Myrtle Beach Area Real Estate News & Market Trends

You’ll find our Coastal Beach Homes site to be a wealth of information, covering everything from being able to search the entire Myrtle Beach MLS, up to date market statistics and accurate home values to community happenings. That’s because we care about our wonderful community and want to help you find your place in it.

We strive to publish articles that help our clients further understand market trends and keep abreast of market news and other information that helps them to make informed decisions. Please reach out if you have any questions or thoughts. We'll look forward to our conversation! 

March 4, 2019

New Construction: Buyer Beware

Are you considering buying a home in a new construction neighborhood? The builders certainly make it easy to visit their model home and speak with their on-site manager. Buyer Beware: that smiling, friendly face behind the desk is a real estate agent working for the builder, not you.

Before you visit one of these planned neighborhoods, you first need to be represented by a buyers' agent, a licensed Realtor® that will work to protect your interests. This service is at no cost to you. Your Realtor® will negotiate the sales contract on your behalf and strive to get you your best deal. These sales contracts are complex and designed to protect the seller. It is also in your best interests to hire your own attorney for closing the transaction. We can provide you with a list of several qualified, local attorneys and then work closely with them during the purchase process.

Be committed to saying nothing about your personal finances or situation. Ask questions, but do not answer any. Inform the builders representative that you are already represented by a Realtor® and if you are interested in proceeding, your agent will contact them.

Now... relax and enjoy your home shopping, knowing that your interests are protected.

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Jan and Dan Sitter, Coastal Beach Homes LLC 843-282-8628

 

Posted in Buying a Home
March 3, 2019

Pricing Your Home Right

Properly pricing a home is a critical first step in the home listing process. It involves performing a thorough Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to accurately determine where the true value range of the property lies. This price thus becomes the price entry point with which to enter the market.

 

Often, homeowners have a price in mind when they decide to sell a home. This price may or may not be realistic. It is up to the professional Realtor® to have the necessary “hard” conversation with the homeowner. A Realtor's® job is to be honest and thorough, especially where pricing is concerned, even if the homeowner has a different figure in mind.

An important factor to consider is that many buyers will require a loan to purchase their desired home. Their lending institution will likely utilize an appraiser to determine the price of the property. They will not lend beyond that appraised price value figure. The house must appraise or the sale may fall through.

There is no point in listing a home for sale and entering the market at an inflated price point. Home buyers are too savy and well-schooled. Buyers search the web and evaluate many properties. An incorrectly priced home will likely garner little attention from the market, often evidenced by a lack of showing activity and offers.

Do you want your home to sit or do you want it to sell? It must be priced competitively. Price it right, market it well and it will sell!

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Jan and Dan Sitter, Coastal Beach Homes LLC  843-282-8628

Posted in Selling a Home
Feb. 24, 2019

Considering Selling Your Home?

So... you are considering selling your home. It's likely that several common questions will come to mind:

How much is my home worth in today's market? How long may it take to sell? How will we present our home to buyers? What will we need to do to be ready to list our home for sale? It all seems so over-whelming; what do we do first?

The best way to proceed is to consult with a trusted, impartial, local Realtor® who has a reputation for superior service. Your home's successful sale is entirely dependent upon selecting the right Realtor®. The agent's brokerage, size of sales team, years of experience, number of prior sales and other information that is often touted by agents actually pales in comparison to one simple question:

What is the Realtor's® marketing plan to sell my home?

What will your Realtor® do for you to sell your home? How hard will he/she work for you? How will he/she communicate with you throughout the sales process? Is he/she committed to your sales success or will there simply be a basic sign placed in your yard, a listing on the MLS and a prayer for some other agent to bring a buyer? It sounds silly, but that is the conventional action plan employed by many agents.

If your home is priced properly, marketed aggressively and is easily accessible, it will sell.

That is the simple truth. The strategies actually employed are what separates real estate agents and Realtors®. That is why your choice of Realtor® is crucial to your success.

It's your home. The decision to sell your home may include emotional ties but the implementation needs to be a business decision. Such a decision should never be made based upon obligation, a family connection, friendship or random selection. Sometimes there are difficult, necessary conversations, where an objective, impartial viewpoint is needed. You need an objective professional.

Selling your home requires commitment, an investment of time and resources, hard work and skill. All Realtors® are individuals and will approach the task of selling your home differently. You want to select the one that has a written marketing plan to sell your home, is committed to your success and is willing to work hard for you. Do you really want anything less?

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Jan and Dan Sitter, Coastal Beach Homes LLC 843-282-8628?

Posted in Selling a Home
Feb. 23, 2019

Home Sellers: Demand Easy Access

Access. It may be the most important concept to consider when listing your home for sale. While entering the market at the right price, de-cluttering, making repairs, painting, manicuring your yard and preparing a great first impression are all prudent activities, if your home is not readily available to buyers, then these activities may all be for naught.

What do we mean by access? It simply means that the seller's home must be readily available for showing to qualified home buyers. There are several issues that become immediately apparent in the real world. Each provides a potential roadblock to effectively showing your home.

So often, the listing agent will instruct other real estate agents that they must first contact him/her to show the home instead of allowing for simple, electronic scheduling of the showing. The difficulty becomes evident when the listing agent is not available. If entry is not obtainable, the buyer simply moves on to the next home.

Another frequent show-stopper is the use of mechanical combination lock-boxes for containing entry keys. Real estate agents will often use these devices because they are inexpensive. Often, these devices fail to operate properly. Sometimes, there are no listing instructions for accessing these devices or the code may have recently changed. A Realtor®-supplied electronic Supra lock box solves these problems and adds the seller-benefits of being able to track entry into their home and asking for feedback on the showing. Only licensed Realtors® can access these secure devices.

Listing agents who list weekly-rental homes and condos for sale often will demand that agents wishing to show their properties travel to a third-party location, such as a rental company office, to pick up the entry key. Sometimes, these offices are located a considerable distance from the property listing with limited hours of operation. The inability to obtain an entry key will often discourage a buyer from viewing that particular property. Again, they simply move on to the next one.

Additionally, if an owner has a long-term rental tenant in place at the property he/she is considering selling, they may wish to amend their contract to include their right to allow Realtors® to show their property to prospective buyers with the consideration of reasonable advance notice. Often, tenants are a frustration to Buyers Agents and their buyer clients because they actually control access to the property. Do not allow this to happen to you.

What does all this mean to home sellers? It's your home. You are in charge. Don't be short-changed. Insist upon easy, secure access to your home. Demand that your tenant and listing agent will not become obstacles to the sale of your home. Remember, a well-qualified, interested buyer can only buy your home if he/she can see and experience it.

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Jan and Dan SitterCoastal Beach Homes LLC   843-282-8628

Posted in Selling a Home
Feb. 13, 2019

Common Real Estate Terminology

At Coastal Beach Homes LLC, we are frequently asked to explain or define various terms commonly used around real estate transactions. These are terms common to many real estate purchase contracts and conversations in real estate lawyer offices. For your convenience, we have gathered many of these terms together to present in dictionary format. 

A

Abstract of Title: A condensed history or summary of all transactions affecting a particular tract of land.

Access: The legal right to enter and leave a tract of land from a public way.

Accretion: The slow buildup of land by natural forces such as wind or water.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM): A residential mortgage that has an interest rate that is subject to change. The times of adjustment are agreed upon at the inception of the loan.

Administrator: A person appointed by a probate court to settle the affairs of an individual dying without a will.

Adverse Possession: A claim made against the land of another by virtue of open and notorious possession of said land by the claimant.

Affidavit: A sworn statement in writing.

Agent: A person or company that has the power to act on behalf of another or to transact business for another,

Air Rights: The right to ownership of everything above the physical surface of the land.

ALTA: American Land Title Association, a national association of title insurance companies, abstractors and attorneys specializing in real property law.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR): An expression of the percentage relationship of the total finance charges to the total amount to be financed as required under the federal Truth-in-Lending Act.

Appraisal: A written opinion of market value based upon a factual analysis of relevant local market information.

Appurtenance: Anything so annexed to land or used with it that it will pass with the conveyance of the land.

ARM: Adjustable Rate Mortgage. Also see “Variable Rate Mortgage.”

Assessment: The imposition of a tax, charge or levy, usually according to established rates.

Assessor: A public official who evaluates property for the purpose of taxation.

Assignee: One to whom a transfer of interest is made.

Assignor: One who makes an assignment.

Assumable Mortgage: A mortgage which, by its terms, allows a new owner to take over its obligations.

Attachment: Legal seizure of property to force payment of a debt.

Attorney in Fact: One who holds a power of attorney from another, allowing him or her to execute legal documents such as deeds, mortgages, etc., on behalf of the grantor of the power.

 

B

Balloon Mortgage: A mortgage that is amortized over a specific period of years, but requires a lump-sum payment in full at an earlier date.

Bankruptcy: A federal court proceeding in which debtors may be relieved of liability for their debts after surrender of their nonexempt assets to a court-appointed trustee.

Bureau of Land Management: The branch of government in charge of surveying and managing public land.

 

C

CC&R’s: Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. Also see “Conditions and Restrictions.”

Changed Circumstance: In accordance with the TRID Rule, events which allow a creditor to revise a Loan Estimate or a Closing Disclosure include: (i) an extraordinary event beyond the control of any interested party or other unexpected event specific to the consumer or transaction; (ii) information specific to the consumer or transaction that the creditor relied upon when providing the Loan Estimate and that was inaccurate or changed after the disclosures were provided; (iii) new information specific to the consumer or transaction that the creditor did not rely on when providing the Loan Estimate; (iv) revisions requested by the consumer; (v) when the Loan Estimate expires; or (vi) on the day of the rate lock.

Chain of Title: A term applied to the past series of transactions and documents affecting the title to a particular parcel of land.

Cloud on Title: An irregularity, possible claim, or encumbrance which, if valid, would affect or impair the title.

Closing: Also known as “escrow” or “settlement.” The process of executing legally binding documents, such as deeds and mortgages, most commonly associated with the purchase of real estate and the borrowing of money to assist in the purchase.

Closing Costs: Expenses for services incidental to a sale of real estate, such as sales commissions, loan fees, title fees, appraisal fees, etc.

Closing Disclosure: The five-page Closing Disclosure, also referred to as CD, must be provided to the consumer three business days before they close on the loan. The Closing Disclosure details all of the costs associated with the mortgage transaction.

Closing Statement: A summation, in the form of a balance sheet, made at a closing showing the amounts of debits and credits to which each party to a real estate transaction is entitled.

Clouded Title: An encumbered title.

Coinsurance: A form of insurance underwritten by two or more title insurers sharing a single risk under separate title insurance policies in proportional amounts.

Common Interest Community (CIC): Ownership characterized by mutual ownership of common areas, either jointly or through membership in an association

Condemnation: Taking private property for public use through court proceedings. Also see “Eminent Domain.”

Condition or Conditions: A proviso in a deed, will or other instrument that, upon the happening or failure to happen of a certain event, limits, enlarges, changes or terminates the title of the purchaser or devisee.

Conditions and Restrictions: Limitations placed on the use and enjoyment of land. May include penalties for failure to comply. These are found most often on condominiums and planned unit developments.

Condominium: A system of individual fee ownership of units in a multi-unit structure, combined with joint ownership of common areas of the structure and land.

Conservator: See “Guardian.”

Consummation: Consummation is not the same thing as closing or settlement. Consummation occurs when the consumer becomes legally obligated to the creditor on the loan, not, for example, when the consumer becomes contractually obligated to a seller on a real estate transaction.

Consumer’s Intent to Proceed: Unless a particular manner of communication is required by the creditor, a consumer indicates intent to proceed with the transaction when the consumer communicates, in any manner, that the consumer chooses to proceed after the Loan Estimate has been delivered. This may include (i) oral communication in person immediately upon delivery of the Loan Estimate; or (ii) oral communication over the phone, written communication via email, or signing a preprinted form after receipt of the Loan Estimate. A consumer’s silence is not indicative of intent to proceed.

Contract for Deed: An agreement to sell and purchase, under which title is held as security by the seller until such time as the required payments to the seller have been completed.

Convey: The act of deeding or transferring title to another.

Conveyance: An instrument by which title is transferred, e.g., a deed. Also the act of transferring title.

Covenant: An agreement written into deeds and other instruments promising performance or nonperformance of certain acts, or stipulating certain uses or non-uses of the property.

Cul-de-Sac: The terminus of a street or alley. Usually laid out by modern engineers to provide a circular turnaround for vehicles.

 

D

Deed: A written document by which the ownership of land is transferred from one person to another.

Deed of Trust: An instrument used in many states in place of a mortgage. Property is transferred to a trustee by the trustor (borrower), in favor of the beneficiary (lender) and re-conveyed (satisfied) upon payment in full.

Devise: The disposition of real property by will.

Due-on-Sale Clause: Provision in a mortgage or deed of trust which requires loan to be paid in full if property is sold or transferred.

 

E

Earnest Money: Advance payment of part of the purchase price to bind a contract for property.

Easement: An interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited use, such as laying a sewer, putting up electric power lines or crossing the property. Also see “Right of Way.”

Egress: The right to leave a tract of land.

Eminent Domain: The power of the state to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation.

Encroachment: A trespass or intrusion onto another’s property, usually by a structure, wall or fence.

Encryption: The conversion of data into a form that cannot be easily understood by unauthorized people. The process of encoding a message so that it can be read only by the sender and the intended recipient. Encryption is the most effective way to achieve data security.

Encumber: To burden a parcel of land with a lien or charge.

Encumbrance: A lien, liability or charge upon a parcel of land, e.g. a mortgage or easement.

Escheat: A reversion of property to the state in those cases where an individual dies without heirs or devisees, and, in some states, without a will.

Escrow: A procedure whereby a disinterested third party handles legal documents and funds on behalf of a seller and buyer, and delivers them upon performance by the parties.

Estate: A person’s possessions. The extent of a person’s interest in real property.

Examination of Title: The investigation and interpretation of the record title to real property based on the title search or abstract.

Exception: In legal descriptions, that portion of land to be deleted or excluded. The term often is used in a different sense to mean an encumbrance on title, excluded from coverage in a title insurance policy.

Executor: A person appointed by the probate court to carry out the terms of a will. The term is “executrix” if that person is a woman. Also see “Personal Representative.”

 

F

Fannie Mae: Federal National Mortgage Association (also FNMA) is a private corporation, federally chartered to provide financial products and services that increase the availability and affordability of housing by purchasing mortgage loans.

Fee Simple Estate: The greatest possible estate in land where the title is held completely and without any limitations or conditions. Sometimes designated simply as “Fee.”

Financing Statement: A document filed with the Register of Deeds or Secretary of State to give notice that a creditor (lender) has or may have a security interest in the personal property of the debtor (borrower).

Fixed Rate Mortgage: A mortgage on which the same rate of interest is charged for the life of the mortgage.

Fixtures: Any item of property so attached to real property that it becomes a part of the real property.

Flood Certification: A common term for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form (SFHDF). This determines whether land or a building is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area for purposes of flood insurance requirements under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Forfeiture of Title: Provision in a deed creating a condition which will cause title to be passed to another, should certain circumstances occur.

Freddie Mac: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (also FHLMC) is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered by Congress that purchases mortgage loans.

 

G

Ginnie Mae: Government National Mortgage Association (also GNMA) is a wholly owned United States corporation that guarantees privately issued securities backed by pools of mortgages insured by FHA (Federal Housing Administration), FMHA (Farmers Home Administration) or VA (Veterans Administration).

Graduated Payment Mortgage: A loan in which monthly payments are relatively small in the beginning and gradually increase in dollar amount over the life of the mortgage.

Grantee: A person who acquires an interest in land by deed, grant or other written instrument.

Grantor: A person, who, by a written instrument, transfers to another an interest in land.

Guardian: One appointed by the court to administer the affairs of an individual not capable of administering his or her own affairs.

 

H

Harbor Line: An arbitrary line set by authorities on navigable rivers, beyond which wharves and other structures may not be built. Also designated as line of navigation.

Hazard Insurance: Insurance protecting a property owner against loss, such as: fire, windstorm, lightning, hail, explosion, riot, smoke, property damage, flood or mudslide. 

Heir: One who might inherit or succeed to an interest in land of an individual who dies without leaving a will (intestate).

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage: A reverse or reverse annuity mortgage in which HUD, through FHA, guarantees that the borrower will receive monthly payments from the insurer (FHA), in the event the lender is unable to make payments to the borrower.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): A loan in which the lender agrees to lend a maximum amount within an agreed period (called a term), where the collateral is the borrower’s equity in his/her house.

Homeowners Insurance: Insurance protection paying benefits for damage to improved real property or possessions in the home. Also provides liability coverage against accidents in the home or on the property.

HUD-1: The HUD-1 is a type of settlement statement which, prior to the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) Rule, was required for use with all federally related mortgage loans. It has been supplanted by the “Closing Disclosure” as a required form, but the HUD-1 will continue to be used for reverse mortgage and HELOC transactions. In addition, it may remain in use for some transactions that do not involve federally related mortgage loans since it functions well as a balance sheet of the settlement.

 

I

Improvements: Those additions to raw land tending to increase value, such as buildings, streets, sewer, etc.

Indemnify: To make payment for a loss or to hold another harmless from loss.

Ingress: The right to enter a tract of land.

Insurance: A contract of indemnity against specified perils.

Interim Financing: Temporary or short-term loans. Often used with new construction. Usually replaced with permanent long-term financing.

Intestate: Designates the estate or condition of failing to leave a will at death. “To die intestate.”

 

J

Joint Tenancy: An estate where two or more persons hold real estate jointly for life, the survivors to take the entire interest on the death of one of the joint tenants.

Judgment: A decree of a court. In practice, this is the lien or charge upon the land of a debtor resulting from the court’s award of money to a creditor.

Judgment Docket: The record book of a County Clerk, where a judgment is entered in order that it may become a lien upon the property of the debtor.

Judgment Lien: The charge upon the land of a debtor resulting from the decree of a court properly entered into the judgment docket.

 

L

Land Contract: See “Contract for Deed.”

Lease: A grant of the use of land for a term of years in consideration of the payment of a monthly or annual rental.

Lender’s Policy: A form of title insurance policy which insures the validity, enforceability and priority of a lender’s lien. This policy does not provide protection for the owner.

Lessee: One who takes land under a lease.

Lessor: One who grants land under a lease.

Lien: A hold, claim or charge allowed a creditor upon the land of a debtor. Some examples are mortgage liens, judgment liens and mechanics’ liens.

Life Estate: A grant or reservation of the right of use, occupancy and ownership for the life of an individual.

Lis Pendens: A notice recorded in the official records of a county to indicate that a suit is pending affecting title to the land in the jurisdiction where the notice is recorded.

Loan Estimate: A three-page Loan Estimate (also called LE) must be provided to the consumer no later than three business days after they submit a loan application for most mortgages. The Loan Estimate provides information about key features, costs and risks of the mortgage loan for which the consumer is applying.

Loan Policy: See “Lender’s Policy.”

Loss Payable Clause: A clause in a contract of insurance which says any loss will be paid to two or more parties as their interest may appear. Usually the owner and the mortgage lender.

Lot: A part of a subdivision or block having fixed boundaries ascertainable by reference to a plat or survey.

 

M

Marketable Title: A good title about which there is not fair or reasonable doubt.

Mechanic’s Lien: A lien allowed by statute to contractors, laborers and material suppliers on buildings or other structures upon which work has been performed or materials supplied.

Metes and Bounds: A description of land by courses and distances.

Mortgage: An instrument used to encumber land as security for a debt.

Mortgage Banker: A specialized lending institution that lends money solely with respect to real estate and secures its loans with mortgages on the real estate.

Mortgage Broker: A person or company that buys and sells mortgages for another on commission or who arranges for and negotiates mortgage contracts.

Mortgage Insurance: Insurance protecting against the nonpayment of, or default on, an individual mortgage or loan involved in a residential mortgage transaction. It protects the mortgage lender against loss incurred by a reason of nonpayment or mortgage default.

Mortgagee: The mortgage lender.

Mortgagee’s Policy: See “Lender’s Policy.”

Mortgagor: The mortgage borrower.

 

N

Non-Public Personal Information (NPPI or NPI): ‘‘Personally identifiable financial information’’ that is (i) provided by a consumer to a financial institution, (ii) about a consumer resulting from a transaction or service performed for the consumer, or (iii) otherwise obtained by the financial institution. Personally identifiable financial information includes any information obtained by a financial institution in connection with its provision of a ‘‘financial product or service,’’ even if the information is not typically considered financial in nature.

Notary: One authorized to take acknowledgments.

Note: The instrument evidencing the indebtedness. A note is usually secured by a security instrument such as a mortgage or deed of trust.

 

O

Origination Fee: The administrative fee charged by the lender to prepare loan documents, run credit checks, inspect and sometimes appraise a property, usually computed as a percentage of the face value of the loan.

Owner’s Policy: A policy of title insurance, which insures a named owner against loss by reason of defects, liens and encumbrances not excepted to in the policy or non-marketability of the title. The company also agrees to defend covered claims made against the title.

Ownership: The right to possess and use property to the exclusion of others.

 

P

Patent: A document or grant by which the federal or state government originally transferred title to public land to an individual. The first in the series of transfers by which title comes down to present owners.

Personal Representative: A person appointed by the probate court to administer a decedent’s estate.

Plat or Plot: A map representing a piece of land subdivided into lots with streets shown thereon.

P.M.I.: Private Mortgage Insurance. An insurance contract which insures that the named lender will recover a specific percentage of the loan amount from the insurer in the event the loan goes bad.

Points: A one-time special fee or extra charge paid to a lender in order to secure a loan. Expressed as a percentage of face amount of mortgage.

Policy: See Title Insurance Policy.

Policyowner: The insured on a title insurance policy.

Power of Attorney: An instrument authorizing another to act on one’s behalf in legal matters.

Power of Sale: A clause in a will, mortgage, deed of trust or trust agreement authorizing the sale or transfer of land in accordance with the terms of the clause.

Pre-Settlement Inspections: See “Walk Through.”

Prepayment Penalty: A clause in a mortgage or loan contract that says if the mortgage is prepaid within a certain time period, a penalty will be assessed. The penalty can be based on percentage of the remaining mortgage balance or some other calculation as described in the clause.

Premium Tax: A tax imposed on all premiums from the business of title insurance. Only applies in some states.

Privacy Rule: The GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY ACT requires financial institutions (which includes title insurance companies) to give notice to all of their “customers” about their privacy practices. The Privacy Policy is a “clear and conspicuous” written notice describing their privacy policies and practices.

Prorate: To allocate between seller and buyer their proportionate share of an obligation paid or due. For example, a proration of real property taxes or fire insurance premiums.

 

Q

Quiet Title: An action in a proper court to remove record defects or possible claims of other parties named in the action.

 

R

Range: A part of the government survey, being a strip of land six miles in width, and numbered east or west of the principal meridian.

Real Property: Land, together with fixtures, improvements and appurtenances.

REALTOR®: A federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Realty: A brief term for real property.

Redeem: Literally “to buy back.” The act of buying back land after a mortgage foreclosure, tax foreclosure, or other execution sale.

Redisclosure: For covered transaction under the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) Rule and under very specific circumstances, the Loan Estimate and/or the Closing Disclosure may be revised and delivered to the consumer.

Registered Land: See “Torrens Title.”

Reinsurance: To insure again by transferring to another insurance company all or part of an assumed liability, thus spreading the loss risk any one company has to carry.

Reverse or Reverse Annuity Mortgage: A mortgage for which the borrower pledges home equity in return for regular (monthly) payments, rather than a lump sum distribution of loan proceeds. Repayment is usually not required until the home is sold or the borrower’s estate is settled, provided the borrower continues to live in the home and keeps current all taxes and insurance. Also see “Home Equity Conversion Mortgage.”

Right of Way: The right which one has to pass across the land of another. An easement.

Riparian: Rights to use of waterways in adjoining lakes or rivers.

 

S

Second Mortgage: A second loan on real estate that already has a mortgage. It is subordinate to the first mortgage.

Section or Section of Land: A parcel of land comprising approximately one square mile or 640 acres.

Set Back Lines: Those lines which delineate the required distances for the location of structures in relation to the perimeter of the property.

Sub-Surface Right: The right of ownership to things lying beneath the physical surface of the property.

Survey: The process of measuring land to determine its size, location and physical description, and the resulting drawing or map.

 

T

Tax Lien: A lien for real property taxes. Attaches only to the property upon which the taxes are due in most jurisdictions. It may be foreclosed for nonpayment.

Tenancy by the Entirety: Ownership by married persons. Each owns the entire estate, with the survivor taking the whole upon the other’s death.

Tenancy in Common: An estate or interest in land held by two or more persons, each having equal rights of possession and enjoyment, but without any right of succession by survivorship between the owners.

Tenant: Any person occupying real property with the owner’s permission.

Testament: Another term for a will. Commonly referred to as “last will and testament.”

Testate: The state or condition of leaving a will at death. “To die testate.” Testator: A man who makes or has made a testament or will.

Testatrix: A woman who makes or has made a testament or will.

Three-Day Review Period: For covered transactions under the TILA- RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) Rule the creditor is generally required to ensure that the consumer (borrower) receives the Closing Disclosure no later than three business days prior to the consummation of the loan. Title: (i) ownership of real property, which stands against the right of anyone else to claim the property; (ii) the evidence of right which a person has to the ownership and possession of land.

Title Agent: See “Agent.”

Title Defect: Any legal right held by others to claim property or to make demands upon the owner.

Title Commitment: A report issued by a title insurance company or its agent, committing the title insurance company to issue the form of policy designated in the commitment upon compliance with and satisfaction of requirements set forth in the commitment.

Title Examination: To peruse and study the instruments in a chain of title and to determine their effect and condition in order to reach a conclusion as to the status of the title.

Title Insurance Underwriter: An insurance company that issues insurance policies either to the public or to another insurer.

Title Insurance: An agreement to indemnify the insured against loss arising from a covered defect in title to a particular parcel of real property, which is typically issued to both the buyer to protect their property rights (through an owner’s title insurance policy), and the lender to protect its lien rights (through a lender’s title insurance policy).

Title Insurance Policy: A written contract of title insurance.

Title Plant: The total facilities: records, equipment, fixtures, and personnel: required to function as a title insurance operation in some parts of the country. Technically, the organization of official records affecting real property into a system, which allows quick and efficient recovery of title information.

Title Search: An examination of public records, laws and court decisions to disclose the current facts regarding ownership of real estate.

Tolerances: See “Variances.”

Torrens Title: A system whereby, after court proceedings, a certificate is issued setting forth the extent of the applicant’s estate in land, subject to the exceptions shown.

Total Interest Percentage (TIP): The total amount of interest that the consumer will pay over the life of the loan as a percentage of the principal of the loan, assuming the consumer makes each monthly payment in full and on time, and does not make any over-payments.

Total Loan Costs: Fees the lender charges to make the loan, as well as fees paid to providers selected by the lender and fees paid to providers chosen by the borrower. Total Loan Costs are found under Section D of the Loan Estimate.

Township: A division of territory approximately six miles square, containing approximately 36 sections or 36 square miles.

Tract: A particular parcel of land.

Trust: A property right held by one as a fiduciary for the benefit of another.

Trustee: A person holding property in trust as a fiduciary for the benefit of another

 

V

Variable Rate Mortgage: A loan in which the interest rate fluctuates with the cost of funds or some other index.

Variances: The comparison made between fees and/or charges listed on the Loan Estimate (or Good Faith Estimate) and those listed on the final Closing Disclosure (or HUD-1). Not all fees are exposed to such scrutiny but for those that are the creditor/lender is held accountable for the excessive charges. There are two levels of tolerance based on the type of fee. Variance may also be referred to as Tolerance.

Vendee: A purchaser of real property under land contract.

Vendor: A seller of real property under land contract.

Vest: To pass to a person an immediate right or interest. Title may be said to vest in John Smith.

 

W

Walk Through: Depending on the terms of the contract of sale or based on local custom, a walk-through or pre-settlement inspection may be scheduled prior to settlement or closing of the transaction. The primary purpose of this type of inspection is to make certain the property is in the agreed-upon condition, repairs (if any) from the home inspection are complete, and to confirm that nothing has gone wrong with the property since the buyer’s last viewing.

Warranty: A limited promise by the grantor of real property that he or she is the owner and will be responsible to the buyer if title is other than as represented.

Will: A written document providing for the distribution of property owned by a person after his or her death.

 

Z

Zoning: The right of a municipality to regulate and determine the compatible character and use of property.

 

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Jan and Dan SitterCoastal Beach Homes LLC   843-282-8628

 

Posted in Business
April 16, 2018

Sellers Win with a Home Inspection Prior to Listing

Securing a home inspection prior to listing a home may offer a win-win strategy for the seller

The traditional home inspection that is usually paid for by the buyer has the potential power of derailing a transaction in short order.  In this scenario, sellers may or may not be willing to provide certain repairs as requested by the buyer. If such repairs are deemed necessary, such as structural items and the seller is unwilling to comply, the buyer has the right to terminate the contract. The buyer holds all the cards.  

However, prudent sellers seeking to maintain better control over the transaction, have the option of having their home professionally inspected prior to listing their home on the market. This proactive strategy will reveal any issues that may have the potential of halting the transaction. The seller can make necessary repairs before they ever become an issue for the buyer. Sellers win with a home inspection prior to listing their home.

An additional benefit for the seller, is the intangible assurance to the potential buyer that the home has already been professionally inspected.  

The cost of a professional home inspection averages $350-450, depending upon the size and type of home. Considering the possible implications, a pre-emptive home inspection is more than just an added cost of the sale, it puts the seller in control and could possibly avert catastrophe at the closing table. Indeed, a small price to pay.  

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Jan and Dan Sitter      Coastal Beach Homes   843-282-8628

Posted in Marketing
March 14, 2018

Mortgage Interest Rates Affect Your Purchasing Power

Yes, mortgage interest rates are changing again. While this is an unpleasant topic for most buyers, it may indeed affect a buyer's purchasing power. This term refers to your actual ability to spend that portion of your income that will be applied to a mortgage.

The live chart below shows a dynamic change in mortgage interest rates over the last 60 days. They are variable and will cycle with the market. Conversely, these rates are among the lowest that they have been in many years! It's actually a good time to buy a home

          Mortgage Rates and Trends

So... how does one digest this data? Be aware that for every interest rate rate increase of 1%, your real purchasing ability lowers by $10,000 for every $100,000 of purchase desire. To translate; if you had budgeted to spend $100,000 for a new home at 3.75% APR, and the rates rose to 4.75%, you now can actually spend $90,000 for your home. The chart below depicts this. You can see additional rates and purchase amount options here.  

Be aware that mortgage interest rates can and will affect your home purchase in this manner. Discuss your options with a mortgage professional and make your purchase decisions accordingly. 

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Jan and Dan Sitter      Coastal Beach Homes   843-282-8628

Posted in Buying a Home
March 9, 2018

First Select Your Dream Home's Location

Many families visit the Grand Strand of South Carolina each year. The Myrtle Beach area is one of the most popular vacation and relocation destinations in the United States. In fact, hundreds of people and families relocate to Horry County each month. The Myrtle Beach area has grown from a once sleepy, seasonal coastal community to a major metropolitan area with all of the amenities and features characteristic of any major US city. 

The Myrtle Beach area attracts visitors from all over the world, especially from the midwest and northeastern US. In addition to the obvious features, advantages and benefits of our beautiful region, our state of South Carolina offers many tax and other benefits to retirees, making the Grand Strand a very popular destination of people looking to relax and enjoy the good life. Whether they have moved permanently or have purchased a second home, countless retirees have flocked to the Myrtle Beach area. 

In addition, many people are interested in moving here who may have only visited once before or who have never been to the beach. We suggest that people research in advance each distinct community of the Grand Strand early on, as each has so much to offer. If possible, we suggest a visit for the sole purpose of exploration and discovery! A few days spent personally experiencing the wonders of the Grand Strand's varied and unique communities will often reveal the area in which dreams can come true, the locale that really feels like home and creates a sense of excitement. 

For instance, Myrtle Beach feels vastly different than Surfside Beach, Ocean Lakes or Murrells Inlet. Each offers unique features even though they share the same coast. There is no right or wrong, only what feels the most at home to you.

Once the "chemistry" has been felt, one can then search for their dream home within that particular community. How sad would it be if you found your dream home but in the wrong place? The right home situated in the right location will feel ideal and provide a lifetime of rewards. Welcome to your dream! 

 

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Jan and Dan Sitter    Coastal Beach Homes   843-282-8628 

   

Posted in Buying a Home, Location
Feb. 2, 2018

Your Home's Listing Has Expired. Now What?

The excitement originally experienced when your home first hit the market as a new listing, the anticipation of showings and offers; all have faded as reality now strikes... your home did not sell. Your home's listing has expired. What a letdown. 

Typically, there are just four reasons why a home has not yet successfully sold:

  1. Location
  2. Condition
  3. Price
  4. Marketing

Location is fixed. There is nothing one can do about location. However, there are always buyers looking in every area.

The condition of your home and property are within your control. Much can be done, at low cost, to present your home in a more favorable light by cleaning, organizing and repairing minor issues. Applying fresh paint, new cabinet hardware, light fixtures or simply replacing failed light bulbs can make a huge difference. Clean any carpets and eliminate pet odor, too. If you smoke... do it outside. 

A professional CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) will reveal the accuracy of your price. You must be competitive with other similar homes in the area. Remember, regardless of what you may need from the sale, the market determines your price. This impact is actually two-fold, as a qualified buyer requiring a loan is also dependent upon the bank's appraiser to validate your price to complete the loan process. 

In most cases,  however, the major fault of a failed strategy is poor marketing, or the lack thereof. Marketing begins with great photos, often seen lacking in expired listings. Selling a home today requires an aggressive marketing strategy and daily, methodical effort. A sign in your yard and a listing on the local MLS is not enough. Your marketing effort should commence with a written plan and a partner who is committed to selling your home. All agents are not the same. Your choice of Realtor® matters more than ever.

Don't fall for gimmicks or pitches filled with false discounts and empty promises. Your Listing Agent needs to have a plan for marketing your specific home. It will involve an investment of time and resources to set your home apart from all others and get the attention of the maximum number of qualified buyers in the shortest time. Make sure that your Listing Agent is in the business of selling homes. If his principal business is rentals, he likely has more incentive to rent your home than to sell it. Ask to see his marketing plan

When your home's listing expires, you now have an opportunity to begin again. Does it make any sense to use the same failed strategy for a second time... and hope for better results? 

It's your home. Demand more. This business. Insist upon a marketing plan and a commitment to sell your home. That's right; you hire a Realtor® to do a job... which is to represent your best interests and sell your house. Don't settle for anything less.

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Jan and Dan Sitter, Coastal Beach Homes LLC   843-282-8628

 

Posted in Selling a Home
Jan. 31, 2018

Explore Myrtle Beach Real Estate Like Never Before

Jan and Dan Sitter, Coastal Beach Homes LLC, are pleased to announce the birth of their new web site: www.coastalbeachhomessc.com, the home of the most powerful search capability for Myrtle Beach Real Estate. You'll never need or want any other site. Try it... you'll see!

Alway current and accurate, CoastalBeachHomesSC is updated constantly, sourcing it's data from the local Realtor MLS, so you don't have to worry about inaccurate or outdated information like so many of the national sites. 

CoastalBeachHomesSC is your home for the most powerful home searches imaginable! The search power at your fingertips is not available anywhere else! For example, let's say that you are searching in Murrells Inlet for a 2000 sq. ft. single-level Mediterranean-style home in a golf community with an HOA no more than $330 per month. In addition, you want to find a home with at least an acre of property on a lake with a marsh view, a dock, fireplace and pool in a certain school district. Try that search anywhere else! 

In addition, you will have access to detailed, current Myrtle Beach area market reports or design your own for a specific community. Stay up to date on what's happening with real estate in your community

Are you curious about the market value of your home? There is also a home valuation tool available for you. Do you want an estimate of your mortgage payments for a home in which you have interest? There is even a mortgage calculator. 

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, there are informative booklets and videos for you to study. You can even download Jan and Dan's 30 Point Marketing Plan for selling your home. There is even something for FSBO's.

Imagine your home featured on such a site!  No one will work harder for you.

Jan and Dan invite you to explore Myrtle Beach area real estate on CoastalBeachHomesSC and see for yourself. You're welcome to come back often.

 

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Jan and Dan Sitter, Coastal Beach Homes LLC   843-282-8628

 

Posted in Market Updates