Monday, March 2, 2009

New Trend in Homes

Homes today are coming out with more custom features for the individual tastes of buyers. Just take a look at this new trend in Europe.


Custom Home for Sale in Lexington South Carolina


REDUCED $12,500 NOW on Sale for $196,500. Custom home built by MC Smith. Well known builder in Lexington of fine homes. 3 Bedrooms 2 baths 2000 sq. ft. This home has updated hardwood flooring in the family room, formal dining room, and bedrooms. Open kitchen also has updated flooring. Large bonus room could be optional 4th bedroom. Large 0.44 flat cul-de-sac lot. Convenient to Lexington One schools, I-20, Country Club of Lexington. See the virtual tour at www.NelsonBermas.com. Email Nelson for a virtual tour of this home at Nelson@nelsonbermas.com.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Get your home ready to sell!

The weather is getting warmer and it's that time again...spring cleaning and home selling time. Here is a great video on getting your home ready for the market. The video is a great guide but ask your local real estate professional for their feedback on your home. Call me for pointers, tips, and helpful suggestions specific for your home to get it ready for the market.

UPDATED Stimulus First Time Home Buyers

The original bill of $15,000 tax credit for ALL buyers did not pass which would have been a bigger boost to the nation's sagging home market. In brief the temporary credit for first time home buyers: The bill increases the size of an existing temporary and refundable first-time home buyer credit to $8,000, up from $7,500. It also removes the requirement under current law that the credit be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at least three years. And it would extend the credit's expiration date to Dec. 1, 2009, from July 1. Those eligible for this credit must have purchased a home after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009.

The full credit is available to those making $75,000 or less ($150,000 for joint filers). Estimated cost: $6.6 billion.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

HOME BUYERS get a $15,000 tax credit for ‘09 purchase

"The proposal would let anyone who buys a new or existing home within one year of the enactment of the economic stimulus bill get a credit on his or her tax return of $15,000 or 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, whichever is less. It would only apply to the buyer’s principal residence, and the buyer would have to stay in the home for a minimum of two years." - AJC

This is a great opportunity for ALL home buyers not just first time buyers like the current tax break right now. If you are a home buyer, use this time to start doing your homework and interviewing agents to get your feet wet in the market. Need to start previewing homes and neighborhoods now before this is passed. Don't want to play catch up afterward and lose some good buying opportunities. Many home buyers have been held back since last year, so a buying spree may explode upon approval of this bill. Don't get left out on the great deals that are out there.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Rare Home for Sale in Town of Lexington, SC

A home with all these features is a rare find in the Town of Lexington so take a preview of the home. SEE the full virtual tour at www.NelsonBermas.com. Email me with any questions or CALL 803-454-2907.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Home Owners Association...HATE Them...

Or Love them? After our annual Home Owners Association meeting, I needed to write something about this in the home buying process. Most buyers look at the fine print of the loan and the contract offer for the home. The HOA Covenants and Restrictions of the neighborhood is the fine print of the neighborhood that gets most overlooked. These restrictions are there to protect the residents and the value of the homes in the neighborhood even how un-American they are. They keep your neighbors from putting fake deer decoys on the front lawn (we are in the South not pink flamingos like Florida) along side the fake wishing well, keep Santa and Christmas celebrated 365 days a year, or farm animals as pets. I am sure there is crazier stuff out there but these rules protect the biggest investment you have. If you need your creativity displayed, then stay out of a neighborhood and move out to the country.
The restrictions you need to be looking out for are the ones that affect your daily life. If you have a family pet, certain breeds may not be allowed in the neighborhood. If you love playing basketball in the driveway, some don’t allow goal posts in the front yard. Workshops and sheds need to be approved by the ARC Architectural Review Committee along with any other exterior changes to the home. As a past president of an HOA, there are a lot of rules homeowners are not aware of before moving in.

As you can see, read the fine print to the neighborhood before falling in love with a home. Ask your real estate agent for a copy to review before you make an offer on a home to keep you from any later regrets. A home is an emotional purchase so love can blind the details.