This year, Americans are moving for a variety of reasons. The health crisis has truly reshaped our lifestyles and our needs. Spending so much more time in our current homes has driven many people to reconsider what homeownership means and what they find most valuable in their living spaces.

According to the 2020 Annual National Movers Study:

For customers who cited COVID-19 as an influence on their move in 2020, the top reasons associated with COVID-19 were concerns for personal and family health and wellbeing (60%); desires to be closer to family (59%); 57% moved due to changes in employment status or work arrangement (including the ability to work remotely); and 53% desired a lifestyle change or improvement of quality of life.

 

With a…

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Coastal living room designs are a popular style choice in the Lowcountry. If the ultra-popular farmhouse trend is not your style, odds are you might be drawn to the equally simple yet cozy aesthetic that’s known as coastal.

What’s great about coastal design is that it’s an elevated departure from the nautical style that could come to mind when thinking of waterfront interiors. It’s a perfect choice for capturing the laidback lifestyle of the Lowcountry that creates the feeling of relaxation as soon as you step in the room.

Perhaps the best part about coastal design style is that it welcomes color without ever feeling bold. You can create a classic and custom look without defaulting to all-white-everything or go anywhere near nautical with the red…

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Whether you live in the Lowcountry or are visiting our unique region, spending time taking in the natural beauty is a must. There are many things to do in Beaufort, but this article highlights the very best activities for nature lovers.

The Lowcountry offers everything from delicious food to historical sites and museums. What’s amazing is that nearly everything here centers on, or includes in some way, the natural surroundings. There is always an option to spend the day outdoors to bike a new path, picnic in a different park, visit a new beach, or tee off a new golf course. 

Whatever level of adventure you want this season, many Lowcountry summer activities are guaranteed to offer relaxation and fun. Check out some places we like to visit with…

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The last year has put emphasis on the importance of one’s home. As a result, some renters are making the jump into homeownership while some homeowners are re-evaluating their current house and considering a move to one that better fits their current lifestyle. Understanding how housing affordability works and the main market factors that impact it may help those who are ready to buy a home narrow down the optimal window of time in which to make a purchase.

There are three main factors that go into determining how affordable homes are for buyers:

  1. Mortgage Rates
  2. Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Income
  3. Home Prices

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) produces a Housing Affordability Index. It takes these three factors into…

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As we enter the middle of 2021, many are wondering if we’ll see big changes in the housing market during the second half of this year. Here’s a look at what some experts have to say about key factors that will drive the industry and the economy forward in the months to come.

realtor.com:

. . . homes continue to sell quickly in what’s normally the fastest-moving time of the year. This is in contrast with 2020 when homes sold slower in the spring and fastest in September and October. While we expect fall to be competitive, this year’s seasonal pattern is likely to be more normal, with homes selling fastest from roughly now until mid-summer.

 

National Association of Realtors (NAR):

Sellers who have been hesitant to list homes as part…

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Even though it’s been hot for a few weeks, the official beginning of summer kicks off in a few days with lots of Lowcountry Memorial Day events. What’s your favorite way to mark the occasion? If you can stand the temperatures, outdoor events are a staple around the country as the BBQs and poolside parties move into high gear this weekend.

Looking for ways to celebrate around the Lowcountry community? Locals and visitors alike can enjoy the events we’ve rounded up below. Whether it’s a relaxing picnic in the park, taking in a golf tournament or running in a 5K, you are sure to find a few Lowcountry Memorial Day events to enjoy.

No matter how you decide to celebrate Memorial Day, you can’t go wrong wearing red, white, and blue!

Beaufort Memorial…

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Affiliation expands Charter One Realty’s global reach. 

Hilton Head Island, SC, May 2021 – Charter One Realty was recently awarded affiliate status in Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and its luxury marketing division, Luxury Portfolio International®.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) is a global real estate community comprised of 550 real estate companies awarded membership based on rigorous standards for service and performance. With 4,600 offices and 135,000 sales associates in 70 countries, these firms represent 1.1 million global transactions annually.

This distinction ensures that Charter One Realty clients are working with exceptional local professionals who also deliver connections to buyers and quality…

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Sellers in the Market

One of the biggest questions in real estate today is, “When will sellers return to the housing market?” An ongoing shortage of home supply has created a hyper-competitive environment for hopeful buyers, leading to the ultimate sellers’ market. However, as the economy continues to improve and more people get vaccinated, more sellers may finally be in sight.

The Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae recently noted the percentage of consumer respondents who say it’s a good time to sell a home increased from 61% to 67%. Doug Duncan, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Fannie Mae, indicates:

"Consumer positivity regarding home-selling conditions nearly matched its all-time high.” (See graph below):

 

Fannie Mae isn’t…

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Americans and Investment

Last month, in a post on the Liberty Street Economics blog, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noted that Americans believe buying a home is definitely or probably a better investment than buying stocks. Last week, a Gallup Poll reaffirmed those findings.

In an article on the current real estate market, Gallup reports:

Gallup usually finds that Americans regard real estate as the best long-term investment among several options — seeing it as superior to stocks, gold, savings accounts and bonds. This year, 41% choose real estate as the best investment, up from 35% a year ago, with stocks a distant second.

 

Here’s the breakdown:

The article goes on to say:

The 41% choosing real estate is the highest selecting any of the…

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Budget for Closing Costs

When buying a home, it’s important to have a budget and make sure you plan ahead for certain homebuying expenses. Saving for a down payment is the main cost that comes to mind for many, but budgeting for the closing costs required to get a mortgage is just as important.

What Are Closing Costs?

According to Trulia:

When you close on a home, a number of fees are due. They typically range from 2% to 5% of the total cost of the home, and can include title insurance, origination fees, underwriting fees, document preparation fees, and more.

 

For example, for someone buying a $300,000 home, they could potentially have between $6,000 and $15,000 in closing fees. If you’re in the market for a home above this price range, your closing…

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