My Charleston South Carolina Real Estate Blog

 Good day to all,

    I'm updating some statistical information simply as " F.Y.I." to all that's interested. I will be applying more info. day to day so please check my Blog daily to see the changes in the Charleston SC Real Estate Market. I will be covering:  current active listings, current sold listings, price range active/sold comparable and several other statistical data options.

    Below is a chart showing the most current Active Listings on the Charleston MLS, separated by their locational Areas. Your questions and comments are always welcomed and appreciated. So, submit soon and submit often! 

Good Day to all,

   I came across this small article and thought it might be a good topic for discussion on my Charleton blog, let me know what your thoughts are:

Daily Real Estate News  |  September 24, 2007

Rent-to-Own Deals: Smart Questions to Ask:

Sellers who can’t unload their properties through a conventional sale are proposing rent-to-own deals more frequently these days.

For sellers, the advantage of rent-to-own is the likelihood that the renter will eventually permanently take the property off their hands. For buyers, rent-to-own can provide the credit-challenged or cash-strapped a route to homeownership.

But for buyers and sellers, there are also many potential drawbacks. If your customers are considering a rent-to-own deal, here are some smart questions they should consider.

For Sellers:

• Who will tend to the property and pay for routine maintenance?
• Who pays for major repairs?
• What are the costs of setting up and managing an escrow account for the portion of rent allotted to the down payment?
• Will you manage the property yourself, or hire an agent?
• What if the renters change their minds? Who keeps the money in the escrow account?
• If the buyers change their minds, what will be required to put the property back on the market?

For Buyers:

• How much of the rent is going to the down payment?
• How locked in are you if change your mind? What will it cost you to get out of the deal?
• How long will it take to accumulate enough of a down payment that you are likely to qualify for a mortgage?
• What happens if you don’t qualify for a mortgage by the specified deadline? Can you continue to rent?
• Who will be responsible for routine maintenance?
• Who will pay for major repairs?
• Do you hope to strengthen your credit rating by paying rent on time? If so, will the owner report your good habits to credit bureaus?

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Joanne Cleaver (09/22/07)

Good day to all,

   This is my first post as a Blog and I hope that it comes across in the right way! I have been wondering ,lately, about what exactly is going through current Homeowners minds in relationship to the the current Real Estate market and the Housing Industry as a whole. We have continued to see house prices drop a total estimate of about 15% over the past Six months and there are no clear signs that this drop in prices will continue or change anytime soon. I'm curious as to how this affects the active homeowners out there that are either currently wanting to sell or seriously considering the idea of selling their existing property?

Are you, as a homeowner, wanting TRUE advise on the current market? Is your current agent keeping you up-to-date and following-up with new ideas and alternative ways to market your property? Have you, in the past or currently, had a problem or issue with you Real Estate agent? 

Please share with me your answers to the above questions! I want to know what YOU, as a homeowner, would like to see changed or adjusted in a Real Estate Agent!

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my posts!

Thomas Cunningham

Buyers' Choice Realty