Tag: real estate

View of Pittsburgh from Duquesne Incline

Now calling Pittsburgh Home!

Lori Baden with eXp Realty explains her recent move to the Pittsburgh area.

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So, as I noted a few months ago in my last post, we sold our beloved barn home in South Carolina. We now call the Pittsburgh area home. Center Township in Beaver County to be exact, just 10-15 minutes from Pittsburgh International Airport where Joe now works for Allegiant Airlines.

We are happy to be back home for multiple reasons. First, it is “home” for Joe. We are living in the house he grew up in. We are literally the 3rd generation of his family to live here. His grandfather, Paul Salinshick built this home in 1946 with lumber cut off the property. His dad, Roy “Gus” Baden and his mother, Sue (Salinshick) lived in this home and raised Joe and his brother Bill, and sister Debbie.

It’s been an adventure so far for sure. And LOTS of work. We are keeping some family heirlooms and furniture pieces, but we also trashed a full dumpster and at least a couple hundred contractor bags full of junk. I think the garbage men must hate us. LOL. But we are making progress.

We will take the profit we made on our home there and put it into remodeling here. We have tackled some small projects ourselves but we have a huge kitchen and master bath remodel that we are interviewing contractors for. Turns out, they are just as much (or more) in demand here as they were in South Carolina, so we may have to wait our turn for a few months.

Also, this move puts me much closer to my father who I just found thru Ancestry.com back in January. He lives in the Morgantown, WV area just about 1.5 hours away. We have a lot of lost time to make up for and we have already spent a day together in September on his farm, and also just Thanksgiving together here last week. My mother also lives about an hour and 40 minutes away in WV.

So yes, we are home and we love it here. Everybody keeps asking how I’ll handle the cold since I’ve lived in the Carolinas since 1999. Well, I’ll tell you how… EASY! I LOVE IT! After all, I’m 51 years of age and a woman, and in this time of my life, I’m always warm. LOL! I truly have missed the snow and am praying for a White Christmas!

I’m in the process of working on sitting for my Pennsylvania Real Estate license. I filed the initial application this past week, but I still have some more forms to submit. I have lots to learn I’m sure but look forward to helping sellers and buyers in the area soon with my 21 years’ experience. Stay tuned!

And in the meantime, I still have an active SC Real Estate License and can help facilitate referrals anywhere around the world. Let me know how I can help you or someone you know!

July 2020 Existing and Pending Home Sales

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Home sales in July were higher than last month and than a year ago, and mortgage rates are at record lows. However, tight inventory remains a hurdle, and the economy is not yet back to normal.

Source: July 2020 Existing and Pending Home Sales

Introducing Kasia Pawelek

Introducing Kasia Pawelek, now with eXp Realty, serving Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Hardeeville and beyond.

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Super stoked to make this announcement and introduce Kasia Pawelek to everyone!

A savvy business woman and a breakthrough scientist with an artistic soul. Kasia specializes in residential and commercial real estate in Bluffton, Hilton Head, Hardeeville, and Beaufort. Over the years she has represented clients in sales and purchases of houses, condos, new construction, and land. She has earned FIVE STAR reviews from her clients and countless testimonials show 100% satisfaction with her service and knowledge of the area. She is an experienced professional that utilizes cutting edge technology. Kasia is there for her clients though the full process and beyond including recommending contractors, inspectors, lenders, attorneys, and many other professionals as well as helping with moving and local advice.
Upon moving to South Carolina from Michigan, Kasia was smitten with the Lowcountry and its housing opportunities. As an artist, she appreciates the beauty, symmetry, and picturesque views from homes and as a mathematician she focuses on market data, practicality, and investment potential of homes. That’s an ideal mix of both the artistic soul and realistic approach that would make your house both functional and beautiful, all at the right price. She loves working with buyers and sellers. She is committed to taking customer service to the next level. The only thing that gives her job satisfaction is seeing the fulfilled smile on her client’s face. As a co-owner of a small, local, real estate rental business she has developed an innovative and cutting-edge approach to marketing, market data analysis, and newest technology.
She is a world traveler and has wide international experience and collaborations. She can help arrange a professional to facilitate translations in Spanish, Polish, German, Italian, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Chinese. She gives her 100% in all her career endeavors.
Welcome Kasia ! Proud to be in business with you!
KasiaPawelek announcement

Gratitude Moment

A moment of gratitude from Lori Bee, South Carolina State Broker, eXp Realty. #eXpRealtyProud

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Really blessed to work with such a fantastic Leadership Team within eXp Realty. I try not to talk about work TOO much here on Social Media, but having had the various experiences that I have in real estate management ranging from horrible to great in the past, I feel so fortunate to be in FANTASTIC status at this point in my career. The best ever. I can’t help but share and be grateful.

I give all the credit to God for answering so many prayers in bringing Steve Saunders, Patricia Kay Sanders, Jennifer Combs-Minyard, Matt Szalecki,Stacey Onnen, Glenn Sanford and my predecessor/mentor, Jim Girard into my life. Along with hundreds of wonderful agents (friends!) who get, that our goal is to make not just their careers better, but their lives too.

What a life changing company this has truly been for me so far. I so look forward to where this journey will lead to.

Thank you God. And thank you one and all, mentioned above, and so many more. Have a wonderful weekend.

#eXpRealtyProud

 

Wire Fraud Warning Disclosure Form

Lori Bee provides real estate cyber crime info and wire fraud warning disclosure form for her SC realty clients.

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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.

Happy 4th of July from Bee at the Beach!

Happy 4th of July from Bee at the Beach!

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PatrioticBeach_edited

Happy Independence Day!  Let me know if I can help you or someone you know break free and live life at the beach!  843-505-3132

http://eXploreHiltonHeadHomes.com

http://eXploreBlufftonHomes.com

http://eXploreBeaufortHomes.com

4 Bedroom 2 Bath Homes in Beaufort County, SC

4 bedroom+ 2 bath+ homes for sale in Beaufort County, SC including Hilton Head Island and Bluffton.

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Looking for those 4 bedroom, 2 bath homes in Beaufort County, including Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, to move into before the end of the summer?

Check out these great listings! 

Then give me a call to get your private showing of the home you most like.  843-505-3132

Beaufort and Hilton Head Area Homes with Deep Water and Docks

Check out all of the lowcountry area homes featuring deep water docks.

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Deep Water Dock Homes from Beaufort MLS

Deep Water Dock Homes from Hilton Head MLS

Memorial Day Weekend and the summer boating season is upon us.   I love boating and understand the desire to have that perfect lowcountry home with deep water access.  Check out the links above to find your dream estate on the water.

I’m a member of both the Beaufort MLS and the Hilton Head MLS, so I can help you find your dream come true, in just about any area of the lowcountry.    Let me put my 17 years of experience to work for you.   843-505-3132

In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful homes….

And the market report says, “We Need Listings!”

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Monthly Report from the Hilton Head Island Area Market

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.

Your Version of “As Is” May Leave You Unsold

Understanding “as is” in the Hilton Head area real estate market.

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I think consumers watch way too much HGTV.   TV is NOT reality and a good agent will explain to you the laws in your state and practices in your market.  Real estate is truly local. For example, in the Hilton Head area market, we have a different purchase contract than the rest of the state.  In Section 8.  It clearly states:

“8. CONDITION OF PROPERTY. At Closing, all appliances and systems referenced in Section 4, including heating, air conditioning, electric and plumbing systems, fireplace/chimney, irrigation, pool and spa, shall be in good working order, and their physical condition shall be subject to reasonable wear and tear regardless of age. Further, the structure shall be reasonably sound and the roof free of leaks at Closing.”

This is very important to note to sellers who have a property that is a little older or perhaps has some maintenance issues to address.

Also of note is that this area of the contract also does address what buyers expectations should be:

“Other than the Property condition requirements set forth in this Section, the Property shall be conveyed in its present condition “As Is”. “As is” means the Property shall be conveyed in the condition existing on the Effective Date, subject to the terms of this Contract. The Property is a resale property. It is not new construction. Normal wear and tear is to be expected. For example, fogged windows, appliance rust, overgrown or dead landscaping, tile or countertop cracks, missing or torn screens, and uneven walkways or driveways are considered normal wear and tear and are not subject to repair unless otherwise required by this Contract. Seller shall not be obligated to make the Property comply with current building codes if the Property was constructed in compliance with the then applicable building codes. The Property shall be habitable, and Seller must repair deficiencies which render the Property uninhabitable as determined by licensed professionals.”

This is certainly a lot different than what you see on TV, right?     In a hot selling market sellers still need to make sure things are in working order.  And even in a hot buying market, buyers can’t expect a home to be perfect.   I like this clear definition in our contracts, but not enough agents take the time to clearly explain it to their clients.

Also of note, is that Sellers can not expect an “as is” clause to relieve them of the responsibility to disclose any material fact affecting the habitability of the home.  They still MUST be honest and truthful when filling out the mandatory Property Disclosure.  This even applies to every FSBO (for sale by owner) sale.   It also does not remove the buyers right to inspect the property.

Furthermore, we as agents need to explain how lending affects the sale of the property.   Especially in the case of FHA/VA loans, the government wants to ensure that property is habitable and in good working order.  They won’t grant the loan otherwise.  For example, if the roof is more than 20 years old (sometimes as little as 15 years!) they won’t grant a loan unless it is replaced.  This can be done in two ways, with the seller doing it during the inspection repair period, or WITH APPROVAL, an escrow for the roof (or repairs) to be done by after closing.   The funds are often requested from the sellers proceeds.

In fact these days, I’m often seeing this same request from conventional lenders as well.   A bank doesn’t want to grant a loan on a property that could potentially be damaged by negligent maintenance.   Understandable right?

Well a lot of sellers still think that they can mark their home in the MLS for sale that they will accept financing (FHA,VA, & Conventional) but then sell it “as is.”   Yeah, no.    Especially, if your definition of “as is” is to do nothing.

And agents, if you are marking your homes in the MLS that you are accepting financing and you know that your seller won’t fulfill such requirements, you are MISREPRESENTING!   Such listings should be marked Cash Only.  Sellers should be warned that this practice can severely limit their pool of buyers and can actually cost them more money as the home lingers on the market, than simply repairing items to make the home “habitable’ and in “good working order.” It also will definitely affect the amount buyers will be willing to offer, as well as appraisals.

Agents, you may also want to consult with an attorney about using an entirely different contract than the standard one in our Hilton Head area market if your seller insists on a bare bones “as is” sale, because the transaction won’t match the language in ours.

If any of you, even my fellow agents, have any  questions about this, I’m happy to help.  I’m not posting this as sour grapes, I am truly posting to help everyone get the deal done.  I love my job and I love helping people sell and buy homes, but we all have to understand the process to accomplish that.

Best Wishes !