Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood in Charleston, SC

The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

1. Make a list of the activities that you’d like to pursue around Charleston, SC—movies, health club, church—you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engaging in your most common activities.

2. Check out the school district surrounding Charleston. The Department of Education can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.

3. Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type—burglaries, armed robberies—and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?

4. Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?

5. See if you’ll make money. Ask me to get information about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. For example, Mt. Pleasant sees one of the best appreciation trends for the areas surrounding Charleston. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment your home will be. Me or the government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood—like a new school or highway—that might affect value.

6. See for yourself. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?

If you need further help determining what neighborhoods might be best for you, ask a local!  We are your Charleston Real Estate Experts and are happy to help in any way possible!

What Your Charleston, SC Home Inspection Should Cover

There are many things to look for in a home inspection. This is certainly an area in your investment that you should not pinch pennies on. The average home inspection in Charleston is anywhere from $350 to $450 depending on the size of the house, and if it’s on a crawlspace or not (you’ll be charged more for the crawl space since it’s more work, and home inspectors certainly don’t like crawling around under there).

Here are the things you can look for during your home inspection in Charleston, while the home inspector is snooping around:

Siding: Look for dents or buckling, and especially tearing if it’s vinyl siding.
Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage. Does the lot slope away from the home? Important for water runoff.
Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks. Does the brick have loose mortar?
Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate.
Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping. Are there broken seals in the windows?
Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts.
Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall that is pulling away.
Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot
Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room. Make sure that all 3-way switches are operating properly.
Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation. Keep in mind that polybutulene plumbing have the plastic fittings that may burst! There was a class action lawsuit against these plastic pipes and fittings.
Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating. Could there be a tank-less hot water heater instead? A gas one sure would be nice…
Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating; Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors. You can also check the date of the HVAC by looking at the serial number. Each manufacturer is different, but you can get a good idea by looking at the last two digits, or the first four.
Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor—cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism. Is there wood rot around the base of the garage? What did the CL100 Inspection say?
Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell. There aren’t many homes with basements with homes for sale in Charleston, SC due to the water table and it being the lowcountry.
Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof. Any animal activity?
Septic Tanks (if applicable): We see many septic tanks along the beaches and in the rural areas of Charleston, South Carolina. Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your family.
Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains.

Make sure you choose a home inspector that you can trust. Don’t just pull one from the phone book, ask your Charleston Realtor who they would recommend as they’ve worked with hundreds of home inspections!

Seabrook Island, SC as a Perfect Place to Live

Seabrook Island is about 45 minutes outside of Charleston, SC. It is a beautiful drive from Charleston, through Johns Island, which have the magnificent live oaks that drape over the road, and on towards Seabrook and Kiawah Island territory.

There are many obvious location destinations that surround the Charleston area. So why should someone choose Seabrook Island, over Kiawah, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, or Wild Dunes? The answer to me is simple: Seabrook is unspoiled and has a natural, lowcountry setting that is still evident, when the other areas are over developed and/or commercial and busy.

Seabrook has a quiet ‘feel’ to it. It has more natural mature trees, walking paths, tidal creeks, saltwater marshes, and unspoiled beach. It truly is the quietest stretch of beach surrounding Charleston. Are you a shell collector? Since Seabrook is private, sometimes you’ll be alone along the beach. And if you time the tide right- you’ll get your choice of shells. How about a horseback ride along the beach? As a club member, you have access to the equestrian center and can schedule a horseback ride along the ocean.

The island has a club atmosphere behind the gates with world class golf, tennis, swimming, and private clubs activities for residents. At the time of this writing, any home buyer looking to purchase a home in Seabrook must join one of the three club level memberships. Although some feel they’d rather have an options to join a club or not, there are three levels of club membership and the most affordable ‘community membership’ is much easier on the finances. Plus, many homebuyers are asking the sellers to pitch in for the upfront one-time capital fee (from 12K to 24K- as opposed to upwards of 150K on Kiawah). Monthly dues after that run anywhere from the $200’s to $700’s a month, depending on club level membership.

Speaking of the amenities, Seabrook has more for its club members than any other island that is comparable. Two challenging golf courses were designed by William Byrd and Robert Trent Jones. There is an incredible club house with restaurants/dining and a large bar, where owners come to relax after golf, or a bite to eat. The Racquet Club (15 tennis clay courts) has a full-service pro shop, professional tennis instruction, and even tennis camps for all ages. The Beach Club (outside restaurant overlooking the ocean) has great food, ocean views, a beach store, and surrounded by two pools. The large equestrian center offers rides for beginners and the advanced, and has an adopt-a-horse program to groom and ride a particular horse, twice a week. Don’t forget about the multiple swimming pools and restaurants for all members!

Seabrook Island villa prices start in the 100’s for a small, one bedroom condo. Average prices are in the 2-400’s for villas with more bedrooms. Cottages begin in the 300’s, and single family homes close to the ocean begin in the 700’s and get into the millions for beachfront property. Last question- what are you waiting for?

Work with a qualified, dedicated agent for your Seabrook Island real estate purchase. Find ideal Charleston real estate at BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.

Which Area in Charleston, SC Should I Choose to Live?

People relocating to the Charleston, SC area have one major question I find. Which area surrounding Charleston is best to live in? Well, the short answer is quite simple. Why are you moving here? In real estate, I find that buyers are typically categorized into one type of group, “buyers”. However, there are a number of different ‘types’ of buyers out there. There’s the buyer relocating for a job, there are buyers moving to Charleston for retirement, there are those moving for college, and those looking for a second home along or near the ocean. Which type of buyer are you? Well let me explain the different areas that surround Charleston, and give you a brief overview of each.

Charleston Peninsula. This is ‘Downtown, Historic Charleston’. This is referred to as the ‘Holy City’ and is the anchor for all other areas. It is the focal point of the lowcountry, and most folks commute from other areas to Charleston to work. The Charleston Peninsula is beautiful, with historic homes from the 1700’s, great restaurants, and the ability to walk where you want to go (other areas surrounding Charleston you mostly have to drive to where you’re going). Pros: Historic city, restaurants, entertainment, short or no commute to work, location. Cons: Expensive to live, traffic during tourist season, not as ideal for families w/kids in school (less young kids).

Mount Pleasant. This is a favorite for families relocating here. It borders downtown Charleston and the beaches. Mount Pleasant has large, planned communities with swimming pools, golf, tennis, schools (inside the neighborhoods), and plenty of shopping. This area is more progressive, having quite a good number of businesses based there. We’re seeing more growth in the Mt. Pleasant area and the area holds property values better than all other areas. Pros: Location (close to town, close to the beaches), best public schools in Charleston, active community, shopping & restaurants. Cons: Heavy traffic at times, most neighborhoods have CCR’s which brings HOA dues, higher housing prices.

Daniel Island. What a wonderfully planned community. They say you don’t need to leave the island if you don’t have to, and that’s true. A large, master planned community with meticulously designed streets and shopping. This area is more expensive, but has a great ‘small town’ feel and good for the discriminate buyer. Tennis is a big draw here, as is walking and neighborhood biking. Two of Charleston’s larger technology companies reside here. Bishop England High School lives here, and the community really supports the school. A lot of young professionals, families, and retirees live here. Pros: Small-town America. Streets with walkways, great downtown spot, very safe. A great tennis community. Cons: More expensive than most areas, a drive to downtown Charleston, may need to leave the island for nightlife.

James Island. This is a little quieter ‘bedroom community’ that borders downtown, Charleston. Location is great for this area, being 5 minutes to downtown Charleston and 10 minutes to Folly Beach. James Island is laid back, with one main busy Folly Road that has restaurants and shopping. It has a very good elementary and high school public school system. Most of the neighborhoods are made with brick-ranch style homes, with pocket neighborhoods of new construction. This area has a lot of live oaks and homes on tidal creeks. It has a more “outdoor” feel. Pros: Location! Less expensive than downtown or Mt. Pleasant or Daniel Island. Cons: Not many neighborhood amenities, bad traffic sometimes on Folly Road, not as many new homes.

I hope that these brief descriptions on these areas help you out. Really, if you’re moving to Charleston- you will be just fine in any area you end up!

Work with a qualified, dedicated agent for finding Sullivans Island real estate. Find ideal Wild Dunes Real Estate at http://www.BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.

Dunes West- A Popular Mount Pleasant Community

If you’re considering a move to Mount Pleasant, then you ought to consider the popular neighborhood of Dunes West. This is a great community located just outside of downtown historic Charleston, with a great location to the beaches. As one of the more popular areas to live (Mt. Pleasant), Dunes West offers many things that are important to many people. I’ve developed a list of reasons why Dunes West is a popular relocation destination for those moving to the greater Charleston area.

1.) Location. It’s hard to argue that Dunes West has one of the better locations in all of Charleston. A short 15 minutes to downtown, historic Charleston and 15 minutes to the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you want to get away and dine in some of the Lowcountry’s finest restaurants, or walk the cobblestone streets near the market- downtown is an easy escape from everyday life. Beach living is also a treat for Mount Pleasant and Dunes West residents. Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island (arguably the area’s best beaches) are only a short 15 minute drive. Instead of planning a day at the beach, you can go for a morning walk to explore new shells that the waves have brought in, or go for an evening run. Either way you slice it, Dunes West has a great location.

2.) Dunes West enjoys some of the best builders in the southeast, namely John Weiland. With so many home styles and options to choose from, purchasing an existing home or seeking new construction is a pleasure. Charleston-single styled homes or traditional southern style homes with wrap-around porches are plentiful. Don’t forget when choosing a home- this neighborhood has plenty of natural surrounding habitat so take into account your view from the screened porches or back decks.

3.) Wonderful amenities, and a great family atmosphere. The neighborhood has two areas, inside the private gates, and outside the private gates. Most of the community is inside the private gates, which will cost the homeowners more in their HOA dues. The amenities for residents inside the gate include: golf, tennis, pools (zero-entry pool and water slides!), fitness, boat ramp, and social club house privileges.

4.) Some of the best public schools in the entire Charleston area. Park West is the adjoining neighborhood and the schools are located in Park West, which can be a bike ride away. Elementary schools and middle schools, plus a large sports facility with baseball fields, lacrosse, football, etc. Bringing your child to school in the morning is easy without even leaving the neighborhood!

5.) Dunes West is in one of the strongest areas/markets that surround Charleston. While some of the other areas surrounding Charleston may be in a depreciating state, Mount Pleasant is breaking even, if not increasing in value in areas of Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant has always been a popular, strong area, and this is mainly due to its location, schools, and upcoming area.

Contact us for more information on Dunes West Homes. Find ideal Mount Pleasant mls at BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.

Mount Pleasant SC Popular Neighborhoods

Mount Pleasant holds some of Charleston’s most popular neighborhoods. There are many reasons for this, but mainly it is due to the close proximity to downtown Charleston, its location to the surrounding beaches, and arguably the best public school system in the Charleston area. I’d like to give a brief summary for some of the more popular neighborhoods in Mt. Pleasant, so that it might be a helpful tool for those out of towners not familiar with the area.

Belle Hall- Belle Hall is great neighborhood with many subsections and a great location. It sits right off of I-526, giving it a great location to the airport, North Charleston, Daniel Island, and the beaches. A visit to downtown is easy via Hwy 17 south. Most of the homes for sale in Belle Hall are anywhere between 1,400 and 5,000 square feet in size. Prices start in the upper $200’s and typically top off at just under $2 million. ‘Hibben’ is a much acclaimed subsection of Belle Hall that gets a lot of attention due to the quality of materials used there. Belle Hall also has an elementary school for those looking for a quick commute to school for the kids!

Charleston National- A great golf community located close to the Isle of Palms beach and walking distance to the hospital, grocery store, and shopping. Charleston National is the perfect golf community, that also has tennis, and two swimming pools. Most of the homes in this neighborhood range between the 300’s and 400’s, however homes in the Victory Pointe subsection get into the millions.

Dunes West- Dunes West is a popular neighborhood up Hwy 41, and 20 minutes to downtown Charleston. This is a large neighborhood with a golf course, and multiple subsections with varying prices and builders, and plenty of walking paths/trails. One of the draws for this neighborhood is the fact that it is secured by a manned gate. Dunes West has much to offer including tennis, pool with water slide, play park, clubhouse, fitness, golf and gated access. Dunes West also offers boat storage and a boat ramp and dock. Homes behind the gate begin in the 300’s and get close to 2 million for deepwater on the Wando River.

I’On- I’On is a wonderful community that reminds one of living in downtown Charleston, but in Mount Pleasant. The community is divided into six smaller neighborhoods (“boroughs”), each planned around a preserved civic space such as a lake, park or square, and each containing 80 to 150 homes. The boroughs are Eastlake, Ionsborough, Shelmore, Westlake, Ponsbury and Montrose. Eight sites in I’On have been reserved for civic buildings, such as small churches or other community buildings. The homes and buildings in I’On bear the stamp of Lowcountry vernacular design, which usually includes most or all of the following elements: vertical scale (homes are taller than they are wide); natural exterior finishes such as wood clapboard, brick or stucco; spacious, raised porches; balconies; shuttered windows; simple and/or symmetrical rooflines; fences, walls and gates; and outbuildings such as garages, potting sheds, workshops or home offices.

The Old Village- The Old Village is Mount Pleasant’s premier neighborhood. Known for its history and location to downtown Charleston, this community is quite high in demand. Homes and cottages over 100 years old are found here. Oak-lined streets, salt in the air from the Charleston Harbor, and its premier location are all reasons why people enjoy living here. Homes here can be found in the 400’s, but typically priced starting in the 600’s and can get into the many millions for deepwater on the Charleston Harbor. Walk to parks, dining, and shopping.

Work with a qualified, dedicated agent to search Mount Pleasant SC real estate. Find ideal Charleston SC Homes for sale at http://www.BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.

The Art of Negotiating a Real Estate Contract

Negotiating a real estate contract can be a lot of fun, or it can make for a painful, sour experience. It all boils down to how prepared you are. Some Realtors have a knack for it, others don’t. Some real estate agents embrace the art of a good old fashioned debate, while others would just prefer to let the contract speak for itself. Either way, there are tactful and not-so-tactful approaches to doing the right things for your sellers or buyers.

The largest mistake one can do is simply talk too much. Silence is your best friend. You’d be amazed how much information I can get from a buyer simply by asking the agent, “So why are the buyers choosing to move here?” Some agents divulge far too much information in everyday conversation. I mean let’s be frank here…Most agents love talking. It’s a fact; the more you talk, the more you’re likely to give away information. Most new agents feel the need to talk if there’s a silence in conversation. Don’t let that be you!

Don’t let your emotions get involved. If you get into a heated discussion with the other agent, don’t let your emotions show. Be logical, be assertive, be precise…but don’t get emotional. When you let your emotions get the best of you, you won’t make succinct and beneficial points for your buyer or seller.

Take control of the situation by asking questions. If you are asking the questions- you are controlling the conversation and allowing the other agent the opportunity to talk and talk (see second paragraph). If you are asking questions, chances are you can still make your point and all the while the agent doesn’t realize that you are in complete control. Ask prying questions that keep the other agent having to give excuses for their seller/buyer or explanations as to why they “haven’t done this or that”. Point out the things that the other party is lacking in, or things that they need improvement on. You are building a case for your buyer as to why you’ve asked for x price, or why your seller can’t possibly sell that low.

Make sure you have all of your information. Do you think an attorney is prepared before he/she goes into court? Of course. They might spend months on research alone. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” You had better be prepared before going in to the ring. If you’re not prepared, then you’re dead in the water. I’ve always been the most confident in anything I’ve done when I’ve done the research, had my information, and was well educated on the subject. If you are prepared, then you are confident…and if you are confident, then you normally convey your case in an informative, convincing fashion.

Now get out there and negotiate a winning million dollar contract for your clients!

Work with a qualified, dedicated agent to search Mount Pleasant SC Homes for Sale. Find ideal Charleston Real Estate at http://www.BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.

A Brief History of the I’On Community in Mount Pleasant, SC

Holding to the precepts of the New Urbanism, I’On is composed of an interconnected network of streets and blocks. Street widths are reined in to encourage walking and buildings and public spaces are carefully arranged to be in harmony with their surroundings. The community is divided into six smaller neighborhoods (“boroughs”), each planned around a preserved civic space such as a lake, park or square, and each containing 80 to 150 homes. The boroughs are Eastlake, Ionsborough, Shelmore, Westlake, Ponsbury and Montrose. Eight sites in I’On have been reserved for civic buildings, such as small churches or other community buildings.

There is a reason the I’On tract of land has been popular through the centuries. It is in itself an amenity. Lakes and oak trees, marshy areas abound. Palmettos dot the landscape. It is a lush stage upon which humans and animals interact. Migratory birds and other wildlife abound in the rookery, a nesting area located at the south end of Ionsborough. A “marshwalk” meanders along almost two miles of Shelmore and Hobcaw Creeks. I’On Square, a commercial square that will eventually house just over 30,000 square feet of commercial interests, already boasts its first completed building (see photo at right). This building houses a salon, an interior design store, the neighborhood sales office and The I’On Company. Other amenities include a multipurpose athletic field; numerous playgrounds and parks; the boathouse on 12-acre Eastlake; and the I’On Club, a private swim and tennis club scheduled for completion during summer 2000. Largely because of its geographical location, I’On residents also have access to superb amenities outside of their neighborhood. These include historic sites, beaches, the region’s highest-ranked public schools, excellent healthcare, public libraries and, of course, shopping and fine dining.

The homes and buildings in I’On bear the stamp of Lowcountry vernacular design, which usually includes most or all of the following elements: vertical scale (homes are taller than they are wide); natural exterior finishes such as wood clapboard, brick or stucco; spacious, raised porches; balconies; shuttered windows; simple and/or symmetrical rooflines; fences, walls and gates; and outbuildings such as garages, potting sheds, workshops or home offices.

I’On’s Lowcountry vernacular is upheld by the I’On Code, a set of architectural guidelines that address the neighborhood plan, thoroughfares, lot types, neighborhood standards, architectural standards and landscape standards. The Code is not overbearing; rather, it exists to “create a social neighborhood; offer a range of house designs which are carefully placed to make the most of public and private realms; and assist the resident, builder and architect with the design of houses within I’On,” according to The I’On Company.

All building plans are submitted to the I’On Design Committee for review, comments and approval. This committee’s “playbook” is the I’On Code. Where do the building plans come from? They come from the I’On Guild, a select group of 15 of the area’s most distinguished builders, as well as tradespeople, craftsman and nationally recognized architects. The builders were recruited to be I’On’s exclusive builders- based on craftsmanship, client and trade references, experience, financial stability and enthusiasm. Guild members combine high quality, sustainable construction. They communicate well with the developer and homeowners. They favorably shape the public and private realms within I’On, and it shows.

Work with a qualified, dedicated agent for your Johns Island SC real estate purchase. Find ideal Charleston real estate at http://www.BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.

How to Use Real Estate Trends for Optimized Profit

When it comes to investing in real estate, the main aim for any investor is to buy a property at a low price, with the intention to sell it at a higher price on order to gain a considerable amount of profit. For many experienced real estate investors, they will adopt certain strategies such as purchasing properties which will show their potential earnings per year at a gradual increase, which is called a growth strategy. Other investors may choose to invest in undervalued properties and hold on to these as a long-term investment, or until the market is at a more stable pace that they will be able to make a successful sale with them. This is referred to as value investing, which is another type of investment trend. Being aware of different trends is crucial for any investment-even those which are away from the field of real estate as it can be the main factor which enables you as the investor to profit from buying low and selling high.

The first step to using real estate trends to your advantage is to firstly prepare yourself for investing. Take at look at your finances and cash flow situation, as well as looking at loans, etc for your mortgage payments, etc. Next, you should search and investigate the many trends which are in the field of real estate at the moment. These can be found in a wide range of places such as newspapers and the internet-the key is to look in the right place. Newspapers will give you an indication of the trends in your local market, which is extremely beneficial for those just starting out in real estate investment and are looking to invest somewhere close to their current residency. For the more experienced investor, there are a wide variety of real estate publications which will state the current trends and the increases and decreases in property prices at the moment. The more research you do, the better chance you have of making a sound investment and using the trends to your advantage. Once you have identified the different trends, you should look at properties which will provide you benefits based on the trends. Family homes are always in demand, even at times where the prices are slightly lower. However, when choosing a type of home you wish to purchase in, for example a family home; take into consideration what different factors will help the sale of the house such as size, garden and any add-ons which may be included with the sale.

It is an obvious fact that real estate investment is all about making a profit on what you originally invested the property for. For this reason, it is imperative that you sell your property for a higher price than you originally paid for it, or you will have a loss rather than a gain. Research into the way the current market is to see when the right time will be to place your property on the market as attempting to sell whilst the prices are considerably low not only waste money in terms of advertising, etc; but will also mean that your property could be on the market for a considerable amount of time. One of the ways in which you can optimize on the current trends without having to lose any money as such is by leasing your property. This will allow you to still gain some form of profit, but still allow you to watch the current trends, waiting for the perfect time to place the property back on the market.

Being successful in real estate is not just about having the right knowledge, but is also about preparing yourself. Taking into consideration the different trends within the field is extremely advantageous for any investor-whether a novice or an expert. So start researching and see how you can work the trends to optimize your overall profit.

Work with a qualified, dedicated agent to search Mount Pleasant SC homes for sale. Find ideal Charleston SC Homes for sale at http://www.BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.

Educating Yourself before that First Real Estate Investment

For those who see themselves as a novice in real estate, the idea of taking that first step into real estate investment can be an extremely confusing and daunting time. Many of those who look to join this field may have found the perfect investment to get them on the real estate ladder, but will be unsure of how the whole process works, resulting in their dream investment never being made a reality. In order to become successful within real estate investing, the first thing you should do is educate yourself on how the process of investing works. Once you have educated yourself on the field of real estate, there really is no reason to hold back on your dream investment.

Firstly, you should think about why you want to invest within the real estate market. Some may be looking to make a profit, and in this, creating a new career path for themselves. Others may be looking to simply take advantage on a new development which has been built near their residing area; whilst others may be looking for a way in which to optimize their existing money and savings for their future, or the future of their family. Once you have decided what your reason for investing is, you need to ensure that you do not over stretch yourself in terms of what you can realistically afford and ensure that you have the necessary cash flow in order to keep your investment and you other financial areas safe.

Next you should think about the area in which you wish to invest in. The different areas in which you look to invest in can heavily determine what kind of prices you can expect to find in terms of your initial investment, as well as what kind of profit you can hope to make once you have placed your property back on the market. These prices can vary from area to area, so educating yourself on these different rates is extremely beneficial before you start investing your money. When it comes to your first investment however, it is more advantageous to choose a location close to your current location so you are able to watch your investment more closely. Before taking the plunge with your investment, you should also educate yourself on the current real estate cycle. Due to the current recession, property prices have decreased due to the lack of interest. However, as this ceases, prices will grow to a much higher rate, providing you with the chance to optimize your profit. For this reason, you should think about when the best time to invest will be in case you are left with no option but to hold on to your investment for a set period of time while you await the change in the cycle. This is extremely important if you are worried about your financial situation in the future.

Once you have taken these points into consideration, you should then make a plan of action. Take into consideration what you ideally can afford and what the most desired types of property are at the moment. In most cases, family homes are usually the best way to start, but take into consideration the amount of space offered in the property and the size and quality of the garden as this will be key for many potential homebuyers. Look at the different price ranges, property types and how you hope to sell your property in regards to a long-term investment in order to gain more profit, or a quicker sale in order to get the property off your books. You should also think about the benefits of renting your property whilst looking to sell it. This will not only help you financially, but will also provide you with the opportunity to hold on to your asset while you await the changes in house prices, making it a much more sound investment. However, when looking at tenants, take into consideration the changes in the cycle as a lease for 12 months may take away your chance to take advantage of increased property prices if this occurs during the lease.

When it comes to investing your money wisely, real estate is a great way in which to actually see your money and make a great profit from it. By educating yourself on the way in which the system works and the different factors you should take into consideration, you will be on your way to gaining great real estate knowledge and making any future investments more successful than the last.

Work with a qualified, dedicated agent for your Wadmalaw Island real estate purchase. Find the ideal Charleston S.C. home at BuyingCharlestonRealEstate.com.