Time-Savers for Buying a House in Charleston, SC

According to last month’s National Association of Realtors^® announcement, existing home sales are up across the U.S., at the same time that home inventories are on the rise. In Charleston, SC, it may point to a brisk fall market, with more prospective buyers deciding the time is right for buying a house.

A Quick Guide to Assessing Your Home's Foundation for Cracks - And What to Do if You Find Them

When purchasing a home, there are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account. One of those considerations is the foundation of the home. No matter how perfect or suitable a property looks, taking the time to properly inspect the property for foundation problems can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs later on.

While foundation cracks are usually present in older homes, that does not mean that newer and even new homes aren't prone to them. When choosing a property, the following tips can help homebuyers find signs of foundation problems and take the right action if any are found.

Concrete Weakness

One of the easiest ways to check for a damaged foundation is to check the concrete of the home. When the foundation is strong and safe, the concrete is not brittle and breakable. To test this, when trying to poke the foundation with a screwdriver, the foundation should be rock solid. If it isn't, then there may be a foundation issue.

Posts Should Be Sturdy

If the house has a basement, then the posts that hold up the basement and crawl space should stand firmly in place. The bottom of the post should be unmovable and the post should stand straight and tall. If the posts do not do so, then there is a problem with the foundation.

Uneven Floors

The next component of the house that should be inspected is the floors. All of the floors within the house must be solid, straight, and not slanted. If the floor is slanted or separates from the wall in any place, then the foundation is unable to support the home properly and there is a serious issue.

Exterior Cracks

The walls are also a way to examine for foundation issues. Take a tour around the outside of the home and inspect for any cracks to the exterior. Each wall on the outside of the home should be smooth, solid, and free of any cracks. However, if there is a crack, this may mean that the foundation has shifted and the home is uneven.

Windows and Doors

Next, inspect every window and door on the property. Each should be attached to the surrounding wall and they must also open and close without any difficulty. If there is a difficulty in opening and closing windows and doors, there may be a foundation problem like shifting or uneven ground that is unable to support the property.

Moist Ground Around the Property

Lastly, another sign that there is a foundation problem is if the ground around the property is moist. A strong foundation will usually be set upon ground that is completely solid. When the ground is moist, the dirt particles are porous and unable to bind together, leading to shifting, cracks, and major damage to the home.

Choosing the right home is not a difficult process and making the right assessments of the property can save thousands of dollars in future repairs. To help with assessments, foundation repairs, and to get the right information about how to deal with a cracked foundation in a potential property, then contacting a trusted and professional real estate agent is the best solution when purchasing a property.

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

Mental Yoga: A Six-Step Guide To Making Time For The Activities You Love

Everybody struggles with not having enough time. This is such a common issue that a lot of people have given up even trying to make more time for themselves.

However, there are certain methods you can use to make time for things you want to do.

Charleston, SC among the Top Property Hotspots in the World

During the course of the global economic crisis and the recessions that followed, experienced investors have been adding solid assets to their portfolios to protect their investments.
The world's most common asset is property, and in recent years, with prices plummeting to well below peak levels, it's been very much a buyer's market for quite some time.
Unsurprisingly, those who have benefitted most during these times of recession have had quite a bit to lose before things went out of order across the globe, therefore it is no wonder that the strongest recovery in global property markets has been at the top end, in prime markets such as London and New York.
Rich investors have found value in these places and they are now considered the ten hottest property investment destinations for the ultra-rich:

1.) Vail, Colorado

2.) Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3.) Kauai, Hawaii

4.) Anguilla

5.) Antigua

 6.) Patagonia, Argentina
7.) Tel Aviv in Israel

8.) One Hyde Park in London

9.) Monaco      

And of course our very own….
10.) Charleston, South Carolina.

Skipping the Charleston Real Estate Agent: Expensive Choice?

Even though nearly 9 out of 10 homeowners ultimately enlist a real estate agent to sell their properties, let’s face it: the thought of going it alone does go through many minds. And surveys confirm the primary motivation, which is, of course, saving the agent’s fee. Pocketing that cash would add that much more to the bottom line—that’s just common sense! Isn’t it…?

Charleston Rental Owners Take Advantage of Tax Benefits

As a homeowner in Charleston, you are pleasantly reminded each April 15^th that the interest portion of your mortgage payments is 100% tax deductible. When you own a Charleston, SC rental property, though, the tax implications are considerably different. You need to report rental payments you receive from your tenants as income—but you’ll also be able to write off some related expenses, as well.

When Investing in Real Estate, Stick to Your Strategy

If you have been doing groundwork with an eye toward investing in Charleston area real estate, chances are you’ve also been watching some new national movement in housing sales. Last month’s Real Trends Housing Market Report showed U.S. sales of 5,880,000 units (a 5.1% increase over June 2013 numbers): “a substantial improvement over the five prior months.” Prices also continued to rise across most of the nation, though at a slightly slower rate. It’s the consistency of the appreciation that has continued to attract investors.

Which Type of Pool Is Right for You? We Look at the Best Designs for Your Backyard

The decision to install a pool is generally one that is applauded by at least certain members of the family. Whether you have children or not, however, having a pool at home is certainly something you can enjoy for yourself. But what if you don't think your yard is particularly suited to a pool? Don't rule out the idea just yet; instead, consider some of these different pool designs to suit different sizes and styles of backyards.

Wrought Iron: A Simple, Strong, and Beautiful Addition to Any Modern Home

Wrought iron is a classic accent that has been used to beautify homes for centuries. The strong and simple elegance of wrought iron is a wonderful addition to any modern home. It can be incorporated into home design in many different ways.

The One Chance a Charleston, SC House for Sale Can Count On

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

It’s a saying that job applicants (at least the successful ones) take to heart. It’s why a lot of serious primping goes on before a blind date. It’s why movie directors spend as much time as it takes to light and prepare the first shot that will introduce their lead actress. And if you’re going to have a house for sale in Charleston, SC this summer, it’s why it’s worth it to take pains to make its first impression as strong as possible.

Listings Missteps to Avoid…Any Time of the Year!

The Charleston, SC listings aren’t dominated by any particular kind of seller—like local listings everywhere, all kinds of homeowners are represented. One attribute they generally have in common is the motivation to make their sale happen quickly. Sometimes that’s because they have settled on a new home purchase and want to avoid months of paying double duty on multiple residences. Sometimes a seller is relocating; sometimes there’s been a death or divorce.  Regardless of the reason for entering their property in the Charleston area listings, most sellers are strongly motivated to do what it takes to accomplish a sale.

Three Surprising Spots in Your Home That Might Be Aggravating Your Allergies

Environmental allergens affect the way many people live their lives and clean their homes. Allergens make their way into our houses, and can settle in some unexpected places – but knowing where these irritants can hide can help you eliminate problematic allergens from your home. If your house has you sneezing and wheezing in every room, here are three allergy-triggering places where you wouldn’t expect to find allergens in the home.

Understanding Your Credit Score and How It Impacts Your Home Ownership Prospects

Your credit score is an important part of your financial profile. It has a direct impact on your ability to take out loans. The score itself is a numerical reflection of your credit history. It gives lenders a way to discern your reliability before approving a loan like a mortgage for instance. Though this is the basic function of a credit score, it can also have a far-reaching influence over other aspects of home ownership.

Whatever You Do – Don’t Make These Common Mortgage Mistakes

Are you applying for a mortgage on your home? Keep in mind that a mortgage is a major financial decision and choosing one will have a significant impact on the rest of your life. Many people go into this decision without understanding all of the essential mortgage information they need to know, which means that they are likely to make poor choices that will result in paying much more than they need to.

If you want to save yourself from throwing away your hard earned money, here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

What’s in a Color? Six Paint Colors That Will Affect Your Mood

Believe it or not, paint colors can affect your mood. When remodeling your home, the color you use on the walls can end up being just as critical to the thematic consistency of your home as the furniture you use to decorate it. Before you slap any old color on the walls, take some time to consider what mood you'd like each room to inspire.

Downsizing in Follows an Empty Nest—or Not!

Many people assume that when the kids leave home, their newly empty nest automatically signals that downsizing into a smaller house or condo is the next step. In truth, for such families living in Charleston, SC , downsizing is a common option—one that could very well be the best choice.

Charleston Investment Properties Can Use Some Bird-Dogging!

When promising investment properties, in Charleston, SC or anywhere, are well-promoted, you can count on them drawing a crowd. Why wouldn’t they? Investment properties that perform well are like money machines: put in a quarter, get back a quarter and a nickel (and another nickel, and another, and another…). What’s not to like?

When Selling a Home in Charleston, SC, Upgrade Choices Really Matter

For owners who are contemplating some major upgrades with an eye to eventually selling a home in Charleston, SC, there’s always the question of where to do the upgrading. Last year, the National Association of Home Builders weighed in with a study of what today’s home buyer “really want”—which supplies some guidance that may be helpful.

Starting to Shop for a Mortgage? How to Assess Your 'Debt-to-Income Ratio' and Why This Number Matters

Those who are looking to buy a home may want to start by shopping for a loan first. Having financing ahead of time may make it easier to get sellers to take a buyer seriously and help move along the closing process. For those who are looking to get a mortgage, the most important factor for having a mortgage application approved is the debt-to-income ratio of the borrower.

Stop the Rot: The Easy Guide to Preventing Dry Rot in Your Home

Did you know that dry rot is ironically created from having too much moisture come in contact with wood? The fact is many homeowners are unaware that dry rot is even setting in, so the first step toward prevention is being able to diagnose possible areas of exposure before dry rot becomes a major renovation expense.

Remember that dry rot to your foundation can be an extremely costly repair and will definitely figure prominently into the total value of your property when a house inspection is completed prior to a sale. As well, fungus and mold spores can affect the air quality of your home, which is a health problem for not only you and your family but also for prospective buyers.