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January 2007 - Posts

Wednesday, January 31, 2007 7:30 PM

Just for fun

Your house as seen by: Yourself Your buyer Your lender Your appraiser Your tax assessor Idea courtesy of Jack Davis, Technology Manager, Sandlapper Real Estate Group. I hope it put a smile on your face for just a moment. Enjoy!
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 4:05 PM

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

On February 16, 17 and 18, Charleston hosts the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, the nation’s largest wildlife art and nature event. For more information, click SEWE .
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 6:47 AM

Charleston tech talk

The Post and Courier sat down with seven leaders of the local technology economy last week, representing the city of Charleston's Digital Corridor Initiative and four fast-growing firms. Read the complete story.
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Tuesday, January 30, 2007 4:03 PM

Statistics don't tell the true story

There’s a high level of chat and just as many opinions as to what the current state of the real estate market is. Has it hit bottom yet, is it going to get worse, have things turned around, where are prices going from here, what about new construction,
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 7:24 AM

Mortgage rates are rising

...but they are still very low historically. As the Federal Reserve Board meets today and tomorrow to discuss interest rates, you might think that if they hold rates steady as they have for the past many months, mortgage interest rates should stay the
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Monday, January 29, 2007 3:53 PM

Search like agents

According to Joel Burslem, whose blog, Future of Real Estate Marketing is one of the most authoritative on the subject of technology in real estate, "A decade ago no one was searching for real estate on the Internet. Now you can't find anyone
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Monday, January 29, 2007 7:37 AM

Relocation to Charleston

I work with a lot of people who want to relocate to Charleston. Every single one has a similar anxiety, quite simply, meeting new friends when they move here. Whether they are retiring to Charleston from the North, have a job transfer from somewhere in
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 2 Comments
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Sunday, January 28, 2007 11:13 AM

A tale of 2 headlines

In the past several days, housing statistics were released for both existing homes and new construction. Take a look at the contrasting headlines from the media (in this case, CNN Money) and the National Association of Realtors for existing home sales:
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Friday, January 26, 2007 2:36 PM

Charleston market conditions

Just about everyone is talking about housing, is there a bubble, has real estate hit bottom, how was last year, what will happen in 2007, how about the local market in Charleston. Here is the take from a number of real estate professionals in interviews
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Friday, January 26, 2007 6:16 AM

Oak Terrace Preserve

A quick look at housing trends in Charleston real estate. A "green" scene: New North Charleston neighborhood to showcase sustainability. Oak Terrace Preserve, the Noisette Co.’s 55-acre residential development under construction near the
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 2:21 PM

Home trend predictions for 2007

What's in, what's out with homebuyers in 2007? My prediction for the Charleston real estate market will be a continued softening in sales as inventory levels still remain too high. My best guess, unit sales down another 10% from the record setting
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Monday, January 22, 2007 2:39 PM

Location, condition and price

It used to be whether you were selling or buying real estate, all that needed to be said was "location, location, location". Today, Charleston real estate is really location, condition and price. Let's examine how each affects the sale.
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Friday, January 19, 2007 2:15 PM

The unrepresented buyer

As is usual this time of year in Charleston real estate or likely most other parts of the country, listings of many homes for sale were withdrawn between Thanksgiving and Xmas. The most obvious reason are sellers who didn't urgently have to sell not
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 1 Comments
Friday, January 19, 2007 7:39 AM

Seinfeld not laughing at paying real estate commission

I loved the TV show, "Seinfeld", and I have probably seen every episode at least twice. A show about "nothing" but really about everything. This story is about money and real estate agent commissions. When money is involved, there
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 1 Comments
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Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:11 AM

Mortgage trigger lists

Many people who search the web are concerned when asked to register for fear their name will be sold to a list generator who sells their information to others they have no interest in dealing with. First of all, many sites don't give out any information
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 2 Comments
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Monday, January 15, 2007 1:39 PM

What your dollar buys

I recently met 2 potential clients who were thinking about relocating to Charleston. One was from Center City in Philadelphia, had an historic home there and wanted purchase a similar home downtown in the Historic District of Charleston. The other was
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Saturday, January 13, 2007 7:17 AM

Real estate technology trends

An interesting article on technology trends in real estate. Citizen journalism, social networking and user-generated content are transforming the industry. By Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer
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Friday, January 12, 2007 4:41 PM

2006 Charleston market statistics

The final numbers for 2006 are in and first I'll give you the statistics, then an analysis of the market trends in Charleston real estate. A quick preview, the 4th quarter was quite dismal, unit sales off 30% and available inventory up 67%. Month
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Monday, January 08, 2007 1:06 PM

Neighborhood reviews, Dunes West

Dunes West is Mount Pleasant’s only gated golf community with an outstanding amenity center including a swimming pool and waterslide, tennis and much more. A lowcountry setting with lush, natural surroundings make this master planned community the
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Monday, January 08, 2007 9:37 AM

Real estate outlook

At the top of page 2 every Saturday in the real estate section of Charleston's daily newspaper, The Post and Courier, Kenneth Harney writes for the Washington Post about real estate matters. The Tide is Turning What's the shape of a post-bubble,
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 2 Comments
Monday, January 08, 2007 9:29 AM

Housing outlook

From Seeking Alpha, Caleb Sevian comments on 2007 in a nutshell. Quick takes on stocks, interest rates and inflation, economic growth, currency, geopolitical and of course, of most interest here, housing . Housing will finally stabilize due to persistently
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Saturday, January 06, 2007 6:30 AM

Benefit for Shellie

Please join us for a Benefit event that will bring attention to one of the most important fights we all face -- the war against cancer -- while blessing a wonderfully beautiful person who is currently on the front line of the battle. Shellie David is
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 1 Comments
Friday, January 05, 2007 2:54 PM

Charleston, a brief history

Set in the heart of the Carolina Lowcountry, welcome to Charleston, South Carolina, a city of history and preservation. In 1663, King Charles II gave away land stretching from Virginia to Florida and known as Carolina to Eight Lords Proprietors and in
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Thursday, January 04, 2007 12:23 PM

Point 2 NLS

I have had a Point 2 website from the very beginning. I find Point 2 to be incredibly innovative with the most powerful software suite in real estate and Point 2 has always offered their members the opportunity to present very rich listings. Point 2 announced
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Tuesday, January 02, 2007 1:35 PM

Mortgage insurance is now tax deductible

From the NY Times by Bob Tedeschi, for decades, home buyers have strained to reach the magic down payment or equity threshold of 20 percent, so they could avoid or end dreaded private mortgage insurance, which can add $100 or more to a monthly house payment
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 2 Comments
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Tuesday, January 02, 2007 8:48 AM

Agents who blog

Charleston's daily newspaper, The Post and Courier just ran an article about local agents who are writing blogs and I got a nice mention.
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Monday, January 01, 2007 3:20 PM

2007 Model Agent

When working with certain busy clients who aren't interested in getting an email with every listing, price change, picture added or change in status, I set up a search and have auto notifications that meet their criteria sent to me rather than directly
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 1 Comments