Is Arbitration for Real Estate Always Enforceable in SC?

Wed, May 5th 2010 6:51 am by Alan Donald Real Estate

Is Arbitration for Real Estate Always Enforceable in SC?

Arbitration ProcessAttorney Clay Olson recently published a blog post analyzing a recent decision by the SC Court of Appeals in the matter of Faltaous v. Anderson Ocean Club Development, in which the "mandatory arbitration" clause was denied by the court. 

According to Olson, this means that SC courts may not enforce the mandatory arbitration as a matter of course, and it will depend on each individual case, and how specific the language to be enforced reads. 

Bottom line: Builders and real estate practitioners need to get sound legal advice on how to word arbitration clauses properly if they want them to be enforceable in SC. 

Read the whole arti...




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BARGAINS OF THE WEEK!

Sat, May 1st 2010 12:28 pm by Alan Donald Market Opportunities

BARGAINS OF THE WEEK

Bargains of the WeekMany savvy buyers are stalking their prey as the real estate market tumbles down, supply and demand driving prices to market equilibrium.

Many people have lost their homes (whether because of a job loss, or high leverage), and although this is sad and affects whole communities, it also brings opportunity to buyers who may not have been able to afford to buy a home (or their ideal home) during the heyday of the real estate boom.

Market opportunities come in many shapes: Short Sales, Foreclosure Auctions and REOs (Real Estate Owned, Lender-Owned). Savvy buyers and investors are waiting for that opportunity to buy a real bargain-priced home that they can renovate or h...




BEWARE OF REMODELING PROJECTS!

Fri, Apr 30th 2010 1:47 pm by Alan Donald Real Estate

BEWARE OF REMODELING PROJECTS!

Construction Tools & MaterialsWhen lenders toughen their standards and the housing market is challenging for sellers, many homeowners will choose to either add or remodel their existing home, instead of changing it for a new one to satisfy their needs. Many builders have chosen not to build any new "spec" homes and focus on remodeling and additions instead.

Many homeowners are unaware that of the zoning laws, building codes and neighborhood restrictions governing renovations and additions. Most projects will require permits and official inspections to satisfy federal/state/county/city regulations and neighborhood covenants and restrictions.  Failure to comply with due process may resul...




National FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM Extended (Again!)

Fri, Apr 23rd 2010 11:33 am by Alan Donald Insurance

FLOOD INSURANCE

Flooded HomeFederal funding for the National Flood Insurance Program expired back in February, and Congress has let it lapse several times this year.

Last week Congress passed (and President Obama signed) a 2-month extension for this program, which is essential to get FLOOD INSURANCE for homes.

The flood insurance program is administered by FEMA and Congress needs to appropriate funding to extend its funding. But since they have been busy with other topics (and their 2-week vacation!), Congress has let it lapse several times this year, patching up the hole with temporary extensions.

Right now, if you wish to purchase flood insurance, you will only be able to do it until May 21st.

...


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The Skinny on the Charleston Market

Thu, Apr 22nd 2010 6:32 am by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate
The Skinny on the Charleston-area residential real estate market during the first quarter of 2010.
 
March 2010: Residential Real Estate Sales Up 22%; Prices Hold Steady
Date: 4/12/2010
Preliminary data from the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® shows 691 homes sold at a median price of $185,000 in March.  This represents a 22% increase in sales and maintenance of the median price from March 2009, when 568 homes sold at a median price of $185,000.

Year-to-date, 23% more homes sold at prices 3% higher than this time last year.  Thus far in 2010, 1,670 homes sold at an average median price of $185,501.  At this time last year, 1,357 homes had sold at an ...




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Immaculate Home in Dunes West

Mon, Apr 19th 2010 11:56 am by Alan Donald Alans Listings

GOLF - LARGE YARD - UPGRADES - GATED COMMUNITY - AMENITIES

It is a pleasure to list homes when the owners have taken great care of their home, and this one shows like a model home!

This new listing in Dunes West (Mount Pleasant) offers affordable comfort and elegance a large yard and access to all the neighborhood amenities of this luxury, gated community. 

 1344 White Deer Way, Mt PleasantMore details here...

 

 

 




Yes, I Can!!

Mon, Apr 12th 2010 9:05 am by Alan Donald Buyers

Home Affordability Chart 2010

Affordability remains at record levels, supported by the lowest mortgage rates in decades, low home prices, and the first-time home buyer tax credit.

The home price-to-income ratio continues to remain well below the historical average of 25 percent. The ratio now stands at 14.2 percent.

Would-be buyers should consider their COST to buy and not only the PRICE of the home. While it is true that we may still not be at the bottom of the market in terms of prices, any increase in mortgage interest rates (and rates ARE under pressure to increase) could erase any potential gains from waiting to buy at the very bottom of the market.




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So, Are We Better Off in Healthcare Now?

Thu, Apr 8th 2010 9:45 am by Alan Donald General

So, Are We Better Off in Healthcare Now?

by Reese McFaddin, President, Workplace Benefits

Now that healthcare reform is now the law of the land, do you feel like you need a PhD in policy to understand it all?  Well, you are certainly not alone.  Most people are not so much concerned with policy as much as they are figuring out what it all means specifically to them.  

Of course, there are still many questions out there looming.  Most changes are not scheduled to take effect until 2014.  Until then, here’s an outline of what it means for you, your family, your business & your future explained in simpler terms and the timeline as it stands now.

Within the next 90 days:

If...



The Role of Minorities for the Recovery of the Housing Market

Tue, Apr 6th 2010 11:11 am by Alan Donald Real Estate

Minority Home BuyersThe 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 Resurgencby 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...



It's a Great Weekend in Charleston!!

Sat, Mar 27th 2010 12:48 pm by Alan Donald Events

This weekend is an awesome weekend for the Charleston area:

Today:

Cooper River Bridge Run

Cooper River BridgeAnd the winners are...

  • SIMON NDIRANGU OF KENYA, at 27:49
  • MESEKEREM ASSEFA OF ETHIOPIA AT 32:31

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summerville Flowertown Festival

Flowertown Festival

"Consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, the Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival has been a Summerville, South Carolina tradition since 1971. The three-day event features over 200 jury-selected artists from throughout the country who display their work for sale on the beautiful grounds of Azalea Park and on Main Street. Festival attendees also enjoy delicious foods from local resta...




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

Thu, Mar 25th 2010 10:10 am by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate

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

By Robert Weaver
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...




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Aaaarghh! I Just Can't Decide!!! Let Me Ride On a Helicopter...

Tue, Mar 23rd 2010 12:00 pm by Alan Donald Buyers

Aaaarghh! I Just Can't Decide!!! Let Me Ride On a Helicopter...

Don't PanicAs inventory increased in the years following the "sub-prime meltdown" and we switched from a "seller's market" to a "buyer's market", many buyers experienced MORE DIFFICULTY in making a puchase decision.

(OK, hold it, wasn't it supposed to be easier, now that there are more choices available...??)

The fact is that having MANY options sometimes OVERWHELMS buyers and causes BUYER PARALYSIS!

Buyers are comparing different types of homes (private sales, short sales, lender-owned, foreclosure auctions) that have different advantages and disadvantages, features. special prices, incentives and gimmicks.

To keep the buying proc...




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Possible Record Price for Luxury Waterfront Home in Mount Pleasant ??

Sat, Mar 20th 2010 12:52 pm by Alan Donald Mt Pleasant Real Estate Market

Possible Record Price for Luxury Waterfront Home in Mount Pleasant ??

100 HaddrellThis beautiful luxury waterfront mansion at 100 Haddrell in Mount Pleasant's Old Village is up for sale for a cool $10 million!

If it sells for an amount anywhere near the list price, it wil be the record price for Mount Pleasant, currently held by the sale of 101 New St. (also in the Old Village) for $3.25M back in 2007.

Oprah, Bono, Steve Jobs, Shakira, where art thou?




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Things to Get Excited By!

Tue, Mar 16th 2010 9:00 am by Alan Donald Charleston

THERE ARE GOOD NEWS FOR THE CHARLESTON AREA

Container ship at the Port of Charleston...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...




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Condo Loans Now Require HO6 Insurance

Fri, Mar 12th 2010 7:30 am by Alan Donald Mortgages

Condo Loans Now Require HO6 Insurance

45 Sycamore #231All CONDO LOANS, including those backed by the government, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, now require the buyers to purchase HO6 (contents/wall-in) insurance, and require the premiums to be included with the escrow reserves.

Although these guidelines were published back in 2008 by these agencies, it had never been enforced by them until now. Fannie, Freddie and other investors are now requiring this coverage.




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Short Sale Proposal - Good Intentions, But It Won't Work!

Tue, Mar 9th 2010 9:00 am by Alan Donald Short Sales

SHORT SALE PROGRAM PROPOSED

Short Sales, ForeclosuresYesterday I heard on the radio that the Obama administration is thinking about increasing their support to lenders so that they consider more short sales instead of foreclosures.

However, the program said that what the government has in mind is to provide an "incentive" payment of $1,000 to the primary lienholder, $1,000 to the second lienholder and $1,500 to the homeowner to encourage short sales.

Well, let me tell you: This is NOT going to help much! We are talking about tens (or hundreds) of thousands of shortfall in most cases. In a $300,000 home that was originally sold at $400,000 and financed with an 80/20 mortgage loan combo ("normal" practice to avo...




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A Moving Experience to Plan For

Mon, Mar 8th 2010 12:49 pm by Alan Donald Insurance

Blog Author's Note: This article does not necessarily reflect Keller Williams' or my own point of view. But Mel brings up some key points on earthquake insurance that I thought would benefit most homeowners.

EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE
By Mel Rodriguez, CT Lowndes & Co.

Paso Robles EarthquakeThe first 2 months of 2010 have featured two major earthquakes, in Haiti and in Chile, that have caused much damage and many deaths. If the Charleston area were to experience a catastrophic earthquake, would your insurance policies provide the protection you need? Here are some answers to questions you may have. But be sure to understand that all insurance policies are not alike and you must read your policy and/or speak to your...




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Show Me the Money!

Wed, Mar 3rd 2010 3:32 pm by Alan Donald Mortgages

Blog Author's Note: This article does not necessarily reflect Keller Williams' or my own point of view. But Robert brings up some key points that I thought would be interesting for would-be buyers and homeowners looking to re-finance their mortgages.

How We See It

By Robert Weaver 

Home on BillsInterest rates provide the key ingredient to the mortgage recipe. They determine the cost of your borrowing, how much you can borrow, and how much of your time will be consumed repaying what you borrow.  Their importance cannot be overestimated and an explanation of such would fill volumes. The vital nature of interest rates in our economy begs the question: where are they heading? 

We believe that interest...




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Builder Magazine Reports Charleston Housing Market on the Mend

Tue, Mar 2nd 2010 1:42 pm by Alan Donald Charleston Real Estate

Trade mag: Charleston housing market on the mend

Reported by the Charleston Regional Business Journal's Daily Journal

Staff Report
Published March 1, 2010

A homebuilder trade magazine has marked the Charleston housing market as one of the top 5 regions on the mend.

Builder magazine staked out the 20 healthiest housing markets for 2010 in its latest issue. Charleston was the highest-ranked market listed in South Carolina, with the Greenville region coming in at No. 19 and the Grand Strand at No. 15.

Trade mag: Charleston housing market on the mend The analysis of housing markets showed some repeats from the previous year, the magazine’s editors noted, including Texas, which had a strong showing. Quality of life and costs helped p...




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Mount Pleasant Home Value Decline Slows Down

Sat, Feb 27th 2010 4:00 pm by Alan Donald Mt Pleasant Real Estate Market

Mount Pleasant Home Value Decline Slows Down

Feb 26, 2010 - Zillow.com reported today that home values for Mount Pleasant, SC, declined 0.3% compared to last month (see graph) for a total decline of 5.5% year-over-year. Although prices are still declining, this is a positive trend, since the pace of decline has slowed down considerably from about 1% per month last year.

 

Zillow Home Value Index



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