Buy a House
Friday, August 3rd, 2012
****NEW LISTING****
1230 Chuka Ct., Charleston, SC 29412

*NEW LISTING* LOCATION, VIEWS, TURN-KEY & PRIVACY ARE THE BEST WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS LISTING & THE BEST WORDS FOR A BUYER TO HEAR! Not only is this UNIQUE custom home built on a 1/2 ACRE lot overlooking a GORGEOUS Tidal Creek, with distant views of the Clark Sound but it’s also situated in a Cul-De-Sac! So, if you have your checklist in hand, you can cross off a decent lot size, privacy & VIEWS that only a PRIME LOWCOUNTRY lot can provide! In regards to LOCATION, get your pencil ready because it’s surrounded by extremely luxurious homes & situated about (10) minutes from Downtown Charleston or even closer to Folly Beach! For those of you who worry about traffic, the community has an ease of access to numerous short cuts or alternative routes. Last but not least & as if they were hand placed, there’s the perfect amount of trees providing some shade on those hot Summer days and a buffer from neighboring properties. But the good stuff doesn’t just stop here, this CUSTOM (1) bedroom house is a GEM with lots of potential for growth. Starting with the full (2) car garage there’s an enclosed room that was used as an office by the previous owner. Also, with the size of this lot, the Seller feels very strongly that you could easily add on to the structure to obtain additional bedrooms.(we’re in the process of pulling the history from DHEC since it’s on a septic system) The bottom line is whatever would be done, will almost certainly add value & a nice ROI! Not to mention, it allows you to add your own personal touch to the property. Yes, the LOT is special but prepare to be WOW’D as you enter the home! Instantly greeted by the open, airy VAULTED ceiling and combined with the high demand, MODERN floor-plan, it really feels like you are living LARGE! Off to your right is the CUSTOM kitchen and granite counter-top bar that’s equipped with stainless appliances (THAT DO CONVEY), tile flooring, nickel finished hardware, pendent light fixtures, recessed lighting & plenty of cabinetry/counter-top space which should more than satisfy any chef’s needs. As you head into the Living Room, you cant help but notice the beautiful GLEAMING hardwoods or views of the Tidal Creek from the comfort of your couch! Eventually the FABULOUS Marble Fireplace will definitely catch your eye! Lastly, you have outside access to the Back Deck! Overlooking the Marsh and your LARGE PRIVATE SHADED backyard, I can’t imagine a better place to spend my time relaxing! As we all know one of the most important features is the Bedroom. Well, I hope you still have your checklist & pencil handy! The Master Bedroom will definitely make a lasting impression! With vaulted ceilings, this very Large Master SUITE feels extremely spacious. It also boasts gorgeous hardwoods, a walk-in closet, outside access to the back deck & VIEWS of THE TIDAL CREEK/MARSH! Lastly, the Master Bath is just as impressive with tile floors, dual vanities, marble shower & more. The best part is this SELLER IS VERY MOTIVATED
For any questions regarding this listing and more, please don’t hesitate to contact The Fred Holland Team. Joshua Brandner, Realtor (843) 343-1307 or josh@fredhollandrealty.com
Tags: charleston, for sale, house, marsh, Real Estate, tidal creek, Waterfront
Posted in Buy a House, Homes for Sale, MLS Listings, Real Estate, Real Estate Listings | No Comments »
Thursday, June 28th, 2012
****NEW BANK OWNED LISTING****
170 Rolling Meadows Drive, Summerville, SC 29485
List Price: $374,900.00

***NEW*** WELL PRICED BANK OWNED HOUSE IN A HIGH DEMAND NEIGHBORHOOD! This LARGE UNIQUE EXECUTIVE HOME is located in the prestigious community of Walnut Farms! Not only is it on a CORNER LOT but its also on a FULL ACRE with PLENTY OF CURB APPEAL! Walnut Farms is a very Exclusive, Private Gated Community with extremely easy access to shopping, North Charleston, Airport, Interstate and more.. you would be hard pressed to find a more ideal location. Of course the icing on the cake is this property is within the confines of the OUSTANDING Dorchester II School District! The property has plenty of off-street parking and a LARGE (3) CAR GARAGE which makes this home the perfect place for large gatherings or outdoor BBQ’s! Upon entering the home, you are instantly greeted by the gleaming hardwood floors and gorgeous stair case leading to the second floor. The extremely large eat-in-kitchen is equipped with a kitchen island, plenty of cabinetry and counter-top space which should satisfy any Chef’s needs! Even though there is an eat-in-kitchen, it also has a private dining room that would be an ideal place to have those coveted sit down dinners. Upstairs hosts several of the bedrooms and a HUGE room over the garage with a private bathroom, kitchen sink and access to the garage! The Master Suite can be found on the first floor with a tray ceiling and ample size. The Master Bath has a whirpool tub, his/her sinks and walk-in closets and stand-up shower. The center piece of the living room is the two-sided fireplace and entry ways to the LARGE family room. Overlooking the GORGEOUS backyard and INGROUND POOL this family room will surely not disappoint. From the gleaming hardwoods, to the brick fireplace, to the natural light gaining entry through the skylight to the wetbar and finally a BUILT-IN HOT TUB, it’s truly a UNIQUE experience. There is also a large porch with ceiling fan that could be an excellent place to relax during the hot Summer Days. That is unless you would rather spend those days in the gated INGROUND POOL AREA! As you can see, this home truly is a unique property. Couple that with its good pricing, its truly a “must see” as we like to say in this business. Even though this home appears to be priced well, this seller is VERY, VERY MOTIVATED SO MAKE AN OFFER!***
For questions on this listing and more, please contact the Fred Holland Team. Joshua Brandner, Realtor, (843) 343-1307 or josh@fredhollandrealty.com
Tags: Bank Owned, charleston, for sale, foreclosure, listing, mls, Real Estate, reo, summerville
Posted in Buy a House, Foreclosures, Homes for Sale, Luxury Homes, MLS, MLS Listings, Real Estate Listings | No Comments »
Thursday, June 21st, 2012
****NEW LISTING***
1317 E. Ashley Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439
List Price: $1,249,900

***NEW*** Here is your chance to purchase “THE DECK HOUSE”! This newly renovated Oceanfront home is a Beach Owner’s Paradise! Situated on the 13th Block of Folly, you are just far enough away from the Hustle and Bustle of Center Street but also close enough to enjoy the many amenities that Folly offers. These include but are not limited to: tennis/basketball courts, County Park, Shopping, Dining, Parades, Boat Ramp and more..With a paved driveway and (3) car garage, there is ample room for parking. Built in 1993 with “post and beam” construction for added strength and with its many decks, 1317 E. Ashley Avenue screams CUSTOM! It truly captures the UNIQUENESS of Folly Beach with imaginative design and architectural features. Upon entering the home, you are greeted by a modern open floor-plan with a beamed vaulted ceiling illuminating an open airy feel. Couple that with a multitude of oceanside windows and sliding glass doors, it provides the PERFECT beachfront experience. The first floor hosts the LARGE living room with GLEAMING HARDWOODS, custom ceiling fans and outside access to one of the many decks. Also on the first floor is the GORGEOUS KITCHEN/DINING COMBO. Equipped with tile flooring, granite counter-tops, tract lighting, plenty of cabinetry/counter-top space, stainless appliances and custom nickel finished fixtures, it will satisfy any Master Chef’s needs. The Dining Room has more than enough room to host several people for breakfast or dinner and yes, you will have VIEWS of the ATLANTIC during your feast! One of the (4) bedrooms is downstairs while the other (3) are upstairs and all of them have ceiling fans. The Master Bathroom is equipped with a Whirpool Tub, stand-up shower and dual vanities! With a total of (4) bedrooms (3) full baths and 2600 square feet, this home will surely satisfy most buyers needs and also help maximize rental income for those of you who are looking for an investment! Saving the best for last, this home has a 30X15 rooftop deck that provides some of the BEST VIEWS Folly has to offer! From the Folly River to the Atlantic Ocean, all can be seen from this location!(MUST READ NOTES REGARDING DECK) The home is also equipped with an elevator and ALL APPLIANCES AND FURNISHINGS WILL CONVEY! Whether you are an investor or looking to purchase a primary residence, this home should be on your short list! Its a proven winner in the rental program but also has pride of ownership! ***AGENTS MUST READ NOTES***
If you have any questions regarding this listing or more, please don’t hesitate to contact The Fred Holland Team. Joshua Brandner, Realtor, (843) 343-1307 or josh@fredhollandrealty.com
Tags: beachfront, folly beach, for sale, house, investment property, mls, oceanfront, Real Estate
Posted in Buy a House, Homes for Sale, Luxury Homes, MLS, Property Investment, Real Estate, Real Estate Listings | No Comments »
Thursday, June 21st, 2012
***BANK OWNED***
1358 Tidal Creek Cove, Charleston, SC 29412
List Price: $149,900

****NEW****WELL PRICED “BANK OWNED” WATERFRONT LOT WITH DOCK ON JAMES ISLAND! 1358 Tidal Creek Cove is a ridiculously priced 0.28 ACRE lot situated in Seaside Estates, a prestigious subsection of Seaside Plantation. With Folly Beach within (5) minutes driving distance and Downtown Charleston less than (10) minutes away, it’s the ideal location for anyone who wishes to reside on James Island. This cleared Marsh/Waterfront lot is ready for construction and truly is an opportunity to build your LUXURIOUS dream home at an AFFORABLE price ! Equipped with your very own PRIVATE DOCK that stretches across the Marsh/Tidal Creek eventually ending at a floating dock where you can spend your days crabbing, fishing, tying up the BOAT or catching some Sun while you take in the Wildlife and GORGEOUS scenary that only Charleston can provide! Taking the existing dock into consideration, this lot is listed at AMAZING PRICE and whether you are an Agent or Customer, you should have already been setting up a time to view this PRIME PIECE OF LAND! Dont take my word for it but instead, take a look at all the other comparable lots for sale on James Island and I think most will agree that this one should be the next to sell! Last but not least, the community has a private Boat Ramp which is perfect because the money you save on buying this lot will leave enough to purchase a Watercraft allowing you to appreciate what all the Lowcountry has to offer! Even though this listing is priced well this seller is VERY MOTIVATED!
If you have any questions regarding this listing and more, please contact The Fred Holland Team. Joshua Brandner, Realtor, (843) 343-1307 or josh@fredhollandrealty.com
Tags: charleston, Dock, marshfront, Real Estate, tidal creek, vacant land
Posted in Buy a House, Foreclosures, MLS, MLS Listings, Property, Property Investment, Real Estate, Real Estate Listings, Real Estate Market | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 20th, 2012
***NEW LISTING***
106-2L W. Arctic Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439
List Price: $369,900

***NEW*** TOP FLOOR UNIT WITH UNOBSTRUCTED OCEANVIEW AND PRICED VERY WELL! This (3) bedroom, (3) bath 1352 sq. ft unit is in the LUXURIOUS Folly Beach condo community of Pavilion Watch. Situated one block off of Center Street, HUB of Folly, the many restaraunts, shops, Folly Pier and Nightlife are just a stone’s throw away. Speaking of a stone’s throw away, many consider the Pavilion Watch community Beachfront because of its Unobstruced OCEAN VIEWS & it’s short stroll to the Sandy Beaches. Some of the great amenities offered are: tennis court, covered parking, elevators, gate, pool and hot tub! Folly Beach offers a public Boat Ramp, County Park, Tennis/ Basketball Courts and more. With the focal point of the unit being the Atlantic Ocean, you have AMAZING VIEWS from the Kitchen, Living Room, Master Bedroom and TWO Balconies. All of the bedrooms are equipped with ceiling fans but the Master Bedroom has a walk-in closet, outside access and VIEWS of the Atlantic from the COMFORT of your own BED! The TRUE GEM of this unit is the LARGE Master Bath which has dual vanities, seperate shower and a whirlpool tub. Whether you are looking for an investment or primary residence this property could fit your needs! With an affordable price tag, it could finally be your chance to live on the Beach or with it being a proven favorite in the vacation rental program it could be great for investment income. Last but not least, ALL FURNISHINGS AND APPLIANCES WILL CONVEY! **AGENTS MUST READ NOTES***
For questions regarding this listing and more, contact The Fred Holland Team! Joshua Brandner, Realtor, josh@fredhollandrealty.com 843-343-1307
Tags: condo, folly beach, for sale, investment property, ocean view
Posted in Buy a House, Condos, Homes for Sale, MLS Listings, Property Investment, Real Estate, Real Estate Listings, Real Estate Market | No Comments »
Monday, May 14th, 2012
***New Listing***
915 W. Ashley Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439
List Price: $1,450,000

****NEW***Vintage Folly Beach, Oceanfront, home with something that no other property can offer! Located on the 9th block of the West end of Folly it’s just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Center Street but close enough to enjoy the many restaurants,shops and unique Folly Beach Events providing an ideal setting for a Beach getaway. For Jimmy Buffet fans, 915 W. Ashley Ave is the location used for his last music video! The song, which was called, “Trip Around The Sun” also featured Martina McBride! This property features 6 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,154 square feet, and sits on a full oceanfront lot. With plenty of off-street parking, you will have ample room to entertain many friends, family and guests during the busy Summer Season. One of the best features is it managed to maintain the vintage Folly charm but has also been modernized on the interior giving you the best of both worlds. Built with an enormous (856 sq. ft.) sun deck overlooking the the Atlantic Ocean that provides plenty of rooms to host outdoor events or to relax while enjoying gorgeous sites and sounds that only a Beachfront home can offer. It is also equipped with a gorgeous rooftop deck, a covered ocean side patio, and screened in porch which all allow a UNIQUE way to enjoy the Folly Sunsets. Something very UNIQUE for an OCEANFRONT HOME is this property is a LEGAL DUPLEX which should create HIGH DEMAND! Currently there is access to each floor from the inside of the home but you may have the option to close that off and create two separate units. Each floor is equipped with three bedrooms and at least one full bath. They also have their own kitchen, separate meters, den, and outside access making the uses for this property endless. One of the best kept secrets about this property is it’s flood insurance. Because of an intelligent owner, he has managed to obtain a flood policy that blows away the competition! The good news is that it’s assumable. (Ask Agent For Details)The property has been a proven winner in the vacation rental program for over 15 years! Last but not least, ALL APPLICANCES AND FURNISHINGS WILL CONVEY.
Please contact The Fred Holland Team with any questions regarding this listing or any other property. Joshua Brandner, Realtor, (843) 343-1307 or josh@fredhollandrealty.com
Tags: beachfront, charleston property, folly beach, for sale, house, mls, oceanfront home
Posted in Buy a House, Homes for Sale, MLS Listings, Property, Property Investment, Real Estate, Real Estate Listings | No Comments »
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
I have been with BB&T for twenty three years and in the mortgage banking industry for over thirty years. My goal has always been to earn my client’s trust by providing professional service and sound financial guidance that will develop into a strong and lasting banking relationship.
BB&T was established in 1872 and for the past 140 years we have shared our knowledge with our clients. By offering sound advice and personal attention, we help our clients make informed choices as they manage their day to day finances and set a course to reach their long-term financial goals.
In the area of mortgages we offer an array of mortgage loan products that I’m sure together we can determine the right fit for your personal financial needs. First time homebuyer? We have a product called the CHIP that in some cases offers 100% financing without mortgage insurance. Building a home? We have a Construction/Perm product that has a one time closing that provides financing during the construction phase and when the home is completed rolls over to a permanent loan. Looking to purchase an investment property? We offer Non-Conforming financing on investment property. These products are just a few of many mortgage financing options offered at BB&T.
Debbie is one of our preferred lenders and BB&T is a bank that I fully endorse. Their products and services always seem to outshine the competition! Please consider contacting Debbie Malone at BB&T for all of you lending needs! From all of us at The Fred Holland Team and BB&T, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Debbie Malone dmalone@bbandt.com (843) 406-6654

Tags: BB&T, buyer, charleston, financing, loan, mortgages, Real Estate
Posted in Buy a House, Home Loans, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Mortgages, Property, Real Estate, Real Estate Market | 1 Comment »
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
What is earnest money? When a buyer attempts to buy a home they should, but are not required to, give some sort of earnest money. This suggests to the seller that the buyer is serious about buying the home. It’s more or less a good faith jesture. Once my buyer’s write an offer I then have them write a check to the escrow agent. That agent is usually the listing or selling real estate company. I then make a copy of that check to submit with the offer. Once the contract gets ratified we then have 48 hours to deposit that check into an escrow account. There is not an industry standard for the amount of earnest monies required. I generally suggest 1% but have seen much less or more. When a seller accepts a contract they will pull that home off the market. That means they are risking valuable marketing time in hopes that you are a serious buyer. If there is not any earnest monies then the buyer has much less risk.
What if I do not buy the home? If you are a buyer and have proper contingencies in place then you should receive your earnest monies back. A seller can choose not to sign a release and in South Carolina we cannot release monies until this is taken care of. If your a seller, then unless the buyer is in a clear breach of contract I always suggest signing a release. In most cases the buyer receives their monies back and you lose the marketing time that the home was marked as contingent in your local MLS.
The Fred Holland Team hopes this blog gives you a little insight into earnest monies. Remember that each market is different and to always consult your local expert. If you have any questions for us, please email josh@fredhollandrealty.com or call (843) 343-1307.
Tags: agent, buying, closing, earnest, estate, house, real, selling
Posted in Buy a House | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
What are closing costs? These are costs that will be acquired at the closing. In most cases the day before closing you will receive a HUD-1 aka Settlement Statement. That settlement statement will itemize all of the costs to a buyer or seller. It will also tell a buyer how much to bring if any to the table. The monies are usually requested to be in the form of a cashier’s check. Some example of closing costs to a buyer are:
Origination Fee= 1%
Attorney Fee’s
Pro-rated Items such as interest, HOA fees, insurance and more.
Title Insurance
Misc Fee’s
Appraisal
and more….
A good way to have a buyer save their liquid and bring the least amount of monies to the table (if any) is to request the seller to pay the buyer’s closing costs & KEYWORD pre-paids. I think it is vital to have a buyer with plenty of reserves in the bank when they purchase a home. By the seller paying the buyer’s closing cost it enables the buyer to only increase or maintain the amount of reserves they already have. Unless you are going FHA the max amount that can be paid is 3% of the purchase price. In past years 3% used to cover almost all of the closing costs. As of late I have noticed that 3.5-4% is what is needed to cover closing costs. Of course this all depends on when you are closing, where you are buying, how much are you financing, are you receiving any discounts, the purchase price of the home & more. With FHA financing the seller can pay up to 6% in closing costs. This cannot be applied to a down payment though. Unfortunately, the down payment assistance program is no longer available. I personally felt this was a wonderful product that allowed a responsible buyer with good credit, work history and more to purchase a home if they did not have 3.5% to put down. Before you make an offer on a house ask your agent to run a HUD for you or get a good faith estimate from the bank. Review the form and pay attention to your closing costs. Ask your agent if you should ask the seller to pay closing costs. In the standard South Carolina real estate contract their is a closing costs clause, in this section I write “seller to pay 3% in buyer’s closing costs and pre-paid items.” In my experience most buyer’s request the seller to do so. With that said, it may not be a good option for you. For example, if you are financing much less than the offer price I would suggest just offering 3% less instead of asking for closing costs. Remember a big part of your actual costs are based off the loan price and the seller may be able to pay all your closing costs with less than 3% allowing them to net more at closing. Please ask your lender what happens to the extra monies if your total closing costs are less than 3% and you requested the seller to pay 3%. Some products or markets may allow monies to be applied in different places.
The Fred Holland Team sincerely hopes you enjoyed this article. Please remember to consult your local expert before taking advice from this blog.
Tags: buyer, charleston, closing, contract, costs, estate, real
Posted in Buy a House | 16 Comments »
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
Contingency! When you’re attempting to purchase or sell a home, this word will be the most important! I would like to give a brief description of some you will see and what to expect.
When I work with buyer’s I always attach an addendum to my contract’s. Addendum’s supersede the contract so that is where I place my buyer’s contingencies. That addendum states that “the contract is contingent on buyer’s sole approval of all inspections, financing and affordable insurance. In the event buyer is not satisfied this contract is considered null & void or re-negotiable and earnest monies will be returned.” This reiterates some items already placed in the contract but it’s always good to reinforce them. Take note that it has no dates and vague terms. An example is affordable insurance: What is affordable? When do you have to decide by? This addendum helps insure my buyer’s protection from the negotiations to closing.
What should the seller’s know? What do they do when they receive this addendum?
If I received an identical addendum and represented the seller, then I would advise that they counter the addendum. I would suggest adding date caps and removing the affordable insurance contingency. You want to make sure that this is a serious buyer whom is not wasting your valuable marketing time. The earnest money should suggest the seriousness of the buyer. Without risk of losing the earnest the buyer may not be as serious or motivated as others with their monies at risk. You as the seller can always refuse to sign a release but unless you have good reason, it is not wise. By countering the addendum it allows the buyer and seller to take equal amount of risk. The idea is to avoid situations where the buyer’s does not show up to the closing and the seller has made repairs and/or arrangements to move. Keep in mind the buyer usually takes possession on the day of closing so the seller is almost always packed up well before then.
I hope this article gave you some insight into the wonderful world of real estate. Please remember to always consult your local agent and do not use this article as advice solely for your transaction. Each real estate deal is unique. The real estate business is constantly changing and evolving. New laws appear and old ones may disappear. If you every have any questions about our local market please don’t hesitate to contact The Fred Holland Team!
Tags: addendum, buyer, contingency, Property, sale, seller
Posted in Buy a House | 7 Comments »