South Carolina

You’ve selected what you believe to be the perfect property for building your Lake Keowee home. It has a stunning view, deep water, and, best of all, it’s the right price. So, what comes next?

Building a custom home is both a daunting and exciting proposition. This is even more true, perhaps, when one is building a custom lake home.

On Lake Keowee, there is a wide array of resources from which to draw for those who purchase a lot with plans to build a custom, or even a spec, home. But like any construction project, there are pitfalls to be avoided. KeoweePremier.com offers answers to some of the most-asked questions regarding lot selection and custom building on Lake Keowee:

What is the most desirable location for property on the lake?

One of the best things about Lake Keowee is the diversity it offers in terms of location. There are many desirable places to build or buy on the lake, depending on your lifestyle and the desires of your family. For those who desire to be close to Clemson University, neighborhoods located on the Clemson/Pickens County side of Lake Keowee are ideal. For those who wish to be closer to the metropolitan Atlanta area, there are communities on this side of the lake as well, within a two-hour drive or less to the Georgia hub. And still other communities and lots are located closer to the town of Seneca, which offers shopping aplenty and health care facilities nearby. For those seeking privacy and who don’t mind distance, there are many communities on the lake that are far enough removed from the hub-bub of activity to provide quiet and serenity.

How long does it take to complete a custom construction project on the lake?

The average period of time for a custom build is six to eight months or longer. This includes everything from grading the lot to building, landscaping, and making interior and exterior color selections. Additional time should be allotted to account for shoreline management and dock construction.

The market in Mt Pleasant's $300-400K range has 4 month of inventory... clearly a seller's market!

If you put a good home on the market, you may very well get multiple offers in the first week.

Don't under price a move in ready home when you finally have data to back it up!

Please contact me if you have any questions... Buying or selling? I'm ready and waiting for your call.

Summerville has some wonderful homes on the market this month and here are my picks for the Best Buys of March in Summerville.

March Best Buys under 150K

March Best Buys between 150-250K

March Best Buys over 250K

I have the answer, so sue me. I can't help that I know what men want. It takes years of patience, creativity, patience, and did I mention patience? Not too mention, an odd list of hobbies and shared interests. So here it is fellas, (and ladies who wanna be "in the know")...

Exactly what men want:

The Hunt

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/ This is the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources you can direct any questions about rules and regulations and the different seasons.

Places in Beaufort to purchase Licenses:

• Grayco (local hardware store, located on Ladys Island)
• Wal-Mart
• K-Mart
• Beaufort Boat and Dock Supply (located in Port Royal)

Online is probably easiest because you can order all at once and get it mailed directly to you.

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/gamez6.pdf

This link is to game zone 6. This is for Beaufort and surrounding areas that gives all hunting information on any game and the times of year that they may be harvested.

The Catch

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/saltwaterfish.html This is the link to all the measurements and limits of saltwater fish that can be kept.

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/saltwaterfish.html This is the link will walk you through the process of purchasing a license online. (preferably from a recliner:)

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/crabregs.html This is the link for shellfish regulations. ( These are crabs, oysters, clams lobsters etc)

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/shrimpregs.html This is all the shrimping information whether you are baiting or just out catching dinner. It tells all the do's and don't(s) that are involved.

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating.html This link provides all the information for purchasing and registering boats or jet skis. It also will help you avoid fines!!

So there you go! Enjoy!

I am very fortunate to have many sellers look to me to help them sell their property. My ability to survive and even thrive in the shift has positioned me at the top of my profession. It doesn't change my approach, my advice, or my commitment to doing what it takes to reach their goal.

The below excerpt is from an email that was sent this morning to a young family with small children who although purchased at the peak of the market, have made smart choices and still have an opportunity to move into a larger home and begin a new chapter.

Good Morning;

It was a pleasure seeing you yesterday and meeting your precious sons. I really want to be able to help you reach your goal. After researching through every possible scenario last night, it isn't going to be easy, but it is still possible.

The average price per sq ft is going to be our biggest obstacle.It is currently $133 which would put the average price of your home at $199,000. That won't be enough for you to break even. I still believe your home has more upgrades than the average, and we can certainly take that into account. There are several upgrades and amenities that will impress many buyers. Below are my best scenarios given the current market, upcoming competition, and current listings in your area.

At a list price of 210,000 the below must be done:

Power washing exterior
Remove as much from the screen porch as possible and stage screen porch
Remove any unnecessary objects from the back yard, replace irrigation heads
Organize garage to show space and use
Remove any and all items that are not used daily from the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms. (this one can take some time, but it makes a tremendous difference)
Remove larger paintings and group smaller paintings

Carpets cleaned (stains need to be treated best you can)
Kitchen minimized to only what is necessary for day to day use.You want the countertops to be as clear as possible.
Stage fireplace area/ mantel (I will show you how:)
Stage dining table (we won't go over board with this, just a simple centerpiece that can be used during showings and not get in your way)
Paint Master bedroom bath a neutral color and keep set of white towels for showing purposes (when possible)
Hang ferns or other evergreen plant from the front porch, stage front porch to add to curb appeal.

That is actually the bare minimum for the price of $210,000...We would be pushing the market limits, but if we really showcase the strengths of your home, market it in the best possible way, I believe we can reach your goal in 9 months. I know that sounds like forever, but trust me,it isn't. Many homes sit on the market for excess of 2 years with no traffic. I don't want that for you and your family. I don't accept listings I simply can not sell.

Now my responsibilities:

Assist you in staging the home with the items you have.
Meet with photographer to get full color, high resolution photos that can be used in print and web advertising.
Meet with landscaper (if you need)
View all homes that may be considered competition
Send a specifically designed email to the top Realtors in the county showcasing your home
Personalized invitations to a catered open house for real estate professionals
Place your property on the highest rated, most visible websites Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Active Rain, etc.

Make absolutely certain your home stands out from the rest!
Monitor all sales, new listings, and any short sales or foreclosures that may effect your property.
Communicate bimonthly exactly what the market trends/activities are in your area.
1000 other things I do every single day that has allowed me to sell more homes than any other agent in Beaufort for the past 2 years

Most importantly, GET YOU AN OFFER and GET YOU TO CLOSING.

I know this may seem overwhelming. It takes so much more to sell a home than it did a few years ago. I really believe that you can do it. I will be there to help you every step of the way. I can't promise you that it will be any easier next year. I also can't promise you that you will get tired of having to clean your home for showings. I can promise you that if we do this, commit ourselves to reaching your goal, you will be extremely proud of yourself and very happy for the next chapter for your family.

I am committed to my career and reaching the goals of my clients. If you are ready to commit to our partnership and begin a new chapter, we will get started right away.

Sincerely,

Cherimie Crane