Adam Hankey - Real Estate Marketing, SEO, MLS Access

With an influx of residents throughout the last few years, the US Census Bureau estimates the population of Brunswick County to be over the 100,000 mark. The growing number of incoming residents is a good sign not only for residential real estate but for Brunswick County commercial real estate as well.

The Federal Reserve's Beige Book report said the 5th district's economic activity was sluggish; this district includes North & South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, D.C, and a significant portion of West Virginia.

As we all know the real estate and retail markets are slow but the report claimed that manufacturing and agriculture where looking fairly strong as the service industry remained stable to some growth except for financial services due to consumers' hesitance about the future.

The manufacturing industry showed positive results due to the fact that our products have become cheaper to foreign countries. The decline of our dollar has prompted countries to import more of our products increasing their demand abroad. Unfortunately this is not the case domestically; buyers have tightened their pockets and may possibly continue to do so with gas prices nearing and exceeding $4 a gallon.

For the full report visit the Federal Reserve's Fifth District report.

Contact Hall Realty and Investment Company about local Litchfield real estate and Litchfield South Carolina's economic market.

Hilton Head Island, a name synonymous with luxury and high class, is not just another resort location, however it is an area filled with a rich history. For decades Hilton Head has become increasingly popular among people interested in a permanent residence or in luxury vacations.

Making the decision to rent or buy can be a tough one. There are benefits to both depending on the market, your financial position and needs.

Here are some issues to consider:

• The down payment for a Ocean Isle Beach real estate and closing costs are likely to exceed any initial cash outlays associated with renting.
• Owning real estate also tends to cost more than renting and can tie up money that could be invested in other more lucrative options.
• Costs associated with Ocean Isle Beach rentals tend to be fixed where as home maintenance and repairs can create unexpected costs associated with ownership.
• All repairs, maintenance, and some utilities are absorbed by a landlord when renting but with buying fall upon the owner.
• In addition to mortgage payments, owning a home incurs other costs such as insurance, repairs, property taxes and mortgage payments.
• Owning a home allows you to customize it and provides one with a peace of mind.

Before deciding to purchase Ocean Isle Beach real estate you should use a Rent versus Buy calculator to help you determine which option will be more beneficial to you. These calculators can be found on the New York Times website or through a search engine.

When accessing the cost/benefit of purchasing there are a number of components to consider. These include the ability to build equity, tax breaks, and the investment factor. Real estate builds equity. This equity builds as the mortgage is paid off. This equity builds value that you can convert to cash if needed. However, mortgage payments for the first few years may only cover interest and will not add to the equity of a home. Mortgage interest and property tax are both deductible versus money spent on rent which is not. As for the investment, real estate can appreciate in value, build equity and upon selling these profits can be realized.

The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) recommends hiring a home inspector before deciding to purchase your home. Purchasing a home is an important decision, one that will be with you for multiple years. Therefore, you need to know the condition of the property to avoid any costly issues and repairs. You would not want to purchase a car from a private owner without having a mechanic check it out, why would you purchase a home on the word of the owner who is trying to get rid of it or an agent that does not specialize in home inspection?

A qualified home inspector will make an unbiased, expert evaluation of the true condition of the Holden Beach real estate property. They will inspect the structure, construction, mechanical systems (i.e. heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing, etc.), identify what should be repaired or replaced, and the remaining life of such systems.

The inspector will not provide you with an appraisal just a written statement of the homes condition.

Try to find an inspector that is knowledgeable in the market that your property of interest is located. Ask your Holden Beach real estate agent about finding a qualified home inspector.