Joint Base Charleston Real Estate

Buying your first house can be intimidating to say the least – but it doesn’t have to be!  Working with a good Charleston Realtor and following the tips below can turn an overwhelming experience into an exciting one.  Buying your first home is a big step and a happy occasion – so don’t despair….instead prepare!

Know Your Price Range
Many first time Joint Base Charleston home buyers have no idea of what their REAL price range should be – and end up buying a house that is more than they can afford.  Once you know your budget, you can then house shop accordingly.  This will save you time and frustration, and help keep you from becoming house poor. 

Get Pre-Approved
Before you start shopping for your new home, you need to first make sure you are qualified for financing.  Seek approval from a trusted mortgage professional, and feel free to shop several lenders so you can compare and choose the best loan for your family.    Once you are pre-approved, your mortgage broker can provide a pre-approval letter which you can include with your offer to buy once you find that perfect house. 

Understand Needs vs. Wants
Needs include things such as the number of bedrooms, square footage, and location.  Wants include things such as hardwood floors, granite counters, or a pool.  The thing to remember is, your needs should be your priority when house hunting in the Charleston area.

Of course, the goal is to find a home that has both your needs and some of your wants too!

Location, Location, Location!
The location of the home is something that cannot be changed – so be certain you choose a neighborhood you like.  Consider things such as schools, travel time to work, and crime rate.  To get a good feel for the neighborhood, try to drive through during the day and night. 

Choose the Right Professionals to Help You
Choosing the right team of professionals to help you through the home buying process is KEY!  First, you need an experienced Joint Base Charleston Realtor who can help you through each step of the process.  You will be spending a significant amount of time with your Realtor, so why not choose someone you feel comfortable with and actually enjoying being around? 

You will also need a great mortgage professional to help ensure you get the best possible loan for you and your family.  Additionally, you will need a qualified home inspector once you find your dream home.  Ask your Realtor for referrals, as they have worked with many different mortgage brokers, inspectors, and attorneys, and can provide you with some great recommendations. 

Military Homes Charleston
We specialize in helping military families enjoy a smooth PCS in and out of Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. Buying and selling your home is one of the biggest events of your life. As your trusted Charleston Real Estate Professional, we are 100% committed to helping you the best way we can when you buy or sell your home. We have a passion for helping people, and we love what we do – call 843-410-8014 or email today!

Joint Base Charleston – Avoiding Rental Scams

As we all know, internet fraud is everywhere now and the rental industry is no exception. So before you begin your search for your next Joint Base Charleston rental home, please be aware that there are dishonest people out there, posing as property managers and/or owners, just to make a quick buck. Such scams are common on sites like Craigslist, Zillow, and Hotpads – but basically any popular rental site is a potential target. Military Homes Charleston wants to help you identify these scams so you can avoid becoming a victim.

The SCAM
How it works…..the person will pose as the owner of a Charleston property and will try to get your personal information and/or money. They will take your money and/or use your personal information to commit identity theft. This scam is almost always via email, but sometimes happens in person. They sometimes will place false ads for Charleston homes at extremely low rent prices. Sometimes the home is for Rent with an actual Real Estate agent, who is unaware their listing has been ‘cloned’, and other times the home is not even available at all and the home owner is not aware until ‘renters’ begin showing up at their door expecting to move in.

Red Flags:

• Very cheap rent for the type of property and size of the house
• The “landlord” refuses to talk to you on the phone
• You are unable to see the inside of the home
• They ask for an application or deposit before showing you the property
• The property appears on a different site for more money with different contact information
• Emails that are filled with spelling and grammatical errors are usually a sign of fraud
• The “name” they give you does not match the “name” in the email address

Tips to Avoid the SCAM:

• Remember what your mama told you?? “If it sounds too good to be true…..” Well – KEEP THIS IN MIND! Odds are that you are not going to find a fabulous 5 Bedroom/3 Bath, close to Joint Base Charleston, for $900/Month… If you have done your research, you will immediately suspect deals that are too good to be true.
• Check the internet for the name of the property manager, or check public records to find out who owns the property
• Don’t send any money to someone you have not verified. Do not send any money via Western Union or any other similar service.
• Always deal locally and in person
• Research online for that property’s address and see if you find multiple listings with different information.
• Do not rent a property until you have seen it! Remember - under no circumstances should you be required to pay before you have seen the property.

Remember – the majority of listings on the internet are legitimate, but you need to keep your eyes open. Trust your instincts and don’t ignore the Red Flags! If the situation feels wrong to you, then walk away – or at the very least – KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS until you feel comfortable. A legitimate Joint Base Charleston Property Management team should have no trouble in addressing any questions or concerns you may have.

Military Homes Charleston
We specialize in helping military families enjoy a smooth PCS in and out of Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. Buying and selling your home is one of the biggest events of your life. As your trusted Charleston Real Estate Professional, we are 100% committed to helping you the best way we can when you buy or sell your home. We have a passion for helping people, and we love what we do – call 843-410-8014 or email today!