Things are looking up!

Here's a look at improving numbers from the South Carolina Association of Realtors. These figures are based on August MLS data.

New Listings in South Carolina increased 5.9 percent
Pending Sales are up 6.7 percent
Inventory levels shrank 6.6 percent

Median sales price increased 6.5 percent to $164,950
Days on market down 13.6 percent to 111 days

Housing sales increased as the mortgage rates increased and encouraged buyers who were on the fence to make a decision. Rates are still at historic lows and now is a great time to buy as the market is on the upswing.

Fall Lawn Maintenance

Sunday is the first day of Fall - a very important season for your lawn health. That's right, if you prepare your lawn for going dormant this winter you'll be rewarded in the spring with a lush vibrant yard!

Mowing and watering are still important tasks to keep up in the fall. Temperatures are cooler but if you aren't receiving regular rainfall you will need to continue to water your lawn.  Mow on a higher setting to provide some extra insulation for your yard before the winter sets in.

Fall is also time to plant your spring bulbs, reseed the thin patches in your yard and go after those pesky weeds. 

Once the leaves start falling make sure to rake them up so they don't cut off your lawn's supply of sunlight and oxygen.

What lawn care tips do you employ to take care of your yard for the Fall and Winter?

Sell Your Home This Fall!

Need to sell your current home before you can buy your new Coastal Design home?  You may have picked a good time. Mortgage rates are low and home values are going up. Potential buyers are looking to be settled before the Holidays.

Here are some tips for selling during the Fall season.

1. Strong Web Appeal
Home buyers are going online to search for homes. Make sure you have plenty of photos and information available about your home. As always keep the clutter to a minimum so the potential buyer can get a good look at each room.

2. Move-In Ready
Today's buyers want the home in move-in condition. Take care of any minor improvement issues before buyers come to see your home. This includes issues with paint, flooring, and the exterior. Curb appeal is so important!

3. Lots of Light
Let the Fall light and fresh air inside! Open your blinds and windows if the weather permits. Keep the overall home temperature comfortable.

4. Create Cozy
The Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of all those cozy things that make us feel at home. Purchase a lightly scented candle, accentuate your fireplace if you have one, decorate the entryway with some potted plants.

What are you doing to sell your home this Fall?

The Closing Process

Once you’ve found your new home and construction is almost complete, it’s time to start thinking about the last step in your home buying journey – the real estate closing or settlement.

At the closing is where ownership will be transferred from the seller to the buyer.  This involves some time, patience and paperwork, but if you plan ahead you can make this a smooth process.

Talk with your Lender or Realtor about a week before closing to make sure you understand what paperwork you are responsible for bringing.  If there are costs involved such as a down payment, escrow or mortgage fees, you may need a certified check so find out the exact amount you will need to provide. 

Give yourself plenty of time! You’ll want to review the documents and make sure there are no typos or errors.  Allowing for a good block of time will help to alleviate some of the stress of that process.  Also, in case of delays, don’t arrange for your moving truck on too tight a schedule. Create some overlap so you don’t have to be out of one house the same day as you move in to another.

Remember, once you finish signing that mountain of paperwork you’ll be the owner of a brand new home!

Housing and Labor Day

As hard as it is to believe it is Labor Day weekend – the unofficial end to summer.

This Labor Day, AAA is predicting that 34.1 million Americans will hit the road and travel at least 50 miles this weekend, making it the busiest Labor Day in the last four years.

Part of the reason for this increase in travel is actually – housing.

According to the AAA study, consumer confidence is increasing as their home values increase. With the improvement in the housing market, consumers feel that their largest asset, their home, is more valuable. This increase in confidence leads to more spending and this weekend – more travel. 

This is just another piece of evidence that points to the importance of the housing market in our overall economic recovery.

Will you be traveling this Labor Day?

Rainy Day Home Maintenance

It's been a wet summer.

Don't let those rainy days get you down. There are some great home maintenance items that can be done when the weather has you trapped inside.

• Check smoke detectors and replace batteries if needed
• Clean out dryer vent
• Make an itemized list of valuables, electronics, etc in case of emergency. Take photos and get model information.
• Read through the instruction manuals on your home appliances and systems

Then relax and enjoy the sound of the rain!

What home maintenance items do you like to take care of on a rainy day?

Housing Market Improving

According to a report by the South Carolina Realtors based on July 2013 figures, sales across the state of South Carolina increased by 21%. Home prices increased by 5% to a median price of $163,063.

The number of available homes and standing inventory has dropped to a 9 month supply of single family homes and 9.5 month supply of condos. A six month supply of homes is considered normal.

As the economy improves and consumer confidence increases home sales continue to rise. This bodes well for the future of the SC economy and housing industry.