Many people want to buy a house but don’t know where to start.

You’re in luck!

These 8 steps to buying a house will guide you with what you need to be thinking about as you go through the home buying process.

Step 1: What is my Credit Score? 

Step 2: Do I need cash...how much?

Step 3: How much house can I afford?

Step 4: Do I need to get Pre-Approved?

Step 5: There are different kinds of Mortgages?! 

Step 6: What features do I need/ want in a home?

Step 7: I need an Agent!

Step 8: I'm ready to make an offer!

Step 1: What is my Credit Score? 

You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian, 

and TransUnion once every 12 months. You can request all three reports at once, or space them out throughout the year.

You can choose to use a credit monitoring site such as Credit Karma, Identity Force, or My FICO. They allow you to get your credit scores for free and monitor changes that could effect your ability to get a loan.

Take a close look into all the information contained in your report. Errors are common, a recent study showed 20% of consumers have errors on their report. If you find mistakes you should contact the credit bureaus immediately and file a dispute. Your credit score should be at least 580 to get approved for a mortgage. If it’s below 580 we recommend you 

work on increasing your score before applying.

Tips to Improving Your Credit Score

• Keep your credit utilization ratio below 20% of the credit limit
• Get added as an authorized user
• Do not close any open accounts
• Hold off on getting new loans or credit cards until after closing
• Set up auto pay to avoid any late payments

Step 2: Do I need cash...how much?

There are more upfront costs involved in buying a home than just the down payment.

You must have money saved for the down payment, closing costs and the home appraisal.

Closing costs are fees charged by lenders for issuing the loan. On average these fees range anywhere between 2% – 5%. Closing costs can be paid by the seller, speak to your real estate agent for more information.

The Down Payment

The down payment is a percentage of the home purchase price you need to bring to the table.

The funds for the down payment must come from your savings, 401k, or investment account. You cannot use a loan for your down payment. Most types of loans do allow the down payment to be a gift from a friend or relative. If you’re a first-time home buyer you may qualify for certain programs such as down payment assistance programs and grants for qualifying home buyers.

Down Payment Guidelines by Loan Type 

• FHA and 203k loans – 3.5% down payment with a 580 credit score. 10% with a 500 score.
• Conventional loans will require between 5%-20% as a down payment.
• USDA loans require no down payment but are only available for properties in rural areas
• Veteran’s may be eligible for VA loans, which does not require a down payment.

You will also need to have additional cash reserves in the bank, usually 1-3 months worth of mortgage payments.

Home buyers should have at least 10% of the purchase price of the home in savings to account for all upfront mortgage costs.

Step 3: How much house can I afford?

Knowing what you can afford is an extremely import step in the home buying process.

Your debt-to-income ratio is what mortgage lenders use to determine how much of a loan you qualify for. Your DTI ratio is your monthly debt payments divided by your monthly income.

For example: If you make $52,000 per year, and your total monthly income after taxes is $3,500. Then you may be approved for up to $1,085 monthly mortgage payment. Which is roughly $200,000.

There are more costs to a mortgage besides just the principle and interest payments. You need to budget for property taxes, mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance and HOA fees.

Home affordability Calculator with PMI, taxes, and insurance

Step 4: Do I need to get Pre-Approved?

You will need to get pre-approved for a home loan before you can start house hunting.

Most real estate agents will not even show you a home until you have a mortgage pre-approval letter. Plus you wouldn’t want to give up your hopes looking at homes you don’t qualify for.

A mortgage Pre-qualification is not sufficient to most homeowners. A mortgage pre-approval not only means that your credit history was pulled by a lender, it means they actually verified your income and financial documents. For the mortgage pre-approval process you will need to send your loan officer a few documents. They will pull your credit report to check your score and make sure there’s nothing to be concerned about. You will also be required to show proof of income using W2’s, tax returns and bank statements.

Documents needed to get pre-approved for a home loan

• 2 years of tax returns W2’s and paycheck stubs
• Copy of your credit report and scores will be pulled by the lender
• Copy of bank statements
• Proof of down payment funds

Remember just because you are pre-approved with a lender does not mean you need to use them. In fact, we highly recommend compare loan quotes from at least 3 different lenders.

Step 5: There are different kinds of Mortgages?! 

There are many types of home loan programs available, which one is right for you depends on your situation.

• FHA Loans – FHA mortgage loans a very popular mortgage option for first-time home buyers because of their low down payment and credit score requirements. A 3.5% down payment is needed for borrowers with a minimum 580 credit score.
• VA Loans – If you’re a Veteran then a VA home loan will save you tens of thousands of dollars. They come with no money down and no mortgage insurance.
• USDA Loans – USDA loans are a type of Government-backed mortgage for low-to-medium income families in rural areas of the country.
• Conventional Loan – Conventional loans are traditional mortgage loans offered by private lenders and not insured by the government. They typically require a 620 credit score and a down payment between 5% – 20%.

Loan Terms

Mortgages come in different types of loan terms.

Fixed-rate loans are the most common mortgage term with a term of 15 years or 30 years.

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) may be another great option for a borrower who is not planning on staying in the property for a period of at least 5 years.

Compare adjustable rate vs fixed rate mortgage loans

Step 6: What features do I need/want in a home?

Before going out house hunting you should make a list of features you want.

Here are just some of the features you need to consider

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Home office
• Media room
• Formal dinning room
• Covered patio one or two story
• Square footage

These are important questions you need to know the answer to. Really think about the things that you want, and things that are deal breakers. Open layouts are great, but if you have kids and the game room is right above the living room with no walls separating the two, the noise could be unbearable.

What is the view? If the view is a sore sight, or right behind a fire station that’s something you have to think about.

This is not temporary, you will be seeing the same view as long as you’re in the home.

Step 7: I need an Agent!

The real estate agent is sometimes an overlooked part of the home buying process.

A good realtor can not only save you money, but makes sure you close on time and without any issues. Realtors know what to look out for, what the seller should pay for, they are really on your side throughout the entire process.

You do not pay the realtor’s fee.

Realtor commissions are built into the price of the home. The seller always assumes they will be paying 3% of the sales price to the buyer’s agent. Call us at 864-438-5050 to talk with us about finding you a home!

Step 8: I'm ready to make an offer!

Your agent will help you prepare the home offer once you have found the right home.

Once you enter into a real estate contract you will begin the mortgage process.

You’ll need a home appraisal before closing, which typically run between $300-$700.

While lenders do not require you have the home inspected before completing the mortgage loan process, it is an absolute necessity. A home inspection will reveal any potential issues that may need to be repaired prior to the final walk-through. You can use the inspection to help you negotiate these repairs on the home be made at the sellers expense.

Down Payment Guidelines by Loan Type 

• FHA and 203k loans – 3.5% down payment with a 580 credit score. 10% with a 500 score.
• Conventional loans will require between 5%-20% as a down payment.
• USDA loans require no down payment but are only available for properties in rural areas
• Veteran’s may be eligible for VA loans, which does not require a down payment.

You will also need to have additional cash reserves in the bank, usually 1-3 months worth of mortgage payments.

Home buyers should have at least 10% of the purchase price of the home in savings to account for all upfront mortgage costs.

In Summary…

As long as you follow these 8 tips for home buyers the home buying process will run smoothly. Check your credit score and make sure you have enough money in savings for a down payments. Calculate how much house you can afford. Make sure you like the homes in your area in your price range. Compare loan offers and get a pre-approval letter. Make a list of everything you need in a new home. Hire an agent and start looking for your dream home!

Are you ready to buy a home? Call our office at 864-438-5050 and meet with an agent that will walk you through each step and make the process as easy as possible!

South Carolina is a wonderful state to enjoy mountains, grassy lowlands, river-ways, and ocean beaches. The weather has gotten beautiful- so let's go out and enjoy it!

With little cost and effort, you can go on weekend getaways to Myrtle Beach or Charleston in less than three hours. If your more in the mood for a mountain retreat, you can go north-west to the Blue Ridge Mountains in about an hour, or farther to the Smoky Mountains in about three hours.

South Carolina also has 47 State Parks, offering different activities such as hiking and biking trails, camping, boating, fishing, and more! From Greenville, 12 of these State Parks are just one hour away. The majority of the State Parks have a daily entrance fee such as $5 per adult. If you’re a family or individual who hikes a lot, then you can take advantage of the Park Passport. For a full access pass to all parks, it’s only $75 a year. The inland Park Passport is $50 for the year and allows admission into 42 out of the 47 parks. The five parks excluded are Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach, Charles Towne Landing, Edisto Beach and Hunting Island.

Close parks to Greenville are Paris Mountain and Devils Lake State Park. Paris Mountain is only a 15-minute drive from Greenville and offers nine different trails ranging from easy to difficult. When you first enter the park, there are many shelters to have picnics and barbeques as well as a beautiful lake. The Sulphur Springs trail is a 3.6-mile loop. It’s a little challenging, but so worth it. 

What’s better than getting a quick workout in while enjoying Mother Nature? There’s another lake you pass on the trail as well as two others throughout the park. 

Devils Lake State Park also has trails but is known for its access to Lake Jocassee, known for its clear water and breathtakingly beautiful views of the mountains and waterfalls along the trails. The lake offers a swimming area, boat rentals, kayaks and more. 

Even if you feel like just staying in Greenville, there is so much to do and see! Falls Park on the Reedy is on the heart of Greenville and entails the Liberty Bridge which hovers over a waterfall on the Reedy River. Falls Park also has gardens and trails to enjoy on a nice sunny day. The paved Swamp Rabbit Trail starts here and continues for 19.9 miles. Great for runners and bikers! No matter what you like to do there is always something fun to do around Greenville, South Carolina.

If you have any interest in buying or selling in the Greenville area, we would love to help. Give us a call at 864-438-5050 with any questions and we will be happy to assist you in your journey.

Greenville, SC has been steadily improving for over a decade providing an improved quality of life for its residents. The growth of the Upstate is proof that by bringing creativity and talent from all over the world, visionaries will breathe new life to forgotten spaces. It is remarkable how much change has happened, and if you keep up with a few of the exceptional online local news sources, you will see that so much more is coming.

We have focused on places to go and things to do in Greenville and the Upstate in past blogs that I highly recommend. This time we are focusing on locations reinvented for the community that you can enjoy now and what to watch for soon.

We have highlighted a several projects that have made big leaps by re-imagining spaces that locals would normally avoid. Abandoned buildings, shuttered textile factories, or forgotten train stations are not where folks traditionally spend their time. All that is changing. These are the places your friends will be asking you to meet - at the newest fast tap rooms, for charcuterie and wine tastings, or to chat over wood-fired pizza and play lawn games. 

These spaces are also becoming harbors for artist and photography studios, floral arrangers, designers, work stations, and for anyone that wants to try a visually tantalizing niche business enticing tourists and neighbors alike. They are also becoming very nice places to live! High end apartments and condos are developing inside the shells of textile factories with huge ceilings, long iron clad windows, and rustic accents to remind you of the buildings’ original purpose.

Here are some places to visit now and soon to be:

DOWNTOWN

Huguenot Mill: Textile Mill built in 1882. Renovated to serve as offices for the Peace Center; also offers event space for rent. Peace Center.org

Wyche Pavilion: A carriage factory paint shop built in 1904 by J.E. Sirrine. The paint shop later became the first Duke’s Mayonnaise factory. Plans have just been announced for the empty building to become preserved, enclosed, and added on will be an addition that will house a kitchen, restrooms, meeting space and an elevator. The new/renovated building will be fully ADA accessible. Upstate Business Journal's recent article about plans for renovation

Old Cigar Warehouse: At 912 S Main St., built in 1882. It is now a 7,000+ sq. ft. event center and was recently named WeddingWire’s Couple’s Choice Award Winner for Ceremony and Reception Space in S.C. for the fifth year in a row. OldCigarWarehouse.com

WEST GREENVILLE

New Village of West Greenville: Several blocks of art galleries, markets, restaurants, bars, and personal services. 

This area has become an investor’s delight with high hopes for future development. VillageWGVL.com

Poe West Hardware & Supply Co.: At 556 Perry Ave. in the Village of West Greenville. Was founded in 1876 and moved from its South Main Street location in 1946 to 556 Perry Ave. where it remained until 1992. Plans are for office spaces, restaurants, retail, and an educational facility. Upstate Business Journal article on Poe West Hardware

Monaghan Mill: Thomas and Lewis Parker organized Monaghan Mill and named it for County Monaghan in Ireland, the 

birthplace of their grandfather Thomas Fleming. Now known as The Lofts of Greenville, have been turned into high class

 apartments. TheLoftsofGreenville.com

Brandon Mill: Completed in January 1901, named for a hamlet near Belfast that produced textiles. The former cloth building on site is home to the Greenville Center for Creative Arts; the mill itself is being developed into apartments. WestVillageLofts.com

Westervelt/Judson Mill: The Judson Mill was originally called the Westervelt Mill, after J. 

Irving Westervelt, one of the mill founders. The mill was re-named to Judson, after Charles Judson, who was a professor at Furman University. The Judson Mill opened in March 1912 and like most Greenville mills, produced textiles. The plan released in 2017 describes 204 apartments, 215,000 square feet of office space, 106,000 square feet of industrial space, 35,000 square feet of flex space and 12 acres of retail parcels around the property. Greenville Online Article for plans.

Mills Mill: Built in 1897 and employed more than 500 people. it has been developed into condominiums, The Lofts at Mills Mill. History of Mills Mill Lofts at Mills Mill

Markley Station: Built in the 1950’s, the West End train station was a hub of commerce for the south. Harper General Contractors has taken on the task of re-purposing the Markley Street Station. Restaurants, shops and offices are inhabiting the over 43,000 sq ft of renovated space.

Upstate Business Journal article on planning.

Tenants announced for Markley Street Station

SOUTHSIDE

Gregory’s Laundry & Cleaners: Josh Beeby, the owner of Barley’s Taproom and The Trappe Door, is opening his third restaurant, The Burrow, at the corner of Augusta Street and East Faris Road in late spring 2019. More about this and other new restaurants for 2019.

OUTER GREENVILLE

Southern Bleachery and Piedmont Print Works: A Textile Mill from 1924-1952. Now known as Taylors Mill, is a series of buildings that have been turned into breweries, art studios, retail shops and restaurants. TaylorsMill.community

Each month we give you the most current market report to help you understand why it’s a great time to either buy or sell your home!

Each time we list a home, you will get the most comprehensive information about it’s features.

If you are interested in gaining more knowledge concerning the Greater Greenville, SC area market, we are only a call away. Whether you are a home buyer, investor, or are interested in placing your current property on the market, our team can not only inform you, but also make your transaction a profitable one. Feel free to contact our team at 864-438-5050 or visit us at www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com. 

Make sure to keep up with the PRODUCER Realty team. "Like" us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.

Want to find out how much your home is worth? Complete our ground breaking property evaluation tool and get your home value in less than a minute.

Welcome to the subdivision of Lake Rabon Estates, which is located in Laurens County near Hickory Tavern. We have two large lots that can be sold individually or as one purchase. Lot 111 on Indian Ridge Drive is .89 acres and Lot 206 on Peninsula Drive is .64 acres, so both properties are great choices to build your dream home.

Click for Additional Photos and More Information
 

The surrounding areas are wooded and located right next to Lake Rabon. Lake Rabon is about 546 acres and is maintained by Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission. The lake is a great place to do some fishing as they have a fishing pier along with a playground and picnic shelters. The picnic shelters are covered and have large grills perfect for a good barbeque with family and friends. There are restrictions for boats, but the restrictions preserve the peaceful environment of the lake communities. Lake Rabon is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset and all of the facilities are handicap accessible.  

Click for Additional Photos and More Information

Lake Rabon Estates subdivision has many amenities to indulge in. You and your family can enjoy the beautiful club house where you can hold large events. The subdivision has a dock and a boat ramp. There is also a tennis court if you enjoy hitting the ball around.

The designated schools assigned to these lots are Hickory Tavern Elementary and Middle School and Laurens District 55 High School. Hickory Tavern’s school have great ratings for South Carolina, so if your looking for a great school for your children to attend, these schools are great choices. The elementary and middle school combined have just over 700 students with a 16 to one ratio. The end of course examination tests as well as the South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards have higher ratings than the average for South Carolina.

Click for Additional Photos and More Information

This private lake subdivision is only a 45 minute drive to downtown Greenville with easy access to I-385. Act fast as these lots will sell quickly. They can be purchased individually or together. For any questions about these lots please contact the PRODUCER Realty Team at 864-438-5050 or visit GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com

Super cute 3 bedroom, 1 bath bungalow newly renovated on about .25 acres in north east Spartanburg, SC. Quiet living in an established neighborhood near shopping with access to major roadways. MUST SEE ALL THESE GREAT NEW UPDATES! New roof, windows, flooring, cabinets, countertops, doors and fixtures! Ceiling fans in the bedrooms and living room. Smooth walls and ceilings. Enjoy your new kitchen in an open floor plan perfect for family gatherings.

Walk up the newly installed concrete walkway to the custom built porch painted in fun vibrant colors. There is also a matching side porch at the end of the driveway to bring your groceries directly into the kitchen. The exterior has clean vinyl siding and trim, freshly painted concrete foundation and a new roof and eaves. 

Click Here for Additional Photos and More Information

Inside you will see an open floor plan for the living room, dining area and kitchen. There are all new tilt out double pane windows throughout the house, new paint in neutral colors and ceiling fans. There are all new durable wood laminate floors and new vinyl flooring in the bathroom.

The kitchen and bathroom have new cabinets, countertops and fixtures. There is an enclosed laundry area off the kitchen. The back door leads to a new deck perfect for gathering with family and friends. The deck over looks the nice sized level yard with trees.

There are three cozy bedrooms all with new tilt out double pane windows, new paint in neutral colors, ceiling fans, and durable wood laminate floors. 

Click Here for Additional Photos and More Information

Don't miss out on this very sweet home! If you have any questions about this home please contact Producer Realty at 864-438-5050 or visit www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com.

Navigating the real estate market, researching statistics, and making an informed decision based upon those findings can offer a more refined decision in the Real Estate process, whether you are a home buyer, seller, or investor. At PRODUCER Realty, we rely heavily on relevant market data and trends in the real estate market when determining the value of a home. As Expert Advisers, we understand that the real estate market is always changing, and we strive to stay up to date with the trends to better serve our client's needs.  

The sale price in December 2018 has gone up more than $13,000 since December 2017. December 2018 has seen an average sale price of $238,948 compared to the $225,273 average sale price of December 2017, making the value of owning a home or investment property in the Upstate of SC a wise and gainful decision.

The Greenville, SC area is heralded as a prime relocation spot in South Carolina due to aspects such as the strong economy. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that the national average for unemployment is at 4.0%, but Greenville County continues to fall below that at 2.5%. The availability of technical, engineering, and health care jobs continue the economic growth for this metro area. In turn, the real estate market outlook is positive and substantial growth is expected to continue for Greenville County, SC.

If you are interested in gaining more knowledge concerning the Greater Greenville SC area market, we are only a call away. Whether you are a home buyer, investor, or are interested in placing your current property on the market, our team can not only inform you, but also make your transaction a profitable one. Feel free to contact our team at 864-438-5050 or visit us at www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com. 

Make sure to keep up with the PRODUCER Realty team. "Like" us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.

Want to find out how much your home is worth? Click to use our ground breaking property evaluation tool and get your home value in less than a minute.

A wonderful home only minutes from downtown Simpsonville and Mauldin. Classic mid-century ranch with all the original charm! Conveniently located near highways, shops and restaurants. Zoned to some of the most sought-after schools in the area.

Don't let this home get away!

You will drive up to a home with Tennessee Crab Orchard Stone veneer in excellent condition. Enjoy sitting on the large front porch enjoying a wonderfully landscaped front yard with foliage that changes color each season. There is a large parking pad, great for accommodating guest parking. A spacious home with over 2400 square feet, 4 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms. The 4th bedroom has a separate entrance, so it could also be used as a home office. Under the carpets are hardwood floors ready to be seen!

Click Here for Additional Photos and More Information

Enjoy entertaining or just relaxing in the formal living room. There are beautiful original hardwood floors and built-in bookshelves. Warm your feet with the rustic-modern stone wood burning fireplace. During the day enjoy a large picture window displaying the cultivated landscape. 

The open kitchen has lots of cabinets and counter space for the chef. The breakfast area has well-crafted built-in shelves and cabinets. 

Click Here for Additional Photos and More Information

The den, or if you prefer a large dining room, is full of natural light, has classic Terrazo flooring and its own fireplace as well! In the next room is a laundry area with lots of cabinets, counter top space and built-in drawers. 

All three bathrooms have all original fixtures, ceramic tile for the floors and along the walls in uniform colors. For connoisseurs of vintage styling, these bathrooms are amazing, adorable and fun!

Click Here for Additional Photos and More Information

The home sits on a little over an acre level lot. You can enjoy this quiet established neighborhood on a huge 39x22 patio. For your lawn equipment or as a project space, there is a large 24x20 storage building with a garage door. Natural springs exist underground in the far back area of the yard that were redirected to form the pond next door on the neighbors’ property.

Don't miss out on this beautiful home! If you have any questions about this home please contact Producer Realty at 864-438-5050 or visit www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com.

Navigating the real estate market, researching statistics, and making an informed decision based upon those findings can offer a more refined decision in the Real Estate process, whether you are a home buyer, seller, or investor. At PRODUCER Realty, we rely heavily on relevant market data and trends in the real estate market when determining the value of a home. As Expert Advisors, we understand that the real estate market is always changing, and we strive to stay up to date with the trends to better serve our client's needs.  

The Greater Greenville real estate market continues to grow and change, month-by-month and year-by-year. This year compared to last year, sales are up 5.8% with 1,047 homes being sold in November 2018 as opposed to the 990 homes sold in November 2017. The sale price in November 2018 has gone up more than $3,000 since November 2017. November 2018 has seen an average sale price of $229,461 compared to the $226,593 average sale price of November 2017, making the value of owning a home or investment property in the Upstate of SC a wise and gainful decision.

The Greenville, SC area is heralded as a prime relocation spot in South Carolina due to aspects such as the strong economy. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that the national average for unemployment is at 4.0%, but Greenville County continues to fall below that at 2.5%. The availability of technical, engineering, and health care jobs continue the economic growth for this metro area. In turn, the real estate market outlook is positive and substantial growth is expected to continue for Greenville County, SC.

If you are interested in gaining more knowledge concerning the Greater Greenville SC area market, we are only a call away. Whether you are a home buyer, investor, or are interested in placing your current property on the market, our team can not only inform you, but also make your transaction a profitable one. Feel free to contact our team at 864-438-5050 or visit us at www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com. 

Make sure to keep up with the PRODUCER Realty team. "Like" us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.

Want to find out how much your home is worth? Complete the fields to the right in our ground breaking property evaluation tool and get your home value in less than a minute.

Great home for sale near popular Powdersville area! Close to downtown Greenville, I-85, shopping and more. A completely renovated 4 bedroom 2 bath double wide with brick underpinning. This home features a split bedroom floor plan. You must see all these great new updates: New flooring, HVAC system, water heater, fixtures, master bath tub, double sink vanity and toilet, and fresh paint throughout. This is like buying a brand new home!

As you walk in you will see beautiful new laminate wood flooring in a spacious living room with a classic wide archway to the dining area and kitchen. The crown molding and wide baseboards throughout the home elevate the look and feel of every room. There is a room to the left of the living room that could be a 4th bedroom or home office.

Click Here for Additional Photos and More Information

The kitchen offers plenty of cabinets and counter space. The crown molding is continued over the freshly painted cabinets. There are all new fixtures, appliances and modern laminate flooring.

The dining area is perfect for family dinners or weekend brunch enjoying the wooded landscape out your beautiful large picture window.

Relax with your family in the lovely den in front of the beautiful wood burning fireplace tastefully appointed with a stone surround and wood mantle.

Continue through the home to the bathroom and 3 bedrooms, including a master bedroom and bathroom.

Click Here for Additional Photos and More Information

There are two decks that overlook the large backyard. This property comes with over .6 acres of land! Home has been de-titled to make it eligible for FHA financing.

Don't miss out on this beautiful home! If you have any questions about this home please contact Producer Realty at 864-438-5050 or visit www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com.

This year is already coming to end. The majority of home buyers we talk to this time of year tell us that they plan to wait until 2019 to buy. It’s understandable that people don’t want to go out in colder weather to look at homes, but I’m going to let you in on a secret. The end of the year could be a great time to be buying because you are more than likely going to get a better deal. This is all due to supply and demand.

Summer is the most popular time sellers put their home on the market, meaning that there are also a lot of buyers and often times multiple offers on homes. That allows room for sellers to increase the price of their home. Greenville’s market report for this year prove it. In April, the average sale price of a home was $234,778. This average jumped by over 10,000 in May, 3,800 more in June and 4,000 in July making the average $253,233. That is a jump of $18,000 in just three months! The average dropped a whole $14,000 from July to August and continues to drop each month. Not only do you get a decrease in the average price during the winter months, but you also have more room to negotiate and make it a better deal for yourself because you probably won’t be fighting other buyers for the home.

One thing to keep in mind is that because there are fewer homes on the market during this time, it may be more difficult to find a home that meets all your needs. The best thing to do is stay on top of searching and ask your real estate agent to help you. If you can’t find something exactly what you’re looking for it’s your decision to find what could work and is more affordable or wait until the following year where there are more choices available, but at higher costs.

Another plus is the time off you get for these Holidays. While Holidays can be busy with family, you could also take this free time off to look at some homes. The majority of home viewings occur online so you can be in the comfort of your own home and only go out in the cold when you find the right homes to see. Plus, we are lucky that we live in South Carolina because we have pretty mild winters.

If you have any interest in buying or selling or have any questions about real estate in Greenville, South Caroline or the surrounding areas, please give us a call at 864-438-5050 and we will be happy to assist you. Visit www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com for more information on local real estate.