Fear of a recession is back in the headlines.

And if you’re thinking about buying or selling sometime soon, that may leave you wondering if you should reconsider the timing of your move.

A recent survey by John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) shows 68% of people are delaying plans to buy or sell due to economic uncertainty.

But it may not be for the reason you think. Not everyone is holding off because they’re worried. Some buyers are waiting because they’re hopeful. According to Realtor.com:

“In 2025Q1, 3 in 10 (29.8% of) surveyed homebuyers said a recession would make them at least somewhat more likely to purchase a home . . . This reflects ...

Paused Your Moving Plans? Here’s Why It Might Be Time To Hit Play Again

Last year, 70% of buyers abandoned their home search – and maybe you were one of them. It makes sense. Inventory was low, prices were high, and mortgage rates were up and down like a rollercoaster. All of that made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford.

But guess what? The market is shifting.

So, if you paused your moving plans in 2024, it might be time to hit play again. Here’s why.

More Inventory Opens Up More Options

Even if you could make the numbers work, the lack of available homes in recent years probably made it hard to come by something that fit your needs. But inventory is rising,...

When it’s time to buy or sell a home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who you’ll work with as your agent. That choice will have an impact on your entire experience and how smoothly it goes.

As you figure out who you’ll partner with, it’s important to know what to expect and what to look for. Unfortunately, there may be some myths holding you back from making the best decision possible. So, let’s take some time to address those, and make sure you have the information you need to find the right agent for you.

Myth #1: All Real Estate Agents Are the Same

You might think all agents are the same – so it doesn’t matter who you work with. But, in reality, agents have vary...

Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now. But here’s some good news: builders are focusing their efforts on building smaller homes, and they’re offering key incentives to buyers. And both of these things can be a big help if you're worried about finding a home that’s right for your budget. 

Builders Are Building Smaller Homes 

During the pandemic, homebuyers were looking for larger homes—and many could afford them. Builders responded to that demand and created bigger spaces to help people with things like working from home, setting up home gyms, and having extra rooms for virtual school.

Now, with affordability as tight as it is, builders a...

Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now. But here’s some good news: builders are focusing their efforts on building smaller homes, and they’re offering key incentives to buyers. And both of these things can be a big help if you're worried about finding a home that’s right for your budget. 

Builders Are Building Smaller Homes 

During the pandemic, homebuyers were looking for larger homes—and many could afford them. Builders responded to that demand and created bigger spaces to help people with things like working from home, setting up home gyms, and having extra rooms for virtual school.

Now, with affordability as tight as it is, builders a...

Over the past couple of years, a lot of people have had a hard time buying a home. And while affordability is still tight, there are signs it's getting a little better and might keep improving throughout the rest of the year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“Housing affordability is improving ever so modestly, but it is moving in the right direction.”

Here’s a look at the latest data on the three biggest factors affecting home affordability: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages. 

1. Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates have been volatile this year, bouncing around from the mid-6% to low 7% range. But there's some good news. Data from Fre...

Our local paper, The Post & Courier, reports that average dwelling rental in Charleston is $400 above the national average, with the median rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment now standing at $1,446 and $1,690 for a two-bedroom (the national average rental

for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,294). Rental rates were just starting to rise at this time last year after the widespread availability of COVID vaccines allowed renters who had returned home to live with family members to begin to move back into their own apartments.

Mount Pleasant has the most expensive rental rates in South Carolina, with a median rental of $1,868 for a one-bedroom unit and $2,146 for a two-bedroom dwellin...

Home buying activity (demand) is up, and the number of available listings (supply) is down. When demand outpaces supply, prices appreciate. That’s why firms are beginning to increase their projections for home price appreciation going forward. As an example, CoreLogic increased their 12-month projection for home values from 4.5% to 5.6% over the last few months.

The reacceleration of home values will cause some to again voice concerns about affordability. Just last week, however, First American came out with a data analysis that explains how price is not the only market factor that impacts affordability. They studied prices, mortgage rates, and wages from January through August of this...

Tips for Buyers

In this day and age of being able to shop for anything anywhere, it is really important to know what you’re looking for when you start your home search.

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home of your own for some time now, you’ve probably come up with a list of things that you’d LOVE to have in your new home. Many new homebuyers fantasize about the amenities that they see on television or Pinterest, and start looking at the countless homes listed for sale through rose-colored glasses.

Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen to be happy with your home choice? Would a two-car garage be a convenience or a necessity? Could the "man cave" of your dreams be...

UPDATED: Augist 1, 2019

The Alan Donald Team has SEVERAL PRE-APPROVED BUYERS who want to buy homes. Please note they have seen EVERYTHING that is available on the MLS.

Whom do you know looking to sell in the next 2-3 months that we can match with a fully-approved buyer?

Below are our team's urgent buyer needs:

MOUNT PLEASANT, WEST ASHLEY

• Investment property
• Condo or townhouse
• 2+ bedroom, 2+ bathroom
• Low or no HOA/regime fees
• OK if it needs cosmetic upgrades & TLC
• Up to $250,000
• Ideal timing: OPEN

MOUNT PLEASANT SOUTH

• 3+ bedrooms, 2+ bathrooms, 1,500+ sq. ft. Townhome/Single Family Detached
• Master down
• 2-car attached garage
• Move-in condition
• Up to $350,000
• Ideal...

Current Home Buyer Dilemma: Should I wait until home prices soften, or should I buy now when interest rates are low?

This is an age-old question and there is no "standard answer", since the answer depends on the potential buyer's risk tolerance. From an AFFORDABILITY perspective, any movement in mortgage interest rates will be much more significant to the buyer's bottom line than any movement in home prices. 

Home purchasing affordability depends on 2 main elements: Home Prices and Mortgage Interest Rates: The likelihood of a "negative market correction" on home prices in the Charleston Area for the next 3 years is 3%-5%. The likelihood of mortgage interest rate hike for the next 3 year...

Home Inspections: What to Expect

So you made an offer, it was accepted, and now your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. Most times your offer will be contingent on a clean home inspection.

This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price you paid for the home, ask the sellers to cover repairs, or even, in some cases, walk away. Your agent can advise you on the best course of action once the report is filed.

How to Choose an Inspector
Your agent will most likely have a short list of inspectors that they have worked with in the past that they can recommend to you. HGTV recommends that you consider the following 5 areas when choosing the right home inspector for y...

How Much Do You Need to Make to Buy a Home in Your State?

It’s no mystery that cost of living varies drastically depending on where you live, so a new study by GOBankingRates set out to find out what minimum salary you would need to make in order to buy a median-priced home in each of the 50 states, and Washington, D.C.

States in the Midwest came out on top as most affordable, requiring the smallest salaries in order to buy a median-priced home. States with large metropolitan areas saw a bump in the average salary needed to buy with California, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii edging out all others with the highest salaries required.

Below is a map with the full results of the study:

Go...

Buying your first home can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. But it can also be one of the scariest. Buying real estate is a complicated process. And if you've never purchased a home before, the fear of all those unknown variables can make the experience stressful, frustrating, and downright terrifying. If you're thinking about purchasing a home but are dealing with the fear that comes along with it, don't worry! You're not alone. Most first time home-buyers deal with a certain level of fear as they get ready to buy their first home. But that fear doesn't have to hold you back. Here are three of the most common fears of first time home-buyers (and how you can overcome ...

3 Questions to Ask Before You Buy Your Dream Home

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.9% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 4.8% over the next year.

The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have remained around 4% over the last couple months. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fanni...

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Your Dream Home...

If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are probably getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interest at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in the real estate market.

Ask yourself the following 3 questions to help determine if now is actually a good time for you to buy in today’s market.

Why am I buying a home in the first place?

This truly is the most important question to answer. Forget the finances for a minute. Why did you even begin to consider purchasing a home? For most, the reason has nothing to do with money.

For example...