Beaufort SC Real Estate Blog

 When I started working on this website back in April of 2008 the goal was simple...become the top real estate website in Beaufort South Carolina.  With 87% of home owners now starting their home search on the internet, I knew the web was the way to go.  If I could get there not only would I benefit from buyer leads, the sellers who trusted me with the selling of their home, would gain unprecedented exposure never seen in this area.

So is a little bit of bragging?  Absolutely.  I have spent day and night for months on this computer, trying to make this site the best it can be.  Now, when I walk into a listing presentation, I have no trouble saying that their home will receive the highest exposure possible in the Beaufort real estate market.  I want to be

To everyone who believes that the Beaufort County Board of Realtors MLS is the only place to find a home in Beaufort SC, check out this Cat Island SC home I found on eBay.  Earlier this week I was searching eBay for property and stumbled upon a home for sale only 5 doors down from me.  66 National Blvd was previously listed on the Beaufort SC MLS but after a try with a local Realtor, the home owner has decided to give it a try on eBay.  Actually, I think it's a pretty good idea.  A better idea might be to have it in the MLS, eBay, FSBO.com and a few other locations too.

Personally, I think this is one of the cutest homes in Olde Tabby Park.  My wife and I live a few doors down, and always comment on how cute it is.  Previously listed at over $500,000,

In checking with the Beaufort Country Association of Realtors MLS system, I was surprised to see 20 single family residential listings had closed last week.  Sure, 20 closings in a week doesn't seem like a lot but if you consider that last week accounted for almost 20% of this years sales, it's great news. 

So far this year only 103 homes have sold in 2 months plus.  As we said in previous blogs, there are definitely more buyers looking.  Now we can say there are more buyers buying too.  Because it takes an average of 30-45 days to close on a house, it tells us that buyers started pulling the trigger at a more rapid pace sometime in mid-January.  From increase website traffic to fellow realtors production, one can see buyers are still very active, which

This week, I took at a look at the first 2 months of residential sales in 2009 verses the first two months of 2008.  There is no sense is trying to spin everything in a positive way as everyone knows that the economy is hurting, and that certainly includes home sales.  While 2009 home sales are down from 2005-2007 sales, the first two months of 2009 certainly compare similarly to 2008.  The greatest annual difference is that 100 homes sold in the first 2 months of last year to 82 this Jan & Feb..  Although an 18% drop is never good, the drop from Jan/Feb 2007 to 2008 was a horrid 46%.  What that says it that the market has finally stopped the freefall and is more flat than anything else.  I consider that good news as we are now in a waiting game to see

As you can see below are home sales statistics are like many areas in the US.  We have slowed down a bunch and it was almost to a standstill at the end of 2008.  Because I am new this has not affected me like it has long tern agents.  Even so I'm ready to make some money.

While the last couple years have been very tough I see a glimmer of hope.  Without question there are more buyers looking for homes in our area.  My Beaufort SC real estate website has jumped in number of visitors and every local agent I speak with tells me they are busier.  So, have we hit bottom?  My guess is no.  The month of May shouId give us a good indicatiion but the remainder of the year most likely will be flat.  Most indicators point to a recovery in early Spring of 2010. 

Like always, keeping a blog stuffed with interesting things is a challenge.  Today I was looking through some of the Beaufort Market statistics and was shocked to see 50 houses were listed in the Beaufort MLS this week.  A rise in active listings is expected this time of the year.  February is a great time to put your house for sale because the hot real estate season is fast approaching.  Even so, there were only 1580 active listings last week.  If you average that out, 1580 divided by 52 weeks means we should average around 30 listings a week.  Fifty this week comes to a 66% increase.  Pretty impressive, but will buyers bite?

Great question, and I wish I had the answer.  No doubt there are more buyers actively looking for homes.  I've seen a huge

Although 2008 was statistically one of the worst years on record for the real estate industry, ERA Evergreen saw gains in market share and sales on Dataw Island from 2007.  ERA is now the #1 selling real estate company that serves Dataw Island.  These great sales results have benefited Dataw Island in more ways than one.  Not only is the island now open to the entire Beaufort Multiple Listing Service (enabling other agents to sell on Dataw), but for every home or lot that ERA sells, they pay back a 25% referral fee to Dataw Island Club.  Those funds go directly into the Dataw Island marketing fund, which has seen great success in exposing Dataw Island to the world.  "Not only dose the marketing program bring in home buyers and sellers, "says ERA

For a short blog tonight, I thought I might keep everyone up to date on what has happened so far on the Lady's Island SC real estate scene in 2009.  When I put this chart together I was a little surprised at how few homes had actually sold so far this year.  Because closings take anywhere from 20-90 days, the low number are a direct reflection on how slow the end of 2008 was.  While the market is not booming, there is no doubt the amount of buyers looking to buy a home is picking up dramatically.  Most of my peers are busier and I personally have noticed a dramatic increase in website traffic.  Currently, there are 18 homes under contract and you can bet your bottom dollar that will double by March.  Low rates, homes prices SLOWLY coming down, and every

Because I love living here, and I am a Realtor, I have made Cat Island a major focus for my business.  With  that being the case, I try to keep up with the neighborhood home listings as soon as they hit the market. 

On Friday, one of my favorite houses in Olde Tabby Park (a section on the island) went for sale.  11 Governors Trace hit the market priced @ $535,000.  I am excited as this is one of the best homes on Cat and the listing agent did a great job pricing the house.  

So what makes this home so special?  To name a couple:  layout, curb appeal, 3000+ square footage, quality of build, and price.  While 11 Governors Trace has all that, the thing that will sell this house is the lot and location of the lot.  The lot itself is unique because it is

You might not know, but Beaufort country already imposes impact fees housing developers to construct and improve roads, libraries, and, fire stations.  Under a new bill sponsored by Senator Tom Davis (R - Beaufort), developers impact fees could also be used to building and improvement of local Beaufort area schools.  

Living in Charleston, prior to coming to Beaufort, has given me a unique perspective on the future of Beaufort.  It's strange as I see things happening here that happened 10 year ago in Charleston.  It's like being able to see the future.  Because I have seen the negative effects large, new development can have on an area, I absolutely support the new bill sponsored by Senator Davis. 

When no impact fees are accessed, the developer makes