Category: Real Estate

House Stuff

I have always loved household furnishings. From dishes to sofas and everything in between, I have very serious ideas about style and function. When I was looking for dishes, the set had to have a pleasing coffee cup – definitely not a mug but also, not a tea cup. I looked for three years to replace the light fixture for my kitchen, 10 years for the bedroom pendant light, and since I moved here 15 years ago I have yet to find the right exterior sconces. To be sure, I do love the thrill of the hunt.

Helping People

There are so many brave and loving people helping others in this world that I admire like nurses and firefighters and teachers. I hope that in my way, I am truly helping people achieve their dreams. I never have felt I was “selling” anyone a home, but rather helping them navigate the complicated and emotional path to ownership. In some cases I am more of a counsellor and stress management advisor than a sales agent. Clients frequently try to think for both sides of the equation and do not consider that their risk tolerance is not the same as the other party’s.  Helping people think about what they can and cannot control is one of my functions. One of my sellers once said “it’s an old house, of course there will be wood rot.” A perfectly reasonable assumption. The wood rot however, will never pass the termite inspection and the buyer’s financing will likely not be approved without a clear report. Fixing the wood rot was a no brainer in the big scheme of things and was not going to be negotiable. Most importantly, I believe in staging! As a consequence, I will jump in to help with the physical labor working alongside clients to make sure we have the best photos. My grey/blue pillow from my own home has appeared in numerous photo shoots and anything I can offer to maximize the online clicks is worth it to get top dollar for them.

Problem Solving

Every client is surprised when problems with the sale arise. I am always on the lookout because I know they are coming and it’s only a matter of what new issues will arise and when. In one instance after a hurricane, my buyers were getting close to closing but the neighbor’s tree had fallen on the property they were to purchase. Tree experts were booked up with life threatening emergencies, but this precariously leaning tree threatened their new home. The neighbor was renting the property and reaching the owner was not easy but, through persistence and insistence we got it done in time to close on our scheduled date.

Developing relationships

Working with first-time home buyers on a tight budget gives me the opportunity to play auntie and take care of them. Working with middle-aged clients with similar life experiences often creates new friendships. Many of my clients are from among my church friends and working together deepens that friendship as we weather the inevitable storms. I so enjoy out of town clients and showing them the ropes of Charleston. It captured my heart on a long weekend 15 years ago and I hope the same for my buyers. Folks looking for a second home often appreciate the thorough, and prompt follow up to their questions from afar as they negotiate long-distance. I love the interaction and learning about their personalities and why they love what they love about a home.

How could I not love this job?

• – Terry Bell-Aby, Realtor®
• Mobile  508-627-2988  | Terry@dunesproperties.com

“November saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average top 30,000 for the first time, while mortgage rates reached new record lows again. These new records have provided encouragement for buyers to move forward on home purchases, which continued to remain strong overall for the month. Showing activity remains higher than the same period a year ago across most of the country, suggesting that strong buyer demand is likely to continue into what is typically the slowest time of year. With inventory remaining constrained in most market segments, sellers continue to benefit from the tight market conditions.”

~ Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR)

Market Statistics by Area:

Closed Sales +34.5% | Median Sales Price +18.4% |  Months Supply -61.5%

• Downtown Charleston
• Upper Charleston Peninsula
• Upper Mount Pleasant
• Lower Mount Pleasant
• Daniel Island
• Folly Beach
• Isle of Palms/Wild Dunes
• Sullivan’s Island
• Kiawah Island
• Seabrook Island
• James Island
• West Ashley
• Johns Island
• North Charleston
• Summerville
• Goose Creek

Featured Listing

1509 Ocean Club, Wild Dunes
4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths | 2,810 sq ft | Offered at $1,599,000
Welcome to 1509 Ocean Club, a premier oceanfront penthouse villa with spectacular 180 degree views from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean. This 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath villa is a rare find with the desirable ”B” floor plan, offering additional square footage, a breakfast room, private powder room for guests, and 3 of the 4 bedrooms facing the stunning view! For more information or to schedule a private showing, visit bit.ly/1509OceanClub.

Top 9 of 2020

Charleston Coast Vacations

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“October continued to be busier than the calendar normally suggests. Buyer activity remains higher than normal for this time of year, while in many segments of the market housing supply remains much lower than one year ago. Multiple offers remain a common occurrence in many areas, keeping housing hot while the temperatures continue to fall.”

~ Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR)

Market Statistics by Area:

Closed Sales +54.5% | Median Sales Price +16.3% |  Months Supply -55.0%

• Downtown Charleston
• Upper Charleston Peninsula
• Upper Mount Pleasant
• Lower Mount Pleasant
• Daniel Island
• Folly Beach
• Isle of Palms/Wild Dunes
• Sullivan’s Island
• Kiawah Island
• Seabrook Island
• James Island
• West Ashley
• Johns Island
• North Charleston
• Summerville
• Goose Creek

Featured Listing

31 Smith Street, No. 204, Harleston Village
3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths | 1,758 sq ft | Offered at $1,850,000
Historic Charleston’s new distinctive address, Harleston Gates, is now welcoming its new owners. There is just one opportunity left to become a part of this compelling boutique building. The North Flat offers ten foot ceilings, a gracious open floor plan, a spacious master suite, and opulent appointments. With views to Wentworth Mansion and french doors to a balcony set amidst the trees, this Flat is one-of-a kind. For more information, visit www.HarlestonGates.com.

Charleston Coast Vacations

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LUCKY WINNER!
Thank you to all our past guests who submitted stories and photos to our Charleston Coast Vacations Experiences Vacation Giveaway! It was very hard to choose a winner…but we did. BIG CONGRATS to our past guest Robert M. on his winning story and photo. The image and Robert’s story made for a winning combination.🖤
www.CharlestonCoastVacations.com

Charleston, South Carolina, may not boost the largest population or tallest skyscrapers, but it’s a city with real character, charm and history. If you’re wondering where to live in Charleston, SC, we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to all of the neighborhoods in historic downtown Charleston and some of the surrounding areas. Whether you’re looking for the perfect beach house for your family or a charming downtown apartment for one, you’ll find some of the most unique properties right here in the Holy City.

Neighborhoods in Historic Downtown Charleston

Unlike larger, more spread-out cities, Charleston’s downtown area is the heart of the action. Everything from eating and partying to business gatherings and art events takes place right in the downtown area, which is why so many people flock the city center when they relocate. Historic downtown Charleston has dozens of beautiful areas to live in, but, of course, the desirability of these areas drives up the price, so be sure to consider both the vibe of the neighborhood and the average price tag on homes in the area.

South of Broad

Speaking of budgets, the South of Broad neighborhood is the most expensive area on the peninsula because of its proximity to the water and the massive mansions that decorate the streets here. If you’re working with a tight budget in mind, you should flip right past these extravagant homes. If extravagance is what you’re searching for, then there is no better area in Charleston than South of Broad. Perhaps the most desirable homes here are located on Murray Blvd., an area locals refer to as “the Battery.” This row of beautiful homes faces out to the harbor with gorgeous views of the water and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in the distance. This entire neighborhood makes up the tip of the peninsula from the water to Broad St. and is mainly residential. The nearest shops, restaurants and bars can be found along Broad St.

Harleston Village

One of the most popular neighborhoods in downtown Charleston, Harleston Village is adjacent to South of Broad. The neighborhood boundaries extend from Broad St. to Calhoun St. and from Lockwood Blvd. to St. Philip St., nestling this neighborhood within the College of Charleston campus. This area is home to a mix of college students and families as well as some staple Charleston establishments, including the Wentworth Mansion with the exquisite Circa 1886 restaurant inside and more casual stops like Caviar and Bananas or Circe’s Grotto.

Ansonborough

A more tourist-heavy section of the downtown area, Ansonborough covers the Market area in addition to other visitor hotspots like Waterfront Park, the rooftop bars at both Market Pavilion and The Vendue and the many other restaurants and bars along East Bay St. Although this may sound like a bustling area on top, the Ansonborough neighborhood itself actually remains extremely quiet because it’s tucked away down narrow, cobblestone streets that lead towards Gadsdenboro Park. Take a walk through this area to enjoy the charm of an old Charleston neighborhood and take a moment to step away from the busy streets of Meeting and East Bay.

Radcliffeborough

As you move up the peninsula, you’ll begin to run into a few different “boroughs,” including Radcliffeborough, which runs from Calhoun St. to Morris St. between King St. and Rutledge Ave. This is what most locals know as party central for the college kids. Students at the College of Charleston tend to move into off-campus apartments after one to two years of dorm life—and Radcliffeborough is where they choose to go. If you’re wondering where to live in Charleston and you’re not interested in the nightlife, this may not be the neighborhood for you. Many parents, however, decide to make an investment purchase and buy a house their child can live in while attending the college. If this is the kind of real estate decision you’re looking to make, Radcliffeborough is the area for college students. It’s a short, easy walk (or ride) to the campus while also remaining close to all the best parts of downtown Charleston.

Mazyck-Wraggborough

This small sliver of Charleston, which exists from Calhoun St. to Mary St. between King and East Bay, is a unique spot that has also been referred to as the Garden District. In this area covering just a few blocks, you’ll find an intriguing mix of old historic homes and, as its nickname suggests, beautiful outdoor gardens. The Mazyck-Wraggborough neighborhood encompasses Marion Square, one of the most popular spots in the city to host events–from Fashion Week to the annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival. During the spring, summer and fall, you can also enjoy a weekly Farmers Market in Marion Square with local artisans, farmers and producers bringing their best products to the park each Saturday.

King Street Historic District

Just a narrow sliver down the center of the peninsula, the King Street Historic District doubles as the shopping district, too. This neighborhood runs down King Street and extends on either side to Meeting and St. Philip streets. Here, you’ll find dozens of big name stores and local boutiques as well as some of the best bars and restaurants in the city. This is really where all of the action happens in Charleston, so if you’re able to find a property here, expect to be in the middle of it all.

Cannonborough/Elliotborough

A very desirable area of town, Cannonborough/Elliotborough is made up of a mixture of college students, young professionals and families. This is considered one of the more affordable spots in historic downtown Charleston and has much to offer in terms of gorgeous traditional architecture and great local eateries and bars. You won’t be too far from King Street when you move to this neighborhood, and you’ll be near coffee shops like 132 Spring, as well as trendy restaurants like the Pink Cactus and Xiao Bao Biscuit.

East Side

Considered an up-and-coming area of Charleston, the East Side is located along the eastern side of the peninsula naturally. Many of the homes in this neighborhood possess a long, intriguing history with dozens of examples of traditional Charleston single homes—a particular design unique to the city. When you live on the East Side, you’ll be within walking distance to the Old Cigar Factory, which has been converted into a multi-use building that is now home to a coffee shop known as Mercantile, the next-door whiskey bar called Bar Mash and Rappahannock, a seafood restaurant known for its oysters. From the East Side, you’ll also have easy access to walk the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and you’re just around the corner from a brand-new olympic swimming pool facility that was just installed in 2020.

West Side

On the other side of the peninsula sits the West Side neighborhood, which is conveniently close to the crosstown, making it easy and fast to get off the peninsula in either direction. If you’re looking for somewhere to move in historic downtown Charleston while also being able to hop on the highway at a moment’s notice, the West Side may be the ideal location. This side of town is also home to Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, the stadium home to the city’s minor league baseball team—the Riverdogs. When you move to the West Side, you’ll also be sharing the neighborhood with a number of top spots in Charleston, including the Recovery Room (the bar known as the number one seller of PBR in the world) and Leon’s Oyster Shop. Make sure you find time to explore them all. Oh, and definitely invest in a tide chart because the streets on this side of town can shockingly flood during storms and high tide.

Hampton Park Terrace

Moving further from the tip of the peninsula, we begin to make our way into the Hampton Park/Wagener Terrace area of the city. Both of these neighborhoods are much more residential than other areas of the city closer to the tip of the peninsula. You’re a short drive or bike ride from the center of Charleston’s nightlife, but not close enough to be reminded of it while you’re having a relaxing night in. Hampton Park itself is right in the middle of this neighborhood, providing you the perfect space to relax, take a walk, host a romantic picnic or exercise outdoors.

If you decide to move to Hampton Park Terrace, you’ll notice these houses have a different style than the traditional Charleston singles seen in other neighborhoods. Hampton Park Terrace and Wagener Terrace are both home to more cottage-style homes, giving the neighborhood its own unique look. Here, you’ll be close to local restaurants like Park Cafe, Herd Provisions and the corner store Torres Superettes—a place where many locals claim you can get some of the most authentic tacos in town.

Wagener Terrace

Adjacent to Hampton Park Terrace, Wagener Terrace is another charming area with similar cottage-style homes and many residential families. For young professionals looking to settle down or newlyweds ready to start a family, this is probably the most desirable neighborhood in the entire city. If you can snag a property here, you’ll love the entire vibe of the neighborhood and the proximity to many of the same perks as Hampton Park Terrace, including the park itself, Park Cafe and Daps breakfast cafe.

North Central

The final neighborhood on the peninsula before you begin entering the city of North Charleston, North Central is a very up-and-coming area with new apartment buildings seeming to pop up every day. Residential living here is slim because of the influx of apartment buildings, but if you like living the condo life, you can rent here for a bit while seeking out the right permanent home for you. Sometimes called the neck of the peninsula, the North Central neighborhood is home to breweries like Revelry Brewing and Fatty’s Beer Works, as well as the cafeteria-style food court with rotating offerings of the newest and trendiest culinary pop-ups, starter restaurants or food trucks transitioning into the brick-and-mortar space.

Other Neighborhoods in Charleston

• The Old Village, Mount Pleasant: A neighborhood with property on the pricier side, the Old Village in Mount Pleasant is relatively close to the bridge, making it easy and quick to get downtown. This charming area is where you’ll find gorgeous homes and adorable boutique shops and cafes.
• 

Avondale, West Ashley: Also a short drive to downtown, Avondale is a neighborhood of West Ashley, filled with fun and action. Here, you’ll find yoga studios, shops, restaurants and bars, including the eclectic Voodoo Tiki Bar & Lounge and the oldest running bar in Charleston, Gene’s Haufbrau.

Park Circle, North Charleston: Perhaps the trendiest new neighborhood in Charleston right now, Park Circle is the first neighborhood between downtown Charleston and North Charleston. With an increasing number of developments over the last five years, the neighborhood centers around E. Montague Street, which is lined with shops, restaurants, bars and even a brewery.

• James Island: If you’re a beach bum who wants to stay as close to the beach as possible, James Island is for you. Although the options for fine dining are more limited than downtown, James Island is a short drive into the city and equally as close to Folly Beach.

Find Your New Dream Home

Whether you’re looking for a home in the heart of the action in Charleston or you’d prefer a more quaint, laidback lifestyle in the outskirts of the city, Dunes Properties will help you find the home of your dreams. Moving to historic downtown Charleston is a big decision—but one you won’t regret. The city is filled with culture, history and fantastic weather all year long. So, what are you waiting for? Browse our available properties and imagine yourself in your new, beautiful home.

“Strong buyer activity has continued into the fall, which is normally the start of the seasonal slowing of the housing market. With stronger buyer activity in the market this year and the continued constrained supply of homes for sale, speedy sales and multiple offers are likely to remain a common occurrence and will keep the housing market hot even when the weather is cooling.”

~ Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR)

Market Statistics by Area:

Closed Sales +46.3% | Median Sales Price +8.8% |  Months Supply -56.1%

• Downtown Charleston
• Upper Charleston Peninsula
• Upper Mount Pleasant
• Lower Mount Pleasant
• Daniel Island
• Folly Beach
• Isle of Palms/Wild Dunes
• Sullivan’s Island
• Kiawah Island
• Seabrook Island
• James Island
• West Ashley
• Johns Island
• North Charleston
• Summerville
• Goose Creek

Featured Listing

2208 Palm Boulevard, Isle of Palms
6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths | 6,182 sq ft | Offered at $6,500,000
Designed by architect Steven Herlong with interiors by Amy Trowman Design, this 1.3 acre oceanfront estate is the epitome of luxury. Nestled in the heart of Isle of Palms, the estate boasts captivating ocean views, circular porches, a 7 car garage, gorgeous infinity pool, gazebo, and a 500-foot Ipe boardwalk as you walk comfortably to the ocean. The interior is equally impressive with a 16 ft barrel ceiling in the great room, black walnut floors, mahogany ceilings, stunning chef’s kitchen and more. For more information on this one of a kind home, visit www.2208palmblvd.com.

Charleston Coast Vacations

We 💗💗💗 it when our guests have a great experience on Charleston’s beaches! We know some of your most cherished memories are made during your vacation time with us. Nothing makes us happier than seeing smiling faces and hearing about your stories. Whether you’ve been visiting us for years or you just got back from your first trip, we’d love to hear all about it! Submit your story at bit.ly/CCVcontest and we’ll feature it in our special blog series, on our Facebook Page, and you’ll be entered into our next Vacation Giveaway! 🏖️

“While buyer activity continues to be robust, seller activity continues to be a bit softer, with fewer homes being listed for sale than a year ago. Many housing experts believe sellers remain reluctant to list their homes due to continued concerns over COVID-19, which was beginning to see a resurgence in June. Until sellers regain confidence, housing inventory will continue to be constrained during what is expected to be an active summer selling season.”

~ Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR)

Market Statistics by Area:

Closed Sales +5.7% | Median Sales Price -0.6% |  Months Supply -41.9%

• Downtown Charleston
• Upper Charleston Peninsula
• Upper Mount Pleasant
• Lower Mount Pleasant
• Daniel Island
• Folly Beach
• Isle of Palms/Wild Dunes
• Sullivan’s Island
• Kiawah Island
• Seabrook Island
• James Island
• West Ashley
• Johns Island
• North Charleston
• Summerville
• Goose Creek

Featured Listing

9 Colonial Street, Historic Charleston
4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths  |  3,150 sq ft  |  Offered at $1,449,000
This charming 100 year old South of Broad home has been meticulously maintained featuring a gracious floor plan with tall ceilings and original moldings, fully remodeled kitchen, extensive third floor renovation and expansion, and cozy courtyard perfect for entertaining.⁠ For more information, visit: bit.ly/9ColonialStreet

In the News

Charleston Coast Vacations

Labor Day Weekend is less than two months away, and it’s the perfect excuse for a getaway! Treat yourself to the relaxation you deserve in a beautiful home or villa on the Charleston Coast. 😎☀️ Visit our website for more info:
www.CharlestonCoastVacations.com
We can’t wait to see you on the Charleston Coast!⁠

“While the effects of COVID-19 in the broader economy continue, real estate activity is beginning to recover across much of the country. According to Freddie Mac, mortgage rates have been below 3.3 percent for more than four weeks and are hovering near all-time lows, spurring strong interest by buyers and lifting showing activity up 4% nationally versus a year ago in the final week of May.”
~ Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR)

Market Statistics by Area:

Closed Sales -21.9% | Median Sales Price +1.2% |  Months Supply -32.6%

• Downtown Charleston
• Upper Charleston Peninsula
• Upper Mount Pleasant
• Lower Mount Pleasant
• Daniel Island
• Folly Beach
• Isle of Palms/Wild Dunes
• Sullivan’s Island
• Kiawah Island
• Seabrook Island
• James Island
• West Ashley
• Johns Island
• North Charleston
• Summerville
• Goose Creek

Featured Listings

2307 Atlantic Avenue, Sullivan’s Island
5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths | 5,081 sq ft | Offered at $8,500,000
Ocean View: A Sullivan’s Island Beach House
This prime front beach home, an intriguing marriage of Lowcountry elegance and British Colonial tradition, is one of the most beautiful on Sullivan’s Island. Custom designed by acclaimed architect Beau Clowney and constructed by master builders Daly & Sawyer, this residence is spacious, yet intimate, with ocean views from nearly every room. For more information, visit: www.2307AtlanticAvenue.com.

2411 Atlantic Avenue, Sullivan’s Island
5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths | 4,600 sq ft | Offered at $7,500,000
This fabulous oceanfront home on Sullivan’s Island offers waterfront living at its finest. Designed and renovated by a dream team of talent, Dufford Young Architects, Sheppard Construction, and Wertimer + Cline Landscape Architects, the house centers on clean forms and classic elements. Living and dining spaces drink in the Atlantic Ocean views, opening out onto an oversized deck and covered porch. For more information, visit: www.2411AtlanticAvenue.com

Charleston Coast Vacations

We’re so happy to have our beautiful sandy spaces back!! 🌊☀️🌴⁠
If you’re dreaming of a fun-filled summer or fall vacation, check out our website www.CharlestonCoastVacations.com.
We can’t wait to see you on the Charleston Coast!⁠

Residential Real Estate Sales Down Just 10% During Peak Of COVID-19 Crisis

“The demand for housing in the Charleston region was so strong prior to COVID-19 spreading in our community, we have been very lucky to experience a minimal and what we expect to be very temporary drop in sales during April. Buyer interest has remained high throughout this global crisis and Realtors® have been able to continue safely working with clients from a largely virtual position, serving the public and finding shelter for families in a time when it’s never been more important to have a safe place to call home.”  ~ 2020 CTAR President Bobette Fisher

Closed Sales -10.4% | Median Sales Price +7.1% |  Months Supply -27.9%

Market Statistics by Area

• Downtown Charleston
• Upper Charleston Peninsula
• Upper Mount Pleasant
• Lower Mount Pleasant
• Daniel Island
• Folly Beach
• Isle of Palms/Wild Dunes
• Sullivan’s Island
• Kiawah Island
• Seabrook Island
• James Island
• West Ashley
• Johns Island
• North Charleston
• Summerville
• Goose Creek

Featured Listing

The Boardwalk House is a rare opportunity to own a private, gated 1.23 acre estate on a high bluff on the Intracoastal Waterway in one of Charleston’s most historic neighborhoods, Riverland Terrace. Special features include a 167ft boardwalk on the Intracoastal Waterway fronted by a lavish pool with hot tub and cabana, ground level bar and living area, 5 car garage, a mother-in law suite, a separate apartment over the garage, and coveted deep water dock permit in hand. For more info, visit: www.TheBoardwalkHouse.com

In the News

📸 @CharlestonCityPaper | Most Charleston county parks are now open to the public! No group activities such as picnics or close contact sports are allowed. In addition to social distancing, park goers are encouraged to consider wearing face masks. To read the entire article, visit: bit.ly/ChasCountyParkOpenings or visit bit.ly/CCPRCParkOpenings for the full list of open parks.

Charleston Coast Vacations

First, we’d like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to nominate a #healthcarehero for our giveaway! We received so many wonderful entries and we wish we could give them ALL a vacation. They are all heroes and truly deserving. ⁠
⁠
Since we were overwhelmed with responses, we found a way to offer one more complimentary stay! The FOUR winners are: Heather Irving, Deidra Bibb, Amy Quinn, and Andrew Mashburn. ⁠

Congratulations and we can’t wait to see you on The Charleston Coast!⁠

Consider these situations…

A couple who had just one rule when we started looking – no flood insurance – bought a charming house on a lagoon.

I helped a single guy who wanted a fixer upper out in the country with acreage who ended up buying a new construction townhome in West Ashley. He loves it.

My clients who absolutely wanted a water view ended up looking at a carriage house on Rutledge that looks down a narrow driveway with a view of the other side of the street.

Another client, with plans to move to Chapel Hill, sold his home in West Ashley and purchased a townhouse in Mt. Pleasant instead.

My point is that sometimes things change and it’s important to be receptive to suggestions that might be outside the box. Seeing property online using search criteria is immensely efficient, but charm of place or sense of spaciousness can be misleading. Working with an experienced agent can often bridge what seems like an insurmountable gap.

It can also sometimes be difficult to understand a neighborhood until you are there to experience it, and help change minds in the process. People who are unfamiliar with an area may have preconceived ideas about neighborhoods they have never explored. Realtors often know about hidden gems and unique opportunities. Before ruling out a home that is close to a busy road on a map, you might find that it is positioned perfectly to reduce sound if the garage serves as a buffer on the side with traffic. Getting inside the home can also tell you if you hear road noise or not.

There are just some things that must be seen in person. When showing a home, I will point out where there is evidence that it has been well-maintained. I look for loose baseboards and trim. If these have been neglected, it makes me wonder what other systems and day-to-day repairs have been ignored. In addition to trim and minor repairs, I always look at the return vents and heating and air conditioning vents.

If these are dirty (and it won’t likely show up in photos) it tells me that the owners have not taken care to replace filters regularly or have the HVAC serviced and maintained. That can be a big-ticket item down the road. These are the kinds of things that might make a “perfect” house on paper, less than perfect.

While it is important to prioritize needs and wishes, never say never, especially in the diverse and ever-changing Charleston real estate market.

• – Terry Bell-Aby, Realtor®
• Mobile  508-627-2988  | Terry@dunesproperties.com

If you believe that sticking a sign in the yard and throwing some pictures from your phone on the internet is sufficient to get the job done selling your home, then by all means that’s what you should do. After all, isn’t that what real estate agents do? You are correct of course, that’s what some agents do. If you want the best advantage to sell your home quickly and for top dollar however, think about what a great agent can do for you before you decide to list your home as FSBO.

Pricing

With Zillow and Realtor.com, you can certainly look up what nearby home sales have shown. Importantly however, you can’t see what the net has been because those sites do not take into consideration closing costs and other details that may reduce net proceeds. You also do not have access to the kinds of details an experienced Realtor® has in order to perform a detailed market analysis. Days on the market, current inventory rates, and transaction histories all factor into a professional Comparative Market Analysis.

Yard Signs

In the digital age, not as many buyers are driving around neighborhoods they like to find a house. More often, they sit in their pajamas at 10:30 at night and “like” stuff online. The National Association of Realtors ® reports that only 10% of buyers find their homes via yard signs, and only 1% of buyers find them through newspaper ads.

Social Media

Will you hire a professional, architectural photographer and professional stager to make sure you grab eyeballs on the internet? Hundreds of Facebook friends can’t hurt, but your cousin in Denver may not be in the market in Mt. Pleasant. dunes properties have a team of people (largely millennials) helping me with social media strategies, and is on top of the latest technology. We are spread across a number of platforms with sophisticated methods for driving business and capturing data. As an agent, I have too many balls in the air to spend hours studying this ever-changing marketplace, and as a homeowner you likely have other priorities as well.

Safety

Do you know how to qualify a buyer before you invite them to your home? Can you take time off from work to meet a stranger from Craigslist? Have you thought about techniques to protect yourself if a situation seems dicey? Are you trained to know how to keep a stranger from casing your home? Agents are trained in situations like these, allowing for easy showings and more free time for you.

Contracts

I’ve worked with real estate agents who have submitted old versions of contracts, neglected to submit the HOA Addendum, and had no idea about the new flood insurance disclosure required at the first of this year.

As a homeowner, it may be even more difficult to navigate the sea of paperwork involved in a real estate transaction and protect yourself at the same time. The sales agreement alone is eight pages (10 pt type) of legalese. Ask yourself if you are prepared to face the potential legal repercussions if you neglect a mandatory disclosure.

More Money

According to the National Association of Realtors® the average FSBO home sold for $208,700, while the average agent-assisted sale was $235,000 – more than making up a typical commission and then some. Since over 80% of all FSBOs eventually choose to sell their homes with an agent, what not make your life easier? These are only a few reasons to work with a great agent. Call me if you are still not convinced, because I have a few more.

• – Terry Bell-Aby, Realtor®
• Mobile  508-627-2988  | Terry@dunesproperties.com