New Home Countdown

Life is busy as ever for us and a large part of that is our new home. We started this process last November/December and we will be closing on our new home just before Thanksgiving!
We are so excited! We have put all of our thoughts, dreams, money, time, and hopes into this home. It is so exciting to see it all come together. We broke ground in August and at times it seems like it is crawling by and other times it seems like it is flying by. We went to the house today to check it out and the painters have started. We did some different things with the paint that we were very nervous about but I think they will turn out really well. I will wait and post some pictures once the painters get a little further. Right now it will just look like a mess but hopefully by next week the home will look a lot more complete. So with the painters in there now, here is what is already done on the home….
Obviously the home is all framed and all of the wiring is in, the sheetrock is in as are the cabinets. Brick is on and the stone guys are supposed to start this week as well as the rest of the guys to finish the exterior trim. The granite has been cut and will be installed soon. A lot of the crown molding/trim has been installed with just a little bit remaining. Once the painters are done the tile work will start. That is for our tile flooring and tile showers. The rest of the flooring will go in, the light fixtures, appliances, speakers, and the exterior (landscaping, driveway, fence, etc).
We can’t wait and I will post some pictures in a different post soon. The next month will fly by as there is a TON to do in just a month but hopefully it will all get done!

 

What Is Happening Now?

Today’s real estate market is changing faster than a newborn goes through diapers! In Columbia, we are still have record months for sales and things continue to improve. One interesting dynamic is that we are starting to see people enter the market that might not have gone through the proper financial approval process. These are folks that are wanting to buy and going in the wrong order. It is vital that people work on the financing before looking for a home! It is incredibly important to know what you are able to buy before you start your search so you look in the right price range and find something that fits perfectly with your budget. This also helps you as the buyer! With sales increasing, you need to stand out and make yourself look like a more qualified buyer than the next person and by already having your financing under control with the right documentation, this will put you a step ahead of the competition.
Like I mentioned, sales are still going strong and throughout Columbia a builder’s land position will be critical in the coming months and years. There just isn’t enough dirt right now! The demand for new homes is greater than the available lots in Columbia. This is going to cause prices to continue to go up so as I keep telling people, the time is now. If you want to buy a home and can afford to buy a home, then don’t wait. The selection will not be getting better!

 

It Only Gets More Expensive

Sorry I haven’t blogged in a while. Life has been busy and that isn’t always a bad thing! A while ago I spoke about missing the bottom of the market and things were going up. This trend has continued and if you really haven’t purchased a home and plan to, DO IT NOW. Interest rates have continued to climb (VERY rapidly in the last few weeks) and prices of new homes continue to go up. I would be willing to bet that if you bought a home in January of 2013 versus a home in January of 2014 it would cost about $250 per month more for the same EXACT home. $250 is a lot of money to spend every month just because you waited! Don’t wait!

Also, with prices going up, don’t expect to get any sort of incentive or deal from the builder in today’s market. The deal is that you bought now and not next month! If you buy now and prices continue to climb a few thousand every month, then you are still getting a great deal and still getting a better deal than the person that decided to sit on the fence and wait. I heard about one model home in Columbia that literally has a sign when you go in the model listing every price increase so far this year, when it happened, how much it was for, etc. This is to show people that the best time to do something is NOW. All of the people that are telling you this aren’t saying it because they just want to sell a home. Sure we all want to sell a home but it is true, it will cost more tomorrow than it does today so why are you waiting? Odds are you are just nervous about making a big decision. While I can understand the apprehension with such a large purchase, remember that the longer you wait, the more it will cost you. When you find the right home and your gut tells you this is it, go for it!

Off my soapbox now! Happy Friday everyone.

 

The Different Sections of Ashland at Lake Carolina

Where I work now is Ashland at Lake Carolina. I am still representing Essex Homes and I am here to talk a little more about the different parts Essex has in Ashland. Let’s start with Ashland Downes. The Downes features Essex’s Signature Series product line of standards. These homes are all loaded with features. Of course all of our homes are eBuilt which is our energy efficient product line. These homes all have granite countertops, smooth ceilings, tile backsplash and the goodies you want. They also include tile in all bathrooms and the laundry room, extensive hardwoods, deck mount jetted tubs, and heavy molding. Large lots, side entry garage, and a crawl space foundation really top off the features to this all brick community. When you are expecting the best of the best, this is absolutely the right place.

Ashland Falls is the middle product line for Essex Homes in Ashland. These are still all brick homes and have many of the same plans as in Ashland Downes. The main differences are in having a front entry garage, and not as much tile or trim. You still have a nice amount of hardwoods, tile in the master bath, granite counters, tankless water heaters, good trim packages, fireplaces, and even some homes have basements! The price range for this neighborhood is really $230,000 to $315,000.

Ashland Grove is the third part of Ashland that Essex builds in. Here we have a mixture of vinyl/stone, brick front, and 4 side brick homes. The prices in here range from the $170’s to the $250’s and still have large homes with our unbeatable energy efficient features of eBuilt. We still have granite countertops, tile backsplashes, smooth ceilings, hardwoods, more as standard features so no matter what price point you are able to afford your home will be one to make your friends wish they bought in Ashland, too! Ashland at Lake Carolina is truly a one stop shop for your new Essex Home. No matter the range we have some amazing options for you.

 

No More Incentives

One of my most recent blogs spoke about interest rates starting to climb.  Not only are rates starting to climb but so are prices.  In the past few years it was rather common for people to get some nice incentives from builders.  Free hardwoods or extra molding or whatever the case may be.  Now, builders are tightening up.  Thankfully we are coming out of the long housing recession and things are starting to go.  We are seeing growth in units sold as well as prices.  If you are still on the fence about what the right time to buy is, now is still the time.  Literally every day you wait, the home will cost you more.  Interest rates will continue to raise as will prices for homes.  You will still get a great home with a lot of amazing features that weren’t included in years past but the extra freebies and lower prices are a thing of the past.  All three builders in the general area where I do most of my sales have already increased prices this year as well as tighten up on incentives.  This spring there is good inventory on the ground and the early bird will get the worm.  If you are thinking of buying a home, now is absolutely the time.  I am yet to meet anyone that can logically explain why they should wait.  Please do yourself a favor.  If buying a home this year is in your plans, get moving on it soon!

 

From Here, Does My Neighborhood Improve?

The entire purpose of this blog has been trying to help buyers and sellers out there get a better grasp of the real estate market.  Whether that is about trends, selling tips, buying tips, etc.  My purpose is to help those out there become a little more profficient when it comes to their real estate decisions.  If I can help educate just a few people about real estate then this blog has been a success. 

In the past we have talked about crown molding, hardwoods, and other forms of ‘make up’ on a home.  How about the neighborhood?  When a neighborhood is being built, everything usually looks great.  Sure there are empty lots as it takes time to fill them with new homes but once a neighborhood is established, what happens?  There are two likely scenarios for a neighborhood when a builder is finished building in there and we will talk about those in a minute.

First, let’s set up an example.  You have narrowed your search to two homes.  Both new homes in new neighborhoods, both a similar price/size, both with similar features and lot sizes.  Which do you choose?  Let’s say that both homes would work equally well for your needs.  How does anyone choose?  Consider when you want to cash out.  What I mean by that is when someone owns a business there is a time they usually want to harvest their investment and sell the company, I call this cashing out.  Sometimes it is hard to see a difference in the neighborhood in the beginning.  Both neighborhoods are new so there hasn’t been enough time to see things get run down.  Look below the surface.  What sort of infrastructure is in place to help keep the value of the neighborhood?  Is there a home owners association in place?  Usually the HOA will help ensure that homes don’t get too crazy or run down over time.  Are there any community amenities?  Having a park or community pool can really help with your property’s value 5 and 10 years later.  So consider your cash out time and what you hope to get out of your home in the future.  You don’t want the PEAK of your neighborhood to be in the very beginning with it only going down hill over time.  You want a neighborhood that will maintain its value over time and just go up from there.  A strong association with great amenities is really an asset and will pay for itself over the course of time.

 

Ever Think About Basements?

South Carolina doesn’t have basements….this is a common thought and overall not a bad one.  However, there are some homes on some lots that can and will have basements.  As many of you know I work primarily with Essex Homes.  We have a few basement homes and lots here in Lake Carolina-Ashland that have basements.  Basements are a great addition for your home!  They don’t take up any more space on your lot, yet in time you can have a full furnished extra level to your home.  Usually you will see them as unfinished basements.  This can also be a plus for someone.  Having the basement unfinished will allow them to finish it in time and make their home significantly larger.  Our basements are between 1500 and 1800 square feet on most plans.  Add this to any size home and it is a large addition.  Thankfully the plumbing is already stubbed and there is some wiring and lights so the steps required to finish it are relatively minor. 

It is common for me to meet people from the “North” as Southerners say that want a basement.  Since I was born in Ohio, I qualify as someone coming from the North.  But even Southerners like the idea of a basement, just never knew they existed in South Carolina.  Thankfully your wait is over and you can have a basement home as well.

 

Did you wait too long?

Did you wait too long?  Were you waiting for interest rates to drop even more?  You have to take the good when you can get the good.  Rates are starting to go back up now.  Don’t put off buying if you are waiting because you think rates will go back down.  The odds are not in your favor.  The odds are the rates will continue to rise as the year goes on.  Those that are able to purchase now and want the lowest rate, then now is as good as it gets.  There might be little dips here and there in the interest rate but they will come and go so quick that you will miss them unless you are just extremely lucky. 

In my opinion we have been at the bottom as far as prices and rates and if you are in the market for a home, now is as good of a time as ever.  Rates will be going up (are going up) and builders will tighten up on their freebies.  Seriously, don’t wait.  Get moving now.  If you are able to move and want to move, now is the time. 

Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

 

New Year, New Challenge

I haven’t blogged in a few weeks because I have been in the middle of flipping my life all around.  I am a believer that sometimes change is a good thing.  Sometimes change can motivate oneself to push new boundaries, take on tougher challenges, and rise to a higher level than ever before accomplished.  For those reasons, I have switched companies. 

From 2006 until January of 2013 I was a Realtor for ERA Wilder Realty.  I loved my time there and still love the people.  I have great memories and I have grown an enormous amount as a person and as a real estate professional.  A new opportunity came and I decided that the best thing for myself and my family was to take it.  I am now working with Lake Carolina Properties and I am very excited.  I am still representing Essex Homes, now selling their product in Lake Carolina-Ashland.  Ashland has a number of sections to it and I am working in Ashland Downes ($300,000-$400,000) and Ashland Falls ($230,000-$310,000).  I am extremely excited to be a part of this new adventure with Lake Carolina.  Lake Carolina has proven to be a popular place for people to live.  It has won Community of the Year 10 times, has a 1.8 mile long lake, 6 miles of shoreline, 300 acres of greenspace and parks, a beautiful fountain in the main entrance and a wonderful town centre. 

It is easy to see why people want to live in Lake Carolina and I am happy to be here representing Essex Homes, a company I know and trust.  Last week was my first week and we are already off to a great start.  We sold one home in Ashland Downes and one home in Ashland Falls so let’s hope we can keep things going.  Enough about me, my next post will be back to my normal posts about tips on helping you buy and sell a home.

 

Competition in 2013

I don’t normally post links to other articles but I thought this one was of great interest.  If you are in the Columbia market and looking at new homes there is certainly a lot of competition.  I personally believe in Essex Homes and am putting my money where my mouth is by building one myself.  Here is an article from The State, Columbia’s local newspaper.  People often are surprised when I tell them that new home building is very competitive in this city but it certainly is.  Here is the article:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/01/13/2587450/home-building-recovery-taking.html#.UPNoMGfxk7s#storylink=addthis