About Beaufort's Picket Fences

Some remodeling projects will add to the value your home, but some won't. For example, on kitchen remodeling projects and bathroom additions you can get back up to 90 percent or more of the cost.

However, finishing a basement usually pays back less than 50 percent of the money you've invested.

Home Advisor at MSN.com has a chart of costs and average paybacks for typical home improvement projects. For example, adding a new heating or air conditioning system can cost between $2,000 to $4,500 with an average payback of 100% for heating; 75% for air conditioning.

Whereas building a pool can cost $10,000 and up with an average payback of 44%. Not too mention costly upkeep!

The local real estate market and current property values are what determine if your remodeling project will increase the value of your home. If the market is slow, you'll see less of a payback than you would in a fast market. Also, if you remodel your house until it's twice as big as the other homes on the block, it won't necessarily double in value.

The price of home improvements fluctuates depending on economic conditions. If remodeling costs are particularly high, or home sale prices particularly low, you may not recover as much of your investment as you would if costs were proportionate with sales prices.

Remember, painting can be a wonderful upgrade and often gives new life to your home at minimal cost.

Below are some web sites you might find useful if you are thinking about making home improvements:

· Improve Net gives design ideas and helps you plan your project.

· Michigan State University Extension offers an online encyclopedia of topics related to home maintenance.

· The Federal Trade Commission has warnings and advice on how to find a contractor.

· The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers tips on obtaining financing.

You can call me any time, to talk about which projects will pay off best when you decide to sell your Beaufort home.

Marine 1 Realtors are available to help you, call or email us today.

Recently, our little town of Beaufort South Carolina appears on The TODAY Show. There was a home in a neighborhood called Picket Fences that was featured on the show. Picket Fences is a great neighborhood with a community pool and community dock! It is located on Battery Creek.

56 White Pond became the most recent SOLD property in Picket Fences. It is a 3 bedroom 2 bath home and SOLD for $199,000 yesterday/Friday 4/17/09.

If you are looking for affordable housing in or around Beaufort South Carolina, look no further than Picket Fences. Remember that our professionals at RE/MAX Sea Island Realty can show and sell you any home in Beaufort South Carolina - - no matter which real estate company has it listed! We will work hard to be your professional Realtor of Choice. Nobody Sells More Real Estate than RE/MAX. Nobody!

I am the only blond of three gorgeously brunette daughters. They are the epitome of femininity; I climb trees.

Their lives are a testimonial for stability and consistency; for the first time in my life I haven't packed up everything I own in over six months!

My sisters are married nurses with perfect husbands and perfect children. I have a knack for the "complicated type".

Most women my age are attending baby showers, bridals showers, I am excited when I have time to TAKE A SHOWER.

Many real estate professionals are leaving the industry in the midst of what the media describes as the worst housing market ever.

I am opening a BRAND NEW real estate company.

Oh well.

I am excited. Never before have I followed the crowd, why start now...right?

You know things are good when Monday morning doesn't make you frown, grimace, or refuse to get out of bed!

It was a great weekend in real estate. I was able to find two of my buyers wonderful homes at really great prices. Each buyer was able to afford everything on their *needs list* and most of what was listed on their *wants* list.

What an awesome feeling!

The first buyer chose one of my favorite communities, Picket Fences. I especially like this community because of the location.

Not to mention, it is a waterfront community with a beautiful dock.

Even the Today Show agrees that Picket Fences is truly an incredible value. The homes are charming, spacious, and the quality is evident.

It feels so good to know that this young couple is making a sound investment in their future.

My second buyer client chose a home on Ladys Island to benefit from the award winning school, Coosaw Elementary.

This particular home is perfect for my client. It has a great yard for their Golden Retreiver, a garage for his Trans Am, and only a short distance to the school that his little girl will participate in her very first, first day of school!

It feels great to be a Realtor today. I make a difference. I am fortunate enough to be a part of the lives of some amazing people. I get to help them find a home.

It is a good day.

Inventory level is certainly one reason it is clearly a buyers market. Buyers are enjoying their time to be picky, like it or not.

After years of sellers having all the say, buyers are exercising their power to dictate exactly how long a property will remain on the market. It isn't simply a "market reaction", it is a buyer's reaction.

If you are a statistical guru, forgive my simplicity, but it seems blatantly clear to me that it is more about the buyer than the daily stock report.

This quarter I have been extremely busy with buyers. I know what they are looking for as well as what the refuse to except. They are financially capable, Internet savvy, and HGTV literate.

Floral air fresheners and furniture throws just don't cut it anymore.

Buyers are taking their time, doing their homework, and viewing just about all the homes in their desired price range.

Sparse landscaping is no longer an option, neither are homes with unusual odors.

New construction is no longer exempt from curb appeal nor will a buyer pay "ticket price".

The buyer is not the ENEMY. It is their time. Sellers need to carefully evaluate their approach, goal, and necessity to sell.

Agents who are still listing and/or showing homes that are not up to par for the competition might as well just go fishing.

It is imperative that sellers are well informed and educated about the competition.

Expectations MUST be addressed. Sellers should be prepared to put their best foot forward each and every showing. Their REALTOR must be knowledgeable and well versed in methods of showcasing the property.

At the end of this quarter, I will have sold HALF of what I sold all last year. I have changed my perspective on the market and not only has it helped move my listings, but buyers are coming out of the woodwork!

We are all fully aware the economy effects the market; however, sometimes we forget it isn't the market writing an offer....

Buyers are telling us exactly what they want. It is time for sellers and agents to listen.