Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Merry Christmas to all ....


I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season.  Things are looking festive here on Daniel Island with everything decorated so beautifully.  I am looking forward to spending some time with my wonderful family and making some special memories with them.  All the best to you and yours for a great Christmas and an even better 2011!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

It's a Good Time to Sell!

I thought this was a great article on why it's a good time to sell your house, so I thought I would share.

Check it out here - 5 Reasons Why You Should Sell Your House Today - and let me know what you think!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Welcome Friends!

Welcome to my blog!  I know you've all missed getting my newsletters, but I thought that using my blog would be a more timely way to reach all of you when exciting things are happening that I'd like to share.  My hope is to use this blog to share my thoughts on real estate, Daniel Island happenings, gardening, or just anything I'd like to let everyone know about.

I am so excited to tell you all about our new website here at Daniel Island Real Estate.  It is just wonderful and has lots of new features that I think you will love.  Check it out and let me know what you think!  New Website  


Friday, June 11, 2010

Just Girls (and Chris)!


This is a photo of my girls, by Chris and Cami Photography. I recently had a photo shoot done by my favorite photographer Chris ; he does beautiful work! It was so great to have all of the girls around for a few days of relaxation and I can hardly wait for our next opprotunity to get in front of the camera with Chris and Cami Photography!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Dollar Bills_ 30% off!

Home price affordability ranges drastically in our real estate market today. however our market is adjusting and this is why affordability is often exclusively linked to allow for mortgage monthly payments, interest rates, and down payment to equal no more than 30% of the buyers monthly income.

In our market, I see these conservative practices becoming more and more prevalent. One important upside to buying in a fluctuating market is to remember that a large portion of your monthly payment is tax deductible; these tax deductions often reduce monthly payments by 15%.

J.D. Nelson, vice president of First Palmetto Mortgage, urges mortgage consumers to use credit sparingly while their mortgage applications are in review prior to closing. In the past market, lenders are eager to give money away, however, since our market has shifted, this is no longer the case. On June 1, Fannie Mae determined the lending protocol for applicants who are in the process of purchasing.

The new guidelines are aimed to increase responsible and conservative lending. Most recently, lenders have become increasingly more aware of their risk associated with changing credit profiles over closing periods. Therefore, Fannie Mae's new policy will have lenders do to two credit profile/risk assessments during the span of time between offer to purchase and closing.

Changes regarding your credit profile could have multiple consequences; for instance, significant shifts in utilized credit could "increase closing costs, and/or interest rates or a decreased loan amount. [or]....even result in a loan being denied, even after original approval had been granted."

J.D. Nelson cites credit expert Linda Ferrari, for notable ways to "preserve" your credit and decrease the likelihood of creating processing problems. Linda Ferrari, of Credit Resource Corp., offers five major tips for maintaining credit and mortgage applications.



1. Don't do anything that causes a red flag to be raised by the scoring system.
2. Don't apply for new credit of any kind.
3. Don't pay off collections or charge offs.
4. Don't max out or over charge on your credit accounts.
5. Don't consolidate your debt onto one or two credit cards

Friday, June 4, 2010

REOs, Foreclosures, and Short-sales...Oh My!

Lately, we have walked many buyers and sellers through the progression of buying and/or selling foreclosed or REO properties. In fact, the majority of the contracts that we process have some such aspect. The process often makes both buyers and sellers feel as though they are trained circus animals, required to jump through flaming hoops and balance balls on their heads; but this is not how the practice should be.

The more I work in our market with these distressed properties, the better I am able to guide my clients through the process and reassure them throughout the triumphant highs and bellowing lows that accompany these deals.

Here at Daniel Island Real Estate, we are situated with a great advantage over competing real estate companies. For us, that advantage includes closing coordinators, and a short-sale coordinator specialist; these teams diligently work for our buyers and sellers to accurately, efficiently, and smoothly see foreclosure and REO sales into fruition.

I would like to take a moment to personally thank them for their hard work. I also would like to encourage prospective clients to throw intimidation to the wind while you allow me to help guide you into your new home.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Congratulations Marquerite T. Lawson!


Congratulations Marquerite, on the purchase of your new beautiful Weekly Home! Located in Smythe Park on Daniel Island, this delightful three bedroom, three bath home is sure to be the host of many wonderful memories yet-to-come. I am thrilled that you allowed me to assist you in the purchase! I would also like to thank the wonderful closing attorneys, and staff at Weekley Homes that helped Marquerite see this to fruition.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Real Estate Update

Yesterday, charlestonbusiness.com, fostered high hopes regarding market stability in our area. As a result of the Federal First Time Home Buyer Credit, transactions in our market region increased significantly. The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors reported 784 homes sold in April, created 1,160 contracts, 351 of those were during the last week of April, and 207 contracts during the last day in April. The most important news related the median sales price, $ 181,174, to last year's median sales price, which was merely $1,000 dollars different. This revelation is a great sign of rising stability despite varying conditions.

Thanks charlestonbusiness.com for the encouraging update!
http://charlestonbusiness.com/news/34169-tax-credit-rsquo-s-expiration-prompts-rush-to-buy-homes