What aren't you doing this weekend?

Azalea Park in Summerville, SC

Could there be any more activities this weekend in the Lowcountry? The answer is NO. We have 40k runners in the 3rd largest 10k run in the country going on. That's impressive that we can boast that many runners and the 3rd largest.  We have the Cajun Festival at James Island County Park. You can go to https://ccprc.com/137/Lowcountry-Cajun-Festival for more information and although I have never personally attended I hear it's pretty amazing. The last event is my favorite - Flowertown Festival. I am drawn to this out of default because I'm not a runner and I don't like spicy food.  Seriously, how many crawfish can one person eat at the Cajun festival?  They are just so much work for such a small payoff. It's like eating blue crabs - super tasty buy just too much work. Flowertown festival information can be found at https://summervilleymca.org/flowertown-festival/. If your middle name is arts and crafts, food, or people galore you need to check this festival out. Some of their bragging rights include the following:

• Over 200 jury-selected artists from throughout the country who display their work for sale

• Delicious foods from restaurants at The Taste

• Fun activities and rides for children at the Children’s Jubilee/Kids Fest

• Farmer’s Market (Saturday & Sunday ONLY)

• Free admission

• Free Parking

• Voted 2016 Top 20 Events by Southeast Tourism

If you're out and about stop by 206 W. Richardson and sign up for an opportunity to win a free Yeti Cooler. We hope to see you there.


Jason

Know anyone looking to buy, sell or invest....go to Palmettodreamhomes.com or call us at 843.696.8627

March 2017 Newsletter

March Newsletter

March is here but it felt like spring all through February.  The azalea’s are already in bloom with the camellias. Temps were in the 70’s all month. March features the Wine and Food Festival, Fashion Week, and the beginning of Flowertown Festival in Summerville.  Also, the 70th Festival of House and Gardens begins on the 16th and runs until April 22.  And don’t forget the Cooper River Bridge Run on April 1.  Here’s your March calendar of events:

1-5: 12th Annual Charleston Wine and Food Festival

3: Artwalk, 10 downtown art galleries

3: Ron White, N Chas PAC

3: Los Lonely Boys, Music Hall

4: IOP Beach Festival

8: Anne Selleck, Kiawah Turtle Point

10: Rickie Lee Jones, Gaillard

10: Nora Jones, N Chas PAC

11: Celtic Women 2017 Tour, Gaillard

11: 3rd Annual St Paddy’s Pawlooza, Wannamaker Park

11: 13th Annual St Paddy’s Day Party and Parade, Olde Village N Charleston

12: Amos Lee, N Chas PAC

12: Swan Lake Ballet, Kiawah

14-15: Cinderella Musical, N Chas PAC

14-18: Lexus Charleston Fashion Week

16: Charleston Antiques Show, Gaillard

17: Charleston St Patrick’s Day Parade

18-19: Pet Fest, Mt Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park

19: Gospel Music Series, Circular Congregational Church

25: Kiawah Cup

25: Price is Right w/Jerry Springer, N Chas PAC

25: 3 Dog Night, Music Hall

31-2: YMCA Flowertown Festival, Summerville

While 2016 was our 2nd busiest year ever for Charleston Real Estate, 2017 has really started off with a bang.  January was the busiest January we ever had.  Inventory is on the low side and demand is very high.  This could lead to prices going up even more.  Currently, we are still below the trend line back to 1991, but that may change soon if the inventory stays this low.  Fortunately, they are building lots of new construction all over the area. No one wants to leave and lots of people want to move to our great economy and lifestyle. They are finishing construction on the new I-26 exit near Jedburg for the new Volvo plant.  Volvo has started taking applications. Employees at Boeing just voted down the union and President Trump made a planned visit the next day.  The remodeling of the airport is finished and it’s fantastic.  The have a Caviar and Bananas, Golden Bear Grill, Charleston Beer Works, Harvest and Grounds and others. Top Chef finally had its season in Charleston and it was a huge success.  The culinary life is thriving here.  At this rate, we may soon be BBQ capital of the US.  I’ve never seen so many BBQ places and they are all exceptional.

What is my home worth?

TGIF.  I know you are all excited it's Friday and despite our slight cool down here in the Palmetto State and in Summerville I'm sure many of you are out and about enjoying the sunshine. Today, I thought I'd discuss home values. Home values are the one thing I encounter as a Realtor that start arguments.  Husbands and wives disagree, agents and clients disagree and sellers/buyers disagree.  Because of the opportunity for all these disagreements it's imperative you have a good agent that knows how to properly price your home based on Market Value. Recently, I saw a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) home on the market and I realized it was priced $50K over the market and I realized this by checking the comps (comparisons or other nearby similar homes that sold recently). 

So, what truly creates the value of your home? There are 5 things in particular that establish a list price and believe me when I tell you we (Realtors) don't just guess on this.  It takes time and experience to do this properly and a solid understanding of the market. You should ask your agent, before hiring, "Have you ever sold a home around here?"  Market knowledge is crucial.

5 Things that establish Value:

1. Recent Sales - these are the comps I mentioned. If you price your home too high it probabbly will not appraise and you're back to market value.  Appraisers will go back 90 days for a comp and if there aren't any they'll go back 6 months. 

2. Location-  We've all heard Location, Location, Location.

3. Condition - Buyers will immediatly compare your home to the past 5 they've seen and guess what.  If  your home is not clean, up to date, has too much stuff, not staged and the 3 of the other homes were guess where they're going?  Last year I had one house that never sold and it still haunts me and I know it's because of condition. The owners were very nice but did not want to listen to me when I told them they have too much stuff and it needed all new flooring.  I honestly believe if they would have followed my advice it would have sold.

4. Competition - This goes with the condition. Think about it - if there are 4 homes for sale on your street we're going to have to price it differently than if you are the only home listed.

5. Timing - The market will dictate price and I do not dictate the market. I read the market, I understand it and I pass that information on to you but I do not establish market value. and neither do you.

Research shows you have 15 seconds to impress a buyer or they move on without a second thought. Think about that....15 seconds from the moment they walk on your property and in your house. This means you better make a great first impression. Next time I'll talk about how to make that great first impression.

As Always, I'd love your business or your referrals.

Jason Gregg, Realtor
843.696.8627
Jason.Gregg@kw.com