By Ashley Melton, Realtor®  The Charleston housing market is admittedly a bit crazy right now. Homes are going under contract quickly after being listed - some within hours - and some for above asking price. But, that's certainly no reason to reconsider buying a home this year. Here are 5 important reasons to consider buying a home here in Charleston. 1. Inventory There's been a limited inventory of available homes for sale in the Charleston area for some time. Currently, there's no real indication of when supply will begin to increase, so if you find a home that fits your needs, you should consider making an offer while it's still available.    2. Interest Rates Interest Rates remain at an all-time low. If you've been thinking about purchasing a home, the time might be right for you to lock in a low mortgage rate before they begin an upward trend. Lower interest rates can lower the monthly mortgage payment of a home in the price range you are comfortable with making the cost of homeownership more affordable and it can also qualify you for a higher price point.   3. Generational Wealth It's a great time to invest in real estate. Currently, rental amounts are on the higher side with fewer vacancies. Of course, there will be ups and downs in the market, but real estate consistently appreciates over time.    4. An experienced Realtor® makes buying a home in Charleston, South Carolina a breeze Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It’s also an emotional decision that requires careful consideration and planning to ensure success. That’s why it makes sense for you to work with someone who has experience navigating this process. A real estate professional knows what questions to ask when looking at homes, how to negotiate effectively, and which neighborhoods are best suited for your needs.  5. Charleston is one of the nation's best places to live Charleston, South Carolina is just a cool town! Charleston is consistently ranked as a great place to live by various publications. Today.com recently named Charleston one of the top 10 best cities to live for post-pandemic life. Here are just a few of the lists that the area has been included in as a top living destination: 100 Best Places To Live 2019 - Money World's Best Cities - Travel & Leisure Best Places to Live - US News   There are still great opportunities to be had as a home buyer in Charleston. If you've been considering a purchase but are unsure of your next steps, check out some of my other blog posts about home buying, like Making the Best Offer in a Seller's Market and Choosing the Best Realtor in Charleston to give you some more info. Afterwards, GET IN TOUCH! I continue to work with buyers and sellers all over the Charleston area so I can answer any questions you have about the area.        Ashley Melton, Realtor®     843-670-2333    www.CharlestonPalmettoHomes.com     Ashley.Melton@AgentOwned.com    

Welcome home to 434 Gator Loop in quiet St. George, SC With all the hustle and bustle of the crazy city life, why not take a stroll out to a little bit of nature and escape the chaos and slow it back down a bit.  This house offers 3.69 acres of solitude, with at least 2 acres of fenced-in pasture. Previous owners have had goats, a donkey, and there is even a coupe for chickens and or raising pigeons. Mature trees border around the property and even catawba trees for the fisherman secret bait!  A detached barn/workshop with a 2 car carport attached makes it easy to keep your vehicles or any equipment safe from the outdoor elements. The barn opens up with lots of working or storage space. Has tons of room for a working shop, with electricity ran and own breaker box. So many options you could use this space for. It even has running water. The house bolsters 1701 sq ft with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The master bedroom is huge! offering a room size of approximately 21x15. Right off the master, you step through a sliding glass door on to the enclosed mancave/game room, which is plenty big as well with approximately 19x14 space to entertain in. A giant pantry sits right off the kitchen with more space to offer than a walk-in closet. The kitchen is a galley style, with newer countertops. Front and back porches are enclosed for you to spend time just listening to nature.  This place is a diamond in the rough! So come on out to the country and see for yourself! Just a short drive from Charleston, and even closer to I-95. This would be a great spot for a Volvo employee that wants to be close to work, but far enough away from the city! As always I am here to help! Call if you need more information, or if I can help you with any of your Real Estate needs!