Buying a Home - Why?

Home ownership has long been part of the American Dream.  But why?

What are the actual benefits to owning a home?

We've compiled some here. Let us know what you think!

• Stability: No yearly rent increases here. What you see is what you get and you call the shots.
• Tax Deductions: Homeowners can deduct some or all of their mortgage interest from their taxes.
• Equity: Owning a home builds equity and can help your credit score for future borrowing needs.
• Appreciation: Although the housing market is cyclical, over time most homes appreciate in value.
• Freedom: Make your home your own! There is no landlord to answer to and no restrictions on what you can do to make your home unique!

Tax Time!

It's that time of year again...tax time.

While it's not necessarily worthy of a Hallmark card, tax time for homeowners has its benefits.

Homeownership allows for certain tax breaks that can make visiting your accountant a little more bearable.

For information on how these tax breaks apply to you and how to best utilize them we've collected a list of articles that we hope will be educational.

6 Tax Breaks Every Homeowner Should Know

Homeowner Tax Breaks

Deductions for Homeowners

What are some of your biggest questions about taxes for new homeowners?

Good News for the Housing Market!

2012 marks best home sales since before housing meltdown

Tyrone Richardson  - Post and Courier

Full Story Here

File/AP

Last year marked the strongest 12-month stretch of home sales in the Lowcountry since the housing crisis sent the industry into a tailspin, according to a new report.

The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors said Thursday that 10,574 homes changed hands in 2012, the largest volume of home sales in the region of Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties since 12,921 homes were sold in 2007.

The region’s median price climbed to $190,065 last year, nearly 5 percent higher than 2011. It remained about 9 percent off the comparable figure of $207,850 for 2007. Owen Tyler, the association’s president, said sales exceeded expectations last year, and there is optimism for 2013.

His sentiments were echoed by Dave Sansom. Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service president, who tied the rising home sales volume in part to the rising population in the region and strong local economic underpinnings.

“While we don’t expect, or want, to see unsustainable major growth on the pricing side, we do expect that 2013 will be another strong year for the Charleston real estate market as our local economy continues to strengthen and grow,” Sansom said.

Charleston County had the biggest sales jump in the region, with 5,987 homes changing hands last year, up 20 percent from 2011.

Realtors have said lower prices and mortgage rates compared to years ago continue to drive sales.

Other highlights of 2012 included a pronounced drop in the number of listed homes.

There were 5,420 properties displayed as for sale in the local Multiple Listing Service as of Thursday, compared to the 7,000 at the end of 2011, the association reported.

The inventory has been thinned to roughly a six-month supply, a level experts consider an ideal balance.

Some area agents have said the dwindling inventory is giving sellers an edge over buyers.

The falling supply has helped jump-start several stalled new-home developments, including the 4,300-acre Carnes Crossroads in Goose Creek and Carolina Park near the north end of Mount Pleasant.

The year closed on a strong note, with 894 homes selling at a median price of $200,000 in December. That compared to 785 sales at a median price of $186,050 a year earlier.

Also Thursday, the association revised its sales data slightly higher for November to show 849 homes sold for a median price of $192,500.

Color Trends 2013

Happy New Year!

Each year some of the major paint companies develop their list of color trends they predict will be popular in new home design.

Today, we're sharing with you two color forecasts for 2013.


Behr

Behr predicts that several color families will be trendsetters in 2013 including a style throwback to the roaring 20's, deep natural colors, color blocking and magenta - a spin on traditional red. They also see "water-cooled blue" as a popular color for accessorizing a room.

To see samples of their color predictions click HERE


Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin Williams predicts several color families in 2013

Midnight Mystery - Moody, muted and masculine - click HERE

Honed Vitality - Soft neutrals inspired by nature - click HERE

Vintage Moxie - Bold Pastels and gem-inspired tones - click HERE

High Voltage - Bold and bright hues - click HERE



What colors are inspiring you this year?