Unless you just completed a brand new build, odds are your space could benefit from one or two affordable home upgrades. The wonderful thing about homeownership is that there really is always some way to improve your quality of life through home improvements.

From simple changes like lighting to bigger things like rearranging your furniture, there are countless ways to keep improving your home without breaking the bank. If you’re in the market to list or are planning to buy, these tips are great for staging or making your new home instantly lovable.

Since Spring is a natural time of year for cleaning, we have several ideas to inspire a whole-home refresh! Many of the affordable home upgrades on this list of inspirations can be done in an afternoon.…

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April was another strong month for home sales across most market segments. The busy spring market continues to see many multiple offer situations driving sales prices above asking price. Strong buyer demand and limited housing supply show no signs of easing soon, pointing to a continuation of this market trend through spring and into summer. 

Hilton Head & Mainland Real Estate Market Update - April 2021

For the 12- month period spanning May 2020 through April 2021, pending sales in the Hilton Head region were up 64.6 percent overall. Market-wide, inventory levels were down 74.0 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the single-family segment, where it decreased 73.7 percent. That amounts to 0.9 months supply for single-family…

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Housing Inventory Oasis

Homebuyers are flooding the housing market right now to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates. Many have a sense of urgency to find a home soon since experts forecast a steady rise in both rates and home prices this year and next. As a result, buyer demand greatly outweighs the current housing supply. Here’s how the shortage of houses for sale sets yours up to be the oasis in an inventory desert.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), today’s housing inventory sits at an incredibly low 2.1-month supply, far below the 6-month mark for a neutral market. Inventory of single-family homes a year ago was already very low, and as you can see in the graph below, this year’s levels are even lower:

 

Due to these market…

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Lowcountry gardens are some of the most beautiful around the entire country. We may be biased, but between the variety of plant life, the lush background of Spanish moss-covered oaks, and the fragrant blooms of Magnolia and Gardenia, we stand by our statement.

Southern gardens

Photo: Pinterest

We’ve all but said goodbye to April showers and made way for our May flowers. We want to know: have you refreshed (or started) your Lowcountry gardens yet?

Now is a great time for a summer refresh. As time passes, gardens grow larger and the hobby is increasing in popularity. From making fresh veggie dishes to fun competition shows on Netflix, people love growing and creating with nature. 

Photo: Southern Living

With more time at home last year, many…

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Home Prices

It’s clear that consumers are concerned about how quickly home values are rising. Many people fear the speed of appreciation may lead to a crash in prices later this year. In fact, Google reports that the search for “When is the housing market going to crash?” has actually spiked 2450% over the past month.

In addition, Jim Dalrymple II of Inman News notes:

One of the most noteworthy things that came up in Inman’s conversations with agents was that every single one said they’ve had conversations with clients about whether or not the market is heading into a bubble.

 

To alleviate some of these concerns, let’s look at what several financial analysts are saying about the current residential real estate market. Within the last thirty…

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Charter One Realty's consistent investments on behalf of Buyers, Sellers, and Communities for over three decades pays 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 #1 Luxury Brokerage

Successfully Listed, Marketed, and Negotiated the Sale of the Following $1M Plus Properties in April 2021:
19 W Beach Lagoon Road | Sea Pines | $3,395,000
62 Trout Hole Road* | Palmetto Bluff | $2,710,000
32 Gull Point Road | Sea Pines | $2,150,000
14 Carnegie Street | Palmetto Bluff | $1,950,000
238…

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There’s no doubt that 2021 is the year of the seller when it comes to the housing market. If you’re a homeowner thinking of moving to better suit your changing needs, now is the perfect time to do so. Low mortgage rates are in your favor when you’re ready to purchase your dream home, and high buyer demand may give you the leverage you need to negotiate the best contract terms on the sale of your house. Here’s a look at what’s driving this sellers’ advantage and why there’s so much opportunity for homeowners who are ready to move this season.

1. Historically Low Inventory

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

Total housing inventory at the end of March amounted to 1.07 million units, up 3.9% from February’s inventory . . . Unsold…

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In today's competitive market, connecting with a lender to get pre-approved may be the game-changer that helps you secure your dream home in the Lowcountry. 

Pre-approval is important today

Some Highlights

  • Mortgage pre-approval means a lender has reviewed your finances and, based on factors like your income, debt, and credit history, determined how much you’re qualified to borrow.
  • Being pre-approved for a loan can give you clarity while planning your homebuying budget, confidence in your ability to secure a loan, and a competitive edge in a bidding war.
  • In today’s market, connecting with a lender to get pre-approved may be the game-changer that helps you secure your dream home.

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waiting to buy real estate

Many people are sitting on the fence trying to decide if now’s the time to buy a home. Some are renters who have a strong desire to become homeowners but are unsure if buying right now makes sense. Others may be homeowners who are realizing that their current home no longer fits their changing needs.

To determine if they should buy now or wait another year, they both need to ask two simple questions:

  1. Do I think home values will be higher a year from now?
  2. Do I think mortgage rates will be higher a year from now?

Let’s shed some light on the answers to these questions.

Where will home prices be a year from now?

If you average the most recent projections from the major industry forecasters, the expectation is home prices will…

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Questions about Mortgage Rates

So far this year, mortgage rates continue to hover around 3%, encouraging many hopeful homebuyers to enter the housing market. However, there’s a good chance rates will increase later this year and going into 2022, ultimately making it more expensive to borrow money for a home loan. Here’s a look at what several experts have to say.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist, realtor.com:

Our long-term view for mortgage rates in 2021 is higher. As the economic outlook strengthens, thanks to progress against coronavirus and vaccines plus a dose of stimulus from the government, this pushes up expectations for economic growth . . . .

 

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors (NAR):

In 2021, I think rates will be…

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