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March 2011 - Posts

Thursday, March 31, 2011 8:17 AM

Well worth the wait, closing on the perfect home

A little background. In the many years that I have been a Charleston real estate agent, I never had a transaction that didn't close. That is the exception rather than the rule and just a couple of months ago, that's exactly what happened when
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 5:34 AM

Charleston mortgage report, more skin in the game might mean 20 percent down

Do you remember hearing that your parents or grandparents had to save up money in order to buy a home. Those times may be coming back replacing those zero down loans (including no documentation of income, assets, etc.,) available just a few short years
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 7:13 AM

A home that's difficult to see is almost impossible to sell

...and you almost have to jump through hoops in order to see this home. Sure, some homes for sale in Charleston are easier to see than others, when they aren't occupied, it's very convenient and when the seller responds quickly that the home can
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Monday, March 28, 2011 10:29 AM

[Paywall] NY Times digital subscription starts today

Newspapers are in trouble, that isn't news. And there are only a few high quality newspapers out there no matter whether you lean left, right or are somewhere in between politically. Personally, I find the NY Times to have interesting articles (that
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Saturday, March 26, 2011 6:59 AM

[Mortgage fraud] Big fish got away, small fish gets fried

Did you ever wonder what happened to all those characters who played such a big role in the mortgage business that took the economy to the brink of collapse, the lenders, the ratings agencies (Moody's and S&P), the Wall Street firms who securitized
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
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Friday, March 25, 2011 7:05 AM

Charleston homes [parade of pictures]

These homes in Charleston are not for sale, they are just some examples of the variety of homes that you can find in both the Historic Charleston Peninsula and the suburban communities of Charleston. On The Battery, in my opinion the most beautiful home
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Thursday, March 24, 2011 7:07 AM

It's different in Charleston, it's vibrant!

I spent yesterday with a retired couple who are considering relocating to Charleston. They are what are called "half backs", in other words, they are from the Northeast and own a second home in Florida but would prefer to be closer to their
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 7:10 AM

Check your homeowners insurance policy

... if you own a home and it is not occupied. When I show homes to buyers, sometimes the homes are owner occupied or some homes are occupied by tenants but there are quite a few homes that the seller has moved out most likely because they were probably
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 7:19 AM

What real estate agent skills and qualities do home buyers and sellers consider important

From the National Association of Realtors (NAR) profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 2010 , somewhat surprising results of what real estate agent skills and qualities are considered important. h/t to Rob Hahn from 7DS Associates who brought the survey to
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Monday, March 21, 2011 7:09 AM

There's agent feedback and then there's agent feedback

I've written about the subject of agent feedback before but a request from a listing agent this weekend for feedback was so ridiculous that I just have to write about the subject again. It's traditional for real estate agents who show homes to
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Sunday, March 20, 2011 9:05 AM

Charleston window boxes

Continuing my spring series of photos of Charleston, here are several beautiful Charleston window boxes that I recently photographed. Window boxes overflowing with flowers are Charleston's signature sign of welcome and the residents like to "dress
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 1 Comments
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Friday, March 18, 2011 5:54 AM

Charleston real estate market report, sales, inventory and homes prices, February 2011

February is the last month of the "offseason" in Charleston real estate market and once again, home sales were up on a year over year basis which is always good news. In the next few months we're going to see more difficult comparisons due
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Thursday, March 17, 2011 11:54 AM

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day!
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:40 AM

[Hmm] Point2 suggests getting a Wordpress blog

Back in the day before social media sites like Facebook and Twitter and even before real estate blogs became the rage, it was important for a real estate agent to get a website. And back then, most real estate websites were template sites and Point2 had
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 7:08 AM

Spring is blooming all over Charleston

Continuing the spring theme that I've been on for a few days, I have been walking around Historic Downtown Charleston and driving around the suburbs taking photos for the website. Spring is blooming all over the Charleston area and while we were able
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
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Monday, March 14, 2011 8:00 AM

[Spring break] Kiawah Island for golf, tennis and a stroll on the beach

The NY Times includes Kiawah Island among 14 easy weekend getaways for a quick spring break. “Average daytime temperatures are in the high 60s and low 70s, ideal weather for golf, tennis, biking, birding or strolls on the beach — which is
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 1 Comments
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Sunday, March 13, 2011 8:52 AM

Southwest Airlines begins service in Charleston SC

... and my wife Polly is on today's inaugural flight to Houston. Great news for both business and leisure travelers as Southwest Airlines begins service in Charleston. Unfortunately, Charleston air fares have been among the highest in the country
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Saturday, March 12, 2011 7:06 AM

Spring ahead but how do you move your sundial forward

It's nice that phones and computers automatically spring ahead and it isn't all that difficult to move your clocks forward on your alarm clock, appliances and car (OK, the car is usually troublesome) but how do you move your sundial forward. Don't
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
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Friday, March 11, 2011 8:23 AM

[House hunting in Charleston] Perfect home or great deal (or both)

If you're looking to buy a home in Charleston, what's more important to you, the perfect home or a great deal. Of course, both is the right answer but that's not automatic. In an ideal world, you might find a home that is absolutely perfect
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Wednesday, March 09, 2011 1:46 PM

202 Dandelion | MLS 1106153 | White Gables | Summerville homes for sale | $159,900

Charleston style with a full front porch welcomes you home to Summerville. 202 Dandelion in popular White Gables in Summerville is now being offered for sale for $159,900. It is not a foreclosure or a short sale, just a well priced home. You can find
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Tuesday, March 08, 2011 9:14 AM

Professional photography when listing your home makes a big difference

Buyers want pictures, lots of them. But really good pictures taken by a professional photographer when listing your home for sale makes a big difference. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, what do you think. UPDATE: 202 Dandelion in White
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Monday, March 07, 2011 3:36 PM

Busy is good ... and it's busy

You can tell it's spring and not just by the spring colors starting to come out all over the Charleston area. Charleston real estate is getting busy. Just in the last day, I've been preparing a listing to come on the market later this week, showed
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Sunday, March 06, 2011 9:00 AM

Charleston foreclosure profile by price range and year built

Here is something you might find interesting, a look at Charleston foreclosures currently for sale profiled by price range and year built. There are currently 266 homes indicated to be lender owned homes currently listed for sale in the Charleston MLS.
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Friday, March 04, 2011 10:08 AM

Good job growth will help the Charleston housing market recovery

Let's face it. You really can't buy a house if you don't have a job. And if you aren't secure in your current job, you probably shouldn't be buying a house anyway, after all, lenders sort of demand it as a condition of making a loan.
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Thursday, March 03, 2011 9:47 AM

HUD homes for sale in Charleston

If you're interested in buying a HUD home in the Charleston area, there have been several changes recently that favor owner occupants rather than investors. All homes are available for a minimum of 10 days before bids will be considered. Owner occupants
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
Wednesday, March 02, 2011 3:34 PM

My apologies to you that the blog pictures are either missing or blurred

Due to some kind of technological fiasco, the pictures on my blog were missing and now they are back but blurred. Unfortunately, this is a visual medium and the picture helps tell the story (or sometimes is the story). As they say, a picture is worth
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments
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Tuesday, March 01, 2011 8:43 AM

Warren Buffet housing prediction: recovery to begin within a year or so

The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet, released his annual letter to Berkshire-Hathaway shareholders this weekend and predicted a housing recovery will probably begin within a year or so. Mr. Buffet continued, "In any event, it is certain to occur at
Posted by Howard Arnoff | 0 Comments