EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT

I am thrilled to announce that I have joined The Cassina Group, LLC as Managing Broker.

I have begun the transfer over to The Cassina Group and will begin in my new position on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.  I have had great success during my time at Carolina One Real Estate Services and am so appreciative of the support they have provided me.

The opportunity to be part of The Cassina Group was one that I could not let pass me by.  The chance to work in a quickly growing,  boutique real estate firm atmosphere with a strong technology base is fantastic and to be part of a team of full-time, highly successful,  professional  real estate agents is the icing on the cake.

In 2013, The Cassina Group received statewide accolades as one of the fastest-growing companies in the state by SCBiz News’ Roaring Twenties and was ranked in the Top 10 Firms locally having closed $152.8 million with 19 real estate agents.

The Cassina Group has offices in both Mount Pleasant and downtown Charleston.

While my moniker and contact information will change, my dedication to superior customer and client services and the practice of the best real estate possible will not change.  Please feel free to visit our impressive company web site, http://TheCassinaGroup.com.

My mobile number, (843) 224-5398, will stay the same and you can always contact me at Owen@OwenTyler.com or owen@TheCassinaGroup.com.

Owen Tyler ABR CRS RSPS

Managing Broker

The Cassina Group, LLC

309 Coleman Blvd

Mt. Pleasant, SC  29464

www.TheCassinaGroup.com

O.  (843) 628.0008

M.  (843) 224.5398

F.   (866) 308.9084

I look forward to working with you at The Cassina Group and please do not ever hesitate to call or e-mail or even drop-in the office for a visit.

Owen

Zip Code 29403 - Home to the Hipsters?

According to RealtyTrac part of Charleston, SC has made the list of the best place to flip homes and sell to "Hipsters" otherwise known as the Millennial generation.

Regardless of whether you are a Hipster or non-Hipster give me a call and lets locate a property for you today.  I can be reached on my mobile at 843-224-5398 or via e-mail Owen@OwenTyler.com

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/29013-the-top-20-markets-for-flipping-homes-to-hipsters?page=1

December 2013 E-Newsletter

Great tips monthly that aren't strictly related to your home. 

As winter comes in with a strong gust, check out "4 Tips to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient."

How to Paint a Room

There are few things I dislike more than painting and my advice is to call a professional. 

However for those of you industrious enough attempt your own paint job, my October 2013 e-Newsletter breaks down the process of painting a room in 12 easy steps...

To read all 12 Steps.

Halfway through 2013, Charleston Real Estate Market Shows Stability and Progress

 

CHARLESTON, SC—(July 10, 2013) According to preliminary data released today by the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®, 1,314 homes sold at a median price of $219,340 in June. Last June, 1,059 homes sold at a median price of $199,900 in the region.

At this time last year, 5,000 homes had sold at a median price of $181,700. Year-to-date data for 2013 shows that 6,117 homes have sold in the region at a median price of $200,440—a 22% increase in sales and a 10% increase in median price for the year.

Inventory still remains remarkably low, with 5,655 homes listed as “active” for sale with the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service (CTMLS). “We continue to monitor the low inventory trend in our region,  as well as specific areas of the Lowcountry like Mount Pleasant and West Ashley, where finding an available home in the most popular price ranges--$200 and $300,000—is increasingly difficult” said 2013 CTMLS President, Dave Sansom.

Halfway through the year, the Charleston market is performing exceptionally well and is showing a strong basis for ongoing growth. “While more than half of the transactions are being conventionally financed, nearly a quarter of homes are being paid for in cash, which indicates a healthy mix of traditional buyers and professional investors purchasing homes in our market” said 2013 CTAR President Owen Tyler.  “Interest and activity among prospective buyers is still very strong and doesn’t appear to have been negatively impacted by the recent adjustments in mortgage rates. However, it’s still fairly early to make a clear assessment on how much the recent rate changes will affect the Charleston market” said Tyler. While mortgage rates have risen since the start of the busy summer buying season, they are still at historic lows and did ease slightly last week, from an average of 4.6% to 4.29% for a 30-year fixed loan.

 

MAY ADJUSTMENTPreliminary data reported for May indicated that 1,277 homes sold at a median price of $212,000. Adjusted numbers now show 1,291 homes sold at a median price of $213,000.

 

BERKELEY COUNTY

Both buying and pricing trends in Berkeley County are trending strongly upward—281 homes sold in the county in June, at a median price of $189,000. In June 2012, 208 homes sold at a median price of $164,300.

CHARLESTON COUNTY

752 homes sold at a median price of $255,500 in Charleston County in June. While sales volume declined slightly from May, when 770 homes sold, it has increased significantly since June 2012, when 627 homes sold at a median price of $239,390.

 

DORCHESTER COUNTY

Home sales spiked in Dorchester County in June, with the County’s highest level of sales since June 2010. 249 homes sold at a median price of $179,000 in June. Comparatively, 182 homes sold last June at a median price of $157,500.

 

With 3,600 members, CTAR’s mission is to promote the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, education and technology, and to ensure that its members are the primary source for real estate services in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Only those who are members of the Association of REALTORS® and its parent organizations are called REALTORS®.

 

 

 

South Carolina REALTORS® Release March Market Numbers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 15, 2013) -- South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR) today released its March Statewide Market Reports showing that tightened inventory levels combined with strong demand are fueling price gains in many areas. Consumer demand also is shifting from distressed properties to conventional homes and record-low mortgage rates and rising rents are supporting housing recovery. 

New Listings in South Carolina increased 3.4 percent to 9,985. Pending Sales were up 8.3 percent to 5,754. Inventory levels shrank 10.1 percent to 46,336 units. Prices moved higher and the Median Sales Price increased 4.6 percent to $151,600. Days on Market was down 8.4 percent to 128 days. Absorption rates improved as Months Supply of Inventory was down 22.6 percent to 9.6 months.

Things inched forward on the economic front with a minor but important upward revision to 2012 fourth quarter GDP growth, which put us in a positive area.

REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a Member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. This email and any files sent with it are confidential.  If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately.

Considering Selling Your Home?

Charleston-Area Residential Real Estate Market Continues to Strengthen through September

 

Charleston-Area Residential Real Estate Market Continues to Strengthen through September

Strong sales, consistent price growth and declining inventory strengthen the recovering market

CHARLESTON, SC—(October 10, 2012) According to preliminary data released today by the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® (CTAR) 876 homes sold in September, surpassing last September’s mark by more than 100 sales. Pricing in the Charleston area has made positive gains throughout the year, with September’s closings resulting in a median sale price of $190,000.

The year-to-date and inventory figures show the Charleston market’s continued progression back to a healthy, balanced and sustainable market. Year-to-date, MLS data shows a 10.5% increase in sales and a 5.6% increase in median price for the region. In 2012, 7,879 homes have sold at a median price of $190,000. At this point last year, 7,125 homes had sold at a median price of $179,850.

While it is common for inventory to decline heading into the fall and winter months, it is significant that tri-county inventory has dropped below the 6,000 benchmark, with 5,878 homes listed as actively for sale with the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS data shows 6.7 months of residential inventory—most experts consider 5-6 months a mark of a healthy and balanced market.

“The available inventory is pushing our market not only towards balance, but slowly back towards the seller’s favor. We’ve been squarely in ‘buyer’s market’ territory for several years now. The market has made its corrections and we’re well-positioned for sustainable positive progress going forward,” said Herb Koger, 2012 President of the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®.

Average days on market has declined significantly as well, with all three counties reporting 100 days or less to sale, and Charleston County averaging a speedy 87 days in September. The faster pace of buying activity is being encouraged by a significant number of investor buyers in the Charleston market, who deal largely in cash, negating the wait time for lender approval.

August AdjustmentPreliminary data reported for August 2012 indicated 1,014 homes sold at a median price of $198,757. Adjusted numbers now show 1,025 sales at a median price of $199,900.

Berkeley County

Preliminary data shows 197 homes sold at a median price of $175,000 in Berkeley County in September; with an average of 92 days on market. Year-to-date, sales volume has increased about 1% and prices have grown by 6% compared to last year, with 1,689 sales in the county at a median price of $164,300.

Charleston County

Preliminary data shows 502 residential transactions in Charleston County in September, at a median price of $216,768. Days on market dropped to a year-low of 87 days. Year-to-date, sales have increased 17% and pricing has made a healthy 2% gain over 2011 data. Thus far in 2012, 4,494 homes have sold at a median price of $225,000 in Charleston County.

Dorchester County

Preliminary data shows that 153 homes sold at a median price of $175,000 in September in Dorchester County, in an average of 100 days on market. Year-to-date, sales volume has grown by 3% and prices have increased by nearly 4%, county-wide, compared to last year. In 2012, 1,428 homes have sold at a median price of $167,222.

 

With approximately 3,400 members, CTAR’s mission is to promote the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, education and technology, and to ensure that its members are the primary source for real estate services in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Only those who are members of the Association of REALTORS® and its parent organizations are called REALTORS®. To learn more, visit www.CharlestonRealtors.com.

Charleston-area Home Sales Continue to Rise

Charleston-area Home Sales Continue to Rise

Monthly Closings Pass 1,000 for the Third Time this Year

CHARLESTON, SC— According to preliminary data released today by the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® (CTAR) 1,014 homes sold at a median price of $198,757. This is the third time that closings have passed the 1k benchmark in 2012 and the first time sales volume has consistently shown this level of strength since 2007. Last year, sales peaked in August, with 904 homes sold at a median price of $185,000.

“The August sales figures are ongoing evidence of consistency and stability in our market. Charleston is such a desirable area, smart buyers recognize the long-term value of investing in the Charleston market” said 2012 CTAR President Herb Koger.

Inventory continues to trend towards a more balanced market, dropping to its lowest point this year, with 6,185 homes listed as actively for sale with the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Days on market remained below 100 for the second month in a row, at an average of 93 days. Stronger demand on the buying side of the market, an increase in cash-based transactions and the simplification of the distressed property transaction process are likely reasons for the decline.

Year-to-date figures continue to hold steady, with sales volume a strong 10% higher than it was a year ago, and the region’s median price gaining ground during the busy summer months to show a 6.5% uptick in pricing as compared to this point last year. 6,978 homes have sold at a median price of $190,555 thus far in 2012. At this time last year, 6,351 homes had sold at a median price of $178,844.

“As we heard from NAR’s Chief Economist Dr. Yun last month at the market update, our local market is being re-established on a firm foundation of sustainable sales and price growth—Charleston is outperforming many markets across the country, in terms of a consistent recovery” Koger said. “The pent-up demand caused by the trend of college students and young professionals returning to live at home rather than establishing their own residences should also provide an eager pool of buyers heading into the future” he added.

July AdjustmentPreliminary data reported for July 2012 indicated 972 homes sold at a median price of $205,000. Adjusted numbers now show 984 sales at a median price of $204,797.

Berkeley County

240 homes sold in Berkeley County last month at a median price of $173,945. Last August, 226 homes sold at a median price of $158,950. Again, the area bordered by Jedburg Road/Highway 17-A and College Park was the most active, with 57 sales at a median price of $154,000.

Charleston County

570 homes sold in Charleston County in August, at a median price of $234,950. Last August, 483 homes sold at a median price of $219,000. Mount Pleasant (the county’s largest geographic area) saw an increase in closings, with 200 homes sold at a median price of $299,625. West Ashley (outside of I-526) ranked the second most active area with 79 sales at a median price of $184,700.

Dorchester County

In August, 175 homes sold at a median price of $164,000. Last August the same number of homes sold, at a median price of $165,000—showing marked consistency in both sales and pricing this year in Dorchester County. Summerville/Ridgeville showed the most activity—75 homes sold at a median price of $182,850.

With 3,400 members, CTAR’s mission is to promote the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, education and technology, and to ensure that its members are the primary source for real estate services in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Only those who are members of the Association of REALTORS® and its parent organizations are called REALTORS®. To learn more, visit www.CharlestonRealtors.com.

Is sexual orientation discrimination in housing legal? Maybe.

Is sexual orientation discrimination in housing legal? Maybe.
By Lani Rosales on November 9, 2010

Can landlords legally deny renting to a gay couple because they’re gay? Can a Realtor refuse to negotiate on behalf of a transgendered woman because she’s transgendered? Can a builder jack up the price of a home when selling to a bisexual male because they know he’s bisexual? Maybe- there’s a little bit of a grey area here.

If you’re a licensed Realtor, you should have memorized the Fair Housing laws prohibiting discrimination against anyone based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. But nowhere in there does it mention sexual orientation.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, laws are different from state to state and in some it is most certainly illegal for the real estate industry to discriminate, but in some states, the GLBTQ community is still legally discriminated against and refused real estate services and equal housing opportunities.

To go above and beyond local, state and national laws, Realtors have always upheld the National Association of Realtors’ Code of Ethics wherein Article 10 outlines the “Duties to the Public” which reflects the national Fair Housing law that forbids denying services for reasons of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. Nowhere in the code are Realtors required to serve anyone with sexual orientation disagreeable to them. Until now…

According to the NAR, the Code of Ethics Article 10 has been amended:
Article 10: Equal Rights Amendment Passes:
The NAR Delegate Body approved an amendment to Article 10 of the Code of Ethics to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In a roll-call vote, more than 93 percent of the Delegate Body voted in favor of the amendment. The Delegate Body decision confirms a vote by the Board of Directors in May.

As a personal note, AG strongly supports and applauds the measure taken that Realtors’ ethics supersede federal law so that no matter if it is legal or not locally, discrimination based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated from Realtors, a measure taken by Realtors. This amendment however will come with some possibly negative ramifications which we will be discussing in the future.

We believe housing to be a basic human right that no one should be denied and we are astonished that anyone (especially the 7% that voted against the Article 10 amendment) would find it necessary to discriminate because of sexual orientation and we hope HUD follows in NAR’s footsteps in this case.

Lani is the New Media Director here at AgentGenius.com and President of New Media Lab, both of which are headquartered in Austin, TX. She has an English degree from the University of Texas (and of course used that to become a blogger) and has lived in Texas her whole life minus the semester in Spain and the summer in Mexico. She spends a great deal of energy on the AG brand as well as improving the real estate industry and is an avid Twitter user.

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The October Local Market Report Video

Get the Skinny on what is happening in the local market with this video update from the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS.

Should I Sell My House Now?

Do Market Opportunities and a New $6,500 Tax Credit Make it a Good Time To Sell?

A new revision to the recently extended Homeowner's Tax Credit may be a window of opportunity for some home owners who have been wanting to sell their home, whether to move up or to downsize, but have adopted a "hunkering down" mentality.


The new tax credit is for current homeowners: if you have owned and resided in your home for at least 5 consecutive years out of the past 8 years, you can qualify for up to a $6500 tax credit.

If you combine this new tax credit with historically low interest rates and great values in the market place, it might be a really opportune time to make your move. However, this tax credit is only for a limited time and waiting too long may cause you to miss out on market opportunities that could benefit you. Each person's situation is different. I will be happy to provide a no-obligation consultation to discuss your home's current value as well as the prices of homes in your target range and explain in more detail the stipulations on the tax credit. Don't look back and wish you had sold your home instead of waiting. There's no obligation to explore your options. Call me to schedule a meeting today.