The Real Estate Market is getting better: Watch this video!

Click here to see Real Estate Guru, Barbara Corcoran's, comments on the current state of the Real Estate Market. She says, "NOW is the time to buy!"
HAPPY HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Let it Snow in SC!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas & a Safe and Happy New Year! 2010 has seen a big upswing in the real estate business on Lake Hartwell in SC. Many smart people are taking advantage of the extremely LOW interest rates and LOW Prices! I love helping people find their "Perfect Sweet Spot on the Lake" so they may make wonderful memories with their families. The smiles on my client's faces make my job a pure delight! I have launched a new website AndersonSCRealEstate411.com: To view Click here This new site is just an addition to my existing sites and it's dedicated to real estate in Anderson SC

Haven of Rest Ministries (Anderson, SC)

This wonderful ministry will be serving Thanksgiving & Christmas Dinner to anyone who needs a meal during this holiday season. They could use some donations as well. Click here: Haven of Rest Newsletter for contact info, etc.

Anderson Lights of Hope: Lake Hartwell's Darwin Wright Park

During this holiday season I will be posting links of things to do around Lake Hartwell. This is definitely something you'll want to see, by Boat or by Car. Click Here for details: Lights of Hope

Making Dreams Come True....One Memory at a Time!

I AM SO......EXCITED!I love showing people what Lake Hartwell has to offer. This morning I spoke with a person I will be showing property to this weekend and he sounded so excited on the phone! I absolutely Love living on Lake Hartwell and as I told him, we are still finding new places on the lake to explore (after 15+ years for me and almost a lifetime for my husband & Real Estate partner). Last summer we found 2 waterfalls we had never seen off the Tugaloo River and we also rode way up to the top of the Tugaloo River by boat and then by car. You can never imagine how wonderful this area and our area lakes are until you experience it first hand. We would love to share our experiences with you and show you our amazing area. Click here:*ANCHOR YOUR DREAMS WITH US!*

Lake Hartwell History: Nancy Hart

For your entertainment today: Click on Lake Hartwell History/ Nancy Hart

Homeless, Area Soup Kitchens, Volunteer & Donate

I'm sure everyone thinks this is a totally random post but it is so important to help those who are less fortunate than us. Click this link: Homeless shelters & Soup Kitchen- Anderson, SC

Positive Thinking & Speaking can go a very long way!

Last night I attended an oyster roast on Lake Hartwell at a friend's home. I met new friends and enjoyed visiting with many long time friends. It seems that everywhere I go I am asked this question,"So, how's the real estate business? Is it picking up at all?". It's funny that when people ask this question they all seem to anticipate a negative, take pity on me response. My husband, Gary Smith, & I are both Realtors and have been blessed through our hard work & dedication to be very busy in this business. We both LOVE what we do and it warms our hearts every time we help another family realize their dream of owning a lakefront property. I truly believe that our market has improved. NOW is the time to take advantage of the LOW INTEREST RATES, large inventory & Great deals! *ANCHOR YOUR DREAMS WITH US!* 866.244.8439

Traveling by Boat to watch Clemson Football???? Yes, it's possible!

Well this weekend our Tigers will be playing against the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee but they'll be back at home soon! There aren't too many places where you can ride your boat to a college football game or concert but you can here on Lake Hartwell! This is the ULTIMATE TAILGATE EXPERIENCE!You can just beach your boat, walk up the hill & down the street and you're at a Clemson tradition.....THE ESSO CLUB!Clemson university owns a lot of shoreline on Lake Hartwell as you ride up the Seneca River Channel. This property is pristine and natural and home to a lot of different wildlife species. GOOOOOO.....TIGERS!

Is your Realtor really an experienced Full Time Lake Specialist?????

There are many realtors out there who say they are "Lake Specialists" as well as "Full Service Realtors". However, most of the time this is just not the case. I began my career in real estate 14 years ago this month and each year has been a learning experience. I have faced so many issues during my career that are specific to Listing & selling Lakefront property. I have a good relationship with the US Army Corps of Engineers and have a lot of respect for the rangers. I have worked full-time for my entire career as well. The 1st question to pose to your "Lake Specialist" Realtor would be: What are the 3 most common corps zones on Lake Hartwell & what does each mean? This is the simplest question of all and most agents know the answer.
Just be careful when choosing a "Lake Specialist" Realtor because buying any real estate is a huge investment and we are here to help you make the best investment decisions not just to pick up a quick paycheck.....* ANCHOR YOUR DREAMS WITH US!*
866.244.8439 (866.BIG.VIEW)

Don't worry about lake levels dropping on Hartwell!

Every year when cooler weather approaches on Lake Hartwell rumors start to swirl about projected lake levels and reasons why the lake level is dropping(just like the falling leaves). I have to say that it's pretty comical to me because I have been here many years and the water level fluctuates each & every year on Lake Hartwell. Everything in life is not perfect! We have been provided with 56,000 acres of water in an absolutely breathtaking natural setting to explore on Lake Hartwell. This lake was not built for recreation as a primary use, it was built to generate power. It's just that simple. The lake level has always recovered and in most instances, in record time.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing for prospective buyers to do is to find a realtor, like myself, who has your best interest at heart (not their own pocketbook or wallet). When you buy a piece of lake property you need a realtor who knows the lake and understands lake levels, etc. Normal drops in Lake Hartwell do NOT affect property owners who have bought a deep water lot to begin with. We are here to help you with that. In my next post I'll give you a few questions to pose to your "Lake Specialist Realtor" to find out just how well he/ she really understands lake levels, etc.
***REMEMBER....ANCHOR YOUR DREAMS WITH US!*** 866-244-8439 TOLL FREE

Many Prospective Buyers are taking advantage of LOW Interest Rates

I almost feel like the housing industry has taken an upturn. Many out of state people have been contacting me this week interested in finding the right waterfront "Deal" while the rates are LOW, inventory is high & prices are @ or very near Bottom. This is such a beautiful time of year to look at lake property and the perfect time of year to purchase (Because you'll be all set & ready when swimming & boating season comes around again). Not to mention the Memories you can make spending Holidays in your new Lake House. A good thing to do if you are interested in purchasing is to get pre-qualified so you will know exactly what price range you should be concentrating on. Below you'll find a list of several lenders who would be more than happy to help you with this process. Please make sure you tell them I referred you. I have compiled this list of referral worthy lenders based on excellent communication skills, experience, ease of past transactions, etc. Of course, if you already have an established relationship with a lender that's even better.
LENDERS:

Amy Eberhart (Community Home Mortgage):
email: amy.eberhart@churchillmortgage.com
Cel:864-314-0602

Becky Williams (Bank of Anderson):
email: becky.williams@bankanderson.com
Cel: 864-376-7283

Brenda Tyler ( First Citizens)
Email: brenda.tyler@firstcitizensonline.com
Cel: 864-414-2255

Lois Philyaw (Peoples Mortgage): Office: 864-231-7778

Introducing Lake Hartwell & Lake Keowee to Prospective Buyers from out of state

I had the privilege to share our beautiful area with new people this weekend and it brought to mind the first time I visited Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee & Lake Jocassee. I was absolutely in awe of the natural beauty and felt sublimely peaceful. We who live here in Upstate SC & NE Ga. are probably the luckiest people in the world. Having these natural wonders all around us to enjoy takes a lot of the stresses of the world off of our shoulders. It's not hard at all to "fall in love" with our area....we prove that almost every time we show new people around our area lakes & foothills. I think it is more than appropriate for us all the Thank God every day for this wonderful gift he has bestowed on us.

4 Ways to Tell if You’re Getting a Good Deal – on Your Home!

Buying or selling a home is a funny endeavor (but not ha-ha funny - puzzling funny!). It's your biggest purchase ever, but unlike many smaller purchases, making an offer on a home can feel like pulling numbers out of a hat. And selling's no easier - the stakes are so high, and the market's so tough that you want to take any offer you can get, but at the same time, it's difficult to know whether you're leaving money on the table when you do finally sign on the dotted line.

Buyer's remorse often arises as soon as you get the contract back with the seller's signature on it - that desperate hope that your offer will be accepted instantly plummets into an "oh no - they took it - I must have offered too much! I'll bet I could have gotten it for $X thousand less!" If you've experienced this, rest assured that the same evening, the sellers were feeling the same thing: "Oh no, if I'd held out, I bet I could have gotten more!"

The best way to manage the emotional freak-out of both buyer's and seller's remorse is with information; here's how to know whether or not you're getting a good deal when you buy or sell your home.

1. Know what 'good deal' means TO YOU: Is a good deal getting the home of your dreams, over multiple offers, at a price you can afford? Is it buying a home for 30% less than its current owner paid for it? Is it getting a bargain, meaning you get a discount off what the home is worth on the open market? That's what people call having instant equity, and is possible when the seller's situation, the property's condition, your shrewd negotiating skills or your exceptionally good looks (!) enable you to get a home for a price lower than the price similar properties in the area are selling for or lower than it appraises for (the latter of these is less frequent, as many appraisers simply do not make a practice of appraising homes for much more than the purchase price agreed to by the buyer and seller in the transaction. Oh, and btw, you won't know what it appraises for until you agree to a price and get into contract!)

If you're selling your home, know what your own top priority is - is it to move your home quickly, so you can buy at today's bargain basement prices and interest rates? Is it to get every single dollar you can out of the house? Is it just to divest of the home and get closure as soon as possible, because you're struggling to keep up with the payments?

What is a great deal to one buyer or seller may not be to another, because real estate is about life - and whether YOUR real estate outcomes are good or bad is about YOUR life! So, the first step to knowing whether you're getting a good deal is to know what your own personal priorities for the transaction are.

2. Do the math - compare "your" price to other benchmarks. The price you agree to pay or accept for a home is meaningless in a vacuum; to understand whether it's a "good" price, you've got to compare it with a few pricing benchmarks.

The most important of these benchmarks is also the most difficult to get a handle on: the market value of the home. The definition of 'market value' is the price a qualified buyer is willing to pay for the property in an arms-length, open-market transaction; the best way to estimate market value is to look at what similar homes in the area have recently sold for. (The more similar, the more nearby and the more recent - the better.) To compare the price you've negotiated with the fair market value of the home, check out recently sold, similar homes on Trulia.

Also, ask your real estate broker or agent for what's called a Comparative Market Analysis on the home you're making an offer on (if you're a buyer), or an updated CMA using recent neighborhood sales (if you're a seller). If you're buying, the ideal situation is for your negotiated purchase price to be at or below the home's value as indiciated by the comparables and the CMA; if you're a seller, your goal is to receive a price at or above the market value. (To be sure, if you're a seller on today's market, it's an equally worthy goal to get your home sold - at all! - in many markets. So don't get hung up if you're not getting right around - or even slightly below - what you think your home is worth.)

Many buyers try to compare the end price of their home to (a) the list price, or (b) the price per square foot. Comparing your negotiated price to the list price is interesting, but a big gap could indicate a number of things: you could be getting a great deal, you (or your agent) could be a great negotiator, or the seller could be very unrealistic or motivated. Same on the seller's side - an over-asking price usually indicates an aggressively low list price and multiple offers from buyers. If the list price is wildly different from the market value of the home, the list price-to-sale price gap may have nothing to do with getting a good deal, on either side.

Price-per-square-foot can be overly sensitive when you look at it on homes that are much smaller than larger than the homes to which you are comparing it. A home could be 20 percent smaller than neighboring homes, but that doesn't mean it will - or should - be worth 20 percent less; it's still in the same neighborhood and may be in better condition. Unless you're comparing very similar homes that are in very similar condition, price-per-square-foot can provide a misleading picture of a home's value.

3. Factor in the specifics of your situation: seasonality, market dynamics, affordability and the competition. If you’re buying a home in Wisconsin in the winter, buyers should expect to get a better “deal” than in the summertime. When market dynamics indicate prices are trending upward in your neighborhood, what seems like an ‘okay’ deal based on yesterday’s prices may actually be even better than you thought - search Trulia’s Stats and Trends pages for your area for up-to-the-minute price trends in your neighborhood, or even zip code!

If you’re buying a home at a trough in prices for the last five years, with a 4.5 percent loan, that home will be much more affordable to you than it would have been in another time. If you’re a seller of a home where every other home on your block is for sale, and half of them are dirt-cheap foreclosures, that should cause you to upgrade your opinion of a slightly-below-asking offer! Buyers: if you best a dozen other offers, even an above-asking sale price can be a great price, assuming the home appraises at the purchase price and you can afford it!

4. Don't forget any extra "bang" you're getting for your buck. Buyers: if the seller is paying some or all of your closing costs, HOA dues, throwing in extra furniture/appliances, or otherwise sweetening the pot, keep that in mind. Sellers: if the buyer has agreed to a fast or slow close, at your request, or even came up a few thousand on their offer price to empower you to pay all your mortgages and liens off, don't forget that, either.

In today's real estate market, where sellers are constrained by their upside down mortgages and buyers are constrained by what many see as too-conservative appraisal standards, sometimes a "good deal" is simply one where the other side gives, even a little, to get you something that you want or need to make the deal work for you.

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson | Broker in San Francisco, CA

online resources for real estate

Keeping in mind that 90% of all prospective buyers begin their real estate search online, I spend many hours each day updating all of my sites (of which there are many). I believe that when we are hired as Listing (Marketing) agents it is very important for us to give our listings the BEST Exposure possible.
With that being said, I want to thank everyone who compliments me often on my web presence. If you or anyone you know is in the market for any property (real estate) in Upstate SC or Northeast Ga. please give us a call. We are able to show you our area lakes unlike any of our competitors.....You will fall in LOVE! We just love getting up every day able to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.....we are just too lucky!

Fall has descended upon Lake Hartwell

This is probably the most beautiful time of year on Lake Hartwell. The air is crisp; the summer haze is gone; the trees are ablaze with color; Clemson fans are heard cheering on their Tigers in Death Valley Stadium; The water of Lake Hartwell glistens like silver in the afternoon sun. Best of all.....The lake is peaceful and quiet. The summer visitors and weekend boaters have all but disappeared until next season. There is nothing better than a fall boat ride on Lake Hartwell!

Buyer Tips

RECORD LOW INTEREST RATES!

Lots of Great WF Lake Hartwell Homes on the market....New Listings every day....50 YEAR RECORD LOW INTEREST RATES! CALL 866.BIG.VIEW (866.244.8439) TODAY!

Have a Happy & Safe 4th of July Holiday!

Please, Please, Please....everyone be careful & safe this holiday weekend. There will be fireworks @ Y Beach in Clemson (Seneca River) & at Bull Feathers Bar and Grill (26 mile creek) on Saturday Night. Everyone needs to have a designated driver on their boat and in their car if they plan to partake in any "spirits". The Police & DNR will be out in full force this weekend to protect all of the innocent, non-drinking people, so let's all be mature and think of others. HAVE FUN!WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THESE AREA LAKES KEOWEE, HARTWELL & JOCASSEE TO ENJOY ANYTIME.....

Enjoy the Splendor of Nature's Sights

There is one thing about having a LONG boat ride home and that is the awesome sights you may get to see @ sunset & dusk. Last night on our ride home from Portman Marina on Lake Hartwell to the Tugaloo River just underneath the 85 bridge we saw such sights. There had been a ferocious afternoon storm (as we've had many afternoons lately)and afterwards the air was clean, clear & cool. The summer haze had lifted and we were able to see the mountains as we looked north up the seneca river. As the sun went down the sky looked as if it had burst into flame. What a beautiful sight to behold....I thanked God for the perfect end to yet another glorious day on Lake Hartwell and on earth.

Happy 4th Of July! The Celebration begins!

The fireworks display @ the Hartwell Dam will be taking place this saturday
6/26 at Dark! Fun will be had by many....just be careful &
courteous!

Drowning on Lake Hartwell

I was so sorry to wake up this morning to hear that there was yet another drowning on Lake Hartwell....A boy/ man from Toccoa, Ga. These drownings are so preventable! People need to respect the water and stop feeling so bullet proof! I am so very sad for this family!

seller paying closing costs

Seller paid closing costs...?


I get this question a lot..."How much can the seller pay towards the buyer's closing costs?"

Don't assume 3% of the purchase price is the rule. There are basically 4 mortgages now for residential home purchases and each has its own rule. The maximum amount that a seller may pay towards the buyer's closing costs, pre-paid items and reserves is as follows:
1. Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac (Conventional):
> 90% financing = 3% of the sales price.
>75% & < 90% financing CLTV = 6% of the sales price.
<75% CLTV = 9% of the sales price.
2. FHA = 6% of the sales price.
3. VA = 4% of the sales price.
4. USDA Rural Housing = 6% of the sales price.

I hope this information is beneficial to you. Call or email me anytime.

Andrew Evans: Hanover Mortgage
Cell: (864) 313-0602
Email: aevans@hanovermtg.com

2 NEW RESTAURANTS- LAKE HARTWELL

Two BIG Announcements!!!! 1) The Pavillion Grill @ Portman Marina is open on Sat./ Sun. til 4pm serving Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Grilled Chicken. 2) Tiger Cove Grill (formerly Drop Anchor) is open again......YIPPEE!!!!!!
Check out these sites:

http://tigercovecampground.com

http://portmanmarina.com

Touring Lake Hartwell

Storms, Preparedness & Boating: Lake Hartwell

  WOW!!!! We sure had some storms in our area late yesterday! We were on the lake during the whole thing and lightening was all around us in the distance. We even thought we saw a TORNADO! We arrived home safely just before dark without one drop of rain falling on us :-/
  We were very lucky and it just doesn't pay to take chances. make sure you either have a weather radio or an "app" on your cell phone to keep up with the weather radar patterns. This way you'll know where the storm is and where its headed! Also, Make sure you have alight weight jacket with you on your boat at all times.

Lake Hartwell Poker Run....6/12/2010

LOOK for Captain Gary out on Lake Hartwell today! He'll be in a white Sea Hunt Center Console with our web site on each side: hartwell-keowee.com. I hope everyone's safe and has lots of FUN! The "After Party" is at Portman Marina in the Pavillion from 3pm-9 pm with a LIVE BAND!

Delay, delay, delay.....Banks Delaying Real Estate Closings

A few things that have unfortunately become commonplace in our current real estate market are: Closings not taking place as planned because of delays arising from lender issues. I understand that things had to be "Tightened up" but a HUGE bailout was given to many banking institutions and it just hasn't helped out our housing industry's recovery much. The market as a whole is still being flooded with bank owned foreclosures & short sales and property values are still dropping. We will NOT be able to dig our way out of this recession until the housing industry recovers. The real estate market over the past few years has been a tremendous challenge for those of us who have stuck it out. It has made me a STRONGER REALTOR as well as a stronger person. Everyone considering BUYING REAL ESTATE needs to act NOW because the inventory is overflowing and interest rates are at record lows. There are some FANTASTIC BUYS out there just waiting for the SMART BUYER.

Memorial Day 2010

On this special day please remember our fallen soldiers and all of the brave Americans who are currently serving our country as well as all of those who have served us in the past. We are ALL very lucky to be Americans and should thank GOD and our veterans every day for allowing us to live in "The Land of the Free & The Home of the Brave!"

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: LAKE HARTWELL

   JUST A WORD TO THE WISE OR NOT SO WISE. Boaters need to have a "DD" just like drivers of cars or just not drink while operating a boat. What people should worry about is not the "Blue Lights of the DNR" pulling them over, but the possibility of possibly seriously injuring someone or even killing someone (even themselves) whiling drinking alcohol and operating a watercraft Weekends & Holidays at Lake Hartwell can make wonderful memories of a lifetime so PLEASE EVERYONE, let's make only good memories!

P.S. If you would like to learn about SAFE BOATING PRACTISES, NAVIGATION & LOCAL LAKE HARTWELL ATTRACTIONS: Please check out: LakeHartwellBoatTours.com & Book your Boat Tour with USCG Licensed Master Captain Gary W. Smith. It'll be the best money you ever spent!

See you on the lake!

SHORT SALES, A SIGN OF THE TIMES...

A short sale is offered when a seller/ homeowner has fallen behind in their payments and it's a last ditch effort to avoid foreclosure. In short sales you are actually dealing with the homeowner during the negotiation and the mortgage company comes in after the seller has decided which offer (Highest & Best with his agent's help) to sign. It's a common misconception that properties offered in short sales are "bank owned". This is NOT the case at all. After the seller signs (accepts) one of the offers, it is then under contract with a contingency that reads as follows:" Contingent upon bank's approval of short sale". Earnest Money is deposited and so on just like a contract with a "Home Inspection" contingency for example. The Short Sale asking price is determined by the listing agent based on current market values (sold properties) while taking the amount owed on the property into consideration. Usually multiple offers come in and at all different amounts (some will come in 50% less or even lower). Sometimes as many as 5-8 offers will come in on one property, so having a knowledgeable Buyer Agent is extremely important if you are a serious buyer. This is a complicated process and I've been involved in several of these as a Realtor. I can provide you with very valuable advice. One last thing, short sale offers that come in with a solid approval letter from a reputable bank & CASH offers with proof of funds move to the top of the group of offers along with offers with fewer contingencies. The acceptance by the seller/ homeowner has been known to take as little as a few days or as long as 6 wks depending on how high or low the offers come in. The person who is doing the negotiating with the bank is experienced enough to know when there's not a chance at all of getting bank approval of the short sale and will keep the "accepting bids" time frame open a little longer @ the bank's urging. I also wanted to mention that in "short sale" situations it is very common for the homeowner/ seller to sell the Boat Dock separately ( most of the time to someone other than the purchaser of the home) because it is personal property (like a kitchen table) and usually the seller is in dire financial shape and needs extra money. This goes for Hot Tubs and other appliances that are not built-in (sometimes even the built-in appliances). After the homeowner signs and accepts the offer of his/ her choice it is presented to the bank. At this point it is very important to know that the bank's approval could possibly take as long as 6 months to get or approval can come quickly. Anyway you look at it, PATIENCE is so important because this is your chance to get the deal of a lifetime. Please call me with any further questions & I look forward to helping you find your perfect lake home! Thanks!