Monday, November 30, 2015

Top Six Reasons to sell your house in December by Shelley Hopkins

Top six reasons to sell your house in December
 

  • 1      Inventory is low.  There is a myth that homes don’t sell this time of year, so fewer homes are on the market.  We still have plenty of buyers, and these buyers are finding themselves in multiple offer situations!  The buyers are loosing out because of too many offers.
  • 2      There are fewer homes on the market right now in the popular $250,000 – $350,000 price range.  We have many buyers searching in that range right now.
  • 3      Many homes are nicely decorated for the holidays. Holiday smells and decorations are very inviting to people looking at homes.  It helps them to imagine living there. 
  • 4      Kids are out of school, and the buyer can see children out playing.  It gives life to the neighborhood.
  • 5      Less competition for your home.  This is really a repeat of reason #1, but it is the most important.  You can compete against many homes in the spring and summer, or compete against fewer homes in the winter.  People still need to buy homes at each season of the year.
  • 6      In Charleston, it is actually better weather for house hunting when the temperature is cooler.  Our fall and winter is quite comfortable.  Our summers are hot and sticky.  Just something to think about!



So, to review:  If you are planning on selling your home soon, now is better than later.  People are out looking at homes, and the inventory is low.  Houses are getting multiple offers, which is good for the seller.  Give me a call, or send me a private message if you want to learn more.  I can give you tips for getting your home ready for the market, as well as give you an idea of the value of your home. 

Shelley Hopkins
843-749-3506
Shelley.hopkins@cbunited.com

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Palmetto Islands County Park, Mount Pleasant, SC. by Shelley Hopkins



Have you ever wondered what Mount Pleasant looked like before it was covered with trendy shops and neighborhoods?  Mount Pleasant is still a beautiful city, and it can be a delight to walk through the Old Village and down Pitt Street to the pier.  The parks are wonderful and all the live oaks still shade the city streets and homes.  But, to see this area before people, take a drive over to the Palmetto Islands County Park.  This park is at the end of the Longpoint group of subdivisions, and it has plenty of park things to do; a playground, a splash park, crabbing dock, and paddle boat rentals, and my favorite, a 50 foot observation tower complete with sides for the “children.” 


Observation Tower and view from tower below



I visited the park today, in November, and I chose to simply walk the trails.  I was amazed at the beauty, at the palmetto trees nestled among live oaks, dogwoods and pines.  I started at the playground area and followed the paved pathway out past the splash park, and then I switched to a boardwalk that crossed marsh to reach what they call the Nature Island.  A man on a bicycle passed me, and I met several people walking with their dogs.  After circling the island I returned to the paved road, was passed by the same bicyclist, and then walked towards the river on the opposite side of the park.  I walked up to the 50 foot lookout tower, and rested, enjoying the expansive views and the cool breezes.  The air had the salty marshy feel.  It was low tide, and even from the top of the tower I could hear the pop pop sounds of air escaping the pluff mud.  Birds were plentiful, and I wished I had my binoculars and a longer camera lens.  After a time I returned to the trail, was passed by the same bicyclist, again, and walked on to the crab dock and river.







I kept thinking about how the original inhabitants of this land would live, the oysters, fish and crab providing food.  I think the soft wet soil under the palmetto forests would be difficult to navigate, and so I was thankful for the paved and dirt pathways.  I watched two men fish, and then walked back towards my car, passing that same bicycle rider one last time.

Check out Palmetto Island County Parks for more information
Search here for homes found in the Longpoint area, where you can bike to this park right from your home.