I know 2008 is going to be great!  We are off to a great start.  I have 3 closings this month and three more contracts to write before week end.  I just got an offer on one of my listings after 4 days on the market.  Things seem to be going as well as anyone can hope for.  When I reflect on these blessings, I am reminded by my husband that I haven't had a day off in months and that I am working longer hours than he did during his residency.  I am hoping to implement a good scheduling balance this year between work and family.  I am hoping that I can afford to be more selective about the clients I work with this year.  I am hoping that I will be blessed with grateful and kind clients who recognize my efforts and are not quick to criticize.  I am hoping that my office will grow with other agents who share a similar work ethic.  Perhaps not the hours, but the desire to work hard.  I am hoping that I will grow professionally with additional knowledge that I will need to better serve my clients.  I am hoping that I will continue to grow spiritually this year.  I am hoping that I will take time to be healthy.  If I spent 1/3 of the time that I put into my business on exercising, I would be skinny!  I am hoping to develop better relationships with colleagues in my market.  I am hoping to get more involved in my local association of Realtors and contribute however I am needed.  I am hoping that I will continue to treat clients honestly and fairly,  I am hoping that my peers will take the time to get to know me and formulate their opinions of me based on knowing something about me rather than hating me because I am the new kid on the block.  I am hoping that I have another great year and that I can continue doing what I love without neglecting my family.  God willing, I know I can do all of these things.    

$314,900.00 58 Thomas Sumter Beaufort, SC 29907 Beds: 3.0 Rooms: 3 Baths: 2.00 Sq. Ft.: 2278.00 Garage: 2.0 Built: 2000   If you are looking for a spacious and comfortable home in a fantastic neighborhood with great schools, this is it! This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Laura Dahl, BIC,ASR,ABR Advanced Real Estate Company (843)524-1617 www.beaufortexperts.com     Visit this listing at Here

$205,000.00 70 Westminster Place Beaufort, SC 29907 Beds: 3.0 Rooms: 3 Baths: 2.00 Sq. Ft.: 1612.00 Garage: 0 Built: 2000   This home is priced to sell NOW! You will fall in love with this home instantly with beautiful hardwood floors and custom built in bookcases in the family room. This large kitchen has plenty of cabinet space and like new appliances. Lazy susans and pull out trash cans make for easy living. Eat with family and friends in the large dining room with upgraded Wainscoting. You will like the split floor plan with two nicely sized bedrooms on one side and a great master bedroom on the other. Cust This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Laura Dahl, BIC,ASR,ABR Advanced Real Estate Company (843)524-1617 www.beaufortexperts.com     Visit this listing at Here

A recent news story revealed many active duty Marines and Sailors reporting to and currently residing in the Beaufort County area will be pleased to see that BAH rates are going up for our area.  Last year, BAH rates actually went down almost $100 so to see that they have actually caught up with market prices and rental rates for the Beaufort area is a blessing.  With many area BAH rates rising an average 7.3% next month, many Marine families will now recognize that their BAH is actually more than a modest house payment in our area.  You can view the new BAH rate table here:  BAH Table.  If you know of an active duty Marine or Sailor relocating to the Beaufort area, send them to Advanced Real Estate Company where our military relocation specialists can help.   

 

So I have this client who wrote an offer on a property and who was in mid process of getting a loan from Navy Federal Credit Union.  The bank orders an appraisal and the client is on the way to his 100% loan when we hit a major speed bump.  I receive a phone call from my client saying that because of some language in the appraisal that the lender is now requiring 3% down.  This home appraised for the sales price needed for the loan, but the appraiser decided that this particular neighborhood was "over saturated" and therefore NFCU initiated their policy in response to such language.  So I advised my client to call the lender back and contest the appraisal and if need be, offer to pay for another appraisal.  In the meantime, the processor said we could contest the appraisal by providing data to the contrary of this appraiser's statement.  So I look up this particular neighborhood of over 271 homes only to find that there are are a total of 25 homes for sale ranging in price from 259,000 up to 2.8 million.  In my professional opinion less than 10% of homes in this neighborhood for sale is NOT over saturation.  I asked the lender, is there a magic number that constitutes over saturation?  The lender replied with no, it is a matter of opinion.  So a client who has EXCELLENT credit and along the way to his new home with his 100% loan is blindsided by an appraiser who happened to opine that this neighborhood is over saturated.  I won't even get into the fact that when price ranges go from 259K to over 2 million, that there is clearly a diverse range of homes for sale.  I mention this situation in this blog because given the current status of the market, everyone is a little panicked about how the credit crisis is affecting real estate sales.  I am not sure that this appraiser is aware of the "power" he or she has, but I pass along a warning that if you are planning on getting a 100% loan, an appraiser's personal opinion could derail that plan.  I am also certain that NFCU just lost a loan and a customer of over 20 plus years! 

$239,000.00 14 Meagan Beaufort, SC 29907 Beds: 3.0 Rooms: 3 Baths: 2.00 Sq. Ft.: 1432.00 Garage: 2.0 Built: 2004   Stylishly upgraded 3 bed/2 bath home in Telfair Manor nestled on almost a half acre surrounded by mature oak and pine trees with privacy fence, screened in porch and child's play area. This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Laura Dahl, BIC,ASR,ABR Advanced Real Estate Company (843)524-1617 www.beaufortexperts.com     Visit this listing at Here

$275,000.00 12 Thomas Sumter St Beaufort, SC 29907 Beds: 3.0 Rooms: 3 Baths: 2.00 Sq. Ft.: 1805.00 Garage: 2.0 Built: 2002   Move in ready! Oversized dining room, modern kitchen with breakfast nook, cozy family room with fireplace, 3 large bedrooms and a great wooded .5 acre lot with full fence. This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Laura Dahl, BIC,ASR,ABR Advanced Real Estate Company (843)524-1617 www.beaufortexperts.com     Visit this listing at Here