The Charleston Real Estate Advisor

Keller Williams Realty is Now the 3rd Largest in the USA

 Keller Williams Realty announced today that they are now the 3rd largest real estate company in the USA based on Real Trends data.  Keller Williams Realty moved to ahead of Re/Max in 2008 based on agent count.  Number #1 was Coldwell Banker with Century 21 in second place.  We want to thank all the Charleston Keller Williams agents who have helped grow Keller Williams in Charleston.

Keller Williams Family Reunion is Going to New Orleans

 Keller Williams Realty Family Reunion will be held in New Orleans in 2010. It will be a great time. Sign up now and save fees.

Real Estate Cyber Society - Online Real Estate Convention

The Real Estate Cyber Society is holding their online convention 22-28 Feb 2009.  Listen to top real estate speakers, get tips from the best gurus, and a chance to win a cruise!  You can go online at anytime and hear the speakers.  The cost is free.  You just have to registrar.  Here is the link to the RESC Online Convention.

Charleston Keller Williams Realty Agents Off to Orlando

We are off to Orlando for the annual Keller Williams convention (aka Keller Williams Family Reunion) on Saturday.  The guest speakers will give us insight as to what the rest of 2009 is going to be like and how fast the housing market will recover.  Thankfully, Charleston real estate has already started to recover and the March 09 sales numbers will be very strong East of the Cooper and West Ashley.

Charleston Real Estate Market to Benefit from White House Plan

The Charleston real estate market and local economy will benefit from the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, or in non Washington terms "save homeowners from losing their homes plan."   

It has 3 parts:

• Help for the person that wants to refinance but can't because their loan is more or close to the value of their home due to falling home prices.  (We see this a lot in the Charleston area)
• Help for the person in default by working the banks to modify the loan and reduce the monthly payment.
• Promote low interest rates to stabilize the housing market.  

More details are coming out soon and the program is scheduled to start on March 4th, 2009.  

If you have questions concerning any part of this program, leave me a comment on the blog or contact me directly at 843-754-5848, email:jnear@kwchs.com.  If I do not have the answer,  I will research it and get back to you.  This is an important program for the Charleston real estate sellers and buyers.

Charleston Real Buyers are Out in Force

Charleston real estate showing appointments are up again this week in West Ashley and Mt Pleasant. Mt Pleasant is approaching summer levels!  Dorchester and Berkeley Counties saw a slight decrease in showings.  Charleston Real Estate Agents are saying the homes closest to town are getting the most showings.  This could explain why Mt Pleasant and West Ashley's numbers are so strong, since they are closest to town.   It is a nice trend for the Charleston real estate market.
 

Stono Ferry Real Estate Market in Review Jan 2009

As Charleston real estate activity showed increased showings and contracts in Jan 2009,  we saw real estate activity in Stono Ferry increase below $400,000 range.  One Ironwood townhome went under contract and one home went under contract.  No lots went under contract but we saw an increase activity for Stono Ferry lots on the Internet.   We added one more home for sale in the above $1,000,000 price point.

January 2009 Statistics
 for
Stono Ferry Homes, Townhomes and Lots

• Stono Ferry Homes For Sale:   19
• Stono Ferry Homes Under Contract: 1
• Stono Ferry Homes Sold: 0

• Stono Ferry Ironwood Townhomes For Sale:   9
• Stono Ferry Ironwood Townhomes Under Contract: 1
• Stono Ferry Ironwood Townhomes Sold: 0

• Stono Ferry Lots For Sale:   20
• Stono Ferry Lots Under Contract: 0
• Stono Ferry Lots Sold: 0

Stono Ferry homes for sale followed the Charleston homes for sale with the majority of the properties going under contract priced below $400,000.

Citadel Dominates Charleston SC Basketball

The Citadel basketball team won their ninth consecutive win over their in town rival the College of Charleston.  With the final score 72-58, The Citadel has claimed bragging rights for beating College of Charleston twice this year in Charleston SC.  Go Bulldogs!!

Charleston Real Estate Showings Up in All Counties

Charleston real estate showing appointments are up again this week!  What started in with the increase in showing appointments for Mt Pleasant real estate market has moved over to West Ashley, Dorchester and Berkeley Counties. Could this be the beginning a Charleston real estate market recovery.   The West Ashley real estate market has come alive in the last  2 weeks and Dorchester County is following right behind.  It is a nice trend for the Charleston real estate market.

Charleston Real Estate Mortgage Rates as of February 10th, 2009

Here are the current mortgage rates for Charleston real estate buyers.

Mortgage rates on home purchase mortgages moved up and came back today to 4.875%
Bank of America is quoting rates as of 02/10/09:

• Home Purchase Mortgage rates at 4.875% on 30 year fixed mortgage with 1 point,  the APR is at 5.002%

If you are thinking about buying a home for sale in the Charleston area, the rates are still good.