Sometimes the life we're searching for has very little to do with the house itself.

I was recently studying Abraham's faith in Hebrews 11, and something occurred to me that I had never really connected to real estate before. Abraham left his home, his family, and everything familiar to follow God's calling. He didn't know exactly where he was going or what his future would look like. Yet he trusted that God had his everlasting future managed.

As I thought about that, I began thinking about the people I've worked with over the years who were searching for a home. Buying a house is rarely just about finding four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a nice backyard. Quite often, people are searching for s...

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I have always believed that a few simple improvements can make a big difference in how a home looks and feels. Sometimes those improvements are made because we are preparing to sell, and sometimes they are simply because we want to enjoy our homes a little more. Recently, a former client reminded me that making a house beautiful does not always require a major renovation. Sometimes all it takes is a little imagination, a little effort, and a willingness to add some color.

Earlier this year, I helped a couple prepare their home in Cane Bay, Summerville, South Carolina, for sale. Their home was lovely, clean, and well maintained, but nearly everything inside was white. The one exception was her office, which she had painted black. I suppose that should have been my first clue that she wasn't afraid of color! As we walked through the house discussing how to prepare it for the market, I encouraged them to consider adding a little POP. I...

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A home repair can become necessary before it fits comfortably into the budget. For homeowners in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, these three programs are practical places to ask about assistance. Eligibility depends on the household, the property, and available funding.

For a home that is difficult to heat or cool, start with South Carolina's Weatherization Assistance Program. It helps income-qualified households improve their homes' energy efficiency. The work is based on an assessment of the home and may include improvements such as insulation or air sealing. Learn more and find the agency serving your area at https://oeo.sc.gov/managedsites/prd/oeo/weatherization.html.

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If you own a home in Tall Pines Plantation and have found yourself wondering why some homes sell quickly while others sit on the market, the current activity gives us a few useful clues. July was especially quiet, with no new ratified contracts or closed sales between July 10 and July 20. Since then, however, we have seen movement. The important lesson is not that every home needs to be inexpensive or completely renovated. Instead, buyers appear to be responding when the price, condition, and overall value of a property make sense together.

One of the clearest examples is the home on Foxtail Pine Road that was listed for $275,000 and went under contract within just a few days. I personally went through that house. It was not completely updated, and I noticed some cracking around a few doorways that a buyer would reasonably want to investigate during due diligence. At the same time, the house had a lot going for i...

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Every so often, a past client calls and says, "Bonnie, I think we might want to move."

My first question usually isn't, "What do you want to buy?" It is why do you want to move?

Sometimes there is a very real reason. The house is too small. The stairs have become a problem. The commute is exhausting. The family has changed, the neighborhood no longer fits, or the monthly expenses simply do not make sense anymore.

But sometimes, after living in the same house for years, people are simply ready for something to feel different.

Before giving up a mortgage payment you may never see again, I think it is worth looking at the whole picture. What are you paying now for your mortgage, taxes and HOA? What would those expenses look like in another home? Would your com...

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