Goose Creek Artists Guild Showcased at North Charleston City Gallery

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Photo by: Provided“Poppies” by Trish Emery is an example of the art work set to be displayed in February.

Goose Creek Artists Guild Exhibition

01 February Today, February 1, 5:00 pm 5001 Coliseum Dr, North Charleston, SC

At the North Charleston City Gallery, includes a reception from 5pm-7pm on February 2nd The Goose Creek Artists Guild, founded in 1982, will present their Annual Judged Art Show with ribbons placed, including Best of Show. Two-dimensional works featuring a variety of subjects in oil, watercolor, acrylic, drawing, pastel, and mixed media will be on display. Exhibit will be on display until February 27.

Click here to read more.

Homeownership Key to Igniting Economic Recovery in South Carolina

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Economists are in virtual agreement on two points: that job growth is essential to restore the nation’s economic health and that there can be no economic recovery without a housing recovery.
Data from S.C. government agencies and non-profit associations bear this out in stark terms and reveal a direct correlation between today’s anemic economic recovery and the struggling housing sector.
At the market’s peak in 2005, the state produced more than 43,300 new single-family homes. In 2011, just more than 13,000 homes were built. This translates into $4.75 billion in lost wages, a reduction of more than $1 billion for local and state tax coffers and the elimination of more than 86,375 jobs.
In the Columbia market, the peak-to-trough drop-off is equally disturbing. More than 4,200 fewer homes were built in the metro area in 2011 than in 2005, resulting in nearly $500 million in lost wages, $41.5 million less in local tax revenues and 12,000 workers idled.
Employment from new home construction has a wide ripple effect. While about half of these job losses were in the residential-construction sector, the other half were spread over other industries, including manufacturing, transportation, wholesale and retail trade and finance and insurance.
With our cash-strapped state and local governments struggling to maintain essential services and avoid further job cuts, stabilizing the housing market will mean more jobs and more money in our communities. Home building is essential to increase the property-tax base that supports our local schools, police departments, firefighters and road repairs.
With the inventory of unsold new homes at historic lows and scattered housing markets in South Carolina and around the country beginning to show signs of life, builders should be gearing up to meet demand, create new jobs and move the economy forward.
Unfortunately, tight credit standards are harming home buyers and home builders alike by keeping many credit-worthy borrowers out of the market and preventing profitable new housing projects from getting started.
In normal economic times, housing accounts for more than 17 percent of the nation’s economic output. So when lenders are unwilling to provide the credit needed to renew the production process, everyone suffers. Workers get laid off, sound projects go uncompleted, home sales fall through the cracks, and economic growth is stifled.
At a time when the federal government needs to be promoting pro-growth housing policies that will put Americans back to work, strengthen communities and boost America’s long-term economic prospects, Washington policymakers are threatening to eliminate our nation’s long-standing commitment to housing.
In short, homeownership is under attack. Anti-housing proposals circulating in Washington — including eliminating or weakening the mortgage interest deduction, instituting a 20 percent down payment standard on home mortgages, and getting rid of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — would have the effect of keeping homeownership out of reach for millions of middle-class Americans for years to come.
The American Dream of homeownership builds stronger communities, provides a solid foundation for family and personal achievement and improves the quality of life for millions of people. It is truly the cornerstone of the American way of life.
If you believe that homeownership is a value worth fighting for, I invite you to make your voice heard and join other concerned citizens by attending a Rally for Homeownership at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, at the State House. Gov. Nikki Haley and other local, state and federal officials and business leaders will discuss why homeownership and home building are critical to a strong economy and must be a priority for local, state and national policymakers.

By STEVEN MUNGO – Guest Columnist

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/06/2102642/mungo-homeownership-key-to-igniting.html#storylink=cpy

Just Listed: 1800 SQFT One Story With Bonus on Pond in Park West

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1417 Wellesley Cir

Mt Pleasant, SC 29466 | Charleston County

MLS #

1201081

Category

Residential

Bedrooms

4

Full Baths

2

SQ.FT.

1855

Acreage

0.150000

Year Built

2001

New/Owned

Pre-owned

Subdivision

Park West

Subsection

Wellesley Place

Elem School

Charles Pinckney

High School

Wando

Middle School

Cario

Beautiful ranch with open floor plan. This 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is located on a pond in the much sought after Wellesley in Park West. The open floor plan features vaulted ceilings in the family room with a corner fireplace already pre-wired for your wi-fi connection and flat screen TV. The large kitchen boasts ceramic tile floors and tile back splash with plentiful cabinets and counter space for your needs. The formal dining room features nice chair rail and wainscoting with sun room access. The master bedroom is located downstairs and split from the secondary rooms. The ample master bath has a dual vanity and garden tub/shower combo. The room over the garage can be a great bonus or 4th bedroom. Enjoy the outdoors sitting around the custom fire pit in the fenced yard. Park West has so much to offer….great schools, dining, shopping, 2 swimming pools, tennis courts, clubhouse, golfing, and miles of walking trails. Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase the best priced home for the square footage in this community.

Drew Sineath and Associates Team Members Complete 2012 Charleston Marathon

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Local Goose Creek SC real estate firm Drew Sineath & Associates had several team members participate in the 2012 Charleston Marathon held January 14th. Buyer’s representative, Ashley Jones, completed the full marathon and owner, Drew Sineath, dressed as a whoopee cushion along with his 9 year old daughter, Ellie, completed the 5k. Congrats to all and thanks for representing DSA in the awesome event that supports the arts in our local schools.

 

Charleston Resturant Week is Here!

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Mark your calendars! The dates for the next installment of Charleston Restaurant Week are January 12 – 22, 2012. The event is part of Restaurant Week South Carolina sponsored by the South Carolina Hospitality Association.  Charleston Restaurant Week, executed by the Charleston Restaurant Association (CRA), is one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the Charleston area.

It is an opportunity to enjoy the world-renowned cuisine of the Lowcountry as participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus consisting of three items for one price. 3 items for $20, $30 or $40. View all restaurants participating and their Restaurant Week menus below. Bon Appetit!

New on Market: Cute One Story Ranch Home on .5 Acre in St. George SC

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Check out Drew Sineath and Associates new listing in St. George SC. Only $75,000!

708 Ridge St:

MLS #

1200492

Category

Residential

Bedrooms

2

Full Baths

1

SQ.FT.

1350

Acreage

0.300000

Year Built

1969

New/Owned

Pre-owned

Subdivision

None

Elem School

St. George

High School

Woodland

Middle School

St George

Come check out this adorable 1350sf brick home located on a large wooded lot in the town St. George. Nice hardwood floors in living/dining room combo and bedrooms. Large family room that can be used as another bedroom if desired. Breakfast area can also be used as a large laundry room. Many possibilities to utilize the space for your own personal preference! Roof replaced in 2005. Patio, fenced yard backing to wooded area and outdoor storage complete this home. **Current taxes reflect 6% assessment for investors, Buyers may apply for lower tax assessment.**

Charleston SC December Residential Real Estate Figures Close Out A Strong 2011

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Year to date numbers show sales growth, relative stability in median price CHARLESTON, SC—(January 10, 2012)

 Posting the strongest December sales figures since 2006, the Charleston-area residential real estate market closes out a year of steady sales growth and celebrates the arrival of several positive indicators.

According to preliminary figures released by the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® (CTAR), 785 homes sold at a median price of $186,050 in December. This represents an increase of more than 100 sales and median price growth of just over 2% when compared to last December. However, the best news lies in the year-to-date figures.

The Charleston area will close out 2011 with at least a 6% increase in closed sales and a difference of just 3% in median price from 2010. “We anticipated the slight decline in median price, with the amount of distressed inventory in our market” said 2012 CTAR President Herb Koger. “However, seeing sales growth at a sustainable and healthy level—that was not encouraged by tax incentives—clearly demonstrates that there are buyers who understand the value of owning a home in the Charleston area” said Koger. In 2011, 9,276 homes sold in the Charleston area, at a median price of $181,573. In 2010, 8,767 homes sold at a median price of $186,423.

“When we look at the positive indicators that developed throughout the year—growth in sales, relative stability in median price and a declining inventory—we see an extended period of positive movement and growth in our market, which leads me to believe we’ll see another year of slow, but healthy progression in 2012” said Koger. “While we’re on the right track, we may continue see some price softening as we keep working through our distressed inventory” he added.

Inventory continues to decline, with 6,904 homes listed as actively for sale in the MLS. A final year in review report will be available next week on the Association’s website and Facebook page. November Adjustment Preliminary numbers reported for November 2011 indicated 648 homes sold at a median price of $191,500. Adjusted numbers now show 663 sales at an increased median price of $195,000.

BERKELEY COUNTY With 194 sales at a median price of $169,702 in December, the residential real estate market in Berkeley County added to its impressive year-to-date totals. 2,219 homes sold in the County at a median price of $162,450 during the year—a 5% increase in sales and slight 2% decline in median price compared to 2010’s 2,112 sales at a median price of $165,457. In 2011, the most active area of the county was bordered by Jedburg Road-Highway 17A and College Park, with 523 sales at a median price of $156,290. The most affordable area of the county is Cross/St. Stephens/Bonneau, where 71 annual sales resulted in a median price of $69,000. The most expensive area continues to be Daniel Island, where 250 homes sold at a median price of $407,500.

 CHARLESTON COUNTY December figures completed a year of healthy sales growth and the ongoing correction of prices with 429 sales at a median price of $222,500. Increasing affordability in Charleston County led to a market-leading 9% growth in sales during the year. 4,961 homes sold at a median price of $220,000 in 2011, as compared to 4,566 sales at a median price of $233,750 in 2010. As the largest geographic area in the county, Mount Pleasant saw the largest number of closings in 2011, with 1,457 homes sold at a median price of $311,173. West Ashley (outside I-526 to Rantowles) was next, with 688 sales at a median price of $179,532. Sullivan’s Island is home to the most expensive property in the County, with 37 sales resulting in a median price of $1,335,000. The most affordable area of the County is North Charleston (inside I-526) where 199 homes sold at a median price of $57,000.

DORCHESTER COUNTY 128 homes sold at a median price of $151,750 in December, closing out a year of stability in Dorchester County. Year-to-date figures show a less than 1% variance in sales and median price. In 2011, 1,778 homes sold at a median price of $160,000. In 2010, 1,794 homes sold at a median price of $159,125. The Summerville/Ridgeville area was the most active, as well as the most expensive area of the County in 2011, as 820 sales resulted in a median price of $168,395. St. George/Harleyville was the most affordable region—46 sales at a median price of $84,200.

National Association of Realtors Announce: 2012 Home Sales: Positives on Many Fronts

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NAR released its latest pending home sales index figure last week and for the second month in a row the index is up. But more than that, the index has broken 100. This is significant because the only time since the housing boom collapsed that the index has broken 100 is when the home owner tax credit was in effect. The fact that the index has returned to that level a year since the credit has been in effect means the housing market is strengthening completely on its own, without any stimulus.


NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun is upbeat about 2012 because in a number of areas indicators are pointing upward. Not only are home sales up but housing starts are up and home prices are stabilizing in many markets and heading up in some. In areas where they’re still down, the declines aren’t that great. More fundamentally, broader U.S. economic signs are looking positive, including the all-important jobs picture. About 100,000 job are being created a month, and that could rise to 150,000—still not a quick enough pace to get us back to where we were before the downturn but the headwinds are in the right direction.

 
by Robert Freedman
 

Goose Creek SC Realtor Drew Sineath Comments on the 2012 Election with The Goose Creek Patch

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Drew Sineath says growth and jobs are issues facing Goose Creek and the state.      

Every week until the primary, we’ll be asking regular voters in Goose Creek and Hanahan about the major issues in our community, South Carolina and the nation.

This week, we sat down with Drew Sineath, the owner of the downtown Goose Creek real estate and mortgage firm Drew Sineath and Associates. Sineath says he is a conservative, but he hasn’t gotten too deep into the 2012 primary just yet.

Sineath says Goose Creek will have to take on challenges associated with growth, while South Carolina struggles with jobs and economic development.

Do you want to share your views on the issues facing our community and weigh in on the 2012 primary? Email greg.hambrick@patch.com.