General

Del Webb – Cane Bay Residents Ecstatic as New Publix Opens  in Summerville SC

What was it my mother always said to me when I was growing impatient “ Good things come to those who wait!”

Well the residents in the expanding communities of Cane Bay Plantation and Del Webb Charleston are ecstatic. How do I know? Because the new Publix Store Manager Mike Blackstone confirmed for me the #1 reaction from the hundreds of new shoppers as “Extreme Excitement!“  Standing greeting new customers at the door for 15 hours he should know ! The  #1 reaction was: “We are so excited that the new Publix is open!”

CEO for Publix , Mr. Ed Crenshaw , also visited and met with all store employees to discuss  ...

Fall has arrived in Charleston SC …. Yes, I know I am late!  The first official day of Fall was September 21, 2010….But with the temperature reaching 94degrees F in Charleston SC on that date I just couldn’t get into the Autumn mindset.

Well, we have received our weather reprieve - the temperature and humidity levels have dropped, Summer is winding down and FALL is in the air… I love this time of year – I find a renewed strength to get things done and one of my favorite things to do is to visit the Farmers Market – they are so colorful – vibrant -  offering pickles to pumpkins with lots of other stuff in between.

I thought a list of some of Charleston’s area markets might be of interest...

Charleston SC Foreclosure Properties – A Buying Guide

So you are considering buying a Charleston foreclosure property ? These distressed properties are increasingly available in the Charleston Tri-County area and can represent a terrific opportunity to purchase a home with instant equity. However these transactions are more complex than a typical residential resale purchase and you must do your due diligence if you are to avoid buying the proverbial “ Pig in a Poke” … Believe me I do not jest…

So first we need to define and categorize Foreclosures as this nomenclature is used broadly and you need to understand the differences.  

Foreclosed Auction Homes – Homes offered for sale at the ...

WOW! Least expensive unit at The Retreat ! ….Gated, Private, Beautiful and just 5 minutes from the ocean (Folly Beach)  and 10 minutes to downtown Charleston & MUSC   **** ALL UNITS ARE not identical *****  This 3rd Floor unit is  not a Short Sale   ***** but it is surrounded by grand oaks !  Located in desirable Bldg. # 800,   the 2bdr/2ba  St. Martin Plan allows you to enjoy your coffee in a totally natural setting! Your Patio / Porch setting is Exceptional – You really need to see it to understand the privacy & value ……  Did I mention the gated security or the elevator for easy access?    ~   Once inside features include lovely hardwood flooring in foyer/kitchen/living area, 42” upgr...

Charleston SC Prepares for Spoleto Festival USA 2010

A truly unique aspect of living in downtown Charleston SC is the proximity to the very best cultural experiences the Low Country has to offer. And the pinnacle of cultural experiences is set to begin May 28th and run through June 13th – namely the Spoleto Festival. Hailed as “One of the Best Arts Festivals in the Country” by The Washington Post; Spoleto Festival USA arrives to delight the senses and kick off summer in Charleston. Average temperatures during the day will reach 85 degrees F but inside venues will be air conditioned so plan accordingly.

Ticket Information

You can purchase tickets anyway you choose:

Online: Please vis...

With a possible 4000+ new Boeing jobs in our future the Charleston Tri-County area is on the radar for many folks locally, nationally and internationally. Some of the positions I have found online include: line assemblers, quality control techs, Catia 5 technical designers and engineers with varying backgrounds, to name just a few. In some instances the jobs are contractual in nature while others are permanent. But what was unclear to me was how I should direct a job seeker who wishes to learn more about the job descriptions – application process – timeframes etc.   

My recent Blog Post on the new Wind Turbine parts manufacturer, IMO Group (German Alternative Energy Company) generated qu...

Summerville SC - Wind Turbine Parts Manufacturer to Bring 190 New Jobs to Area

 The year 2009 ended on a positive note for the economic future   of the Charleston SC Tricounty area. Boeing formally announced their expansion plans for the Dreamliner Final Assembly Plant with an anticipated 3800+ new jobs and the Clemson University Restoration University announced the Charleston Naval Complex, North Charleston as the site of their 98 million dollar Wind Turbine Test Facility…

 So, on paper very promising …but like most consumers my confidence is raised immeasurably by seeing tangible progress… Well the Boeing construction is hard to miss and just yesterday March 9, 2010 the first company ...

Down Payment Assistance – First Time Home Buyers - SC Palmetto Heroes Program

Announcing Down Payment Assistance for Police Officers, Firefighters, EMS and Teachers –The 2010 Palmetto Heroes Program is offered by the State Housing Authority and provides both reduced mortgage rates and down payment assistance for qualified First Time Home Buyers who are certified in one of the professions listed above. The funds are limited and loans will be granted on a first come first served basis.

First Time Home Buyer - Tax Credit Recap

As a reminder First Time Home Buyers wishing to take advantage of the Tax Credit must have a  Purchase Agreement for a primary residence  signed no later then April...

HAFA – Homeowners, REALTORS, Servicers, Investors – Here comes the Streamlined Short Sale Program…So what do you think?

I could initiate this blog with some stats about the number of homeowners who are facing pre-foreclosure but the media at large is doing that sufficiently well enough. The numbers are growing and REALTORS in an effort to assist buyers and sellers have been attending classroom and online educational sessions in droves with the goal of increasing the % of successful short sale transactions and reducing the # of Foreclosures. One caveat before I continue –

“SHORT SELLING IS NOT THE ONLY PRE-FORECLOSURE OPTION FOR HOMEOWNERS”

In fact with the institution of the HAFA ( Ho...

This time of the year finds many real estate practitioners fine tuning their 2010 business plan and unlike last year there is a decidedly optimistic Buzz in the air.  Perhaps I am looking through Charleston SC Rose Colored Glasses?

True the 4th quarter is not closed but the purchase trend for the final quarter is undeniably positive due in strong measure to the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit ( Extended & Expanded) and exceptional mortgage rates.  Looking forward to 2010 the Tax Credit has been expanded to include Current Home Owners which will support the continued purchase momentum. And here in Charleston SC we have received a true Christmas Bonus with the announcement of the Boeing E...

New Home Buyer Tax Credit - Impact on Current Home Owners and Members of the Military

Although there was a plethora of speculation regarding the Tax Credit extension most everyone was simply waiting for the timing of the announcement ! Hard to argue with the impact of the Tax Credit ( at least on the surface) and for the local perspective lets take a look at the numbers for the Charleston SC area.

CHARLESTON SC REALTORS  ECSTATIC OVER BOEING ANNOUNCEMENT

The real estate industry is cyclical - not to be confused with seasonal - which we are accustomed to planning for each year. Here in the Charleston SC area we remain in a strong Buyers Market; you would have to have been living underground for the past 2 years not to have noticed the real estate market shift from seller to buyer - the price decline and the overall reduction in # of transactions.

 A quick recap of some of the broader local numbers reveals the following (all figures extracted from the CTAR MLS database)

HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT - EXTENDED AND EXPANDED!

*President Obama is anticipated to sign this Bill tomorrow!

 House lawmakers today passed the Bill extending the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - for Purchase Agreements signed no later then April 30, 2010 and closed no later then June 30, 2010.

The tax credit equates to up to 10% of the home's purchase price and remains capped at $8,000; however qualifying income levels have been raised to $125,000 for single tax filers and $225,000 for joint filers up from the original levels of $75,000 and $150,000 respectively.

 In addition the Bill also creates a $6,500 tax credit for homeowners who have owned their current home for a period o...

This weekend Keller Williams Realty will be holding an Open House Event in Charleston and the Greater Charleston SC area. Over 100 homes in the tri-counties of Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston will be open to the public on Saturday or Sunday from 2 - 5PM....

You can visit the entire list of participating properties online by going to   http://www.kwcharleston.com/pages/HomeTour.shtml....

For information on two homes that I am personally marketing please click on the following link: https://www.heatherlord.com/listings/index/mlsnumbers:2901950,2906042

Just look for the red & white Keller Williams Realty signs ... oh and if you are driving in the communities of Wescott Plantation or A...

Announcing - Closing Cost / Down Payment Assistance using the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

First-time homebuyers (and Realtors!) have been eagerly awaiting the official announcement from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) regarding the use of the $8K Tax Credit to assist with Down Payment and Closing Cost Fees.

Well, it has finally arrived, and it's exciting news for anyone thinking about purchasing that first home. (Click on the Graphic to read the Official Mortgagee Letter)

Basic Info on the Down Payment Assist Program

Previously, first time buyers could get the $8K credit, but only as a part of their tax return. A nice be...

Be a Smart "Condo Consumer!"

Many people in Charleston--busy professionals, singles, older folks, and so on--enjoy condominium ownership. They like being free from routine exterior maintenance and yard work, and enjoying amenities like swimming pools and tennis courts. From one bedroom flat style condos to tri-level condos on the water you can find a property to suit any lifestyle and budget.

 There are many pluses to owning a condominium, or "single family attached" home. But there are other factors you must also consider. Of course, you know there are monthly condo fees over and above your mortgage payment. But there's more to the story. So, let's take a few moments to review some o...

Introducing Walk Score to www.HeatherLord.com

I am so jazzed to let everyone know that I have added the Walk Score application to my Property Search Program.... This tool provides a  great way to determine the accessibility of local shops, restaurants, schools etc. to a specific address.

 Finding the Perfect Home - So much more than just a structure:

 When you purchase a new home - you buy so much more than a structure - you are buying into the neighborhood, the amenities, the school district, in short a lifestyle... and this new application is just another tool to help prospective homeowners find the perfect home.

It is my personal experience that home buyers want to know...

 A Painters Palette  -  Spring in Charleston SC -  Just another reason I live here!

I don't know about you but I love this time of year! The threat of frost has passed (based on typical weather patterns) the pollen, while still lingering is not the yellow plague of just a couple of weeks ago and..... humidity levels are not yet stifling.

 The first Spring I experienced in Charleston was exceptionally beautiful, the year 1992. I remember passing streams of lavender colored Wisteria and blasts of deep magenta Azalea blooms - pristine white Dogwood trees and sunshine yellow Carolina Jasmine... well you get the idea.

 During that first Spring, I found myself constantly thinking about m...

This may be redundant for many folks but my experience to date suggests that many people still don’t know about the government incentive to assist First Time Home Buyers. So, if you already have a clear understanding of how this tax credit works and who is legible to take advantage of it… skip this post and read my next one!  

How much can I claim for the tax credit?
Probably the first question on everyone’s mind… Borrower’s can claim up to $8,000 or 10% of the home’s value whichever is less.

Who is eligible for this tax credit?
First time home buyers or those who have not owned a principal residence in 3 years prior to the purchase. This applies to BOTH purchaser and purchaser...