Betty Poore: What's New on the Charleston Coast Blog

Well, what can I tell you? It is busy here in Charleston. As a matter of fact, it is the busiest I have been in five years. Inventory is slightly down (a good thing), interest rates are down (another good thing) and prices are down - not so good.

Maybe everyone is heeding Warren Buffet's advice (I am paraphrasing here): "Buy property now." I'd sure like to think so.

In comparing most of the Charleston market in the first quarter of 2011 with the first quarter of 2012, nearly across the board sales are up. Only Seabrook Island and Wild Dunes are slightly off, but there are sales in the hopper on both islands which will even those numbers out in the second quarter. See the comparison chart below.












Let me know if I can help you add to the positive numbers!
- Betty Poore

---Betty PooreCharleston Coast REALTORDunes Properties of Charleston, Inc.(843) 886-5600---Charlston Coast SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleIsle of Palms, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleWild Dunes, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale---

Hurricane Irene blew by Charleston on Friday, near high tide, dropping a ton of rain, blowing trees around and breaking through the dunes in 3 or 4 places along the 18th Fairway of the Links Course at Wild Dunes. We are so lucky that the damage was minimal here along the Charleston Coast. Of course, we are thinking of those north of us that weren't so fortunate. Click here for a few photos.




---Betty PooreCharleston Coast REALTORDunes Properties of Charleston, Inc.(843) 886-5600---Charlston Coast SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleIsle of Palms, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleWild Dunes, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale---

Labels: Charleston Coast, home ownership dream coast charleston beach island, hurricane

There is an interesting article in the NY Times regarding home ownership. Looks like the dream lives on. Enjoy.

Despite Fears, Owning Home Retains Allure, Poll Shows
Owning a house remains central to Americans’ sense of well-being, even as many doubt their home is a good investment in after a punishing recession.

Nearly nine in 10 Americans say home ownership is an important part of the American dream, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. And they are keen on making sure it stays that way, for themselves and everyone else.









---Betty PooreCharleston Coast REALTORDunes Properties of Charleston, Inc.(843) 886-5600---Charlston Coast SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleIsle of Palms, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleWild Dunes, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale---

Labels: home ownership dream coast charleston beach island

Here's a comparison of closed sales for the first five months of 2011 vs. 2010.

• Closed sales on the majority of the islands are up, while prices are down significantly
• The number of closed sales on Seabrook, Daniel Island and Mt Pleasant is down, as is the average price
  
• Charleston is steady, but prices are down significantly
  

For all you buyers out there, supply is slowly decreasing while demand is on the uptick. Now appears to be a great time to be looking for property along the Charleston Coast.

Please give me a call, email or text to discuss your options!

Mark and I live on a quiet street on the marsh side of the island. With the gorgeous water and marsh views come wildlife - all of whom eat everything we plant. This year I got a heads up on the wiley raccoons by encasing my plants with chicken wire. (Great tip courtesy of my friend Larry Hubis.) We have been blessed with great tomatoes, peppers and basil. Now, I have never made pesto, but with the help, advice and recipes from friends Grace and Cynthia - I tackled the project with an...ahem...mini Cuisinart. I know what my next kitchen gadget will be!)

Check out the photos.

Labels: cooking, photos, summer

Andrew Burnette, our Pro at Wild Dunes invited 3 of us to play in a Ladies Pro Am with him this past week. It was March, it was springtime - but winter reared it's ugly head one last time. It poured the night before, the wind was up and although we were near Columbia, SC we all froze! We tied for 3rd ( if only I could have putted- I just know we would have won!)

Ah, such is golf. Here's a photo of us. Arlene, Andrew, Betty and Chris.


---Betty PooreCharleston Coast REALTORDunes Properties of Charleston, Inc.(843) 886-5600---Charlston Coast SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleIsle of Palms, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleWild Dunes, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale---

I just read an interesting article in the WSJ on vacation homes and how in some markets sales activity is on the rise. So I decided to compare how the Wild Dunes market did over the past two years - 2008 versus 2009 and then 2009 versus 2010. I used only residential sales, homes and villas, no vacant home-sites were included.

Here's what I found:

There was a 12% decrease in the number of sales in 2009 versus 2008, and the average sales price was 18% lower in 2009 versus 2008.

Now, here is the interesting thing:

There was a 46% increase in the number of sales transactions in 2010 over 2009, and the average sales price was down just 3%.

Buyers watching Wild Dunes understand that prices are at 2004 levels or lower, that the inventory is moving and that sellers now more than ever are willing to negotiate. With prices and interest rates this low, more and more buyers are moving into the market. As the article in the WSJ says, "The proverbial train has left the station."

Click here to read the article. Want to discuss?



---Betty PooreCharleston Coast REALTORDunes Properties of Charleston, Inc.(843) 886-5600---Charlston Coast SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleIsle of Palms, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for SaleWild Dunes, SC Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale---

Labels: beach, Charleston Coast, market, stats island