One of the most common questions I get is , “How’s the market?” As many of you know, it’s been crazy busy! Inventory is in short supply but the deals are still happening. I encourage buyers to be prepared and to be patient.
All of us are working harder than ever, to find your piece of paradise or even to sell it. Multiple offers and quick sales often come with lots and lots of extra paperwork and negotiating. It often entails more liability as well with disgruntled buyers who didn’t win in the multiple offer process.
The best strategy like is I said, is to be prepared (pre-approved) and to be patient. While we all know how important this process is to you and that you really want THAT home, it’s also best to treat it as it actually is: a business transaction. It’s also good to remember that many times, an even better home comes along right after that first one got away. As I say, “Everything happens for a reason, even if we don’t know why that is right now.”
A good attitude can go a long way, in making the process less stressful for everyone.
Here are the May monthly reports to look at how the market is doing in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Jasper County areas. I look at these every month and know what’s going on in our market. You can also email me at Lori@LoriBaden.com for specific neighborhood reports. Or call me at 843.505.3132. Let me know if I can put my expertise and 21 years of experience to work for you. It would be my pleasure!
So I’ve lived here in the Lowcountry now nearly 8 years and just now finally made it to Wormsloe this past weekend.
It’s only 30 minutes away from my home, in the Coastal Empire in Savannah. And I’ve shared a few pictures on Facebook and Instagram but thought I’d share a few here too.
What a beautiful place full of history. For more information, history and location, please visit the Wormsloe Historic Site website at https://gastateparks.org/Wormsloe .
Hear it here first… an update from Senator Tom Davis, on the future of the Jasper Ports. This project would mean so much to Jasper and Beaufort Counties in South Carolina, and to Savannah, Georgia too.
Call me, Lori Bee- eXp Realty, to assist you with your future in Jasper County. I live here and I care. 843-505-3132
Heard great news from Nick Kremydas, CEO of the South Carolina Association of Realtors, today regarding the setback lines for rebuilding on the coast. Nick was the keynote speaker at the Beaufort County Association of Realtors luncheon and gave us several updates on new legislation, on the national and state levels.
I asked a question about the recent developments on the coastal rebuilding setback lines. He gave us all and update and sent me the following press release. I’m sure many of you will appreciate this update to this important issue affecting many homes here in Coastal South Carolina.
Please note the important DECEMBER 4th date for property owners to contact the DHEC to receive information on requesting a board review. But at least now you have a little time to be proactive and request a review.
Please see DHEC’s recent news release, below.
DHEC Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines Until April 6, 2018
[COLUMBIA, SC] Coastal property owners will have until April 6, 2018 to comment on revised beachfront jurisdictional lines proposed by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Because of this extension, the department will begin to adopt final revised beachfront jurisdictional lines in May 2018 with all lines published by December 31, 2018. A tentative adoption schedule for each beach will be available on DHEC’s website on November 13, 2017.
Existing jurisdictional lines will remain in place until final revised lines are adopted. A 2016 amendment of the Beachfront Management Act prohibits the baseline from moving seaward from its position on December 31, 2017.
Based on feedback received during the original 30-day comment period, DHEC feels it is appropriate to give property owners and other interested parties more time to meet with department staff, understand the methodology used to set the jurisdictional lines and bring the department any additional information for consideration.
The decision to adopt revised lines after December 31, 2017 affects landowners who own property where the baseline was proposed to move seaward of the existing baseline under the department’s current proposal.
DHEC is asking these property owners to contact the department prior to December 4, 2017 by email at ocrm-comments@dhec.sc.gov or phone at 843-953-0200 to receive information on requesting a board review. DHEC will also attempt to proactively reach out to these property owners.
The department is required to establish and review beachfront jurisdictional lines every seven to ten years to implement laws and regulations that support the state’s beachfront management goals and to guide development away from vulnerable shorelines. The lines were last reviewed in 2008-10.
DHEC establishes two lines of beachfront jurisdiction – the baseline and the setback line. The baseline is the more seaward of the two jurisdictional lines, while the setback line is the landward line. To locate and establish the lines, DHEC utilizes the best available scientific and historical data, including state-of-the art LIDAR, GPS and aerial photography.
The lines do not create a “no-build” area. Repairs, reconstruction and new construction are allowed under certain conditions and with authorization by the department.
DHEC staff is available to assist citizens in understanding the lines and the process. Three public hearings were held in October, and additional meetings and opportunities to gather and present information will continue to be held.
The department has developed an online tool that shows the proposed new lines in detail at https://gis.dhec.sc.gov/shoreline/. Additional information about the proposed beachfront jurisdictional lines, including a video on how the lines are developed, are available at http://www.scdhec.gov/beachfrontlines.
We saw love in action, here last fall in the lowcountry after Hurricane Matthew. My headline photo for this blog post is from my beloved Bluffton. We went thru quite a lot together last October and in the following months. And this graphic on the side of an old building in our historic sea village, still remains a symbol of us coming together and being strong for one another. Loving one another.
And I just knew I had to be strong and be involved with helping however I could when I saw Hurricane Harvey looming off the Texas shoreline. I don’t want anyone to feel alone. I want them to feel loved and know that we will take care of each other.
So I’ve been busy. I volunteered to help eXp agents affected by Hurricane Harvey. I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am, for an awesome team of colleagues and staff who are doing such an amazing job. I am proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people.
Especially seeing some of our agents, like George Huntoon and Sondra Richard, amongst others, going out and coordinating/conducting rescues…..
Just wow! The whole “Cajun Navy” has been doing remarkable things, and George and Sondra are love in action! eXp will do whatever we can with the amazing resources our staff and fellow agents have, to help them show this amazing love across Texas and Louisiana.
And then tonight, I saw this:
I sobbed. Didn’t you? We’ve been so divided as a country in the last year or so. Some would argue a hundred years or more.
But it is so true. We need to see love. We need to recognize love. And that comes in all colors. Our country is amazing. We need to see that too. Let’s join together to do great things to help one another.
If you care to help eXp agents; some of whom have lost a little, some who have lost everything, and all will lose a lot of business over the coming months to years due to their commission based income, please consider giving to our corporate eXp Go Fund Me Hurricane Harvey account. Or give to the charity of your choice doing good things and showing love.
I’ve been with eXp Realty a little more than a year now and am still loving it. After years of being in management or even owning my own firm, I realize the significant advantages to this model. It’s almost like I still own my own business (and I do own it in part, thru stock participation) without all the overhead and even more support.
I can go into my office meetings in a virtual world in my pj’s with my coffee. I don’t have to fight traffic to commute to meetings. This frees up significant time and makes me more productive. And the networking and education there are great. They have hours and hours of live training available each day. I can pick and choose which is beneficial to me and for my clients. There are thousands more hours recorded for me to search through, as well.
The virtual office world also helps me avoid the dreaded “office politics” I abhor and idle chit chat that wastes my time. I love my colleagues, please don’t misunderstand. But this model addresses problems with work environment that affects my productivity. I think many have these same issues. I’d rather have my schedule work around my clients needs, than my clients having to work around my firm schedule. It really is the “Amazon of Real Estate.”
Also, eXp Realty equips me with the tools and technology to succeed at my job. I’m personally given 2 Kunversion sites (due to being in 2 MLS’s) and a CINC site to market to buyers and sell my listings. Just one Kunversion site would cost an agent nearly $400 per month to purchase! I’m also given access to Breakthrough Broker for my marketing materials, and I have a Real Satisfied account that surveys my clients upon closing to get feedback on my services. I have numerous files that are shared with me thru the Google Drive and GMail system that eXp hosts. We also use ZipForms and Skyslope for digital contract availability and storage. And these tools just scratch the surface of what all I’m offered. I am truly a mobile agent, able to work from anywhere there is internet service.
One particular example of how beneficial that can be is when we had Hurricane Matthew hit our area in October of 2016. I never had to worry about leaving an office behind. All my files are in a secure cloud environment, with access from my laptop and phone, and I never missed a beat with serving my clients, past and present; even checking on properties owned by out of state owners upon my return using the tools I’ve been taught.
And I have staff support that is amazing. I firmly believe I have the best Broker-in-Charge in the world, Jim Girard. He is so professional and helpful, and the “most available” BIC I’ve ever known. He uses tools like Voxer, the Virtual World, to teach classes, and Facebook groups to keep us constantly informed, educated and supported. So much better than that TL or BIC, that locks themselves in an office all day trying to ignore my questions. And then there are the all of the technical and transaction staff in eXp World, that are always there waiting to help me. So much better than that one admin who is overwhelmed doing paperwork in that office you have to drive to, that doesn’t have time to help you answer your questions. This model rocks!
We now have over 4000 agents available across the country to refer to. So nearly no matter where you go, I gotcha covered. I’ve met with many of them “personally in the cloud” and they are great! We mastermind without the expense of travelling to a conference or camp, on a regular basis. The culture is fantastic!
And last but certainly not least, I have the opportunity to help others. I don’t call it “recruiting.” But I feel like the eXp real estate model addresses things for a lot of agents that other firms don’t. We have a true mentorship program for new agents. Sponsors support those in their downline. And I love that I can make my own life better by helping others thru sharing my experience, encouragement, and knowledge. And they reinvigorate me as well when they get excited about how exp is different. It really is so much better than any other professional experience I’ve had.
We are growing fast and our company is constantly adapting and changing, and well ahead of the curve in the real estate industry in offering it’s agents all the tools and technology to make the agents successful on behalf of their clients. Isn’t that what you want?
Take a look at my career website at http://loribee.exprealty.careers for all the details. It may or may not be what you are looking for. I’m a firm believer that there is not a “one size fits all” firm for everyone. But if I can help answer any questions for you, just let me know. My phone is 843-505-3132. I’m not a high pressure recruiter. I simply like helping agents make the best decision for them. It’d be my honor to help you take your career to another level, no matter who it is with.
Work from anywhere! Our Agent-Centric Model allows you to do this!
BENEFITS AND FEATURES :
●Google Apps for Work
●Cloud Office Access
●EXP World with Free Ongoing Training, Business Development every week and Support
●Mentor Program
●SkySlope Paperless Transaction Account
●HelloFax Number
●RingCentral Toll-Free Extension
●Regus Businessworld Membership
●1000 Business Cards and 20 Folders and 1 lapel pin
●eXp Powered by CINC Marketing Solution
●Kunversion IDX Website-Lead Capture CRM
●RealSatisfied Account
●Breakthrough Broker Marketing and Business Tools
●WordPress Web Hosting
●Transaction & Tech Support
●Build your own business – Revenue Share bonuses for building teams and the company
●Stock Options at 20% discount
COSTS:
●$99.00 – Sign Up (Includes First Month Technology Fee)
●$50.00 – Monthly Technology Fee
●$420.00 – Annual Tuition eXp University (Deducted Out of First Closing)
●80% / 20% – Commission Split
●$16,000.00 – Company Dollar Cap then 100% Commission
●$25.00 – Broker Review
●$30.00 – E&O Insurance with $500 Annual Cap
●$250.00 – Flat Transaction Fee For Capped Agents
●Lead Generation through our Make it Rain campaign-opt-in starting at $100
●NO FRANCHISE FEE; NO DESK FEE.
It’s important to use an agent who is staying “on top of things” and protecting you throughout the transaction. I pride myself in providing that service and keeping my clients updated.
One recent development in our industry is cyber hacking combined with wire fraud. In order to protect our clients from falling victim to this malicious crime that can devastate all parties in a real estate transaction, the South Carolina Association of Realtors, along with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission have created this form: Wire Fraud Warning Disclosure
Please read thoroughly, keep your anti-virus and malware up to date, and call to verify any request for funds. My phone number is 843-505-3132. I am happy to be of service.
I’ve lived in Bluffton 4 years and just this morning, finally explored ” Pritchard Pocket Park.” I’m so glad I did because the moment took my breath away. And I had no idea that Bluffton had its own Covenant. It so touched my heart. I will definitely be back.
And there is GREAT news for my Realtor Friends too!
Go to my exclusive discount site to register at Lori Bee’s Exclusive Discount for Realtor REsults Summit with Realtor.com and join us in all the fun, learning and networking. The link will always be good for 50% off the regular site price, for those of you who would like to join us. Feel free to share it with your Realtor friends too!
The price now through Jun 15th is only $149, meaning your link price is only $75!!! On June 16th the price goes up to $199, meaning your link price will be $100.
Thought some of you, like me, might like the real report on the area market, in that link above. So many times when you ask an agent, “how is the market doing?” They simply respond, “Great!” Well, it actually is going pretty well but it’s a bit more complicated than that.
Prices are up a median of 5.4%. That’s good news. Pending sales are up 4%. Also good news. BUT… (there’s always a but, isn’t there?)…. New listings are down 10.1% and overall inventory is down 7.2%.
However a lot of that inventory is out of the price point that buyers are looking in (under $300K). We still have plenty of options at over $500K that are still drastically reduced from pre-recession days. There are still GREAT deals.
But we are facing an affordable housing shortage for relocating hospitality workers, school teachers, healthcare providers, fire and police officers, and more that will keep our community vibrant and functioning.
If you have a home in good condition available in the under $300,000 price range, I’d love to assist you in that sale today. I pride myself in my marketing and negotiation skills and would appreciate the opportunity to put my 17 years of experience to work for you. Give me a call at 843-505-3132 for your professional consultation.
 898-9119Mobile: (803) 530-5679http://www.scdhec.gov/images/logo_email.jpg){kind=logo}
Lori Baden, eXp Realty, Cell: 724.462.7082, OFFICE: 888-397-7352 ext 1379 