The editors of This Old House magazine have named Park Circle in North Charleston one of 2012’s “Best Old-House Neighborhoods.” The magazine’s editors tracked down 61 neighborhoods in the U.S. and Canada that have promising futures, strong communities and homes that deserve a long-term commitment. The magazine notes Park Circle to be a location of “hundreds of lovingly crafted — … [Read more...]

Even with some lingering uncertainty in the economy, the improving housing market gives Charleston area Realtors reason to be optimistic in the coming year. According to a presentation given by Raymond Owens, senior research economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, to the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, indications of a modest economic rebound are under way. While job growth … [Read more...]

The Charleston area is seeing a stronger economic recovery than the rest of the state and most of the nation, but don't expect a jump in real estate sales or higher home prices. That was the message from two economists who addressed the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors at its 2011 year-in-review Wednesday. It was a positive message for the Charleston region, but lukewarm … [Read more...]

Houston, TX -  Charleston, SC, has been selected by Where to Retire, the only magazine in America geared toward helping people with retirement relocation decisions, as a top retirement destination and will be profiled in the feature story "8 Terrific Towns for History Lovers." The March/April 2012 issue will be available nationwide on February 21, 2012. Where to Retire editor Mary Lu Abbott … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON — The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell this week to a record low, the ninth time that has happened in the last year. Even with the cheapest rates in history, the housing market remains depressed. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year loan dropped to 3.87 percent this week. That below the previous record of 3.88 hit two weeks ago. The … [Read more...]

Sales involving foreclosure-related properties totaled 10.25% of all sales in South Carolina during the third quarter of 2011, according to new data released by RealtyTrac, a national foreclosure tracking firm. Focus on real estate Read more about commercial and residential real estate, including a look at distressed properties in 2011, in Monday’s edition of the Charleston … [Read more...]

Tourist-mecca Charleston has landed another accolade.Alongside London, Paris and Budapest, the Holy City, currently Conde Nast Traveler's No. 1 tourist destination in North America, made travel guide Fodor's Top 21 places to go in the world this year. Only one other U.S. tourist spot made the list: Oahu in tropical Hawaii. Pushing Charleston to the forefront of the must-go destinations are great … [Read more...]

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Optimism is building that the housing industry is nearing a bottom — finally. Home sales and home building are forecast to rise this year after sliding steeply the past five years in housing's worst downturn since the Great Depression. Recovery is expected to be slow, and home prices are widely expected to fall this year. But investors are betting on the start of an upturn, bidding up home … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON — Fixed mortgage rates fell once again to a record low, offering a great opportunity for those who can afford to buy or refinance homes. But few are able to take advantage of the rates. Freddie Mac says the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 3.89 percent. That’s below the previous record of 3.91 percent reached three weeks ago. The average on the 15-year fixed … [Read more...]