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Spring is coming...look outside; the tulip magnolias are budding, the irises and coleusses are popping through the ground, the azalea buds are more prominent!

That means you need to buy a new pair of gloves for the yard work.  You also need to walk through your home- evaluate your home's needs for updating and repair and begin the process that is required of each homeowner every year.  It is a challenge sometimes to maintain a home- money wise and energy wise- but necessary so that you do not lose anymore home value than the market in general is losing.  This does not mean that you have to go out and spend a fortune on updates but it does means that caulking, painting, gluing down that v...

Fall has arrived and hopefully, cooler temps will follow quickly.  I think we are all ready for that!

If you are a homeowner, have you noticed the interest rates?  The rates are at historical lows and most mortgage companies are anxious for new business.  If you have a mortgage rate of 5.25% or above- you need to seriously look into refinancing.  I have an acquaintance who recently locked into 3.25% for 15 years from a 30 year 6% loan...he has knocked 8 years off his mortgage and his payment is $20/month more than his previous payment.  Now who does not need that kind of help?  We have Walker Jackson mortgage at Agent Owned.  But I would recommend going to your present lender first, then...

Everyone, at some point, has a real estate question.  We may have the answer and if we don't, we can get it for you.  

We are in historical times for interest rates- low is what you want when you want to buy a house.  Prices are also low right now but at some point in time, the prices will begin to tick up.  

Credit scores are critical elements of the home purchase.  You must pay your bills on time, in total or face the lowering of your credit scores.  Anything below 600, generally, will not allow you to participate in a home purchase.  Your scores can also impact the interest rate you will be offered. 

We all want the 36 million dollar home but I would suspect that 99.9% of us cannot ...

Hurricanes are one of the potential negatives of living in the lowcountry.  But considering the grand place we are privileged to live in- we are very fortunate.  Hurricane season is June 1 through November, with the peak in mid September.  For those of us who survived Hugo- the memory is forever etched in our minds.  One way to survive mentally is to be ready.  There are a multitude of supply lists out there but I offer the following:

Keep trees and shrubs cut; eliminate dead limbs.

Make sure you check your insurance coverage every year prior to June 1 to ensure you have adequate coverage and make any necessary changes then. Do you need flood insurance?  Ask your insurance agent.

At th...

I hope your projects are moving right along and if you have followed our instructions and completed most of those home improvements, I will offer an award because if you are new to the lowcountry- you really have to move to keep up with Spring!!

The Flowertown Festival is April 1-3-the largest craft show in the Southeast in downtown Summerville.  Don't worry you can't miss it- you can't drive through town either!!

The Cooper River Bridge Run is April 2 from Mt. Pleasant to downtown Charleston via one of our beautiful bridges.  The run capped at 40,000!! 2 weeks ago!! Still fun to watch from the sidelines and get ready for next year's run!!

The Charleston Bed Race (Camp Happy Days) is A...

While waiting for a customer at a local coffee shop (Biggby's on Old Trolley Rd), I picked up the current Coffee News and found this quote..."It is not so important to know everything as to appreciate what we learn."  This truly applies to the field of Real Estate.  I learn something new everyday with our every changing market. This is part of the excitement of being a full-time realtor in today's economic world.  It is a great time to BUY while the interest rates are still low.  Contact Doris or I about a great buyer program for a 5/1 Match for down payment assistance.

Spring is on it's way.....there are buds on some of the trees, rose bushes and the bulbs are popping out of the ground!! I have seen 3 sets of robins fly into, gorge themselves and leave, heading north for their summer homes.

Now is the time to take inventory of your home.  If you do not plan to sell, you still need to look at your home and develop a 2011 house plan. Does that roof need repair or replacing?  Is there some structural elements that need to be repaired, replaced or redesigned?  Does your home need paint or a pressure wash?  Remember do not start before the " pollen season" ends! Your home is your largest investment and you should reinvest something every year to maintain th...

You know that your credit scores are the beginning of the home buying string of activities.  If you don't have adequate scores, you won't be allowed to obtain a mortgage.

Once you have proper scores and you have a nice savings account to cover various costs: down payment, closing costs, inspections costs, survey costs, and utility deposits along with moving costs.  Sit down and seriously figure out what you want in a home- number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking, detached, attached, etc.- make a list of wants/needs in your dream home.  Take the time to look for a realtor that you can work with and a company that has client's interests at heart.  Then dive into the whirl of buying a home. ...

A new year brings positive thoughts into all of our lives.

Mariann and I now have a brand new website- we are so excited to have some serious interaction.  We want to know what information you want us to discuss........so let us know please!!
Buying a house is the largest single purchase made by the average person and it requires a lot of patience and focus.  The first steps will include you working with a realtor (we are two!!) and a mortgage person who will delve into your personal finances to meet requirements set forth by their company and the federal government.  Do you know what your credit scores are?  These numbers determine whether you will qualify for a mortgage loan, a car loan...