The easiest way to quickly locate your subdivision is to press 'Control'/'Command' + 'F'.
If your subdivision is missing from the list below, please let us know by emailing info@SREcharleston.com.
Air Harbor 2020 sales
Ansonborough 2020 sales
Appian 2020 sales
Arbor Oaks 2020 sales
Arbor Walk 2020 sales
Archdale 2020 sales
Ashborough 2020 sales
Ashley Forest(area 11) 2020 sales
Ashley Hall Manor 2020 sales
Ashley Heights 2020 sales
Ashley Plantation 2020 sales
Ashley Preserve 2020 sales
Avondale 2020 sales
Baker Plantation 2020 sales
Barberry Woods 2020 sales
Bayfront 2020 sales
Bayview Farms 2020 sales
Beach Walk 2020 sales
Bees Crossing 2020 sales
Belle Hall 2020 sales
Belvedere Estates 2020 sales
Bennetts Bluff 2020 sales
Bentley Park 2020 sales
Beresford Creek 2020 sales
Beresford Hall 2020 sales
Berkeley Commons 2020 sales
Berkeley Country Club 2020 sales
Beverly Hills 2020 sales
Blackberry Creek 2020 sales
Boltons Landing 2020 sales
Boulder Bluff 2020 sales
Bowen 2020 sales
Bradford Chase 2020 sales
Bradford Pointe 2020 sales
Braemoor 2020 sales
Branch Creek 2020 sales
Brandymill 2020 sales
Brentwood 2020 sales
Briarwood 2020 sales
Brickhope Greens 2020 sales
Brickhope Plantation 2020 sales
Brickyard 2020 sales
Briddleford Ridge 2020 sales
Bridges at Seven Lakes 2020 sales
Bridges of Summerville 2020 sales
Bridlewood Farms 2020 sales
Brightwood 2020 sales
Brookdale 2020 sales
Brookgreen Meadows 2020 sales
Brookhaven 2020 sales
Brookwood 2020 sales
Brownswood 2020 sales
Buckshire 2020 sales
Byrnes Down 2020 sales
Cambridge Park 2020 sales
Camelot 2020 sales
Cameron Terrace 2020 sales
Cane Bay 2020 sales
Cannonborough/Elliotborough 2020 sales
Canterbury Woods 2020 sales
Carnes Crossroads 2020 sales
Carolina Bay – West Ashley 2020 sales
Carolina Bay – Summerville 2020 sales
Carolina Park 2020 sales
Carriage Lane 2020 sales
Cedar Grove 2020 sales
Cedar Springs 2020 sales
Center Lake 2020 sales
Chandler Village 2020 sales
Charleston Farms 2020 sales
Charleston National 2020 sales
Charleston Park 2020 sales
Charlestown Estates 2020 sales
Chelsea Park 2020 sales
Church Creek 2020 sales
Church Creek Landing 2020 sales
Citadel Woods 2020 sales
Clearview 2020 sales
Cokers Crossing 2020 sales
College Park 2020 sales
Colony North 2020 sales
Conifer Hall 2020 sales
Cooper Estates – Mt P 2020 sales
Cooper Estates – Moncks Corner 2020 sales
Coosaw Creek 2020 sales
Coosaw Preserve 2020 sales
Copahee View 2020 sales
Corey Woods 2020 sales
Crestwood 2020 sales
Crichton Parish 2020 sales
Crosscreek(James Island) 2020 sales
Crowfield Plantation 2020 sales
Cypress Grove 2020 sales
Cypress Ridge 2020 sales
Daniel Island 2020 sales
Darrell Creek 2020 sales
Deer Field Hall 2020 sales
Deer Park 2020 sales
Del Webb Nexton 2020 sales
Devon Forest 2020 sales
Dominion Hills 2020 sales
Dorchester Terrace 2020 sales
Drakesborough 2020 sales
Drayton Oaks 2020 sales
Drayton on the Ashley 2020 sales
Dunes West sales 2020
Eagle Landing 2020 sales
Eagle Run 2020 sales
Eastside 2020 sales
Eastwood 2020 sales
Edgewater 2020 sales
Elms 2020 sales
Evanston Estates 2020 sales
Fairlawn(Summerville) 2020 sales
Fairlawn Barony 2020 sales
Fairmont South, The Village at Fairmont South 2020 sales
Farmington 2020 sales
Felder Creek 2020 sales
Fenwick Hills 2020 sales
Fenwick Woods 2020 sales
Fieldview 2020 sales
Fleming Park 2020 sales
Folly Beach 2020 sales
Forest Hills – area 32 2020 sales
Forest Lakes 2020 sales
Forest Lawn 2020 sales
Foxbank Plantation 2020 sales
Foxborough 2020 sales
Fulton Park 2020 sales
Gadsden Manor 2020 sales
Gahagan 2020 sales
Glyn Terrace 2020 sales
Governors Cay 2020 sales
Grand Bees 2020 sales
Grand Oaks 2020 sales
Grassy Creek 2020 sales
Greenhurst 2020 sales
Greenview Acres 2020 sales
Greenwood Park 2020 sales
Hamlin Plantation 2020 sales
Hamlin Oaks 2020 sales
Hampton Mill 2020 sales
Hampton Park 2020 sales
Hampton Woods 2020 sales
Harbor Woods 2020 sales
Harborgate 2020 sales
Harbour Lake 2020 sales
Harleston Village 2020 sales
Headquarters Plantation 2020 sales
Heatherwoods 2020 sales
Hickory Hill Plantation 2020 sales
Hickory Ridge 2020 sales
Hickory Shadows 2020 sales
Hidden Cove 2020 sales
Hidden Hills 2020 sales
Hidden Lakes 2020 sales
Highland Park 2020 sales
Highwoods 2020 sales
Hobcaw Point 2020 sales
Holly Court 2020 sales
Horizon Village 2020 sales
Hunt Club 2020 sales
Hunters Bend 2020 sales
Indian Springs 2020 sales
Indigo Fields 2020 sales
Indigo Palms 2020 sales
Ion 2020 sales
Irongate 2020 sales
Isle of Palms 2020 sales
Ivy Hall 2020 sales
Jamestowne Village 2020 sales
Jamison Terrace 2020 sales
Kensington Park 2020 sales
Kiawah Island 2020 sales
Kiawah River 2020 sales
Kiawah River Estates 2020 sales
Kings Flats 2020 sales
Kings Grant 2020 sales
Lakes of Summerville 2020 sales
Lakeshore 2020 sales
Landings at Sweetwater 2020 sales
Laurel Grove 2020 sales
Laurel Park 2020 sales
Lawton Bluff 2020 sales
Legend Oaks 2020 sales
Lenevar 2020 sales
Liberty Hall 2020 sales
Liberty Village 2020 sales
Lieben Park 2020 sales
Lighthouse Point 2020 sales
Limehouse Village 2020 sales
Limerick Woods 2020 sales
Lincolnville Square 2020 sales
Longborough 2020 sales
Longleaf 2020 sales
Longpoint 2020 sales
Lynwood 2020 sales
Mackey Farms 2020 sales
Magnolia Bluff 2020 sales
Mallard Crossing 2020 sales
Marrington Villas 2020 sales
Maryville 2020 sales
Maybank Village 2020 sales
Mccalls Corner 2020 sales
McKewn 2020 sales
Meadown Run 2020 sales
Medway Landing 2020 sales
Melrose 2020 sales
Midland Park 2020 sales
Mitten Park 2020 sales
Midtown 2020 sales
Mixson 2020 sales
Moreland 2020 sales
Moss Grove 2020 sales
Moss Point 2020 sales
Myers Mill 2020 sales
Nelliefield 2020 sales
Newington Plantation 2020 sales
Nexton 2020 sales
Northbridge 2020 sales
North Central 2020 sales
North Creek Village 2020 sales
Northwood Estates 2020 sales
Oak Bluff 2020 sales
Oak Creek 2020 sales
Oakfield 2020 sales
Oakhaven 2020 sales
Oak Hill 2020 sales
Oakley Point 2020 sales
Oak Terrace Preserve 2020 sales
Ocean Neighbors 2020 sales
Old Towne 2020 sales
Old Mt Pleasant 2020 sales
Old Village Landing
Orange Grove Estates 2020 sales
Otranto 2020 sales
Oyster Point 2020 sales
Paddock Point 2020 sales
Park Circle 2020 sales
Park West sales 2020
Parkwood Estates 2020 sales
Parish Place 2020 sales
Park Hill Place 2020 sales
Pepperhill 2020 sales
Pepperidge 2020 sales
Pierpont 2020 sales
Pimlico 2020 sales
Pinckney Farm 2020 sales
Pine Forest Country Club 2020 sales
Pinehill Acres 2020 sales
Pines at Gahagan 2020 sales
Pineview Acres/Terrace/Hills 2020 sales
Planters Pointe 2020 sales
Plum Creek 2020 sales
Pointe at Primus 2020 sales
Point Pleasant 2020 sales
Ponderosa 2020 sales
Poplar Grove 2020 sales
Quail Arbor 2020 sales
Quail Hill 2020 sales
Quail Run 2020 sales
Radcliffeborough 2020 sales
Ravens Run 2020 sales
Reminisce 2020 sales
Retreat at Beresford 2020 sales
River Birch 2020 sales
River Glen 2020 sales
Riverland Terrace 2020 sales
Riverstone 2020 sales
Riverview Estates 2020 sales
Rivertowne 2020 sales
Riverview Farms 2020 sales
Robynwyn 2020 sales
Rose Hill 2020 sales
Salisbury Acres 2020 sales
Sandhurst 2020 sales
Sangaree 2020 sales
Scenic Point 2020 sales
Scotts Mill 2020 sales
Sea Aire 2020 sales
Seabrook Island 2020 sales
Seaside Farms 2020 sales
Seaside Plantation 2020 sales
Sedgefield 2020 sales
Shadowmoss 2020 sales
Shaftesbury 2020 sales
Shellring at St Thomas 2020 sales
Shemwood 2020 sales
Snee Farm 2020 sales
Sol Legare Preserve 2020 sales
Sophia Landing 2020 sales
South of Broad 2020 sales
South Point 2020 sales
South Pointe Estates 2020 sales
South Windermere 2020 sales
Southern Magnolias 2020 sales
Spencer Creek 2020 sales
Springfield 2020 sales
Spring Grove 2020 sales
Staffordshire 2020 sales
St James Estates 2020 sales
St Johns Crossing 2020 sales
St. Johns Lake 2020 sales
St Thomas Preserve 2020 sales
Steeplechase 2020 sales
Stiles Point 2020 sales
Stiles Point Plantation 2020 sales
Stoney Creek 2020 sales
Stono Ferry 2020 sales
Stonoview 2020 sales
Stratton by the Sound 2020 sales
Strawberry Station 2020 sales
Sullivans Island 2020 sales
Sullivans Pointe 2020 sales
Summer Glen 2020 sales
Summerhaven 2020 sales
Summer Park 2020 sales
Summers Corner 2020 sales
Summertrees 2020 sales
Summerville Place 2020 sales
Sunburst Lakes 2020 sales
Sunnyfield 2020 sales
Sweetgrass 2020 sales
Swygerts Landing 2020 sales
Sylvan Shores 2020 sales
Tall Pines 2020 sales
Tanner Plantation 2020 sales
Taylor Plantation 2020 sales
The Bluffs at Ashley River 2020 sales
The Cottages at Johns Island 2020 sales
The Cove at Martins 2020 sales
The Crescent 2020 sales
The Glen at Summerset 2020 sales
The Groves 2020 sales
The Lakes 2020 sales
The Marshes at Cooper River 2020 sales
The Oaks at St Johns Crossing 2020 sales
The Oaks Marsh View 2020 sales
The Paddock at Fairmont South 2020 sales
The Peninsula 2020 sales
The Pointe at Rhodes Crossing 2020 sales
The Ponds 2020 sales
The Summit 2020 sales
The Village at Stiles Point 2020 sales
The Villages in St Johns Woods 2020 sales
Tidal Walk 2020 sales
Timber Trace 2020 sales
Tramway 2020 sales
Tranquil Acres 2020 sales
Tranquil Estates 2020 sales
Tupelo 2020 sales
Twin Oaks 2020 sales
University Park 2020 sales
Village at Hyde Park 2020 sales
Village Green 2020 sales
Wagener Terrace 2020 sales
Wakendaw Lakes 2020 sales
Walnut Farms 2020 sales
Wando Woods 2020 sales
Waring Hall 2020 sales
Warington 2020 sales
Waterloo Estates 2020 sales
Watermark 2020 sales
Waterside Landing 2020 sales
Waylyn 2020 sales
Weatherstone 2020 sales
Wellborn Village 2020 sales
Wentworth Hall 2020 sales
Wescott 2020 sales
West Ashley Plantation 2020 sales
Westborough 2020 sales
Westchester 2020 sales
West Oak Forest 2020 sales
Westside 2020 sales
Wexford Sound 2020 sales
Whipper Barony 2020 sales
White Gables 2020 sales
Whitehall 2020 sales
Whitehouse Plantation 2020 sales
Whitney Lake 2020 sales
Wild Dunes 2020 sales
Willowbrook 2020 sales
Willow Walk 2020 sales
Windermere 2020 sales
Windsor Hill 2020 sales
Woodbury Park 2020 sales
Woodington 2020 sales
Woodland Heights 2020 sales
Woodland Lakes 2020 sales
Woodside Manor 2020 sales
Wraggborough 2020 sales
Yeamans Park 2020 sales
March is here and we should be seeing better weather and some more outdoor activities. The Wine and Food event is the big March happening. Charleston has become many things to many people over the last 10-15 years, but food has been a big part of everything. Of course, Savannah is well known for its St Patrick’s Day celebrations, but Charleston will have plenty of that as well.
Here is your March Calendar of events:
1: Old Crow Medicine Show, Gaillard
1: Gary Gullman, Chas Music Hall
4-8: Charleston Wine and Food, Culinary Village in Marion Square
5,6: Little Big Town Nightfall Tour, Gaillard
6-8: 17th Annual Charleston Antique Show, Gaillard
6: Indigo Girls, Chas Music Hall
6,7: Friends of the Library Big Book Sale, Otranto Library
7: IOP Front Beach Fest, IOP
7: Steeldrivers Bad for You Tour, Chas Music Hall
7: Viva Momix, Gaillard
12: Wine, Women, and Shoes, Gaillard
13: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chas Music Hall
14: Artfest, Mt P Towne Center
14: Palmetto Swamp Fox Adventure Race, Francis Marion National Forest
14: 17th Annal St Patrick’s Day Block Party and Parade, Park Circle
14: Nestor Torres and The Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Chas Music Hall
17: City of Charleston’s St Patrick’s Day Parade
20: Cher, N Chas Coliseum
21: Charleston Indoor Games, Citadel
21: Pet Fest, Mt Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park
24: An Evening with Midori, St Matthew’s Lutheran Church
28: Plantasia, Old Towne Creek County Park
27-29: 30th Annual East Coast Paddlesports Symposium, James Island County Park
The Charleston real estate market has gotten off to its fastest start ever in 2020. 2019 was a record-setting year in terms of the number of transactions and the median sales price. January of 2019 was fantastic; however, January 2020 was up 22.3% over Jan 2019 in terms of transactions!! And the median sales price was up 7.8% to an all-time high of $291k. If January and February are any indications, 2020 is likely to be a record-breaking year as well. But don’t be concerned that we are overvalued. Our regression analysis of median sales prices back to 1991 shows that our current prices are right where they should be. While the prices in 2008 were certainly inflated, we suffered through the correction that put us back on the right path.
Preparing your home to put it on the market is a big job, without a doubt. There are so many things to plan for and so many people who need to be involved that it can truly be overwhelming, especially if you have a large home or one that needs a lot of love before you can put it up for sale. For that reason, it’s best to start early so you can take your time. Selling and buying a home can be one of the most stressful things you’ll go through in life, but it doesn’t have to be; there are some things you can do to make it a bit easier.
Getting organized will help. Start by making a list of what each room needs, and come up with a budget for repairs and minor updates. Work out a schedule for cleaning, and get the family involved. If you have pets, there are certain considerations you’ll need to make, such as removing stains and repairing any damage to flooring or window treatments.
Here are a few of the best tips on how to get started with getting a home ready to sell.
Getting rid of pet odors and stains is sometimes harder than it sounds, especially if you’ve been a pet owner for a long time, but it’s imperative to give potential buyers a clean, odor-free home to walk into; in fact, it may be a dealbreaker if you don’t. Carpets, furniture, and window treatments should all be cleaned well. Consider using enzyme-based cleansers, which will help deep-clean rugs and remove stains.
Updates within the home can run the gamut from inexpensive DIY to take-out-a-loan-and-hire-a-contractor, so it’s important to do some research before making any decisions. Look at the kitchen and bathrooms first, as these are usually the rooms that potential buyers look at when they want extras. Lighting, cabinets and storage solutions, and expensive-looking countertops and fixtures are just a few of the things buyers look for when they tour a home, and they can add quite a bit of resale value if they’re done right.
Both the front and back yards should be well-manicured and should have no traces of your pets. Consider doing some light landscaping in front to give your home some added curb appeal; a few brightly-colored flowers, some neat shrubbery, and some fresh mulch can make a world of difference and won’t break the bank. Around back, fill in any holes and lay fresh sod. If you have a pool, it should be clean and have safety measures for children, such as fencing or a motion sensor alarm.
Remember that your home is on display for someone else. It should have touches of your personality but not too much; you want to allow the buyers to see themselves living there rather than simply walking through someone else’s memories. Remove personal photos and take one piece of furniture out of each room to make them feel bigger.
Don’t forget to plan for moving day! It’s especially important to make sure your pets will be safe and comfortable during this chaotic time, so consider hiring a pet sitter for the day. Or, you might decide to hire a boarder who can take your pet in during the entire week so you can focus on the move without worrying about his safety or mental health. Make packing lists for each box you pack so you’ll be able to find things easily in the new house, and leave a few empty boxes for moving day so you can bring cleaning supplies and personal items like medication.
Moving can take a toll on any family, so take the stress out of selling your house by making sure it’s perfect for potential buyers. Start by making a list of tasks so you can stay focused, and aim to get a little bit done every day rather than all at once so you won’t be overwhelmed.
Post was written by Erin Reynolds of diymama.net
Photo via Pixabay by Paulbr75
February is almost here with it’s colder temperatures and the annual Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE)! Of course, colder for Charleston means we might have 2 or 3 days where it doesn’t make it over 50. Here is your February calendar of Charleston events:
1: 3rd Annual Pup Bowl, The Oaks
1: Save the Light half marathon and 5k, Folly Beach
7: Kathleen Madigan, Chas Music Hall
8: Bacon and Bourbon, Chas Convention Center
9: 6th Annual Coffee Fest, Lo-Fi Brewing
9: Illuminate Charleston, N Chas Marriott
9: 21st Chefs Fest, N Chas Conv Center
13: Pints for Preservation, Home Team BBQ downtown
14: Kansas, N Chas PAC
14-16: SEWE
15: Ellington at Newport, Chas Music Hall
16: Bill Maher, N Chas PAC
20: ArchiTALK, SC Society Hall
21: Good Catch Oysterfest, Aquarium
21: 31st Annual Chocolate Affair, Trident Tech
22: Napoleon Dynamite, Chas Music Hall
23: Lowcountry Irish Fest, Chas Music Hall
27: Amy Grant, Chas Music Hall
29: Jupiter Coyote, Chas Music Hall
29: 16th Annual Mardi-Crawl on Leap Day, Shem Creek
29: PBR Rodeo, N Chas Coliseum
2019 turned out to be an incredible year for the Charleston’s real estate market. We set a record for transactions just barely surpassing the number of homes sold in 2017. The tri-county area including Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston counties had just under 18k transactions with a median sales price of $280k. That median sales price was also a record high for any year and a 3.3% increase over 2018. The median sales price of only single-family detached homes reached a record of $300k. Our sales prices are still below the trend line going back to 1991. That shows that we are still somewhat undervalued and still have room to appreciate.
The Washington Post did a piece on Charleston called Detours with the Locals. SC is 6th in population growth. Nearly, 89% of this growth came from folks moving here from other states rather than birth rate increases. Conde Nast’s Travel and Leisure Magazine ranked Charleston as one of the top 12 best places to be in winter. Realtor.com forecasted Columbia and Charleston to be 2 of the top 10 housing markets in the US for 2020.
January is here and we are starting a new decade. The last one was pretty incredible for Charleston and myself personally.
January is Museum Mile Month. Here in Charleston, you can by a pass for the month and visit many houses, museums, and art galleries. Of course, there will be lots of New Year’s Eve Celebrations at the Yorktown, Marion Square, the Music Hall, the Alley, the Cedar Room, SC Society Hall, and the Rice Mill just to name a few. And the Folly Beach Flip Flop Drop and Fireworks show at midnight. Here’s the January calendar of events:
1: Bill Murray Look-a-Like Polar Bear Plunge, Folly Beach
1: Dunleavy’s Pub Polar Bear Plunge, Sullivan’s Island
1: Polar Bear Plunge, Kiawah Sanctuary
2: Harlem Globetrotters, N Charleston Coliseum
3: Sarah Rutledge Dinner, Middleton Place
5: James Gregory, Chas Music Hall
8: Grace Potter, Chas Music Hall
9-19: Charleston Restaurant Week
11: 7th Annual Snowboard Rail Jam, Mex 1
12: 7th Annual East Cooper Meals on Wheels Oyster Roast, Palmetto Island County Park
14: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Gaillard
14-17: 17th Charleston Comedy Festival
18: Cars and Coffee, Freshfields Kiawah
19-20: St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Chas Music Hall
22: Three Dog Night
23-26: Charleston Jazz Festival
25: The Great Amazing Race Charleston, James Island County Park
25-26: Monster Jam, N Chas Coliseum
26: Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Boone Hall
30: Caropolis Awards, Riviera Theatre
31: A Night in the Valley, Trident Tech Thornley Campus
31: Todd Snider, Chas Music Hall
2019 was a tremendous year for Charleston Real Estate. 2019 surpassed the 17,515 closed sales of 2018. 2019 ended up being the best year ever, even beating the previous record set in 2017. And the median sales price is at an all-time high too. Fortunately, the gains in median sales prices have been modest and sustainable over the past few years. And very importantly, we are still below the long term growth trend line which shows we still have room for appreciation.
The end of the last decade was a completely different story. We were mired in the disaster of the mortgage debacle. We had just over 8k sales and the median sales price was at $184k, which was considerably off the high of $210k reached in 2007. This a similar story to many of the bigger US metropolitan cities. Charleston and most of the US has recovered nicely. Charleston has probably done a bit better than most due to its coastal location and the relocation of Boeing to Charleston. The tourism industry has always been good to us and we have pretty much been voted the best city in the US by Travel and Leisure Magazine for the past decade. Now, we are seeing another boom about to hit Charleston with the building of the Volvo Plant in the Moncks Corner area. Charleston is well prepared for another successful decade.
Photo credit by Pixabay
The idea of buying a fixer-upper sounds appealing to many people. It’s an affordable way to buy the home of your dreams, but first-time home buyers need to be cautious before making this investment. Here is what you need to know before taking on a fixer-upper.
Not everyone is well-equipped to buy a fixer-upper. Here are a few things you need to know to make sure this purchase is right for you.
Read more character traits that you might need from Architectural Digest.
Next, you should estimate how much you can afford to spend on a home. Begin by looking at your total annual income. Next, figure out how much of a down payment you will make and your monthly spending. Add in your APR, or the average annual percentage rate on your credit cards. Keep in mind that a home in a different neighborhood or with more square footage than your current living space could mean higher monthly bills. On top of that, you’ll need to budget for your home’s renovations.
Next, you’ll need to determine what kind of loan you can get. Bankrate has an excellent overview of the different loans first-time home buyers can get, depending on their qualifications.
Choosing the right house is important in preventing you from wasting time and money on things like a poor foundation or leaky roof. While cosmetic problems may not be eye-catching, they are easy to fix. How can you tell the difference? Draft On Design recommends hiring a home inspector before purchasing a fixer-upper. You should also consider asking for a reduced price when purchasing a home that is in bad shape or tacking on a “hassle factor” fee. This fee is reserved for when time-consuming repairs must be done before you can comfortably live in the home.
It’s important that you have a budget and stick to it when purchasing your home and doing renovations. Making Sense of Cents has a helpful article on how to save money while working on your fixer-upper.
Once you have everything in place, your next job is deciding what projects to work on and how to tackle them. Your first decision is whether you should live there while the renovations are ongoing. You will likely need to live elsewhere if you are doing major overhauls of foundational elements. If so, your first updates must be those that will allow you to move in. Also, keep in mind how long you’ll be out of the home. If seasons change, you might need to work on heating or air conditioning.
If not, you have more leeway. Homes.com states that flooring is the first thing to check and update, and has plenty of tips on how. This Old House advises starting with the entryway and improving curb appeal. If you have duplicate or unused rooms that need updating, that’s an easy choice.
However, comfort might be a top objective. Working bathrooms, a completed bedroom, and a kitchen that works will make life easier as you continue the work on your home. Before you tackle any of these projects, make sure you have the right tools for the job, including sanders, hammers, and power drills.
Buying a fixer-upper for your first home is not impossible. With proper planning and a fluid budget, you can get the home of your dreams at a price you can afford.
Post was guest written by Erin Reynolds.
The extra bathrooms, the big yard, the playground down the street — these were all wonderful to have when the kids were young, but now that they’re grown and gone, they don’t fit your lifestyle anymore. Even though you imagine living in a smaller home, you’re not sure if you’re ready to say goodbye to the home you raised your family in. It’s a common predicament for recent empty nesters, but downsizing comes with perks that are worth a second look.
Moving to a smaller house doesn’t just mean fewer floors to sweep, although it’s certainly a great perk. Outside of major systems that exist in every home -- like the roof, HVAC system, and water heater -- a smaller home means less maintenance. Even if you’re not using them, extra rooms are still collecting dust and need to be cleaned. And eventually, you end up filling the extra space with stuff, adding to your list of chores.
Unless you’re heading to the countryside, the move will probably mean less yard maintenance as well. Yes, there’s something nice about spending a Saturday afternoon tending the lawn. But now that you’re kid-free, you have a lot more options for outdoor recreation. Instead of pushing a mower, why not grow a garden, learn to fish, or take up hiking?
Not only will you save time when you downsize, but you’ll save money too. Even if your house itself isn’t much cheaper (is there any better time to finally move into that hip neighborhood or get that designer kitchen you’ve dreamed of?), you’ll save in other ways. Lower square footage means lower utility bills, and now that you’re no longer a hub for neighborhood kids, you can scale back your homeowner’s insurance. You can also choose to move out of a homeowner’s association to save on HOA fees; according to Time, the average HOA fee is more than $300 a month. And if you do buy a less-expensive home, you’ll save on property taxes and have some money to add to your retirement accounts or vacation fund.
Despite the perks, moving isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Before you even start thinking about packing up the house, you have to make sure it’s ready to sell. Between damage and dated designs, a house that’s been lived in for several years will need improvements to maximize its resale value.
Sometimes, this is as simple as a fresh coat of paint and a few flooring fixes, but if you’ve raised a few rambunctious kids, yours might need a little more work. Start by assessing the major systems, including the foundation, roof, heating and cooling system, and plumbing, for problems, and call in licensed professionals to make repairs and replacements as needed.
Hopefully, your home’s infrastructure is in good condition and you only have to worry about cosmetic fixes. In addition to the walls and flooring, look at your appliances, counters, cabinets, and lighting fixtures. If these are dated or dingy, it can make your whole house look drab. If you’re not sure, check what features other homes on the market are offering. If they’re all more modern than yours, it’s probably time to update.
If you’re thinking of moving in the next few years, start working on preparing your home now. You’ll be able to spread out the costs over time and spend time enjoying the improvements before you sell.
You might think a smaller house has less to offer, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. (Just check out these stylish small homes on Design*Sponge!) There’s a lot of livability to be found in small homes, whether it’s a cozy bungalow nestled near the city center or a condo by the slopes. If downsizing is on your mind, start planning how you’ll get your home ready to sell, and dreaming about what’s next.
Image via Unsplash
Post was guest written by Erin Reynolds.
If you’ve never owned a vacation home before, be prepared to learn a lot about taxes, lease agreements, and customer service. But these lessons will come with time and experience, and you will work out the kinks in no time. Right now, you are probably most interested in making the best impression on your guests, earning rave reviews, and supplementing your income. From setting up the ideal bedroom to taking photos that showcase your home’s appeal, the following suggestions can help you get started.
You already know that your location plays a role in how often you lease your property and how much it will command per night. But more than being walking distance from the attractions, vacationers want a cozy rental that feels like home.
Starting in the bedroom, you’ll want to make sure it’s a restful retreat. After all, nobody wants to plan for a week of relaxation only to be kept awake thanks to an uncomfortable bed or paper thin walls. Angie’s List offers a rundown of what a restful bedroom should have. This list includes blackout shades, cozy bedding, clutter-free decor, and sounds that lull you into slumber. In addition to these things, you will also want to make sure to have extra pillows and blankets. If your home has a view, position the bed to take advantage of the scenery.
The kitchen and bathroom are other areas to pay close attention to. Breckenridge Vacation properties explains that a well-stocked kitchen should include everything needed to cook, including a pantry filled with a few staples. A cookbook with local recipes is a nice touch, and a coffee maker is almost non-negotiable. Provide sample bottle toiletries in the bathroom, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. These items are ridiculously inexpensive but hold great value to anyone who forgot to pack the essentials. You can pick up a supply at your local dollar store or buy in bulk online.
When your rental targets outdoor enthusiasts, such as beach- or mountain-goers, make the outdoor space fun, functional, and accessible. An outdoor patio with dining table, a simple fire pit, or play area for families with children will go a long way toward increasing customer satisfaction. These outdoor living space examples are great inspiration.
It doesn’t matter if you have a luxury condo, backyard apartment, or an outlandish vacation rental, your photographs and property description are what draw people in. Get comfortable behind the camera or hire a professional to help you photograph the best features of your home. Taking your own photos is work, but it pays off and will help you stand out in the crowd. Before you start snapping away, stage the property by cleaning it from top to bottom. Then, open the windows to take advantage of the natural light. Don’t be afraid to light a fire and show off the best of each space and from multiple views.
In addition to an accurate property description, you also want to be very clear on your rental policies. Money stresses that a strong rental agreement combined with a required security deposit can help guard against rowdy vacationers. Make sure your guests are well aware of your policies before they schedule their booking. Important points to note include the cancellation timeline, method of payment, occupancy limit, and any restrictions, such as pets or smoking, that would result in the loss of their security deposit.
Launching your vacation rental business is fun and exciting. And even if you plan to stop with just one property, it’s a learning experience. But with a few pre-emptive steps, such as having a clear-cut rental agreement and a clean, comfortable, and well-equipped property, you can find success and supplement your income.
Image via Pixabay
Post was guest written by Erin Reynolds.