Current Myths About the Housing Market

 

9 MYTHS ABOUT THE CURRENT HOUSING MARKET

 Myth 1 - High-to-low home price declines have been about 20%.  Nope.

The measurement of home price declines can be misleading.  It depends on which homes in which markets are being measured. There are some indexes that indicate home prices are down 20%.  Theses indexes are heavily weighed toward homes with sub-prime loans and other distressed home sales. These troubled homes have experienced a steeper decline than home prices in general. Both government data based on loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and data from the National Association of Realtors suggest much more modest price declines. If you're selling your home, the best thing to do is price your home right.

Myth 2 - The smaller number of new homes under construction indicates a dismal outlook for the housing market. Incorrect.

The inventory of homes on the market is very high, so the last thing we need now is more new homes being built. Home builders have cut back sharply on production, which will help lower inventories and stabilize prices. With many new homes completed but not sold, you can find great deals.

Myth 3 - When the housing market recovers, home price growth will be only 4 to 6% per year 

The price growth of up to 6% can easily turn into 20 to 30%.  Most buyers put less than 20% of their own money into a home purchase; this borrowing power can translate to a greater rate of return.  On average, home price appreciation has been about 1 to 2 percentage points higher than consumer price inflation, which translates to up to 6% per year. This growth rate cannot be compared to a rate of return like the stock market, being that most people do not buy a home for all cash.  Instead they make a cash down payment & borrow the rest. The leverage this borrowing creates can greatly impact returns. Get the fundamentals right when investing in real estate.

Myth 4 - Impending baby boomer retirements and moves to small homes will cause a glut of homes on the market. Not True.

The first wave baby boomers has reached 60 years of age and the bulk of that generation will soon go into retirement.  Contrary to the belief that these boomers will trade down, many are keeping their current homes or moving to properties of the same size or larger. In the future, if the boomers do decide to sell their larger homes, then the rapidly growing U.S. population should absorb the supply of existing homes on the market.

Myth 5 - The federal government takeover of secondary mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is a bailout that will cost taxpayers bundles.

It's possible that taxpayers may have to cover some losses OR that the government takeover will result in no loss of taxpayer dollars. If taxpayer funds are used, the bailout would be preferable to the global economic problems that would have occurred if Fannie and Freddie had gone belly up. The "bailout plan" is meant for homeowners facing foreclosure.  If you would like to know more about the Hope for Homeowners Plan, contact me at your convenience, at (843)907-8787.

Myth 6 - The Federal Reserve controls mortgage rates. Wrong.

What the Fed sets is a short-term interest rate called the Federal Funds Rate. Mortgage rates are determined by global savings, credit spreads and inflationary pressures. Over the past two years, the Fed has raised the Fed Funds Rate to 5.5%, and then cut it deeply to around 2%. All the while, the 30-year mortgage rate has averaged in the 6 to 6.5% range. Today's rates aren't bad compared to the 10% we saw in the early '90s and 17% in the '80s.

Myth 7 - It's the wrong time to buy. Wrong.

All real estate is local. For those who are financially and mentally ready to buy, there has never been a better time to be a buyer. Very low interest rates and a surplus of inventory give buyers an edge. For someone with a long outlook, there is very little worry about home values since homes have historically provided a solid foundation for wealth accumulation.  Keep in mind that is also not the right time to buy for everyone.  Even when good buying opportunities are presented, someone who is not financially ready shouldn't be forced into joining the rank of homeowners.  The decision to become a homeowner requires sacrifices, and homeowners who lose their homes to foreclosure is not good for anyone.  Take a good look at your financial status to see if you're ready to buy or move up to a home of your choice.

Myth 8 - It's a terrible time to sell. Wrong.  

A seller can get an offer if the property is priced right.   In our local market, home sales are steadily increasing.   For those looking to trade-up, selling low on an existing home is offset by buying the new move-up home at a lower price. In turn, the price appreciation on the trade-up home will bring bigger bang for the buck. TIP: Homebuyers want bargains in this market. If you price your home much lower than your competition, you might end up with a bidding war.

Myth 9 - More homes are being sold by owners, and real estate agents are becoming obsolete. Nope.

The share of home sellers who choose to go it alone when selling their home has actually decreased to about 12% today. On average, only 4 in 10 say they would sell their next home without the assistance of a real estate professional.

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$189,000 - Surfside Beach, SC @ Azalea Place
MLS#
BR103068
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.65
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
1
Provided courtesy of Richard Singleton of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
LARGE CORNER LOT PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY GREAT VALUE. Square footage is approximate and not guaranteed. Buyer is responsible for verification.

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$699,000 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Captains Cove
MLS#
BR142609
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
+/- 3 ACRES
# Of Lots:
N/A
Provided courtesy of Richard Singleton of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
FAST DEVELOPING CORRIDOR IN MURRELLS INLET. GREAT ACCESS AND VISIBILITY. OWNER MAY SUBDIVIDE. ZONED GC. Square footage is approximate and not guar...

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$300,000 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Belle Vue
MLS#
BR145616
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
1
Provided courtesy of Cletus Skipper of Blue Moon Properties
BEAUTIFULL WATERFRONT COMMUNITY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MURRELLS INLET WITH DOCK PERMITS IN PLACE FOR WATERFRONT HOMESITES. GATED ENTRANCE WITH COM...

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$475,000 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Belle Vue
MLS#
BR145619
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
1
Provided courtesy of Cletus Skipper of Blue Moon Properties

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$795,000 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Belle Vue
MLS#
BR145621
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
3
Provided courtesy of Cletus Skipper of Blue Moon Properties
BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT COMMUNITY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MURRELLS INLET WITH DOCK PERMITS IN PLACE FOR WATERFRONT HOMESITES. GATED ENTRANCE WITH COMM...

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$275,000 - Georgetown, SC @ North Litchfield Beach
MLS#
BR155779
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.25
Est Lotsize:
89X157X65X117
# Of Lots:
1
Provided courtesy of Shelby Hough of James W Smith Real Estate Co
Seller will Consider Any resonable Offer. Commercial Lot East Side of Hwy. 17 Very close to the entrance to North Litchfield Beach. Purchaser to P...

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$275,000 - Georgetown, SC @ North Litchfield Beach
MLS#
BR155780
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
89X110X89X110
# Of Lots:
1
Provided courtesy of Shelby Hough of James W Smith Real Estate Co
Seller will Consider Any resonable Offer. Commercial Lot East Side of Hwy 17 Very close to the North Litchfield Beach Entrance.Purchaser to Partic...

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$695,000 - Georgetown, SC @ Spring Gulley
MLS#
BR156376
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
6.00
Est Lotsize:
6 ACRES
# Of Lots:
1
Provided courtesy of Don Morris of The Sun Group
EXTREMELY NICE LOT W/ CONVENIENT, DIRECT ACCESS TO HWY 521. JUST MINS. WEST OF GEORGETOWN. EXCELLENT RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL....

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$265,000 - Georgetown, SC @ Waccamaw Trace
MLS#
BR157537
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
N/A
Provided courtesy of Jimmy Smith of James W Smith Real Estate Co
FMRLY LITCHFIELD HARDWARE. PRELIMINARY PLANS-PLAT IN LSTG OFF. OWNER IS LICENSED SC REALTOR.

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$265,000 - Georgetown, SC @ Waccamaw Trace
MLS#
BR166141
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
N/A
Provided courtesy of Jimmy Smith of James W Smith Real Estate Co

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$184,500 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Not Within A Section/subdivision
MLS#
BR167315
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.97
Est Lotsize:
.97 AC
# Of Lots:
N/A
Provided courtesy of Lewis Bowers of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
NEW OFFICE & OFFICE/WHSE BUSINESS PARK LOCATED JUST OFF OF HWY 17 BYPASS S, MURRELLS INLET, SC. FEATURING LOTS FROM .34 - 1.21 AC. PAVED/CRUBERING ...

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$179,100 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Not Within A Section/subdivision
MLS#
BR167317
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.88
Est Lotsize:
.88 AC
# Of Lots:
N/A
Provided courtesy of Lewis Bowers of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
NEW OFFICE & OFFICE/WHSE BUSINESS PARK LOCATED JUST OFF OF HWY 17 BYPASS S, MURRELLS INLET, SC. FEATURING LOTS FROM .34 - 1.21 AC. PAVED/CRUBERING ...

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$189,000 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Not Within A Section/subdivision
MLS#
BR167320
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.99
Est Lotsize:
.99 AC
# Of Lots:
N/A
Provided courtesy of Lewis Bowers of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
NEW OFFICE & OFFICE/WHSE BUSINESS PARK LOCATED JUST OFF OF HWY 17 BYPASS S, MURRELLS INLET, SC. FEATURING LOTS FROM .34 - 1.21 AC. PAVED/CRUBERING ...

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$299,900 - Loris, SC @ Southwood - Loris
MLS#
BR170516
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
1.50
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
N/A
Provided courtesy of Jim Smith of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
CORNER SITE CURRENTLY ZONED IND., BUT CAN BE REZONED FOR PLANNED COMMERCIAL USE. HEAVY TRAFFIC AREA-SCDOT COUNT 10,600 VEHICLES/DAY. VERY VISIBLE S...

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$2,900,000 - North Myrtle Beach, SC @ Not Within A Section/subdivision
MLS#
BR172679
Class:
Commercial/industrial
Status:
Active
Present Use:
Retail/Wholesale
Est Lotsize:
50 X 150
Class-Type:
Commercial
Provided courtesy of John Draughn of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
THE NORTH CORNER OF MAIN ST. & OCEAN BLVD. JUST ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SPANISH GALLEON. WHAT A LOCATION - BEST ONE IN ALL ON N.MYRTLE BEACH. CA...

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$1,200,000 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Seaport Village
MLS#
BR176579
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
6
Baths:
5 Full / 1 Half
Class-Type:
Detached
Provided courtesy of Douglas Matthews of West & Matthews Realty
Great view of the ocean and the inlet! Huge living room and kitchen. Both first and second floors have a deck. Community pool and plenty of secure ...

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$1,833 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Not Within A Section/subdivision
MLS#
BR182959
Class:
Commercial/industrial
Status:
Active
Present Use:
Retail/Wholesale
Est Lotsize:
N/A
Class-Type:
Commercial
Provided courtesy of Lewis Bowers of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
UPSCALE RETAIL, OFFICE OR RESTAURANT SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE ON BUSY HWY 17 BUSINESS IN GARDEN CITY. PLENTY OF PARKING, NEW CONSTRUCTION AND GR...

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$2,750,000 - Georgetown, SC @ North Litchfield Beach
MLS#
BR183483
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
5
Baths:
3 Full / 1 Half
Class-Type:
Detached
Provided courtesy of Shelby Hough of James W Smith Real Estate Co
Ocean Front Raised Beach House w/ Private Beach Access and Covered Gazebo.(One of only a few Ocean Front walk-way Gazebos.Currently Grand- Father...

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$2,067 - Myrtle Beach, SC
MLS#
BR184132
Class:
Commercial/industrial
Status:
Active
Present Use:
Office Building
Est Lotsize:
1.5AC
Class-Type:
Office
Provided courtesy of John Draughn of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
NEW CONSTRUCTION - 3 STORY- CLASS A OFFICE BUILDING AT CORNER OF 44TH AVE N & LONDON ST. GREAT FOR REAL ESTATE, FINANCIAL, LEGAL OR MEDICAL PROFES...

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$119,500 - Myrtle Beach, SC
MLS#
BR187242
Class:
Commercial/industrial
Status:
Active
Present Use:
Office Building
Est Lotsize:
N/A
Class-Type:
Commercial
Provided courtesy of Eric Grabara of Pavilack Realty Llc
Four office rooms, kitchen, 1 1/2 bath and ceramic tiles.close to freestyle music park!!!

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$309,500 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ Sandy Pines - Off 544
MLS#
BR189422
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
2
Baths:
2 Full / N/A
Class-Type:
Detached
Provided courtesy of Eric Grabara of Pavilack Realty Llc
commercial property located at the 544 and 31 interchange.

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$196,772 - Pamplico, SC @ Florence County
MLS#
BR189568
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
65.81
Est Lotsize:
65.81 Acre
# Of Lots:
3
Provided courtesy of John Draughn of Coldwell Banker Commercial Chi
65.81 acres, approximately 2/3 fields, 1/3 woods and a 6-acre pecan grove in beautiful Florence County off of Highway 378 at River Road. Great hun...

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$59,900 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ David S Landing
MLS#
BR190168
Class:
Condo/townhouse
Status:
Active
Beds:
Efficiency
Baths:
1 Full / N/A
Floor/Unit:
N/A / 405
Provided courtesy of Michelle Cruz of South End Properties
4th floor unit with great ocean view!!! Sleeps 4. Just steps to the beach - easy beach access across the street. Great investment or vacation...

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$289,900 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ Myrtle Heights
MLS#
BR192545
Class:
Multi-family
Status:
Active
# Of Units:
6
Est Lotsize:
N/A
Class-Type:
Apartments
Provided courtesy of Harry Pavilack of Pavilack Realty Llc
Apartment complex in Myrtle Beach upgrades taking place. Wont last one of the best deals on the beach. Cash flows positive. Totally remodeled and ...

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$500,000 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Belle Vue
MLS#
BR193379
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
1
Provided courtesy of Cletus Skipper of Blue Moon Properties
BEAUTIFUFUL WATERFRONT COMMUNITY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MURRELLS INLET WITH DOCK PERMITS IN PLACE FOR WATERFRONT HOMESITES. GATED ENTRANCE WITH C...

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$750,000 - Conway, SC @ Not Within A Section/subdivision
MLS#
BR194213
Class:
Commercial/industrial
Status:
Active
Present Use:
Other
Est Lotsize:
50 X 150
Class-Type:
Commercial
Provided courtesy of Irene Armstrong of Elliott Realty/Gmac Real Estate
VACANT 2ND ROW LOT ON OCEAN BLVD. - 50FT FRONTAGE FACING OCEAN BLVD. AND FIRST ROW. A PRIME DEVELOPMENT LOT, RESORT COMMERCIAL ZONED. WON,T LAST...

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$160,000 - Myrtle Beach, SC
MLS#
BR194374
Class:
Commercial/industrial
Status:
Active
Present Use:
Other
Est Lotsize:
N/A
Class-Type:
Mixed Use
Provided courtesy of Harry Pavilack of Pavilack Realty Llc
House on RGP rented. Property can be used for commercial use. Close to new mall and busy intersection! Unlimited opportunity.

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$1,350,000 - Atlantic Beach, SC @ Not Within A Section/subdivision
MLS#
BR194484
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
0.00
Est Lotsize:
200'x150'+
# Of Lots:
5
Provided courtesy of Keith Dame of Pavilack Realty Llc
4 Front Row Corner Lots on S.Kings Hwy.200x150' in Atl.Bch.w (1) additional 50'x150' on Railroad Ave. Site of old Bungee accident Owners are real e...

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$1,550,000 - Murrells Inlet, SC
MLS#
BR194497
Class:
Commercial/industrial
Status:
Active
Present Use:
Retail/Wholesale
Est Lotsize:
266x300
Class-Type:
Commercial
Provided courtesy of Keith Dame of Pavilack Realty Llc
Portion of property w Convenience store on site said leased area is 150'x200' - balance is available for new construction. Owner is a licensed Real...

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$849,900 - Longs, SC @ Longs
MLS#
BR194735
Class:
Land
Status:
Active
Acres:
29.00
Est Lotsize:
N/A
# Of Lots:
1
Provided courtesy of Eric Grabara of Pavilack Realty Llc

The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of the Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS ® Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Keller Williams Mb South Realt are marked with the Broker Reciprocity logo and detailed information about them includes name of the listing brokers.

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