Jeff Cook Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts by tag - Home Selling Tipshttps://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/Copyright JeffCookRealEstate.com2024-03-27T13:23:18-07:00tag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:18983Advantages of Selling with Jeff Cook Real Estate LPT Realty<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Advantages_of_Selling_with_Jeff_Cook_Real_Estate_LPT_Realty_.jpg" width="940" height="788" />
Is it time to <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/">sell your Carolina home</a>? The new partnership between the Jeff Cook Real Estate team and LPT Realty provides more advantages to home sellers. List your home with us and sell faster and for more money than ever before! Here’s why!
Advanced Technology
Jeff Cook Real Estate LPT Realty uses its own proprietary software to identify the top areas where buyers wish to purchase homes. This accurate technology allows us to locate families who are already seeking a home like yours! Then, we invest heavily in marketing to these wannabe buyers to create an exceptionally high demand for your home. You get the most money from your home in the fastest time.
Stellar Marketing
Our marketing team knows how to present homes that look their best. We highlight all the significant features and amenities while helping you prepare your home for shows and marketing. Your home is listed for maximum exposure and showcased to impress buyers. Jeff Cook Real Estate LPT Realty now has even greater quality resources for marketing your Carolina home, including:
Listing software
Impressive print media
Digital media resources (web, social media, more)
Direct mail services
More!
Seller Programs
Effective real estate sales depend on creating solutions for individual buyers and sellers. Jeff Cook Real Estate LPT Realty has great programs to meet the needs of various home sellers.
Trade-In Program - Buy a home with us, and <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/trade-in-program/">we’ll buy yours</a>. Make confident offers, knowing you have the cash already in hand.
Guaranteed Sold Program - Qualified sellers <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/guaranteed-sold/">are guaranteed</a> that if Jeff Cook Real Estate LPT Realty doesn't sell your home for the agreed-upon price and time period, we will buy it from you!
Day-by-Day Listing Agreement - <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/day-by-day-listing-agreement/">NO long-term contracts!</a> Cancel your contract agreement before accepting a buyer's contract if you feel our service doesn't live up to our promise.
Buyers Actively Searching for Homes - Our huge database of <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/buyers-in-waiting/">qualified buyers</a> is ready to purchase a home like yours. Get a localized map showing you where they are!
Jeff Cook Offers - Don’t want to list your home for sale? <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/jeff-cook-offers/">We’ll buy it from you</a> on your timeline with no showings, listings, or hassles.
The Best Agents in the Business
Jeff Cook Real Estate is already well-known for its top-tier apprenticeship program for new agents, seasoned mentoring for growing agents, assistance with Real Estate School, and creation of a positive, exciting culture that facilitates success. Our new partnership with LPT Realty positions us to take this steller agent support to the <a href="https://www.realestate-redefined.com/">next several levels</a>.
What does our redefining real estate mean to area home sellers? Our agents are now better equipped with even more training, tools, and resources to help sell homes faster and for more money. They stay in the industry with us longer and can provide even more knowledge and experience to help buyers and sellers. Your agent’s growing success means they are even more dedicated to your success.
Sell Your Home in North and South Carolina!
Now is the best time to sell your home in North or South Carolina with Jeff Cook Real Estate LPT Realty. Come discover why we are the top-rated Realtor in the Carolinas and how our new partnership makes us an even better choice when selling your home!
<br /><br />2024-03-26T06:44:42-07:002024-03-27T13:23:18-07:00Patricia Utseytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:13419Sell Your Home To A HeroSelling a home is an exciting time in your life. <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/should-you-break-up-with-your-house/">Changing needs and life factors</a> propel you into the real estate market in South Carolina to sell your home. Have you considered the adding excitement that could be yours if you sell to a hero? Jeff Cook Real Estate sponsors a program where you can <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/buyers/palmetto-hero-program/">sell your home to a South Carolina hero</a>.
What does that mean for you? It comes with several benefits for those selling a home, including:
Aiding important members of SC society with owning a home
Higher chances of finding a buyer quickly
Higher chances of the buyer having secure financing
Working with the top real estate firm in SC
Does selling your home and helping out a hard-working member of our local society at the same time appeal to you? Then sell to a hero with Jeff Cook Real Estate while the opportunity exists. This is a limited time offer for SC heroes, so get in on it while you can.
What Does it Mean to Sell to a Hero?
Jeff Cook Real Estate offers a special opportunity through the South Carolina Palmetto Heroes Program for down payment assistance and special interest rates for first time buyers in South Carolina who enjoy a career in designated hero roles. These careers include:
Law Enforcement Officers
Fire Fighters, EMTs and Paramedics
Teachers
Nurses
Certified Nurse Aides (CNA)
Veterans
Each hero must meet eligibility requirements specific to each career category. Some forgivable down payment assistance may be available. Funds for this program are limited, so if you wish to sell to a hero in SC, you need to contact Jeff Cook Real Estate today.
Serving Those Who Selflessly Serve Us
Those who pursue careers in the above paths are some of the most at-risk persons in our society. All these roles require some level of specialized training, and all pose some level of personal risk to the worker. They are literally on the front lines of difficult situations and make life-altering decisions on a daily basis. And yet, a general search of the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#31-0000">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> website reveals that these careers are among the lowest-paid workers in any industry. Those of whom we ask much, we remunerate little. Here’s a few examples from 2020 Census data:
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm">SC police and sheriff’s deputies</a> average salary: $45,160
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311131.htm">SC nursing assistants</a> average salary: $27,760
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252022.htm">SC middle school teachers</a> average salary: $54,020
The Palmetto Heroes Program seeks to help these and other everyday heroes own their own home and participate in this vital pillar of the American Dream.
Down payment assistance allows heroes the chance to own a home of substantial value. Many homes are completely out of reach of persons in the above income brackets without a significant down payment.
Lower fixed interest rates make it easier for heroes to enjoy that home for the long term. Lower interest rates contribute to more affordable payments that can fit into a hero’s budget.
Down payment assistance allows heroes the chance to own a home of substantial value. Many homes are completely out of reach of persons in the above income brackets without a significant down payment.
Lower fixed interest rates make it easier for heroes to enjoy that home for the long term. Lower interest rates contribute to more affordable payments that can fit into a hero’s budget.
Interested in <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/">selling a home in South Carolina</a>? Sell to a hero through Jeff Cook Real Estate and do something positive for our community. Contact us today for more information. Do you know of a hero who may qualify for this program? <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/buyers/palmetto-hero-program/">Refer them here</a> to complete the form for more information.
2023-04-10T10:45:00-07:002023-04-24T12:38:24-07:00Patricia Utseytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:15740How Do I Know When it's Time to Sell My Home?Many factors are in play when you determine if it’s time to <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/why-sell-with-jeff-cook/">sell your home</a>. You may even be wondering if right now is a good time. Whether you feel a pressing need to sell or are just considering your options, the team at Jeff Cook Real Estate can help you make the best decision. Here are some major considerations for when you should or should not sell your home.
When To Sell Your Home
It’s easy to get caught up in market conditions, news reports, and many other issues that can impact a decision to sell your home. The following factors all make it a good time for you to consider selling your home in the Carolinas.
When Interest Rates Are Low
<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/interest-rates-and-buying-a-home/">Low interest rates</a> means that buyers seeking a new home will pay less interest on a mortgage loan. This means their dollars will go further, allowing them to purchase more home for their budget. This also creates more demand, as many people want to buy when interest rates are low. You can benefit because greater demand and buyers with more money to spend can allow you to sell at a higher profit.
When the Supply of Available Homes Is Low
In a “<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/faq-what-is-a-sellers-market/">seller’s market</a>,” there are fewer houses for sale and more buyers looking to find a home. This gives you, the seller, appreciable leverage, or negotiating power. You can set a higher price and give away less on negotiated terms because your home is in greater demand and available options are few.
When It’s Time to Relocate
Whether you have the itch to <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/should-you-break-up-with-your-house/">break up and start over with a new home</a>, or you need to relocate for your career, you may be looking to <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/buying-and-selling-a-house-at-the-same-time/">sell your current home and buy a new one</a> elsewhere. You may need to downsize, upgrade to a home with more space, or just change locations. A voluntary or involuntary move can place equal pressure on you to sell your Carolina home.
When You Have Lots of Equity
<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/what-is-equity/">Equity</a> is your property’s actual value after subtracting any liens or other debt attached to the property. As your home’s value increases, you stand to earn a significant profit from selling. This happens as you pay down the mortgage over time, make improvements that raise the home’s value and attractiveness, and other market conditions make your property of greater value.
When NOT to Sell Your Home
Every issue has pros and cons, and selling your home is no different. Here are some circumstances that make it better to hang on to your existing home.
You Have Little Equity
Just as lots of equity creates desirable circumstances for selling your home, not having much equity makes it a poor time to sell. With much of the mortgage left (or even a second mortgage) and closing costs, you may only break even with a sale at the wrong time, or even have to pay some out of pocket just to get rid of it. If you have missed a few mortgage payments or market conditions have actually caused area property values to fall, you may want to hang on to your home for now and wait for better conditions.
There Are Too Many Homes Available
If your local South Carolina housing market is flooded with more homes than buyers — a “buyer’s market” — you should hang on to your home for now. Competing for buyers’ attention and being forced to make expensive compromises places you in a poor selling condition. It is not an impossible situation, but it is definitely one that should give you pause.
You Can’t Afford to Buy Another Home
Of course, if you’re considering selling your home, you will need another place to live. Can you afford to sell your existing home and make a reasonable down payment on a new one where you wish to live? Will your profit from selling cover your remaining mortgage and closing costs, plus leave a respectable profit? If there is any doubt about having enough finances to sell and buy another home, you should wait.
Your Home Needs Work
What will your home look like to potential buyers? Could the kitchen use a <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/new-years-resolution-home-edition/">modernization or remodel</a>? Are the bathrooms outdated and worn? These and other issues not only make a home less desirable, but they could force you to lower your asking price so a potential buyer will see the home as a good deal/fixer-upper.
Are you wondering if now is the best time to sell your home in South Carolina? Jeff Cook Real Estate can help! <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/">Call or message us online today</a> to speak with a skilled and experienced agent.
<br /><br />2023-02-17T12:00:00-07:002023-02-28T14:39:31-07:00Patricia Utseytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:15461What is Equity?For many who are buying or selling a home for the first time, the terminology used throughout the process can be confusing. One word that may come up frequently is “equity.”
What is Equity?
How Does Equity Work?
How Important is Equity?
Can You Build Equity?
Can You Lose Equity?
<a href="https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-home-equity-315663">Equity</a> is the amount of interest an owner has in their home. If you were to sell your home today, it is the amount of money you would receive after paying off any outstanding mortgage debt on the home. Here’s a simple example:
If the fair market value of your home is $400,000 and you owe $150,000 on the mortgage, your equity in the home is $250,000.
But equity can be fluid depending on several factors. Keeping an eye on your equity and learning more about it is important. While losing equity is possible, you can take actions to build your equity and see a better return on your investment when you decide to sell your home.
How Does Home Equity Work?
<a href="https://myhome.freddiemac.com/owning/equity-and-appreciation">Your home equity</a> is basically what you would earn if you were to sell the home and repay your mortgage. Of course, you would also have to pay off any second mortgage. When you own the home completely with no debt, you have 100% equity, or full ownership.
The costs of selling your home reduce your equity somewhat. For example, you sell your home for $400,000. Certain obligations are subtracted from that amount, such as:
Remaining mortgage debt
Property taxes
Agent commissions
Title charges
Taxes
Closing costs
The basic transaction would like something like this:
$400,000 -
$100,000 remaining mortgage
$14,000 taxes
$14,000 agent fees
$8,000 title, sales tax, closing costs, etc.
__________________________________________
$264,000 total net equity
Can You Build Equity?
Homeowners can build equity by reducing the amount of debt owed toward the property and increasing the home’s value. While it’s true that real estate mostly appreciates in value over time, this isn’t always the case. You should be proactive in raising your home equity as much as possible. Here’s how.
Pay the Mortgage
Every mortgage payment you make reduces your debt and increases your equity. There is typically a balance of how much of your mortgage payment goes toward interest and how much goes toward principal debt; more is applied to interest early in the mortgage. But every bit of extra you pay goes directly to reducing the principal, depending on your loan type, allowing you to <a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/how-to-pay-off-mortgage-early">pay off the loan early and save on interest</a>.
Consider this: as little as one extra mortgage payment per year can reduce a 30-year mortgage term by five or six years and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest.
Make Improvements
Upgrades and improvements you make to your home can increase its market value, and therefore, your equity. Some improvements are worth more than others. For example, if you invest $20,000 into kitchen renovations (especially without a home equity loan) you can increase your home’s market value by as much as $50,000.
Other <a href="https://www.opendoor.com/articles/improvements-that-increase-home-value">improvements that can raise your home equity</a> include:
Adding a pool
Finish the basement
Add a room
Add a bathroom
Remodel bathrooms
Install hardwood flooring
Add an attached garage
Can You Lose Equity?
Your home equity can also fall. Taking out a second mortgage or refinancing your existing home loan will decrease your equity. Failing to keep up on home maintenance and allowing your home’s condition to decline can also lower its value and your equity. Even market conditions can change, or the value of your home’s neighborhood, and lower your home equity.
Want to know more about the equity in your home? <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/contact/">Contact Jeff Cook Real Estate</a> and talk with a real estate professional about equity and other matters relating to your home. 2023-01-23T09:25:00-07:002023-02-28T14:31:48-07:00Patricia Utseytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:13864What is a CL-100? One of the primary attractions for <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/communities/">low country living in South Carolina</a> is our salubrious climate. Plenty of sunshine and breezes, plus our proximity to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, create the perfect environment for <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/summer-activities-in-south-carolina/">enjoyment and relaxation</a>. Unfortunately, that climate can contribute to a significant problem with property — termites.
When buying or selling real estate in South Carolina that involves a lender, a CL-100 is a vital item on your check-off list. Technically known as the <a href="https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/pesticide-regulation/forms/wood-infestation-report.pdf">South Carolina Wood Infestation Report</a> (WIR), the CL-100 is a mandatory report from a certified termite inspector that the home you wish to buy or sell is free from termites and other pests that love wood.
The Basics of a CL-100
The CL-100 report basically details any visible infestation and damage caused to a home by termites, wood-destroying beetles, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and wood-decaying fungi in accessible areas of a home. Since the South Carolina low country is hot and humid, and most structures are built from white pine (a termite delicacy), this report is required when borrowing money to buy property.
You want a “CL-100 clear” report, (meaning ‘clear letter’) that verifies your home is free from the above pests and any detectable damage that would necessitate repairs. Any licensed pest control contractor in South Carolina can provide this inspection and report.
What is Involved in a CL-100 Inspection?
A licensed pest control professional will visually inspect your property (or the property you wish to purchase). He or she will look throughout and underneath the property for signs of:
Active infestation of termites or other wood-destroying insects
Previous infestation of termites or other wood-destroying insects
Previous termite treatment
Active wood-destroying fungi below the main floor (indicating a wood moisture content of 28% or above).
Visibly damaged wooden members below the main first floor of the home including columns, sills, door jambs, exterior stairs, and porches.
If the damage is enough to warrant further investigation, the inspector can recommend a deeper inspection by a structural engineer licensed and registered with the <a href="https://llr.sc.gov/">SC Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulations</a>.
Any repairs or pest remediation must be performed before a reinspection can issue a clear CL-100 report.
Protect Your South Carolina Home
Prevention is always better than a cure, so combat termites by never letting them or other pests get a foothold. Jeff Cook Real Estate recommends getting a termite bond with a reputable company. Be sure to review the contract with any company and know how often termite treatments will be made, as well as the levels of liability coverage for any damage that could occur.
You should also follow these recommendations to keep your home clear of pests:
Remove debris near your home and in crawl spaces.
Avoid piling wood near your home.
Avoid using wood mulch in landscaping near your home.
Provide adequate ventilation in crawl spaces and between plants and exterior walls.
Install proper drainage solutions around your home.
Eliminate wood-to-ground contacts.
Remove dense vegetation growing close to the foundation or siding.
For more help with buying or selling a home in South Carolina, including more information about CL-100 inspections and other aspects of closing, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/">contact Jeff Cook Real Estate</a>.
<br /><br /><br />2022-07-07T15:34:00-07:002022-06-21T04:12:42-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:13421Market Update: South Carolina Real Estate Trends Q1 2022South Carolina real estate market trends have been fairly constant throughout 2020 and 2021. Market trends through the first quarter of 2022 have followed a similar pattern. South Carolina continues to be a hot market for sellers. South Carolina is the <a href="https://www.unitedvanlines.com/newsroom/movers-study-2021">third-most-popular destination for new movers</a>, and Charleston, especially, is among the nation’s <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/charleston-sc-is-amongthe-nations-hottest-real-estate-markets/">hottest real estate markets</a>.
The National Association of Realtors predicted that Charleston would be one of the<a href="https://www.nar.realtor/reports/top-ten-markets-during-and-in-a-post-covid-environment-in-2021-2022"> top 10 markets in a post-COVID environment</a>, and this has certainly proven true. The Charleston real estate market keeps breaking records, with other SC municipalities following closely behind.
First Quarter SC Real Estate Market Trends
While everything about market trends cannot be discerned through numbers and statistics alone, they do reveal solid data. The first quarter (JAN-MAR) of 2022 was extremely positive, according to the numbers.
Median Home Sale Price - $320,000 (+16.8% over 2021)
Median Home Value Index - $268,500 (+24% over 2021)
SC Homes for Sale - 17,122 (-22.7% from 2021)
SC Homes that Sold above List Price - 36.4% (+13.5% over 2021)
Median Days on the Market - 47 (-26 from 2021)
Observations on SC Market Trends
The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Charleston and the Charleston Metro area <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/charlestoncitysouthcarolina,berkeleycountysouthcarolina,charlestoncountysouthcarolina,SC,US/PST045221">grew with double-digit rates</a> over the past decade. Charleston posted 25% growth, while Charleston County hit 16.6%. Berkeley County reached a respectable 29%. Most other South Carolina real estate markets were not far behind.
The same data showed Greenville as one of the top 10 housing markets positioned for growth this year. Realtor.com expects housing prices to increase by 5.7% and sales to grow by 11.4% in 2022. Myrtle Beach home prices have risen 17.8% over the first quarter of 2021.
The increasing population trend is driven by rising area incomes, better economic opportunities, a desire for better climatic conditions, and the appealing low country culture. Home prices and values are rising because of increased demand and a lower supply. Plus, with construction still slowed by supply chain issues and higher material costs, existing homes will be in even greater demand.
The numbers also show that a significant percentage of homes sell for more than the original listing price, which often signals multiple buyers making offers and bidding higher to secure the home they want most. This can also account for the lower number of days most homes remain on the market before going under contract.
Real estate market analysts predict that the SC housing market will cool slightly, as prospective buyers wait longer for prices to improve. Homes may spend more time on the market as a key indicator of this trend. However, this predicted trend has not materialized in any measurable form by the end of March 2022.
Sell Your Home in South Carolina with Jeff Cook Real Estate
Now is the time to sell your home in South Carolina. Your current home value is appreciatively higher than just one year ago, and favorable interest rates still make it affordable for more buyers. If you’ve been considering <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/should-you-break-up-with-your-house/">breaking up with your old house</a>, the market trends are in tune with sellers.
The <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/faq-what-is-a-sellers-market/">sellers market</a> remains strong all across South Carolina, especially in the low country. Jeff Cook Real Estate has numerous programs and ways to help sellers get the most out of their SC homes, and faster than with other routes. We have buyers currently looking for the perfect home, so contact us today to <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/">sell your home in South Carolina</a>. 2022-04-27T06:27:00-07:002022-04-19T09:40:48-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:13154Budget-Friendly Kitchen Upgrades to Help Sell Your House<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/">Prepping your home for sale</a> can be a headache. You want to make it more attractive to potential buyers, but you don’t want to break the bank. Plus, upgrading your home pre-sale is meant to make it more attractive, and therefore worth a higher asking price. If you spend too much on upgrades, you lose a substantial amount of that extra money.
Any real estate professional will tell you — kitchens sell homes. It is the single room with the highest potential for making or breaking a sale, and for getting you the price you want. But what should you do to enhance your kitchen? Here are some budget-friendly kitchen upgrades you should consider when <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/preparing-your-home-for-the-market/">prepping your home for sale</a>.
Scrub and Organize Your Kitchen
If your budget is tight, you can still make your kitchen as impressive as possible by simply giving it a good scrub down from ceiling to floor. Cooking and use causes grease and dirt to build up on every surface, leaving a dingy appearance. Scrub walls, cabinets, appliances, and floors to remove dirt and grime and leave behind a clean gleam and odor.
Clutter is a killer when selling a home, and the kitchen is often a room that collects more than its fair share. A quick trip to the local dollar store for some inexpensive bins and organizers for your drawers and cabinets can make cluttered spaces neat and attractive. Choose colors that match your existing kitchen color, or neutral colors that blend in.
Add New Cabinet and Drawer Hardware
New cabinetry can cost a fortune, but new drawer and cabinet hardware is an affordable kitchen upgrade that makes older cabinets look new. Modern designs abound and can usually be found at a local big box home store in a variety of styles and colors. Ask a store professional or other cabinet expert about the latest styles and their recommendations.
Add an Inexpensive Backsplash
A decorative and functional backsplash above counters and below upper cabinets adds a “wow” factor to any kitchen. Many backsplash options can be found, including stick-on varieties that look like tile, stone, or other materials. These protect your walls from moisture and other substances while adding a nice dash of color or style to your kitchen.
Add a New Faucet
An older, outdated, or leaking faucet is a quick, affordable upgrade to improve the appearance and function of your kitchen. Again, many models and styles are usually available at a local big box home store, and a store representative can usually answer your questions. Choose a model that is affordable, but elegant, easy to use, and that blends in with your sink and other appliances.
Update Lighting
Updating your kitchen lighting can be more affordable than you may think. Older light fixtures stand out and make potential buyers look closer for other dated parts of your kitchen. Replace overhead lighting with something clear and understated, and consider adding under-cabinet lighting. This can not only be impressive and make work spaces brighter, many varieties are available that can be easily installed and plugged into a nearby outlet, saving you the expense of hiring an electrician.
More Help with Prepping Your Home for Sale
There are many other affordable options to consider when prepping your home for sale. Jeff Cook Real Estate can offer many helpful suggestions for your kitchen, other rooms, and outdoor spaces. Contact us today for more help with <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/">selling your home in the Carolinas</a>. We can provide experienced guidance and advice to help sell your home faster for the best price.
2022-03-30T17:29:00-07:002023-04-28T11:59:50-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:13155Charleston, SC Is AmongThe Nation’s Hottest Real Estate MarketsLife in the low country has always been viewed as preferred living, but now more than ever, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/charleston/">real estate in Charleston, SC</a> is a hot ticket. And if recent real estate trends continue, this may see an even more significant housing boom to impact market trends. Take a look at why Charleston, SC is among the nation’s hottest real estate markets.
Low Country Culture
Southern culture and our way of life has always had a strong appeal. While culture is hard to quantify, there is no doubt that Charleston stands apart when it comes to southern charm. The city is rich in history, culture, great dining and shopping experiences, and fabulous real estate opportunities.
Known for <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/moving-to-charleston-charlestons-dog-friendly-restaurants/">fabulous seafood and other uniquely southern cuisine</a>, Charleston also boasts an active nightlife scene, dozens of tourism attractions, fine hotels and charming BnBs, an active economy, top-tier educational institutions, superior medical care, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/moving-to-charleston-top-gyms-to-start-the-new-year/">numerous fitness and exercise venues</a>, and plenty of career opportunities.
Just look at these accolades from 2021:
Charleston ranked as one of the <a href="https://www.natlawreview.com/article/where-to-open-shop-new-report-ranks-best-places-to-do-business-us">best cities in America to do business</a> by AZ State University study.
Charleston ranks #4 <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article250009389.html">Best cities for post-pandemic Life</a> by Today.com
Charleston has <a href="https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/charleston-county-news/seven-charleston-hotels-ranked-among-best-in-the-world-by-tripadvisor/">7 of the top best hotels</a> in the world according to TripAdvisor.com
U.S. News and World Report’s <a href="https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live">150 best places to live in the United States</a> places Charleston in the top third.
U.S News and World Report <a href="https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/fastest-growing-places">25 Fastest Growing Cities</a> in 2021 ranks Charleston #19, <a href="https://homesforsalelistings.net/real-estate/sc/myrtle-beach">Myrtle Beach</a> #1, <a href="https://homesforsalelistings.net/real-estate/sc/spartanburg-mls-properties">Spartanburg #12</a>.
<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Restaurants-cFineDining-g191">Trip Advisors 2021 Best Fine Dining restaurants</a> in America ranked four restaurants in Charleston in the top 25: Halls Chop House #3, Circa 1886 ranked #9, Peninsula Grill #14, and 82 Queen #25.
For the ninth year in a row, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best">Travel + Leisure</a> readers crowned Charleston, South Carolina, the No. 1 city in the United States.
Charleston ranked #2 City in America to retire by <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-retire/6165">Wallethub.</a> (<a href="https://homesforsalelistings.net/real-estate/sc/columbia">Columbia SC</a> #11)
Mount Pleasant ranks in <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-small-cities-to-live-in/16581">WalletHub’s #9 most livable</a> small city in America
Charleston Ranked #13 as Best Cities in USA for <a href="https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-cities-for-military-retirees-2021">military retirees by SmartAsset.com</a>
Charleston ranked <a href="https://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/slideshows/the-30-most-fun-places-to-live-in-the-us?slide=26">#6 Most “Fun” places to live in the USA</a>, by US News.
Porch.com ranked Charleston <a href="https://porch.com/advice/best-cities-for-single-millennials">#1 City in America for Single Millennials</a>.
Charleston <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/e/best-worst-college-cities-and-towns-in-america/8974">#10 best mid-sized college town</a> in America.
Rising Local Incomes
According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, a division of the Department of Commerce, Median Household Income in Charleston, SC <a href="https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income-county-metro-and-other-areas">grew 10.77% from 2019-2020</a>. This is the largest one-year increase observed out of all US metropolitan areas. The average median income now sits at $70,505.
This is a major factor that is driving up prices for real estate in Charleston, SC. Combine this data with an <a href="https://www.postandcourier.com/business/real_estate/inventory-interest-rates-millennials-and-more-what-s-ahead-for-charleston-real-estate-in-2022/article_03eea702-61ce-11ec-a2a0-9f26ecd37ed0.html">almost 40% drop in housing inventory</a>, and the prescription for a jump in home prices is clear. Rising local incomes make it easier for Charleston families to afford housing in this market.
Inbound Migration
The market trend of <a href="https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/user-notes.html">northern residents moving south</a> is nothing new, but those living in the low country are meeting more new neighbors from northern states than ever before. A migration study from one of the country’s top moving firms reveals that South Carolina is the <a href="https://www.unitedvanlines.com/newsroom/movers-study-2021">third-most-popular destination for new movers</a>. Of all moves into and out of South Carolina in 2021, 63% were inbound moves.
According to the <a href="https://www.crda.org/news/2021-exactly-how-many-people-move-into-the-charleston-region-each-day/">Charleston Regional Development Alliance</a>:
The Charleston metro area population is estimated at 819,705 in 2020, an increase of approximately 14,600 people and up 1.8% from 2019 estimates.
This regional growth equates to 40 net new people per day added to our community, 33 moving here and 7 new births.
Of those 33 people moving here each day – 69% are in the prime working ages 18-54. Just 5% are 65 and older.
Buy or Sell Real Estate in Charleston, SC
All this combined with coastal living at its finest — no wonder real estate in Charleston, SC is considered prime property, with many options within the city and around the area for families of all sizes and income brackets. Market trends can fluctuate, but Charleston’s low country appeal keeps it in the top rankings of best places to live.
Jeff Cook Real Estate can help you locate the best home to fit your needs if you are moving to Charleston. Or, if you are looking to sell real estate in Charleston, SC, we can help you sell faster and for a better price. <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/">Contact us today</a> with your questions or real estate needs. 2022-03-23T06:32:00-07:002022-03-15T18:52:56-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:13153Should You Break Up with Your House?Breakups can be tough — especially with your home. Similar to breaking up in a romantic relationship, emotions can cloud sound judgment. However, just like in human relationships, there can be some clear signs that it’s time to part with your home and seek a better housing solution. Choosing when is often a huge decision. <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/">What is the best time to sell my home?</a> What are the factors that indicate it’s time to sell? Where can I find some selling tips to provide guidance?
Jeff Cook Real Estate is your seasoned real estate firm that helps clients <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/communities/">throughout the Carolinas</a> buy and sell homes. When it’s time for the dreaded breakup, we can make the process as painless as possible. In fact, searching for a new home with Jeff Cook can be absolutely exciting!
What is the Best Time to Sell My Home?
Only you can decide when it’s time to sell your home. Various factors can come into play as you consider this decision, including family changes, health changes, career changes, retirement, and more. At Jeff Cook Real Estate, we are often asked, “What is the best time to sell my home?” Here are the most common factors that move individuals and families to sell their home and purchase another one.
When You Need More Space
Families can grow and their needs can grow, too. Even a standard family of four with two parents and two children can find a home growing small as the members grow in size and develop new habits. That toddler that stayed close to mom’s feet can become an energetic teenage boy with a huge gaming setup. The small girl that sat for hours playing with dolls on her bed now needs a virtual studio for her musical talents.
Adding to the family or growing needs are not the only reasons to need more space. Sometimes health needs dictate a need for more space, or a need for special spaces. A loved one can become disabled and need room for wheelchair access or more room for a specific type of bed. “What is the best time to sell my home?” When you need more space.
When You Need Less Space
Of course, just the opposite can be true. As your family grows and most or all the chicks fly the coop to build their own nests, you can find yourself with too much space. Growing older can make it more difficult to care for all that extra room. The passing of a spouse can make it even more difficult to fill a space that once cared for a busy family.
Retirement can bring about a change in your focus or lifestyle. You and your spouse may wish to travel and not spend as much time at home. A smaller house just makes better sense, with less to care for and worry about. Plus, the equity you’ve built up in your existing home could possibly cover the cost of a smaller space while partly funding your retirement ambitions.
When You Need a Change
Sometimes looking at those same walls for decades can just become too much to bear. You need a change. Perhaps a more modern, open layout would suit your new tastes better. Maybe growing older means you need to be closer to medical facilities, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/moving-to-charleston-top-gyms-to-start-the-new-year/">workout facilities</a>, or relatives. Or maybe you want to be able to walk downtown and catch the <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/top-5-food-trucks-in-columbia-sc/">different food trucks</a> that set up shop daily!
“What is the best time to sell my home?” When the itch or drive compels you to move and start afresh and you need a change.
When Interest Rates are Favorable
Low interest rates can greatly influence your decision of what is the best time to sell your home. In fact, many realtors include selling when rates are low in their top selling tips. While rates always fluctuate to some degree, the past few years have seen a pattern of low interest rates that favor both selling and buying.
<a href="https://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/articles/why-you-should-sell-your-home">Reliable real estate predictions</a> indicate that 2022 will see a slight rise in interest rates, but they will still remain fairly low. High demand and high home prices are also predicted to remain. In this type of market, here are some evergreen selling tips to remember:
Low interest rates drive up buyer demand. This means you can expect to sell your home much faster.
Low interest rates help keep home prices high, and this benefits sellers. You can expect to receive more for your home, as borrowers will spend more for the home they desire, taking advantage of lower interest rates.
Lower interest rates give you, the seller, more negotiating power. More demand means you can ask a favorable price and even receive more, if potential buyers fight over your home.
If you are considering selling your home in North Carolina or South Carolina, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/contact/">contact us</a> for more selling tips and advice at Jeff Cook Real Estate.
<br /><br />2022-03-20T08:22:00-07:002022-08-26T07:22:36-07:00Patricia Utseytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:12880What is Seller Financing? - Real Estate Tips Investopedia defines <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/seller-financing.asp">Seller Financing</a> as, “... a real estate agreement in which the seller handles the mortgage process instead of a financial institution. Instead of applying for a conventional bank mortgage, the buyer signs a mortgage with the seller.”
It is also sometimes called owner financing or a purchase-money mortgage agreement. Should you consider seller financing when buying or selling a home? What is involved in seller financing? Let’s take a closer look.
Why Should I Consider Seller Financing?
Seller financing can be a viable option for both buyers and sellers for a number of reasons. Primarily, in markets where financing is difficult, this alternative form of credit can be helpful. Both parties can avoid certain extra costs at closing and other related expenses. Some benefits and drawbacks are listed below.
Seller Benefits
Seller benefits from owner financing can include:
Saving considerable closing costs
Possibility of significant savings on capital gains tax
Faster sale turnaround
The option to sell property as-is without needing repairs
Freedom from property tax and homeowners insurance
Freedom from maintenance expenses
Option to sell the owner-financed mortgage to another investor
Buyer Benefits
Sellers aren’t the only ones who can benefit from owner/seller financing. Buyers can enjoy some benefits, too, including:
Greater access to financing for low-income buyers
Lower closing costs
More flexible agreement terms
Possibility of no private mortgage insurance costs
More accessible if a buyer has poor credit
Seller Financing Disadvantages
Of course, seller financing has some disadvantages as well as benefits for both the buyer and seller. These can include:
Few regulations to protect buyers and sellers
Buyers can still lose the home to foreclosure if the seller doesn’t make their own mortgage payments on the property
The buyer can end up paying too much for the property
In most cases, higher interest rates and a bigger down payment are required
The seller assumes certain risks if the buyer defaults on payment
What is Involved in Seller Financing?
Since a bank or other financial institution isn’t involved in the seller financing transaction, things can be simpler. However, both parties should be fully aware of the possible risks they are undertaking, and do everything possible to mitigate those risks. Written and notarized contracts are a minimum requirement. You are still making a purchase agreement for thousands of dollars.
Both parties should agree on the terms and conditions of a contract, spelling out everything possible about the transaction. This should include:
Total purchase price
Monthly payment amounts and due dates
Provisions for late payments and fees
Interest rate
Any related tax provisions/agreements
Required down payment amount and method of payment
Any as-is agreement or repair-before-sale stipulations
If the seller owes a mortgage on the property and the written permission from the mortgage holder for the transaction, if required.
Conditions that incur loan default and provisions for handling it
Once these and any other conditions are agreed upon, both parties and a notary witness can draw up the documents and execute the sale. Transfers of funds should happen as agreed as soon as possible.
Do I Need a Realtor If I’m Involved in Seller Financing a Home?
It is recommended that both buyer and seller consult with a seasoned real estate professional like a Jeff Cook Real Estate local expert who is experienced in seller financing and home transactions. They can provide valuable advice to protect each party and to help ensure that the deal meets everyone’s needs and any legal requirements in your state and/or area. You may also want an experienced real estate attorney to actually create the seller financing contract and any other related paperwork.
<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/contact/">Contact Jeff Cook Real Estate</a> today to learn more about the possibilities of seller financing your home in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Rock Hill, Charlotte, and Myrtle Beach.
2022-02-18T14:03:00-07:002022-02-16T12:05:35-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:12808Cash Offers are Tempting, But Proceed with CautionIn today’s red-hot real estate market, with inventory low and demand high, it comes as no surprise that real estate professionals and their clients are seeing a best-case scenario play out within just hours of listing — cash offers that eliminate the uncertainty of buyer financing. In a competitive housing market, sellers are finding themselves fielding cash offers like never before as buyers try to avoid bidding wars.
There are two ends of the spectrum when it comes to cash offers, from low-end buyers looking to flip a property, to wealthy individuals who don’t need a mortgage with plenty of cash in the bank. While buyers are quick to accept cash offers since the stress of financing falling through is eliminated, there are some drawbacks that every seller should consider. While the advantages nearly always outshine the negatives of a cash offer, be aware of the potential pitfalls as well.
Quick Closing
Once there is a contract of sale in place, many sellers then begin the house hunting process for their new home. For many, the 60 to 90-day timeline from mortgage underwriting to closing is a welcome delay — buying them time to find their next house and have an offer accepted. However, cash offers move much more swiftly, with some closings happening in just two weeks. All your buyer needs to do is provide proof of funds, and the closing moves forward. If you’re a seller who needs to lock-in a buyer and know the final purchase price before placing an offer on your next home, that ultra-short timeline could leave you in limbo between homes.
Leaving Money on the Table
While there is certainly value in a cash offer in terms of ease and reduced stress, sellers should be careful to not undervalue their home simply for a cash offer. Research indicates that on average,<a href="http://ewfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/226.pdf"> sellers accept cash offers that are 11% lower than financed offers</a>. On high value properties, this translates to a significant amount of cash left on the table. The other consideration when it comes to valuing your home for a cash sale is the absence of an appraisal. Since it’s the mortgage lender that requires an appraisal to ensure the financed amount doesn’t exceed the value of the home, that step is skipped with a cash offer. With home values rising at unprecedented speed, sellers should do their homework to understand the current market value of their home before accepting a cash offer that might be significantly less.
Demanding Buyers
Cash buyers tend to be very inflexible, from providing only a few hours to accept their offer to demanding certain contingencies. They want to move quickly to prevent a seller from entertaining other offers, whether cash or financed. With a cash offer, buyers often feel they have the upper hand in negotiations, and will apply pressure to work within their timeline and meet their demands.
Despite the increase in cash offers, it’s still considered a non-traditional way to purchase a home. If a cash offer appeals to you, but is leaving you feeling uneasy, there are safer alternatives to get cash for your home and avoid the stress of dealing with a buyer.<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/"> Jeff Cook Real Estate</a> can help you determine if a traditional or non-traditional sale is right for you, and if you decide to go the non-traditional route,<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/jeff-cook-offers/"> Jeff Cook Offers</a> can assist in a stress-free way. Their team of real estate professionals can make a fair cash offer on your home with a sales process that offers less hassle and works on your timeline. They’ll simply schedule an appointment with you, you’ll agree on a sale price, and you choose your closing date. For a seller looking to take the stress and uncertainty out of selling their home, Jeff Cook Offers could prove to be the best option.2022-02-07T16:52:00-07:002022-02-09T06:46:32-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:12566Agent Highlight | Our Top Agents for Quarter 4<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/AgentBlogHighlight_DEC2021.png" width="1800" height="1015" />
Time to celebrate! Our agents are hard working and love what they do every day so we are taking a moment to recognize the teams and agents that have gone above and beyond. At Jeff Cook Real Estate, we make sure our clients come first and that each family we have the opportunity to serve feels comfortable and supported in their decisions. Congratulations to the top agents for the end of 2021!
The Ryan McHugh Team
Top Team at Jeff Cook Real Estate
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Ryan_Watermark.jpg" width="2160" height="2160" />
Ryan McHugh has been in the real estate industry for almost 4 years and his team has served over 90 families in the last few years. The Ryan Mchugh Team includes Janet McHugh and Tasha McHugh. Ryan views real estate as more than a career, “It’s a lifestyle. It’s my passion and I enjoy every aspect of it. Even the times when I need to be a critical thinker and help my clients through what may be a stressful situation. It’s rewarding to see families excited about moving into their new home and the kids getting to claim a bedroom. It brings me back to my favorite family memories.” Whether you’re relocating to South Carolina or simply moving across town, the Ryan McHugh Team offers a total solution for your family! The Ryan McHugh Team strives to ensure that your move is not only effective but affordable. Contact the Ryan McHugh Tea, at <a href="mailto:ryan.mchugh@jeffcookrealestate.com">ryan.mchugh@jeffcookrealestate.com</a> or call 843-226-5535.
Dena Espinoza
Rising Star at Jeff Cook Real Estate
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/DenaEspinoza_7718.jpg" width="1000" height="1250" />
Dena Espinoza has been in real estate for less than a year and has already served over 8 families! Dena says her favorite part of being a real estate agent is helping families achieve their dreams of owning a home. A unique aspect of Dena’s interests includes helping families who are looking to relocate and sell their current home. Dena is our Rising Star because she believes in setting goals for herself to stay motivated. Dena says, “If you set your goals and go after them, in the end, you will be satisfied with a job well done and appreciative of your efforts all while overcoming any challenges along the way.” Contact Dena Espinoza at <a href="mailto:dena.espinoza@jeffcookrealestate.com">dena.espinoza@jeffcookrealestate.com</a> or call at 803-517-8857.
Cindy Nicholas
Top Listing Agent at Jeff Cook Real Estate
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/OLDHeadshotTemplate.jpg" width="2000" height="2240" />
Cindy Nicholas started her career in real estate in 2017 and has helped a whopping 200 families! Cindy enjoys making a difference in the lives of the families she serves. She says, “The thing I like most about my career in real estate is putting people in a better situation than they were before, even those who didn’t believe it would be possible. One of my clients was a 68-year-old purchasing their very first home. It is such a special experience to me and there is truly nothing like it.” To contact Cindy Nicholas, email <a href="mailto:cindy.nicholas@jeffcookrealestate.com">cindy.nicholas@jeffcookrealestate.com</a> or call 843-847-1653.
Dalton Hunter
Top Buyer Agent at Jeff Cook Real Estate
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Dalton_Hunter.jpg" width="2160" height="2160" />
Dalton Hunter has had a successful career in real estate for over 3 years in the Charleston area. Dalton has served over 80 families and enjoys that he is in charge of the direction of his business. Dalton says, “My clients are so appreciative and help make what I do feel more rewarding. I’m so glad to have clients that can see the value in the real estate process.” To contact Dalton Hunter, email <a href="mailto:dalton.hunter@jeffcookrealestate.com">dalton.hunter@jeffcookrealestate.com</a> or call 843-991-3379.
If you’re interested in buying a home or selling your current one, give us a call at 855-HEY-JEFF.2022-01-04T14:00:00-07:002022-01-04T14:24:32-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:12397Waiving Home Inspections | The Benefits and PitfallsWaiving Home Inspections – The Benefits and Pitfalls
Home inspections are traditionally one of the many parts to buying a home. However, with the current real estate market in South Carolina and elsewhere across the United States, some buyers are choosing to waive the home inspection as a means to speed up the purchasing process and make their offer appear more favorable to sellers. While this may place you in a favorable position over other home buying contracts being offered, you need to understand the benefits and pitfalls.
What is the Benefit of Home Inspections?
<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/home-inspection.asp">Home inspections</a> are intended to provide accurate information on the current condition of a home. This information is vital to both buyers and sellers. The major systems and areas of a home are inspected by a licensed, trained professional, usually with many years of experience in the construction industry. Home inspections can reveal serious problems with a home, as well as smaller issues that are more easily dealt with before or after a sale.
Common areas covered in home inspections include:
Foundation
Basement/crawlspace
Property drainage
Outer surface materials
Walls, ceilings, floors
Windows and doors
Electrical system
Plumbing system
HVAC system
Heating/furnace
Attic/inner roof components/insulation
Roof
Chimney
Appliances
Attached structures (porch, garage, etc.)
Safety issues
<a href="https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/common-problems-found-during-home-inspections">Serious problems</a> with any of these areas could mean costly repairs. Armed with this information, the seller may choose to make certain repairs and offer a lower price to compensate for the other, smaller issues. Buyers may choose to offer a lower price if they have to make repairs, or may shy away from the deal altogether to avoid costly, time-consuming projects.
The <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0511/10-reasons-you-shouldnt-skip-a-home-inspection.aspx">most significant benefit of home inspections</a> is the advance information about the home’s condition. Buyers can negotiate and make a purchase deal armed with facts, and not get stuck with huge, unexpected repairs and monumental expenses down the road, after the purchase.
Why the Trend Toward Waiving Home Inspections?
The <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/2021-home-buyer-report/">2021 Home Buyer Report</a> from NerdWallet indicated that about 21 million Americans planned to buy a home in 2021. The number of available homes in many locations, including the Southeast, is insufficient for the number of probable buyers. With slowdowns in construction due to COVID-19 and the ongoing supply chain problems, construction materials are scarce and at a premium, making new construction difficult to find and even harder to buy.
This means existing homes are going at a premium and going fast. Many home buyers have expressed frustrations with seeing a new listing for an existing home for sale and calling about it, only to learn it is already under contract. Desirable real estate is going fast – and buyers are doing whatever they can to make their offer more desirable.
Some measures buyers are using include offering premium pricing, as much as $20,000 or more, over the asking price to shut down bidding wars and lock in their offer. Others are making sure their financing is locked in and showing proof as a guarantee to the seller that the money is in hand, making for a quicker sale and closing.
Another trend has been to <a href="https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/should-i-waive-a-home-inspection/">waive home inspections</a>. This eliminates one element of the selling/purchasing process to speed up the transaction. And, since the real estate boom is causing delays in everything, including home inspections, this can be a significant factor in closing a sale. While this trend actually began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic for health reasons, it persists as a means to make a buy offer more attractive.
I’m Buying a Home – When Would I Safely Choose to Waive the Home Inspection?
Is there any time when <a href="https://education.bankerstrust.com/articles/what-you-should-know-about-waiving-home-inspections/">waiving home inspections</a> is safe, or even recommended? Most experts say no, that the small investment, even the delay in the process, is warranted because of the potential savings. Even new construction can have problems from hurried contractors, shoddy workmanship, safety issues, out-of-code issues and more.
If the real estate you are buying is new construction and comes with a builder warranty, it might be conceivable to skip a home inspection. Another situation would be buyers purchasing a home they have been renting for some time. They would already be familiar with the home and know of any major problems.
An experienced real estate investor or home flipper may feel confident skipping home inspections due to already planning significant renovations. Plus, many of these investors keep up to $50,000 in an emergency fund to handle the unexpected. They can still recoup their investment even with major repairs, especially in the current real estate market.
Get Seasoned Guidance When Buying a Home
Regardless of how many home buying contracts you have negotiated, it is always wise to get advice from a seasoned real estate professional. Specific questions like waiving home inspections can only really be answered accurately according to the unique situation, and a Realtor® is best equipped to provide answers.
Jeff Cook Real Estate can help you <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/buying-a-home-what-is-due-diligence-when-buying-a-home/">perform your due diligence</a> when buying a home in the Carolina communities of Myrtle Beach, Greenville, Charleston, Columbia, Rock Hill and Charlotte. Contact us today with your questions about Carolina real estate, home inspections, home buying contracts and more.2021-12-28T06:24:00-07:002022-01-20T06:45:41-07:00Lauren Browntag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:11876Agent Highlight | Our Top Agents for Quarter 3<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/AgentBlogHighlight_-_Oct2021.jpg" width="9337" height="5264" />
Time to celebrate! Our agents are hard working and love what they do every day so we are taking a moment to recognize the teams and agents that have gone above and beyond. At Jeff Cook Real Estate, we make sure our clients come first and that each family we have the opportunity to serve feels comfortable and supported in their decisions. Congratulations to the top agents for Quarter 3!
Jason Husted Team
Top Team at Jeff Cook Real Estate
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/JasonHusted_Xpressdocs.jpg" width="3412" height="3822" />
Jason Husted began flipping homes in 2014 and as his interest in the real estate industry grew, Jason received his license in New York and later in South Carolina. Since becoming a real estate agent, Jason Husted has been able to serve over 104 families with selling and buying homes. With Jeff Cook Real Estate, Jason has built his own team of agents, assistants, and content creators. Jason says his favorite part of being a real estate agent is the endless opportunities within the industry.
Congratulations to the Jason Husted Team!
Cherith Guest - Agent
Kyu Myoung - Agent
Austin Poirier - Agent
Robert Poirier - Licensed assistant & Content creator
Mackenzie Huff - Team Assistant
Blaine Vinson II - Content Creator
Contact the Jason Husted Team at <a href="mailto:jason.husted@jeffcookrealestate.com">jason.husted@jeffcookrealestate.com</a> or call 843-925-7600.
Kevin Johnson
Rising Star at Jeff Cook Real Estate
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/KevinJohnson_Logo.jpg" width="3412" height="3822" />
Kevin Johnson reviewed his real estate license in April and has been working with Jeff Cook Real Estate ever since. Although Kevin is just getting his start in the industry, he has already served over 22 families, including 10 closed deals and 12 current pending deals! Kevin says, “My favorite part about working in real estate is establishing meaningful connections with the families I serve and exceeding their expectations with the service they receive. My goal is to create a positive real estate experience with my clients to change their perception of the industry and show them that there are agents who truly care about their needs every step of the transaction.” Kevin is certified to represent both buyers and sellers, and he also has experience with investors purchasing rental properties and multi-family residences. Contact Kevin Johnson at <a href="mailto:kevin.johnson@jeffcookrealestate.com">kevin.johnson@jeffcookrealestate.com</a> or give him a call at 803-447-9836.
Clayton Hall
Top Listing Agent at Jeff Cook Real Estate
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Clayton_Watermark.jpg" width="2160" height="2160" />
Clayton Hall has been a real estate agent with Jeff Cook Real Estate for over 4 years and has served over 50 families! Clayton and his fiance Whitney work together to serve families in Charleston and surrounding areas. Clayton says, “I genuinely work hard no matter what. I love that I basically get a new job every time someone chooses me to be their agent. It’s a humbling experience to help someone through a huge life decision such as selling their home and I enjoy working hard to prove myself to my clients.” Contact Clayton Hall at <a href="mailto:clayton.hall@jeffcookrealestate.com">clayton.hall@jeffcookrealestate.com</a> or give him a call at 843-494-7939.
Nancy Walsh
Top Buyer Agent at Jeff Cook Real Estate
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/NancyWalsh.png" width="3412" height="3822" />
Nancy Walsh has been a real estate agent for almost 5 years and has served over 160 families! Nancy is endorsed by Jeff Cook himself and has been certified as a Ramsey Trusted Endorsed Local Provider. Nancy specializes in assisting your family buy or sell their home through any season of life! Nancy loves serving her clients; she says, “Helping my clients buy their new home is my absolute favorite thing to do. Seeing the look on their faces when they walk into their new home for the first time is magical. The feeling of helping a client win their new home in this competitive market makes all the hard work worthwhile.” Contact Nancy Walsh at <a href="mailto:nancy.walsh@jeffcookrealestate.com">nancy.walsh@jeffcookrealestate.com</a> or give her a call at 843-718-4285.
To learn more about how to prep your home for the market, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/these-landscaping-tips-can-increase-your-home-value/" target="_blank">click here </a>to read about unique landscaping ideas. When you're ready to sell your home, call 855-HEY-JEFF! 2021-10-13T13:00:00-07:002021-10-14T13:22:27-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:11104FAQ: What is a Seller's Market?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Distinguished_House.png" width="2614" height="1744" alt="Blue House" />
A seller's market is a kind of market where the demand for a particular product exceeds the supply. A seller's market has certain specific characteristics where there is a shortage of products on sale. Therefore, the seller can determine the price of the product. In the real estate field, the demand for houses is more than the supply. This is expected when buying a home if the location does not have the number of homes available for sale to match the demand.
In such situations, the prices are usually competitive since buyers outshine each other on the price, and the highest price acquires the property. In a seller's market, the buyers determine the property's worth since they have bargaining power.
Seller's market
In a seller's market, the seller controls the market because the demand is more than the supply of property. The seller is usually at an advantage since they sell the property with the best deals because multiple buyers want to acquire the property. In this market, buyers have to make a faster decision to buy property.
Key factors that affect the seller's market.
The seller's market in real estate is usually affected by two main factors:
The season you want to buy the property and the level of investment growth in the specific location. There is a <a href="https://www.counton2.com/news/latest-news/south-carolina-real-estate-is-booming-during-the-summer-months/">peak season</a> for selling and buying property, and you should take advantage of that. For example, during winter, the demand is higher than the supply since many people tend to dispose of their houses during summer. Places with better opportunities and a high rate of employment have higher demand.
Signs of seller's market
The prices of homes are usually higher
When the demand for houses is higher, the possibilities of bidding wars will be higher. The bidding war is usually between the many buyers who want to acquire the property. It gives seller's higher bargaining power over the buyers.
Quick sale
Due to the high demand for houses in a seller's market, there will be limited properties in specific areas. A home sale is usually faster than in the buyers' market. The homes are generally unique and attract more buyers.
Limited homes for sale
The demand is usually higher than the supply of homes when it is <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">time to sell</a>. The sale of houses is more, thus leaving a few homes for sale. To understand a seller's market, compare the number of places available for purchase and the number of houses previously sold.
Bidding
In the seller's market, buyers compete with each other during the buying process since there is a limited supply of property. The highest bidder outbids the other buyers making the price of the property go up.
Differences between the seller's market and buyer's market
The <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/faq-what-is-a-buyers-market/">buyer's market</a> is the opposite of the seller's market. In the buyer's market, the supply of houses in real estate is usually higher. The buyer has various properties to choose from, and the sellers have to convince the buyers to buy the property, unlike in the seller's market. In the buyer's market, buyers have negotiating power.
What kind of market are you in? No matter the market, Jeff Cook Real Estate has a team of experts who are ready to take on the market with you and help you win!2021-08-02T08:00:00-07:002021-11-01T06:08:50-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:11152List Your Home Traditionally or Sell The JCO Way<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/JCO_WAY.jpg" width="1200" height="628" />
In an effort to meet the ever changing needs of the real estate market, Jeff Cook Real Estate launched Jeff Cook Offers (JCO) to provide solutions to meet every real estate need. The JCO Way is an easier way to sell your home when traditional services don't fit your needs. They have several options that many real estate companies don't provide or even know are possible.
The wide variety of options provided through the JCO Way empowers sellers to customize a home-selling plan that is specific to their needs. Offering fast sales, no commissions, and flexible closing dates, we are on your side! We can close on your timeline, and always <a href="https://listwithclever.com/real-estate-blog/average-time-to-sell-a-house-in-south-carolina/#:~:text=What's%20the%20average%20time%20to%20sell%20a%20house%20in%20South%20Carolina%3F,-Average%20Time%20to&text=The%20average%20time%20it%20takes,additional%2035%20days%20to%20close.">faster than a traditional closing</a>! For a free consultation, connect today with your acquisition specialist or visit jeffcookrealestate.com.
Immediate Buyout Program
If you need to sell quickly and you don’t have the time or interest in a traditional home sale process, this may be the solution for you. Jeff Cook Offers buys houses in any condition. Don’t worry about cleaning up the property or making repairs!
Taking Over Payments Program
This solution is to <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/should-i-fix-or-sell-benefits-to-selling-a-house-as-is/">buy your property “as is”</a> for the current principal balance, leaving the existing financing in place until the property is renovated and resold. Get some relief from <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/budget-tips-to-relieve-the-stress-of-high-house-payments/">mortgage stress</a> and financial pressure, providing you with the freedom you need to move forward with your life.
Partnership Program
Is your home in need of repairs and it's just not in your budget? You may be a good candidate for the Partnership Program. Let JCO step in and handle the renovations and you will simply share in the profit when the property is sold.
Legacy Program
Turn your home into cash flow every month through the Legacy Program. This may be right for you if you own your house free and clear. Draw your equity out in monthly payments and spread out your tax liability over a longer period of time.
This is a good fit if you are a landlord who doesn't want to deal with toilets, tenants, and trash. The Legacy Program also allows you to retain income from your property or simply to leave generational wealth for your family.
Traditional List or The JCO Way?
When it comes to selling your home, which one is right for you? To find out <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/jeff-cook-offers/traditional-vs-non-traditional/">take this short quiz</a>.
Be sure to keep an eye out for our next blog! Imagine if you never had to worry about property management problems or chasing rents! 2021-07-26T06:00:00-07:002021-07-26T05:43:21-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:10979FAQ: What Is a Buyer's Market?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/House_and_Key.png" width="2828" height="1888" alt="House and Key" />
If you are a first-time homebuyer it is important to understand when it is the most advantageous time to purchase a home. In real estate, there is a buyer’s market and a seller's market. A buyer’s market means that homes are in abundance for sale with a limited number of buyers looking for homes.
Defining a Buyer’s Market
In a buyer’s market, the buyer has the power. Sellers are at a loss because they either need to negotiate and accommodate buyers or wait for the right buyer to come along. Sellers have a lot of competition to attract the right buyer, therefore it may be easier for them to offer incentives and <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/should-i-haggle-on-a-house-price-the-dos-and-donts-of-negotiating/">negotiate</a> with the homebuyer.
Signs of a Buyer's Market vs a Seller's Market
The key signs that indicate the type of <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/key-indicators-of-a-healthy-housing-market/">market</a> it is, are the length of time a home is on the market and the cost of the homes on the market.
In a buyer’s market, you will find that homes are listed for longer periods. While the homes are listed you may notice price drops in the cost of the homes. Sellers are more accommodating because there are more homes for sale than there are buyers.
On the other hand, in a seller’s market, there is a greater demand for homes than there are homes for sale. Homes might be listed one day and gone the next and the prices of the homes will continuously increase.
What This Means for Homebuyers
If you are a homebuyer in a buyer’s market, you have a greater chance of finding what you want in a home at the price that you want. Sellers understand that buyers can easily walk away unless they are willing to negotiate and/or offer incentives.
As a homebuyer, you want to be patient and take your time looking for a home. Make sure that you know what is on the market and compare properties. Look at how long a home is on the market. The longer a home is listed, the more power you will have with negotiating with the seller.
Several points can be negotiated when buying a home. This includes the cost of the home, contingencies, repairs, and seller concessions(closing costs). You have the power to ask for things to reduce the amount of cash that you need to come up with at closing or to reduce the price of the home.
You as the homebuyer are in control of the process. You have the power to ask for things such as extending deadlines for closing or <a href="https://whnt.com/taking-action/bbb-consumer-alerts/what-to-consider-when-hiring-a-home-inspector/">inspecting the home</a>. You can also negotiate the date that you take possession of the home. Sellers that are committed to the sale of their home are more likely to agree to these terms.
Bottom Line
This guide was intended to give you a better understanding of how the real estate market affects the process of buying a home when the buyer is in control. The bottom line is that the ball is in your court and you can get more value for your purchase.
2021-06-21T08:00:00-07:002021-11-10T06:04:45-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:10839These Landscaping Tips Can Increase Your Home Value<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Outdoor_Patio.png" width="2717" height="1811" alt="Outdoor Patio" />
When buying or selling a property, landscaping can be a competitive advantage in the market, making houses attract even more attention from homebuyers.
We have collected some landscaping features to increase your <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/increase-the-value-of-your-property-with-these-design-ideas/">home value</a>.
1. Put your land in the spotlight with a lighting system.
A tailor-made and well-designed lighting system can offer a return on investment of up to 50%. You can use several techniques, such as illuminating a passage or casting a soft light on hedges and plants.
Take advantage of upward lighting, which involves projecting the light on the walls to create light and shadow play. Well-positioned lighting creates points of interest on your land and your home, improving their visual impact.
Low lighting can highlight structural details and create a feeling of coziness and warmth.
2. Planting trees.
Trees contribute to more than just aesthetics, they can increase a property's value. Additionally, when trees are properly positioned, they increase in value as they grow and mature.
Another plus: planting trees that provide just enough shade on your home will help reduce your air conditioning bill in the summer.
3. Add a patio and enjoy a return on investment.
Patios are a great way to extend your living space outdoors while adding value to your home. The patio also gives you a view of other <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/best-plants-for-your-garden-in-south-carolina/">features of your yard</a>, in addition to being the ideal place to eat and sunbathe.
Have you opted for the patio? Make sure to light it up enough and take every precaution to protect your patio from premature wear and tear.
4. Add a complete terrace.
A beautiful terrace allows you to take advantage of the extra space for pleasant outdoor activities such as family reunions, parties, and dining. In addition to allowing you to spend quality time with your friends and relatives, it increases the resale value of your home thanks to its <a href="https://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/story/seven-ways-to-boost-your-homes-curb-appeal?oid=32088848">visual appeal</a>.
When buyers are asked to name the top 10 attractions they look for when buying a home, many mention terraces. A complete terrace can generate a return on investment of up to 67% when selling a home.
5. An outdoor kitchen.
How about being able to prepare, cook and eat your meals outdoors? Making this luxury accessible is one of the distinctive advantages of outdoor kitchens.
These can include a BBQ, counters and even kitchen islands, a wet bar, and some comfortable furniture to relax in when the day or party continues outside in the summer.
Materials that are weather-resistant wood or stainless steel are often preferred. An outdoor kitchen will significantly increase the value of your property by a large margin.
In conclusion,
Properties with spaces dedicated to landscaping draw the attention of buyers that value a private space and are looking for a better quality of life. Landscaping is important since it increases the home value, but <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/">Jeff Cook Real Estate</a> can get you more money for your home when you are ready to sell.2021-06-07T08:00:00-07:002021-06-07T05:34:12-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6068Smart Home Features to Add to Your Home
Especially when buying or selling a home, a smart home can be a true differentiating factor that sets the home above the rest. Since home automation systems are quite new, an updated system will add to your home’s comfort and it is one of many strategies to increase your <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/increase-the-value-of-your-property-with-these-design-ideas/">home value</a>.
Smart Appliances
One of the most prominent places in your home to implement the most up-to-date smart features is your kitchen. There has never been a better time to be more connected to your <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/the-best-of-lowcountry-southern-cooking/">cooking</a>. From smart dishwashers and refrigerators to a smart range hood, there are smart kitchen appliances for every home’s needs. (Some of them we didn’t know we needed until we learned of their existence!)
Smart Plugs
These little guys are the perfect way to add smart features to any room of the house. If there is an ordinary device that you plug in, you can upgrade it to a smart feature by utilizing smart plugs that automate and control whatever you connect to it. Smart plugs are a convenient and affordable way to enhance your space.
Smart Smoke Detector
You can rest assured that your home and loved ones are safe with smart features like the smart smoke detector. Compatible with your wifi and an app, these devices can quickly and calmly alert you whether you are home or away to any dangers of smoke or carbon monoxide.
Smart Routers and Home Devices
To take your smart home features to the next level, you can take advantage of smart routers and home devices. Widen the range of your wifi and smart features with a smart router that extends the reach of your wifi to enable your smart devices from one end of your house to the other and boosts your wifi signal. Pair this with a home device and you can essentially have a home where you can find out the weather or news from any room, use voice commands to turn on or off your lights or play music.
As home automation systems become more popular, they are becoming more affordable. As a result, your home will be more valuable, not only to potential <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/process-of-buying-a-home/">buyers</a> but also to you and your family. 2021-05-24T08:00:00-07:002022-06-17T13:05:35-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:10610How are Millennial Home Buyers Shaping Trends?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Millennial_Homebuyers_Shaping_Trends.png" width="2880" height="1920" alt="Millennial Homebuyers" />
Having your own home is the dream for most people. Over the past century, housing is one of the invaluable investments made by individuals, couples, and even families. According to house marketing experts, in the dawn of the 21st century, economic stability and recovery have contributed to the influx of millennial homeownership. Despite 2018 statistics implying millennials' low interest in house investment, the pandemic and the post-pandemic era have shown shifting perspectives from Millenials about housing.
Home Affordability
Purchasing real estate and property is considered the most extensive undertaking people venture into. Many factors shaped millennial perspective towards <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/process-of-buying-a-home/">buying a new house</a> - trends are the driving variable that honed millennial homeownership over the past decade. Sustainable and smart features are also important factors to consider. In addition, affordable multifunctional and economic community spaces contribute to a drastic interest in house investment among the younger generation. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), millennials' digital advancement correlates to the surge of house marketing affecting real estate agents' perception towards their potential contribution to the housing sector.
Increasing Income
In contrast to the popular belief - millennials are workaholics, according to social experts. The caricature that set millennials as a demanding, entitled, and indolent generation has become an understatement in recent times. The pandemic may have hindered workplace and career advancement for the older generation, but millennials' practical expertise and knowledge in technology and trends have transpired. Studies analyzing work perception among boomers and millennials show drastic and significant performance output. Moreover, the rise of new industries and jobs has contributed to relevant talent in which millennials' proficiency is valued. Therefore, this results in higher income generation, maximized talents, and adaptability to 21st-century challenges, increasing the potential for extensive personal investments - homeowning.
Unbridled Optimism
The rise of the COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder optimism in the younger population. Research indicates that millennials tend to ignore the typical "doom and gloom." A generation forged by a relative mindset about <a href="https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/clean-generation-remains-duke-energys-focus-as-it-plans-to-triple-renewable-energy-this-decade">sustainability</a> and awareness has proved to be a generation inhibiting the most optimism. The only uncertainty for millennials is that they believe in a better future. Millennials are also considered risk-takers contributing to their experience seeing the worst and are prepared for potential risks and threats. This risk-taking mindset has resulted in a position where they can afford larger, more expensive investments than previous generations.
The Millenial Undertaking
Kids these days - millennials might take a lot of burdens, especially from the negligence of the past generations. However, their potential seems to be astute. As a generation honed by conservatism and a culture of social conditions, they tend to be committed to keen undertaking and bold investment. Thus, this represents fast segments in home owning and real-estate expenditures, as shown in recent statistics and research. Furthermore, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/smart-home-features-to-add-to-your-home/">tech-savviness</a> and digitalization have made an impact on millennial's perspectives concerning the subject of personal investments.
2021-04-30T13:30:00-07:002021-05-10T10:04:05-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:9671Size Matters<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/SizeMattersBillboard.png" width="600" height="400" alt="Size Matters Campaign" />
Let’s address the elephant in the room: you need a bigger home. After a year filled with makeshift home offices, virtual learning from the kitchen table, and spending the majority of your time indoors, you may have realized it’s time to upsize. Understand your space with these helpful tips.
Assess Your Space
Make a checklist of each room in your home to determine where you actually do the majority of your ‘living’ in. If you notice you’re filling your space with as many items as possible, it means you’re ready to upsize into a larger home. By figuring out where you need the additional space, you’ll have an easier time shopping for a new home that matches your checklist!
What’s Most Important to You?
Most people have a central reason they are moving: upsizing or downsizing. Are you new empty nesters with more bedrooms than you need? Are you needing a separate space for a home-office or virtual learning area for your kids? Do you plan to expand your family within the next few years and need additional bedrooms or kitchen storage? Take a moment to think through what your motive for moving is to narrow down your home search.
Understand Your Local Area
Once you determine what’s most important to you in a home, it’s time to connect with a Jeff Cook Real Estate agent. Our agents are trained experts in your local area. As a client, you’ll simply review your must-haves such as neighborhood, number of bedrooms, garage storage, etc., and your Jeff Cook Real Estate agent will be able to begin searching for your dream home. The transition between homes is easier for the client because Jeff Cook Real Estate is able to handle both transactions simultaneously. The process is simple, Jeff Cook Real Estate guides you through the <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/sellers/step-by-step-guide-to-selling/" target="_blank">home selling and buying process</a> with expertise unmatched in the local real estate scene.
So far this year, we are proud to have helped over 1,600 families buy and sell their homes! Now more than ever, it’s important that our company continues to put clients first and make the process as seamless as possible. Give us a call today at 855-HEY-JEFF to speak with a <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/about/" target="_blank">real estate expert</a> in your area.
If you're interested in upsizing or downsizing, fill out the form below! 2021-01-04T06:08:00-07:002021-01-07T09:19:47-07:00Lauren Browntag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:9281Jeff Cook Real Estate Has New Listings Daily<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/NewListingsDaily.jpg" width="3600" height="2400" alt="New Listings Daily" />
In this current real estate market, the team at Jeff Cook Real Estate is <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">selling homes faster than ever</a> before. We understand that selling your home fast means you need to move into a new home just as quickly. Don’t worry about finding a new home in time to move! At Jeff Cook Real Estate, we receive new home listings every day. We guarantee that our team can efficiently sell your home while guiding you through the buying process to get you moved into your home FAST.
Our team is no stranger to the ever-shifting real estate industry and we’ve perfected our structure to make sure our clients successfully sell their homes. We have a database filled with buyers who are ready to purchase homes just like yours! With a Jeff Cook Real Estate agent, you’ll feel confident in the buying and selling process and make more money than you ever imagined off of your home sale.
Did you know our listing agents are certified listing experts who go through training to successfully market and sell your home? Our proprietary marketing techniques propel your <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2020/03/05/social-media-is-the-biggest-factor-in-the-new-real-estate-market/#af342dc6f6b8">home’s listing online and on social media</a> in front of thousands of potential buyers. Your Jeff Cook Real Estate agent will assist you with finding your family’s perfect dream home, all while <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/we-can-get-your-home-sold-fast-and-for-top-dollar/">selling your house quickly and efficiently</a>.
To see the amount of money you could pocket after selling your home, check out our <a href="http://yourcarolinahomevalue.com/">Home Profit Estimator Tool</a>! If you’re ready to list your home, contact a Jeff Cook Real Estate agent today!
2020-10-29T09:50:00-07:002020-12-11T06:31:35-07:00Matt Serratotag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:8934How to Show Your Home Last Minute<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/cleanpicture.png" width="750" height="502" alt="Cleaning for a Last Minute Home Showing" />
Let's say your real estate agent just called for a last-minute showing. Although major changes are going to require some advanced notice, it's not uncommon for a potential buyer to want to schedule a showing within a few hours. How can you possibly get ready for a showing with such short notice? Thankfully, there are a few organizational tips when selling your home that will keep you ready and in good shape for a showing at any time.
You might think you can't clean your home in an hour and get ready for a showing, but you'd be surprised! These quick-fix chores work to target the most visible parts of your home and the places that tend to attract the most mess. You can tidy up the spots that prospective buyers will see and then save the rest for another day.
Sweep the front steps and clean the glass on your front door. Setting a good first impression makes a difference so you want to give them a good first impression when they walk towards the house
Carry a laundry basket through the house to pick up any clutter. Stash the basket in a closet or somewhere out of sight where a buyer won't look at it.
Clean up trash and throw it out. Line any trash baskets with clean liners to put your house in the best appearance possible.
Put your pets away. While you may love your dogs, seeing a place with pets may not be ideal. Consider putting dogs or cats in an empty room during the showing.
Hide cords out of sight. Collect all the chargers that don't have to be plugged in and then stash them in a drawer until the showing is over.
Hang fresh towels and put out new soap. Hide your used towels and soap. New fluffy towels give a bathroom a great appearance so it's well worth doing. Get a small bin and put any makeup or other countertop items in it and stash them away.
Allow natural light to shine through the house. Open up curtains and raise the blinds during daylight hours. Place lamps in low-natural light areas so that your place looks bigger and brighter to prospective owners.
Wipe down kitchen counters. Remove any excess items to give them a clean look and wipe them down so they look great
Straighten pillows and make the beds. The bedding in both the living room and the bedrooms should look fresh and put together for a guest.
Use mild-scented candles to give your house a fresh and clean aroma without giving the potential buys a headache.
If you're just getting started in the selling process, you can check out our tips for <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">simplifying your home selling process</a> and read <a href="https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-sale">10 Ways to Prep Your Home for Sale</a> to stay stress-free for home showings.
Now that you have the basics down, you're ready to start welcoming potential buyers in an hour or so. At Jeff Cook Real Estate, our agents are experts in selling homes! They know exactly what buyers come to see in a home showing. Working with them will allow you to show your home in the best light possible. Still feeling stressed? Meet the <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/meet-the-sell-squad/">Sell Squad</a> for more information on how to get your home show-ready.
2020-09-09T08:25:00-07:002021-12-20T07:37:56-07:00Matt Serratotag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:8145Paint Colors That Can Brighten Up Your Home (And Your Mood!)<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/How_to_Apply_for_a_Home_Loan.png" width="1236" height="619" alt="Paint Colors That Can Brighten Up Your Home" />
These days, we are witnessing a pretty unusual situation in the world when almost every one of us has a little extra time that we are spending in our homes. As much as we love our warm and comfortable homes, they can sometimes become uninteresting and even boring, and this certainly has an effect on our mood. Also, a lack of obligations or a forced break from work may result in a change in mood.
The good thing is that we can put together nice and useful, and get rid of our bad mood and make some really nice changes in our homes too. We are all aware of the power of colors, how they can enrich space, and evoke pleasant emotions in us. It doesn't matter if it's about small detail or even furniture and walls, adding certain colors will certainly have great consequences.
Here are some suggestions for choosing colors and ideas that you can turn into DIY projects and have fun with your family.
Yellow
Yellow makes many people excited, energetic, and happy, and yet yellow - especially lighter shades - can cause fatigue and agitation when there are too many of it.
It has been observed to increase concentration and is therefore often used on notebooks. It is considered a cheerful and upbeat color. Anyway, in the long run, a gentle, buttery yellow is a better solution. It is easier for the eyes and has a soothing effect than the stronger yellow color. It reflects light and is perfect for dimly lit rooms, which also makes a great choice for ceiling color.
Also, if you like decoration, certain bright yellow items can have a great effect on the overall interior. Sew a pillowcase or paint a bottle and turn it into a vase, if you have children it will be especially interesting to paint together.
Red
Red is powerful and has the longest light spectrum length. It is associated with love, warmth, and comfort.
Red is also associated with passion and energy. It can raise energy levels - it is proven that it can increase blood pressure and heart rate - and is known for stimulating appetite and conversation.
If you want to paint your bedroom or living room red, look for a muted red color that has a more gentle and elegant look and it will be the best If you can choose only one or two walls to paint them red or to combine them with some other color.
Blue
Blue is considered a soothing color, but also a color of the business world. For this reason, many rooms are blue because it is a color that helps to cause a calming effect on people. It can also create a state of depression because a lot of blue is cold and sad.
Blue is one of the most popular colors. And it looks like it has the nicest choice of shades, but as with any color, it doesn't have to be too much of it. With the blue color, the space gets clear dimensions, visually looks bigger, and looks really elegant. too
Blue is a great choice for furniture, It is mostly used for chairs, armchairs, as well as for those small details like lampshades, vases, and pillows.
So, here are just a few suggestions, everything else is your choice, you can play with the colors and materials as much as you want, awake creativity in yourself and improve your home, change is always good.2020-05-07T08:19:00-07:002020-10-21T12:33:33-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:7928Hands-Free Real Estate Just because it’s virtual, doesn’t mean it’s impersonal.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Hands-Free_Real_Estate.png" width="1275" height="586" alt="Hands-Free Real Estate" />
In the past few months, unforeseeable events have required most aspects of our lives to become reliant on technology. As we transition more and more into the virtual world of communicating through technology, Jeff Cook Real Estate has been proactively adapting to serve our clients. Jeff Cook Real Estate has made it easier than ever before to serve our clients virtually. If you’ve recently decided that now is the time to buy or sell your house, but are unsure of how to go about it from home, we’ve created a system that can work for you.
Here’s How:
Remote Consultation
When you team up with Jeff Cook Real Estate, you will have the opportunity to consult with one of our local real estate experts virtually. During your virtual consultation, you will gain the knowledge needed to help you determine your home buying and selling needs and your next steps. You will be able to communicate with your agent through a wide variety of channels (i.e. video conferencing, <a href="https://www.text-em-all.com" target="_blank">text messaging</a>, and emailing). If you have questions on your next steps, set up a remote consultation with an agent today!
The Jeff Cook Real Estate Online Marketing System
Our online home search tool has made finding homes easier than ever before. Jeff Cook Real Estate’s online home search tool, combined with our state of the art home selling techniques, allow thousands of qualified buyers to view Jeff Cook Real Estate listings online.
Online Home Tours
Buyers can view homes virtually or schedule an individual, private showing. The high-quality 3D virtual home tours help buyers walk-through their future homes without being physically present, limiting the number of in-person showings to qualified and serious buyers!
Listing Booster Program<br />
It is our mission to make sure that your home stands out in the market to ensure that it sells fast and for top dollar. Our listing booster program is a combination of 3D tours, virtual open houses, home highlights, MLS listing alerts/price improvement, and a buyer agent bonus, which can help ensure that your listing stands out in today’s real estate market.
Traditional Sale or Immediate Buyout Program<br />
At Jeff Cook Real Estate, we strive to help families sell and receive top dollar for their home, but we realize this traditional method isn’t the best fit for everyone. Our Immediate Buyout program helps families maximize convenience and move on their own terms, without the hassles of buyers coming inside your home.
Virtual Tools<br />
Almost every transaction in your daily life can now be completed online (ie. paying rent, depositing checks, placing food delivery orders, etc.). Jeff Cook Real Estate provides access to all the necessary applications and tools that are needed to make real estate possible with the convenience of staying indoors! Some tools include electronic signatures, money wiring through our proprietary Earnnest app, online home inspection reports, and private, attorney-only closings.
Virtual Support Team
Selling or buying a home virtually can seem intimidating, but our real estate experts are ready to guide you through the details. Working alongside our agents, our closing and listing teams are available to you via phone and email as you navigate the home buying and selling process.
Our new hands-free program has made the buying and selling process hassle-free. From remotely consulting with an agent, to listing and viewing homes online, to completing transactions, we can successfully serve our clients virtually. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Jeff Cook Real Estate is the expert in all things real estate. Give us a call at 855-HEY-JEFF today to schedule a remote consultation with an agent! 2020-04-03T12:51:00-07:002020-09-21T08:19:34-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:7859Why Now is the Best Time to Sell Your Home<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Why_Now_is_the_Best_Time_to_Sell_Your_Home.jpg" width="1600" height="1093" alt="Why Now is the Best Time to Sell Your Home" />
Have you been considering putting your home on the real estate market, but haven’t felt confident that it’s the right time? Selling your home is a big decision and it’s important to understand the importance of timing when selling your home. At Jeff Cook Real Estate, we understand the importance of making this decision at the right time. Here are a few updates on the current state of the housing market to consider before selling your home.
National housing inventory has declined in 2020, meaning there are fewer homes currently on the market with a steady flow of motivated buyers.
Why is this important and how can this be a good thing?
Placing your home on the market during a time of fewer homes for sale, you, as the seller, have the upper hand. With a shortage of homes for sale and an increase of buyers in the area, you can drive the sale of your home more efficiently.
Buyer Demand is stronger than ever!
By understanding the lack of other homes for sale, you can use this leverage when negotiating a price with interested buyers. You can expect to see a better price for your home since there are only a limited number of homes available to buy! Jeff Cook Real Estate can connect you with motivated buyers in your area who are looking for their dream home.
There has been an overabundance of licensed agents in our market, but in times of uncertainty, it is in your best interest to partner with a real estate professional. We sell on average 4 homes a day equalling 1,500 homes a year! The local experts at Jeff Cook Real Estate are knowledgeable about the constant shift in the real estate market. It changes constantly, but by knowing how to take advantage of the current state of the market, Jeff Cook Real Estate can help you sell your home fast and for top dollar. Give us a call today at 855-HEY-JEFF to receive answers to any of your real estate questions. 2020-03-25T10:40:00-07:002021-11-01T14:48:58-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:7720When is the Best Time of Year to Buy/Sell?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/When_is_the_Best_Time_of_Year_to_BuySell.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" alt="When is the Best Time of Year to Buy/Sell?" />
The real estate industry is a big place. Brokers, realtors, real estate investors, homeowners trying to sell their homes--all of them are playing in the market to get the best rates in exchange for their properties. If you are one of those people, you would agree that this industry is great for individuals who want to flip and turn their real estate into money. But what if you want to sell your house and buy a new one? Is there a better way to do it? Is there a best time to buy and sell? Fortunately, there are good and bad days that you should consider if you are planning to sell your home for a new one.
According to a report disclosed by ATTOM Data, covering about 28 million single-family homes, the perfect time to sell a house is in June or during the first month of summer. If you will consider this month, you are likely to earn up to 9.2% premium from selling your property. You can also consider May, June, July, and August as the busiest months of the year. During these periods, there is a 40% home sales volume, equivalent to 2.1 million transactions. This data is backup by the National Association of Realtors.
If you would ask why summer is the best time to sell your home, it's because the weather is calm and they want to prepare for the next cold season. Homeowners are selling their homes during summer so that by the time the winter comes and the school days start, they will have a new dwelling place. Some people also say that it's the longer days that affect the selling activity of the sellers or homeowners.
Keep in mind as well that the worst time to sell your home is from October to December as this is the start of winter. During these months, seller premiums can be as low as 3.3% per the data of ATTOM. There's also a limited supply of properties in these periods because families are busy with school and the holiday season. People also prefer to stay at home when the days are shorter and the weather is colder. These factors greatly affect their selling and buying decisions. If you have experienced transacting in the real estate industry before, you would know that there is a decline in sales during this period.
And in case you are playing the part of a buyer here, the summer season is not the best time to buy if you are on a budget. Sellers usually price their properties high during this time as there is more demand for properties. From a buyer's perspective, you will want to buy a house when the premium is low like in the months of October to December. However, keep in mind that these are cold seasons. If you are planning to sell and buy a house for the purpose of upgrading before the wintertime, then you should still buy during the summer season. It all depends on your purpose for buying. 2020-03-05T10:41:00-07:002020-09-21T08:43:49-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:7024A Seller’s Guide: How to Attract a Millennial Home BuyerGuest Blogger: Lilly Miller
As the National Association of Realtors revealed, Millennials are currently target buyers for any property. This generation is a strong advocate of green movements but also an avid consumer of technological advancements. This is why they will never go for huge ostentatious houses with bad insulation.
With a few carefully planned adaptations to your house, you will not only cater to their needs but you could also raise the price in accordance with your additional investment. Millennials are not spendthrifts but they are willing to pay the price for something which is a perfect fit for their needs. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions about potential changes to turn your home into a perfect abode for Millennials.
Update your home with technology
Smart home technologies have been around for some years now so there are a plethora of solutions available for different purposes. For instance, modern thermostats use Wi-Fi technology and sensors so you can control the temperature in your home and even adjust it to when you are not home which makes this an eco-friendly solution any millennial would love.
Some smart door locks offer keyed and keyless entry systems, with keyless prompting you to enter a random code each time or unlock it with your smartphone. Millennial buyers would also appreciate the efficacy of smart garage door openers which allow you to control the door from anywhere with just a touch of the screen that also come with light control capabilities. Read more about <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/smart-home-features-to-add-to-your-home/">smart home features here</a>!
Provide open spaces
Millennials care less about the size of the space and more about the way it is arranged. They dislike the feeling of being stifled by items so even the biggest of houses with too many things would probably not be appealing to them. This is why the first task you need to take care of is to declutter everything so when they come to see the house for the first time, they can feel inspired to check it in detail.
They dislike barriers between rooms in which they socialize so if you have joined the kitchen and dining room, or a kitchen and the living room, those arrangements will definitely pique their interest because these social butterflies will be able to fluctuate about the rooms freely. If you don’t have such a room arrangement and you are not up for major renovations, then getting rid of clunky furniture would change the setting greatly.
Opt for sustainable solutions
Just as with technology, millennials have a deep connection with nature and they care greatly for the environment. This is why sustainable home solutions are not just a manner to decrease the bills for them but also a passionate cause.
To comply with these needs, you can start by upgrading the front door. A sturdy door will not only boost the curb appeal but improve insulation and overall security. Windows are also a crucial point when it comes to insulation so <a href="https://ecolinewindows.com.au/double-glazing/">thermally efficient double-glazed windows</a> would be the perfect fit even for sound insulation. Doors and windows of a good quality combined with a smart lock or a quality deadbolt system would greatly improve the security of the home.
Give some life to the walls
Dark and gloomy spaces are not favorite dwelling places for a typical millennial. They like the outdoors and the light so a project that wouldn’t be detrimental to your budget would be to repaint the walls. This would freshen up the place and add some life to it. Just be careful not to overdo it so you can think in terms of painting most walls white and then having one statement wall in some bold color such as turquoise. Follow these <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/2020-home-design-trends/">home design trends</a> to freshen up your space for the millennial buyer.
Regarding the choice of paint, although they would be able to tell just by looking at it, if you want to win over some millennial hearts, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/09/eco-natural-paints-guide-best">use eco paints</a> and don’t forget to mention that you did so. They are free of toxic ingredients that typical paints contain and they are neither complicated for usage nor is their longevity questionable.
Tend to your backyard
As mentioned, your target buyers are social butterflies who like spending time with their friends and family so acquiring a house that has space that was already designed for that would increase their interest in it manifold.
To combine their love of nature and socializing, make your backyard into a place of leisure. For starters, get rid of all the things you don’t need so as not to give out the impression of a messy claustrophobic backyard. Then tend to any plants you have there and if necessary, add some new to enrich the place. Also, if your budget allows you, to win over their hearts completely, acquire some sustainable furniture, such as a table and chairs made of bamboo, which is one of the eco-friendliest materials.
Millennials are not demanding buyers but just like any generation, they have their own ideas and tastes. They will not be impressed by lavish decorations, fragile figurines but with an eco-friendly home and recycled furniture where each piece has a story to tell. If you add some space where they can socialize with their friends and family and show your appreciation for nature with some plants, you will have them signing the dotted line in a matter of days.
At Jeff Cook Real Estate, we are here to serve YOU! If you still feel like you are <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">scrambling to sell your home</a>, get in touch with <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/meet-the-sell-squad/">our team of experts</a> today.2019-11-12T07:20:00-07:002021-01-22T12:43:52-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:7023How Families With Children Can Prep Their Home for Sale Without StressingGuest Blogger: Kristin Louis
Prepping a home for sale, whether you live in Charleston or another city, can be a serious undertaking. You know you need to get and keep your home in top shape in order to help it sell faster. However, if you’re a busy parent, achieving this is no easy feat. That’s why you need some helpful tips and tricks to make preparing your home and selling it easier to manage in an already busy family routine. Be sure to keep the following in mind:
Break Down Decluttering into Manageable Tasks
When kids are in the house, staying organized can feel stressful. If you’re looking around your home and feeling overwhelmed by clutter, know that you can go <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/decluttering-your-entire-home-2648002">room by room</a> to make sorting and getting rid of items much easier on your schedule. Tackle one or two areas each weekend, using designated bins to divide household belongings into purposeful piles. You’re likely to end up with things you need to toss, things you want to keep, and things you’re not quite sure what to do with yet. For the latter, you can think about renting a storage unit so your home won’t be cluttered for showings and open houses, but it’s really best to be as decisive as possible. Using a <a href="https://www.zillow.com/blog/declutter-for-intentional-home-210492/">clutter scale</a> can help you make better decisions when clearing your home. You can also follow these <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/top-5-organization-tips-for-your-home/">organizational tips</a> to keep your home tidy.
Hire Professional Cleaners to Save More Time
If you want to sell your home, it needs a deep cleaning. That deep cleaning can take time and effort, both of which can be priceless commodities to busy parents. So instead of tackling it on your own, consider hiring a professional to do a <a href="https://www.homeadvisor.com/near-me/housekeeping-maid-services/">thorough house cleaning</a>. Having a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning session can be invaluable when you are trying to sell your home, and also trying to juggle your family’s schedule.
Devote Time and Effort to Improve Landscaping
Cleaning and decluttering the inside of your home before listing is always important, but you also need to <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/styled-staged-sold/the-5-biggest-yard-and-patio-staging-mistakes">stage the outside</a> to attract more potential buyers. So take some time to clean up your yard, trimming down any overgrown plants, trees or bushes, and also repairing or refreshing swing sets that may already be in your backyard. If you have toys or other smaller items laying about, be sure to pick those up before you start showing your home. You can also invest in some <a href="https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/8-landscaping-tricks-that-can-save-you-money/">landscaping upgrades</a>, like fresh mulch and gravel, which will get your home off the market faster without costing you a fortune. Improving the landscaping is a good way to make a good first impression on homebuyers and increase your home’s <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2018/04/11/curb-appeal-counts-three-steps-to-increasing-interest-in-a-property-for-sale/#213c4c263d8b">curb appeal</a>.
Have a Family Plan for Any Last-Minute Showings
With a spotless home and improved curb appeal, you’re sure to have more people dropping in to take a look at your home. While that can be good for sales, sometimes showings can come up at a moment’s notice. That can be stressful for families with children, but you can relieve that stress by being prepared with some family-friendly activities. Here <a href="https://www.charlestoncvb.com/explore/family/">in Charleston</a>, there are so many activities and adventures for families to explore. Take your kids out to visit some historical areas or enjoy some outdoor time, so you won’t be stressed or bored when you need to get out of your home quickly. You can also implement these quick cleaning and organizational tasks to <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/how-to-show-your-home-last-minute/">get your home show-ready for those last-minute showings</a>.
Listing your family’s home doesn’t have to leave you stressed about preparing it to sell. You just need to plan ahead, if possible, to check those to-dos off your list and hire help when needed. Follow these easy steps to sell your home without added stress for your family.
2019-11-11T07:01:00-07:002021-01-22T12:42:01-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6071Should I Fix or Sell: Benefits to Selling a House As-IsGuest Blogger: Talia Spero
When you have decided to move on – whether you are upsizing or downsizing, accepting a spectacular job in a different city, or are craving a fresh start – think about what you really need to do to get your home market-ready. Although you may be tempted to go into renovation mode, you might be better off selling your house as-is. This decision is even easier to make when you follow our tips on <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">simplifying your home selling process</a>.
Anything that affects the home’s operation such as a leaky roof, a broken furnace, plumbing, and electrical fixes, needs to be repaired. These are all things sellers are legally obligated to disclose.
Here are some things to consider before making a decision.
Renovation ROI may not be there
Most home renovations don’t pay off instantly. Complete kitchen and bathroom renovations add the most value to your home but also can be very expensive and cause the most disruption. If these renovations haven’t been done already, don’t start now. Focus on making sure your existing selling features of the home are in great shape.
Clean is more important than new
There’s nothing more cringe-worthy than the sight of someone else’s dirt or evidence of hard usage. Smudged walls, torn carpet, ratty towels, and appliances with handprints all over are small things that unpleasantly remind potential buyers that other people use this home. This is why <a href="https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/the-ultimate-staging-guide-checklist">cleaning and staging your home</a> can be so beneficial. You want buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your home.
Keep up with the Joneses, but don’t be the Joneses
While it may be your dream to own a home with a pool or hot tub, it may not be someone else’s. The same goes for other “over the top” features/rooms. Those renovations may have no appeal to a family with an opposite lifestyle from yours. Don’t be the house that is too expensive for the neighborhood. This may cause your house to be overpriced compared to the other houses in the neighborhood. You could end up taking a huge loss as a result.
Curb appeal starts on the outside, not the inside
All the energy you spend on your interior renovations will be pointless if you forget about the exterior of your home. Now is the time to get rid of all the bikes your kids have outgrown, re-seed those patches of lawn where the grass is dead, and create a welcoming image. Check out our <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/4-things-to-do-to-freshen-up-your-curb-appeal/">4 tips on how to freshen up your curb appeal</a>!
Living in a renovation zone is stressful
If you’re fortunate enough to own a large home with a spare bedroom and multiple bathrooms, renovating may not be quite as challenging as it is for those in smaller spaces. Living in a home with a major kitchen or bathroom renovations can be hectic, loud, and messy, especially when you won’t be the one benefiting in the end. Before you put in thousands of dollars on a brand new kitchen transformation, consider painting or replacing cabinets.
2019-10-24T06:20:00-07:002021-01-22T12:14:50-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6065Jeff Cook Real Estate is your Home Selling MVPDo you know that <a href="https://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/buyersadvice/item/1005480-20170925-6-surprising-benefits-of-buying-or-selling-your-home-in-the-fall">football season can be a great time to sell your home</a>? You will have less competition with other houses on the market and you will find that the buyers that are out looking are serious!
Buyers out looking at this time of year are usually looking because they have had a change in a job situation, such as relocation, or a change in their family situation. These types of buyers are eager for a deal.
More and more, in a “hot'' market, such as ours, where there are more buyers than sellers, seasonality is even less important. Also, more than half of buyers do not have children at home, so school schedules are not a concern for them.
Another benefit of selling during football season is that the serious buyers that are out usually want to close quickly, especially before the holiday season begins. The fall atmosphere of cooler weather can also help to make your home feel warmer and more welcoming.
At this point in the year, you can’t afford to waste time. It is even more important to list with an experienced real estate team, such as Jeff Cook Real Estate. Just as every professional football team has a playbook of their winning plays, the Jeff Cook Real Estate team has proven techniques and strategies in their “playbook” that will guarantee to get you the best price for your home in the shortest amount of time. Get to know <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/who-is-jeff-cook/">Jeff Cook</a> and <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/meet-the-sell-squad/">meet the team</a> that will help you sell your home this season!2019-10-14T07:51:00-07:002021-01-22T11:23:39-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:60677 Things You Can Do When Your House is Not SellingGuest Blogger: Irina Sidorenko
It is very frustrating when you have done everything by the book in order to get a good price for selling your home, but unfortunately, your property is still just not getting any offers at all. You have already spent a lot of time, effort, and even financial resources to get a real estate to sell your house, but buyers just aren’t willing to cut a deal. There may be <a href="https://www.homelight.com/blog/why-isnt-my-home-selling/">several reasons for the lack of offers</a> such as selling in the wrong season with fewer buyers because of the cold, being stuck in a market slump, or just having plain bad luck. Aside from literally waiting for the house to sell, see how you can <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">simplify the selling process</a> and read these helpful tips you can follow when your home is not selling.
Rent Out Your Property
If you are already struggling to pay your mortgage because you’re having a financial crisis or your could have moved to a new location because of a job and paying for two homes is not feasible, then offering your house up for rent may be a viable temporary solution if it is not selling. You just may be able to find renters who can pay rent that can cover your mortgage. If paying the entire mortgage cost is impossible because it is too high, at least finding someone to rent to cover a certain portion of the mortgage will make things more bearable for you.
Consider a Lease to Own Option
Closely related to the aforementioned category, consider putting up the property in a Rent to Own Scheme. This is a favorable option that can attract quite a few buyers. Often, people aren’t sure about the area where they want to settle down. This gives them a good chance to get the feel of the place. They can rent your home with the option to buy it later for a specified price. The nice part about this option is that you can ask for a slightly higher price than the market standard rent because this is favor or special privilege you are awarding your tenant/ future home buyer. In addition, rent to home tenants is most likely to take better care of the house in terms of maintenance and repairs when compared to the average renter.
Find a Better Real Estate Agent
The problem with getting your house to sell sometimes does not even rest on your home quality. Instead, it has everything to do with the real estate agent you have hired to sell the property on your behalf. The real estate industry is a business and there really are just some agents who are better than the others out there. Any professional real estate agent who has not managed to sell your home for a long period of time has to right to get angry or offended should he or she be replaced. In fact, if your incompetent agent had any modicum of self-respect and decency, the said agent won’t have any complaints about your desire for a replacement. In the first place, this agent has been unable to perform the job well.
Opting to change your agent when your home is not selling is a simple yet very effective way to gain ideas to different tactics and fresher perspectives. Some agents really don’t do much other than post your listings in high traffic areas while hoping for the best. You will definitely need a more proactive agent. Searching a well-known top producing agent with a solid reputation for bagging great deals is a critical component to selling your property. We have plenty of expert agents at Jeff Cook Real Estate that are ready to help you sell your home. <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/meet-the-sell-squad/">Meet the team</a>!
Look at a Guaranteed Purchase Program
If you are moving because of work, do inquire about a guaranteed purchase program your company provides, which you may be unaware of. Big companies that want you to make a lateral transfer by uprooting your life often have business arrangements with relocation professionals. These relocation companies do all the worrying, so employees can move with ease and not have to worry about paying for two residences. The only way to find out if you are eligible is to ask. You may be worrying for nothing, so inquire with HR if they offer this incentive, especially since you shall be moving for the company. Often enough, some big corporations do go as far as to doing home buyouts to entice their most competent employee to move. You can be sitting on a gold mine and not even know about.
Consider a Second Mortgage
Sometimes, getting a second mortgage is a great way to generate quick cash if you really need it. Something like a home equity loan or refinancing your existing mortgage can help tide you over the hard times. You can renegotiate better loan terms or ask for a lower interest rate. You'd be surprised that some lenders are actually willing to work with you. You can even inquire about extending the loan term payments, especially if you have paid a lot, so that it can lower your monthly payment.
If your home is not selling as fast as it should be, going this route can help you immensely. It can help you tide things over, so you can wait longer to sell your house when the real estate market improves. Sometimes, waiting a couple of months or even a year will be beneficial for you. With real estate, timing is everything. Selling during the holidays and winter is also a bad idea. Analyze your situation and make the necessary adjustments.
Sell for Less than the Market Value
When everything seems to not be working, offering the home for sale a deeply reduced price is a last resort. There are investors and buyers out there who are always in search of Fire Sales, the technical term for desperate and quick selling, in the real estate industry. The moment they see a good deal, these people will be ready to pounce to snatch it up before it is gone.
On top of that, you can opt to do a short sale. This means you owe more than what your home is worth because of a market downturn. You need to get the permission of the lender to allow you to sell the property at the lower price the house is now worth.
Reducing the price is always attractive to the equity purchasers and cash investors, who are always on the lookout for a steal. Anything will sell for if the price is right. You may be able to earn less than what you want, or even suffer a loss, but at least you will be able to finally sell the property.
Once again, choosing to sell your home for less than its market value is the last option to take. It must only be done if you have exhausted all the other means. Often, changing your real estate agent, waiting for a better time to sell, or temporarily renting are enough to tide you over to help you sell your house for a better price. The most important thing here is to do your research and weigh your pros and cons before making your final decision. 2019-10-07T07:57:00-07:002021-01-22T11:13:46-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5945August 2019 Columbia Real Estate Market UpdateAs we have seen over the past several months, the interest rate drop from July 31 has not caused the upturn in sales that one would have thought it would. There is a lack of affordable housing and that lack, along with higher housing prices are affecting the number of home sales. First time home buyers are unable to buy at the higher price levels, even though the lower rates would be a help.
Here is a brief summary of the numbers from the August Columbia Market: and what they mean for anyone thinking of buying or selling.
New Listings - 1620 (up 8.3% from 8/18)
Rending Sales - 1346 (up 6.2% from 8/18)
Closed Sales - 1376 (down 1.4% from 8/18)
Days On Market - 50 (down 5.7% from 8/18)
Median Sales Price - $185,000 (up 11.8% from 8/18)
Percent of Asking Price Received 97.7% (up 0.3% from 8/18)
Months Supply of Inventory - 2.9 (up 3.6% from 8/18)
The number of new listings coming on to the Columbia market in August has increased from August of last year, and the number of days on the market is shortening. The number of pending sales has increased 6.2% and median prices are up almost 12% from this time last year. These statistics are all indicating that it is a great time to be a seller. This is obviously not great news for buyers. Additionally, the monthly supply of homes is only at 2.9, which is low, and sellers are receiving 97.8% of their asking price. If you are considering <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/why-now-is-the-best-time-to-sell-your-home/">selling your home</a>, do it now while interest rates are low and more buyers can afford to purchase. For more information on key indicators of a healthy housing market, click <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/key-indicators-of-a-healthy-housing-market/">here</a>.
Here at Jeff Cook Real Estate, we work hard to help you with integrity and honesty. We have many eager buyers wanting to purchase. It is an excellent time to give us a call to list your home. Call-855-HEY-JEFF today.
Stay up-to-date and check out the <a href="https://www.fortunebuilders.com/columbia-real-estate-market-trends/">most current Columbia market updates</a>!2019-09-23T11:21:00-07:002021-01-22T11:05:00-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5944August 2019 Greenville Real Estate Market Update There are multiple opposing factors and trends that are affecting the market in Greenville. The interest rate reduction from the beginning of the summer has not spiked sales the way one would have thought that it might have. Pending sales for the month are down by 55% and the number of days on market is up to 69 days.
The number of new listings has increased and closed sales have increased from last year at this time. Inventory is staying under a 5 month supply, which is still positive news for sellers. The median price is up almost 9%. There seems to be a demand for housing, but rising prices are preventing more people from buying.
Here is a brief summary of the numbers from the August Greenville Market and what they mean for anyone thinking of buying or selling.
New Listings - 1864 (up 8.7% from 8/18)
Rending Sales - 521 (down 55.0 % from 8/18)
Closed Sales - 1505 (up 10.7% from 8/18)
Days On Market - 69 (6.5% from 8/18)
Median Sales Price - $220,000 (up 8.9%% from 8/18)
Percent of Asking Price Received 98.1% (0% from 8/18)
Months Supply of Inventory - 4.7 (up 34.3 % 8/18)
The number of new listings coming on to the market is 8.7% higher than last August but has slowed from last month. Pending sales continue to trend down having decreased 55% to 521 homes. Home prices have gone up 8.9% from last year at this same time. The number of closed sales this August compared to last August has gone up 10.7% and the supply of inventory has gone up to 4.7 months. For more information on key indicators of a healthy housing market, click <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/key-indicators-of-a-healthy-housing-market/">here</a>.
If you are looking to sell your home, call Jeff Cook Real Estate because we are experts at pricing your home correctly in this type of market. If you are a buyer, you need one of <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/get-to-know-our-greenville-agents/">our experienced agents</a> on your side to help you navigate the market, call us at 855-Hey-Jeff.
Stay up-to-date and check out the <a href="https://www.rate.com/research/greenville-sc">most current Greenville market updates</a>!2019-09-23T11:18:00-07:002021-01-22T11:02:55-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5949Nationally Ranked #10, Locally Loved #1! You have probably heard of Jeff Cook Real Estate, but did you know that we are now ranked the <a href="https://www1.realtrends.com/rankings/real-trends-1000-teams-by-sides-2019">#10 Top Real Estate Team</a> in the nation by Real Trends*. That’s correct - #10 in the Nation!
This is quite a remarkable achievement and one that you might want to take into consideration before you list your home.
You might assume that anyone can do just a good of a job as a top-rated team, but think again. Who will bring you a buyer? It is likely that the buyer for your home will not come from the local area. Since the Jeff Cook Real Estate Team is nationally recognized, they get thousands of buyers from all over the nation, not just from our local area. They have a large pool of qualified buyers ready to come to see your home now plus they get new potential buyers reaching out every day. An existing large pool of willing buyers will greatly increase your chances of finding the perfect buyer quickly.
Once you have a possible buyer, think about who is more qualified to negotiate the best deal for you? Who is more prepared to head-off any possible roadblocks? Who do you want on your side of the table working for you, with your best interests in mind? My guess is you would want a real estate expert with an entire support team behind them.
The Jeff Cook Real Estate team is a savvy, experienced team with robust marketing systems that bring in thousands of buyers each and every day. They also have an operations team that utilizes every option to expedite transactions. They have the knowledge and skills needed to get you the highest price in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of angst.
In addition to a national top 10 rankings, they are the #1 real estate team in the state of South Carolina! Jeff Cook Real Estate is now in Charleston, Columbia, Rock Hill, and Greenville! Now that you know more about the Jeff Cook Real Estate Team, give them a call at 855-Hey-Jeff.
Get to know <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/who-is-jeff-cook/">Jeff Cook</a> and <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/meet-the-sell-squad/">meet the team</a> that will get the job done!
We have the buyers!
*Real Trends, as seen in The Wall Street Journal2019-09-09T11:40:00-07:002021-01-22T10:50:59-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5997July 2019 Rock Hill Market UpdateThe general U.S. economic expansion continued into the start of its 11th year in July 2019. The average rate of growth in this expansion has not been as robust as the 1990’s expansion, at 2.3 per year versus 3.6 previously. During this 10 year expansion, the unemployment rate has dropped from 10% in 2009 to 3.7% in 2019. The economy is expected to continue to function well for the rest of 2019, but a mild recession is becoming more of a threat. As far as the Rock Hill Real Estate market is concerned, total sales and the number of available houses for sale has declined.
Here are the numbers from the greater Rock Hill/Charlotte area for July.
New Listings - 9,416 (down 15.3% from 7/18)
Rending Sales - 49,796 (up 1.6% from 7/18)
Closed Sales - 4627 (down 7.2% from 7/18)
Days On Market - 44 (0% from 7/18)
Median Sales Price - $247,000 (up 6.2% from 7/18)
Percent of Asking Price Received 96.6% (down 0.4% from 7/18)
Months Supply of Inventory 2.3 (down 14.8% from 7/18)
If you are considering selling your home, this is a great time to do that, as the demand for homes is strong and supply is low. For home buyers, especially those looking for entry-level houses, prices have risen and the number of available homes is low. The good news is that mortgage rates are still low, which helps greatly with affordability. For more information on key indicators of a healthy housing market, click <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/key-indicators-of-a-healthy-housing-market/">here</a>.
If you are a seller, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/who-is-jeff-cook-and-why-is-he-in-rock-hill/">Jeff Cook Real Estate-Rock Hill</a> can assist you in setting the right price for your home, reaching many buyer prospects from in and out of the area, and in handling all the details of a home sale. If you are looking to buy, Jeff Cook Real Estate can help you get pre-qualified and present a strong offer so that you can purchase a home now before prices go any higher. Give us a call at 855-HEY-JEFF today!
Stay up-to-date and check out the <a href="https://www.rate.com/research-old/rock_hill-sc-29730">most current Rock Hill market updates</a>!2019-08-22T07:10:00-07:002021-01-22T10:01:37-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5995July 2019 Columbia Market UpdateThe general U.S. economic expansion continued into the start of its 11th year in July 2019. The average rate of growth in this expansion has not been as robust as the 1990’s expansion, at 2.3 per year versus 3.6 previously. During this 10 year expansion, the unemployment rate has dropped from 10% in 2009 to 3.7 in 2019. The economy is expected to continue to function well for the rest of 2019, but a mild recession is becoming more of a threat.
Here are the numbers from the Columbia area for July.
New Listings - 1785 (up 13.1% from 7/18)
Rending Sales - 1482 (up 13.8 % from 7/18)
Closed Sales - 1397 (up 2.9% from 7/18)
Days On Market - 49 (down 3.9% from 7/18)
Median Sales Price - $187,000 (up 9.8%% from 7/18)
Percent of Asking Price Received 97.9% (0% from 7/18)
Months Supply of Inventory - 2.9 (0% 7/18)
New listings are up 13.1 % and pending sales are also up 13.8%. Prices have risen and the number of days on the market has gone down slightly to 49 days. Sellers are still getting 97.9% of their asking price and months supply of inventory remains at 2.9. For more information on key indicators of a healthy housing market, click <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/key-indicators-of-a-healthy-housing-market/">here</a>.
It is a <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/why-now-is-the-best-time-to-sell-your-home/">great time to sell your home</a> in the Columbia area. If you are a buyer, you need to present a strong offer and act decisively when you find a home. At Jeff Cook Real Estate, we can make the selling or buying process fast, simple, and stress-free. Whether you are a buyer or seller, call Jeff Cook Real Estate at 855-HEY-JEFF for information about your neighborhood market, pricing and marketing your home correctly, lending options, and anything else related to real estate.
Stay up-to-date and check out the <a href="https://www.fortunebuilders.com/columbia-real-estate-market-trends/">most current Columbia market updates</a>!2019-08-22T07:07:00-07:002021-01-22T09:56:44-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5994July 2019 Greenville Market Update The general U.S. economic expansion continued into the start of its 11th year in July 2019. The average rate of growth in this expansion has not been as robust as the 1990’s expansion, at 2.3 per year versus 3.6 previously. During this 10 year expansion, the unemployment rate has dropped from 10% in 2009 to 3.7% in 2019. The economy is expected to continue to function well for the rest of 2019, but a mild recession is becoming more of a threat.
Here are the numbers from the Greenville area for July.
New Listings - 1842 (up 12.8% from 7/18)
Rending Sales - 635 (down 48.0 % from 7/18)
Closed Sales - 1314 (up 2.3% from 7/18)
Days On Market - 47 (0% from 7/18)
Median Sales Price - $224,000 (up 3.6%% from 7/18)
Percent of Asking Price Received 98.4% (0% from 7/18)
Months Supply of Inventory - 4.6 (up 35.3 % 7/18)
The number of new listings rose 12.8% to 1842 homes. Pending sales decreased 48% to 635 homes. Home prices have gone up 3.6% The number of days on the market to sell has stayed the same at 47. The number of closed sales this July compared to last July has gone up 2.3% months supply of inventory has gone up to 4.6 months. For more information on key indicators of a healthy housing market, click <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/key-indicators-of-a-healthy-housing-market/">here</a>.
Obviously, the supply of homes has increased relative to demand. The market is still considered a seller’s market because the month's supply of housing is still under 5 months. It will be interesting to see how the market performs during the month of August.
If you are thinking of selling your home, it is important in the market to price it correctly. The <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/get-to-know-our-greenville-agents/">real estate experts</a> at Jeff Cook Real Estate have the knowledge and experience to position your home well in this market. If you want to purchase a home, Jeff Cook can find you the best option. Visit us at 864value.com today!
Stay up-to-date and check out the <a href="https://www.rate.com/research/greenville-sc">most current Greenville market updates</a>!2019-08-22T07:03:00-07:002021-01-22T09:54:46-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6011Decor Styles That are Proven to Attract Buyers to Your House for SaleStaging a home has a lot to do with how fast it will sell. It also affects the price of your property, and decorating your home strategically is a proven way to get the potential buyers to seal the deal much quicker. Home staging is very much like designing a stage for play – everything is well-thought-out, carefully placed, and strategically arranged. The question is – how do you set the stage for a fast and lucrative sale? Let’s take a look at the list of decor styles that will get your property picture-perfect and help you get the best price.
Make a great first impression – start with the exterior
With first impressions becoming make or break, it’s getting increasingly difficult for homeowners looking to sell their homes to get their buyers’ attention. By simply taking a glance at the house’s exterior, buyers can predict what the interior is like. Therefore, maintaining an appealing exterior is just as important as keeping the inside of your house spotless. Landscaping plays an important role in buyers’ perception of your home, so be sure to tackle minor upgrades in the area surrounding your home, and consider making smaller updates for a well maintained, cared-for appearance. Swipe your front porch, prune your shrubs, and take some time to dress up your lawn to make the outdoor space appear spick-and-span. Get a new mailbox, paint the old, dreary-looking fence, and as the perfect finishing touch – paint your front door with a playful color to make it pop.
Play it safe – stick with a neutral color scheme
A little paint goes a long way, and even by simply<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/tips-on-painting-your-homes-interior/"> treating your walls to a fresh coat of paint</a> you can easily change the look of your interiors and create the perfect backdrop for your furnishings. However, selling your home isn’t exactly the time to go crazy with the paint and use all the colors of the rainbow. According to professional home stylists, it’s best to keep your color palette simple and neutral. Whites, off-whites, and grays are the perfect shades for homeowners looking to appeal to a wide range of buyers. The reason for this lies in the fact that buyers are generally drawn to spaces they can visualize themselves living in and your job is to create a story for your home by using hues that will tie the place together, uniting all the rooms into a cohesive whole.
Picture-perfect – use effective photographs on your online listing
Presenting your property in all its glory should be high on your priority list. However, making your home look impressive on your online listing isn’t so easy. We live in the digital age, the time when all it takes is some short scanning to decide whether we’re interested, and the first few seconds’ viewing can mean deal or no deal. Think about how you can create a digital representation of your property that will attract the buyers. Roll out <a data-cke-saved-href="https://missamara.com.au/" href="https://missamara.com.au/" rel="nofollow">cozy floor rugs</a> to conjure up an image of fun family nights, and include fluffy pillows for an added feeling of comfort. Hang interesting artwork to enhance the visual interest of your living space and add plants to make it feel lively. It’s all about making your living space look charming and inviting, and sometimes that’s all it takes to make the buyers want to see more.
Kitchen and bathroom – the two rooms that deserve more attention
Not all rooms are created equal, and while there are spaces around the house to invest in, you must be wise with where you choose to save, and what you decide to splurge on. Unsurprisingly, kitchens and bathrooms are rooms that are given special attention when preparing a home for sale. But why, you might ask, should we focus on improving these two rooms in particular? It’s simple – they’re two home upgrades that return the most at resale. However, improving these two rooms doesn’t always require spending a fortune and going as far as a full kitchen and bathroom renovations. Simply <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/tips/a26156/cheap-kitchen-updates/" href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/tips/a26156/cheap-kitchen-updates/" rel="nofollow">bring them up to scratch</a>, polish to perfection and you’re good to go. Scruffy kitchen cabinetry? Respray it and replace old handles. Dated bathroom fixtures? Swap your old showerhead for a rain shower. Sometimes, even the simplest of changes can make all the difference.
Establish an emotional connection – add homely details
Before you put your home up for sale, there is one more thing left to do, and that is – make it feel like home. Although putting your home on the market means depersonalizing your living space, going overboard can make your house feel cold and sterile. To avoid the clinical look, be sure to add a vase of fresh flowers here and there and add a couple of throw pillows and a blanket to make it look livable. Add a couple of white, fluffy towels in the bathroom, and set the table with a centerpiece to give an impression of warmth and create a space that looks cozy and welcoming.
<br />Ensuring a quick and profitable sale is no easy task, but with a few interior design styling tricks up your sleeve, you’re sure to present your house in from all its best angles without even hiring a professional home stylist. Use the tips above to turn your home into an awe-inspiring property and <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">see how quickly you can sell your home</a>.
About the author: Lilly Miller is a Sydney-based graphic designer and a passionate writer. Loves everything about home decor, art history and baking. Shares home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney. You can find her on <a data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/heyoitslilly?lang=en" href="https://twitter.com/heyoitslilly?lang=en" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a>.
“Poetry creates the myth, the prose writer draws his own portrait.”
- Jean - Paul Sartre2019-08-05T07:23:00-07:002021-01-21T14:39:11-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5952Jeff Cook Real Estate Your Neighborhood ExpertHave you seen our newest Billboards? We are featuring five of our actual clients who we have had the recent pleasure of helping make Charleston home and learning <a href="https://travel.usnews.com/Charleston_SC/Things_To_Do/">why Charleston is such a great place to be</a>. We wanted to share more of their stories with you.
Lauren and T.J., one couple on our billboards, wanted to sell their current house so they could take advantage of the equity they had built up and then move to a larger house. We sold their house in only 2 days, which gave them the freedom and confidence to make a very strong offer on the new house they wanted.
Stephen and Rachel were struggling with all their expenses. They felt they had to constantly work to keep on top of bills and had not taken a vacation in over three years. Jeff Cook’s team was able to get them a full price offer on their house. They were then able to get out from all their debts and take a few deep breaths. They scheduled a much needed vacation to the Northwest, to relax and look at possibly relocating there. With money in the bank, they now can consider different options and reevaluate their life goals.
Bill and Pam, members of the sandwich generation, were ready to sell the house that was no longer working for their needs. They wanted to “rightsize” to a house that made life easier and allowed them to be available for family members that needed their help. They now can spend more time with their grandchildren and help care for Bill’s dad.
Mauricio and Angela were moving here from outside the country. It was very important to Mauricio to provide well for his family, who were about to finally join him here. We helped him locate and purchase the perfect home for his wife and son.
Ernest and Alice relocated to the Charleston area from the East Bay area of California. They were tired of dealing with the congestion, traffic and high prices of California. They wanted to find their “forever home’ where they could enjoy the next stage of their life. We worked with them to make their relocation as seamless as possible. They are now enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle in a home that they love.
Whatever your story is, we are here every step of the way. <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/meet-the-sell-squad/">The Jeff Cook Real Estate Team</a> is great at matching sellers and buyers, quickly and efficiently. We know the local market and we have local experts in every neighborhood. We also have an incredible marketing operation that brings in thousands of buyers, not only from the local area but from all over the country. We are incredibly thankful to be under the leadership of <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/who-is-jeff-cook/">Jeff Cook</a> and to be a team that always gets the job done! Give us a call if we can assist you with any of your housing needs at 855-HEY-JEFF.2019-07-29T11:50:00-07:002021-01-21T14:33:19-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6016June 2019 Charleston Real Estate Market UpdateJune 2019 Charleston Real Estate Market Update
At this point in the year, 2019 is shaping up to be a good one for buyers to find a home. The real estate market is in a good phase at the moment with no indications of upcoming imbalance. Millennials have made up the majority of those taking out recent mortgages and they continue to look for homes.
Interest rates have dipped and the rise in home prices has slowed, which is positive news for home buyers. There is still a limited supply of houses, especially for those at a lower price point.
June 2019 Charleston Real Estate Monthly Statistics
New Listings - 2,192 (down 4.4% from 6/18)
Rending Sales - 1928 (up 11.9% from 6/18)
Closed Sales - 1923 (down 1.3% from 6/18)
Days On Market - 52 (up 6.1% from 6/18)
Median Sales Price - $289,787 (up 7.3% from 6/18)
Percent of Asking Price Received - 96.5% (-0.3% from 6/18)
Months Supply of Inventory - 3.7 (down 5.1% from 6/18)
The number of new listings in the Charleston area dropped in June, and in general, the rate of homes coming on to the market is slowing. This is, as we said, not great news for buyers. The number of pending sales is up 11.9 % from last year at this time, which could be explained by the drop in interest rates. That number means we should see a jump in the number of closed homes in July. Along with this good absorption rate, the slow down in the rate of new listings coming on to the market will keep us in a seller’s market. For more information on key indicators of a healthy housing market, click <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/key-indicators-of-a-healthy-housing-market/">here</a>.
The median sales price has gone up and the percentage of asking price received has stayed been hovering at around 96%. The month's supply of inventory has been edging downward, which means that it is a good time to <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">sell your home</a>.
Here at Jeff Cook Real Estate, we had a phenomenal month and closed 156 Sales in June. We have many more eager buyers wanting to purchase. It is an excellent time to give us a call to list your home. Call-855-HEY-JEFF today.
Stay up-to-date and check out the <a href="https://www.rate.com/research/charleston-sc">most current Charleston market updates</a>!2019-07-25T07:45:00-07:002021-01-21T14:31:31-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5291Why You Should Consider Selling in the Winter<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/selling-in-the-winter-attracts-serious-buyers.jpg" alt="Selling In Winter Attracts Serious Buyers" title="Selling In Winter Attracts Serious Buyers" height="410" width="750" />
The season you <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">sell your home</a> can have an impact on how much you get for your home and how quickly it sells. The season that has the most success in selling homes is spring. This is a good time of year for families moving to new school districts and is also more convenient weather for moving. Because of this trend, most people will recommend waiting to list your home until after the winter is over. Avoiding the winter is a <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/8-mistakes-to-avoid-when-selling-your-home/">huge misconception in the housing industry</a> and can cause homeowners to miss out on opportunities.
Selling in the winter can give you <a href="https://www.zillow.com/sellers-guide/selling-house-during-winter-holidays/?109802732800dsa-735002237472459688491282">a few advantages</a>. There will be fewer houses on the market since most people assume winter is a bad time to sell. This gives your home more attention. Potential buyers are always looking no matter the time of year. Keeping your house on the market in the winter might bring the right buyer to your door. Real estate agents also tend to be less busy during these months and commit more time to get your home sold.
Studies have shown winter buyers are buying because they need to move right away either for a relocation or personal situation. They will want to close quickly and allow for a much smoother sale.
Bottom Line
If you need to sell your home right away, or have some time but want to see what is out there, consider listing in the winter. Most homeowners who are going to sell will list their home in the spring, making for a competitive market. The winter allows buyers who are in a hurry to move consider your home and sell for more money than you would have in the spring.2019-07-18T11:33:00-07:002021-01-21T14:23:26-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:59536 Simple House Renovations That Will Attract BuyersEverybody wants to sell their house for the best price possible and under the best possible conditions. But it's also important for the house to be well-preserved when you sell so that avoid any potential problems with the buyers later on. Last but not least - you also need to find a way to attract buyers in the first place. So, which simple house renovations will do all of that?
1. Improve the entryway
This is the first thing a buyer sees when they approach the house. It says a lot about what they will see inside. So, simple tricks will definitely make a good impression, including repainting the front door and mowing the lawn. A nice welcome mat and a couple of carefully placed light fixtures will make the front porch inviting. Add a couple of potted plants around and you'll have a simple, yet <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/entryway-inspiration-fresh-new-ideas/">sweet-looking entryway</a>. Optionally, you can always decorate the whole front yard to really create a wow-effect.
2. Replace the floors
The floors are one of the first things that a buyer notices when they enter a house. Replacing them would be a great investment as it will instantly raise the value of the house. You could opt for hardwood flooring or tile. On the other hand, high-quality carpeting will also do the trick.
You don't have to spend a lot of money on this improvement. Some materials look really attractive even though they were really cheap to buy. Also, if you tear out the old flooring by yourself, that will save you some extra money.
3. The roof
A quality roof is something that a well-trained eye will spot in a second. So, make sure all the broken tiles and shingles are repaired or replaced, and the rest of them are put back into their places. The roof needs to be thoroughly inspected for any leaks. Otherwise, the leaks could cause serious damage up in the attic. The gutters need to be secured and cleaned.
Be careful - many homeowners forget about their own safety when doing roof maintenance. They don't consult companies like Universal Mobile Tower Hire, which provides them with a mobile platform that prevents you from falling down while cleaning the gutters.
4. The kitchen
Being the heart of every home, a kitchen leaves a big impression on any buyer. If possible, the kitchen should be positioned in the center of the home so that everybody can easily gather around it.
Enough storage space is very important, so make sure you have room for oddly-shaped objects like serving platter and chopping boards. The look of cupboards and drawers is important - you don't have to replace them completely, but a fresh coat of paint, a new handle or a knob will update the whole item. Also, make sure that they are all functional. If possible, install the overhead cabinets to the ceiling so that there's no need to dust the upper surface. In case you want to add an additional surface, a butler's pantry would amaze the buyers.
5. The bathroom
Another important room in your home. It needs to look clean, well-maintained, and modern. Fix the leaks and add a new layer of paint, making sure there are <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.health.com/allergy/mold-test-smell-signs" href="https://www.health.com/allergy/mold-test-smell-signs" rel="nofollow">no signs of mold</a>. A big and well-lit mirror will come in handy, as well as high-level storage for towels and hygiene products. Another smart investment would be heated towel rails, especially if it's a family home. They will prevent damp towels from becoming smelly, especially when there are a couple of family members.
6. The inner walls
Walls are what make a room, so make sure they are not outdated and dirty. A fresh layer of paint doesn't cost a lot but it does wonders for a room. You don't know what kind of buyer you'll come across, so don't go for bold colors. Instead, stick with the neutral ones, like beige, light grey or egg white. They open up space and are easily combined with everything else in the room.
Final comment
A couple of these home improvements will definitely make sure your home is safe and modern. The more time you invest in the improvements, the easier you will <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/">sell your house</a>, and at the better price as well.2019-06-24T11:53:00-07:002022-02-09T06:47:48-07:00Jeff Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:59568 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your HomeIf you are like most people in the United States, your home is your most important asset. The importance of your residence stems from its financial and personal value. If you reach a point in time that you have made the decision to sell your home you need to prepare properly for that endeavor. There are eight mistakes to avoid when you put your home on the market.
Putting Your Home Up for Sale Before You Personally are Ready
As mentioned a moment ago, your home is likely your most important asset, both financially and personally. As a result, putting your home on the market for sale can prove to be a personally challenging decision. <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.bintheredumpthatusa.com/article/5-reasons-why-renting-a-dumpster-will-help-you-sell-your-house" href="https://www.bintheredumpthatusa.com/article/5-reasons-why-renting-a-dumpster-will-help-you-sell-your-house" rel="nofollow">Selling your home</a> can prove to a physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging endeavor. As a result, you must be absolutely certain that you are fully personally prepared to sell your home.
You need to make a full, comprehensive evaluation of your situation to make sure you are fully prepared to sell your home and move. As a practical matter, you might want to take a traditional approach to this analysis. You might want to consider making a list of pros and cons associated with selling your home as part of this process.
Blindly Entering onto the Housing Market
Another mistake homeowners sometimes make when putting a residence up for sale is to enter the housing market in a blind manner. In other words, some homeowners fail to do appropriate due diligence.
As part of the effort to do appropriate due diligence, a homeowner needs to closely examine the local housing market, particularly the state of the market in a person's very neighborhood. In the grand scheme of things, most homeowners are best served during the due diligence process by engaging the services of a professional or professionals to assist in amassing data associated with the idea of entering into the housing market at this juncture in time.
Uninformed Decision to Sell Home "By Owner"
More than a few homeowners believe that selling their homes by owner is far and away from the best strategy for selling a residence. They typically make this decision based on the assumption that they will make more money on a home sale by going by the owner course.
In fact, that is not always the case. Some research suggests that even with Realtor fees, homeowners walk away with on a home sale when they have a Realtor that is the case when they go it alone. The reason for this situation is the reality that a Realtor knows everything from how to properly price a home to how to appropriately market a property. You may also need to access other home sales-related professionals as well.
Not Trusting Your Instincts When Considering a Realtor
A common mistake made by a homeowner interested in putting his or her home on the market is failing to trust his or her instincts when it comes to retaining the services of a real estate professional or Realtor. The bottom line is a homeowner needs to confident in his or her ability to make a wise judgment about a Realtor.
Relying on a person's instincts to engage a Realtor cuts two ways. First, your instincts might tell you to hire a particular person. Second and conversely, your instincts might be suggesting you avoid a certain real estate professional. The bottom line in seeking professional assistance in selling your home is that you do yourself a disservice by not going with your gut in many instances.
Hiring a Friend to Sell Your Home
Time and again when a person makes the decision to sell his or her home an individual reaches out to a friend in the real estate business to assist in selling the property. Although on the surface, oftentimes when a friend is hired to be part of this process, the combination of a business and professional relationship proves problematic. In the final analysis, you can end up at professional loggerheads with your Realtor. If you've retained a friend for this service, you are also at risk for professional disputes or disagreements bleeding over and negatively and even permanently impacting the preexisting friendship.
On the flip side, if you hire a friend to be your Realtor, your friend may face dilemmas as well. For example, if bad news needs to be conveyed to you, your friend serving as your real estate professional will be reluctant to do so. A friend as your Realtor may sugarcoat what is conveyed to you. In other words, you won't be getting the most accurate information you need to evaluate matters related to your home whilst it is on the market for sale.
Pricing Your Home on the Profit You Want to Realize
Home sellers err when the determine an initial sales price based on a calculation of how much profit they would like to realize from a sale. In reality, the factors that must come into play when determining the initial sales price for a home include:
comparable sales prices in the neighborhood
period of time since a comparable home sold in the neighborhood
condition of residence
amenities of residence
appraisal
Letting Emotions Govern Your Decisions
Homebuyers make a significant mistake when they permit their emotions to run amok when negotiating with a prospective buyer. Despite the immense sentimental value understandably attached to your home, when he put your residence on the market for sale you must maintain the focus that you are dealing with an asset or commodity.
Not Disclosing History or Residence of Material Problems
A major mistake a homeowner can make when putting a residence on the market is to fail to disclose the <a data-cke-saved-href="https://ecobear.co/unattended-death-cleaning/disclose-unattended-death/" href="https://ecobear.co/unattended-death-cleaning/disclose-unattended-death/" rel="nofollow">history</a> of the property or problems at the premises. Keep in mind that there are certain types of disclosures that are required to be made by law. In addition, there are other problems that can exist at a property that is better disclosed than hidden even if there exists no legal requirement to do so.2019-05-05T12:03:00-07:002020-12-18T09:30:26-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5960Prepping Your Home for an Open HouseA home rarely sells itself. It usually requires you to invest some of your time and effort to present it properly and make it more appealing to potential buyers. The way you prep your home for an open house can increase or decrease the probability of selling it sooner and at a better price. Although there are professionals you can hire to help you with this process, there are some things you can do yourself to turn your home into a place any future homeowner will gladly consider.
De-clutter your home
One thing you should start with when you want to prepare your home for an open house is the clutter. All those little souvenirs, decorative and personal items, such as your family photos, your children’s drawings, toys and things like half-spent toiletries in your bathroom, should go before first buyers start appearing. Even the clothes that you don’t need this season should be packed and moved somewhere else. Not only will this simplify staging your home, but it will also make things a lot easier when you actually sell it and have to pack everything and move. Be especially careful with removing the personal items, since those can make buyers feel like they’re in somebody else’s home, which will then make it more difficult for them to see themselves and their family living there. In case you don’t want to take some of your belongings with you to your next home, instead of keeping them in a box in your garage, where they will only take up precious space, you can sell them online and actually make some money.
Don’t be too bold with colors
Bright red, orange and yellow accent walls might work great when you’re decorating your home for yourself and your family, but when you’re trying to sell it and want everybody to like it, you should take fewer risks with colors. When staging a home, instead of choosing bold colors, you should <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.thespruce.com/best-neutral-paint-colors-797921" href="https://www.thespruce.com/best-neutral-paint-colors-797921" rel="nofollow">opt for neutral tones</a>. Neutral hues of gray, cream, white and beige will look pleasant to any eye and they will make it more likely for potential buyers to imagine what they will do with space, how they will decorate it and what style of furniture they will bring into the place once they own it. Plus, while bright colors introduce a certain hippy and cheerful feel to any space, neutral ones make it more subtle and elegant, which is exactly what you want people to see when they view your home.
Make your home a welcoming place
Once you remove the unnecessary and personal items from your home, you should consider how to make it less sterile and more inviting to the buyers. Your goal should be to create a feeling of coziness for them so that they wish they didn’t have to leave and instead they could stay in your master bedroom and have a nap on the beautiful, soft linens on your king-size bed. You want them to have to fight the urge to get snug among all those thick cushions and blankets on your living room sofa or to wrap themselves in the big plush towels you left at the edge of your bathtub. These are all tricks to make people fall in love with the comfort of your home. Every accessory should be placed carefully and should breathe with luxury, which includes quality curtains on your windows and if you really want your home to look picture perfect, <a data-cke-saved-href="https://nazmiyalantiquerugs.com/" href="https://nazmiyalantiquerugs.com/" rel="nofollow">beautiful antique rugs</a>. They are a smart way to cover any damage to your flooring, but also a great aesthetic addition to attract high-end buyers.
Make sure your home is bright and airy
When your lighting fixtures and your windows aren’t doing a good job providing your home with sufficient lighting, it can turn into a dark and gloomy place that nobody will really like. So, before showing your home, make sure you open all your blinds and replace dark and thick drapes with light-material transparent curtains, so that you let plenty of natural light in. Also, don’t hesitate to turn your lights on when potential customers arrive, to light up even the darkest corners of your rooms. Strategically placed lighting fixtures can also accentuate the best features of your home, so use them to your advantage. Other than bright, your home should be fresh, airy, and odor-free. If you know you’re presenting your home, don’t cook spicy food that day. In case you have problems with odors from cigarette smoke or pets, deep-clean all the upholstery and carpets in your home, paint the walls, and open the windows for a few hours before the showing starts. It might also help to light a naturally scented candle or to put some fresh flowers in several vases around the house.
Presenting your property in the best light can speed up its sale and get it off the market sooner than you hope. Use these tips to efficiently prep your home for an open house and make every person who steps inside wish that they could live there.
About the author: Mike Johnston is a lifestyle blogger and DIY enthusiast from Sydney. He is a regular writer at <a data-cke-saved-href="https://smoothdecorator.com/" href="https://smoothdecorator.com/" rel="nofollow">Smooth Decorator</a>. He has also contributed to numerous lifestyles, real estate, and green living blogs. Mike’s goal is to create and share meaningful content that helps and inspires people.2019-04-08T12:19:00-07:002022-09-27T05:17:30-07:00Jeff Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:59638 Easy Packing Tips that Will Save Your TimeIf you have bought a new house and are looking for some easy packing and moving tips then you have come to the right place. Have a look at these easy packing tips that will not only save your precious time but save you money as well.
Plan Ahead
Try and avoid leaving anything until and unless you have to pack up and leave in a hurry. Although chances are that you have at least 30-60 days to make a plan and ensure that moving day runs smoothly. So, you can create a countdown list and itemize everything that you can accomplish week by week.
Pack a Bag of Essentials
Chances are that you will be tired to unpack your things, so you will want your essentials within your reach. This may include a pair of clothes if you are going back to work the next day as well as your toiletries. It is also a great way to transport a laptop as it can get stolen during transport.
Pack the Items in a Clear Bin
You can pack the things in a clean bin that you need first like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags eating utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers, toilet papers, etc. With the help of the clear bin, you can see what’s inside and it also separates itself apart from the cardboard boxes.
Donate Unwanted Items
One of the biggest things many people realize when they begin to declutter and simplify their homes is that they have more unwanted stuff than they had realized. There is no point in moving boxes from your old home to your new home if they are simply going to be sitting unused. You can save your time and energy by getting rid of your old stuff by giving them to charities.
Wrap Your Breakables in Clothes
You can use your clothes to wrap up breakable items like glassware and utensils.
Pick the Right Transport
If the distance is short then you may be able to get away with making more than one trip, but if you don’t have the luxury then you will need to make sure that you have the right size of truck to carry all your things in one go. However, choosing the right size is particularly important when moving farther away as making several trips could be a problem.
In other words, the items of bachelor and the one-bedroom apartment can easily fit in a 16’ cube truck that can be rented from your local rental company. On the other hand, two-three fully bedrooms will require a 24’-26’ truck to ensure that your move is completed in one load.
Put a Packing Kit
If one or more people are packing than stay organized by establishing a system. You can have blank inventory sheets prepared so one person can tackle each area or room. Be prepared with a pen, black marker, and packing materials like newspapers, a packing tape dispenser, and boxes.
Reuse The Boxes
You will need some cardboard boxes to pack your things if you have <a data-cke-saved-href="http://greaterhoustonhouse.com/" href="http://greaterhoustonhouse.com/" rel="nofollow">sold your house fast</a>. You can get these cardboard boxes from grocery stores or you can buy it online. Also, keep in mind that smaller boxes are easier to carry on narrow pathways.2019-03-25T12:52:00-07:002020-12-18T09:29:57-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5966Tips You Must Know When Staging Your HomeOnce the decision has been made that you will be putting your home on the market to sell, it’s time to stage. Staging is a very important part of the home selling process, as it warrants you to put your beloved home on display for others to picture it as their own. Like selling anything in life, it’s important to pitch your most polished product to the public, to convey its full value. Think of potential buyers as consumers on the market for their next best purchase. They will be examining every crevice of your home, in an attempt to envision it as the place where they’d like to invest the next stage of their life. A major caveat of selling your home is that some buyers may not like your style, or may not prefer an element of your home that you love. Don’t take it personally. In most cases it’s better for the seller to not be present during the open house, to avoid any uncomfortable situations. As a seller, you want your home to look the best it can during open houses. Here are some helpful home staging tips that can assist you during the process of staging your home!
First and foremost, remove your home’s clutter! Nobody wants to walk into a house that has another family’s items scattered all about. Remove all miscellaneous items from your home’s openly visible areas. Make sure that clothes are put away in all bedrooms and that beds are nicely made as well. Just doing this alone can make your home look tidier, but it’s definitely not all you should do.
Next, clean, clean, clean! You want to make sure that your home looks spotless when a potential buyer enters it. First impressions are lasting impressions, so if a buyer walks into a dirty home, he or she will likely have a negative first impression, that may impact their entire perception of your house. Walking into a clean house, that smells fresh can give your home bonus points, showing the buyer that you’re a seller who is truly motivated to sell.
Third, make an open concept feel. Regardless of the structural layout of your home, arranging your furniture in an open layout design can work wonders on the aesthetic of your home. Make room for buyers to freely walk throughout your home, without having any blockades of furniture. This can allow buyers to visualize the space with their own twist, allowing it to feel more like their own. If you have any furniture that doesn’t fit well in your home, it is probably best to remove it during the staging process, so that the area looks larger.
Depending on your home’s color scheme, it can be a good idea to consider painting over any bright colored walls that may throw off the potential buyer’s perception of your home. Creating a neutral coloring throughout your home is best for staging, as buyers can then choose to visualize their own color scheme, rather than having to imagine the home without yours.
Make repairs! If there are any minor updates or repairs you can make to create a more visually pleasing setting, you should do so. Although your home’s impurities may not stand out to you so much, they will stand out to a buyer. Any quick updates you can make will serve you better and will show the buyer that you keep up with your home’s maintenance.
Before the open house, it is important to create a light and airy setting in your home. This can be done by opening your blinds and leaving all lights on in your home on for the showing. You can also purchase a few potted plants or flower arrangements to display throughout the home to create the perfect welcoming atmosphere. The best way to prepare your home is to act as a buyer yourself. Once you have taken the previously stated measures to stage your home, allow yourself to take a walk through the home, acting as a critical buyer. This can help you make any other adjustments that may assist a buyer in viewing your home as their perfect new home!2019-02-28T14:02:00-07:002020-12-18T11:25:01-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5975Do We Really Sell A Home Every 7 Hours?As a local of the Charleston area, you’re definitely used to seeing Jeff Cook Real Estate billboards on your daily commute. You’ve most likely laughed at a few, but you might’ve questioned if some of the statistics you see are even true! The latest billboards we’ve produced claims that Jeff Cook Real Estate sells a home every 7 hours. Let’s dive deep into who JCRE is to see if this is factual and why does it matter to you!
How is JCRE able to sell a home every 7 hours?
Here at JCRE, we have a lot of moving parts so to explain how we are able to sell these many homes we must look at it from all of the parts. The first part is that we have expert agents that go through tons of training when they become a part of the team. Our agents work hard for each individual client to ensure that they are getting the most for their house, sold faster than the competition. In 2018 alone we sold 1,300 homes!!
The second part is our cutting-edge marketing system. Although we can’t give you all the tricks of the trade, we can tell you that our marketing (billboards and other ads that you see on social media) bring in 4,800 leads per month! That means more people are looking for homes to buy, so we are able to sell your home faster!
Why Does This Matter?
If you want to <a data-cke-saved-href="http://843value.com" href="http://843value.com" rel="nofollow">sell</a> your home, the numbers should matter to you! We can <a data-cke-saved-href="http://843value.com" href="http://843value.com" rel="nofollow">sell</a> your home 30 days faster than the competition. This means we’ve just saved you a month’s worry, waiting, and a month's mortgage payment! We also help you get more for your listing! We get 98.5% of your asking price while the competitors only get 96.6%. We want to get your home sold fast and sold for more money!
So now that you know the facts, it’s time to throw some truth at you. We <a data-cke-saved-href="http://jeffcookcares.com" href="http://jeffcookcares.com" rel="nofollow">serve</a> a lot of families every year but that doesn’t mean you will get lost in these numbers. We live by this motto “Every client has a name, and every name has a story”, meaning each family we work with, we focus on them individually. No two transactions will be the same because no two families are the same. We make sure to serve based on the family’s needs and wants. With any Jeff Cook agent, you come first!
We want the chance to work with you! If you’re ready to hire a professional, go to <a data-cke-saved-href="http://843value.com" href="http://843value.com" rel="nofollow">843value.com</a>!2019-01-10T14:29:00-07:002020-12-18T09:43:28-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6012Deciding If and When to List Your HomePutting a home on the market is one of the most significant life decisions many of us will ever make. It has all kinds of implications—financial, social, geographic, and more—and it can often require months (sometimes years) of planning, prep, and consideration. It’s no wonder, so many homeowners hesitate to list their property.
There is a multitude of reasons why you might want to sell—upsizing, downsizing, relocating, liquidating a vacation or investment property asset, avoiding future financial or foreclosure issues. The more pressing the reason, the more motivated you’ll be. But the majority of us teeter between the desire to sell, and the uncertainty of what’s in store when we do.
What if your home sells quickly, and you don’t have a plan for your next purchase or rental? Will you be able to afford the repairs required to get your current house in selling shape? What about the closing costs—are you prepared to handle any unforeseen, additional costs that may come your way?
There is plenty of good news that can assuage some of those concerns. Here are several, straight from the experts at Jeff Cook:
We’re currently cruising through the<a href="https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/adapt-your-home-to-its-selling-season"> best home-selling season</a>. Hello, spring!
Based on data analysis, Zillow concluded that early- to mid-May is the absolute<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/scrambling-to-sell/"> best period to sell</a>.
Why?... Because those who sell during the first half of May can statistically expect a higher price ($2,400 on average) and a quicker sale than they would have gotten listing at another time of year.
With so many people moving to the Lowcountry and buying property, housing inventory is low. There aren’t enough homes on the market. Yep, that’s right—Charleston-area community members NEED you to sell (and they’re likely to sweeten the deal when you do as a result).
So if your anxiety reaches all-time high thinking about whether or not to sell (and when), consider these helpful facts. They could be the motivators you need to fix your place up, then list, show, and sell it quickly for the top asking price... And our agents make up the <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/meet-the-sell-squad/">perfect team of experts</a> to guide you along that journey. Call us today to see how we can help.2018-06-04T07:34:00-07:002021-01-25T12:32:33-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6017Home Inspection Day Part 2Welcome back! Hopefully, you found <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/home-inspection-day/">Home Inspection Day Part 1</a> extremely helpful, which means you're eagerly back for more. We're going to just right into the rest of our tips on how to make your home inspection day a walk in the park.
Take pictures, or roughly sketch, the cabinet layout in the kitchen. Do the base cabinets have shelves in them? How many drawers are in the new kitchen, compared to your current one?
Take note of counter space, including standing room. Will your beloved stand mixer/coffee station/bread machine/blender/knife block fit underneath the upper cabinets?
Do all the rooms where you want to have cable/satellite tv already have the necessary wall jacks?
Do you want to add dimmers to any of the overhead lighting fixtures? If so, how many dimmers will you need? Also, note what switch style is used in the house (traditional flip vs. rocker), and what color, so you can match.
How many exterior door locks - deadbolts locking doorknobs – will you need to re-key? If you know this, you’ll get a more accurate quote when you call a locksmith to book an appointment.
<a href="https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/20-clever-space-saving-solutions-and-storage-ideas-pictures">Planning to buy storage solutions</a> for closets, a laundry space, or the garage? Measure, measure, measure!
Measure your windows for replacement blinds or curtains. You never know when you might run into a great sale.
Are there power outlets in the garage?
How many spigots are on the outside of the house, and where are they?
Do you love how the current owners have the living room laid out and want to replicate the furniture placement? Take a picture, so you have an accurate memory of it.
Are you buying rugs for hardwood floors? Measure the space at floor level, between the baseboards, so you can look for rugs, or plan where your existing ones will live.
Note: If you are going to buy anything for your new home before you have closed, be sure you can return it if the deal falls through, and save the receipts. I know you don’t want to think about that happening, but you must remember that you aren’t closed until you’ve closed. You need to account for any built-in extension for closing that is in your purchase contract when thinking about returning items.
If you are 45 days out from closing, but the return policy is only 30 days, think twice about the purchase. Can you use the desired item in any home you might buy, or in your current abode? If so, you may want to take the risk.
We wish you smooth sailing all the way through closing, great sales, and generous return policies! Remember to give us a call at 855-HEY-JEFF for all your <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/new-listings-daily/">listing and buying needs.</a>2018-05-17T07:44:00-07:002021-01-20T14:44:59-07:00Cory Towler