Online Charleston Virtual Tours & Video

In today’s Charleston, SC, more and more often shopping of all kinds has become a virtual affair. Instant information is at everyone’s fingertips—nowhere truer than in Charleston real estate. No sooner has today’s buyer made the decision to start looking than—boom!—the laptop/tablet/iPhone is out and Charleston, SC virtual tours are underway.

What Are The Closing Costs Of Real Estate?

You’ve found the perfect Charleston real estate and the mortgage loan with the best interest rate you can find. 

What’s next in the home buying experience?  Signing the contracts and paying the closing costs.  But what exactly are closing costs? 

What To Do When Your Real Estate Loan Is Declined

There are many reasons why a mortgage loan for your Charleston real estate could be declined.  It doesn’t have to be the end of your real estate dreams.  Here are a few things to consider if you’ve been turned down for a mortgage:

Why Is A Final Walk Through Inspection Of Your New Home So Important?

It’s almost time for the closing on the Charleston home you’re buying and you can’t wait.  You go to the property for the final walk-through inspection.  You’re so busy thinking about where the furniture is going to go and what color you’ll paint the walls, you breeze right through the house.

Investment Idea with Legs: a Charleston Area Rental Property

When any investor first begins to mull over the idea of acquiring a rental property in Charleston, SC, it’s usually in competition with an array of other investment types—each with its inherent plusses and minuses. Some of them are new ideas (new technology company stocks; new forms of commercial exchange)—but real estate is definitely not one of those. It may not be innovative, but being a landlord has always been one of the leading sources of passive income.  

Are You A First-Time Home Buyer

Most people are familiar with the new stimulus plan that helps many get tax rebates for buying a home. The incentive is centered on first-time home buyers and a lot of people automatically assume they aren't eligible because they have owned a home in the past. This incentive shouldn't be dismissed so quickly. It is worth as much as $8,000 during the calendar year of 2009 and is a great reason to consider entering or re-entering the Charleston home buying market. Yes, that's right "re-entering" the market.

Discover Why Your Homes Aren't Selling

Just when you think you've done everything you need to do to get your home ready for the market, months pass and your home doesn't sell. Consider a few factors that can effect your goal of selling your home.

DIY Or Hire It Done, Renovating Real Estate Investment Properties

Sometimes, when buying – or even thinking about buying - Charleston real estate for investment purposes, you're faced with the need to fix up the property.  The question then arises: Should I fix it up myself or hire it done?  Unfortunately, no one can give you the right answer.  However, there are a few questions that you can ask yourself to help decide the issue:

Dos And Donts Of Buying Distressed Real Estate

Distressed real estate is real estate in need of serious repairs. These properties are often called “handyman specials.” If you have the skill or the money to complete the repairs, you can often find great deals. Here are some dos and don’ts of buying distressed Charleston real estate.

·         DO Get A Home Inspection Distressed homes need repairs. Some of these repairs, like broken floor tile, are easy to see. Others, like water damage in the attic, can be easily hidden. The only way to know for sure what you're buying is to have Charleston real estate inspected by a professional home inspector.

·         DO Pay Attention To The Home’s Market Value You don’t want to buy a home and spend your hard-earned money for repairs only to find out the home is worth less than you paid for it. Have your agent complete a comparative market analysis so you know what the home is worth.

·         DO Have An Estimate For Repairs There’s no point buying a distressed home if you can't afford the cost of the home and the repairs. Get an estimate from at least three contractors before you buy. Knowing beforehand the cost of repairs will help you make the best decision.

·         DON’T Think About Potential Profit You’ve probably heard countless stories about people who bought distressed properties and sold them for outrageous profits. However, the reality is that most distressed homes are sold for a small profit or no profit.

·         DON’T Buy A Home Just Because The Price Is Low When you buy distressed homes, you have to consider more than just the asking price. Add together the cost of repairs, insurance, and what you can realistically expect to make from the sale. This will tell you if the home really is a good investment for you.

·         DON’T Buy If You Don’t Have The Money No matter how good a deal you find on distressed homes, they aren’t worth it if they will stretch your budget too far. The last thing you want to deal with is damage to your credit score and the risk of foreclosure in the event you can’t pay for the 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

Are Charleston, SC Home Prices Still Undervalued?

For the past two years national home prices have risen sharply, which might lead to the conclusion that they are overpriced. In fact, if we’re to believe the most recent report by real estate website Trulia, they are still 5% undervalued when measured against long-term fundamentals. So will this summer’s home prices in Charleston, SC be broaching unsustainable levels—or will they be reasonable?

Increasingly Important Market: International Home Buyers

International home buyers are becoming an increasingly important part of the national real estate landscape. According to the National Association of Realtors^®, home buyers from around the globe are spending billions on property in the U.S. Many of these well-heeled international home buyers don’t require financing—which means the sales are often easy to accomplish (for example, last year, 70% of houses bought by Chinese buyers closed in cash!).

But that’s not to say that marketing to out-of-country buyers is a snap. If you have a property in Charleston, SC you believe could have foreign appeal, read on. There are some specific ins and outs for marketing to international home buyers:

Since many prospective international home buyers for Charleston, SC will not be able to physically visit the properties they will be comparing, it’s doubly important to have full photographic coverage—plenty of photos and videos which they can view online. You should include photos of all major areas of the home, both the inside and the outside of the property. Particularly important are the kitchen, living room, dining room, bathrooms and bedrooms. It’s understandable why international home buyers often choose properties they feel they have seen over those which leave areas undocumented.

Selling a Charleston home to international home buyers, consider tailoring the language used in your marketing. For example, most international buyers will think in terms of square meters rather than square feet. Offering both measures makes it clearer that you are happy to court the foreign market. The fact is, the home-buying process is probably quite different in their home country, so it’s likely to require patience on your part (and your Realtor’s) to explain the home buying process and special legal requirements involved. Showing your willingness to do that is a plus. In fact, your property’s website is a great place for an FAQ section specifically for foreign home buyers!

Think about why international home buyers are shopping for property here in Charleston, SC. In some cases it may be because they recognize that Charleston residential properties represents good investment opportunities…in which case, it will be advantageous to showcase rental information prospects. Then again, sometimes the reasons for purchasing a Charleston area property are more personal. Many international buyers want to educate their children in the United States to give them the best way to learn flawless English. Pointing out the quality of our school system can be a strong selling point for these international home buyers. You should also include information about your home’s proximity to the closest airports and transportation corridors, as well as any information about local expatriate communities.

Marketing to international buyers isn’t really difficult—and just could result in a premium purchase price. If you are considering listing your home in Charleston, SC for sale this summer and believe there is a chance that it could be a good fit for international home buyers, call me today for an in-home evaluation!

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

Finding Reasons If Listing Your House Hasn’t Succeeded

Listing your house in Charleston, SC anew after it’s lingered on the market for a while can bring surprisingly quick success…with the right tactics. The truth is, if a home hasn’t sold in today’s market, there is usually an identifiable reason. Here are some tips that can reverse what happened when listing your house the first time failed to strike pay dirt:

Working Out Any Kinks in Your New Home in Charleston, SC

Imagine the first time you turn the front door key to a new Charleston home—the first time you step over the threshold of the home you now own. It’s a moment to truly savor. Whether it’s a feeling of well-being—that of a major milestone successfully accomplished—or just the sheer joy of appreciating the milestone it represents, it’s a moment you’d be remembering for a very long time.

3 Cheap, Easy Ways To Make Your Home For Sale More Inviting

Many putting up their home for sale on the Charleston market don’t have a lot of available cash to spruce it up.  While staging houses is a definite plus, it costs, as does many of the other suggested “to-dos."  Here are a few cheap, easy ways to make your home look more inviting to buyers:

3 Signs It’s Time To Lower The Price On Your Real Estate

Selling your Charleston real estate in a slow real estate market isn’t easy, but it can be done. Pricing your home right is the key to selling it within a reasonable amount of time.

4 Tips To Lower Homeowners Insurance For Your Home

With the prices for everything skyrocketing these days, every penny counts.  This includes your homeowner's insurance costs.  If you're thinking of buying a Charleston home and need homeowner's insurance, here are a few tips on getting quality insurance for a fair price:

5 Tips To Protect Yourself When Buying Newly Constructed Real Estate

Buying newly constructed real estate isn't much different from buying an "already used" home. What variances there are, however, can make all the difference between buying a diamond or a lemon.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind when buying new construction:

Multi-Generational Living Arrangements Transform Housing

Of the things Americans take for granted, one of the least questioned is the future availability of familiar housing circumstances: housing that’s ‘like where I grew up.’ For urban dwellers, that might be an apartment or condominium; for others, a single-family home—a house with a yard, or perhaps a farm or ranch house. It may be time to re-examine that whole idea.

Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in multi-generational living arrangements. We read and hear a lot about the housing situation that sees many young adults now living with their parents—but that’s not the whole story. Seniors are increasingly likely to live with their children. The latest census housing data confirms that 9% of seniors now live in a household headed by their children. If you are planning to sell your home this summer, it’s worth thinking how multi-generational living is affecting housing here in Charleston, SC.

Getting a Charleston Mortgage is a Detailed Endeavor

Buying a Charleston, SC home can’t help but be about as thrilling a purchase as you can make, whether you’re a first time buyer or an experienced homeowner. ‘Buying’ a Charleston mortgage, on the other hand…well, the experience may be slightly less exciting, but if your team has managed to secure a good one, it’s actually a comparable accomplishment.

Scams You Can Avoid When Moving to Charleston, SC

Moving to Charleston, SC (or moving to anywhere) is adventure enough without including one of the moving company scams that are all too common. It seems hard to believe that unscrupulous carriers can continue to operate, but the fact is, there are a lot of them out there. If you will be moving to Charleston area anytime soon, you don’t have to worry about any of the rip-off artists if you follow some straightforward guidelines:

1.      Check the FMCSA  

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration runs a household goods program designed to aid consumers. Their website includes a search feature that records past complaints for known companies…but be aware that only interstate movers are listed. Along with complaint information, it lists company contact details so you will know you’re dealing with the people they say they are.

2.      Check Online Reviews

A search engine search of the company can be helpful: just enter the company name plus ‘reviews’ or ‘ratings.’ You’ll often find Yelp entries, and with luck, recent experiences by customers moving to Charleston, SC.  

3.      Get A Written Estimate

You should be skeptical of any moving company that is willing to provide a quote over the phone or internet. This may not be evidence of a scam, but often means that you are dealing with a broker rather than the company itself. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation red flags any over who doesn’t offer or agree to an on-site inspection of our household goods “or gives an estimate over the phone or internet”…the too-good-to-be-true estimates, demands for large upfront deposits, or failure to hand you the “Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” pamphlet (Federal regulations require Interstate movers do so during the planning stages) are all signs of trouble ahead!

4.      Insurance Issues

Before you hand over your belongings, it is a good idea to check that you’ll be moving to Charleston area with the proper insurance. Ask the movers about their insurance policy and note the policy number. If you have any concerns, you can check with the insurance provider to confirm that they are properly covered.

5.      Use A Mover With A Physical Address

Another sign to watch out for are moving companies that don’t list a physical business address. With a brick-and-mortar base of operations, you know where to head should anything go wrong.  

Moving scams can cost a lot of money—not to mention the stress that results when unscrupulous operators have all your stuff!  If you’re planning on moving to Charleston, SC this summer, please consider me your local guide to our area. I’m here to offer professional real estate representation—as well as a ton of information about all things Charleston, SC!

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 Home in Charleston, SC is a Collection of Decisions

Selling your home in Charleston, SC: from the first inkling that you will be putting it on the market until you sign off on the paperwork, the process can be seen as a series of dozens and dozens of decisions. Many are not simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decisions, either; and many have answers that no one can ever prove was right or not.

Inexpensive Upgrades Boost Charleston Home Values Painlessly

Especially when it comes to major decisions like buying or selling your home, human nature seems to tilt toward delaying action until it’s the end result is absolutely certain. After all, nobody wants to make a life-changing move that turns out to be anything short of fantastic!

So even when you’ve outgrown your current home…or found yourself in a daily long-distance commute because work has moved…or any number of other reasons why you know you should be looking for a new house…it can be difficult to commit to such a looming decision. Adding to that is one of the most common assumptions many Charleston, SC homeowners believe: that they have to spend a boatload of money to increase their home value.

Real Estate: America’s New Favorite Long-Term Investment

For Charleston, SC real estate investors (BTW, that includes homeowners and soon-to-be homeowners of all stripes), there’s some long wished-for news: the solid reputation of real estate as an investment is back! After years of falling off, the latest Gallup poll on the economy and personal finance finds that Americans are now convinced that their best long term investment is in the housing market. Real estate won out against all other alternatives: bonds, gold, stocks, mutual funds and CDs.

Seller Financing: When Bank Loans Aren’t in the Cards…

When home prices in Charleston, SC are on the rise, one side effect is that first-time homebuyers may run into a financing obstacle. Although the stricter lending standards of the past few years have been easing somewhat, it still can be difficult for some folks (younger buyers, especially) to purchase the Charleston area home they have in their sights.

In that situation, an alternative to a traditional bank mortgage is seller financing. Many prospective buyers know little about the details that make up a seller financing agreement, and how it can–or cannot—help them secure a home.

Charleston Interest Rates: All Quiet…for the Moment

Charleston area homeowners who had been bracing themselves for sharp rises in mortgage interest rates must now be scratching their heads. As the online Mortgage News Daily put it last week, “…rates have been extraordinarily sideways, and right in line with the lowest levels in 11 months.”

Since historical averages are still significantly higher, it’s no wonder that most observers still believe the greater likelihood is for rate increases. But recent Fed happenings show a crack in their avowed determination to let that happen by tapering off purchases of mortgage-backed securities. The hemming and hawing is notable. It’s all pretty much up in the air.

The Magic Number: Does Your Credit Score Need To Be Above 800 To Apply For A Mortgage?

Over the course of a lifetime, financial development can lead to some wonderful opportunities. A person’s financial development and state of affairs is something that is particularly important when it comes to taking out a bank loan to further progress in life, and the largest loan most people will require is a mortgage for a home purchase. Since the process of getting approved for a mortgage is heavily dependent on credit history and that three-digit credit score that reflects reliability as a borrower, you should always put forth practices to keep that number healthy and growing.

Three IPhone Apps That Make Home Automation Tasks Quick And Easy

These days, efficiency and productivity are the keys to life, which is why it's no surprise that home automation is a bigger topic than ever before. As more and more people become tech savvy and get used to working with handheld devices, home automation becomes a natural fit for your smartphone or other handheld device. After all, it's a true pleasure to be able to control nearly everything in your home from just one device!

Vegetable Garden 101: Get The Kids Started On A Veggie Patch Project Today

Thinking about ways to engage your children in gardening and educational opportunities outside of the classroom? Creating your very own veggie patch with them is a great way to help them develop interest in the wonderful hobby of gardening!

Ways You Can Leverage Your Home To Reduce Your Tax Burden For Next Year

Each year around April, we can find ourselves becoming a little more tense at the thought of what is about to occur: tax time. Instead of falling into the trap of procrastinating your taxes, however, it's much more beneficial to face tax time head-on and do your research on your applicable deductions well in advance.

Your home is good for many things, but using your home to reduce your tax burden may be one benefit you haven't thought of. Here are some tax benefits that can be leveraged with your home, and some ways to lower your tax bill in 2014.

HFIAA Lightens Cost for Some People Buying a Home

 When Charleston residents hear about floods, images of homes tumbling into the sea or half-submerged along the banks of a raging river probably leap to mind. But the risk of flooding isn’t confined to those headline-grabbing catastrophes—which is why the recent passage by Congress and signing by the President of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA) will be of interest to many people thinking of buying a home.