689 Lalton Dr. Conway South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com |

Natalie Rakoci with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... |

Welcome to this incredible 3 bed/3 bath custom home in the highly desirable community of Hillsborough. The vaulted and cathedral ceilings magnify the beauty of this home which has a split floor plan with an open concept and includes a bonus room with full bath upstairs. A formal dining area that can be utilized multiple ways. A large kitchen with beautiful custom cabinets, corian throughout, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast nook with a view! Enjoy the beauty of the lake from the screened porch or while grilling on the extended patio. Located minutes from downtown Conway, 22 and approximately a mile from the International Drive connector, 689 Lalton is a short drive to the beaches , shopping , medical , dining and all attractions. In the community there is a pool, community center, playground and plenty of mature and beautiful landscaping.

3938 Pinebrook Circle Little River South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com |

Renee Blake with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | Make this your permanent home or a great investment property. Property sold AS-IS. Two bedrooms with two baths downstairs with living room and dining area. Side Carolina room with sliders and front, side and back deck. Access upstairs with the spiral staircase that can be used as a third bedroom or office space. Storage space upstairs as well. This home is located on two lots and deeded as one. Easy Access to the waterfront in Little River. A short drive to Calabash and to the beach, restaurants and shopping.

163 Palmetto Green Dr. Longs South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com | Chris Ward with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | This home shows like new at only 4 years old! Large fenced yard, great golf course neighborhood, and so much space! This 4 BR home boasts cathedral ceiling, formal dining area, large updated kitchen, and first floor master bedroom. 3 Bedrooms up stairs, plus walk out attic and big landing area perfect for second family or flex space. This floor plan is one of the most popular in this subdivision called The Kent. Don't miss this rare opportunity to purchase this home in a great location! Pool and golf amenities on site, and only a minute to restaurants, Hwy 31, and 10 minutes tot he ocean front in cherry grove beach!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like #Vlogmas! | EP 87 | Thee Eagle Reality

My videographer was so happy to get past Thanksgiving so we could (more rightly) focus on Christmas season! That means getting the office decorated, getting our #vlogmas filming schedule rolling, and spreading christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear! That was....until she decided to throw/drop her camera. So, you improvise. And she still rocked this awesome #VLOG for you! The show must go on! And it did. Enjoyed this week of marketing and content training with our Eagle Realty agents, some repairs at a clients property, meetings to bring some value, and obviously a little re-decorating in the office! -- http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

4973 South Island Dr. North Myrtle Beach South Carolina Homes for Sale

| www.eaglerealtysc.com | Chris Ward with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | Do you want to maximize the views from your new home? Then this is the perfect lot in prestigious Tidewater Golf Course and Plantation. Great setting for a charleston or row style home to be built overlooking the 8th fairway and the waterway marsh. The right home on this lot gives you some tremendous scenery to relax and gaze upon! Not to mention all the amenities that Tidewater offers like multiple pools, tennis, world class golf (discount for owners) 24/7 gated security, owner beach house cabana in Cherry Grove, and more! Oh, did we mention it's one of the best priced lots on the market?!

Eagle Realty 2019 #SquadGoals | EP 84 | Thee Eagle Reality

The centerpiece of this week was really the company goals we laid out for 2019 for Eagle Realty in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Every year we do our meeting that is really the culmination of individual one-on-one meetings to determine a direction and outline of where our company is, and where we are heading for the coming year. 2018 was on point! Now on to 2019 to be even better! Reconstruction in the office is going well, buyers are starting to creep out of hiding from the storms, and I am getting opportunities to build companies and brands in the area. And, my videographer is apparently ready to start Christmas before Thanksgiving has even come yet. * kind of frustrating * Lastly, the #shift in the #realestate industry is not something to be ignored - and at Eagle, we won't.

4453 Little River Inn Dr. Little River South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com |

Chris Ward with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | This is the property you have been waiting for in Little River inn. More like a town-home than a condo with no unit above you or on both sides of you. Private entrance to the property and quiet section of the neighborhood. Great 2BR unit for a beach retreat, 2nd or primary home, or investment property! Pool, tennis courts, minutes to the ocean front and fine dining! New floors in living room and kitchen, ground floor entry, and spacious bedrooms. All for a great price in an established community in Little River, SC!

Another Freaking Hurricane... So Might As Well Brand More | EP 80 | Thee Eagle Reality

Well, luckily hurricane Michael didn't show it's teeth in the carolinas. We are praying for the devastation in the pan handle of Florida though. But really, WTH! What is with all these storms! Ok, time to breath and calm down. And, time to get back to #marketing and #branding. Branding (the long game) can get lost in the shuffle in #realestate activity for most realtors, especially when things are busy and sales are rocking (like they have most of 2018). But when things slow down, like they have in the past 30 days in SC, it gives us time to really evaluate our branding efforts as Realtor professionals. Time for your Q4 to really ramp up and create momentum for your branding for the rest of 2018 and moving into 2019. --

http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career

http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page

http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

1221 Tidewater Dr. North Myrtle Beach South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com | Chris Ward with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | Wow! Larger Lake Villa unit in Teal Lake @ Tidewater in North Myrtle Beach with great views of the water and 10th tee box! Fully furnished and equipped just waiting for you to make your next home or vacation property! The Tidewater life style is unlike any other, with multiple pools, world class golf course, tennis, workout facilities, and private owners ocean front beach cabana. When you look at everything included you will be amazed at the value in this beautiful condo! Hurry and see this one today!

Eagle Realty - 4th Annual Client Appreciation Party Recap - 2018 | EP 78 | Thee Eagle Reality

Very excited to release this video for all who missed the party and couldn't make it! I would love for you to go ahead and make plans next year to be there for our 5th Annual in 2019! This year we had a great time at Antonio's Restaurant in Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, SC. The food and atmosphere was awesome and what a view! Special thanks to our sponsors, Rivertown Property Inspection, BB&T Mortgage, Crescent Coast Insurance, and Eagle Beach Rentals for all your help with the event! --
http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

326 Thistle Ln. Carolina Forest South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com | Renee Blake with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | Enjoy the amenities that the community has to offer. Such as Volleyball and Basketball Court, Baseball and Soccer Fields, Swimming Pool, Playground and Security. Low HOA. Three Bedroom / Two Bath open floor plan. Vaulted Ceiling in Family room. Large patio area. Partially fenced back yard. Two car oversized garage. Great rental property, primary or second home. Priced to sell.

Client Appreciation PT. 1 - The #Prep | EP 77 | Thee Eagle Reality The show must go on in life, #realestate, and business - in the mist of the aftermath of #Florence we still must get our annual (4th annual to be exact) Client Appreciation Party ready for our guests, plus get some donations out to those in need, and keep the work flow going.

The #content can't stop! We had a quick week (kids still out of school - ugh 3 weeks) - but had to get ready for client party, get some donations out, and keep some of my other business ventures moving forward. Over all it was a good week!!

901 West Port Dr. North Myrtle Beach South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com | Jim Shorten with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | Motivated Seller!!! This is a rare opportunity for a great deal on a 2BR 2BA unit in the sought after community of Carolina Keyes. This unit is directly on the Waterway and features magnificent views. The unit is a Kitty Hawk model which was the largest 2BR unit built. It is also an end unit with two additional windows on the side, providing lots of light. You can view the waterway while doing the dishes or cooking in your large fully equipped kitchen. New paint, flooring and a little TLC is all it would take to make this a beauty! Located in the Ocean Drive area of Myrtle Beach, close to shopping, entertainment, restaurants and all the fun of Main St. Only 1 mile to the beach. Make it yours today!

Florence, You Suck! | EP 76 | Thee Eagle Reality

#HurricaneFlorence, you suck! We are still dealing with the aftermath of hurricane florence that swept through the Carolinas a couple weeks ago now, but in this #vlog episode you see how even though "she" settled down by the time it got to the coast, we still had some (sorta) unexpected fall out - literally. Trying to get back to normal work schedule in #realestate around the area, check on my clients properties, get back to work...but school out, roads blocked, office ceilings falling in - some stuff to deal with! But we will press on and persevere. After all, we choose this coastal living life, so yeah, let's do this! #recovery. -- http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

4453 Little River Inn Ln. Little River South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com | Chris Ward with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | This is the property you have been waiting for in Little River inn. More like a town-home than a condo with no unit above you or on both sides of you. Private entrance to the property and quiet section of the neighborhood. Great 2BR unit for a beach retreat, 2nd or primary home, or investment property! Pool, tennis courts, minutes to the ocean front and fine dining! New floors in living room and kitchen, ground floor entry, and spacious bedrooms. All for a great price in an established community in Little River, SC!

62 Laurel Dr. Little River South Carolina Homes for Sale | www.eaglerealtysc.com | Chris Ward with Eagle Realty | See full property details at http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings... | This spacious 2BR home actually has a possible 3rd bedroom that is climate controlled! Plus, screen porch, double outside storage areas and newly fenced yard and patio! Minutes to the ocean front or waterway make this an optimal location for your 2nd or vacation home, or primary residence. Low HOA fee, quiet neighborhood, lovely kept home. Upgraded appliances in kitchen, recently painted, and move in ready! Very cool free irrigation and drainage system added in yard, plus new gutters. This may not last long!

4603 South Island Loop, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Are you ready to upgrade to your next home? This meticulously kept home shows spectacular, on a great lot in the exclusive South Island section of Tidewater Plantation in North Myrtle Beach, SC. New Carpet just installed! South Island offers private pool and boat dock for owners, along with Waterway & Golf Course views accented by beautiful marsh wetlands. This raised home offers a ton of ground floor space - currently used as an spacious Art Studio - but also for garage, workshop, and/or rec area. There is an in-home elevator, cathedral ceilings in the living room with panoramic views and a great covered back porch for relaxing and entertaining. New carpeting, Granite and stainless steel in a spacious kitchen with plenty of counter and cabinet space. A bathroom for each bedroom, master bedroom with beautiful views from the private master porch, along with walk-in closet. Tidewater lifestyle then is the icing on this cake - multiple pools, premier golf and owner discounts, private owners ocean front cabana, Boat & RV storage, 24/7 gated security and staff. Don't miss out on seeing this opportunity!

http://www.eaglerealtysc.com/listings/detail.php?lid=121203029&

chool's Back, Work More | EP 71 | Thee Eagle Reality You're gonna feel like this #vlog is all work no play...because it is! School is back in full swing and now I can pack my week full. You think that this episode has a lot of meat? Wait till next week! So excited for what's to come! Between some agent appreciation month planning and a little planning/foreshadowing to Client Appreciation Month (in September), you get a sneak peak of what to look forward to in future episodes. I loved filming #REAL Q&A on location at Mellow Mushroom, and it was the perfect day to do the triple-livestream! Office work flow increased (duh, since I had more dedicated office time). Stay till the end to see a special guest appearance by Sean McKenna from @SoundUpNow ...a rare thing nowadays. Take it all in and enjoy! --
http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

Leaving It All Behind | EP 66 | Thee Eagle Reality

...or am I? Of course I'm not - this is my life, my passion, my career, and my business. There is no quit or leave in my vocabulary. This week was a whirl wind of new listings, lot's of #Loris, SC time, basketball camp for my little girl, and bucket list actions like getting #bears tickets for a home game in Chicago in October. In fact, that is the highlight of the week in my mind! Well, maybe not the highlight considering I sold one of my new Loris, SC #listings in 48 hours. Welcome to a sellers market in Myrtle Beach, SC. What a great summer in #realestate - maybe it's time you join in! --

http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

#REAL Q&A - EP06 - Real Estate Answers Live

Today in Real Estate Ansers we answer 3 questions:
1. Buyers - Should I Get A Home Inspection?
2. Sellers - What Happens If The Appraisal Comes Back Lower Than the Contract Price?
3. Realtors - Is Daily Content Really That Important?

Mimosa Moments | EP 65 | Thee Eagle Reality It's #CatchUpWeek. Coming back from any holiday causes my to-do list to grow bigger. However, because it's summer I've really only got 2 days to get everything taken care of. That being said, this episode is a good expanse and summation of what that would look like. From taking photos of a hard to find empty lot listing in Tidewater #NorthMyrtleBeach, to drinking mimosas in a broker open house, this week has been a lot of fun! We also got #REAL and talked about how important it is to give value with your content. Sure, some content sound be more "conceited" to get your name out there, your face out there, and brand your company. However, the majority of your content should bring value to the audience in some way whether by direct or indirect means. Maybe it's time to analyze your content. Are you bringing #value to your audience?
Discover Myrtle Beach Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

#REAL Q&A - EP5 - Real Estate Answers Live

Today we answer real estate questions about:
1. Seller Closing Cost
2. How many properties should a buyer look at in a day
3. Full Time vs. Part real estate agents

A Red Solo Cup Type Of Week | EP 62 | Thee Eagle Reality

I mean - I swear it was just coffee :) - but when you run out of coffee cups you gotta do what you gotta do...To be honest, it was a pretty great week so no day-drinking needed haha!! (except for the days I worked by the pool! Ahh, the benefits of summer time realtor work in North Myrtle Beach, SC.) I loved the fact I got to re-unite with a long lost friend, Guppy. I love the #realtorlife work I had going on all week. And I love that I got julian doing some real work. Great week in real estate here in the Myrtle Beach area, how about where you live? And don't pay attention to the sexual harassment in the blooper after credit scenes!
http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

R.E.A.L Q&A (Real Estate Answers Live) - EP03

Seller Question - Best Pricing Strategy Practices
Buyer Question - How Many Homes Is To Many To See In A Day?
Realtor Career - Communication - Fast and in the right platform - is Key!

http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

They Are Taking Over The Office! | EP 61 | Thee Eagle Reality Ok, round 2 of summer vacation #vlog - and now a new kid is in the mix. At least I can get some production out of this one...I think. Though I kind of think Julian treats it like a real life episode of The Office...and I'm Michael Scott. Oh my, will he ever learn. To be honest, I like Julian, my son, getting some real world office experience. He may think it is just another household chore, but this is a real opportunity for him to see what Dad does in his real estate day. Of course, not the day-to-day of realtor life, but at least the office side of running a company(s). I think summer is a great opportunity for enhanced content, real estate buyer traffic, the ability to not slack off...and yes, child labor! HA, J/K. Lets keep the positive momentum moving forward this #summer!
http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career
http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page
http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC
http://www.EagleRealtySC.com
http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic
http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

R.E.A.L Q&A (Real Estate Answers Live) - EP02 Questions Answered:

Real Estate Buyers - What do I do first when thinking of buying a property?
Real Estate Sellers - What do I look for in a Listing Agent when selling my Home?
Realtors - How important is new agent training?

http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC http://www.EagleRealtySC.com http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

TTT is Now R.E.A.L Q&A - "Real Estate Answers Live" EP1

Real Estate Buyers - What is a Buyers Market?
Real Estate Sellers - What is a Sellers Market?
Realtors - Is real estate the right career for me?

http://www.DiscoverEagleRealty.com – Career http://www.Facebook.com/ChrisWardBIC – Chris Ward BIC Page http://www.Instagram.com/EagleRealtySC http://www.Snapchat.com/EagleRealtySC http://www.EagleRealtySC.com http://www.Soundcloud.com/chriswardbic http://www.soundupnow.com – Alexa

Staying on top of the latest trends in home decor isn't for everyone, but even for traditionalists, it can be fun to incorporate some new ideas. Here are five bathroom decor trends that are appearing in 2017.

1. Geometric Patterns: Many homeowners are selecting bold patterns in geometric shapes, like chevrons, triangles, or hexagons. These patterns can add intrigue and continuity to your tile or shower curtain.
2. Plants: Even the best-designed bathrooms can benefit from some small plants. If you have a windowless bathroom, there are some low-light options that can survive with little maintenance.
3. Dark Colors: This can be tricky to achieve, but it comes with a big pay off. While traditional bathrooms are often painted with brighter whites and greys, opting for darker colors can make a bathroom seem more luxurious and relaxing. Imagine sinking into a deep bath with dim lighting—that might convey the appeal of a darker palette.
4. Brass Hardware: Trends often come back around, and this year, brass fixtures of the '70s are popular once again.
5. Minimalism: The massive master bathroom is still great, but there's also some appeal in smaller bathroom designs. Minimalism allows for smaller spaces to feel more intimate, but still airy and open.

North Myrtle Beach Homes For Sale - AVOID THESE TWO BIG MORTGAGE MISTAKES

We all know that searching for and viewing potential homes is the fun part of the home-buying process. The not-so-fun part? The mortgage.

But if you don't pay attention to the details, your mortgage can end up dragging down the enjoyment of your new home and cause some major regrets. Here are a few mistakes to avoid to ensure that you love your mortgage terms as much as your hew home.

Don't find your home first: Shopping around for the best mortgage rate should be the first step in the home buying process. You may even want to talk to a mortgage broker a full year before you plan to buy. It'll give you time to get your affairs in order to qualify for the best rate, could save you thousands of dollars in the long run, and you won't feel rushed to accept an unattractive loan because you're worried you'll miss out on your dream home.

Don't forget your real budget: There's often a big difference between what a lender says you can afford and what you can actually afford. Your debt-to-income ratio doesn't include the money you spend on hobbies, or the cost of commuting to work, or maintenance and utility costs. Really sit down and examine your spending before committing to the loan amount the lender is offering. You won't enjoy your home nearly as much if it's eating into your favorite hobbies.

RECONSIDER THESE CHOICES WHEN YOU'RE DESIGNING YOUR KITCHEN

The kitchen is one area of the home that sees the most wear and tear. All the water, heat, and food spills add up quickly so it's important to focus on quality and lasting appeal when you're choosing materials for a kitchen remodel. Here are a few things you should avoid:

Cheap Laminate Countertops: The bottom rung of laminate is extremely susceptible to wear and tear. It can melt if you forget to place a hot pad under a pan that's fresh out of the oven and the edges can chip off from repeated exposure to moisture and heat.

Flat Paint: A flat or matte finish is great in rooms with lower traffic, but it's a bad idea in the kitchen where the walls are regularly exposed to splatters and spills. You need paint that can withstand an occasional heavy scrubbing, so opt for gloss or semi-gloss finishes.

Trendy Backsplash: If you watch any home remodeling show, you'll certainly see kitchens with expensive, elaborate backsplash designs and materials. Those trends can be pricey to pursue and can look dated in a hurry. Subway tile is a cheaper, classic option that you'll never regret, plus you'll have more room in your budget to purchase quality materials to be used elsewhere.

Cheap Flooring: Just like the countertops, your kitchen floor needs to be strong enough to take some abuse. Cheap flooring easily scuffs and peels (especially from moisture). Quality flooring is worth the investment.

The Supply & Demand Problem Plaguing New Construction

(from Keeping Current Matters BLOG content - http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2017/06/21/the-supply-demand-problem-plaguing-new-construction/)

Many real estate economists have called on new home builders to ramp up production to help relieve the shortage of inventory of homes for sale throughout the United States. The added inventory would no doubt aid buyers in their search to secure their dream home, while also helping to ease price increases throughout the country.

Unfortunately for builders, there are many forces that are making it difficult for them to do just that!

Last week at the National Association of Real Estate Editors 51^st Annual Conference,CoreLogic's Chief Economist Frank Nothaft broke down the 4 'L's of New Home Construction: Lots, Labor, Lumber, and Lending.

The concept of supply and demand is ripe in the new home construction industry. The four 'L's of new home construction are each suffering a supply problem, and with that comes added costs. Let's break it down!

Lots – There is a shortage of land near metros at an affordable price, causing builders to move farther and farther away from cities to keep costs down. This isn't always an attractive option for those who want to stay close to work.

Labor – The Great Recession forced many skilled construction and trade workers to find other sources of income once their jobs were lost at the time of the crash. Even though the overall housing market has recovered, these workers have not returned. Those who remain are starting to age out and retire, causing even more of a shortage and additional costs.

Lumber – The cost to build a new home is directly tied to the cost of the lot and the cost of the supplies needed to build the home. Lumber costs continue to escalate due to policies restricting the importation of Canadian lumber, making larger luxury homes an attractive option to recoup costs when selling, rather than building smaller single-family homes and making less profit.

Below is a graph showing the increase in cost of 1,000 board feet of framing lumber.

Year-over-year, lumber costs are up 13% after reaching a high of $433 in the second week of April.

Lending – During the Great Recession, many small community banks were forced to close their doors. These banks were a great source of capital and lending for builders looking to borrow money at a low interest rate in the community in which they were building. Tougher lending standards have made borrowing funds more expensive and more difficult for builders.

RECONSIDER THESE CHOICES WHEN YOU'RE DESIGNING YOUR KITCHEN

The kitchen is one area of the home that sees the most wear and tear. All the water, heat, and food spills add up quickly so it's important to focus on quality and lasting appeal when you're choosing materials for a kitchen remodel. Here are a few things you should avoid:

Cheap Laminate Countertops: The bottom rung of laminate is extremely susceptible to wear and tear. It can melt if you forget to place a hot pad under a pan that's fresh out of the oven and the edges can chip off from repeated exposure to moisture and heat.

Flat Paint: A flat or matte finish is great in rooms with lower traffic, but it's a bad idea in the kitchen where the walls are regularly exposed to splatters and spills. You need paint that can withstand an occasional heavy scrubbing, so opt for gloss or semi-gloss finishes.

Trendy Backsplash: If you watch any home remodeling show, you'll certainly see kitchens with expensive, elaborate backsplash designs and materials. Those trends can be pricey to pursue and can look dated in a hurry. Subway tile is a cheaper, classic option that you'll never regret, plus you'll have more room in your budget to purchase quality materials to be used elsewhere.

Cheap Flooring: Just like the countertops, your kitchen floor needs to be strong enough to take some abuse. Cheap flooring easily scuffs and peels (especially from moisture). Quality flooring is worth the investment.

Is the Current Pace of Home Sales Maintainable?

KCM just realized a blog post talking about the current state of home sale - you can read and exert below:

"There are some experts questioning whether the current pace of residential home sales is maintainable. Are too many people buying homes like in 2004-2006? Are we headed for another housing crisis? Actually, if we look closely at the numbers, we can see that we are looking at a very healthy real estate market.

Why the concern?

Some are looking at the last four years of home sales and comparing them to the three years just prior to the housing bubble. Looking at the graph below, we can understand that thinking." - read more - click http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2017/05/01/is-the-current-pace-of-home-sales-maintainable/?utm_campaign=Blog_Promo&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email-automated&utm_content=DailyBlogSubscription&utm_term=BlogPost

Based on there chart, when you take our the BOOM and CRASH years, we seem to be on steady pace with previous decade increases....what do you think?

1. Meet with a real estate professional: Discuss the type of home you're looking for, including style, price, and location.
2. The Buyer's Advantage: As the home buyer, your agent's commission is paid by the seller of the home in almost all circumstances. This means your representation costs you nothing!
3. Get Pre-Approved: You will need pay stubs, W2s, and bank statements. Knowing what you can afford is critical to a successful home shopping experience
4. Search for Homes: The fun part! Your agent will schedule showings and help you find the perfect home.
5. Advanced Search: Not all real estate websites are the same. Your real estate professional has tools and systems to ensure you see every available home that meets your criteria.
6. Make an Offer: Your agent will prepare your offer based on the price and terms you choose.
7. Negotiation and Contract: It may take a few tries to get it just right, but hang in there. You're on your way!
8. The Contract: In most cases the contract provides you with a timeline to obtain financing as well as time to inspect the physical condition of the home. Your real estate professional will inform you of all your rights and responsibilities related to the contract.
9. Under Contract or In Escrow: You and the seller have agreed to the price and terms. The home is effectively held for you until closing.
10. Final Details: Perform due diligence, order the appraisal, conduct an inspection, and review terms with the lender.
11. Preparing for Closing: You will be finalizing your loan, reviewing documents, and discussing the findings from the inspection. Your agent will manage this entire process for you.
12. Closing: This is the transfer of funds and ownership. A title company or an attorney typically acts as an independent third party to facilitate the closing.

Five tips for first-time buyers

No matter how much time you spend on researching and educating yourself about your home purchase, it's hard to cover every detail. Here are a few tips for avoiding rookie mistakes with your first home purchase.

1. Save as early as you can: Even if you think you're years away from buying your first home, try to start saving for your down payment. It makes a huge difference in your monthly payments, and helps avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance.
2. Be thorough with mortgage shopping: There are countless resources out there that can help you get the best terms for your mortgage. It may seem like a lot of work to shave less than a point off your mortgage rate, but it'll save you thousands in the long run.
3. Consult a skeptic: You're likely to fall in love with a home, and that can make it difficult to take problems seriously. Bring along a skeptical friend or family member who can give you an honest opinion.
4. Be patient with getting settled: You'll be anxious to make your new home your own, but take some time to see how your budget truly shakes out. In other words, hold off on big furniture purchases and remodeling projects.
5. Make sure you're happy with the neighborhood: The house may be perfect, but don't discount the surroundings. You don't want to end up in the suburbs if you're going to miss walking to your favorite coffee shop, and you don't want to settle for the city if you're looking forward to some peace and quiet.

How do HOAs work?

When you purchase a home, there's a good chance you'll have to pay a homeowners association fee, especially in gated communities, townhouses, condominiums, and other similar planned neighborhoods. The idea is to keep common areas clean and maintained, and there's usually an HOA board that is responsible for setting the rules and regulations.

Each HOA is different, but most have the same core elements. You'll typically pay your HOA fees either monthly or annually, and it's an important factor to consider when you're weighing your options for a new home. So what is typically included in your HOA fees?

First, the fun stuff Amenities are typically the big perk of living in a community with an HOA. While you lose out on some of the freedom of living without an HOA, you instead get community amenities like a maintained pool, gym, clubhouse, tennis courts, and other amenities. The HOA fees pay for cleaning and maintenance, so-in theory-you'll always have a clean pool whenever you want to use it.

Protecting the community HOA fees often contribute to insurance for the community amenities, as well as a fund for unexpected repairs to damaged community property-think damage from weather or accidents.

General maintenance Your HOA fees will go toward maintaining the general safety and upkeep of the community. This means things like elevator maintenance for condominiums, snow removal, and trash/recycling services.

Be active in the association There may be a board of directors, but homeowners associations exist for the betterment of the entire community, and every voice matters. HOA meetings-and the amenities they support-provide great opportunities to meet your neighbors and make your community a better place.

When it really comes down to it, you either improve the home you have or you move to one that has what you want.

Unless you built a custom home, you probably have a long list of things you'd like to improve in your current home. Browsing online listings might get you in the mood to upgrade to a new home, or you might be thinking about renovating your current home after binging on HGTV. The answer to renovation vs. relocation depends greatly on what you're trying to fix.

Thinking about a new kitchen? If you're dreaming of a chef's kitchen with new appliances and beautiful cabinets, renovating your own kitchen gives you incredible ROI and is less costly than moving. You'll increase the value of your own home if you ever decide to sell, and there's a great sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a custom renovation.

Need more space? If you're running low on bedrooms, there may not be a lot of options. Converting an existing room to a bedroom doesn't create any new space. If you're in a condo, an addition is probably impossible. And additions can be expensive even if it's a possibility. Moving is usually the best option.

If the neighborhood isn't ideal You may have seen some potential for your neighborhood when you first moved there, but perhaps it still isn't welcoming the shops and restaurants you expected. If that's the case, consider moving. There's no sense in waiting years for the neighborhood to improve, especially if you can move to a house in the same price range in a more preferred part of the city.