventory may have hit a bottom (we’ve seen this in the higher frequency data as well). Unsold inventory in May was at 2.5 months supply, up from 2.4.

To put it into perspective, the graph below shows levels of inventory rising since the beginning of the year:

We’re still not close to a balanced market, which would be a 6 months’ supply of homes for sale. However, we are seeing a slow but steady increase in homes coming up for…

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Why This Isn’t Your Typical Summer Housing Market

In real estate, it’s normal to see ebbs and flows in the market. Typically, the summer months are slower-paced than the traditionally busy spring. But this isn’t a typical summer. As the economy rebounds and life is returning to normal, the real estate market is expected to have an unusually strong summer season.

Here’s how this summer is stacking up against the norm and what it means for you.

Inventory is increasing.

According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), inventory levels have been rising since February of this year. Looking at the graph below, there’s a clear upward trend, as shown in the green bars. Currently, there’s roughly a 2.5 months’ supply of homes for sale. And while…

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4 Major Incentives To Sell This Summer

While the housing market forecast for the second half of the year remains positive, there may not be a better time to sell than right now. Here are four things to consider if you’re trying to decide if now’s the right time to make a move.

1. Your House Will Likely Sell Quickly

According to the most recent Realtors Confidence Index released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes continue to sell quickly. The report notes homes are selling in an average of just 17 days.

Average days on market is a strong indicator of buyer competition, and homes selling quickly is a great sign for sellers. It’s one of several factors that indicate buyers are motivated to do what it takes to purchase the home of their dreams.

2. Buyers Are…

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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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