864-335-8490

Pendleton St. Baptist Downtown Greenville

Wednesday:

Good morning!  Busy week.  Trying to get two under contract, one for some buyers relocating to Greenville and one for a couple renting in Greenville.  I've blogged recently about some homes being out of the market or high on pricing well I've bumped into three homes for sale that are priced right in the market for the neighborhood.  So that brings me to a brief write up on expectations. 

Many buyers relocating to Greenville have had a very tough time selling their homes in different areas of the country.  Or they have taken some losses on their homes.  Greenville has fared pretty well.  Yes there are some neighborhoods that have failed or have gotten beaten up but the more established neighborhoods in good areas tend to handle market slow downs pretty well.  Most Greenville SC Realtors price homes pretty well and understand that if the activity is not there for showings then usually it's the price.  So what I'm getting at is there is really no set percentage point that the Greenville Real Estate market is selling at.

One of the first questions a buyer asks when getting ready to make an offer is "what percentage off sales price is real estate in Greenville selling at?"  My standard and correct answer is "All depends"....yep all depends on where you are buying.  Greenville realtors will tell you real estate in the Upstate sales price to list price is all over the place.  And further more, folks, it all depends on the seller's motivation.  It's common sense, some seller's need to sell and some just test the market.  You never know till you make an offer.   

Tuesday:

Ogletree Building (in foreground) Downtown Greenville

Monday:

Hey, I hope you had a great weekend.  Man, we had some rough weather come through last evening.  Even some hail in areas.  
 
Let's take a look at the Greenville MLS and see what has happened over the past 4 days.  I'm going to open up Paragon, our mls system which by the way is updated about every 15 minutes or so.  Actually, let's got back to last Thursday.

We had:

196 New Listings
161 Price Changes
46 Expired
72 Closed
757 Pending Listing (this is steadily moving up)

There is new listing in 155 River Place that was taken off the market in July of last year..  It is being brought  back on at about $4,000 less than original price.   WOW, we've got a $20,000 price reduction at 400 North Main Condos.  Got a new listing right off Augusta Rd. at $215,000.  Folks, anything around $200,000 on one of the better streets on Augusta is worth a look.  If it's in fairly good shape.  There's one that expired then was relisted in Brushy Meadows, a well thought of Eastside neighborhood.  $4,000 price reduction too.   I tell ya, sometimes it's amazing what you see in property history reports.  If you are a client, this is something I always send you so you can see the activity on the home you are interested in.  The property history report in the MLS shows the activity on the home for sale since it went into the Greenville MLS.  

There is one I just looked at and it was first listed in October of 09, then price change, expired, relisted, expired, relisted, withdrawn, etc, wow....what is going on with that one.  That's way too many changes for such a short time period.   There is one that was pulled from the market last November then just relisted in Half Mile Lake.  Folks, I bought the first home built in Half Mile Lake many years ago when I was just starting a family!  We were in our 20's and the whole cul-de-sac was young couples getting started and having kids.  I've got many great memories from that community.  Hey, here's a shot of me and my second son down at the pond right across from the clubhouse at the entrance of Half Mile Lake :-). Yep, that's snow alright!

There's a new listing in Kingsbridge, a very popular Simpsonville neighborhood.  Was bought in 2001 and just put back on the market.

I've got a tremendous amount of information at my fingertips.  The same information appraisers use to value properties.  And I use this information to assist you as a buyers agent who works in your best interest.  Let me know when I can help, I've got to run! 

Cross at Pretty Place Chapel

March 26, 2010:

Good morning!  Hey let's check what's happening in Greenville this weekend. Don't miss Easter Brunch at The Hilton, I need to get by there and check that out, I'm sure its going to be good.  The Dixie Swim Club is playing a the Foothills Playhouse in Easley.  Madea's Big Happy Family with Tyler Perry is playing at the Bi-Lo Center.   Sada is at the Warehouse Theatre.  Coppelia is playing at the Gunter Theatre.  And you know Main Street Fridays will be going on right outside my office.

If you want to take a trip up to the Blue Ridge, then go check out "Early Arrivals Guided Bird Walk" at Chimney Rock State Park. Champion of the Keyboard and M&G at Heritage Green at The Peace Center and Heritage Green.  

Congrats to the Greenville High Girls Soccer team for beating Wade Hampton in their conference opener last evening.

Greenville - Wade Hampton Girls Soccer Action

March 25, 2010:

Hey, how are ya!  If you follow my blog you know how I feel about short sales....well I was talking to one of my mortgage brokers yesterday and he told me he has a buyer who has had an offer in on a short sale since last.....now get this.....since last October!  The bank approved the short sale at the suggested list price and the buyer is giving them a FULL PRICE OFFER!  Still can't get the contract approved and executed....folks, that's what I've been telling you and that is just one of the many stories I could tell you.

What makes it worse it the buyer is a First Time Homebuyer!  The mortgage broker is trying to get the realtor and buyer to go ahead and move on to another property, cause folks, there isn't much time left for the credit.  Just unbelievable. 

Now there is one more important thing that I want to point out to you sellers considering going short to avoid foreclosure.  FHA considers a short sale the exact same thing as a foreclosure on your credit report.  I mean, I just don't get it, and there's all this talk from the government about enticing banks to take more short sales.  So my suspicions are what I though they are.  From a 20 year in the business mortgage person.....

Since I don't take any listings and only represent buyers it presents a very special problem for me.  Buyers see these "short" sales and think, "Wow, what a great deal, Don let's go see it."  Well I've never had a buyer with serious credit problems, so they just don't realize the probability of actually closing on that property.  Which brings up another point.  I spoke with a listing agent about 2 months ago because I was trying to schedule her property to show.  It was not shown in the MLS as short, so that's the only reason I called on it.  She said she has had the listing for over a year with multiple offers and the bank has never responded to one of them. 

So, the only reason I can imagine a listing agent would take a "short" sale is if they know the seller and think they are helping or if it's a great home and they want to pick up buyers off the calls on the home. 

Hey, I'm in the office pretty much all day so call me if you'd like to see some Greenville Condos for Sale or if you are visiting Greenville and just want to get a cup of joe!  864-335-8490.

March 24, 2010:

Good morning.  I'm sitting here looking at the grass outside, wow it's greening up.  Love springtime folks! 

By the way, I have a very nice couple in yesterday that I did a short tour of Greenville.  They are considering Greenville and other areas to relocate to when they retire.  Folks, I'm always happy to show off Greenville South Carolina and surrounding areas, so just give me a call at 864-335-8490 and I'll work you into the schedule!

Hey, did I mention I LOVE WHAT I DO?  I mentioned I just closed one with Alan the other day.  Well, I got an email from his wife yesterday who didn't attend the closing.  It's here:

Good morning, Don:

Just a FYI (from Alan, now at CTL) : last evening he met one of our new next-door- neighbors, Shirley XXXXX @ XXXXXXXX - lovely lady. Gave her a key to "the new house" - she is willing to "house-watch". Her home phone: 864-XXX-XXXX; work: 864-XXX-XXXX.

Woke up this morning - no, it WASN'T A DREAM - we really ARE homeowners in Greenville,SC - can't thank you enough, Don!

Regards,

Anne

Being a Greenville South Carolina Realtor and Buyers Agent is not only rewarding it's humbling folks. 

Hey, it's time for a Highly Recommend!  I've given this before, but I happened to be picking up a carry out lunch for my father the other day, who by the way will be 90 this year and got a nice front photo.  Go get you some sweet tea!

  Cateran's Buffet Restaurant..Best Meat and three in Greenville Since 1980!  

March 23, 2010:

Hey!  I've got a busy day but just wanted to say what a pleasure it was closing with Alan from Vermont yesterday.  What a nice fellow.  Cash deal and he and his wife will be relocating to beautiful Greenville South Carolina in about 3 weeks!  I tell you, I love what I do, helping nice people come to Greenville!  Anyway, I've got a busy day.  Looking for a home with some land for some nice people who want to relocate to the Upstate.

Actually I'll be quite a ways away from Greenville real estate, going all the way to Anderson then back up to Wellford, Moore and Spartanburg.  Better fill the car up, ouch :-)!  Like I said before, I'm not tied to any one area in particular, I go where the right real estate is!  Ya'll have a good one.... 

A Beautiful Rose..

March 22, 2010:

Good morning!  I hope you had a great weekend.  Man it was beautiful with temps in the 70's.  I'm so excited.  I've got a closing this afternoon with a very nice gentleman from Vermont today.  He and his wife are relocating to Greenville and are so excited.  They had some fairly tough criteria in that they wanted to be close to Greenlink, the Greenville South Carolina Bus Route and they had very limited funds to work with.  What helped is they had done a very good job saving and could make a cash purchase.  

They had been down a few times to Greenville and liked the area and decided to relocate here.  I spent a couple trips out with them and guess what??  The last home we viewed was the home they decided on and I am very happy for them.  Good area, nice home and close to the Greenlink bus route.  

Again, things worked out great, just like they always do.   I've got another out of state buyer thinking about relocating to Greenville and I've got to find some property with land for them to keep their dogs on and open a kennel.  These properties can be tough depending on price range.  When you are looking for land, let's say 5 acres and up, then it get's real rural and can be tough because of the up and down condition of the real estate you look at.  

So anyway, we got a very nice rain last evening and the grass and flowers sure are putting on their best!  I've got to run but I hope you have a wonderful Spring day!  Call me if you are thinking about relocating to Greenville SC, 864-335-8490.  I'll be glad to help.

Daffodils!

March 21, 2010:

Hey, thought I'd throw up a timelapse from Main St. Fridays last Friday afternoon!  Relax and enjoy Sunday with your family and I'll be talking with you tomorrow!

Main St. Fridays Timelapse Video

 March 20, 2010:

Music From Main St. Fridays at The Hyatt Last Evening!

March 19, 2010:

Happy Friday!  Are you ready for the weekend?  Looks like we may get in the 70's!  Hey folks, I'm not sure if you aware of Google testing super high speed internet in various cities around the country.  Well, Greenville SC is hoping Google will select our area for this ultra high speed internet that is supposed to be up to 100 times faster than currently available.  The plan is to unite 1000's of upstate residents to form a huge glow stick chain in the downtown Greenville area.  I'm sure this will get a lot of press and I believe this will be filmed from all angles.  Hey, if I'm downtown around 7:30 I'll be sure to get some shots for you!  Google says in the areas it selects it will offer this high speed internet up to 50,000 to 500,000 residents.  Looks like Greenville would be the perfect big "small" town to put it in!

I'm sure Downtown Alive was a big success last night and this afternoon Main Street Jazz will start up outside my office.  We're having a number of people in to kick off the season.   Shrimp, drinks and fun!

Ok, I'm going to say it again because I've gone off quite a few times on my blog concerning short sales!  I don't get involved in them and advise clients not to trouble with them.  Why....well folks, there just ain't no free lunches, you know.  Now, let me qualify that, in many areas of the country short sales work, because that is the norm for the area, and many of them actually make it to closing.  Some buyers actually get a good deal on them.  But here folks, well, Greenville has fared pretty well, yes I am seeing more short sales, but with what I heard a major bank is doing now....if this becomes the norm, they will pretty much disappear here....

Let me write on.  I don't know if you know this but banks are in business to make money, well most of them are.  And to use a line from my favorite Christmas movie, Scrooge with Alister Sim, they are "nobody's fool".  With that being said I got an email from a listing agent I respect and she has a listing that is short and under review by the "bank".  Now I'm not going to call the bank's name because I don't have direct knowledge of this but let's say it is a huge bank and very well known.... It's a rather long email but in a nutshell, the bank will be reviewing the seller's credit information to verify that the seller also stopped paying other creditors.  If the bank determines that the seller has continued payments to other creditors then they will request a promissory note or cash contribution before approving the short sale.  Say WHAT?!!???!!!????

I thought short sales were designed to help folks who are experiencing financial difficulty to prevent foreclosure! Well, let's say I'm considering going short and I learn that basically any difference in the payoff and the sale.....I'LL HAVE TO MAKE UP, SAY WHAT!  Hey, doesn't smell like it's short anymore does it?  Folks, it's just incredible and get this, the bank is pulling the seller's credit report without their permission, of course I'm sure it's given somewhere in the fine print somewhere on a contract that the bank has you sign.  

Ok, I'm going to pin this at the top with a link but let me just finish up with this.  Again, I don't list any properties, I only work with the buyer as a buyers agent in the buyers best interest.  Let's say by some miracle we actually get a short sale property under contract at a decent price or good value and get to the morning of closing.  Somebody for the bank, somewhere sitting in an office in some God forsaken location woke up on the wrong side of the bed and decided that some document wasn't correctly executed, or the HUD was not received in time, or the sales price doesn't meet some bank formula.  Folks, I'm telling you banks and other organizations like relocation companies with the leverage they have will just walk or play hardball!  They have much more money than I or my buyers and big legal teams.  You may just not close, or you may have to do something or sign something the bank or relo company wants that you are not really confortable with, or you may have to take the property with a repair that was promised but not preformed.  I'm telling ya, I've seen it.  Now to you sellers from  Florida and other areas that short sell successfully, that's another story and many times you are not getting the ability to buy like you thought you would if you avoided foreclosure.  Folks, I tell you, it's something!!!!    

Hey, the flowers are blooming and I'm getting ready to bring you all those beautiful images from the Greenville area!  Showing tomorrow, ya'll relax and have a good weekend!

Spring Flowers!

March 18, 2010:

I hate I missed The Blarney Bash Downtown in front of Connolly's Irish Pub on East Court St. in downtown Greenville!  Anyway happy belated St. Patty's Day.  I hope you had a good one.  As I mentioned, Downtown Alive will start today and tomorrow Downtown Jazz will kickoff in front of our WOW Upstate Realty Office at the Hyatt.  Stop by and see me, we may have some shrimp for you!  So what's happening in the world of Greenville South Carolina Real Estate today?

I want to relate a couple of things that happened recently.  Actually, this happens often but in just the past few days I've had two buyers asking about two of my listings.... Folks, it's all over my web site, I don't list properties....and haven't in a long time.  I am an exclusive buyers agent who only represents the buyer....period.  I am working for you the buyer, the seller has someone on their side, you deserve the same representation...You really do because in my opinion you as the buyer have much more at risk if the transaction doesn't close.  Especially if you are relocating to Greenville SC.  Why, well let's say you've got a truck full of furniture sitting right outside the home you are supposed to close on and it doesn't close! 

That's not a good situation.  You know I've never had that happen where the buyer couldn't get in although I did have the seller's attorney not hand over the keys because of a technicality and a relocation company was involved.  I'm not even going to get into that except to say the seller's told the buyers how to get in and it all turned out good.  So, what am I saying?  If you are looking for a home in the Greenville area or for that matter anywhere, get an exclusive buyers agent to assist you.

Now I want to go off real estate topic for a moment and talk about my 96 Toyota Land Cruiser.  I'll tell you, all my wife and I have done to it is put a starter and battery in it.....yep that's all....and guess what?  It just turned 280,000 miles and it's still running like a top.  Now, I've got a 2001 Mercedes CL 320 and don't even get me started with all the work and money I've had to put into that SUV.  Toyota's just run and run.  I'll let you know when I turn 300,000!

96 Toyota Landcruiser Resting in The Blue Ridge Mountains

March 17, 2010:

Good morning!  Showed a couple of downtown condos yesterday.  One I hadn't been in but I liked it.  They are a little further up Greenville's West End on Augusta, close to the Greenville Drive Ball Field and Greenville High School.  Brick Street Lofts, call me if you'd like to see.   

Also, I drove through downtown Greenville on main and there are ton of people out.  Of course it was around lunch so everyone that works in downtown Greenville was out to get a bite.  The downtown Greenville Marriott Courtyard is coming along very nicely!  I've got a picture of it when they first started and now I'll update that with a current picture I took yesterday.  I'll have to check it out when it's finished.  I believe it will have some nice restaurants and shopping!  What a location!  The downtown Greenville Marriott Courtyard will sit right beside the Peace Center for The Performing Arts!  What a great place to stay when you want to catch a performance.

Downtown Greenville South Carolina Marriott Courtyard!

Think I'll jump in the hot tub this morning!  Please have a great day!

Don

March 16, 2010:

Good morning, I hope your weekend and Monday was great.  Man was it beautiful here yesterday.  I was talking to a fellow from Vermont yesterday letting him know how pretty is was.  Had a busy day yesterday too.  Hey, I'm showing some Downtown Greenville Condos today, I'll be over at Poinsett Corners then over to Augusta St. 
 
I tell you, if you're interested in a downtown condo, you might want to take a hard look now.  I've seen some pretty good price decreases.  We may be getting close to a turn in the real estate market in Greenville.  I can't remember the source but Greenville South Carolina is picked is one of the first areas to really rebound when the economy as a whole rebounds.  And you've got to understand, our prices here are not really taking a bad beating because as I've mentioned before, we never really had a big bubble like other areas of the country, just....nice....steady....growth.  

Hey, I wanted to mention that Easter Brunch at the Hilton downtown Greenville where my office is located is available through April 5.  And tomorrow the big Blarney Bash in downtown Greenville will be going on!  Don't forget your green!!!  Folks, you can tell we are getting close to spring, hey, Downtown Alive is starting and right outside my office you can listen to the best in jazz, beach and blues at Main St. Fridays!  Gosh, I l love spring in Greenville, so much to do. 

I just glanced at the Greenville MLS and pending transactions are up about 300 from December, that tells me that things area swinging now.  We got 94 new or changed homes for sale in Greenville MLS over the last 24 hours.  

Augusta Rd., Chancellors Park,  Chatelaine jump out at me.  Which of course brings me to another success story from last year that I haven't had a chance to blog...I mean write about :-)!

The reason I happened to think about it was I saw the contractor who did an outstanding job for me on a condo in Chatelaine Condos over by Thornblade last year.  Here's the deal....a year of so ago a builder bought the last lots in Chatelaine and started some very nice condos.  Well, ecomomy dipped and he couldn't finish them.  So he offered the shell at I believe around $135,000, actually the bank did.  I had an interested buyer from up north that spends quite a bit of time in Greenville.  So, she bought one and used a contractor I recommended to finish out the unit.  Well, I'm telling you it was nothing but framing and outside finish.  So she basically got it "her way".  I saw it a few months ago and it is just simply beautiful.  She has less in it than the market and I believe she has already had some people offer to buy it from her.  Folks...that's the way to do business!

Have a good one! 

Devereaux's, Greenville SC

March 13, 2010:

Good morning, I want to mention that as a part of my Greenville SC information packet I send out I have a nice packet from the Greenville Hospital System.  I get a lot of questions from people who are retired inquiring about healthcare in Greenville SC so I have some nice information from Greenville Memorial that I can include in the info. packet if you like.

Greenville Memorial Hospital offers specialized facilities including the following:

Cancer Center
Children's Hospital (Pediatric ER, Pediatric ICU and Highest level neonatal ICU)
Women's Hospital
Nursing Home Center
Long-term Acute Care Hospital
Roger C. Peace Hospital - Rehabilitation
Institute for Vascular Health
Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Wellness

If you'd like a info. packet on Greenville Memorial Hospital, please give me a call or contact me and I'll include it in my Greenville SC Relocation information.  I've got to get busy so ya'll have a great day!

Chapel at Cliffs Glassy

March 12, 2010:

Hey, it's Friday so let's see what in the world is going on in Greenville this weekend!  A Portrait of Greenville, Local Landscapes and Andrew Wyeth collections are being exhibited at the Greenville County Museum of Art.  Rock and Roll Heaven is at Center Stage, a Streetcar Names Desire is at the Greenville Little Theatre, The Reckoning: The Battle for The International Criminal Court is at the Peace Center for The Performing Arts,  wanna check out some Bull?  SuperBull is at the Bi-Lo Center.  Uh Oh, guess what starts on the 18th, next Thursday?  Yep, downtown alive will start kicking by my Downtown Greenville SC office!

So what's happening in the world of Greenville SC Real Estate?  I've got to go meet a contractor at a home today to look at some possible damage from some Powder Post beetles.  I've got a cash deal going with a very nice couple from up North and the Pest Inspector found evidence of powder post beetle damage.  Now none of it is active, in other words there are no active pests there and probably there is no structural damage but it is always good to have these things checked out. 

But this brings up the point of my blog this morning.   We had the home in Greenville inspected and put together a repair request like I had mentioned in an earlier blog.  We asked the seller to send out a licensed contractor to investigate for structural damage and they refused citing there was no active infestation.  Folks, I rarely see a request like this refused but hey some people are just like that.  You know, leveraging up.  And that is my point, real estate negotiation depends on the leverage you have.  You see this is a cash deal, so there is no bank involved to say, either "clear the termite letter" or no loan.  So you lose that leverage.  Also, in my opinion it's a great home and the best available for my buyers needs.  So hey, you suck it up and pay for stuff the seller would normally take care of if you want the home.  There is more to the story but even in this case the seller should have done more regarding the request, but hey, some people are just like that. 

I'm ready for spring, how about you guys?  I may be able to get out and shoot a little photography for you, come visit Greenville South Carolina, I'd love to give you the tour!  Here's some flowers to put you in the mood for spring!

I'm Ready for My Tulips and Azaleas to Bloom!

March 11, 2010:

Greenville SC Jobs, that's the topic today folks.  You know there is still a lot of good economic news in Greenville.  In last months Greenville blog I mentioned that Proterra had selected Greenville SC for it's manufacturing plant that will many bring many new jobs.  Well a tire and wheel assembly company has announced that it will be locating in Greer!  This is to support the BMW manufacturing plant ant it's X3 sports utility vehicle.  Looks like Astra Logistics, a Florida based company will locate in the Metro Court industrial park.  

Folks, I remember when BMW started it's new expansion, I had  buyer client who was a construction boss on that job.  I originally thought the BMW expansion was about $250,000,000, hey, looks more like about $750,000,000... you know friends, that's a lot of money!  

Greenville SC jobs are there, while much of the country is in a serious slow down, Greenville just seems to keep chugging along! I got a call three weeks ago from a fellow who may be moving in for a job with GE Turbine, I've worked with a number of buyer clients out there and I believe they have around 4,000 plus in the work force!  Hey if you are considering relocating to Greenville SC, just give me a call and I'll put you in touch with some Greenville employment agencies.  Glad to help!  864-335-8490....

I've been fairly busy but I believe we are about to hit the big spring rush.  Buyers normally hit the market about now with school coming to an end in May.  So, I hope you have a wonderful day and let me know if I can help!  Stay away from these guys :-)!

Don't These Turkey Vultures Make a Beautiful Couple!

March 10, 2010:

Good morning!  Looks like we may get a little rain today and tomorrow.  I better get that fertilizer down!  Listen, I want to write just a bit about homes for sale in Greenville SC!  I tell you there are a lot of fancy Greenville SC Real Estate web sites out there but folks, I've got to say it one more time.  If you're not from the area....and you don't know the area, then how in the world are you going to know what a good value is?

I'm putting together a home and neighborhood page for you for those who want to easily bookmark a particular neighborhood or condo unit and watch it.  But if you are relocating to Greenville and don't know the area then it won't mean much.  I always say, beware the pretty listing, why, well if you're not from here you just don't know if it's a good value or not or in a high crime neighborhood, right?  Yes, there area sources of information out there where you can take a whack at the value of the home.  But folks, many of the records have a lot of errors in them, particularly the tax records regarding sq. footage. 

I offer my expertise not only based on the MLS numbers but also on me living in the area for over 25 years!  A lot of this is gut feeling based on experience.  Call me, I'll be glad to help.  Hey, I've got to scoot.  Ya'll have a big day!

Getting ready for the 2010 Reedy River Run!

March 8, 2010:

Good morning!  I hope you had a great weekend.  Man was it beautiful in Greenville.  We had temps in the 60's.  I had a number of showings Saturday with a very nice couple but had some time before that to skip downtown to photograph the Reedy River Run for you.  I had posted some photos of the Reedy River Run for you yesterday, but thought it might me fun to put up a slide show of the event.  The Carolina First Reedy River Run is a top road race in the country and we had about 3,800 in the 10k alone.  There was also a 5k and Kids run too.   Looks like three runners from Blowing Rock NC took the top three spots in the 10k.  The best local finisher was Wallace Campbell of Central at 30:41.  The top 5k finisher was from Rock Hill.  James Brooks from Greenville finished 7th with a time of 17:09.  Sit back and enjoy some photos from the run.

And have a great day!  By the way, if you see a photo you would like, just call me at 864-335-8490 and I'll email it to you.

Reedy River Run Video Slideshow

March 7, 2010:

From A Beautiful Day in Downtown Greenville at The Reedy River Run.  Folks we had nearly 4,000 in the 10K and I believe over 2,500 in the 5k!

Reedy River Run Photos in Downtown Greenville!

March 5, 2010:

Hey, hope you have a wonderful weekend!  It sure is going to be pretty here.  Maybe 60's!  Let's see what's happening in Greenville this weekend. 

A Portrait of Greenville is at the Greenville County Museum of Art.  49th Annual Southern Home and Garden Show is at the Carolina First Center.  Rock'n Roll Heaven is at Centre Stage.  A Streetcar Names Desire is at the Greenville Little Theatre.  We The People is playing at Gunter Theatre-Peace Center. The Carolina First Reedy River Run with over 5,000 competitors is happening downtown.  Jolly Roger is being performed by the Carolina Ballet at the Gunter Theatre.  Return to The Green Irish Festival sponsored by the Irish Cara Organization will be downtown..... food, dancers, etc!

Folks, I've got a busy weekend.  Got a showing this morning and I'm gonna try and slide in 18 homes tomorrow!  Whew, wish me luck! 

Hey Beau, thanks for a great car wash yesterday!  I highly recommend Canopy Car Wash for the best wash in Greenville! 

Canopy Car Wash over on Wade Hampton Blvd.

March 4, 2010:

Hey! Just updated my Downtown Greenville SC Condo page to make it easier to search by specific condos.  Folks, I can almost smell spring on the way.  Going to be mid 50's today and in the 60's this weekend.  That's good because I have a number of buyers I'm helping this weekend.  I'm finishing up inspections on a home for a very nice couple from Vermont this morning.  The inspector is going to pick up the radon test.

So I thought I'd write a bit about home inspections this morning.  GET ONE!  ALWAYS! And find a good inspector to use.  Folks, I've used numerous inspectors through out the years and have tried to whittle them down to about 3 good ones.  But even then I'll get surprised when one of the older or better known companies sends out some new guy or gal that doesn't quite know what they are doing.  Anyway, most of them are very good and I always recommend an inspection even on new construction.  At a minimum you'll want a general inspection and a termite inspection.  Sometimes the buyer will want a radon test done and if the roof is "iffy" then I'll have a roof inspector come out.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas and we do have it show up in inspections on occasion.  To me the extra $100 or so for the test is well worth it.  If found, seller must  bring below acceptable levels or buyer can withdraw from contract.  The termite inspector checks for wood destroying pests and excessive moisture.  The general home inspector checks numerous items from wall sockets to stoves, really most everything .

Once the inspection is done I sit down with my buyers to request repairs the buyer may want made.  Then we present a signed list to the seller.  Seller will have a few days to respond and the listing agent will get us a signed response, then the buyer will have a few days to respond to the response.  Yep, you guessed it, it's negotiation all over again just like writing the offer.  So anyway, I hope you have a wonderful day!  I've got to get crackin!!

Don

Waltzing at The Westin Poinsett, Greenville SC

March 3, 2010:

Hey folks, good morning!  I hope you're doing well.  I had a fun day showing land yesterday out in the boonies up north west of Spartanburg and man did we get caught in the snow.  Anyway, we made it back and all the white stuff will be gone pretty quick with temps in the mid 50's today. 

Listen, I want to relate a little experience to you that happened last week.  I've got some great buyers I've known for years and they finally got both their homes sold and are ready to buy some great Greenville SC Real Estate.  We have looked at a number of homes and they were ready to make an offer on a very beautiful home in the Greenville area.  They were ready to make an offer so naturally I checked comps to see if the home was "in the market".  I felt like it was a bit high and comps confirmed it.  Problem is a lot of the home is in the basement.  Folks, around here we normally give finished basement sq. footage about half the value of finished ground level sq. footage.  The basement was finished nicely but not extravagant. 

I looked to see what the sellers paid for it a few years back at the top of this market.  They were adding about $60,000 in market value to what they paid for it.  Well folks, I'm having a real hard time swallowing that.   Especially in a flat to down market over the past two years.  Hey, if the market supports the pricing, I'm all for it.  I called the listing agent an mentioned I'm concerned about the pricing and the agent responded that the seller had been warned that it may not appraise.   I dropped the listing an agent an email saying we were going to pass because the offer we were going to make just was just too much apart from the listing price.  Well folks I get an email back telling me they wouldn't even consider such an offer and not to waste their time.  There was another comment about what the sellers paid for it.  

Listen folks, it's a nice home, well kept but in my opinion not worth near what they are asking for it.  Especially with all that sq. footage in the basement. And you know what...it's not what they paid for it, it's what it is worth.   And yes I suppose it's ok for sellers to test the market to see if they can get what they want but facts are facts and good listing agents should not take over priced listings.  If they do and the activity is not there then they should start dropping the price.  Of course a cash buyer could come along and buy through the listing agent and not have an appraisal done.  Yes, that happens, hard to believe...isn't it. 
 
The only advice I can offer you is to get a buyers agent on your side.  Get a good one who doesn't list any homes and is working in your best interest.

I'm in the office today, give me a call at 864-335-8490 if you need help.

Best,

Don

Feral Cat

March 1, 2010:

Hey folks!  I sure hope you had a wonderful weekend!  I did, I went to my brother in law's 60th birthday party up in North Carolina and we had a great time.  Got back late yesterday and yes I'm ready to get out there and help my buyers find some wonderful homes!

I had a couple of things I wanted to blog about this morning but I think I'll wait since I got an email late last night that really made me feel good.  First of all I helped a wonderful couple who are first time home buyers close on a great home in a nice area Friday.  Well that always makes me feel good, helping out like that.  Then when I just checked my email I got this from a wonderful woman I helped from out of state close earlier this month.  Here it is with slight edits. 

Hi Don:

I am back in MA today (Sunday) and I miss Greenville already. Rob is driving back to SC with my car this Thursday. My husband is flying in on Wed. of this week and will stay until Tuesday of next week. I am trying to arrange to come back this weekend too. Although this is not a formal Thank you, I cannot send this e-mail without letting you know how much I have appreciated the help you gave to me and my family. I consider you a friend and not a broker. You have allowed me to make changes in my life that will have an impact (positive) for a long time. I will be forever grateful. Our plan is to fly into SC at least one to two weekends a month. Come Sept. of this year, I hope to have a job lined up in SC and then I would stay there. Rob and I had a wonderful time, setting up the house we enjoyed every moment.  I could go on and on, but now I am trying to get to bed and beginning my work day tomorrow.  I am just so happy about the home, I have never ever been happier.

Thank you.

Gerry

Folks, what can I say.  This is why I love what I do..... Please have a wonderful day!

Jogging in Cleveland Park!

February 2010 Blog and Updates
 

 January 10 Blog  December 09 Blog  November 09 Blog 
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