Kitchen Remodeling Tips

A kitchen is often described as the heart and soul of the home, and for good reason. This is an area that is often used for family gatherings, for entertaining friends and for everyday living. You may begin mornings talking to your family in the kitchen about plans for the day, and you may end the day preparing a meal together while you discuss the day's events. This is also a room that receives a great deal of scrutiny by buyers when you list your home for sale, and its style can have a direct impact on property value. In fact, in some areas of the country, homeowners may recoup more than 80 percent of the cost of a remodel in an increase in property value. With this in mind, you may decide to remodel your kitchen soon. By following a few tips, you can more easily walk through the remodeling process and get the kitchen you want.

Do: Create a Plan
Some homeowners will throw together a kitchen remodeling project by the seat of their pants. They may work on the back splash one weekend, and they may decide to do flooring a month later. This can create a hodge podge look to your kitchen, and it also makes it more difficult to budget properly. The best idea is to create a thoughtful, well-researched plan up-front before you begin any aspect of the project. Pick out all of your materials up-front so that they look great together, and you can even order them ahead of time so that your project is not delayed.

Don't: Make Hasty Design Decisions
Your kitchen design will stay in your home for years to come and perhaps even a decade or longer. It will influence the style of your home, your property value and more throughout this time period. Consider if you have plans to sell your home during this time period, and if you do, choose materials and an overall style that has greater appeal to the masses. In addition, make design decisions that add to the functionality of your space. For example, you can move the appliances in different locations for better flow.

Do: Prepare a Remodeling Budget
A kitchen remodeling project may range in cost from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more, depending on the size of the kitchen, the quality of the features and other factors. Costs can easily mount, so it is important that you create a budget and tally all costs. If you plan to keep your existing appliances in place, you may want to get them serviced. Review your home warranty to see if your appliance work is covered in an effort to reduce remodeling and repair costs.


Don't: Forget to Plan for Kids and Pets During the Remodel
In the days leading up to the start of your kitchen remodeling project, think about the scope of the project and how this will impact your daily lives. Your pets, for example, may need to be kenneled in the days while workers are in your home so that they do not get underfoot. You may need to move your fridge to the garage so that you and your kids have access to cold foods as needed. You may even consider asking a nearby friend or relative if the kids can stay with them for a few days while this process is completed. Because of how frequently used a kitchen is, a remodel can cause upheaval in your home that needs to be planned for.

Do: Seek Financing If Needed
The last thing you want when remodeling your kitchen is to run out of money halfway through the project. Financing is available in a variety of forms to help you pay for the high cost of a kitchen remodel. For example, some will put the expenses on a credit card, and others will apply for a short-term installment loan. If you have equity in your home, you may be able to access that equity through a home improvement loan. Explore the options with your bank to better determine which financing option is right for you.


A kitchen remodel is an excellent idea for older homes or homes that lack superior style. However, this is a major undertaking, and you want the project to be completed without a hitch. These helpful tips will assist you in completing your project without hassle or delay.


Buying, selling, decorating, improving, or maintaining your home? Click here www.mickisellscharleston
Michelle Mustain
A House 'SOLD' Name
843-338-4898

MLS Real Estate Market Report for Charleston, SC. November 2016

CHARLESTON, SC—(November 10, 2016) According to preliminary data released today by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR) 1,272 homes sold in October in the region at a median price of $240,000. Sales volume and median price declined slightly, as expected, heading into the Fall. In October 2015, 1,264 homes sold at a median price of $225,000.

Year-to-date figures show 14,963 homes sold at a median price of $240,000 in our area. Comparing year-to-date figures from 2015, sales volume has increased 9% and buyers are paying 6% more for homes in the region than they did last year.

Inventory has declined by 19% over the last 12-month period, with 5,285 homes listed as “active” for sale in the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service (CTMLS) as of October 31.  We expect that inventory will remain low, as it traditionally does, through the winter.

“October’s home sales remained strong and steady, particularly considering we had to contend with Hurricane Matthew, that evacuated much of the Lowcountry for multiple days” said 2016 CTAR President Michael Sally.  “We expect that sales volume will quiet some as we head into the holiday season, but price growth will likely remain steady as we are still working with a very limited inventory of homes” he concluded.

“The Association is proud to extend the opportunity to apply for hurricane relief funds, to any South Carolina resident impacted by Hurricane Matthew” Sally said. “Together with the South Carolina Association of Realtors® and the Realtor® Relief Fund, managed by our National Association, we are making funds available to South Carolina residents who have suffered property damage to their primary residence as a result of Hurricane Matthew. Assistance is limited to $1,000 per applicant and one grant per residence” he said.

September AdjustmentPreliminary data showed 1,608 homes sold in September in the region at a median price of $243,457. Adjusted data now shows 1,618 sales at the same median price.

Berkeley County323 homes sold at a median price of $213,690 in Berkeley County in October. There are currently 941 residential properties for sale in Berkeley County—808 single-family homes and 133 condos/townhomes.

Find Berkeley County area reports here. 

Charleston County622 homes sold at a median price of $313,205 in October in Charleston County. There are currently 2,890 residential properties for sale in Charleston County—2,190 single-family homes and 700 condos/townhomes.

Find Charleston County area reports here. 

Dorchester County282 homes sold at a median price of $208,696 in Dorchester County in October. There are currently 769 residential properties for sale in Dorchester County—708 single-family homes and 61 condos/townhomes.

Michelle Mustain

A House 'SOLD' Name

843-338-4898

http://www.mickisellscharleston.com

Top Home Selling agent in Mount Pleasant, SC

Staged, listed and SOLD in 5 days.
Michelle Mustain
A House 'SOLD' Name.
#sellingskills🗝 #MarketingStrategy📰 #HomeSellers🏡 #devotion#marketanalysis📈 #motivated🏃#charlestonstrong🏋

Michelle Mustain

A House 'SOLD' Name

843-338-4898

www.mickisellscharleston.com

Inspect your attic prior to closing

Although attic inspections are rarely foremost on a buyer's mind, there are a lot of good reasons why buyers need to get into an attic or send their home inspector into the attic before completing a home inspection. Attics should not be overlooked. An attic reflects the history of a home. It can provide clues to serious problems that might not be disclosed or even known by the current occupant of the home.

 

Supporting Truss or Rafter Damage in the Attic Inspection

Roof inspections won't necessarily turn up defects in the structural members inside the attic. While the roof might look sound and secure, inside the attic you could find broken trusses or rafters. An inspection would disclose stress cracks that could lead to a loss of integrity and would also give buyers peace of mind that the size of the lumber was correct and up to code.

Previous Fire Damage Noted in Attic Inspection

If the rafters are any other color than natural wood, that could be a sign that the home was on fire. If the wood is black, scorched and sooty, that's almost a sure sign it had been burned in the past. However, if the wood is painted white, that could indicate that the smoke and burned damage was covered up because painting wood helps to eliminate the smell.

Adequate or Inadequate Attic Insulation

Attics can be insulated in a number of ways, including blowing in insulation or laying fiberglass batts.

 

Insulation is rated with an R factor, meaning the higher the R number, typically the higher the insulating factor. Ask your home inspector if the batts are facing the right direction (paper up or paper down). Properly insulated attics can cut down on your heating costs in the winter and cooling expenses in the summer.

 

Water Damage in the Attic

Water flows from the top down and rarely enters a home sideways. Inspectors will look for staining on the wood supports or on the walls which would provide evidence that water had leaked or is leaking through the roof somewhere. Condensation can form around pipes, which can cause wood to rot. Sometimes furnaces are located in attic space. Check to see that no metal has rusted around the furnace.

Chimney Access in the Attic

Of course, one cannot inspect the interior of the chimney from the attic, but an inspector can note whether the structure itself is solid within the attic. That portion of the chimney that is not exposed to the elements can also weather and deteriorate, and this especially holds true for older homes. Inspectors will look for cracks in the bricks and whether the mortar has crumbled. It's not unusual to discover a chimney in the attic but no sign of a fireplace inside the home because it has been walled in.

Squirrel, Raccoon and Rodent Damage in the Attic

The first sign that a critter has been living in the attic is often the telltale evidence of tiny poop pellets left behind by the critters.

 

Squirrels, raccoons, possums, rodents often enter attics through the eaves or loose boards and this wildlife can cause considerable damage.

A home inspector on the job in Land Park, a leafy neighborhood in Sacramento, discovered that squirrels in the attic had gnawed through the insulation around the pipes and they chewed through the Romex plastic coating, down to the bare wires. The seller at some point had tossed poison into the attic, then forgot about the situation and did not disclose any of it to the buyer. As a result, the inspector ended up tossing three dead squirrels into a bucket to show the buyer. On top of the damage and potential for fire from exposed wiring, the insulation now posed a health risk and required replacing.

Believe it or not, the listing agent did not think anything of it when presented with the horrible facts and even tried to defend his client's actions. Seller disclosures are a crucial matter in California. Altogether, this job was priced at almost $5,000 to fix. And guess who paid it? It wasn't the buyer, thank goodness! It was the seller.

Michelle Mustain

843-338-4898

www.mickisellscharleston.com

100 Salty Tide Cove

Purchase this view of the Wando River in Mount Pleasant, SC.  for $370,000 and get the 3 bedroom 2 bath furnished condo for FREE....PERFECT



-Michelle Mustain

843-338-4898

www.mickisellscharleston.com

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Home for Sale in Brickyard Plantation

Home for Sale in Brickyard Plantation

What's the one thing you can't live without?

Searching on the Internet for a home to buy? Stop wasting time. As a Member of the MLS I have up to date information at all times. My website allows for you to search properties either from a map, subdivision, city, zipcode, Zillow, Trulia, and many other home search filters. Whether you are a first time home buyer, Investor, seller, Second Home buyer or your looking for your forever home, as a Licensed realtor it will be my pleasure to assist you.

Michelle Mustain

A House 'SOLD' Name

843-338-4898

Charleston Real Estate and Property Management

Homes for Sale in Charleston: Hack Your Bedroom: High-Tech Devices Aim to Upgrad...

Homes for Sale in Charleston: Hack Your Bedroom: High-Tech Devices Aim to Upgrad...: Home Improvement | By: Mat Probasco Waking up on Sunday morning to find that an hour of your day has vanished is no big deal. It’s the ...

Park Circle North Charleston, SC.

Park circle, also know as the Olde Village of North Charleston is being revitalized!

As a resident of Park Circle, I see the changes being made everyday. Today, I noticed 2 new park areas that have been constructed. Both with 3 benches and landscapingPark circle. This is just one of the many changes in Park Circle.

The housing Market is evolving. New apartments, new homes & restoration of existing homes are happening all around the Park circle area. New Business are moving into the area and flourishing due to the continued demographic shift to the area. Events are happening all over town.

Stay tuned.. I will be posting many more details about the growth, events and ever changing Park Circle.

Michelle (Micki) Mustain

Agent Owned Realty

843-338-4898

www.mickisellscharleston.com

Current tax laws offer several tax breaks that can help make second-home ownership more affordable. Different tax rules apply depending on how you use the property, for either personal or rental use, or a combination of the two.

Personal Use

As long as you use the property as a second home – and not as a rental – you can deduct mortgage interest the same way you would for your primary home. You can deduct up to 100% of the interest you pay on up to $1.1 million of debt that is secured by your first and second homes (that's the total amount – it's not $1.1 million for each home). You can also deduct property taxes on your second home and, for that matter, as many properties as you own. Like a primary residence, however, you generally can't write off any of the costs associated with utilities, upkeep or insurance (there are exceptions to this; for example, you may be able to claim a home office deduction if part of your home is used for business purposes).

Rental Use – The 14-Day or 10% Rule

The tax rules are quite a bit more complicated if you rent out the property. Different rules apply, depending on how many days a year you use the home for personal versus rental use. There are three categories into which you may fall:

1. You Rent Out the Property for 14 Days or Less.

Your second home can be rented to another party for up to two weeks (14 nights) each year without that income begin reported to the IRS. Even if you rent it out for $10,000 a night, you don't have to report the rental income as long as the home was not rented out for more than 14 days. The house is still considered a personal residence, so you can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes under the standard second-home rules.

2. You Rent Out the Property for 15 Days or More, and Use It for Less Than 14 Days or 10% of Days the Home Was Rented.

This property is considered a rental property, and the rental activities are viewed as a business. If your second home is rented out for more than 14 days, all rental income must be reported to the IRS. You can deduct rental expenses (including mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance premiums, fees paid to property managers, utilities, and 50% of depreciation), but you have to factor in the amount of time the property is used for personal use versus rental use. And, as a rental property, up to $25,000 in losses might be deductible each year. Fix-up days don’t count as personal use, so you can spend more than 14 days at the property as long as it is for maintenance purposes. You should be able to document the maintenance activities, however, with receipts to prove you weren't using the property for leisure purposes on those days.

3. You Use the Property for More Than 14 Days or 10% of the Total Days the Home Was Rented.

If you use the property for more than 14 days, or more than 10% of the number of days it is rented (whichever is greater), the property is considered a personal residence and the rental loss cannot be deducted. If a member of your family uses the property (including your spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren), those days count as personal days unless you are collecting a fair rental price.

Selling Your Second Home

Tax laws allow you to take up to $500,000 profit ($250,000 if you are unmarried) tax free on the sale of your primary residence. This primary-home sale exclusion does not apply if you sell your second home: If you sell a house that is not your primary residence, you may have to pay the usual capital gains tax. If you make the second home your primary residence for at least two years before you sell it, however, you may be able to reap some tax benefits, but it's not as easy as it used to be.

Prior to Jan. 1, 2009, you could move into your second home, make it your primary residence for two years, sell it, and take advantage of the primary-home sale exclusion. Now, as a result of new laws associated with the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, you can still make your second home a primary home before you sell it, but you'll owe taxes for the period of time that the property was a second home after Jan. 1, 2009. The IRS now uses a ratio of the years you occupied the home as a primary residence versus the years the home was used as a rental (or other-than primary residence) to calculate the amount of capital gain that will be excluded from the sale.

For example, the Smiths purchased a second home in 2004. They continued to use it as a rental home during 2009 and 2010, and then used the home as a primary residence during 2011 and 2012. Only 50% of the capital gains from the sale of the home will be tax free (up to the $500,000 exclusion) since the home was a primary residence for only 50% of the time after Jan. 1 2009.

1031 Exchanges

A 1031 exchange, also known as a like-kind exchange or tax-deferred exchange, is a transaction where a seller swaps a rental or investment property for another rental or investment property of equal or greater value, on a tax-deferred basis. The advantage is that the seller may be able to avoid paying capital gains tax on the exchange. A property must be considered a rental property (and not a personal residence) to qualify for a 1031 exchange. This means that you must rent out the property for 15 days or more, and use it for less than 14 days or 10% of days the home was rented.

Since tax laws are complicated and do change, owners and potential buyers should consult with a qualified real-estate tax specialist to gain a full understanding of tax implications and laws, and to determine the most favorable ownership strategy.

Charleston Real Estate and property Management

Michelle Mustain

843-338-4898

18 thing high Achievers do

This infographic reveals 18 things that high achievers do that low achievers don’t. These points are adapted from several blog posts featured on Forbes.com several years ago (but which took the negative path rather than the positive path exhibited here.

1. They move on. They don’t waste time feeling sorry for themselves.

2. They keep control. They don’t give away their power.

3. They embrace change. They welcome challenges.

4. They stay happy. They don’t complain. They don’t waste energy on things they can’t control.

5. They are kind, fair, and unafraid to speak up. They don’t worry about pleasing other people.

6. They are willing to take calculated risks. They weigh the risks and benefits before taking action.

7. They invest their energy in the present. They don’t dwell on the past.

8. They accept full responsibility for their past behavior. They don’t make the same mistake over and over.

9. They celebrate other people’s success. They don’t resent that success. They also celebrate their own success.

10. They are willing to fail. They don’t give up after failing. They see every failure as a chance to improve.

11. They enjoy their time alone. They don’t fear being alone.

12. They are prepared to work and succeed on their own merits. They don’t feel the world owes them anything.

13. They have staying power. They don’t expect immediate results.

14. They evaluate their core beliefs — and modify as needed.

15. They expend their mental energy wisely. They don’t spend time on unproductive thoughts.

16. They think productively. They replace negative thoughts with productive thoughts.

17. They tolerate discomfort. They accept their feelings without being controlled by them.

18. They reflect on their progress every day. They take time to consider what they’ve achieved and where they are going.



Michelle (Micki) Mustain

843-338-4898

Charleston Real Estate and Property Management

18 thing high Achievers do

This infographic reveals 18 things that high achievers do that low achievers don’t. These points are adapted from several blog posts featured on Forbes.com several years ago (but which took the negative path rather than the positive path exhibited here.

1. They move on. They don’t waste time feeling sorry for themselves.

2. They keep control. They don’t give away their power.

3. They embrace change. They welcome challenges.

4. They stay happy. They don’t complain. They don’t waste energy on things they can’t control.

5. They are kind, fair, and unafraid to speak up. They don’t worry about pleasing other people.

6. They are willing to take calculated risks. They weigh the risks and benefits before taking action.

7. They invest their energy in the present. They don’t dwell on the past.

8. They accept full responsibility for their past behavior. They don’t make the same mistake over and over.

9. They celebrate other people’s success. They don’t resent that success. They also celebrate their own success.

10. They are willing to fail. They don’t give up after failing. They see every failure as a chance to improve.

11. They enjoy their time alone. They don’t fear being alone.

12. They are prepared to work and succeed on their own merits. They don’t feel the world owes them anything.

13. They have staying power. They don’t expect immediate results.

14. They evaluate their core beliefs — and modify as needed.

15. They expend their mental energy wisely. They don’t spend time on unproductive thoughts.

16. They think productively. They replace negative thoughts with productive thoughts.

17. They tolerate discomfort. They accept their feelings without being controlled by them.

18. They reflect on their progress every day. They take time to consider what they’ve achieved and where they are going.



Michelle (Micki) Mustain

843-338-4898

Charleston Real Estate and Property Management

Location, Location, Location or Maybe NOT!

HOW MUCH DOES LOCATION REALLY MATTER WHEN BUYING A HOME?

Written by Jaymi Naciri on Wednesday, 07 September 2016 3:12 pm

The old saying, "Location, location, location" is more like a mantra when it comes to real estate. Buy in the wrong one and you could be setting yourself up for financial ruin. Or at least an unhappy experience. Right?

In some cases, yes. But also, maybe not so much. Let's get into it.

The argument for buying in the best location you can afford!

You can change your home, adding, updating, and renovating down to the last square foot. What you can't change is where it's located. Add in an inherent desire to build equity when you buy a home, and it's not surprising that real estate experts often recommend buying not only in the best location you can afford, but, if given a choice, buying the worst house in the best neighborhood instead of the other way around.


"A home is an investment - and the best investments have the most room for improvement," said Realtor.com. "Ideally, you'll be adding to the home during your ownership, building equity in hopes of a payoff when you (eventually) sell. Brendon DeSimone, author of "Next Generation Real Estate," told them. "You can add value on your own. If you're choosing between an awesome house in a crappy location or an awful house in a great location, I would choose the latter."
Socketsite


Multiple recent studies bolstered the idea of buying in the best location you can, but identified new factors for determining location-worthiness. Namely, you need to buy a home with a Starbucks nearby. Or a Target nearby. Ideally, both.


"Among homeowners who sold in 2015, those near a Target saw an average 27 percent increase in home price since they purchased their home, which equates to an average price gain of $65,569," said the Washington Post.


As for Starbucks, "Between 1997 and 2014, homes within walking distance, or one-quarter mile, of a Starbucks appreciated 96 percent," said Forbes. "Compared to the national average for the same time period, 65 percent, it seems having a barista close by is a smart real estate move."


Buying the house, not the neighborhood


Yes, buying in a neighborhood that seems to offer some cushion when it comes to values makes sense. But what if you fall in love with a house that's not in your preferred neighborhood? What if it's not in anyone's preferred neighborhood?


The opportunity to buy a more affordable home can tempt people to take a chance on an iffy location. But how iffy is too iffy? The potential for losing money on a home that may not ever appreciate because of the neighborhood is only the beginning. Buying into an area that has higher crime can be dangerous to more than your finances.


Not sure what you're getting yourself into? Here are a few ways to investigate the neighborhood:
Look at sales data - Beyond the safety issues, you want to know what you're in for in terms of your investment. Just because a home in a questionable area is priced low doesn't mean it's a good value.
Check crime records - You'll obviously want to pay attention to murder and violent crime rates, but also property crimes including break-ins, home robberies, and car thefts.
Check the sexual predator registry - That's a given for any move.
Talk to neighbors and area business owners - Sometimes, the people that live and work there can provide the most telling information.
Consider the type of businesses in the neighborhood. Remind yourself about the Starbucks and Target value conversation. Those aren't around? What's in their place?


The quality of the businesses in the area can be one of the main determining factors when considering a neighborhood. A story from attn: asked the question, "Do Certain Businesses Attract Crime?" Their findings: "The prospect of a new liquor store or marijuana dispensary can spark safety concerns in some neighborhoods. But while the idea that particular businesses are crime magnets holds up in some cases, it's not always true, and people's concerns can be based on real evidence or flawed perception."
Ev Grieve


However, they note that businesses like liquor stores, nightclubs, and pawn shops can be linked to higher crime trends. A careful examination of police reports can either put your mind at ease - or send you in another direction.


Perhaps toward a neighborhood with a strip club. Yes, the establishment once thought to be a neighborhood killer has actually been found to have little or no effect on home values. "A new study found that proximity to strip clubs doesn't put downward pressure on home prices, said Inman. In addition, "The research undercuts legal arguments that municipalities have used to justify placing zoning restrictions on strip clubs."


The new study was conducted in Seattle between 2010 and 2014, analyzing more than 300,000 home sales. "The basis for the study was as follows: The relationship between the City of Seattle and local strip clubs is tumultuous, at best. For more than 20 years, the city limited the number of strip clubs in operation using various forms of bans, ordinances and zoning regulations... to prevent a decline in property values due to possible negative externalities, or ‘secondary effects' generated by the presence of strip clubs in local neighborhoods."


The upshot: "The study found no empirical evidence that strip clubs drive down home prices, as property values in Seattle neighborhoods near the opening or closing of an establishment did not change in value per the study's findings."
Pittsburgh History & Landmark Foundation


Buying in a transitional neighborhood


Transitional is code for "might be on its way up" which also translates to "'might be a great investment." Many buyers seek out these changing neighborhoods when their ideal neighborhood is out of reach and/or to get more for their money and be on the "ground floor" as the area appreciates.


So how do you know if your neighborhood is transitioning? If they're building a Whole Foods, a Trader Joes, or a café on the corner, that a good sign. Forbes offered a few more tips:
It's Accessible, with "proximity to public transportation."
"Hot hoods border it - A neighborhood that's adjacent to a much-desired one is much more likely to gentrify than one that's surrounded by less prime areas."
Days on market are dropping - Your real estate agent will be able to pull data and show you trends.
"It Has an Art Scene. A large population of artists tends to mean galleries and restaurants will soon follow suit - which, in turn, attracts more residents and businesses."
"It Has Historic Architecture - Historically significant styles, in particular, are a good indicator that an area is ready for a renaissance."
Renovations are being made - "One of the most obvious signs of a turnaround neighborhood is homes that are in the process of renovation. Drive around and see if you spot construction trucks and dumpsters—then you know there's activity in the air."

Michelle (Micki) Mustain

Realtor

843-338-4898

www.mickisellscharleston.com