Below is the sales and inventory report for Goose Creek SC as of 17 Nov 2008.  There has been an average this year of about 60 houses sold per month.  There are about 534 homes still on the market in Goose Creek.  Getting a home sold in Goose Creek is about 3 things:  Location, Condition, and Price.  This is a challenging market but by no means is it impossible to sell your home. 

If you are interested in selling or buying a home in the Goose Creek SC area and would like more information on the market and a step by step plan on how to do this, contact me, Michael Johnson at 843-817-5299.  I offer sellers a no cost home consultation which explains where you home is on the saleability index.  For buyers, my service to help you find a home is no cost service in which you will get full home buying representation.

Search Charleston SC Area Homes: www.providingthelight.com

Goose Creek SC is a suburb of Charleston SC just 20-25 minutes from downtown Charleston.  The reasons to call Goose Creek home include great roads, great neighborhoods, great schools, and also accessible amenities including major department stores and grocery stores.  Below are a few of the grocery stores located in Goose Creek:

Publix - Publix is one of my favorite grocery stores.  The atmosphere is warm and friendly.  It is a large grocery store equipped with a pharmacy, deli, backery, and meat department.  I actually feel good when I leave this store, unlike the big unpersonable worldwide chain stores.

Bi-Lo - Bi-Lo is a great community grocery store that offers a large store with a small town feel.  They offer a bi-lo card that allows you to save on your grocery bill and also at the gas pump.  If you use your Bi-Lo card at Sunoco gas stations you can save a little bit of money and we all know that every little bit counts.

Food Lion - I do not frequent this store as I live and work on the opposite side of town.  Traditionally Food Lion is a safe, clean and relatively inexpensive grocery store.   

Save-a-Lot - I have never been to this store but I hear it is nice.  Like most smaller stores they may be a little more pricy on some things but if you can catch a few good sales you might save money in the long run.

Wal-Mart Supercenter - I use to go to Wal-Mart a lot thinking that I was saving a lot of money, but the poor customer service and irritating loud announcements over the store intercom has detered me from going on a regular basis.  As a Super Wal-Mart it has  grocery, hardware, electronic, clothing, jewelry, & lawn and garden departments.  It also has a vison center, salon, bank, McDonalds, and a place to take pictures.

Michael J. Johnson, Realtor

843-817-5299

www.providingthelight.com

www.metrocharlestonhomes.com

Below is the homes sold and inventory report for Crowfield Plantation through October 2008.  If you would like more information about homes Crowfield Plantation, Goose Creek, or any where else in the Charleston Metro, contact Michael Johnson at 843-817-5299.  You can also visit my website at www.providingthelight.com. 

As most everyone knows, today's real estate market is a buyer's market.  This means that the number of homes for sale in a given area outweigh the number of ready, able, and willing buyers in that same market.  Although we've been in a buyer's market for about 2 years many sellers have yet to adjust their mindset and expectations to reflect this change in the market.  These same people are upset when after 6 months their home is still on the market.  

Below is a list of ten reasons why I find homes do not sell along with possible remedies to these problems.  These are in no way in any sort of order, although depending on the property and situation some have more relevance than others.

10.  Layout of the Home - Quite often there is nothing that you can do about this.  It is called functional obsolescence of the floor plan.  If your home is awkward you will have to make the home appealing in some other way.  Some of the hardest homes to sell at market price are "custom built homes" with layouts that very few others beside the current owners will enjoy.

9.  Incentives - every good real estate agent knows you have  to sell the home twice: once to the Realtor to convince he/she to show it, and once to the actual buyers.  Offering a lower than normal Co-Op to the buyer's agent just gives them a reason not to show you home.  Find out the average and offer at least that.  Also, be ready to offer the buyer closing costs, a home warranty, and appliances at a minimum.

8.  Curb Appeal - there is nothing worse than going to a house in a decent neighborhood and pulling into a driveway with poor curb appeal.  The front of your house should be inviting.  Spend some time, money, and/or energy on landscaping and a fresh coat of paint on the exterior of the home to brighten up the home.  Also consider cleaning the driveway with a power washer if it is white cement. 

7.  Neighborhood Amenities - there is most likely little to nothing you can do about this.  Just know that a family of four will choose a neighborhood which has a park and a pool over one that does not if all other things are equal.  Keep this in mind when buying your next home for resale purposes.

6.  Listing Real Estate Company - there are some who would have you believe that all real estate companies are the same.  It is simply not true.  When I choose to partner with my company I looked at the support being offered, as well as the core values of the company.  When selecting a company find out the reputation of that company and also if they are a full service or a limited service company.  My advice is to never trust you biggest investment with a limited service company.

5.  Marketing - one of the primary responsibilities of an agent is to market your home to the masses.  A principle way of doing this is by utilizing the Multiple Listing Service (Realtors sell nearly 92% of homes in my area).  But, if all your agent does is put a sign in your yard and list it in the MLS, they are doing you a disservice.  Today's buyers are looking on-line.  Hire a Realtor that has an aggressive on-line marketing plan and one who gives you regular statistics of their on-line marketing results.  Also ensure alot of really good pictures are taken and posted on MLS and the internet.  Note:  Newspaper ads rarely work.

4.  Condition - the condition of the home is extremely importation.  Over time homes generally increase in value, but homes that are not maintained and kept up to date will not find the same increase.  Focus on maintaining the kitchen (appliances included) and the master bedroom/bathroom.  When your ready to sell de-clutter your home, depersonalize to a reasonable extend, and ensure the colors throughout the house are neutral.  Remember most buyers do not have a good imagination.  They can not always see the potential in a house.  Make that as easy for them as you can.  A home stager is a great source of advice on setting up your home for sale in an appealing way. 

3.  Agent/Realtor - All Realtors are not the same...even if they are in the same company.  It is possible if your home did not sell that you did not choose the right agent.  Different Realtors have different strengths.  Some are extroverted while others are natural introverts.  Some have great people skills while others are highly skilled in technology (some even both).  When interviewing an agent find out which one best suits you the best.  Never hire an agent based on the price they think they can sell your house for.  Hire them on their integrity, knowledge, and marketing plan.  This person will be representing your interest and it is important that you have confidence in their abilities and skills as well as their ability to communicate with you on a regular basis.  An important question to ask is whether they are full time or part time.  Are you willing to trust your biggest investment to someone who does real estate as a hobby.

2.  Location - the first three rules or real estate are location, location, location.  If you have the exact same house as someone 10 miles away from you, the two houses will most likely sell at different prices depending on the neighborhood.  The number one question I am asked most by out of town buyers is, "What is the neighborhood like?"  I am limited on what I can say but I can give them certain public statistics such as crime rate.  I also give them information about traffic and area schools.  Adjust your expectations based on the neighborhood you live in.

1.  Price - In a buyers market, price can overcome just about anything mentioned above.  You don't want to give your home away by pricing too low, but you also can not expect to sell the home for what you might have gotten 3-5 years ago in a seller's market.  This is why many people are having to sell their home via a short sale.  They can not get what they paid for it 3-5 years ago.  A comparable market analysis is a good tool to start with, but in this market you must go a step further and be the best conditioned home with a top notch price.  Otherwise you might be one of the people I call on a daily basis asking why you think your home expired off the market after 6 months of no offers.

Michael J. Johnson

843-817-5299

michaeljohnson@carolinaone.com

www.providingthelight.com

www.metrocharlestonhomes.com

Forest Lawn is an elder and established neighborhood located in Goose Creek, SC.  Below is the market statistics for Forest Lawn from Jan 2008 to Oct 2008.  If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Forest Lawn, Goose Creek, or anywhere in the Charleston Metropolitan, contact your neighborhood expert, Michael Johnson at 843-817-5299.  You can also send me an email at michaeljohnson@carolinaone.com or visit my website at www.providingthelight.com

Otranto is an established neighborhood located in Hanahan SC.  Below is the market statistics for Otranto from Jan 2008 to Oct 2008.  If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Otranto, Hanahan or anywhere in the Charleston Metropolitan, contact your neighborhood expert, Michael Johnson at 843-817-5299.  You can also send me an email at michaeljohnson@carolinaone.com or visit my website at www.providingthelight.com

Yesterday I came home to the smell of burnt wires in my garage.  Concerned I began to search for the problem but I had a suspicion of what the problem would be.  Last weekend I ran out of hot water while taking a shower.  I checked the water heater and it had a small leak.  I turned of the circuit breaker to the water heater and located the reset button.  After turning the circuit breaker back on and waiting for a while, I again had hot water.  But, throughout the week I noticed small leaks around the water heater.  Thus when the smell of burnt wires permeated my garage I was not completely surprised.

Not sure of what to do I called a contractor I have worked with in the past, but there was no answer.  I looked on the tank and there was a huge sticker that said to call Berkelely Electric CoOp before replacing.  When I called, they explained that my tank has a timer to regulate when my water heater will heat water in order to save electricity.  Because of this the electric company offers a rebate to customers with water heaters. They call it the H20 Advantage plan.  Their website states that,  "Berkeley Electric Cooperative offers you the H2O Advantage to help us manage the demand cost of your electricity which is a benefit to all of our members."

The following is a list of possible rebates:

NEW HOME REBATE
Min. 50 gal. tank w/ LM switch $200
Min. 80 gal. tank w/ LM switch $300

EXISTING HOME
Min. 50 gal. tank w/ LM switch $200
Min. 80 gal. tank w/ LM switch $300

MOBILE HOME (non-metallic siding)
Min. 50 gal. tank w/ LM switch $200
Min. 80 gal. tank w/ LM switch $300

The electric company connected me with a plumber who offered to do the job for $325 (labor costs) and no charge for the new water heater. He would be reimbursed for the water heater by the electric company in the form of the rebate offered.  

This is a great deal and a great offer from the electric company.  If your water heater has a H20 Advantage Sticker on it, be sure and take advantage of this program as it will save you a load of money. 

Contact Berkeley Electric for more information:

Moncks Corner: 721-8200 • 572-5454 • 825-3383
Johns Island: 559-2458
Goose Creek: 553-5020 • 572-5454 • 899-7373
Awendaw: 884-7525 • 327-9615

Sedgefield is an established neighborhood on the Southeast corner of Goose Creek South Carolina.  The neighborhood was originally built as affordable housing for those military and civilian members (not exclusively) assigned to the Navy Base.  Today Sedgefield is a thriving neighborhood with a large varity of people including active and retired military as well as non military person.  Many of the homes in the neighborhood are brick and nearly all have a decent size yard by today's standards.

Contact Michael Johnson for more information about buying or selling a house in Sedgefield or anywhere in the Charleston SC metropolitan.

843-817-5299

michaeljohnson@carolinaone.com

www.providingthelight.com

Park Circle is traditionally a highly desirable neighborhood in North Charleston South Carolina.  It is beloved for both the park that the neighborhood encircles and its proximity to downtown Charleston.  Below is the Sales and Inventory Report year to date for 2008.  If you have any questions or if you are interested in buying or selling in North Charleston, or anywhere in the Charleston Metro, Please don't hesitate to contact me.

Michael J. Johnson

843-817-5299

michaeljohnson@carolinaone.com

www.providingthelight.com