Why Listening to Your Agent Saves Time and Money

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If you want to sell your home faster than your competition, it’s a good idea to take your real estate agent’s advice. Almost half of the sellers who listed their home at what the agent recommended sold their house for more money and twice as fast as the competition. It may be tempting to price your home high, but you may just be making your neighbor’s home that’s more reasonably priced look like a great deal.

My Greenville Home Radio Show; What To Inspect When You Inspect

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Every week, on Saturday from 11am to 12 noon we reach out to the community on our radio show hosted on 94.5 Conservative Talk. We bring important discussions into the mix, introduce you to industry experts plus share valuable tips and knowledge to help you in all your home buying and selling endeavors.

This week, our topic was home inspections and we were fortunate to have Eric Knight of Knight Property Services speak to us about this all-important aspect of buying a home. We went through some of the most frequently asked questions that usually come up about home inspections, including things like the cost of a typical inspection, what items are evaluated, which items are not included plus how to find a good inspector. We also took listener questions.

If you would like to listen to the program, click on the link below. And be sure to tune in every week where we will be bringing you more valuable topics in the coming weeks and months ahead. If there are topics that you would like us to cover, please feel free to email me at dhamilton@kw.com or call directly 864-527-7685.

As always, we look forward to helping you with your real estate needs. Our team of experts with many combined years of experience will be sure to make your real estate journey an enjoyable and successful one!

Link to radio program:

https://soundcloud.com/dan-hamilton-2/my-greenville-home-january-5

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Eric or seek more information, he can be reached at 864-360-5082.

How the Fiscal Cliff Impacted the Real Estate Industry and Greenville SC

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At long last, a deal was reached with the Fiscal Cliff situation in Washington. But as a real estate agent, one of my concerns is how does it impact my clients and the real estate industry overall? Particularly in terms of capital gains taxes and other taxation issues, the Fiscal Cliff deal has created some changes for the better in the real estate industry. Here are some major points to keep in mind that will indeed have an impact on how you make your real estate decisions in 2013 and beyond.

Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Extended Through 2013

One of the most beneficial programs set up to help boost the housing industry and help homeowners with underwater mortgages has been the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. With the latest discussions, through the end of the current year homeowners that face short sales are still able to write off forgiven debt as opposed to being taxed on what is considered taxable income.

Tax Deductions for Mortgage Insurance Premiums Still In Place

Borrowers that pay expensive mortgage insurance premium can still deduct that annual amount when they file their taxes. Had this conclusion not been reached while Congress was settling all issues at hand, homeowners with less than 78% equity would be taxed on the PMI payments made every month. This has been extended through 2013 and is retroactive for 2012.

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Available to Homeowners

Energy efficient homes continue to create tax benefits for homeowners choosing to install approved home improvements in their existing homes. The tax benefit is a credit of 10% (up to $500).

No Change in Previous Capital Gains Tax Rates

As it was in the previous year, capital gains rate will remain at 15% for individuals making $400,000 and households earning $450,000. After that, the tax rate is 20%. There are no changes to the tax exclusion for the sale of a single-family home for gains of $250,000 for individual and $500,000 for couples.

Estate Tax Guidelines Allow For Additional Leniency

The first $5M in individual estates and the first $10M in family estates are now exempt from estate taxes. After that, the tax rate is 40%. 

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We hope this update will assist you in making informed decisions in your real estate endeavors. As always, we invite you to contact us for any of your real estate needs, whether buying, selling or investing in a property.

Happy 2012 Holidays and Warm Season’s Greetings!

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This video is from our recent annual client appreciation event where we gave away Christmas wreaths and had pictures with Santa.

To all our cherished friends, neighbors, family and clients – we are so proud to have been able to work with you and be a part of your lives! As we end this year and turn to the exciting time and events that 2013 holds, we just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all that you bring to our lives.

We have some really great plans in the coming year to bring more success to all your real estate endeavors. And with each transaction that makes it to the closing table in the coming months and years ahead – we know that there will continue to be new and exciting things to follow for all of us.

On behalf of the entire group – Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Peace and Joy and don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest happenings in Greenville!

10 Things to Remove Before Listing or Showing Your Home

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Everyone know you need to de-clutter when it's time to sell your home. What does that really mean?  Here are a few of the most important things to consider removing before you list your home for sale.

10. Personal photos. I don't always recommend removing photos of the 'family' but if you have hallways filled with photos or photos on every end table it is probably necessary. Buyers really DO get distracted by them. They will take them all in as they walk down the hall. Not only do they take away from the home, but it's really disturbing when a buyer is excited to 'know' the sellers. And, the buyers do look at them.

9. Bills and personal papers. I understand that you cannot remove these document from the home all together, but please take the time to organize them, box them up and put them out of sight. If you have bills laying out on the counter or kitchen table it's like an invitation for the buyers to 'peek' at them. Believe me - I discourage it - but it still happens. And as a seller you just don't want to leave the temptation behind.

8. Money. I would love to say that every buyer (and Realtor) going through every home is honest, but I really don't want to test those waters. If you have cash, cash boxes or coin jars sitting out in the open... put them away. It's just better for everyone if it's out of sight. As Realtors we do what we can to protect your home, but your help makes a difference!

7. Valuables. Jewelry, watches, valuable antiques.... anything that might be worth a bit of money that you wouldn't want to lose. Out of sight, out of mind. If buyers don't know they are there they won't think about it. I can't tell you how many homes I've been in where the jewelry is left on the dresser.... somehow it's uncomfortable. At least put it away.

6. Guns and ammo. I don't care if they are in a case or out laying around or under a bed. It's better if you just plain old remove them from the home prior to listing. For some reason they make buyers (in my experience) feel really insecure.

5. Shoes! If you have a pile of shoes at the door... ask yourself why. A pile of shoes gives a buyer two impressions. The first? That there isn't enough storage in your home. 2. That there are too many people living in the home. So, in order to avoid wondering on the part of the buyer... just put them away.

4. Medicine. Take it out. Don't store it on the counter. Don't store it in the cabinet. Don't store it in the bathroom. Remove it. There have been many complaints over the years of potential buyers 'stealing' the medicine out of the cabinets. I have never had it happen on my time clock, but to avoid any trouble it's best to simply remove it.

3. All things on your kitchen counter. Everything? Really? Yup. The cleaner you can leave the counter, the more buyers dream of being in there. Have you ever been in a cluttered kitchen? Does it feel inviting? How about a cleaned up kitchen? Does it make you wanna spend time there? Also, if you store things on the counter it gives the appearance that you do not have enough storage space.

2. No more junk drawers. Seriously. Clean 'em out. There is nothing more tacky than a potential buyer opening the cupboards and drawers and having things sticking out everywhere. Box up all the notes, pens, tacks, and odds and ends and put them away. Chances are you don't dig in the drawer often anyways.

1. Nothing but magnets.... and maybe not even that. Take a photo of your fridge, take everything off, wash the front (and side), and take another photo. It is really refreshing to walk into a home that has a clean fridge. The kids pictures are beautiful (believe me... my fridge is covered in them) but buyer's can't imagine their own children's drawing on there if it is covered with yours. And, the magnets... If they aren't decorative (and even then) they are generally more of a distraction to the room than a help. Consider it.

P.S. Check out GreenvilleHomePrices.com for a great new way to see what your home is worth! >>

Greenville, SC October 2012 Real Estate Market Update

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Keller Williams RED Day Gives Back

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Nothing is better than people extending a helping hand to others and to emulate our year-round work ethic the Keller Williams team, nationwide, spends a day helping our communities in need. Each May on the second Thursday of the month we get together with our team members and follow through with the commitment “Renew, Energize and Donate”.

This year we had a chance to work together at The Generous Garden Project – something that we do not often get to do in today’s busy day and age. In the past we have rebuilt parks, refurbished dilapidated areas needing some TLC, given our time and resources to shelters – and so much more.

Held in honor of our Vice Chairman of the Board Mo Anderson, RED DAY is something that all of us look forward to each year. To find out more about RED DAY, please visit the Keller Williams national website here – you will be inspired by the motivation behind this fantastic cause!

Thank you for your time and I look forward to supporting you in all of your real estate needs!