Charleston SC Metro Real Estate: January 2009

Forbes magazine recently came out with a list of the strongest housing markets by metro area.  To compile the list Fobes utilized stats from Moody's economy.com.  According to Forbes,"Not one metro area will see prices increase before the end of this year, according to Zandi's forecasts. The strongest metro areas will be flat at best--but that's better than the 15% drop Moody's expects on average in the U.S. Prices won't start to pick up again until late this year or sometime next year even in the strongest markets.

The article compiled a list of the 25 strongest markets.  Here is the list of the top ten:

1.  McAllen, TX

2.  Syracuse, NY

3.  Pittsburg PA

4.  Buffalo NY

5.  El Paso TX

6.  Tulsa OK

7.  Houston TX

8.  Charleston SC  (Wha Whooo)

9.  Litttle Rock AR

10.  Birmingham AL

According to the article, Charleston's market is expected to bottom out late 2009 (better that most) and prices should only decrease around 1.1% overall.  That is great compared to the 15% drop mentioned earlier.

For more information about real estate in the Charleston SC metro, contact Michael Johnson at 843-817-5299 or visit my website

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For the most part, the days of buying a home with no money down are long gone.  The only current exceptions to this rule are Veterans Assistance (VA) program and USDA.  If you're not a US military veteran with a general or honorable discharge, then you may want to consider using a government backed loan through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program. 

There are a few restrictions that apply if you intend to use this loan.  The biggest factor is the location of the home.  The home has to be in an area that the government deems as rural.  The easiest way to know if the home you want qualifies is to go to the following website and enter the address of the home:  http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do

Here is a list of items that pertain to Berkeley county and USDA.  Note:  some of these items are the same across the board and some are area specific:

• 102% financing based on appraised value
• Max loan amount of $160,800
• 30 Year Fixed Loan
• No monthly mortgage insurance,  One time guarantee fee of 2%
• No max seller contributions.
• No minimum credit scores.
• Perfect loan for low to moderate income buyers.
• Max total household income of $70,550

For more information about USDA qualified homes in the Charleston Metro, contact me:

Michael Johnson

843-817-5299

www.providingthelight.com

If you love books like I do then I'm sure you are also always looking for a good deal to reduce the costs.  I love going to any bookstore and browsing the books they have on sale.  I also love going to our area annual library book sale....tons of books at great prices.

Today I ordered a book that a friend of mine wrote entitled "Twin Conspiracies."  The author is Lori Sanders.  I was stationed with she, her husband, and son in Germany for 3.5 years during my stint in the US Air Force.  This is her first book and I hear it is quite good.  I got a chance to read the first few pages on-line and it appears the rumors of its quality are true.

The cool thing is that I ordered the book from Books A Million and did not have to pay the $4 shipping and handling charge.  Most online book companies now have a policy that if you buy at least $25 worth of goods then they will ship it for free.  After tax I paid a little over $20.  So how did I get it shipped for free? 

I remembered talking to someone at the bookstore a while back and they said they could get it shipped to the store for free if I ordered it there.  I called to make arrangements but through conversation with the sales associate found out that she could give me a store code in which I could have it shipped to my house at no cost. The code varies from store to store and changes monthly.  So if you are going to purchase a book on-line through Books A Million, give you local store a call and ask for the code for free shipping to your home when you order on-line.  During your order you will be given the opportunity to input the code and save a little cash.

The leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree, survey's the entire situation, and yells, "WRONG JUNGLE'!  But how do the busy, efficient producers and managers often respond?  "Shut up!  Were making progress!"

-Stephen Covey-

"Drive in banks were established so most of the cars today can see their real owners."

E. Joseph Cossman-

"Have patience with all things, but mostly with yourself."

-St. Francis de Sales-

Woodland Lakes is a subdivision conveniently located in the middle of Goose Creek between the "V" of Hwy 52 and Hwy 176.  The subdivison is relatively small and doesn't sell a lot of homes primarily because people tend to stay in their homes a little longer than normal.  The neighborhood has a reputation of being family friendly and is located near a park and the Goose Creek Recreation Center.  The sister neighborhood of Woodland Lakes is Braemoor, which is located just south of Woodland Lakes. 

Below is the neighborhood sales and inventory profile.  In 2008 only 5 houses were sold and there are currently 9 on the market for sale.  This has a lot to do with the small size of the subdivision and also the owners love of living there.  Houses do not come on the market as often as other neighborhoods. 

If you have any questions about Woodland Lakes subdivision or any other subdivision in Goose Creek, please give me a call at 843-817-5299.  You can also visit my website.

Other Goose Creek Neighborhoods:

Beverly Hills

Braemoor

Crowfield Planation

Braemoor is a subdivision conveniently located in the middle of Goose Creek between the "V" of Hwy 52 and Hwy 176.  The subdivison is relatively small and doesn't sell a lot of homes primarily because people tend to stay in their homes a little longer than normal.  The neighborhood has a reputation of being family friendly and is located near a park and the Goose Creek Recreation Center. 

Below is the homes sold profile for the neighborhood in 2008.  As you can see only 9 homes sold in that community this year and there is a current inventory of 4 houses.

If you have any questions about Braemoor subdivision or any other subdivision in Goose Creek, please give me a call at 843-817-5299.  You can also visit my website.

Goose Creek South Carolina is a suburb of Charleston SC.  Goose Creek is primarily a residential town that feeds on the industry of Charleston and its other neighbors.  Thus there are many neighborhoods within Goose Creek and each has its own features and characteristics.

Boulder Bluff is an older, established neighborhood with houses currently on the market ranging in price from 59K to 160K.  Below is the inventory and sales report for 2008 in Boulder Bluff.  There is not a tremendous amount of activity for many reasons.  People who own in this neighborhood tend to hold on to their property longer to either live there or to rent.  Boulder Bluff's sister neighborhood is Beverly Hills.

Fell free to contact me if you have any questions or if you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Goose Creek or anywhere in the Charleston metropolitan.

wwww.providingthelight.com

Additional information on other Goose Creek Neighborhoods:

Crowfield Planation Homes Sold 2008

Beverly Hills Homes Sold 2008

Goose Creek South Carolina is a suburb of Charleston SC.  Goose Creek is primarily a residential town that feeds on the industry of Charleston and its other neighbors.  Thus there are many neighborhoods within Goose Creek and each has its own features and characteristics.

Beverly Hills is an older, established neighborhood with houses currently on the market ranging in price from 75K to 198K.  Below is the inventory and sales report for 2008 in Beverly Hills.  There is not a tremendous activity probably for several reasons.  People who own in this neighborhood tend to hold on to their property longer to either live there or to rent.  Beverly Hills sister neighborhood is Boulder Bluff.

Fell free to contact me if you have any questions or if you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Goose Creek or anywhere in the Charleston metropolitan.

wwww.providingthelight.com

Below is the Sales and Inventory Report for Crowfield Plantation broken down by month for 2008.  As you can see from the data, sales slowed down this year but Crowfield still remains one of the more highly sought after neighborhoods in the Charleston SC area.

Crowfield Plantation is located in Goose Creek, a suburb of Charleston located about 25 minutes north of downtown. Here are additional links to information about Crowfield Plantation and Goose Creek SC.

Crowfield Plantation in Goose Creek SC

Crowfield Plantation - The Hamlets

Goose Creek SC Real Estate Appreciation Rates

Goose Creek SC Grocery Stores

For More information about Crowfield Plantation, Goose Creek SC, are real estate in Charleston SC, feel free to contact me:

www.providingthelight.com