Charleston AFB/JointBase Military Families – Improve Your Credit Score

As you prepare to apply for a home mortgage in the Charleston AFB area, understand that it is significantly better to have your best possible credit profile BEFORE applying.  Working to improve your score during the mortgage process can be done, but keep in mind - “Sooner, rather than later” should be the mantra of credit score improvements.  Here are some ways to help Charleston Military families:

Credit Card Recommendations for Charleston Military families

§        Look on the credit report for revolving debt, generally the balance should be no more than 30% of the credit limit.  If it’s more than that, have you should make every attempt to pay it down.

§        If there is nothing derogatory on the credit report, just high balances on revolving debt, you can often improve the score significantly. 

Collections/Judgments Recommendations for Charleston Military families

§        Paying off a derogatory account does not normally improve the score because the derogatory account still exists, and so still hurts the score. 

§        If you have not yet paid the collection, you can bargain with the creditor and ask for the account to be removed once you pay in full.

§        You can sometimes gain points by paying charge-off accounts.

Late Date Recommendations for Charleston Military families

§        If you have just one recent late date, you should call those creditors and ask for those single late dates to be removed as a courtesy.  

Other things to help Charleston Military families

§        Regularly check your credit report to catch errors early. 

Credit Score Optimization is one of the central reasons why you should engage the expertise of a good loan officer in the Charleston AFB area right NOW. 

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right Realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston, SC area. Call or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.

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Overview of FHA 203(k) rehab loan for Charleston Military Buyers in the Charleston AFB/JointBase Market

Renovation financing provides Charleston military buyers a cost-effective way to live in their dream home, and the opportunity to purchase properties in need of improvement.

What is the FHA 203(k) rehab Loan and what can it do for you?

§    Turn a house into your dream home

• Buy a home that’s in the right area but isn’t quite perfect…..yet!
• Replace things like an aging roof or furnace with low-cost financing 
• Invest in a home in the Charleston AFB area that needs some work and resell it at a later time
• Remodel the kitchen & bath, create a master suite
• Up to six months mortgage payments can be included in the mortgage,
  if the property is not occupied during construction

Does the home have to be a HUD Property or run down to use a 203(k) loan?

§        No. ANY home more than one year old that a borrower wants to purchase and/or remodel is eligible.  Military Homes of Charleston can help you find the perfect home!

           
203(k) financing gives you:

• More money to work with. The amount you can borrow is based on the expected increased value of the home, after improvements are made.
• Less Strain on Your Budget. You can pay for the renovation gradually and affordably, over the loan term of your mortgage.
• Less to Pay at Tax Time. Unlike other credit options, the interest you pay on funds used for a renovation is tax deductible.
• Less Hassle. You’ll have one loan to apply for, one set of fees, one closing to attend, and one monthly payment to make.
• Faster Completion. Renovation work can begin immediately after closing
• Low Monthly Payments. Improvement costs are spread out over the term of your loan
• Simplicity. One application, one closing, one monthly payment
• Military Homes of Charleston works with an experienced Loan Officer who can guide you through each step of the 203(k) process.

                                                              

What types of improvements are eligible?

§   Structural alterations and reconstruction i.e., additions to a structure, finishing an attic, termite damage treatment

• Changes for improved function i.e., remodeling kitchens and baths, adding bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, garages
• Changes for aesthetic appeal such as new siding, stucco, new windows & doors
• Reconditioning or installation of new plumbing, heating, air conditioning or electrical system.
• Remove old and install new roofing, siding gutters & downspouts
• Flooring, tile or carpet
• Installing energy conservation improvements, such as double-pane windows, insulation, solar domestic hot water systems. Attic insulation, window screens, weather stripping are mandatory
• Major landscaping and site improvement, patios and decks

Contact Military Homes of Charleston today for more information!

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right Realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston, SC area. Call or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.

Charleston AFB Real Estate, Charleston AFB Real Estate For Sale, Charleston AFB SC, Joint Base Charleston, Joint Base Charleston Real Estate

                                          

Essential Tips for First-Time Charleston AFB Homebuyers

House Hunting in the Charleston AFB area:

• Before you begin to house shop, you need to have an idea of what kind of neighborhood you want to live in and the style of house you want.
• Real estate never sleeps. If you're trying to buy a hot property, you have to move quickly, or you could possibly lose it.
• When you are looking at a house in the Charleston AFB/JointBase area, you have to have a wish list, but you have to understand that no house is going to be perfect.
• Don't judge a book by its cover. Same goes for a house. Go inside and look around before making a decision.
• Properties in good shape are rare, and they don't stay on the market for long.
• When it comes to investing, the best place to invest is in an up-and-coming area.
• You have to see past the junk and see the potential. When you buy a house in the Charleston AFB area, it's not just a place to live in, it's an investment. Keep in mind your dollars down the road.
• It is especially important to have a home inspection if you are looking to buy an aging or older house.

Financing:

• It's great to have your financing in place before you look for houses.
• Rule of thumb is that you should be able to afford a mortgage three times your income.
• Don't forget to set aside money for closing costs when budgeting out what you can afford. It's typically 1-1/2 to 2 percent of the purchase price. That goes toward the land transfer tax and pays a lawyer.
• If you need help choosing a loan officer, let Military Homes of Charleston help!  We have relationships with experienced professionals that can help you get the best loan.

Making an Offer:

• When you're house shopping, you can't pull a number out of a hat. Let our team of military home specialists help you by determining what other homes in the area have sold for, how long ago the sale was and what amenities they have.
• It's the Charleston AFB market that determines the value of a house.
• When figuring out the price of a property, sometimes it makes more sense to look at the price of a house in terms of monthly payments instead of focusing on that big number.
• Try not to fixate on the list price of a house, but rather the fair market value (an estimate of what a buyer would pay a seller for any piece of property).
• Sometimes people think that by starting really low they'll end up with a better price on a house, but actually it usually works the opposite way.
• The three most important matters when it comes to negotiation are information, preparation and realism.
• The key to success when buying a home is to trust the experts at Military Homes of Charleston – so contact us today!

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right Realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston, SC area. Call or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.

Charleston AFB Real Estate, Charleston AFB Real Estate For Sale, Charleston AFB SC, Joint Base Charleston, Joint Base Charleston Real Estate

Charleston AFB/JointBase Families: Get an Agent, or Sell it Yourself?

Charleston AFB/JointBase Families: Get an Agent, or Sell it Yourself?

The advantages of working with a relocation specialist are numerous. Our team will list your property in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), a national database of homes for sale in the Charleston AFB area. This means your home will be picked up by thousands of Web sites. You cannot list your own home in the MLS because only licensed Realtors can list homes there.

A real estate agent knows how to market, negotiate and sell homes, and often your agent coordinates your entire "selling crew" – everything from home inspectors to escrow agents. Let Military Homes of Charleston work for you!

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

 

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right Realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston, SC area. Call or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.

Great News for Charleston AFB/Joint Base Charleston Families Looking to Sell!

The latest Fannie Mae National Housing Survey showed that 68% of people believe it is a good time to buy – that’s more than two out of every three people surveyed. 

Over two thirds believing now is the time to buy is fabulous news for Charleston AFB and Charleston Joint Base families who may be looking to sell their homes!

The report also showed:

-        People trust homeownership as an investment over buying stocks, investing in a 401k, buying an insurance annuity or investing in a mutual fund.

-        People find investing in a home safer than any other investment except putting their money into a savings account.

-        96% of homeowners feel that homeownership has been a positive experience.

-        Only 17% of renters think renting has been a positive experience.

-        62% of renters have long-term ownership aspirations.

-        Charleston military families, as well as most Americans, expect home rental prices to rise more than home prices over the next year, and believe that it is more likely that home rental prices will go up rather than go down by a ratio of almost 4 to 1.

-        An overwhelming majority of mortgage borrowers, including Charleston military families, remain satisfied with their loans and are confident they would receive the necessary information to choose the right loan.

-        Non-financial considerations, such as accessing good education and safety, continue to trump financial reasons for owning a home. With the top three reasons (education, safety, and more space) all increasing in percentages since the last report.

-        Since the time of purchase, 59% of mortgage borrowers have seen their home value increase.

Bottom Line

The Fannie Mae survey showed that homeownership is considered by most people as both a good investment and a positive experience - So contact Military Homes of Charleston today!

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right Realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston, SC area. Call or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.

*Information provided by the KCM Group

Charleston Military: Why You Should Buy a Home during the Holidays

Why You Should Buy a Home during the Holidays

Christmas time is the best time of year for shopping, right? So why not go all out and buy yourself a new home for the holidays. There are some really good reasons why you should consider buying a home this time of year, especially if you’re planning on doing it soon anyway! Click here to see SC Real Estate for Sale.

Why you should buy now:

Interest Rates Are Lower    

Historically, interest rates drop in December and January – so buy now to potentially reduce your payments.

Sellers Are Motivated

The reality is Military families in Charleston haven’t been flooding the real estate market lately. Many homes have been on the market longer than most of us are used to, so sellers during this time of year can be more motivated to sell.

Slower Buyer Market

Though sellers may be more motivated during the holidays, there is less buyer competition – so military families in Charleston have a better chance of negotiating a great price now.

Close Faster

The end of the year brings a slowdown in mortgage business, title company closings, and most services related to real estate closings. So, things can speed up. Also, some lenders are looking to squeeze a bit more business into the current year, so they’ll move the process along faster.

Tax Advantages

Many settlement costs and mortgage points are deductible in the year in which they’re paid. So, if you are thinking of buying, now may be the time!

Don’t delay! Contact Military Homes of Charleston today.

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston AFB/JointBase Charleston, SC area. Call or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.

Charleston Military Families: Great Reasons to Sell Your Home during the Holidays

Some may think that listing a house during the holidays is a bad idea, but some Military families in Charleston need to purchase by January 1……so waiting may put you at a disadvantage. Here are some great reasons why you should list your home for sale during the holidays:

1. Military families in Charleston who look for a home during the holidays are serious buyers.
2. Military families in Charleston have fewer houses to choose from during the holidays and less competition means more money for you!
3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your home… Less demand means less money for you!
4. Houses show better when decorated for the holidays.
5. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons.
6. January is traditionally the month for military employees/employees of Charleston AFB to begin new jobs. Since transferees cannot wait until spring to buy, you must be on the market now to capture that market.
7. You can sell now for more money and still ask for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year.
8. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money! This will allow you to sell high and buy low.

Don’t delay! List your home with Military Homes of Charleston today!

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston AFB/JointBase Charleston, SC area. Call or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.

Military Families Relocating to Charleston AFB/JointBase Charleston

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

Moving from one home to another is stressful, no matter how far or short the distance.   And if you’re a first-time home buyer, the process can seem absolutely overwhelming – But buying your first home in Charleston, SC will be easier than you think!

We understand what you are going through and are dedicated to helping you with each step.  Military Homes of Charleston specializes in relocation, with a particular focus on helping military families enjoy a smooth PCS in and out of Charleston.  We can help you find the home of your dreams – one that will fit your lifestyle and your budget!  Please check out our current listings, as you’re sure to find something you and your family will love. 

Military Homes of Charleston understands this is one of the most important and exciting moments of your life.  Our team of relocation specialists will answer your questions and assist you in all phases of the process; from financing your loan to the closing table.

                                                 

Our team will work hard to exceed your expectations and we will take the stress out of buying your first home.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right Realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston AFB/JointBase Charleston, SC area. Call or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.

Charleston AFB Military Families – Now is the Time to Sell Your House!

The best real estate professionals are trying to convince military families thinking of selling in the near future to sell now before the home loses even further value. Some sellers are waiting until after the holidays. Some sellers are waiting until the ‘spring selling season’. But our team is here to tell you - Sell Now!  This is the best thing for you and your family.
Fannie Mae forecasted home sales prices for the next eight quarters and they predict prices will fall in the Charleston market as well as nationally - and will not reach today’s values again until late 2012!  Remember, these are not real estate predictions – these are government projections.

Bottom Line - If you are looking to sell within the next two years, the highest sales price you will be able to get is now – so don’t wait!  Take the advice of our team and price to sell today!

Torri Jacobsen, Military Homes of Charleston – Charleston Air Force Base/Joint Base Charleston, SC Real Estate For Sale

Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be hard, but choosing the right Realtor DOES make a difference. I specialize in making first-time home buying a great experience for military families moving to the Charleston, SC area. Call (843-475-9313) or email today, and let’s make this your best move yet! You’ll feel right at home with me.