When Should You Buy in Greenville, SC?

Greenville, South Carolina, has the sixth-largest real estate market in the state. If you include the larger metro area, it becomes the fourth largest market in the state. As of April 2020, the market is somewhat competitive, but owners have not seen their properties appreciate as much as the national average over the last five years. This must leave one to wonder when the time is right to buy in Greenville. 

How Will the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Housing Prices? 

The big unknown is how the coronavirus pandemic will affect housing prices. Nationally, there were fewer homes listed at the end of March than is traditional for the start of the typically busy spring selling season. During that same time, the rate…

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Swamp Rabbit Trail Resale Value Guide

Swamp Rabbit Trail is an extremely unique area. It is about 13 miles in length and was made for people who love to get outside and live a little. 

Touring Swamp Rabbit Trail

The northern part of the trail begins downtown. It then passes by Furman University and goes through Travelers Rest. It ends at the North Greenville campus location of the Greenville Hospital System. The southern part of the trail links the downtown Greenville parks with downtown and Greenville Tech's campus. The parks include Cleveland Park and Falls Park.

Runners, cyclists, and walkers all love the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Its length allows you to cover a tremendous amount of ground and see so many things. Furman University is a beautiful…

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Head West for Investment Growth

For the past several years, Greenville, South Carolina, has been going through an unparalleled growth phase. Greenville was once a relatively sleepy town known primarily for its historical textile plants and proximity to Clemson University. Yet, Greenville has transformed itself into a technology hub, making it one of the most desirable relocation destinations for young professionals. But with this growth has come an increase in living expenses. The median home price in Greenville has risen over 70% in the past decade, and even more so in the downtown proximate area near Liberty Bridge. 

Luckily, Greenville has no shortage of alternative neighboring towns. To the east is Spartanburg, an even more beautiful and…

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Budgeting for Your Next Home Purchase

When you're planning on making your next home purchase, it's important to determine just how much you can afford to spend. Several factors go into making this calculation. Some of those factors include your monthly debts, household income, and your available money in savings. Your monthly debts include a car loan, student loan or other loan payments, for example. It is important that you are realistic in your projections when you are estimating how much your mortgage payments can be. 

You also want to be sure to plan for unexpected expenses. This is important even if you are bringing in a stable income and have a stable monthly debt load. 

You generally want to have about three months of payments in reserve.…

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How to Identify an Overpriced Home for Sale

When you're shopping for a home, you'll likely set a price maximum. This filters out the lovely homes that are simply more than you can afford. However, that doesn't stop overpriced homes from coming across your feed. Here are some telltale signs that a home is overpriced so that you can identify a good deal from a bad one.

Calculate the Price Per Square Foot

One way to find out if a home is overpriced is to calculate its price per square foot. You can often obtain this information from a real estate listing or the county auditor's website. Determine this information for the home you like. You can compare it against the homes in the neighborhood that have recently sold. If a home for sale is priced at…

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How to Separate the Details From the Deal breakers

Anyone shopping for a new house wants to find the perfect option. And just when they seem to have found it, they may realize they've stumbled upon a deal breaker. 

When it comes to house hunting, a deal breaker is when something ends up turning off a potential buyer. Even something as small as an odor can be a deal breaker because it ruins the image of a perfect location. 

However, one thing that some people don’t realize is that there’s bound to be a few flaws that need repaired. The key to finding the “perfect” home for you is to separate the details from the deal breakers.

What Are Deal Breakers?

As the saying goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." When it comes to finding…

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Tips for Avoiding a Badly Flipped House

When you're buying a house, the real estate listings may tout certain types of improvements to the home. You might notice listings that discuss fresh paint, updated flooring, move-in ready or beautiful updates. However, it's important to be able to tell when a home has been the victim of a bad flipper. Here are some telltale signs of homes to avoid.

Look at the Kitchen Layout and Appliances

If the layout of the kitchen seems strange, it could be due to a bad flip. An older home's kitchen was likely designed when appliances were smaller. Some older homes may have had appliances that aren't easily found today, such as a wall oven or a cooktop built into the countertop. If the refrigerator is situated such…

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Deciding Between Turnkey and Fixer-Upper Homes Can Be Difficult

As a homebuyer, many factors are involved when deciding between turnkey and fixer-upper purchases. It is never a good idea to buy a home without truly understanding how each type affects the owner. What are the best ways to tell if you should buy a home with makeover potential? When do you know that a completely finished house is your best choice? Here are a few considerations that could help you make the best decision.

A Fix Doesn’t Have to Be Done Right Now

Most people who buy fixer-upper homes do it for the turnaround investment potential. If they can make enough improvements in a short amount of time, they can resell the home for a premium because of increased equity in a vibrant…

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Is Buying a Historic Home Charming or a Headache?

You may have instantly fallen in love with a historic home. These homes are either listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or they are recognized by a local historical commission as being significant for some reason. You may even qualify for tax abatements when you buy some of these homes, depending on their location. While many of these homes are incredibly charming and there is something instantly alluring about owning a one-of-a-kind home, there are some things you need to think through before putting your money on the line. 

Asbestos

Some historical homes may contain asbestos. You will have to pay to have it removed professionally. It may be tucked inside walls where it was used as…

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Tips for Choosing a Qualified Home Inspector

Whether you're buying or selling a home, it's important to protect your investment. A home inspection provides you with pertinent information about the foundation, exterior and interior walls, roof, masonry, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. All of these systems are critical to your health and safety, and problems can be costly to fix. Hiring the best home inspector helps you avoid unpleasant surprises when buying a home. Here are five tips on how to choose a qualified home inspector. 

1. Consider a Civil Engineer

Some people call themselves inspectors, but they might not have any education or credentials to back their claims. Consider choosing a certified and licensed civil engineer who…

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