The Real Buyer’s Agent helps you envision your life in your new home and helps you make it a reality. We understand how daunting the idea of buying a new home can be especially when it is in an area you may not be familiar with. We see it as our job not only to help you find the perfect home to meet your needs but also to educate you about everything you need to know to make the best decisions for you and your family.
Our Agents are familiar on the many areas and neighborhoods that make up greater Charleston and are experienced working with people relocating for a variety of reasons. Whether you’re military or taking a new job here and need to make a move fast or you’re thinking about a move for retirement and are in no rush we’ve got you covered!
Even if you don’t have school age children, understanding school performance can affect your resale. If you do have school age children or are planning to, getting information on the schools can play a part on where you consider buying.
The Charleston area is larger than some people who haven’t visited realize. While understanding the different areas is important so is considering what you’d like to be doing or what kind of lifestyle you may want. While the following list is by no means an all-encompassing one, here are some general ideas neighborhoods/areas that exemplify certain features.
Dunes West– Mt Pleasant
Coosaw Creek – North Charleston
Snee Farm– Mt Pleasant
Charleston National– Mt Pleasant
Rivertown – Mt Pleasant
Shadowmoss –West Ashley
Legend Oaks- Summerville
Stono Ferry- Hollywood
Del Webb- Summerville
Some sections of The Ponds- Summerville
The Elms- North Charleston
A section of Dunes West- Mt Pleasant
Part of Dunes West – Mt Pleasant
Ravens Run – Mt Pleasant
Coosaw Creek- North Charleston
Stono Ferry- Hollywood
Penninsula- West Ashley
Palmetto Pointe- Folly Beach
Headquarters Plantation – John’s Island
Kiawah Island
Seabrook
Daniel Island
Snee Farm– Mt Pleasant
Dunes West– Mt Pleasant
Ion- Mt Pleasant
Hamlin Plantation- Mt Pleasant
Rivertown- Mt Pleasant
Shivling Plantation- West Ashley
Essex at Carolina Bay- West Ashley
Hunt Club- West Ashley
Battery Guild- West Ashley
The Ponds- Summerville
White Gables- Summerville
Rushland Plantation- John’s Island
St Johns Crossing- John’s Island
Isle of Palms
Sullivans Island
Folly Beach
Seabrook
Kiawah
Wild Dunes- Isle of Palms
If you’re relocating to Charleston and considering one of these employers the maps shows what a 30 minute drive would look like to
give you some areas to consider. (The driving radiuses were determined using Google Maps assuming travel at 45 MPH for 30 minutes. Actual times may be longer or shorter depending on traffic conditions)
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The listing agent works for the seller and first and foremost represents their interests. An agent at The Real Buyer’s and an exclusive buyer’s agent represents you and looks out for your interests.
Since The Real Buyer’s Agent doesn’t take any listing and only works with buyers we are always happy to provide you with a referral to a listing agent.
There are four school districts in the tri-county area surrounding Charleston. Click to our Schools page for more information
Depending on where you are purchasing property, the price of the property, your lender’s terms, the distribution of fees charged to buyer and/or seller (which can be part of your negotiation when you put an offer on a piece of property) typical closing costs on the purchase of real estate range anywhere between 3% to 7% of the purchase price. Your lender by law must supply you with a pre-settlement “Good Faith Estimate.” (GFE) It will not necessarily give you all of the actual costs; it should give you an idea. Make sure to ask your mortgage professional which costs may not be accurate and make sure you fully understand the GFE.
Depending on where you are purchasing property, the price of the property, your lender’s terms, the distribution of fees charged to buyer and/or seller (which can be part of your negotiation when you put an offer on a piece of property) typical closing costs on the purchase of real estate range anywhere between 3% to 7% of the purchase price. Your lender by law must supply you with a pre-settlement “Good Faith Estimate.” (GFE) It will not necessarily give you all of the actual costs; it should give you an idea. Make sure to ask your mortgage professional which costs may not be accurate and make sure you fully understand the GFE.
Typical Buyers’ Fees …
A Buyer’s Agent pledges to work for the Buyer:
Loan origination fee, usually 1% of your mortgage amount
Discount point (or points), each usually 1% of your mortgage amount
Assumption fee (if you assume the seller’s old mortgage)
Title search fee
Lender’s title insurance fee
Owner’s title insurance fee (optional but advisable)
Survey fee (if applicable)
Two fees that may have been paid when you applied for the loan:
Lender’s inspection fee
Recording fees
Prepaid interest on your mortgage, covering the time between settlement and the first regular monthly payment
Prepaid mortgage insurance premium
Property tax, possible reimbursement to seller and/or payment on future taxes
Assessment, possible 1 to 3 month local improvement charge or association fee (especially applicable to condominium buyers)
Lawyers fees (if applicable)
The short answer is no, there is not an additional cost to use an exclusive buyer’s agent.
In general, takes are broken down into two brackets. Second homes and investment property are taxed at 6% and primary residents are taxed at 4%. To be eligible for the 4% rate you must qualify and be approved for the 4% Legal Residence exemption. Primary residents also receive some additional tax credits that further reduce your tax bill such as the property tax relief credit, which discounts the school operating tax from your tax bill. Additionally, if you are over 65 years of age, or certified totally and permanently disabled or blind, you may qualify for the Homestead Exemption. Up to the first $50,000 of your home’s appraised value could be totally exempt from taxes. You may research or estimate your county taxes by visiting our County Tax page.
Answer: This is such an important question that we actually published it in a chapter of the book … You may view or download Common Mistakes Smart Buyers Make here.
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Members of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) meet to discuss home buying advice and strategies to help homebuyers.
David Kent, President of The Real Buyer's Agent, Charleston 1st Exclusive Buyer's Agency, talks review the real estate market data for September 2020. His presentation compares 2018, 2019 and 2020 real estate market in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties.
David Kent, President of The Real Buyer's Agent, Charleston 1st Exclusive Buyer's Agency, talks review the real estate market data for August 2020. His presentation compares 2018, 2019 and 2020 real estate market in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties.
David these downloadable elements come from the "downloads" collection, items tagged as "first time homebuyers". Using a collection for downloads allows you to easily create and update downloadable elements and use them throughout the site as appropriate.
Buying a house is a big financial commitment, and for most people, the largest investment they will make in their lifetime. It seems like common sense, but many people jump into the process without really educating themselves first. In the excitement of house hunting they skip over the homework and planning, leaving them vulnerable in the long run. Reading t
Buying a house is a big financial commitment, and for most people, the largest investment they will make in their lifetime. It seems like common sense, but many people jump into the process without really educating themselves first. In the excitement of house hunting they skip over the homework and planning, leaving them vulnerable in the long run. Reading this book is an excellent step in making sure you are prepared.