Posts by : Alan Donald

Spring is finally here and we could not be happier about the pleasant weather, longer days and colorful blooms that it brings! We also have Easter, Passover and Earth Day to look forward to later this month! The COVID-19 pandemic that we are in the midst of has certainly created a very different and uncertain time for us.

However, respecting the social distancing guidelines, stay at home ordinances, and closure of non-essential businesses orders does not mean we have to stop enjoying ourselves. Rather, this gives us opportunities to spend more time with family, to improve our home environments, to participate in events and activities in different ways, and even to volunteer. Many event a...

International Resources:

1. World Health Organization Video Explanation of COVID19

Federal Government Resources:

1. Center for Disease Control (CDC)
2. IRS Tax Payment Extension & More
3. Veterans Affairs
4. Social Security Administration
5. Medicare
6. Federal Student Aid: Coronavirus Student Loan Forbearance
7. SBA Economic Disaster Loan Assistance
8. FEMA Extends Deadline to Renew Flood Insurance Policies

South Carolina Government Resources:

1. DHEC Coronavirus Testing & Data by County
2. DHEC News Releases & Videos
3. SC Schools News
4. SC Office of Rural Health
5. SC Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Updates

Charleston Metro (Tri-county) Government Resources:

1. MUSC Health Coronavirus Resource P...

We Are All in This Together! 

There are many resources available to help us navigate through this very challenging and uncertain time brought upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some even provide us with opportunities to, in turn, support our local businesses and economy. Collectively, this will help us all come out better once we emerge from this. As part of our efforts to assist, we have identified and provided links to several helpful resources.  Please let us know of others to help us continue to update this list:

Business & Employment:
SC DEW Employment & Workforce COVID-19 Resource Hub - Click Here
SC Manufacturers Alliance Summary of COVID-19 Resources - Click Here
Small business reso...

Conceptual study released on the proposed Lowcountry Lowline

There's news about the Lowcountry Lowline, a linear park system proposed for the defunct rail corridor that runs along the high-ground spine of the Charleston peninsula.  This space was purchased by the City with negotiation assistance from the nonprofit Friends of the Lowcountry Lowline. There’s a new “conceptual study” but further design work awaits public input. The Friends now see a green "mobility system," parks and walking paths going not only north and south but east and west, ways to get more people out from behind the wheel of their cars. A bonus may be new ways of handling large volumes of storm water to alleviate...

March has arrived and hopefully spring will soon follow! Don't worry though because there are tons of things to keep you busy this month including the Wine & Food Festival, St. Patrick's Day parades and activities, as well as numerous shows to attend. Pick your favorite ones and let us know what you enjoyed most. Here is your March 2020 Calendar of Events:

1: Gary Gulman: Peace of Mind, Charleston Music Hall, downtown Charleston
1: The Color Purple, North Charleston Performing Arts Center (PAC), North Charleston 
1: Old Crow Medicine Show, Gaillard Center, downtown Charleston 
2: Gay Chorus Deep South Documentary, Charleston Music Hall
2: Pre-Drayton Archaeology with Sarah Stroud Clarke,...

The ups & downs of the U.S. residential real estate market, like any other market, is determined by supply and demand. This means we need to look at how many potential purchasers are in the market versus the number of houses that are available to buy.

With early 2020 housing data now rolling in, it’s quite evident there are two big stories impacting this year’s residential real estate market:

1. Buyer demand is already extremely strong
2. Housing supply is at a historically low level

Demand

ShowingTime is a firm that compiles data from property showings scheduled across the country. The latest ShowingTime Showing Index reveals how showings have increased in each of the country’s four r...

Quick Market Update: Charleston County

The single family detached (SFD) home market for Charleston County showed a reduction in inventory and an increase in sales and median sales price. 

What does this mean for buyers and sellers moving forward?

1. Sellers: This is a GREAT TIME to sell your home! Take advantage of reduced competition and strong demand. Call us today to get started!

2. Buyers: Unfortunately this trend signals a tougher environment you will have to compete in. So hire an experienced Buyer's Agent who can provide the right advice to WIN competitive bids. Fortunately, mortgage interest rates are still super-low, so homes are still affordable, despite the rise in home pri...

Analysis of residential properties going under contract (contingent) during week of 1/31/20-2/6/20

• 408 residential properties under contract past wk. Wow!
  
  
• 336 single family homes went under contract in the past week. Median LIST price $299k,$161/sqft. 2 under $100k. 22 over $1M, 3 of
  those over $2M. Median C Days on Market-27. Median Year Built-2000
  
  
• 7(2%) of 336 single family homes that went under contract this past week were BANK OWNED FORECLOSURES or SHORT SALES. Another 10% were NEW CONSTRUCTION.
  
  Search for NEW, Single Family Homes

• 55 island single family homes under contract past week:
  • 9 Daniel Island single family homes went under contract this past week, LISTED from $62...

When the number of buyers in the housing market outnumbers the number of homes for sale, it’s called a “seller’s market.” The advantage tips toward the seller as low inventory heats up the competition among those searching for a place to call their own. This can create multiple offer scenarios and bidding wars, making it tough for buyers to land their dream homes – unless they stand out from the crowd. Here are three reasons why pre-approval should be your first step in the home buying process.

1. Gain a Competitive Advantage
Low inventory, like we have today, means homebuyers need every advantage they can get to make a strong impression and close the deal. One of the best ways to get one...

Local Band Wins Grammy for Best Regional Album in American Roots

Charleston band Ranky Tanky formed in 2016, released its first album in 2017, first performed on TV in March 2019 on the Today show and just won a Grammy under the category of Best Regional Roots Music Album for their album called "Good Time". This is the first Gullah album to receive a Grammy nomination and win. Ranky Tanky is a Gullah term loosely translated to "Work It" or "Get Funky" and describes exactly what the band embodies. The band's three College of Charleston alums consider themselves ambassadors to the Gullah culture for introducing the language, rhythm and musical practices of the Gullah culture to audiences...

February sure did come around fast and there are tons of exciting and fun activities to see and do this month, including SEWE - the Southeastern Wildlife Expo, various concerts and performances, and some more oyster roasts! Valentine's Day is on the 14th so don't forget to spread some love and maybe enjoy a cheat day from your New Year's Resolution by treating yourself to some chocolate!  2020 is also a Leap Year so there is one more day in February to make the most of it all!

Here is your February 2020 calendar of events:

1: The Second City: Laughing For All The Wrong Reasons, Charleston Music Hall, downtown Charleston
1: 3rd Annual Pup Bowl, The Oaks at Town Centre, Mount Pleasant 
1: D...

I can finally see 2020! What better way to bring in the new year - other than sticking to your resolutions - than having some fun at any number of events planned across the Charleston area. You can start with a Polar Plunge or maybe a 5K! And don't forget that Martin Luther King Jr Day is on the 20th, so go check out the parade, music and fun at Marion Square! Here is your January 2020 calendar of events: 
1: Race the Landing 5K New Year's Day Pajama Run, Charles Towne Landing
1: First Day Hike, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, Summerville
1: 7th Annual Bill Murray Look-A-Like Polar Bear Plunge, Folly Beach 
1: Dunleavy's Pub 2020 Polar Plunge, Sullivan's Island  
1: Polar Bear Plunge,...

Boone Hall Plantation Placed Under Conservation Easement 

One of Charleston's beloved tourist attractions, Boone Hall Plantation, has recently been placed under a conservation easement. In 1955, Willie McRae's father purchased the plantation for his mother, which she opened to visitors soon after they moved there when Willie was one. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that limits the use of the land, specifically in this case, the forests and farmland on the plantation. This easement consists of nearly 600 acres, including 370 acres of forestland and 1.5 miles of creek frontage. With the rapid growth in Mount Pleasant, Willie McRae said he wanted to keep it the "mysti...

So, how's the market?
This is the question that every Realtor gets every time. There are so many nuances to talk about that it is virtually impossible to condense everything into a 2-minute conversation. 

This report goes from the general to the specific:

We will look at the US economic outlook, the mortgage rates, national home prices and rental rates and home affordability, then we're going to look at the Charleston SC market sales activity, home prices, supply and demand, a few sub-markets, market trends and the prognosis for 2020.

[IMPORTANT NOTE: At the very bottom of this blog, you will see specific market reports for MLS Areas such as Daniel Island and Lower Mount Pleasant. The...

Some Highlights

Winter is a great time to list a house, since inventory is traditionally low, and most sellers are holding off until spring to put their homes on the market.

Waiting for warmer weather when more competition is on the market will only put your house up against many more choices for buyers.

Get your house ready to sell now with quick and easy fixes that make a big impact.

Call/text 843-900-0155 to set up a "pre-listing" appointment (at no charge to you!). We'll give you key advice to improve the market appeal and increase the sales price of your home. 
 

Economists Expect the Charleston Real Estate Market to Outpace National Averages Through 2025

CHARLESTON, SC—(December 11, 2019) The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) identified 10 markets expected to outperform over the next three to five years. In alphabetical order, the markets are:
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Columbus, Ohio
• Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
• Fort Collins, Colorado
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Ogden, Utah
• Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida
 

“Some markets are clearly positioned for exceptional longer term performance due to their relative housing affordability combined with solid loca...

Analysis of residential properties going under contract (contingent) during week of 11/29/19-12/5/19. Charleston, SC Metro Area

206 residential properties went under contract past week. Slower than average (Thanksgiving hangover?). 

1. 145 single family homes went under contract this past week. Median LIST price $299k,$155/sqft. 1 under $100k. 7 over $1M, 3 of
   those over $2M. Median 41 CDOM. Median Year Built 2000.
   • 1% were BANK OWNED FORECLOSURES or SHORT SALES. Another 7% were NEW CONSTRUCTION.
   • 20 island single family homes went under contract this past week.
     • 11 James Island single family homes under contract past week LISTED from $275k-$2.5M. 2 over $400k. Median
       $350k,$226/sqft...

The holiday season is finally upon us! There is something to do for everyone on your list, whether it’s taking the kids to see Santa, attending any number of performances, New Year’s Eve celebrations with your special someone, and so much more! It is the season of giving so give your loved ones a month to remember and check out as many activities and shows as you can! Here is your December 2019 calendar of events:

1: Christmas Tree Lighting, Marion Square, Downtown Charleston 
1: City of Charleston Christmas Parade, Downtown Charleston
1: Annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, Market Pavillion in Moncks Corner 
1-23: Miss South Carolina USA & Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2020, North Charl...

Academic Magnet Recognized as a Top STEM School 

Academic Magnet High School is no stranger to receiving national awards for the amazing work their staff and students do. Recently, Newsweek recognized Academic Magnet as being one of the top 5,000 STEM high schools from around the country, ranking it at number 29 overall.

It is no surprise that Academic Magnet has being recognized with an award like this due to that fact that their school offers rigorous courses in math, engineering, and computer programming.

The list of all 5,000 schools was created by Newsweek collaborating with STEM.org to rank America's best STEM high schools by looking back at qualitative as well as quantitative ...

Our real estate services fully complement the Probate Attorney's. In this 2nd of 3-episode series Probate and Elder Law Attorney Michael Sgobbo talks about remuneration for Personal Representatives and the functions that a real estate can perform for an estate that are outside of the functions for a probate attorney. 

Our team helps Personal Representatives or Executors determine the best property disposal strategies and offer a team of "allied resources" - service providers relating to real estate or complementary services that a Personal Representative may need to help perform their functions.

Whether they choose to have a quick, cash sale, and "as-is" sale or wish to clean and impr...