What Caused the Mortgage Meltdown in South Carolina? The Housing Crisis in Columbia?

FSBO, Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, prices, problems, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina No Comments

For those of you who have read this blog for a while, you know I think the whole concept of having some sort of meltdown or crisis in the real estate economy is a bunch of “hooey”.  Perhaps I’m a bit spoiled, here in Columbia, South Carolina where the market is basically insulated from any wild swings in property values.  However, for those that are convinced we are in crisis mode, this two-part video is just for you.


Part One:  

Be sure to click “read the rest” to see part two of this fascinating report!

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Preparing Yourself Mentally to Sell Your House

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Kathy Smith realtor preparing your house for sale, Columbia, SCOkay, maybe it isn’t that melodramatic, but you should prepare yourself mentally and sometimes emotionally for selling your home. 

While those of us in South Carolina (especially the Columbia marketplace) aren’t experiencing some of the roller coaster emotions that others in this nation are, it is still a good idea to know what you are about to enter into before putting that “For Sale” sign in the yard.

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Bigger Mortgages from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Could be Coming Soon!

Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, government, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, prices, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina No Comments

As the latest stimulus package is winding its way through Congress right now, more details are coming out.  In addtion to taxpayers getting up to $1,200 in checks, there’s also a part of the plan that will temporarily raise the conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  This package targets major metro areas with high housing costs. 

With a median price of around $140,000, Columbia, South Carolina is nowhere near the ceiling for either program.  However, the programs will allow the new limit to be 125% of the median price range.  No matter how you slice it, this plan is great news for buyers and those of us in the real estate industry.

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Mortgage Rates Hit a Historic 5.5% Low!

Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, prices, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina No Comments

When the Fed announced they were cutting their rate to  loan money to banks, I knew those of us In South Carolina were about to get a huge gift from good old Uncle Sam.  Shortly after, I started seeing rates of 5.5% for a 30 year, fixed mortgage.   But is this too good to be true?  Could it last?  What could it mean to the larger economic picture? Read the rest…

Homeowners Up in ARMs Finally Get a Break!

Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, law, lexington, prices, problems, real estate, realtor, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina No Comments

Please forgive the pun, but for once homeowners in Columbia, South Carolina now can breathe a little easier. Announcing a five year freeze on mortages with “teaser” rates, President Bush unveiled a plan today that keeps rates locked in for those who need it most. Read the rest…

Reality Check for Columbia, South Carolina’s Real Estate Market

FSBO, Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, blythewood, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, open house, prices, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina No Comments

Home for saleWhat exactly is the current situation in the Columbia or also known as the Midlands, South Carolina housing market? I researched the period of November 1 - November 30th to see where we stand as a marketplace. I have looked at the entire market, from Columbia to Irmo, Chapin and Lexington, Blythewood to Newberry County to Kershaw County to Aiken and Orangeburg.

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Defects, Disclosures and Home Inspections in South Carolina

FSBO, Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, blythewood, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, drainage, first time, first time buyer, foundation, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, maintenance, prices, problems, real estate, realtor, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina No Comments

inspectorSo, you’re ready to take on finding that perfect home here in Columbia. Talking with your Realtor, they mention things about latent defects, state disclosures and home inspections - but what does it all mean?

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Real Estate Open Houses - What is Right For You?

Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, cow lady, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, open house, prices, real estate, realtor, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina No Comments

As home sellers across the nation are experiencing the slowdown of the real estate market generally, I am getting a lot of questions regarding open houses.  “What will work to sell my current home in another state?” they say.  Well, what works in Columbia, South Carolina may not be appropriate for another part of the country.   

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Are You Ready to be a First Time Homebuyer?

Lake Murray, Midlands, ballentine, blythewood, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, first time, first time buyer, home, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, prices, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina No Comments

There usually is a point in most of our lives that the never ending urging of our friends, family, boss, co-workers, practically everyone you meet saying you need to buy a home becomes too much.  “You should buy a house,” they say.  “It’s a great investment.”  But are you ready?  Read the rest…

Help! I’m “Upside Down” in My House!

FSBO, Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, cow lady, home, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, prices, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, selling, south carolina No Comments

What the heck does “upside down” or “inequity position” mean and is a “short sale” an easy fix? Find out about some of the details for Columbia’s homeowners from Kathy here.

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