STATEWIDE HOME SALES INCREASE 16% IN MAY

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Staff Report

COLUMBIA – While overall home sales are still down compared to last year’s levels, most regions in the state enjoyed an increase in the number of homes sold in May.

"With the first-time home buyer tax credit expected to boost sales, Realtors in South Carolina are already seeing summer activity heating up,” said Nick Kremydas, CEO of the S.C. Association of Realtors.

The association is reporting 3,704 homes were sold in May, about a 16.5% increase over homes sold in April. Still, May 2009 sales are down 21.4% compared to May 2008.

Fifteen regions report home sales for the association and all but three posted increases. Cherokee County, Spartanburg and Western Upstate MLS all reported a slight decrease in home sales for May.

Of the state’s three major metropolitan areas, Charleston reported an increase in sales in May over April of 28%. Columbia and Greenville reported increases of 16% and 14%, respectively.

The median price of homes in South Carolina was $142,000 and the average number of days homes stayed on the market was 155.

Nationwide, home sales also increased in May, with the National Association of Realtors reporting the 2.4% increase over April represented the first back-to-back monthly gain since September 2005. Still, year-over-year numbers were down 3.6%.

Published June 24, 2009

If you have questions about Buyer or Selling in the greater Charleston, South Carolina area please feel freet to call, 843.224.5398 or e-mail Owen@OwenTyler.com.

ISLE OF PALMS IS "SEXY"

Surprise greets IOP 'sexy' rating

Publication says beach one of 6 sexiest in U.S.

By Elizabeth Maybank
The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 18, 2009

Could a beach, not Justin Timberlake, actually be bringing sexy back?

Is Isle of Palms, the beach where they turn out the lights at night to protect nesting sea turtles and tried to ban sand castles as a public hazard, the definition of sexy?

Vacationers on the Isle of Palms. Of Maxim's rating of the beach as one of the country's six sexiest, Mayor Dick Cronin said, 'Good golly.'

According to the men at Maxim magazine, it is. They recently voted Isle of Palms one of America's six sexiest beaches.

Huh? Isle of Palms? The place where SpongeBob arm floaties are the latest trend, and there are one-piece bathing suits, not bikinis, as far as the eye can see.

According to Maxim, "This seven-mile-long and one-mile-wide barrier island has pristine beaches littered with smoking-hot rich ladies lured in by high-end shops all over the island. It's like chum for sharks. (Sharks who are into really expensive handbags.)"

Are they talking about the same beach that has drawn families for decades? The place where women are more likely to carry diaper bags than Gucci ones.

Anyone who has visited the island can assert that the shopping is best at the Red & White Grocery Store. And unless oversized T-shirts decorated with palm trees or cheap plastic platform flip-flops are now considered high fashion, there seems to be something odd about this assessment.

No one was more surprised about the rating than Isle of Palms Mayor Dick Cronin.

"Good golly. This is totally unexpected. Well, I guess they must have been doing their rating when the City Council squared off against the Charleston Police Department in a volleyball game at the Windjammer."

The serene, kid-friendly beach more than makes up for the lack of shopping, but it leaves one wondering why Maxim, the trendy magazine targeted at men in their 20s and 30s, chose to highlight shopping as the sexiest part of Isle of Palms instead of the Windjammer's ocean-side volleyball court. There, fit shirtless guys serve aces while girls lounge on the sidelines cheering.

Rex Porter, a bartender at the Windjammer, said, "Isle of Palms definitely is sexy because there are always beautiful girls coming in and out of the Windjammer, and there are volleyball players constantly enjoying the court outside."

When Dan Bova, executive editor of Maxim, was asked what high-end shops the magazine referred to, he had the good grace to reply, "Our editorial GPS may seem to be broken, but the gift shop at the Holiday Inn Express ... where else can you buy a $9 tube of toothpaste?" Bova also said that they meant Charleston's shops when referring to "the high-end shops all over the island."

Hmm. In this case, "Isle" means island, and Charleston's shops are 15 miles away.

Maxim needs to check its GPS. Maybe it's aimed at the wrong satellite.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SALES REACH SEVEN-MONTH HIGH AS MARKET CONTINUES TO STABILIZE

Charleston Trident Association of Realtors "CTAR" recently released May 2009 statistics that show an improving real estate market. It is important to keep in mind that to clearly define the market in an up swing we need at least 3+ plus consecutive months of continued improvement.

Currently the largest motivating factor of a Buyer is price. The key to getting the Buyer and the Realtors in your door is a listing price that makes them think, "I can't believe they are selling so low."

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

If you have questions about the real estate market in the greater Charleston area please feel free to call Owen directly at 843.224.5398 or e-mail him at Owen@OwenTyler.com.

DUNES WEST

Owen Tyler | Carolina One Real Estate | owen@owentyler.com | 843-224-5398 1661 Pin Oak Cut, Mount Pleasant, SC WONDERFUL DUNES WEST HOME 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $298,600 Year Built 1999 Sq Footage 1,729 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 0.21 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This one is not to be missed! Oh the upgrades, pride of ownership shows in this Dunes West home. Brazilian Cherry wood floors through out with 5 1/4" baseboard. Stunning 14" square tiles in the laundry area and baths. Lovely dining room with chair rail and wainscoting perfect for gatherings. Open kitchen with great counter space, 42" cabinets, large pantry, and even a breakfast bar opening into the family room with fireplace. Beautiful two piece crown molding anchors the 12 ft smooth ceilings in the family room, kitchen, and master bedroom. One piece crown in the rest of the home. Updated lighting and ceiling fans and hardware through out this grand one story home. And a wonderful master suite with huge walk-in closet and relaxing bath with garden tub and separate shower. Great two tiered deck in the fenced backyard with lots of room to entertain and enjoy this premium lot with "protected" woods behind the house. 1661 Pin Oak Cut is a true stand out with so many extras. If square footage is important - MEASURE!! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Attic Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard COMMUNITY FEATURES Clubhouse Swimming pool(s) Tennis court(s) Golf course ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Contact info: Owen Tyler Carolina One Real Estate owen@owentyler.com 843-224-5398 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jun 10, 2009, 1:07pm PDT

WONDERFUL IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON

Owen Tyler | Carolina One Real Estate | owen@owentyler.com | 843-224-5398 23 Felix St., Charleston, SC CHIC DOWNTOWN HOME 3BR/3.5BA Single Family House offered at $599,000 Year Built 2004 Sq Footage 2,265 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking Unspecified Lot Size .04 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Beautiful Charleston styled home constructed in 2004 located in Elliottborough/Cannonsborough. A definite must see, this home boast 3 distinct outdoor living spaces: courtyard, connecting the formal dining room to the family room, a walled slate patio of off the kitchen, and a wonderful rooftop deck with city views perfect for entertaining. The traditional styled home with urban elegance comes with all the little extras including CAT 5 wiring, Bose Surround Sound throughout, stunning hardwood floors, two HVAC units, gas burning fireplace, and even a projection TV and hidden screen in family room perfect for movie night, and 10 foot ceilings on the first floor and 9 foot ceilings on the second and third floors; no expense was spared during construction. The kitchen is a chef's delight with tons of counter space, marble counter tops, large stainless island and gas range. A huge master suite is located on the 2nd floor with a view of the courtyard below. The third floor is complete with bedroom full bath and study heading to the roof top deck. If square footage is important - MEASURE!! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Bonus/Rec room Dining room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Stainless steel appliances Washer Dryer Balcony, Deck, or Patio ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Contact info: Owen Tyler Carolina One Real Estate owen@owentyler.com 843-224-5398 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jun 4, 2009, 1:44pm PDT