Lowcountry Listings by Jen

You're probably wondering: is it better to move now or wait?
To make sure you’re making the best decision possible, let’s chat.
Together we can go over other market factors that may have an impact on your decision – like buyer demand, home prices, and the potential to gain equity.
And once you've got all the information, you can decide if buying now makes more sense for you.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Don’t Fall for These Real Estate Agent Myths

When it’s time to buy or sell a home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who you’ll work with as your agent. That choice will have an impact on your entire experience and how smoothly it goes.

Myth #1: All Real Estate Agents Are the Same

You might think all agents are the same – so it doesn’t matter who you work with. But, in reality, agents have varying levels of experience, specialties, and market knowledge, which can have a big impact on your results.

Myth #2: You Can Save Money by Not Using an Agent

As a seller, you may think you can save money by not working with a pro. However, the expertise, negotiation skills, and market knowledge an agent provides generally saves you money and helps you avoid making costly mistakes.

Myth #3: Agents Will Push You To Spend More

You may also be worried an agent...



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Don’t Fall for These Real Estate Agent Myths When it’s time to buy or sell a home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who you’ll work with as your agent.

Is Your House Priced Too High?

Every seller wants to get their house sold quickly, for as much money as they can, with as few headaches as possible. And chances are, you’re no different.

But did you know one of the biggest things that could jeopardize your success is the asking price for your home?

1.You’re Not Getting Many Showings or Offers

One of the most obvious signs your house may be overpriced is a lack of showings. If it's been on the market for several weeks and only a few buyers have come to see it—or worse, you haven’t gotten any offers—it could be a clear indication the price isn’t matching up with what buyers expect.

2.Buyers Have Consistent Negative Feedback after Showings

And if after the showings you do have, comments from the potential buyers aren’t great, you may need to course correct. If they consistently say it's overpriced compared to other...



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Is Your House Priced Too High? Every seller wants to get their house sold quickly, for as much money as they can, with as few headaches as possible.

New on the Market

New Listing in Yemassee at 8556 W Frontage RD

You want your house to sell quickly and for top dollar. But pricing it too high can seriously jeopardize those goals.

So, once your house is listed, watch out for these 4 signs that it's overpriced.

And if any of these are happening to you, be sure to lean on your agent to course correct.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Are you saving for your down payment? Here’s something you’re going to want to know.

Most first-time homebuyers qualify for programs that can help with that upfront expense. But few actually take advantage of it.

To see if you qualify, make sure you connect with a trusted lender. It could help you achieve your homeownership dream sooner than you thought possible.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

New on the Market

New Listing in Ridgeland at 205 Coosaw WAY

The Best Time To Buy a Home This Year

A shift is underway in the housing market this season. And if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump back into your homebuying search, this is a great time to do it. That’s because the best week to buy a home this year is just around the corner. Your sweet spot is here.

The experts at Realtor.com study seasonal trends to figure out the ideal week for homebuyers: “Nationally, the best time to buy in 2024 is the week of Sept. 29–Oct. 5. This week historically has shown the best balance of market conditions that favor buyers. Inventory tends to be high, prices are below peak levels, demand is waning, and the pace of the market slows to a more manageable speed.”

In addition to the historical trends and typical seasonality that Realtor.com looks at, there are also clear indicators in today’s market data...



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

The Best Time To Buy a Home This Year A shift is underway in the housing market this season.

Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back

If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent.

After months of high rates keeping buyers on the sidelines, things are starting to shift. Rates are already coming down due to a number of economic factors. And yesterday the Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate for the first time since they began raising that rate in March 2022. And while they don’t control mortgage rates, this sets the stage for mortgage rates to fall even further than they already have – especially since more cuts from the Fed are expected into next year. And lower mortgage rates are bringing more buyers back into the market. Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says: “A drop in the cost of borrowing will help fuel more homebuyer demand . . . Falling...



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent.

Lower Mortgage Rates Boost Your Buying Power

Mortgage rates are trending down and that’s great news for your bottom line. As rates drop, your monthly payment on your next home does too. Even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact on your purchasing power. If you put your search on hold when mortgage rates were higher, think about how much you could save now that rates are coming down.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Lower Mortgage Rates Boost Your Buying Power Mortgage rates are trending down and that’s great news for your bottom line.

Have you heard the good news? Mortgage rates are trending down.

And, if you’re looking to buy a home, that helps your bottom line. As rates drop, your monthly payment on your next home does too.

The change we’ve already seen could save you hundreds of dollars a month.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

The Latest Builder Trend: Smaller, Less Expensive Homes

Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now. But here’s some good news: builders are focusing their efforts on building smaller homes, and they’re offering key incentives to buyers. And both of these things can be a big help if you're worried about finding a home that’s right for your budget.

During the pandemic, homebuyers were looking for larger homes—and many could afford them. Builders responded to that demand and created bigger spaces to help people with things like working from home, setting up home gyms, and having extra rooms for virtual school.

Now, with affordability as tight as it is, builders are turning their focus to smaller single-family homes. At the end of the day, builders are going to focus on building homes that meet current market demand – because they want to...



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

The Latest Builder Trend: Smaller, Less Expensive Homes Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now.

Have you felt like homeownership is out of reach? You aren’t alone.

But here’s some good news: builders are focusing on bringing smaller, more affordable homes to market. And if we open up your search to include those new builds, we may be able to find the right fit for your budget.

Let’s chat if you’re ready to explore what builders have to offer in and around our area.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Even though affordability is improving, it’s still tight. So, it’s important to take some time early on to talk to a lender about pre-approval.

As part of that conversation, you’ll go over your loan options, what you can borrow, and your monthly payment, so you can gauge what really works for your budget.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Planning to buy a home? Make sure you’re budgeting not just your down payment, but for your closing costs too.

And if you want to try to cut down on those a bit, try these tips. Negotiate with the seller for concessions, shop around for more affordable home insurance, and look into closing cost assistance programs. DM me for more homebuying tips.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

What To Know About Closing Costs

Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don't forget about closing costs. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Closing Costs?

Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. Some of these are one-time expenses that are baked into your closing costs. Others, like homeowners’ insurance, are initial installment payments for ongoing responsibilities you’ll have once you take possession of the home.

How Much Are Closing Costs?

Freddie Mac says: “Closing costs vary greatly depending on your location and the price of your home. Typically, you should be prepared to pay between 2% and 5% of...



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

What To Know About Closing Costs Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process.

Early Forecasts for the 2025 Housing Market Infographic

Thinking about making a move in 2025 and wondering what you can expect? Here’s what expert forecasts say lies ahead. Mortgage rates will come down slightly. More homes will sell. And prices will rise more moderately. Let’s connect to go over what these forecasts mean for your move and what to expect from our local market in 2025.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

Early Forecasts for the 2025 Housing Market Infographic Thinking about making a move in 2025 and wondering what you can expect? Here’s what expert forecasts say lies ahead.

Wondering what’s really happening with home prices? This visual should help.

Data shows home price appreciation is moderating nationally. That means prices are still rising, just not as fast. And if you compare the numbers for last year to 2024, you can see it.

But that’s just the national picture. If you want to know what prices are doing in our area, DM me.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home Prices

If you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one. With so much information out there, it can be hard to figure out your next move.

Home Price Growth Is Slowing, but Prices Aren’t Falling Nationally

Throughout the country, home price appreciation is moderating. What that means is, prices are still going up, but they're not rising as quickly as they were in recent years.

What’s Next for Home Prices? It’s All About Supply and Demand

Nationally, the number of homes for sale is going up, but there still aren’t enough of them to meet today’s buyer demand. That’s keeping upward pressure on prices – even though recent inventory growth has caused that home price appreciation to slow. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, said, “. . . today’s low but quickly...



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Call/Text: 843-384-1685

The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home Prices If you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one.

The luxury market is thriving. With more million-dollar homes than ever before and prices on the rise, this could be the perfect time to start your search for a high-end home.

DM me if you want to explore your options.



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

The Surprising Amount of Home Equity You’ve Gained over the Years

There are a number of reasons you may be thinking about selling your house. And as you weigh your options, you may find you’re unsure how you’re going to deal with one thing about today’s housing market – and that’s affordability. If that’s your biggest concern, understanding how much equity you have in your house could help make your decision that much easier. Here are two key factors that have a big impact on your equity.

How Long You’ve Been in Your Home

First up is homeowner tenure. That’s how long homeowners live in a house, on average, before selling or choosing to move. From 1985 to 2009, the average length of time homeowners stayed put was roughly six years.

But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number has been climbing. Now, the average tenure is 10 years.

Here’s why...



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

The Surprising Amount of Home Equity You’ve Gained over the Years There are a number of reasons you may be thinking about selling your house.

The Latest on the Luxury Home Market

Luxury living is about more than just stunning views and cutting-edge smart home technology—it's about elevating your lifestyle. And if you're in the market for a million-dollar home, now is an excellent time to explore the thriving luxury market. Here's why.

The Number of Luxury Homes Is Growing

The top of the market, or luxury homes, can mean different things depending on where you live. But in general, these are homes that are in the top 5% price range in any area. According to a recent report from Redfin, the average value of those homes has risen to over one million dollars: “The median sale price for U.S. luxury homes, defined as the top 5% of listings, rose 9% year-over-year to a record $1.18 million during the second quarter.”

That same report goes on to show the percentage of homes valued at a million dollars or more has risen to...



Real estate questions?
Call/Text: 843-384-1685

The Latest on the Luxury Home Market Luxury living is about more than just stunning views and cutting-edge smart home technology—it's about elevating your lifestyle.