Should You Buy Right Now or Wait Until Spring?

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale  
Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Today we are going to talk about whether it’s a good time to buy a home in South Carolina. We think it’s an excellent time to buy, and here are a few reasons why:

• Property values are going up again. This is good news for sellers and a helpful push to buyers that have been on the fence. What you can buy for a dollar today may cost $1.50 in a few months.
• Interest rates are primed to increase. They haven’t gone up yet, but a simple 1% increase on a $200,000 loan will increase your monthly mortgage payment by around $120
  
  

If you’re thinking about buying in the near future, this might be the time to go and start looking. In the winter months, sellers are also a little more willing to negotiate because of the decreased number of buyers.

If you have any questions, or want to start looking at homes today, give us a call or send us an email. We can’t wait to hear from you!

 

What's Happening with Columbia Real Estate?

How is the real estate market in Columbia doing? Today, we'll compare numbers from the first of this year to the same time period in 2014.

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale  
Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

How is the real estate market in Columbia doing? We looked back from the first of this year through to now. Today, we'll compare those numbers to the same time period in 2014.

Right now, there are 27,000 active properties on the market. That is down 1% from last year, which is good news. Properties are being absorbed by a quicker rate now compared to last year.

This year, the average sales price was a little over $178,000, which is up 4% from last year. That's a 4% appreciation, which is great news! Properties are going up in value.
 
This year, 10,000 homes have sold in our area. Since there are still 27,000 active homes on the market, we know that over a third of homes are selling. That places us in a slight buyer's market. We're not in a raging buyer's market, but there is more inventory available than what's moving.

Finally, the list to sales price ratio is up 0.5%. This means that sellers are 0.5% closer to getting their list price this year than last year.

As you can see, volume is up, inventory is down, and sales prices are up. This is great news! We expect this great news to continue into 2016. While the market is up 3% overall, our team is up 11% year over year.

If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Five Financial Benefits of Homeownership

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale  
Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Today, we're talking about the top five financial benefits of home ownership. Recently, Eric Belsky, the head of housing studies at Harvard, wrote a book called The Dream Lives On, and in the book he lists the top five financial benefits. We definitely believe that it's great to own your own home and have it as your oasis away from the world. It's also great as an investment tool.

First off, housing is one of the few leveraged investments available to an average person. In other words, it may be difficult for you to go into a stock brokerage and get $250,000 or $500,000 worth of stocks and finance the rest, but given the credit score and income level, you could do just that with real estate. Real estate tends to appreciate over time, giving you more and more equity.

You're paying for housing anyway. Housing is an investment you can't get away from. The only big difference is if you own the house, you're paying down the debt and creating more and more equity for yourself. If you're renting, you're creating the equity for the owner of the property.

Owning is a form of forced savings. Unfortunately, a lot of us tend to have a problem with saving. Making that monthly payment, which reduces the principle balance on the property, will grow that equity to the point where you pay off the debt completely and have 100% financial advantage of the property.

Owning is a hedge against inflation. In the past, real estate has kept up with or beat inflation. Owning is a great way to maintain your financial strength in an environment where inflation occurs.

The bottom line is that while there are many emotional reasons that compel people to buy real estate, you can't deny that there is also big financial benefit in owning your own home.

If you have any questions about today's video or about real estate in general, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

What Loan Program Is Best for You?

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale  
Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Today I have our preferred lender, Gina Bush, NMLS#119307, and she works at Midland Mortgage Corporation, NMLS# 66708 (www.midlandmortgagecorp.com). She has a lot of different loan programs that she can offer you, and that's what she's here to talk about.

There is an FHA Loan and a State Housing Loan that require low down payments and work very well for first-time home buyers. There is also down payment assistance available for those loans.

We also have conventional loans that work well for people who have stronger credit. There are also VA loans for anyone who has served in the military, and these come with fantastic benefits (no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance).

We also have a USDA rural housing loan. This is only available for homes that meet the requirements, so location is important if you wish to get one of these loans. There is no down payment and no mortgage insurance required, but there are some income requirements for this loan.

Another type of loan we have is a construction to permanent loan if you want to build your own home. If you want to buy a home that needs a little work put into it, you can qualify for a rehabilitation loan, which can actually help you pay for the cost of repairs.

As you can see, there are a lot of different loan types that are available to you. If you have any questions about which might benefit you most, please feel free to contact us or you can get into touch with Gina by clicking this link: http://www.midlandmortgagecorp.com/meet-the-team/gina-bush

Why Is it Smart to Buy a Fixer-Upper?

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale  
Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Today we want to talk about wrapping the renovation of a house around its purchase, and why we think it’s such a good idea. 

Being able to do this helps our clients out in a few ways. Often times, individuals can’t find the right home and want to buy in a neighborhood just out of their price range. One way we have been able to solve this in the past is by finding a home that’s maybe a little dated or has some deficiencies, and renovating it with the savings we will get on the purchase price. We roll it all up into one transaction, and you end up with a house that is newly remodeled and you also have some real financial advantages.

We recently had a client who paid a little over $100,000 for a home that was little more than a shack. The renovations cost us about $35,000-$40,000 and they were totally worth it. Those homeowners are now going to sell that house for $50,000 more than what they paid for it originally.

Being able to do this not only helps sellers move their properties, it allows buyers looking for live-in homes to get the one they want and helps our investors flip properties.

If this kind of strategy seems like something you’d like to try, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to help get you into the home of your dreams!

Why Are Home Inspections Crucial When Buying in Our Area?

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale  
Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Many of our buyers ask us whether they should do home inspections, and our answer is simple: absolutely! There are three basic home inspections that can be done that you should know about.

-The general home inspection: This is when a home inspector checks out the mechanical systems, appliances, outlets, the attic, and the structural components, among others, of the house in order to determine whether there are any defects or repairs that need to be addressed before going through with the sale.

- Heat and air inspection: This is where a qualified professional checks out the heating and cooling systems in the home and makes sure the system is functioning properly.
 

- Termite inspection: This is the one required by most loan programs to make sure there are no wood-destroying insects or fungi plaguing the home. They crawl under the home to ensure there is no rotting wood that might attract termites and that there are no termites present in the home.

Once these inspections are done, if any defects are discovered or anything that the seller should take care of, we will prepare a repair addendum. This addendum, presented to the seller or the seller's agent, asks that certain defects are addressed. The contract prescribes that we do this in a 10 business day period of time in order to protect your earnest money and ask for repairs to be done. If the seller refuses to do these repairs, as a buyer, you have the right to void the contract and walk away with your earnest money.

Inspections are important to do because purchasing a home is a very important investment in your life. Getting it done right, and in the right time frame, is crucial if you want the best results. If you have questions about the process, or if you would like more tips from Columbia's most helpful real estate team, give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to assist you!

Do You Need Help with Pest Control in Columbia?

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Today we have Greg Stockman of Stockman Pest Control with us to discuss the role of his business within the home buying process. 

A lot of people believe that termite inspections are the only thing that pest control companies will do, but this is not true. Greg and his team look for other kinds of wood-destroying organisms, not just termites. They even check for moisture, which can also lead to problems with wood. 

Problems with wood can come from a number of things. It could be mold, or it could be the central heating and air blowing moisture under your home, causing the wood to rot. 

If you need a termite inspection or if you're having problems with pests of any kind, please don't hesitate to contact Greg.

As always, refer to us as your #1 resource for real estate in Columbia!

Why Is a Pre-qualification So Important in Columbia?

 Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale
Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Today we're joined by Heath Goodrich of Lending Path Mortgage, and he's going to be speaking about the importance of being pre-qualified for a mortgage loan.

A lot of buyers believe that the first part of the process is to go out and search for homes, but what you should do before anything else is speak with a mortgage lender and figure out what you can afford to buy. 

When you know how much you can afford, you can narrow down your options dramatically, and this makes searching for a home much simpler.

The first step in this process is to give Heath a call at (803) 765-9399. You will speak for about five to ten minutes and apply on the phone, and then in 24 hours he can analyze your situation and find you the best loan product possible. 

Once you have this information you can begin the buying process, and as a pre-qualified buyer you have a better chance of standing out in a crowded market. Sellers will know that you are serious about buying, and they will be much more likely to pick you in a multiple offer situation.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need to buy or sell in Columbia, we would be pleased to assist you!

How Can You Enhance Your Home's Exterior?

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale

Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Hey everyone, welcome back to our blog. We talk a lot about the importance of physical appearance when it comes to selling your home. Most of the time, we are talking about the interior staging of your home, but the exterior of a home is often overlooked.

You know, there's an old saying in real estate that goes: "The outside brings them in, and the inside sells them."Having a great looking yard and positive curb appeal will get those buyers into your home this summer.

Over the years, it's very easy to keep your yard looking great. When you fertilize, de-weed, water, and cut regularly, you can make your grass look like a golf course. It's very easy to do if you're on a regular schedule, and it will be a huge benefit when it's time to sell your home. 

If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to speaking with you!

How Should You Improve Your Home Before You Sell?

Buying a Columbia Home? Search all Homes for Sale

Selling a Columbia Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Hello, and welcome back to our blog. You know, we are asked all the time by our sellers, "What home improvements will add the most resale value to my home?" Today we are going to answer that question.

Generally speaking, improvements in the kitchen and bathroom have the highest resale value. Simple things like a fresh coat of paint or new countertops can really swing a buyer's perception in your favor.

There are plenty more improvements you can make to add value to your home and help it stand out in the neighborhood. Give us a call or send us an email today and we can give you the scoop on the best improvements to make on your home to allow it to sell fast and for top dollar. 

What Makes SC Homes and Land Different?

There are many excellent homes to choose from in the Columbia area, with a variety of local real estate markets that have properties of great quality available for purchase. If you're considering buying real estate in the Columbia area, GO HERE to perform a Full Home Search, or if you're in the process of selling your home, CLICK HERE to obtain a Free Home Value Report. For any other questions you have regarding the market conditions of Columbia real estate, or your own home's value, please don't hesitate to contact me at  (803) 407-3883. 

Here at SC Homes and Land, we have a strong administrative staff and client care department. Their role is to make sure that our clients have the best home buying and selling experience possible.

When you work with SC Homes and Land, you aren't simply hiring a single agent to assist you throughout the process, you are hiring an entire team. Lance is the coach, and his agents and administrative staff are his star players. Most agents work alone, or just have one or two people helping them out. Here at SC Homes and Land, we have an entire staff dedicated to making sure everything is taken care of in your next home transaction.

We are constantly entering information into the MLS, getting feedback from showings, and promptly answering calls and emails to make sure all of our transactions are successful. Here at SC Homes and Land, we make sure your buying and selling experience is seamless and easy.

If you have any questions for us, or are thinking about buying or selling a home yourself, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to assist you!

How we helped Pam with her real estate transactions using our great communication skills

"Lance made us feel very confident in him and his company. He is a great communicator. He always took our calls and answered any questions we had, no matter how big or small they were. He sold our house within a month, and guided us through the entire building process with our new home. He’s very knowledgeable and professional, but at the same time we consider him a personal friend."

Is there a "Best Time" to Sell Your Home?

There are many excellent homes to choose from in the Columbia area, with a variety of local real estate markets that have properties of great quality available for purchase. If you're considering buying real estate in the Columbia area, GO HERE to perform a Full Home Search, or if you're in the process of selling your home, CLICK HERE to obtain a Free Home Value Report. For any other questions you have regarding the market conditions of Columbia real estate, or your own home's value, please don't hesitate to contact me at  (803) 407-3883. 

 
Hey there everyone, today I want to talk about the importance of timing. Our sellers are smart and want to take advantage of market conditions, so they often ask us, "When is the best time to put my home on the market?"
 
Our answer might surprise you, but the best time of year to sell your home is when you are ready. We are always prepared to sell your home for top dollar, and you should be too. There are times of the year (in the spring and summer) that people believe is a better time to sell than the rest of the year. While it's true the market is more active at these times, it's also more crowded. A lot of people are buying and selling in the spring, which inflates the numbers and makes it seem like the best time to sell.

In reality, sometimes you can get more for your home in the winter and fall. With reduced competition, your home stands out more, especially if it's prepared and priced correctly. Here at SC Homes and Land, we sell homes 12 months a year. If you are thinking about selling your home, or if you have any questions, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Is Your New Property Taxed Correctly?

There are many excellent homes to choose from in the Columbia area, with a variety of local real estate markets that have properties of great quality available for purchase. If you're considering buying real estate in the Columbia area, GO HERE to perform a Full Home Search, or if you're in the process of selling your home, CLICK HERE to obtain a Free Home Value Report. For any other questions you have regarding the market conditions of Columbia real estate, or your own home's value, please don't hesitate to contact me at  (803) 407-3883.

Hey everyone, today we want to talk about property taxes. We want to make sure you are aware of what they are and how they affect you.

If the property you are living in is your primary residence, you should be taxed at a 4% rate. Unfortunately, when you buy a new property, the county automatically considers it an investment property and taxes it at a 6% rate, tripling your tax exposure.

To make sure this doesn't happen to you, here's what you need to do if you have purchased a new home. Make sure when you get your tax bill at the end of the year, the box marked 4% is checked on your tax bill, stating that your home is an owner-occupied property.

If you've recently purchased a property, you need to fill out a form that states it as your primary residence and take it to the county assessor's office, where you will be required to present your license with the property's address on it. They might also want to see a utility bill for the home as well.

If you get the bill that says 6% rather than 4%, make sure you call the assessor's office immediately so you can get it changed. This is very important to keep your tax exposure where it should be.

If you have any questions for us, don't hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to help out!
 

Why 2015 is the Time to Sell Your Home

There are many excellent homes to choose from in the Columbia area, with a variety of local real estate markets that have properties of great quality available for purchase. If you're considering buying real estate in the Columbia area, GO HERE to perform a Full Home Search, or if you're in the process of selling your home, CLICK HERE to obtain a Free Home Value Report. For any other questions you have regarding the market conditions of Columbia real estate, or your own home's value, please don't hesitate to contact me at  (803) 407-3883.

We sold 150 homes in 2014, which is up by more than half of what we sold last year. People have been asking us how we did this, and it's because we associate ourselves with some of the top minds in the business. Barbara Corcoran from The Shark Tank was with us in December and was extremely happy to see how well we were doing.

Our clients have been impressed by the systems we have, and that's because they are proven to work and can be duplicated. We can be confident in selling a home because we use market research in our sales techniques. 

On top of this, the market here in Columbia showed real signs of growth, and a lot of people were satisfied with the prices they received on their homes.

In 2015, our goal is to sell more than 200 homes. We think this is within reach because interest rates have taken a dip recently, which will spur a lot of market activity in Columbia this winter. 

This tells me that now may be the time to make your move and sell your home before interest rates climb back up. With higher rates, a portion of buyers will be knocked out of your pool because they can no longer afford a higher monthly mortgage from increased interest rates. This is why right now may be a very good year to sell your home.

If you are considering selling your home in Columbia, we urge you to get into contact with our team. You just can't lose with us!