Wow. This is the hardest time I have had in the real estate industry -- in over 8 years. Things are tough. More houses on the market than ever -- it's definitely a buyer's market. And people still want to buy but the loans are hard to get. And then, you get through all that paperwork and the loan gets approved. Then, what happens. This week, I was in this situation and the title search comes back with a judgement against the seller. The only way to get by it is to get the judgement filers to sign off and they won't. So, the buyer loses money. And the house is going into foreclosure because the seller can't afford to keep it.
What else can happen?
I am just trying to hold my head up high and keep on trying to help people. That's why I got into this business and that's why I love it. Oconee County is still a great place to live and work.
I just read an article criticizing South Carolina Governor Sanford for saying that he will reject some of President Obama's stimulus money. I can't say I am a fan or opposer of the Governor because I haven't followed him very closely but I have to say I am impressed that he would put himself in the spotlight of criticism to stand up for this. The way I understand the way the bills are written, it is putting permanent line items in our budget but only offering temporary money. This IS definitely something to think long and hard about because our budgets are already stretched.
I appreciate the Governor thinking of our long-term interests. It seems we will be paying for enough of this stimulus until we die anyway.
"The name of the game is staying true to the principles that got you into politics in the first place and letting the chips fall where they may." Governor Sanford
Call me about the 10% or $8,000 home buyers incentive money available only for purchases in 2009.
People often ask me why I am doing whatever I am doing. And today, I was reading an article about the economy and all the bad "press" that's hitting the headlines and it all came together for me. When I do something for someone else, it makes me feel better. I am not looking for something in return or even a pat on the back and although an occassional thank you is nice, I don't expect it. Just think of it. When you are feeling blue, you can lift your own spirits by doing something for someone else.
My passion is the Guardian ad Litem program. I can be feeling like everything in my world is falling apart and I visit one of my kids and get that great big hug and nothing else matters. The Guardian program accepts volunteers to work with children assciated with DSS cases. My role is to be a voice for the child and make sure that their welfare is looked out for during the DSS intervention. Sometimes I support reunification with the family and sometimes I don't. What I do support is that child has someone, a constant presence, in what is happening to them in their lives.
Several of my children have aged out of the system and I still hear from them occassionally. They call to let me know what is happening, call for advice or just call because I "give it to them straight."
So, if you are feeling like the stresses of your life are weighing you down, give a hand to someone else. In today's economy there are lots of things you can do. Just simple things like making sure to REALLY tell someone to have a good day or holding a door for someone. Offer to pump someone's gas or help them get their groceries out of the cart and return the cart to the bin. It doesn't have to be big but it will be contagious!
If you are interested in learning more about the Guardian ad Litem program, in Oconee County call (864) 638-2267. Or you can visit the South Carolina website at http://www.oepp.sc.gov/gal
I keep telling everyone how lucky we have been that we are not experiencing the real estate trouble that every news channel and newspaper has been reporting for years. This is still true! However, we have had some slow down. Lots of reasons for this: lots of people selling and buyers want to look at EVERYTHING available before making a decision, interest rates have been volatile so it might get better, outsiders are looking for deals and our community hasn't had to "deal" in most markets, financing keeps getting a little harder to get especially for imperfect credit, the growth we experienced the last few years was not the extreme growth experienced in the areas now experiencing the serious drops in values. But, when is the last time we saw 5.5% interest? And I have never heard of the government giving such an incentive to buy --$8000 tax credit to buy a house. It's crazy. But it's real, so let's use it.
What's happening today? WOW! Buyers and sellers keeping me so busy the last two weeks that I can hardly keep up. I am not complaining for sure! Oconee County is a great place to be always. We have a great group of people, beautiful lakes and mountains, great value-based families.
Last night I went to the Walhalla Civic Auditorium and saw James Gregory live. The last time I saw him I had to drive to Greenville. He is the "funniest man in America" and I had to drive 10 minutes to see him. Keith Alberstadt opened for him. I had never heard of him but he was very funny and appeared on the David Letterman show last week. I think its fabulous that we are now attracting these great activities to our area. The house was packed! My side heard when I left. It hurt oh so good.
Check it out yourself at www.walhallacivic.com/history.htm
So, what does all this jibberish mean. Oconee County has it all!!!!!!!!! Great people, lots of things to do, national entertainment, and the real estate is moving. Don't wait, get it on it now before it's just a memory.
I keep telling everyone how lucky we have been that we are not experiencing the real estate trouble that every news channel and newspaper has been reporting for years. This is still true! However, we have had some slow down. Lots of reasons for this: lots of people selling and buyers want to look at EVERYTHING available before making a decision, interest rates have been volatile so it might get better, outsiders are looking for deals and our community hasn't had to "deal" in most markets, financing keeps getting a little harder to get especially for imperfect credit, the growth we experienced the last few years was not the extreme growth experienced in the areas now experiencing the serious drops in values. But, when is the last time we saw 5.5% interest? And I have never heard of the government giving such an incentive to buy --$7500 tax credit to buy a house. It's crazy.
What's happening today? WOW! Buyers and sellers keeping me so busy the last two weeks that I can hardly keep up. I am not complaining for sure! Oconee County is a great place to be always. We have a great group of people, beautiful lakes and mountains, great value-based families.
Last night I went to the Walhalla Civic Auditorium and saw James Gregory live. The last time I saw him I had to drive to Greenville. He is the "funniest man in America" and I had to drive 10 minutes to see him. Keith Alberstadt opened for him. I had never heard of him but he was very funny and appeared on the David Letterman show last week. I think its fabulous that we are now attracting these great activities to our area. The house was packed! My side heard when I left. It hurt oh so good.
Check it out yourself at www.walhallacivic.com/history.htm
So, what does all this jibberish mean. Oconee County has it all!!!!!!!!! Great people, lots of things to do, national entertainment, and the real estate is moving. Don't wait, get it on it now before it's just a memory.
Utilizing my sales and marketing skills, I help buyers identify their needs and wants and get them into a home or land to help them reach their goals. For sellers, using the best print and web advertising to get sold for more and in less time.
I take my career as a real estate professional seriously. As a native of Oconee County, I pride myself on being knowledgeable of not only the real estate market, but other information that will be important to you as you settle here. If you are a local yourself, we can share stories of the county development and we probably know a lot of the same people. You can help me enhance my list of local professionals by telling me who you have had successful working relationships with. I can help recommend contractors, doctors, restaurants, attorneys, etc. I also try to stay up-to-date on the most current loans available and the reputable lenders who handles them. This is important to both buyers and sellers since a buyer needs to be pre-approved to make contracts work. For sellers, I can help review the contract and point out the possible strengths and weaknesses of an offer.
Oconee County is known as the "Golden Corner" of South Carolina because of our climate, spectacularly beautiful lakes and foothill mountains. Oconee is bounded by 18,500 acre Lake Keowee to the north, and the west and south is 56,000 acre Lake Hartwell. There is also a multitude of smaller, private lakes throughout the county.
Our quality of life is to be envied and is a source of pride to us. We are a rapidly growing area with many businesses either relocating to or establishing new businesses in the Oconee area. Proudly we can note that cultural and recreational opportunities abound, thus ensuring infrastructure of healthcare facilities, educational system, city and county services, transportation accessibility (including a free public bus system) etc., make the quality of life well above average.
I am a firm supporter in the educational opportunities here as I hold an Associate of Science in Business from Tri-County Technical College, a Bachelor of Science in Management of Human Resources and a Master of Science in Management with a heavy emphasis in Business from Southern Wesleyan University. I have over 16 years of experience in sales and marketing and with lots of choices available to me, I have chosen real estate as my career because I love helping people fulfill their dreams. As a marketing manager for a local company for years and a marketing representative in media, I know what works to get the word out!
I also strongly believe that as a member of this community I need to contribute back to the community through volunteer opportunities. My passion is with the children who will build our future. I volunteer with the Guardian Ad Litem program which is a children's advocacy group. As a guardian, I am appointed by a judge to represent a child's best interest in a DSS case. The children know that they have someone to depend on.
The second thing I do is participate in the Business Education Partnership which is a cross section of all kinds of businesses and the Oconee County public education system. Each month I enjoy getting up-to-date, and often advanced notification, about what is happening in our school system. I get an opportunity to help with as many or as few events that are sponsored or evolve from the group.
I have previously served on other committees such as various committees and fundraisers with Tri-County Technical College's alumni association. I also served on the Tri-County Continuing Education marketing consulting committee.
As a dedicated professional, I am constantly trying to learn how to help my clients more. So, I am very excited about my e-PRO designation which helps me put buyers and sellers together.
I love helping my community both in the real estate field and in my volunteer work. Call me today so we can get started fulfilling your dreams!
I love helping all my clients but I think my biggest thrill comes with helping someone purchase that first home.
I love education and in this day and age, you can't get enough so I am constantly taking classes on marketing or representing buyers and sellers, contracts. Lately, I am consumed with trying to keep up with this internet rage. There is so much to know, so to get my edge, I earned my e-PRO designation.
"I learned more about the area and buying here in a couple of hours than I ever have with all the realtors combined that I have ever been out with. Debra really takes real estate to the next level."
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