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        <title>All About Greenville SC Real Estate</title>
        <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/</link>
        <description>All About Real Estate in Greenville South Carolina.  Are you considering relocating to Greenville SC?  Find out about the best schools, neighborhoods, where to live, major employers of Greenville SC, and much, much more!</description>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/moving-the-not-so-fun-part-of-buying-or-selling-a-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/moving-the-not-so-fun-part-of-buying-or-selling-a-home.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Moving - the &quot;not so fun&quot; part of Buying or Selling a Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
My wife and I just sold and purchased a home.


I was surprised at how easy it was to do a change of address for my driver's license through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).  


If you are having to go through that process, here is the link to get you started: https://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVpublic/trans/AddrChange.aspx 


The good news is, the once painful process of going through a &quot;change of address&quot; is much easier now with most creditors being online - including the United States Postal Service (USPS)  Go to http://www.usps.com, select Manage Your Mail, then Change Your Address...  It's that easy  


When you go through the process of changing your address with the Postal Service, you are registered at MyMove.com.  This is a great site offers tips and advice for moving as well as local deals.


Good Luck with your Move


 


 


 


 


 


 


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:06:43 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/radon-gas-is-something-you-should-be-concerned-about-in-upstate-south-carolina.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/radon-gas-is-something-you-should-be-concerned-about-in-upstate-south-carolina.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Radon Gas IS Something You Should be Concerned About in Upstate South Carolina</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 






Radon Gas IS Something You Should be Aware of...














 


You cannot get rid of Radon; there is no such thing as zero radon gas.  It is here to stay.  Radon is a carcinogenic gas that is hazardous to inhale. Build-up of radon in homes is a health concern and many lung cancer cases are attributed to radon exposure each year. About 12 of lung cancers and more than 20,000 Americans die of radon-related lung cancer each year. The Surgeon General of the United States has issued a Health Advisory warning Americans about the health risk from exposure to radon in indoor air.  Dr. Carmona, the Nation's Chief Physician urged Americans to test their homes to find out how much radon they might be breathing.  He also stressed the need to remedy the problem as soon as possible.


You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home.  When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer.  In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.  If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.


Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon levels. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Radon has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water.  Your home can trap radon inside.


Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time. Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state.


High Levels of Radon Gas


I have been a licensed home inspector (RBI-1412) since 2003.  I always recommend that my clients have a radon test performed at the time of a home inspection.  While I will not specifically name Greenville County neighborhoods in this article, I can tell you that there are several well-established neighborhoods in the Greenville, Greer, and Simpsonville areas that are prone to elevated levels of radon gas.  Having said that, I have yet to see a home NOT be successully remediated.  I have seen costs to remediate a typical home of radon gas be anywhere from $1,200 - $3,500;   I am not in the radon gas remediation business.  However, I am in the business of educating home buyers, sellers, and owners to the very real danger of long term exposure to elevated levels of radon gas.  


Don't run


Don't run for the hills yet.  Awareness is half the battle.  Get your home tested.  If a short-term test reveals there are elevated levels of radon, you may want to re-test to be sure.  If the radon test reveals levels at or above 4 pCi/L, you will want to get your home remediated  Consult with your knowledgeable Del-co agent.  They can refer you to a radon gas mitigation specialist.    Hey... do you move out of your home when the roof leaks?...  of course not  You get the roof repaired or replaced.  A radon mitigation specialist can help if you have elevated levels of radon gas.


Just a couple of months ago, I inspected a home in the Greer area that had radon levels that averaged 18 pCi/L (picocuries per liter).  Safe levels are below 4 pCi/L.  Immediately after a radon mitigation system was installed (for about $1,700), the home tested at just over 1.4 pCi/L.  This is well within safe radon levels - in fact on par with the levels you would see in the outdoors 







 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:49:10 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/del-co-realty-group-launches-our-youtube-channel-homes-for-sale-video-tours.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/del-co-realty-group-launches-our-youtube-channel-homes-for-sale-video-tours.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Del-co Realty Group Launches our YouTube Channel - Homes for Sale Video Tours</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Hello Del-co Realty Group Fans  Check out our new YouTube channel  You can view nice video tours of the homes we have for sale.  Subscribe to the Del-co Realty Group YouTube channel and be automatically notified when video tours of our listings appear.  Just another value-added service we offer to our clients. 


Here is an example of just one of the home video tours:



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:33:23 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/del-co-realty-home-search-goes-mobile.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/del-co-realty-home-search-goes-mobile.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Del-co Realty Greenville Spartanburg SC Home Search goes Mobile</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Del-co Realty Home Search goes Mobile


Check out our new Mobile Home Search via your smartphone  Any web-enabled phone with a browser such as Apple iPhone, Droid or Windows Mobile® device, can take advantage of this new technology  Point your smartphone web browser to: http://mobile.delcorealty.com


Have you ever been driving around town or even in your own neighborhood and see a House for Sale sign and want to know... what is my neighbor asking for their home?...  Or I would love to know the price of that home, see pictures, and other basic home information, but I don't want to call a real estate agent to get that info... or I'll forget to look on my computer when I get home.


Then worry no more  Get information quickly on homes for sale in the greater Greenville and Spartanburg SC areas by using the Del-co Realty Mobile IDX.


Here are some screenshots of the Greenville and Spartanburg SC Mobile IDX Home Search tool sponsored by Del-co Realty Group: 


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:22:37 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/market-statistics-for-march-2011-through-april-2011-greenville-sc-mls.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/market-statistics-for-march-2011-through-april-2011-greenville-sc-mls.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Market Statistics for March 2011 through April 2011 - Greenville SC MLS</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Greenville SC MLS Market Statistics  (03/01/2011 - 04/25/2011) 



Current Active Listings: 7,137


 Average List Price: $247,814

Average Days on Market (DOM): 168 

 New Listings for Period: 

  Sold in Period: 866

 Average List Price Sold: $168,561

 

 

 Average Sale Price Sold: $159,555

 Sale Price/List Price Ratio: 94.66

 Average DOM Sold: 124

 Average List Price Unsold: $203,070




Narrative of Greenville SC Market Statistics

There are currently 7,137 active single-family residence listings in the Greenville SC MLS for the period listed above.  The average list price for active listings is: $247,814.  Up from an average list price of $236,067 in the previous month.  The average days on market for all actives is 168 days; holding steady from last month.

There were 1,757 new listings for the period and 866 homes sold in the same period; up from 566 homes sold in the previous month.

The average list price sold was: $168,561 while the average sale price sold was: $159,555, indicating a sale price/list price ratio of 94.66.  This is approximately up 1 from the February 2011 period.  So what does this number mean?  Well, it means that for the homes that did sell, that they sold for 94.66 of the listing price.  An example of this would be, a home sold that listed for $220,000 in this period, would've actually sold for $208,252.

Furthermore, the average days on market increased approximately 7 days from the prior period to 124.  These numbers seem to indicate a slightly more favorable buyers market than the prior period.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:37:33 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/can-a-pre-listing-home-inspection-get-your-home-sold-quicker.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/can-a-pre-listing-home-inspection-get-your-home-sold-quicker.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Can a Pre-Listing Home Inspection Get Your Home Sold Quicker?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The short answer is YES  A Pre-listing (seller) home inspection can separate your home from others in a highly-competitive buyer's market and get your home sold quicker (and for a higher price) than a comparable home that has not had a pre-listing inspection.  This is especially the case in today's market.  Buyers are very picky.  They are looking for move-in ready homes where they can grab their toothbrush and underwear and move  Most Realtors will tell you even cosmetic items like paint or dated fixtures are causing buyers to walk away without even making an offer.

If you are selling a home, you'll get the highest price in the shortest time, if your home is in top condition. And you want to find out about any hidden problems before your house goes on the market so you can address them on YOUR terms. 

Inspection Contingency - Don't Let it Be a Deal Killer for You 

Almost all real estate sales contracts include the condition that the contract is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory home inspection. This is known as the inspection contingency. Buyers will insist on a professional home inspection performed by an inspector they will hire.  If the buyer's home inspector finds a problem, it can cause the buyer to get cold feet and the deal can often fall through.  At best, surprise problems uncovered by the buyer's inspector will cause delays in closing, and usually you will have to pay for repairs at the last minute, or take a lower price on your home. 

It's better to pay for your own inspection before putting your home on the market.  Find out about any hidden problems and get them corrected in advance, on your own terms.  Otherwise, you can count on the buyer's inspector finding them, at the worst possible time, causing delays, and costing you more money. 

Have Repairs Done on YOUR Terms 

One of the key benefits of having the inspection done early, is that if there are any problems discovered that need to be repaired, you can have the repairs done on your own terms, on your own schedule. When a problem isn't found until the buyer has an inspection performed, the deal you've worked so hard to get done may fall apart unless you act quickly to get the repairs done. Or you may have to take a lower price, in order to keep the deal moving. In either case, you'll almost certainly have more headache, and spend more money, than if you'd known about the problem and had it repaired before negotiations began. You could save thousands by simply being able to shop around and get competitive bids from contractors, rather than being forced into paying for a rush job at the last minute. Another area where you can save money is in having flexibility to choose the materials used in repairs. Sales contracts usually specify repairs must be made using materials of comparable quality. By identifying needed repairs early, you'll have the option to save money by using less expensive materials for the repairs. 

You can also benefit from simply offering certain items &quot;as is&quot;. Often, you can negotiate with a buyer to accept items in the current condition by stipulating that they are reflected in the purchase price. But that same buyer may walk away from the deal if the conditions come as a surprise, after an offer has already been made. If the home is inspected before the house goes on the market you will be aware of the condition of the house before an offer is made. There won't be any surprises and the deal is far less likely to fall apart. It takes a lot of effort to get a sales agreement signed in the first place. If the inspection turns up problems, the buyer will want to negotiate a new deal and that second sales agreement is usually even harder to get done than the first one. 

By having a pre-listing inspection done, you can identify problems early. Then either correct them or present them as is, assuring that the first offer you accept can move quickly and smoothly to closing without delays or costly surprises.

 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:51:14 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/technology-real-estate-qr-codes.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/technology-real-estate-qr-codes.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Technology &amp; Real Estate - QR Codes</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
What is a QR Code?

A QR Code is also known as a Quick Response code.  It's a funny looking two-dimensional square that is starting to pop up all over a variety of advertising mediums.  Originally, QR codes were invented by a Japanese company to track vehicle parts.  In retail, you'll see them side-by-side with bar codes, or on displays offering more information, linking to a questionnaire or a coupon.  

QR Codes are becoming very hot in the real estate industry - most commonly being used on sign riders to direct interested home buyers to more information about a home for sale.  Additionally, the QR code might be on the property flyer or flyer box itself.  Usually, QR codes will redirect someone who scans it to a website, pictures, a video like a virtual tour or a blog to get more information about real estate in the area.  I have seen some agents use them to offer a free appraisal or home inspection if the prospect buys their house.



 

 



How do QR Codes Work in Real Estate?

A prospect drives by a home and sees a Real Estate For Sale sign in the yard.  On the sign is a rider with a QR code asking the prospective home buyer to scan it to get more information about the sign.  When the user scans the QR code on the sign, they are typically redirected to a personalized property website or to the listing for the home and instantly get a lot of information.

To the real estate agent, it is very valuable.  In some cases, a QR code can eliminate the need for a flyer box.  I think that is a stretch.  I do believe utilizing QR codes (like &quot;Text '4Sale' to 123456 for More Info&quot;) will save on the consumption of printed brochures by proving another option to a prospective buyer with a smart phone.  Agents are also able to track the users scanning a QR code to understand when a buyer prospect came by the house and scanned the sign.

I do not think QR codes will necessarily revolutionize the real estate industry on its own, but I do believe it provides one more way prospective buyers can quickly and easily get the information they are looking for on a property for sale.  Furthermore, it allows agents to understand how their marketing efforts are working.

 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:22:55 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/ravenwood-simpsonville-sc-neighborhood-profile1.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/ravenwood-simpsonville-sc-neighborhood-profile1.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Ravenwood - Simpsonville SC Neighborhood Profile</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Ravenwood

A Meridian Homes community with large homes located in the highly sought after Five Forks area of Simpsonville, South Carolina the Ravenwood community offers amenities like a Pool and cabana.  Ravenwood is designed for families who want the most of everyday living.  Romantic, craftsman style ranch and two story home plans with covered front porches.  Three, four, and five bedroom options are available. 

  

Directions to Ravenwood

Take I-85 or I-385 to the Woodruff Road Exit.  Go South on Woodruff Road, approximately 1 mile past Five Forks.  Ravenwood is on the left.

Contact the on-duty Ravenwood Agent at: (864) 641-4240

2 Raven Falls Lane

Simpsonville, SC
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:33:23 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/greenville-sc-1-market-for-rent-increase-at-over-11.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/greenville-sc-1-market-for-rent-increase-at-over-11.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Greenville SC 1 Market for Rent Increase at over 11</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Greenville South Carolina has Largest Rent Increase in Nation 

Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that the average apartment vacancy rate was 6.6 nationally.  This is down from 8.0 last year, reflecting that more people are renting this year than there were the year before.

In addition, the number of occupied apartments rose by more during Q4 2010 than during any comparable period of the last 10 years.

What is most interesting is while the national average for rent increase is up just over 2, Greenville, South Carolina rents have increased over 11 - topping the list for the largest rent increases nationally.

What does this mean?  Well, several things could be contributing to this, most of which is that with rental occupancy around 93.5, there just aren't that many available places for rent.  More people are renting due to the lingering effects of an uncertain economy.  Cash is tight, and builders aren't building.

Consider Renting/Leasing Your Home 

For folks selling their home in a tough market, this may offer a ray of hope; an option they never considered before...  If you have your home for sale in the Greenville South Carolina area and it is not selling, you may wish to considering renting your home or doing a lease-purchase option to get yourself out from under your mortgage payment.  At Del-co Realty group, our property management team rents homes under our management in less than 30 days.  

In many cases, with the expert guidance from a reputable property management company, you can even generate income (rent in excess of your mortgage and maintenance obligation on your home).  Rents are going up while home values are flat to slightly negative.

Be Patient... work the Plan... 

A good real estate marketing plan to sell your home is critical.  If you are able to keep up on your house payments, you may wish to try and sell your home first... But, you must be patient  Currently, homes that ARE selling in the local Greenville SC market are on the market for an average of 117 days before being sold with an average List Price to Sales Price ratio of 93.73, according to recent Greenville SC Market statistics.

You want to avoid gimmicky sales pitches like, &quot;We can sell your home in 60 Days.&quot;  What they don't tell you is you must do EXACTLY what they say in order to get that guarantee.  You have no input  In some cases, it requires you to list your home well under current market value... You might even be upside-down in your home; owing more than it is worth.  What do you do then?  Another common tactic if  your home isn't sold within 60 days is they'll knock a percentage of their commission off of the deal.  

You might even be upside-down in your home; owing more than it is worth.  What do you do then?  

Location, unique features of your home, financial challenges, etc. - all factor in to the situation.

Know this...  There are no guarantees in ANY market.  What your Del-co Realty Agent can offer is a solid, proven plan that specifically meets your needs.  We will listen and we will build a customized plan that YOU are comfortable with and we will get results - PERIOD

Contact Us  We'd love to listen to you.

Your Partner in Real Estate,

The Del-co Realty Group Team
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:58:04 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/market-statistics-for-february-2011-through-march-2011-greenville-sc-mls.html</guid>
    <link>https://robert-alexander.delcorealty.com/blog/market-statistics-for-february-2011-through-march-2011-greenville-sc-mls.html</link>
        <author>robert@delcorealty.com (Robert Alexander)</author>
        <title>Market Statistics for February 2011 through March 2011 - Greenville SC MLS</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Greenville SC MLS Market Statistics  (02/01/2011 - 03/13/2011) 



Current Active Listings: 6,881


 Average List Price: $236,067

Average Days on Market (DOM): 168 

 New Listings for Period: 1,757

  Sold in Period: 574

 Average List Price Sold: $165,397

 

 

 Average Sale Price Sold: $155,030

 Sale Price/List Price Ratio: 93.73

 Average DOM Sold: 117

 Average List Price Unsold: $194,873




Narrative of Greenville SC Market Statistics

There are currently 6,881 active single-family residence listings in the Greenville SC MLS for the period listed above.  The average list price for active lsitings is: $236,067.  The average days on market for all actives is 168 days.

There were 1,757 new listings for the period and 574 homes sold in the same period.  The statistics still indicate it is very much a buyers market still with supply exceeding demand by 67.33.

The average list price sold was: $165,397 while the average sale price sold was: $155,030, indicating a sale price/list price ratio of 93.73.  This is approximately up 2 from the January 2011 period.  So what does this number mean?  Well, it means that for the homes that did sell, that they sold for 93.73 of the listing price.  An example of this would be, a home sold that listed for $220,000 in this period, would've actually sold for $206,206.

Furthermore, the average days on market increased approximately 9 days from the prior period to 117.  These numbers seem to indicate a slightly more favorable buyers market than the prior period.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 13 Mar 2011 19:56:30 -0400</pubDate>
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