Buying a Charleston House: You Are Always in the Driver’s Seat

This summer, the National Association of Realtors^® reported the largest number of existing home sales since February 2007— and I expect we will see similar results when this autumn’s final numbers come in. With more individuals looking to enter (or re-enter) the real estate market, buying a house in Charleston, SC can be expected to continue to be newly competitive.

That does not mean that you should adopt a defensive mindset. Even after finding what looks like a great deal on a seemingly terrific home, it’s wise to keep an eye out for unexpected developments that could make it necessary to walk away from the deal. Some of the situations that usually don’t (but still can) trigger that option:

If the Charleston area home inspection uncovers issues that you didn’t know existed, you have several options. The seller may offer to pay for needed repairs, or add a credit at closing. Depending on the extent of the problem, it’s sometimes wiser to simply take the credit and avoid complex amendments that could overcomplicate the contract. But if the seller refuses any concessions, it could be that you won’t be buying a house as quickly as hoped.

A mortgage can fall through unexpectedly. An abrupt change in employment, credit downgrade, or if the bank has trouble verifying income, an underwriter may back away from the table. Most often, financing contingencies in the paperwork will allow you to walk away from the deal.

An unexpectedly low appraisal can make buying a house financially unworkable. When a home appraises for less than the agreed-upon selling price, the bank will not finance. This means the seller will either have to lower his price, or you as the buyer will need to come up with additional cash to cover the difference. You may believe the appraisal is not a fair measure of the property’s true worth (at least to you) — but remember that should you later wish to sell, the next appraisal may not be much higher. In all cases, whenever you contemplate buying a house in Charleston, SC, I’m here to help you reach smart long-term decisions.  

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC 

Taking Active Steps Can Earn a Higher Home Appraisal

Interest rates may have been rising, but they are still invitingly low. As a consequence, some Charleston area homeowners are looking to refinance their mortgages to lock in interest rates while they can. A key element in both refinancing and home sales is, of course, the formal appraisal.

Most homeowners regard the appraisal process as a spectator activity: the appraiser comes, checks out the house, goes back to the office and writes up an appraisal. But, as with most of life’s endeavors, taking a proactive stance is more likely to garner the best results. When it comes to the appraisal, there are several factors that you do control.

First — before you even call in the appraiser — prep the house. Now is the time to address any flaws that could materially affect the valuation. Next, be sure to select an appraisal company with local ties. Appraisers who live and work outside the area are typically more likely to render a conservative valuation. Having less familiarity with the neighborhoods breeds caution. An appraiser from Charleston, SC will be aware of the local amenities and attractions which make a property more desirable.

If you have made significant improvements to the property, point them out to the appraiser. Organize evidence proving what you spent for each. If you can provide ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos, provide copies the appraiser can take with him. This is particularly important for improvements such as heating or cooling systems: they can add considerable value to an appraisal, but are difficult to see.

Don’t leave it up to your appraiser to find comparables for your property – you (or me, if I am your agent) can provide the ones that tell the story you want it told. Comps are particularly important if you can find properties that have sold without an agent — the appraiser may not have access to these. It’s not unknown for an appraiser to accidentally miss one or two that are similar to your property and well priced. Why leave it to chance?

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Readying Your Home for Charleston Virtual Tours

Virtual tours in Charleston, SC can be potent selling tools over the coming holiday season. To make the best use of those tools, it’s important to prepare your home with the special requirements of the medium in mind. How doing so differs from prepping for in-the-flesh showings is a subtle but real distinction. Some photographers use a couple of tricks:

Close One Eye

Virtual tours are assemblages of still or video shots —raw material that is all filtered through the single lens of a camera. When anyone walks through a home, they do so with both eyes open. They experience a three-dimensional impression of their surroundings.

What the “camera sees” is different — it’s why some people and places are said to be more “photogenic” than others. It’s also why you sometimes see a film director examining the next shot through a single-lens viewfinder — he’s viewing the set the way the camera will. The quickest way to start seeing what your virtual tour will convey is to simply close one eye. Strange but true, when you stand back and view each room that way, you get a two-dimensional (flat) version of what’s there.

Snap a Test Shot

After you have arranged a room to look pleasing in a one-eyed view, take an actual test shot, then view it critically. You will probably notice how the camera lens picks up and seems to magnify any flaws that were less apparent before. You’ll want to -  

·         remove excess furniture (and all clutter) to “open up” the space, expanding apparent size

·         scrub any surface or thing that appears less than Q-tip clean  

·         place tasteful accessory combinations (lamps, plants, books) of varying heights next to one another to add dimension 

The goal of virtual tours is to show a comprehensive view of the subject properties, inside and out — a view that will ignite the imaginations of potential buyers. As we enter the hectic holiday season, the importance of Charleston virtual tours can’t be overemphasized! The buyers (and they are out there!) will be busier than usual.

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Charleston Seller Financing Can Be a Powerful Inducement

November’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index shows a slight relaxation in lending standards — but as most Charleston home buyers and sellers will agree, getting a mortgage is still difficult. With mortgage availability benchmarked at 100, although it’s currently at 111 ½, compared with the 800 it stood at in 2007, today’s is still a tough environment.

That’s why Charleston seller financing is being considered by more homeowners. When a home is owned outright, seller financing can draw a higher selling price (with future interest payments as a bonus). But before making such an offer, Charleston area homeowners need to consider all of the ramifications: there is more involved than just the assumption of added risk.

Of course, ordering and examining a buyer’s credit report is the starting point. If the story it tells needs too many explanations, it’s time to walk away. Foreclosing on a seller-financed home can be more difficult than through a traditional foreclosure —particularly if the financing documents are substandard.

At first blush, seller financing might seem to simplify the whole transaction, but in fact some details usually handled by a bank must be hammered out:

·         Who will pay for the appraisal; who for the inspection?

·         Who is going to be responsible for property taxes and upkeep?

·         Will the deed be transferred to the buyer right away, or only after the home is paid off? 

Those issues point out why a “handshake deal” can’t be recommended for a Charleston sellerfinancing arrangement. Just consider the last two points: if the deed hasn’t been transferred and taxes are in arrears, whose credit is harmed?

A good attorney will draft an agreement that nails down responsibilities and penalties for a buyer default as well as a detailed payment structure. A well-drafted seller financing agreement protects both parties by preventing misunderstandings and providing an unambiguous inducement for good behavior.

Given the right buyer, clear communicating and a framework cemented by the proper paperwork, Charleston area seller financing can provide the missing element that makes a sale possible.

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

A Charleston First-Time Home Buyer Can Sidestep Mistakes

When a Charleston first-time home buyer begins hunting for the prize that has to serve both as a satisfactory home base and a solid investment, most feel a mixture of excitement (a home is a landmark achievement!) and maybe just a touch of apprehension. Like any expense you’ve never encountered before, it’s appropriate to take extra care the first time out — and to pay attention to what experience teaches.

Along those lines, here are some mistakes that are easy for a first-time home buyer to make. Fortunately, they’re also easy to sidestep:

1. Waiting for a better rate

Adjustable rates may well be about as low as they’re going to get right now – and some signs point to an increase in the coming months. For a Charleston first-time home owner who will be taking out a loan, if the property is right, hesitating to make a commitment based on a loan rate gamble is seldom a good idea.

2. Thinking short term

Consider thinking of a home as a lifetime investment. Even for those who are single or newly-wedded, it’s possible that being open to a house with extra rooms could end up saving considerably on moving, transaction and agent fees, taxes, etc. It’s equally important to look at neighborhoods and how they are changing and developing. If you do resell your home, location can make a big difference in how.

3. Underestimating hidden costs

The monthly mortgage payment isn’t the ultimate bottom line. When a first-time home buyer comes across a property that fills (or exceeds) everything he or she has been looking for, if the mortgage payment looks to be right, it’s easy to overlook other homeowner expenses. Experienced buyers make hardheaded estimates of maintenance fees and property taxes — they will be every bit as consequential as the mortgage bill.

For a first-time home buyer in Charleston, SC, when thoughtful perspective goes into your final decision, it’s that much more likely to be a decision that pays off in the long run. If you are preparing to buy this fall, I’ll be standing by to help get you started!

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Marijuana Grow-Op Damage Uncovered by Keen Inspection

This could be any new Charleston homeowner’s worst nightmare: shortly after closing on their new house, a family in Canada discovers over $100,000 in hidden damages — the kind of damages that have to be fixed before the house can be deemed safe for occupancy. The cause? HGTV’s Mike Holmes made the discovery after doing a proper inspection on the property: the dream home they’d just bought had previously been used as an indoor marijuana-growing operation!

Believe it or not, it’s an increasingly familiar scenario. Last year alone, our own U.S. DEA busted more than 2500 “grow-ops.”

The damage such operations wreak on homes can be staggering. Increased humidity leads to warped wood, crumbling walls, and health-endangering black mold outbreaks. Holes are punched in walls and floors to run ducting. Electrical panels are circumvented to disguise high energy use, resulting in illicit wiring schemes that create true fire hazards.

Drug operations may be a rising current problem, but the issue is an older one: when housing modifications are hastily covered up, the next unsuspecting owner pays the price.

So, as a buyer in Charleston, SC, how do you avoid purchasing a home with the grow-op kinds of damages?

A thorough inspection is a must — but there are also some telltale signs you can be aware of yourself. You’ll want to be aware of mold, especially in corners of walls and ceilings. Look for patterns of screw-holes in the walls (where reflective sheeting would have been put up) or on the ceiling (where grow-lights would be hung). Ventilation is a huge issue for growers, so look for patched-up holes in walls and ceilings, modifications to fireplaces, and unusual numbers of roof vents.

Outside the house, your own inspection should include signs of electrical meter tampering or clumsy outside wiring. And look for evidence of hasty masonry patches (especially in the garage).

Fortunately, any of our reputable Charleston inspection companies should be able to spot more obscure signs. If you will be buying this fall or winter, I’ll be able to recommend some of the best. The first step, however, is to start your search!

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Selling Your Charleston Area Home This Winter Can Yield Advantages

When you step outside and feel a crisp chill in the air, you know it: winter is on the way. If events have so ordered themselves that you find yourself selling yourhome in Charleston, SC during the winter months, you’re probably aware that it is not the preferred real estate season. Prospects are less likely to be out and about touring properties when the weather can interfere; the holidays take huge chunks out of everybody’s schedule (not to mention the havoc wreaked on family budgets) — plus, the aura of optimism that arrives at springtime won’t arrive until far in the future…

Nonetheless, selling your Charleston area home during the winter months is eminently doable! In fact, because fewer offerings will be competing for the quite determined corps of would-be homebuyers, selling your home during the winter months can actually yield an outstanding result. Veteran sellers know how to maximize that prospect:

1. Advertise with spring or summer photos

Showing what your house looks like when the weather’s prettiest will be warmly received. Don’t rely on prospective homebuyers’ imaginations to do it as well.

2. Make your home cozy 

Selling your home in Charleston, SC during the cooler months is actually an opportunity to show it at its “homiest.” Light the fireplace; turn on all the lamps; bake those chocolate chip cookies (or light scented candles — cinnamon is a holiday favorite).

3. Fine-tune the thermostat

People are turned off when a home feels chilly — just as they appreciate stepping into a warm and cozy listing (especially if they were just touring a vacant home).

4. Set a reasonable asking price

If you are going to be selling your home in Charleston, SC during the approaching holiday season, it’s not the best time to “test the market.” Selling in a timely manner requires pricing the property accurately. You want to motivate the serious buyers to take a break from holiday obligations to turn out to view your house. 

If you’ve been contemplating the idea of selling your home in Charleston, SC, know that there will be winter buyers out there. Call me today — let’s find them!

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Upgrades That Can Actually Lower Charleston, SC Home Values

Renovations and upgrades will increase anybody’s Charleston, SC home values, right?

Maybe…but not so fast! Believe it or not, some projects can actually diminish a Charleston property’s home values. In other words, you could potentially lose more than the cost of the project: you could lower your home’s ultimate resale value as well!

One of the most common examples is the overly ambitious landscaping project. Who doesn’t love a well-tailored garden or a perfectly maintained backyard? Yet, as HGTV’s Sabrina Soto, host of “The High/Low Project” points out, overdoing it can be counterproductive. To some potential buyers, too much landscaping could equal increased maintenance (meaning more work and expense). When the balance isn’t right, turned-off prospective buyers can bring lower offers. When it comes to landscaping, the idea is to keep up with the Joneses, not outdo them.

Another potential trouble spot comes when a remodeling effort goes into converting a spare bedroom. Especially because local property records can record a home’s structural description over the course of the years, a change in the number of bedrooms from four to three can mean home values headed in the wrong direction. It’s also the kind of change that can give rise to skeptical queries in prospective buyers’ minds — running the gamut from “why exactly did they convert the bedroom into another room?”” to “what else have they changed that we’d better know about?”

Any creative, off-the-beaten-path design upgrades can create more problems than solutions. You might think that a potential buyer would look at what they view as an unsuitable paint color and think, “Well, that’s just a few hours of work.” But few buyers want to spend their free time painting…especially when it’s on top of custom textures. Soto says that textured walls are difficult to sand and downright nasty to remove. Home values are usually better served by skipping the fancy textures and sticking to neutral colors.

Home values in Charleston, SC have been on the rise, so before making any moves that could wind up being counter-productive, if you are preparing to sell this autumn, why not call me for an up-to-date market assessment?

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC 

Beating Cash Offers for Your Charleston Dream Home

Conventional wisdom dictates that home sellers prefer cash offers. So what is a typical would-be buyer in Charleston, SC to do when the competition comes forward with an all-cash offer? Cash offers may come from any of a variety of deep-pocketed parties: institutional investors, foreign investors, wealthy families or individual investors.

Beyond doing basic due diligence — gathering as much intel as you can about the property and the seller’s needs — if you’ve found the perfect home and are convinced it is the best property for your family, consider one or more of these tactics:

Bidding over asking — even by as little as 2% or 3% — can sometimes win the day, according to Noah Rosenblatt, founder of Urban Digs, a real estate analytics company. Cash buyers typically factor in opportunity costs, making it less likely that they will go beyond a certain price threshold. No one wants to pay more for a property than necessary, but going “over asking” may be the only way to secure an ideal property when cash offers are competing.

Removing any contingencies from your offer will help strengthen your position and may well convince a Charleston seller that you are the party most likely to close successfully. The downside is that you will be assuming whatever risk had been the subject of the contingency in the first place. For example, if you were to submit an offer less any inspection contingencies, you might have to pay more than budgeted down the road if undiscovered repairs crop up.

The seller’s goal is maximize net return, so any term you add that puts more money in the seller’s pocket can sway the decision in your favor. Creative thinking pays. You might offer to pay the seller’s closing costs, cover your own Home Warranty policy, or any other add-on that has the desired effect.

While cash may be king in most cases, there are ways to compete with cash offers in Charleston, SC. If you are looking for an agent with constructive solutions to help you find and secure the right property, why not call me today to take advantage of this autumn’s inventory?

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Homeowners Recognize Commercial Real Estate Differences

By virtue of their purchasing experience, homeowners have necessarily become familiar with the basics of real estate. A Charleston homeowner may not consider her- or himself an expert in the matter, but history does allow them all to share a degree of confidence in real estate markets and the factors that are important when it’s time to make a buy or sell decision.

Real estate is real estate, after all — whether it’s here in Charleston, SC or anywhere else, right? Not exactly. Commercial real estate is a horse of a different feather!

If you are thinking about buying commercially for the first time, understanding not only that there are differences from the residential market, but how those influence the other buyers and sellers (they make up the ‘market,’ after all) will be good preparation when the time arrives to put together a solid offer.

From a purely ease-of process perspective, buying a piece of commercial real estate in Charleston, SC is substantially more involved than buying a typical residential property. Though not always so, there are more opportunities for extra complications: lien and title issues, rules about hazardous materials, and zoning considerations are just some.

The language used in real estate documents for commercial properties can be complicated and obscure, so of course it’s especially useful to coordinate with an experienced Charleston commercial real estate agent.

Due to lending costs, a commercial property that is the same size as a residential one will usually be more expensive. You can still buy residential homes in the 3.5% range via an FHA loan, but banks are often (rightfully!) stringent about lending on commercial real estate purchases. Expect stricter qualifications and more money down. That’s due to the risk of doing business: the potential to make money with a commercial property is greater than with a residential property — but the risks associated with owning it are also higher. Needless to say, it’s valuable to keep those risks in mind when evaluating any commercial real estate purchase.

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Not Every Charleston, SC Real Estate Agent is Created Equal!

When we buy or sell ahome, the rest of our day-to-day activities tend to get less attention. When an offer comes in (or doesn’t) — or when we have to wait on pins and needles to hear if the home of our dreams will be ours — the rest of what’s going on takes a back seat. That is because buying and selling real estate involves not only significant sums of money, but also crucial and emotional decisions about the center of our family’s activities.

At such a life-changing crossroad, most Charleston, SC people decide that it’s a good idea to work with a Charleston, SC professional real estate agent. But since not all real estate agents are equally well equipped to provide the same quality of support, the questions is, how to choose?

I agree with the consensus that the following are potential red flags:

1. Non-communicative

Your Charleston area real estate agent is working for you: you should be their priority. A real estate agent who is not communicative is either not invested in working hard for you, or is not organizing his or her real estate processes effectively. Everyone is slow to return a phone call once. Twice is a red flag!

2. Too Much Pressure

A real estate professional’s job is to offer guidance and provide resources that would be hard to get on your own — not to boss you around. The selling and buying process is ultimately about you and what you want and need, not about your agent making a fast sale. If something about a potential transaction makes you uncomfortable with your Charleston, SC real estate agent should respect that.

3. Former Disciplinary Problems

Every real estate agents in Charleston must be licensed. State agencies record complaints and disciplinary actions. Before you start working with an agent, check that no disciplinary actions have been filed against her or him.

With so much on the line, the importance of working with a top-tier Charleston area real estate agent is unquestionable. If you are ready to start interviewing agents, I welcome the opportunity to put my resources to work for you!

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Purchasing a Bargain Charleston Area Home at Auction

When most people picture how they will buy a Charleston, SC house, they imagine visiting properties with their real estate agent, zeroing in on a suitable home in a neighborhood they like; making an offer; purchasing the home.

But there are also less straightforward ways to go about buying a Charleston area house. One way people purchase houses today is at a Charleston, SC town auction. Homes usually go on auction because they have been foreclosed upon or have unpaid tax liens; but there are any number of possible reasons. For the buyer, a real estate auction presents an opportunity — but also hurdles to clear. 

A first possible drawback can be a real showstopper: the relative difficulty of thoroughly checking out the home’s interior. When it proves impossible to inspect inside, some research about the neighborhood, the history of sales in the area, and even visiting other open houses in the neighborhood can give some feel for what comparable neighborhood homes are like.

Too, auctions in Charleston are usually geared toward cash buyers. In many cases, companies require you to register before you may join the bidding. As with car auctions, it’s almost always necessary to come prepared with cash (in the form of certified checks). Most auctions require the entire sum to be paid immediately, while others specify a set portion or amount. In short, Charleston real estate auction buyers need to have done their homework beforehand.

There can also be vagaries in timing. For any homebuyer who needs to move in right away, an auction may not prove to be a feasible option. Especially with foreclosures, if the home is not vacant at the time of auction, the eviction process can turn into a lengthy court battle if the occupants are unwilling to leave.

Buying a home through a Charleston, SC auction can be a great way to nab a home at a bargain basement price, but being aware of the complicating factors is a must. There are many ways to find the perfect home – and I’m here to help guide my clients through the choices that will work best for them.

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

Charleston, SC Home Staging Works When You “Deep Six” Personality

Staging a Charleston, SC home for sale may not be rocket science — but doing it well does require a marketer’s ability to step outside yourself to picture what will most appeal to potential buyers. Our first instinct is to set up our home exactly as we like to see it, but that’s not how the professional stagers do it.

When you think of the way a model home looks, you begin to get the picture: they are always pleasantly neutral. Sort of boring, actually. Always. It must work!

Once you’ve listed your Charleston home, there are some very common home staging pitfalls to avoid. First and foremost, as much as possible, pack up your personality and stow it in with the cartons of kid stuff you’re clearing away. Simply assume that prospective buyers won’t love the piles of Oprah magazines in the living room — or the kids’ art projects in the den. 

And it’s almost always unnecessary to undertake huge renovations. Home staging is not synonymous with redecorating. Often, sweeping renovations wind up being a money-throw that’s never returned. In home staging as in most activities you undertake in selling your Charleston area home, consult with your Realtor^® partner: it’s often the case that simply lowering your asking price even part of the amount you would have spent will get the job done – and faster!

This autumn, as you do a first walkthrough to consider your Charleston area home staging approach, start by opening all curtains and blinds. The reason? Home staging is most successful when the rooms are filled with light. If potential buyers walk in the door and see a dark or dimly lit room, that’s a house that looks far less appealing – especially as we go through the Daylight Savings months. So throw the blinds open, turn all the lights on, and you’ll see what your prospects will be seeing.

Taking the prospects’ view is what home staging is all about. And when you are looking for an agent to help get you there, I’m ready to put a plan to work for you!

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

FSBO Sellers Can Find a Path to the Charleston Area Multiple Listings

If you’re planning to sell your home “For Sale By Owner” (best known as “FSBO”) in Charleston, SC this autumn, it will be vital that you give some serious thought to the MLS. “MLS” (Multiple Listing Service) is the database used and updated by real estate professionals and trade associations. It’s used to organize and publicize available listings for everyone interested in buying a house. Access to any MLS system is restricted to agents and brokers, since they are licensed, insured, and have been trained in correct use of the technically-complex system.

In today’s digital age, FSBO sellers who chose to just put up a lawn sign and advertise in Charleston, SC newspapers put themselves at a daunting disadvantage. Yet if you try to sell your house yourself as a Charleston area FSBO, there are ways you can get your property included in the Multiple Listing Service.

One way to get a listing in MLS systems is by registering on one of the FSBO websites, like ForSalebyOwner.com (which includes a “Find a Pro” tab on its home page!). Such sites usually sell several different packages, including various uses of MLS, with up-charges for things like additional photos or unlimited listing times.

When preparing your listing, you’ll want attractive, professional-quality photos; a clear, concise selling description; and accurate metrics including your address, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square feet, lot size, etc. Accuracy here is vital – lawsuits have been successfully pursued against sellers who provide inaccurate square footage or other metrics. (Stymied already? Your tax records usually contain the needed information).

 You will also need all the lawfully required disclosures – and, of course – an asking price supportable by recent and accurate comps.

In case that sounds like a lot — just to deal with the listing, much less the whole sellingprocess — you’re not alone. If you’d rather worry less about getting your home sold and focus more on finding your next one, hiring an agent is always an option. If you’re preparing to sell your home in Charleston, SC this autumn – FSBO or not – I welcome your questions anytime!

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC

Do’s and Don’ts for Planning Relocation to Charleston, SC

When companies need to move employees who are also homeowners, they have to make the transition as painless as possible (or risk losing a valued asset). UrbanBound is a Chicago-based professional relocation group who know the landscape. “Even the most hands-on HR departments in the world can have too much on their plates to give relocation the attention it needs,” they point out. Thus the $16 billion relocation industry!

If you’re contemplating a relocation to Charleston, SC any time soon, even without the services of a specialist, there’s much we can learn from the do’s and don’ts they offer. Here are some key don’ts:

Don’t Underestimate the Commute

If relocation to the Charleston Area will find you entering unfamiliar territory, don’t rely on MapQuest to tell you how long your drive to work will be. Take a serious look at public transportation, too, as you choose where you want to live in relation to your new job.

Don’t Overestimate the Raise

When you are relocating, the difference between a $30,000 and $45,000 salary (or even $70,000 and $100,000) might actually amount to a decrease in real earnings. When you’re considering cost of living differences for a relocation to or from Charleston, don’t be tempted to stop at the obvious living expenses, like housing and food. Will you be doing more holiday traveling to visit those you left behind? Will the kids wind up in private schools if available public schools aren’t up to snuff? You’re looking for all cost differences…which can go the other way, too!

Don’t Ignore Key Findings

The experts mention (politely) that not only do you have to do the research; you also have to accept the results. School quality really can vary. Even noise quality can be a factor that drives location. Best practice? Find out what people have to say about where they live, good and bad. When you plan a Charleston, SC relocation carefully, you’ll take advantage of your new opportunity while avoiding common oversights. And if relocation is in your future, I’m here to help you find the right — and practical — new place to call home.

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC 

Simple Energy Conservation Plan for Property Owners in Charleston, SC

Energy costs may not be skyrocketing as quickly as some other costs, but Charleston area property owners continue to watch incoming utility bills with a wary eye. It’s only natural: they remember sudden energy price leaps in the past.

One of the ripple effects of high energy prices is the possible impact on anyone planning a future sale of their own property in Charleston, SC. Canny prospects are likely to demand to examine past utility bills — sometimes going back for a year or two. As we encounter cooler weather, that’s why it’s doubly important to keep a lid on gas and electricity bills.

Some of these steps you can take are easy to accomplish…and all too easy to forget!

Most experts recommend setting the water heater thermostat between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, with the exact setting dependent upon your area’s microclimate, Charleston property type, and your particular household’s requirements. The goal here is to avoid sustaining temperatures above the 140-degree mark — which would be sure to add digits to this autumn’s energy bill.

 Now is the time to take an inspection walk around your property on the lookout for leaks, be they toilets, pipes or faucets. It’s easy to do a double-check, too: just keep an eye on your meter over a two-hour period when there is no water use (this idea comes from Mark LeChevallier of American Water). If you spot activity, you may need to do more active detective work.

Clogged air filters are more serious than most would think: they can burden mechanical systems — not only boosting energy costs, but eventually damaging the mechanicals behind them. Failing to replace filters causes dryers, heaters, AC units, etc., to run longer. It’s easy to picture what the impact on the monthly energy tab can be.

Being able to produce low energy bills is just one way to help prospective buyers see the wisdom of buying your Charleston area property. If you are considering selling your own property in Charleston , SC anytime in the future, now is the time to make a few changes.

Interested in selling your Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com

Interested in buying a Charleston area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com

-Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook Real Estate

Charleston, SC