Charleston SC Real Estate showing marked signs of improvement as the number of sales increased in the month of March. The sales are sparked by great opportunities for value purchased and more first-time homebuyers entering the Charleston market.
Homes sales tick upward in March
Staff Report
Published April 13, 2009
Tri-county home sales ticked upward in March, and a new batch of first-time homebuyers indicates "consumer confidence is on the rise," said Gettys Glaze, president of the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service.
Last month, 568 homes closed in the region, compared with 363 in February, for a 37% increase.
The median sales price also increased 3% compared to February to $185,000 in March.
The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors released its monthly housing report Friday, saying the numbers have led to "cautious optimism among industry leaders."
"People are realizing the incredible selection and value in this market and making the smart decision to invest in real property," Glaze said.
But sales are still down considerably from the same period a year ago. In March 2008, 752 homes sold, compared with the 568 last month. And the median price of homes a year ago was $197,500.
Charleston County sales led the pack last Month, with 288 homes sold in March, compared with 180 sales in February. Most of the market activity was concentrated in the northern portion of Mount Pleasant, which includes the Park West development. The area saw 52 sales and a median price of $321,250.
In Dorchester County, 112 closings were recorded last month. Nearly half of the county's activity was in the Ridgeville area, where a total of 50 sales closed with a median price of $171,300.
Sales increased 32% in Berkeley County in March, with 137 closings at a median price of $165,000. The majority of those sales were concentrated in the Goose Creek area near U.S. Highway 52 and Oakley Road.
To Read the Article Visit: http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/27166-homes-sales-tick-upward-in-march?rss=0
EXIT Realty Charleston Group , Charleston, SC
A full service Charleston Area Real Estate Brokerage with 4 offices located in the Goose Creek, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, and West Ashley Areas of Charleston SC. Services include residential sales and property management including long term and vacation rentals, and commercial sales and leasing.
CHARLESTON REAL ESTATE INTERNET MARKETING SEMINAR FEATURING KEY YESSAAD
EXIT Realty Charleston Group is bringing back the one and only expert in internet marketing, KeyYessaad, to train their agents on the essentials of effective Real Estate web strategy. This invitation only event will be held exclusively for the agents of EXIT Realty Charleston Group on Tuesday April 7th.
Exit Brokers "By Invitation Only" Training Tuesday April 7th, 2009
You understand the Strategy! - Now let's get the knowledge and habits of working on your website...
PDF version of Charleston SC Web Advanced Training
The Brokers of Exit Realty Charleston Group, Ann Marconi, Andy Ackerman, and Kathy Rawers are holding an advanced training on Real Estate Web and Blogging Strategy Tuesday April 7th; Going beyond understanding to actual day to day doing!!!
You all have heard that content is king; so how do you go about adding content to your website so Search Engines and clients can find it and rank it. This Day Workshop was designed for Realtors who have attended "Real Estate Web Strategy" and understand that working on your website is part of your business routine... "But I have content that comes with my website?" you say... and so does everyone else... Generic content is everywhere and leads nowhere; those who optimize it the right way and create good internal and external links will become visible...
I believe that those who bring their web services and processes internally will succeed. The days of calling an external "Web Designer" or "Tech Guy" to maintain your day to day pages are over... There is still value on having a professional get you going but it is a shared responsibility; in fact the "Web Designer" should be following your lead NOT the reverse...It is neither the Vendor nor the Product that matters; it is your habits and discipline I am going to focus on... Your strategy must lead you to Google Visibility...
This Workshop was designed to enhance the ability of Real Estate Professionals compete in an ever increasing spirited Internet Landscape...
Topic: "How do I maintain my Website regularly?"
The course will cover the following topics...
The questions a Real Estate Professional should help their clients answer are the following:
"How can I tell that you have expertise in your Real Estate Market?"
"Can I validate you online and "Google You" with Buzz around your Market expertise?"
"Is the information I find online about you fluff or substance?"
Location: Exit Realty Charleston Group - Mount Pleasant Office - 613 A Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 - (843) 849-7778
Date: Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 - 11am - 4pm
Duration: 5 hours - ample breaks will be offered.
Cost: $45 (please make checks payable to: Key Yessaad and hand them to your broker. I asked them to hold the checks until I have delivered the training.)
This Training is considered and Intensive and will incorporate Web Structure, Web Link Integration, Page Management, and Additional Google Site Map Links!!!
My Commitment: To un-shackle you from the fear of the internet and show you what your Buyers, Sellers and Google want... (Don't we all want to make Google happy!!!) I will also give you a methodical plan of action to get you going or tweak what you are currently doing...
Course Description: (please read what follows to understand the intention of the course.)
"Put your Fear of Today into Affirming the Hope of Tomorrow!!!" - Bob McKinnon
Testimonials:
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"Key, You did an amazing job teaching at the Carolina's, you have found your calling and it shows! Tam - March 7, 2009." Tami Bonnell, President U.S. Organization, Exit Realty. Event: Exit of The Carolinas Annual Awards in Charlotte NC, March 2009.
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"Absolutely you deserve a testimonial, if for no other reason than the passion you exhibit for what you do. We all should be doing something in our life that reflects exhibits that passion. Our business would reflect it! You have found yours, congrats. As for the training, W-O-W I attended the class kicking and screaming thinking it was another technical jargon class that would once again go over my head and leave me with a migraine. Not true ! I got so much useful information that I have been wanting, (did not know the right question to ask) I came out and called my partner and just threw up all over him. Told him everything I'd heard. After I finally shut up, he asked if Doug was there, (our IT guy) I told him yes, he was so delighted and said we would get started as soon as he returned home. Ya think I confused him ? Also told him you would be returning and he'd have to attend the next training. Thank you very much for simplifying the web. I know have a plan of action, one step at a time. Up then Out. I look forward to the next training." - Carolyn Greene, Realtor, Exit Realty Upstate, Greenville SC. Attended Real Estate Web Strategy in Greenville SC, Friday March 20th. |
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"Key, You have been blessed with the ability to help others. You have touched so many lives and have helped them to see their true abilities... Our lives get so busy that we sometimes forget to stop and take a look around and appreciate what we have. During our journey in life we meet many people. Some are just a blur in time and some, like you make time stand still. Your excitement and passion when you teach is so amazing. My agents have started implementing what you've taught them and are starting to see results! I am so proud of our agents!" - Belinda Vercammen, Administrator, Exit Upstate Realty. Attended Real Estate Web Strategy in Greenville SC, Friday March 20th.
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"Today, five agents from our office participated in a training seminar focused on "Blog Strategy". Key Yessaad, Real Estate Web Trainer, shared valuable information on how we can use blogging as a mechanism to drive Google to us and thereby help increase showings to our listings and drive buyers to our website! Key's upbeat and energetic approach to training web strategy are invaluable tools that we can now-as is evident by this blog. Carl McClure, Cathie Saucier, Paul Saucier, Tom Baldwin and Brandon Liles are all agents based in Chapin, SC at EXIT Midlands Realty and can now begin to implement the tools gathered from today's training. Thanks Key for another fantastic day!" - Brandon Liles, Broker/Owner Exit Midlands Realty, Chapin SC. Attended Real Estate Blogging Strategy in Columbia SC Thursday March 19th.
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"WOW! I had to hold onto my seat! The pumped up, enthusiastic and deeply informative web blogging training that you provided, is simply the best I have ever attended. The depth of your knowledge and insight was delivered clearly, passionately and with a focused concern that all who attended, truly understood the reasoning and application of why it is essential to engage in this strategy. We all look forward to attending more of your training very soon. Many, many, thanks to you for sharing this most important training, which is sure to propel our business to new heights. Thank you!" - Matt Houle, Broker/Owner Exit Realty of Hilton Head, Hilton Head SC. Attended Real Estate Blogging Strategy in Columbia SC Thursday March 19th.
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"Thanks Key! Fantastic info and I am excited about putting this new strategy into action. Here's to being Googleicious! Brooke." - Brooke Schlenker, Realtor, EXIT Real Estate Consultants, Lexington SC. Attended Real Estate Blogging Strategy in Columbia SC Thursday March 19th.
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"Key, Just wanted to send you a quick THANK YOU!!! Do you think you could bottle your enthusiasm for all of us? Talk about not selling anything.. change your mind and let us purchase that.... I had not intended to come until the Thursday when Rick "urged" me to come and said this would be different. He was absolutely 100% correct. It was different. It was more than teaching, it was almost coaching and mentoring with truth and compassion and determination. I absolutely stepped back and asked myself some important questions right from the get go "do you have values about your life?" I was off and running from their in a quest to find the answer.. I would highly recommend your Web Strategy class to all who have an open mind and want to move forward with decisions about their life... Look forward to seeing you again soon..." - Susan McCarter, Realtor, Exit Upstate, Greenville. Attended Real Estate Web Strategy in Greenville SC, Friday March 20th. |
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"Dear Key, Here is my testimonial...thanks!!! Key, I have attended two of your courses now and I have to tell you, you truly are the best. Your lessons are invaluable and the information is able to implemented immediately. As any non-native speaker will testify, it is sometimes difficult to follow a lecture not in your native tongue. However, I am always able to follow and stay focused during your courses. I wish other trainers would follow your style. Your energy is inspiring and contagious. You will definitely be seeing me in future courses...and the on first page of Google." - Sonia Roman, Realtor, EXIT Real Estate Consultants. Attended Real Estate Blogging Strategy in Columbia SC Thursday March 19th.
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"Key: I think that was the best training session ever!! I'm now falling into that "old dog" category, but I know what I learned in your Blogging Strategies Training session will send us to a whole new level! If you have anyone who questions your validity, have them call me! I'll sing your praises!!..." - Paul Saucier, Broker/Auctioneer/Builder, Specialist in Land & Investment Properties. Exit Midlands Realty. Attended Real Estate Blogging Strategy in Columbia SC Thursday March 19th.
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"Hi Key, I just wanted to thank you for the great training you gave today. You definitely provided the information that I have be longing for. Your web strategy is the best that I have seen or heard of anywhere. I cannot wait to start implementing these valuable strategies in my real estate business. I am looking forward to the training on blogging. Thank you very much." - Victor Amadi - Realtor, EXIT Upstate Realty, Greenville SC - Attended Real Estate Web Strategy in Greenville SC, Friday March 20th.
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"Key, Thanks for a great training session yesterday! My To-Do list is a mile long but that feels good. It feels good to walk out of a training with a targeted list of actions that will get me noticed by Google and the other search engines, which in turn will get me noticed by my customers. I don't know how you learned all this stuff. But I am glad you did and even more glad that you have a gift and passion fro training. Keep up the great work! Craig." - Craig Augenstein, Exit Carolinas Regional Director - Attended Real Estate Blogging Strategy in Columbia SC Thursday March 19th.
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"Key, thanks again for the outstanding training/information/guidance/and "kick in the pants" you provided yesterday, March 19 for the EXIT agents in the Columbia area. Your enthusiasm is tremendous and the knowledge agents now have will allow them to properly position themselves in their respective markets. We look forward to seeing you again in May!" - Craig Summerall, Broker/Owner Exit Real Estate Consultants, Lexington SC. Attended Real Estate Blogging Strategy in Columbia SC Thursday March 19th.
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"Key, I think this was the best class that I could ever have taken, especially being new to the area of Greenville South Carolina. I love Exit and want to grow my business. This will help me tremendously. Thank you again." - Barbara Massone, Exit Upstate Realty, Greenville, SC - Attended Real Estate Web Strategy in Greenville SC, Friday March 20th.
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Web Link: Charleston Real Estate Web Strategy Advanced Training Tuesday April 7th
PDF Doc: Charleston-Advanced-Web-Training.pdf
Charleston SC Real Estate Training, Charleston SC Real Estate Internet Strategy Training, Real Estate Training, Real Estate Web Trainer, Real Estate Blogging Web Training, Real Estate Web Strategy, Exit Realty Charleston SC, Charleston SC Real Estate, Exit Realty Training.
Key Yessaad - Real Estate Trainer & Internet Strategist.
To train, inspire, and coach Real Estate Professionals succeed is my passion. I specialize in training Realtors to compete online. My Trainings and Internet Strategies intersect in my seminars with powerful ideas and Plans of Actions that produce results. Google or call me (910) 538-6610 and let's discuss how I can help your Agents climb the Google Tree of Success. I can tailor my Real Estate Seminars to the level of sophistication of your agents and I promise they will leave inspired and will produce results!!! Read some of the Realtors Testimonials.
Key Yessaad - Real Estate Trainer & Internet Strategist.
To train, inspire, and coach Real Estate Professionals succeed is my passion. I specialize in training Realtors how to compete online. My Trainings and Internet Strategies intersect in my seminars with powerful ideas and Plans of Actions that produce results. Google or Call me (910) 538-6610 and let's discuss how I can help your Agents climb the Google Tree of Success. I can tailor my Real Estate Seminars to the level of sophistication of your agents and I promise they will leave inspired and will produce results!!! Read some of the Realtors Testimonials.
EXIT Realty Charleston Group A full service Charleston Area Real Estate Brokerage with 4 offices located in the Goose Creek, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, and West Ashley Areas of Charleston SC. Services include residential sales and property management including long term and vacation rentals, and commercial sales and leasing.
CHARLESTON SC HOME PRICES ON THE RISE AND EXPECTED TO CONTINUE
CHARLESTON SC REAL ESTATE MARKET SHOWS SIGNS OF STABILIZATION AS MEDIAN HOME PRICES INCREASES DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. ADDITIONALLY, CHARLESTON HOME BUYERS ARE GETTING INTO THE SWING OF THINGS AS THE NUMBER OF SHOWINGS ON LISTINGS ARE ON THE RISE. THESE TWO FACTORS COMBINED WITH THE SPRING MARKET SHOULD LEAD TO IMPROVEMENTS IN CHARLESTON HOMES SALES.
Residential Real Estate Sales Remain Stable in February, Median Price Increases Slightly
Date: 3/10/2009
Residential Real Estate Sales Remain Stable, Median Price Increased Slightly In February
Region shows little collective movement during the shortest sales period of the year
CHARLESTON, SC-(March 10, 2009) The tri-county residential real estate market remained stable month-to-month, with 363 sales closing in the month of February-a variable dip from January's 372 closings. The median sale price for the region rebounded from January's low, climbing 4%, to $183,180.
Year-over-year statistics continued to show a slower pace of sales, with 43% less sales compared with February 2008's 636 closed transactions, and an 8% decrease in the region's median sale price, which sat at $200,000 a year ago.
The number of potential buyers continued to rise and showed the fifth consecutive month of increased showings-a total of 18,212 for the month.
There are 10,051 homes currently listed for sale with the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service.
DORCHESTER COUNTY
Dorchester County closings resulted in the largest statistical gains, showing a 26% increase in sales over January's levels, with 87 closed transactions. The median sale price for the county also showed an increase, up 12% to $169,990. The southern portion of the county (Ladson Road to Bacon's Bridge/Hwy.165) supported the majority of the County's increases, as sales in that area picked up significantly, and median price rose 18%, from $134,000 to $158,000.
CHARLESTON COUNTY
As a whole, Charleston County showed slowing sales and a slight decline in median price from January, down 11% and 5%, respectively. However, several of its municipalities showed signs of promise-North Charleston saw a 5% increase in median sale price; sales increased 6% in Mount Pleasant, and James Island and West Ashley markets both remained stable for the month.
BERKELEY COUNTY
Berkeley County saw minimal movement in the residential market for February. Sales slowed just 3%, with 93 closings and median price dipped less than 2%, settling at $162,400. A significant increase of sales on Daniel Island likely helped stabilize this market. A total of 13 homes sold on the Island during February, versus 4 sales in January, with a median sale price of $385,000.
Data provided by Charleston Trident Association of Realtors
EXIT Realty Charleston Group A full service Charleston Area Real Estate Brokerage with 4 offices located in the Goose Creek, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, and West Ashley Areas of Charleston SC. Services include residential sales and property management including long term and vacation rentals, and commercial sales and leasing.
The town of Mount Pleasant SC is proposing a temporary cut in impact fees to help stimulate new development. The fees are used to pay for infrastructure and services in the town. The loss revenue in fees will be replaced by increases in sale taxes and property taxes. New developments in the area will aid in the recovery of the Mount Pleasant Real Estate Market.
Mount Pleasant town officials are considering cutting impact fees in half for 12 months to stimulate development.
Town administrator Mac Burdette suggested the idea today at a meeting of the Economic Development Committee. Members of the committee asked for more information before endorsing or rejecting the idea.
The fees, charged to new development to help pay for infrastructure and services, have generated revenues in the millions of dollars in recent years, Burdette said. This fiscal year they might bring in $400,000.
"That shows the state of the development industry," Burdette said.
Burdette said the next fiscal year, which begins in July, will probably continue to be slow in terms of development activity. The roughly $200,000 the town would lose by cutting impact fees in half would not be a significant loss to the town, but the move could boost other revenues such as sales tax and property tax if it were to stimulate building activity, he said.
It might also prevent other revenue sources from declining, Burdette said, pointing to business license revenues as a particular concern. A third of the town's business license fees are related to the construction industry.
"Obviously the construction industry is in such a recession and depressed state that next year we're going to start seeing (a decline) in business licenses," he said.
Burdette compared the one-year reduction to a business putting merchandise on sale. It could keep income flowing, even if at a lower profit margin.
"Frankly, I couldn't disagree more," said Councilman Joe Bustos.
Bustos said he disliked the idea of Mount Pleasant being on sale. He said the town should think carefully before implementing "fire sale" polices.
Bustos said any reduction in fees that the town makes should help residents. Repealing recent increases in town franchise fees and storm water fees should come before help for the construction industry, he said.
Other members of the committee were less critical of the idea but wanted input from developers on whether the fee reduction would actually prompt new construction. They asked for that input before moving forward.
Impact fee rates depend on the size and type of development. For a new commercial building, Burdette said impact fees could be as high as $150,000.
Burdette said state law does not prohibit lowering impact fees. The town depends on transportation impact fees for debt service payments, but the town has enough money in reserve to cover those payments for the year that the fee would be reduced, he said.
To View the Whole Article Visit: http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/26719-mount-pleasant-considers-cutting-impact-fees-in-half-to-spark-development?rss=0
EXIT Realty Charleston Group A full service Charleston Area Real Estate Brokerage with 4 offices located in the Goose Creek, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, and West Ashley Areas of Charleston SC. Services include residential sales and property management including long term and vacation rentals, and commercial sales and leasing.
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BIC/Owner of EXIT Realty Charleston Group
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