An article in the Post and Courier written by Dave Munday on Friday, January 2, 2009 announced some good news for job seekers in the Charleston area. The Census Bureau is recruiting 300 workers to get ready for the 2010 census. For those looking for a job or extra income, this might be the ideal job because you can work from home either full time or part time with pay expected to start at $14/hr! Workers will start by verifying addresses and eventually knock on doors for those that don't return the forms. The Charleston office will open in November this year.
To set up a time to fill out paperwork and take the test, call the Census Bureau's Charleston office at 323-4020 (1-866-861-2010 for those outside the Charleston area) or visit the Census Bureau web site.
The census is very important on many fronts. It will determine where state and federal dollars will or will not go and well as new district lines being redrawn. SC has the reputation to be the most uncooperative state in the nation regarding the census with less than 60% of households responding to the 2000 census. That's why the bureau will hire locals to go door to door for those that do not return the census forms.
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Michele Reneau - Military Relocation Specialist with Carolina One Real Estate in Charleston, SC.
Contact Michele Reneau, Real Estate Agent, North Charleston, SC Relocation Expert, CRS, GRI, ABR. Licensed Realtor® in South Carolina at 843-572-0518 to list your property for sale or to purchase real estate in Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, North Charleston, Hanahan, Mount Pleasant and the surrounding areas in Charleston County, Berkeley County or Dorchester County, South Carolina. The Charleston Relocation Expert specializes in military relocation, first time homebuyers and creating marketing exposure to sell your home in the Charleston SC Real Estate market. I can also be contacted by email at mreneau@carolinaone.com. To view all Charleston Metro area Homes for Sale Click Here and then click on Search for Homes. With over 25 years of Lowcountry Living, I know the Charleston Metro area. I will help you get your home sold and/or help you buy your Charleston home or land.
This is a continuation of a series: 10 Common Myths Shared by Homebuyers.* See myth #9 here.
A buyer might assume that since the contract is contingent on the home inspection, it can be mistaken 
that the seller is to fix anything and everything that comes up on it. South Carolina's Association of Realtor's contract specifically states that the seller is only responsible for repairs to make the roof free of leaks, the house structurally sound, and to address electrically, plumbing, and HVAC issues. Many inspectors volunteer their subjective opinions rather than just reporting the facts based on their observations. The results of the inspection will prompt renegotiations. An experience realtor will help you evaluate the inspection report and point you to contractors that can further evaluate the claim and then will help you negotiate repairs.
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Michele Reneau - Military Relocation Specialist with Carolina One Real Estate in Charleston, SC.
Contact Michele Reneau, Realtor®, North Charleston, SC Relocation Expert, CRS, GRI, ABR. Licensed Realtor® in South Carolina at 843-572-0518 to list your property for sale or to purchase real estate in Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, North Charleston, Hanahan, Mount Pleasant and the surrounding areas in Charleston County, Berkeley County or Dorchester County, South Carolina. The Charleston Relocation Expert specializes in military relocation, first time homebuyers and creating marketing exposure to sell your home in the Charleston SC Real Estate market. I can also be contacted by email at mreneau@carolinaone.com. To view all Charleston Metro area Homes for Sale Click Here and then click on Search for Homes.
I've been so busy in December that I have neglected my blog and twitter. Not sure if it is the 70 degree weather we are having here in December or the just the drop in interest rates and amazing deals available out there that are encouraging buyers to start looking. Today is the 1st day I've had off in December other than the time I left the state for 2 short mini weekend getaways. I just want to give kudos to several groups of people out there contributing to this business! 
SELLERS: You are doing a great job recognizing the importance pricing your property competitively and making it show well. Remember if you are not getting 8-10 showings a month, the price is too high. If you get 8-10 showings and no offer, the price may be too high for the condition the house is in. Sounds crazy that a property could get that many showings, but with the right marketing, price and condition, it will.
STAGERS: In reference to the above, please hire your local stager to get your house in model showing shape. I've had 2 listings sell in less then 30 days due to seller participation in agreeing on a price that is competitive in today's market and listening to my staging partner, First Impressions to get the house show ready. There are many listings in both neighborhoods that have been on the market a long time compared to my listings that sold in record time. My stager is one of my most valued partners in the listing process. The return on investment is there. It is an upfront cost that will help you sell your home in 30-60+- days (when done right), but if your property was on the market 6 months, you'll have saved 4 months of mortgage payments!
BUYERS: Congrats on calling your mortgage lender and getting pre-approved. Rates are at a record low below 5% and this is an amazing time to BUY! Prices are amazingly low and those that are taking advantage of it are reaping some equity rewards. I'm starting to see many investors take their money out of the stock market and buy some great real estate deals also.
LENDERS: I know you are extremely overwhelmed with refinances right now. But without you doing your job of getting buyers thoroughly approved, I couldn't do my job. Having the a competent and professional lending partner is of utmost importance.
Just want to say thanks to everyone!
This is a continuation of a series: 10 Common Myths Shared by Homebuyers.* See myth #8 here.
It can be complex in choosing a mortgage since there are plenty of options. Your particular circumstances may dictate what options are available to you. By assuming all mortgage are the same, a buyer might deprive themselves of making a fully informed decision. When borrowers compare rates, you could make sure you are comparing apples to apples in the same season. What I mean by "season" is that if you are shopping rates with different lenders, you should get a quote from all of them within 1-2 hours of each other. Rates change daily (sometimes more than once in a day). Comparing apples to apples means that you should get a good faith estimate (GFE) from each lender to compare fees. Some lender will estimate taxes and insurance differently which can change the bottom line. Ask you realtor to help you compare the differences.
Some questions a borrower should consider are: How does one rate compare to the other over the long haul? Does a 15 year or 30 year program measure up to your goals? Does an adjustable rate mortgage make sense and if so, what the best time frame? Are there buy down options? Is the loan assumable? Will it have a prepayment penalty? Have a reliable and professional lender will help you evaluate your options. You realtor will be able to recommend a professional that will work for YOU.
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Michele Reneau - Military Relocation Specialist with Carolina One Real Estate in Charleston, SC.
Contact Michele Reneau, Realtor®, North Charleston, SC Relocation Expert, CRS, GRI, ABR. Licensed Realtor® in South Carolina at 843-572-0518 to list your property for sale or to purchase real estate in Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, North Charleston, Hanahan, Mount Pleasant and the surrounding areas in Charleston County, Berkeley County or Dorchester County, South Carolina. The Charleston Relocation Expert specializes in military relocation, first time homebuyers and creating marketing exposure to sell your home in the Charleston SC Real Estate market. I can also be contacted by email at mreneau@carolinaone.com. To view all Charleston Metro area Homes for Sale Click Here and then click on Search for Homes.
This is a continuation of a series: 10 Common Myths Shared by Homebuyers.* See myth #7 here.
Many buyers resent the lending process and don't understand why they need to provide a pre-approval 
and start jumping hoops before they find a house they like. In troubled mortgage markets, lenders take more precautions before lending money. Lenders must be certain that a borrower is creditworthy which requires quite lengthy application process and documentation verification. Given the changing guidelines, it's important for a buyer to cross this hurdle first. In the Charleston market, many of the lenders I'm working with are putting the file into underwriting upon receipt of all documents. This has saved a few borrowers when guidelines changes. Since the file was in underwriting they were grandfathered in so to speak assuming a ratified contract followed soon. Without this step completed, a seller will not consider a contract without a pre-approval. If the property is a hot buy for you, it probably is for another buyer and you could be losing the opportunity on your dream home due to a delay in getting the necessary documents to your lender and the time they need to review it. It's important to have a full pre-approval in hand. When you find the right house, you'll be thankful you have it in hand.
Subscribe to Charleston SC Posts by Email
Michele Reneau - Military Relocation Specialist with Carolina One Real Estate in Charleston, SC.
Contact Michele Reneau, Realtor®, North Charleston, SC Relocation Expert, CRS, GRI, ABR. Licensed Realtor® in South Carolina at 843-572-0518 to list your property for sale or to purchase real estate in Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, North Charleston, Hanahan, Mount Pleasant and the surrounding areas in Charleston County, Berkeley County or Dorchester County, South Carolina. The Charleston Relocation Expert specializes in military relocation, first time homebuyers and creating marketing exposure to sell your home in the Charleston SC Real Estate market. I can also be contacted by email at mreneau@carolinaone.com. To view all Charleston Metro area Homes for Sale Click Here and then click on Search for Homes.
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Charleston SC Top Relocation Team of Realtors serving military familes at Charleston AFB, Naval Weapons Station (NNPTC) & Coast Guard. Call or email to get started on your American Dream!
Michele is a CSP Elite instructor who focuses on helping sellers and realtors understand the importance of home staging in today's market. Michele teaches "Protecting Your Clients Equity through Home Staging." Realtors can earn their CSP Elite designation and learn how to sell listings faster and for more money through the use of this marketing tool. Call or email to schedule your office's class to increase the bottom line for both you and the seller.
Experience counts! In this tough market, you'll want to work with an agent that has experience. In the last 4 years, Michele Reneau and the CRE Team has helped over over 190 families achieve their American Dream. You want this kind of experience working for YOU!!! The CRE team does not view themselves as a salespersons, but as Real Estate Advisors. "Our job as a seller's agent is to help find a marketing solution to get your home sold by bringing you the most buyers. As a buyer's agent, our job is find a home that suit your needs." Even though it is a buyer's market, this may not always be easy to do. Michele Reneau is a Certified Residential Specialist. She ranks in the TOP 4% of the nation's top real estate agents and in the top 1% of her local market based on her experience. Her extensive knowledge of the field is your advantage. All CRE team members are Accredited Buyer's Representatives. We work with buyers to identify needs and can help you avoid the pitfalls of buying and even with new construction. Our knowledge and experience is coupled with a savvy investor's nose. Michele and Laura are have been part of military families and proudly supports the local service men and women and their families. Visit www.CharlestonRelocationExperts.com to start searching for your home.
The CRE team specialize in residential real estate in the Greater Charleston area, military relocations, and corporate relocations. This includes Charleston County, Dorchester County, and Berkeley County. We work with buyers and sellers to help them achieve their homeownership goals. The CRE Team specializes in working with military buyers and sellers transferring in and out of the Charleston Air Force Base, Charleston Naval Weapons Station and Coast Guard base.
"We love to work with first time home buyers, move up buyers, retirement homes and investors." Michele Reneau bought her first home at the age of 24. She remembers the highs and lows of being a first time homebuyer and loves making this dream come true for others. In less than 10 years, since her first home, Michele now owns 5 investment properties including single family homes and a multi family dwelling. She has a knack for seeing value in older homes or homes that need a little TLC. Since Michele has lived in the area for over 25 years, she knows the area very well. Buyers unfamiliar with the area simply share what is most imporant (interstate access, shopping, things to do) and she can put you in the right direction.
The Charleston Relocation Experts TEAM not only specializes in helping buyers, but Michele also has a unique marketing plan that helps sellers. Michele's average list to sale ratio is 98.7% with an average days on market of 70 days. Sellers that take the CRE Team's suggestions to prepare their property and price it right have enormous success even in the changing market. Call Michele to get started on your real estate dream.
CRE Team's Accomplishments
Designations
Other info
Michele,
I want to personally thank you for your stellar professionalism and never ending work ethic. From the first moment that we sat down at our dining room table to discuss the sale of our home, Bill and I knew that we were in the BEST hands with you. If our home was to sell in this tough market, we were confident that you would be the one that could make that happen. We were very eager to get the house sold and move on to our next chapter. We had an agent prior to hiring you and the differences are astounding to say the least. Unlike our first agent, you did everything imaginable to prepare for our meeting and the sale, you were armed with amazing facts, figures and statistics. We had everything possible that we would need to make educated decisions and come up with strategic plans that would make our home stand out to all the potential buyers and realtors. You were always there with updates, advice, feedback, ideas and the list could go on and on. We slept very well at night knowing that everything that could be done was being done. We truly think of you as a "God-send". We will be forever grateful. Our future is so BRIGHT and you have played a HUGE role in that. I wished everyone would be as blessed as us in finding you.
Best to you always,
Shara and Bill Pisowicz
Indigo on the Ashley
July 2008
Michele was the best real estate agent ever! I would recommend her to anyone I know. Thank you Michele for all of your hard work and dedication. It's very obvious that you love your work!!
Laura, US Coast Guard, Goose Creek, SC
Michele did a terrific job! She sold our property in what I'm sure is record time for that rural area and she did it all via phone/fax. I will strongly recommend her to any of my friends and family in the Charleston area.
Art, Ohio
Thank you Michelle for the work you did so very well to sell my parent's home in Summerville, SC. We couldn't have found anyone better for this job!!
You handled everything so excellently and did such a great job taking care of things locally with my parents while working with me out of state.
We are so happy that the home was sold in such a relatively short time for this market and at a price and terms that was a win-win for everyone.
You stayed on top of everything for us and gave THE BEST customer service. Your knowledge, experience, organization and flare for getting everything
to come together made this effortless and painless for us....just what we needed!! Thanks!
Ellen T
Apex, NC
June 2008
Michele was God sent. We had been looking for a house for so long and had dealth with so many agencies and no one would help us and within a month's time, Michele had found my family a home and we love it!
Chris & Monica, Hanahan, SC
We would like to say Thank You for all of your help with our homebuying process. You made things simple and not as stressful as we believe it could have been. You were a great help! Once again, Thank you very much.
Kim and Richard, Ladson, SC
"Michele Reneau made my first home buying experience much smoother than I expected. I couldn't believe how helpful she was."
Jimmy, US Navy, Charleston
Michele Reneau was outstanding! When I came to Charleston, I interviewed several agents and I instantly knew that Michele was knowledgeable, professional, and detailed. This was important because I knew I was going to be out of state in military training for 8 weeks. From the time we found the perfect house, Michele took care of all the issues that came up while I was out of the state in training, including handling the home inspection and repairs that were necessary. She made it easy and stress free. She really works for you and I will definitely use her again.
Justin, US Coast Guard, Goose Creek
"Michele Reneau is excellent! She did a great job of keeping us informed, and providing leads for additional properties. She's top-notch and I'll continue to seek her advice and representation on real estate transactions."
Charles, Real Estate Investor, Charlotte, NC
"We couldn't have asked for a better agent than Michele Reneau. She was great! She kept us updated with email messages and phone calls and was patient in helping us find the perfect home. Closing was a breeze!"
Nancy and Tom, Goose Creek
We have to admit that we didn't have a great experience with our first real estate agent. This was going to be our first home and we really needed someone to be patient with us and explain all the details. Michele Reneau was wonderful. From the beginning, she explained everything in detail and we always knew what to expect. She really cared about what we wanted and needed and gave great, trustworthy service. We couldn't have done it without her and are so grateful to have met her.
Nathan & Liz , North Charleston, SC
We were given Michele Reneau's name by a friend that raved about her. We knew we were interested in buying a new construction home. We thought, what's the big deal and why do we need an agent to buy a brand new home. Well, this was out first home purchase and our friend recommended we have a buyer's agent. We visited several new home neighborhoods and when we finally settled on one, we had no idea what we were in for. We had decided on buying new construction not knowing all of the unnecessary hassles that can come with it. Michele informed us every step on the way on what to expect. She explained the importance of an inspection even on new homes. She was right! While the builder corrected the items, we might now have found out about them until it was too late. We are so thankful we had her on OUR team!
Kevin and Grace, Summerville, SC
When my wife and I put our house up for sale, never would we have imagined it to be stress free. Michele Reneau and her staff were the best we ever dealt with (this being our 3rd move.) She was more professional and personable than any other realtor we ever met. Anything we needed she provided. Moving can be a lot of stress, and in our case, two children under the age of 3 and a puppy isn't expected to be the pleasant experience that it was. When you can rely on a person as much as we relied on her it makes selling (and I assume buying) a pleasure. My wife and I moved to Charlotte and if we could have used her to purchase our home there we would have. If you need a realtor, and you want the best, someone you don't have to second guess, call Michele Reneau.
Barry & Clarisse, Goose Creek, SC
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