Lucky for Greenville residents, foreclosures are at a low compared with the rest of the country. Around the rest of the country, foreclosures are at an all time high, due to adjustable mortgage rates and from excessive unemployment. Adjustable rate mortgages offer home buyers a teaser rate for a couple of years, making it affordable for them to buy. After the set rates period expires, the economical rates adjust to exorbitant rates, making the mortgage payments unaffordable. The homeowners fall behind their payments and are unable to refinance to lower fix rates. Many of their homes were appraised much higher than they are actually worth. These homes even drop below their actual market prices, due to the poor economy. It was impossible for these homeowners to sell their homes without still owing the banks money.

Unfortunately, many of these homeowners became prey to predatory lenders, because they did not do their homework or they were not really qualified to buy these homes. These lenders were fully aware of this and put clauses to make the rates exorbitant, which caused a foreclosure crisis. Hundreds of homes, vacant lots, and condominiums are up for sale at below market rates from the banks.

Many homes in around the country are going into foreclosures right now, because the homeowners are not taking advantage of governmental fixed rate loans. Many of these homes do not have to go into foreclosures, if the appropriate steps are taken. Some banks are working with the homeowners to help them keep their homes or preventing their homes from foreclosing. Banks are not in the commerce of selling homes. They are trying to get these homes off their hands by putting them up for sale at very economical prices.

The foreclosure market, along with the housing market has been fluctuating quite a bit in the last little while. Unfortunately, the rise in foreclosure rates has been something that has continued to shake the nation’s economy and real estate market.

The good thing is, the foreclosures in Greenville are on the decline and the foreclosure rate is below the national average. According to a report by RealtyTrac, the entire state of South Carolina has a seen a decline in foreclosure filings each month for the past several months.  The reports information  information shows that the entire state experienced an average of 2.41% decrease in foreclosure filings from March 2009 to April 2009.This information is extremely interesting especially when considering that nationwide, the foreclosure filing actually had an increase of close to 1%.

So what does this mean for us in Greenville, South Carolina? It certainly shows that our local housing markets are finally beginning to experience some stability. There have also been some organizations that are striving to help continue to build our local neighborhoods and help keep families’ homes out of foreclosures. Recently the South Carolina Association of Community Development (SCACDC) has teamed up with a few other organizations to initiate a program to help benefit homeowners who may be facing foreclosure. This program will help homeowners understand their options during pre-foreclosure stages as well as help them receive counseling from different institutions.

Hopefully we’ll be able to see our market continue to do well, and stay above the hardship of foreclosure. If you have any questions about foreclosure, or need any assistance with your property, please feel free to contact me.

Greenville is located directly in the heart of the Upstate region of South Carolina, conveniently located beside Interstate 85. When it comes to business and success, Greenville is growing rapidly, yet it is a quick drive to beautiful lakes, rivers, and mountains offering a wide variety of recreational activities for all ages. Check out Green Ridge, The Point and areas such as Haywood Mall and Downtown Greenville for great shopping. All in all, Greenville is a wonderful and exciting place to call home.

There are many great communities and neighborhoods within Greenville. If you are considering living in Greenville, and need a better idea of a general price range of homes in the Greenville housing market, check out this site. There are also maps that display areas with the quality levels of schools in certain areas. From March to May of 2009, the median sales price for homes is $104,968. The average listing price is currently $255,048. Home prices are down, which opens the door to many home buyers in-state and out-of-state. If you are facing possible foreclosure in this housing market, contact me for professional help and step-by-step assistance in the process.

Now is the time to buy in Greenville. Many homes are facing foreclosure and home prices are low. If you are interested in relocating to Greenville, give me a call and I can help you with your real estate needs. I know the current housing market conditions and can assist you in finding your dream home. First time home buyers- with home affordability at the highest level upstate, combined with the tax credit of $8,000, think about purchasing a wonderful home. You won’t regret moving to this beautiful community with endless opportunities!

It isn’t uncommon to be one of the many struggling to keep your Greenville home. The market has changed, many have lost employment, and times are tough. If you know that you fall into this category, and the financial stress of your mortgage is too much, there may be a solution for you: consider getting a loan modification.

If you are struggling with your mortgage payments, a loan modification can help reduce the amount you pay each month. Qualifying for loan modification isn’t for every home owner, so be sure to look into pre-qualification to see if this is a path you may take with your mortgage.

To qualify for loan modification, you must prove that your income has decreased and still be employed. For more information visit  www.makinghomeaffordable.gov. Remember that pre-qualification may take some time and hard work. It makes a big difference to have a professional who can help you along the way with the modification process.

Sometimes a short sale is a better option than going through the loan modification process, depending on your household income. If you can’t even consider paying your bills, a short sale is a better option for you. Loan modification is best for those who are struggling with their mortgage but with some changes in budgeting, could make it work.

Make sure that you do your research before you hire some to help you with this process, avoiding scams. Click here to read more about what the government is doing to help with fraud.

If you have any questions about loan modification or about your mortgage I am here to help. Please contact me if you want to save your home!

If you are a Greenville home buyer and think you are ready to buy, consider the following questions to see if you are prepared to purchase a home.

Am I ready to stay put?
Buying a home is a big process. If you find yourself moving frequently and if you can predict that you might not stay put, now might not be the time to buy a home.

Is my credit clean?
Since there’s a good chance you’ll need to get a mortgage to buy a Greenville home, take the time to be sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A couple months before you begin looking for Greenville homes, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any errors or problems you might find.

Have I been pre-approved yet?
Before searching for homes in the area, it is best to save the energy by finding homes you really can afford. This will prepare you to make a serious offer when the right house comes along. Pre-approval from a Greenville lender is based on credit history, income and any debt you may have. Get pre-approved first!

Have I met with my agent to do a market analysis?
Make the effort to do a market analysis with your Greenville Real Estate Agent. They will have access to the MLS in the area, and access to county records to see what price range other homes have been selling for over the last few months. This is important so that you are prepared to make a good offer on a home in Greenville, according to sales of similar homes.

Keep in mind that getting a home inspection and working with an area professional are also important steps to finding the right home. Look to buy in an area with a good school district. If the time comes to sell the home you have purchased, this will be a very valuable asset. Call or email me today to help you find the perfect home in Greenville!

Thinking about selling your Greenville home? Here are some easy and helpful tips for making the necessary improvements before listing your home on the real estate market.

First Impression: When a buyer pulls up to your home there are many things that are immediately noticed and accounted for. Be sure that your yard is well manicured, trash and other debris are cleaned up, and the paint job or any external walls are nice and shiny. Take the time to plant some flowers and trim those bushes so that the buyer knows you really care for this home. Remember that most Greenville home buyers are thinking of your home as their future home. Make it appealing from the first glance.

Entry Way: Wipe down all surfaces and make sure to de-personalize your hallways and shelves. The fewer family photos the better, as this person wants to feel comfortable and not claustrophobic from unnecessary clutter and pictures everywhere. Make the shelves and the entire atmosphere simple and clean.

Family Rooms: Stow away any toys, stacks of magazines and other distracting objects. Adding a fresh new coat of paint might add some extra appeal to a living room. Open the windows and have them cleaned before showing the home.

Basement/Rooms: Having a finished basement will add to the value of your home. If it isn’t, be sure that it’s tidy and appears to be a welcoming project, not a burden.   Inspect the walls throughout your home, and take down excess posters/clutter in the kids rooms. No buyer wants to see walls full of holes and scratches. These can be patched up and painted over without much effort.

Kitchen: Fix any appliances, or if you have the extra money, invest in some new ones. Buyers love good appliances in the kitchen, and these will definitely increase the value of your listed home.

Bathrooms: Many buyers are extra observant when they step foot in the bathrooms of any home. A gross bathroom will turn away buyers in a heartbeat. Scrub the floors and shower areas. Fix any light fixtures or faucets, straighten the towels, and make sure it looks welcoming and clean.

Taking the time to make your Greenville home look new is well worth the time and effort. Most of the time the changes are quick and simple, and they will make your home sparkle. Make it a Saturday project; head to Home Depot and make your listed home one that everyone wants!

There is a lot to know when you take on the sometimes tumultuous task of selling your Greenville home. The selling process can be simple if you just take it one step at a time and by following these guidelines, it can turn out to be successful, and not as bad as you may think.

Step 1: Find a real estate agent first. It is proven that sellers who work with an agent have a better average selling price for their home. Greenville real estate agents are professionally trained with the tools and knowledge to calculate the value of your home, handle all of the correct forms and procedures for selling a home, and can get your Greenville home the amount of exposure it needs in order to sell quickly. Advertising your home is key to the selling process, and it only helps to have the right price listed.

Step 2: The Greenville housing market isn’t what it used to be. Sellers can’t afford the time to just put up a higher price for their home, hoping that someone out there will pay the higher price and it will be their lucky day. Face the fact that you have to be a serious seller. Your home needs to be priced according to the market statistics and in comparison to homes around you. You may not get the price you hoped for, but regardless, your Greenville home needs to sell and the best way to get a closing is by working with a trusted real estate agent.

Step 3: Take the time to de-personalize your home, and consider staging it for the sell. It’s also important to make your home desirable, and to do so, be sure to take the time to make necessary repairs to make it shine.

Step 4: Be sure that the Greenville buyer is qualified to follow through with the closing of your home. Keep in contact with the potential buyer and find out if their loan has come through, if the appraisal is done, and if they are waiting for their current house to sell before they close the deal with yours. Review the contract and the offer with your Greenville buyer. Once the offer is accepted, your home will begin escrow which is the part of the final closing process.

Remember to be patient but to work hard and keep the line of communication open between you, your real estate agent, and the buyer. If you need any assistance selling your Greenville home, please feel free to contact me.

Is your mortgage payment stressing you out? Do you find yourself considering short selling your Greenville home? These questions aren’t uncommon among homeowners in the Greenville area. With the current housing market, more and more residents are looking into their options as a homeowner. Of course, selling your home as a short sale home means that you will not get what you paid for, but it may be the only option to choose. Be sure to do some research about Greenville lenders and get a good real estate agent who knows the market well and can work with you to figure out the best option. Sometimes lenders might pitch a price for your home that is more than what you and your real estate agent came up with, after doing a CMA, or a comparative market analysis. You must work with an agent that knows the area well and will do whatever they can do help you out.

In some cases the Greenville seller will be better off to try to go for the short sale, rather than wait for a foreclosure, due to credit purposes. The Greenville seller will be making an attempt to resolve or set right their current housing or mortgage situation, and lenders may see this as a favorable situation for the seller who is making the effort to do something about their home and mortgage crisis through a short sale. Also, remember that a short sale typically won’t affect your credit score like a foreclosed home would. Keep in mind that a short sale is not an easy process.

Greenville sellers: take the time to sit down and examine your situation and see if a short sale is the right path to take with your home. Don’t ignore or put off the signs that are leading to a foreclosure. Tackle the situation today and search to find out if a Greenville short sale is the best way to pull out of this difficult economic time.

In the past few months we have seen the Greenville housing market slow down, with prices dropping and homeowner’s struggling. The economy has taken a hard hit, but the worst part seems to be over. Greenville may not have been hit the hardest in the country, but things are still looking pretty good. The Greenville housing market has had a positive 5% increase over the last month. There are plenty of new homes coming onto the Greenville market, including some wonderful new neighborhood developments. Greenville is going to be one of the better housing market’s in the country. We are gradually on the rise and are hoping to soon be close to our average sale levels. It may take a few months, it may take a little more than a few months. Greenville buyers and sellers alike should stay positive and keep a close eye on the housing market.

If you are a Greenville buyer or seller, don’t get discouraged. The economy has definitely had its ups and downs, but the housing market here in Greenville looks to be on the upside. The average days a house has been on the market has remained pretty consistent and listing prices, though somewhat lower than the beginning of last year’s average, stay competitive.

Thanks to our wide variety of strong Greenville businesses, our economy and housing market hasn’t been impacted like it has in other states, and people are still relocating to our surrounding areas. The population growth remains steady here in Greenville and the expansion and development in our area is what has kept home values more constant. Home sellers and buyers: be sure to know the truth about the real estate market by getting in touch with your South Carolina Realtor today.

Now is a better time than ever to be a Greenville first time homebuyer! As many already know, the new tax credit up to $8,000 is available to those purchasing their first home between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009. Don’t spend too much time thinking this over. This your chance as a first time homebuyer to find the perfect home you deserve. This tax credit is the boost every first time homebuyer has been wishing for to find the perfect home that fits. Take advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit while you can.

The Greenville housing market is ripe for first time homebuyers. Our foreclosure rate hasn’t been skyrocketing like other states, but our home values have remained in a good average price range. There are countless options available for you on the market. Check out the information that the National Association of Home Builders have published about the tax credit to see what specific qualifications are to be considered a first time homebuyer. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity! It’s not every day the government offers an extra $8,000 towards your first home. Please feel free to contact me to answer any other questions you have about the Greenville area or the tax credit from the Stimulus Package. I will do everything I can to help you find the perfect Greenville home as a first time homebuyer.