Today I listed this great 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath townhome that was extensively renovated 2 years ago, including new siding upstairs, new roof, new windows and exterior doors, engineered hardwood floors downstairs and complete kitchen re-do including new cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.

Nestled in a group of quaint townhomes and single family homes, this home is located centrally, with very easy access to I-526, schools, restaurants and Town Center Shopping. A 15-minute drive will take you to Downtown Charleston or to the Airport, Charleston AFB and Boeing. 

Real lane access provides 3 spaces to store your vehicles or boat. A fenced backyard provides privacy and...

The Charleston Battery, our local soccer team, is playing against the Richmond Kickers this Saturday, August 28 at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island for the USL-2 league championship!

Tickets are priced from $10-$18 and can be purchased online or by calling 843-971-4625. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

We hope the Battery takes the home field advantage and gets a victory - let's go and support our local team - Go Battery!

--------------------

POST GAME NOTE: The Charleston Battery defeated the Richmond Kickers 2-1 and became the USL-2 League Champions! 

Tips for Buying Lender-Owned Properties (REOs)

by Alan Donald, Team Leader, BuyHomesInCharleston.com

Every buyer in this market wants a bargain! And while you may want to hit the jackpot by buying foreclosed properties – those homes that are offered as real estate-owned (REO), lender-owned or corporate-owned properties - it is essential to understand the differences between buying a “regular” listing and buying an REO.

Lenders are not in the business of owning real estate. Once they decide to foreclose on a home and on-sell it, they are looking for:

In addition, you should know that:

This new SHORT SALE listing is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath Duplex in The Gates @ Wescott Plantation, Summerville. It just needs a little TLC (paint, cleaning) and you could buy this home and end up paying less than rent! Dorchester II schools, easy access to Charleston International Airport and Boeing. 

Great for investor or owner-occupier with patience - short sale may take some time...

More details...

Are Lender-Owned Properties (REOs) Smart Options for Buyers?

By Alan Donald, BuyHomesInCharleston.com

It seems that one out of three properties in the Charleston Metro Area is either a SHORT SALE or an REO (*)

(*) An REO (Real Estate Owned) is a lender-owned property - a property that has already been through foreclosure and is being offered for sale directly by the lender after taking control of it. 

Normally these properties are offered at very attractive list prices, so many of those properties offer terrific buying opportunities. But, like the old saying says: "Don't judge a book by its cover", there may also be challenges associated with buying REOs. Here is a list of potential p...

Boone Hall, the historic plantation in Mount Pleasant (Charleston, SC metro) is holding its annual BOONE HALL BEACH BLAST this Saturday, from 11 am until 10:30 pm.

This fun event is packed with activities: Shag lessons, beach volleyball, a bikini contest and ongoing music concert that kicks off at noon and includes artists such as Maurice Williams, The Zodiacs, The Sugarbees, Mystic Vibrations, The Fantastic Shakers and The Tams.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. Gates open at 11 a.m. and close at 10:30 p.m.

BIG WEEKEND FOR MUSIC AND EVENTS IN CHARLESTON

Multiple events as part of Spoletto, Piccolo Spoletto and other musical events anticipate a terrific week in Charleston's art and music scene - including:

June 4 - Piccolo Beach Music Bash Block Party (Marion Square)

June 4 - Charlton Singleton Sextet (McCrady's Restaurant, Downtown Charleston)

June 4 - Satin Dolls String Quartet (Bethel Methodist Church)

June 5 - Barenaked Ladies (North Charleston Coliseum)

June 6 - Chris Daughtry (North Charleston Coliseum)

June 10 - Tony Bennett (Township Auditorium)

This home seems like a great bargain!

Custom-built, with lots of upgrades, on a great lot, relatively easy access to I-526. Would make a great home for a Boeing executive! Only $125 per square foot!

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) published this interesting article on their blog about the role that minorities will play in helping the U.S. housing market back on its feet (click link to read article):

The Color of the Housing Resurgence by Alejandro Becerra

I believe that many people underestimate the power of demographics when it comes to real estate. It is always very important to keep in mind national, regional and local population trends.

Most national builders know this and hire bilingual site agents. However, many service providers and lending institutions in the Charleston area are still ignoring it - for example - in our area there are...

Charleston’s Real Estate Market Demise. The Silver Lining.

Don’t look now but the sky is falling . . . all around you.  Massive federal usurping of private capital, falling home prices, rising unemployment, and a marked decline in our buying power and international regard have Chicken Little screaming from every television, radio, and neighbor’s fence post.  But hold on because  there is a silver lining.

Brayden Capital would like you to know that, once again, Chicken Little is dead wrong and the reports of our country’s (and Charleston’s) demise are greatly exaggerated.  Here are the positives that don’t get enough coverage:

The mortgage industry has seen a bloodle...

THERE ARE GOOD NEWS FOR THE CHARLESTON AREA

...Because of increased business at the PORT of CHARLESTON! • The State Ports Authority reported that container volume increased by 7% last month (compared with the same month last year...

…because of BOEING! • One of three locations world-wide • Estimated to bring 3,800 jobs in the next seven years • New Facility: construction is underway with an estimated 3000 workers to build the plant; slated to open mid-2011 • Already invested $1 billion in our community, expansion is an additional $750 million investment

…because of CLEMSON WIND TURBINES! • $98 million investment • Job Creation: 121 construction jobs and 25 permanent jobs now and more t...