We are continuing to ask members of The Linda Hall Team to answer some questions so we can get to know them better. This week is Lorelei Beightol's turn!

1. Who is your hero? Jesus of Nazareth - He loved people for who they were, not what he wanted to be or what they were, or would become, but for who they were at that very moment. It reminds me that love is an action and a feeling or an obligation.     
2. What was your favorite vacation and why?  Any national park with my family.  We love our national treasures and spending time together making memories.  My favorite national park is Yellowstone. The volcanic activity and mystic geysers are enchanting.  
3. What is your favorite way to spend a day off? Day off?  Is there such a thing in real estate?  If I do get a whole day off, I love to spend it with my husband going for a hike or a paddle on the kayaks or with my friends touring local wineries.  
4. What was the last book you read?  Joyful Surrender
5. What are your hobbies? Reading 
6. What is your favorite quote? Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching. - C.S. Lewis  
7. What instantly calms you? A good foot massage!
8. What is your favorite season? Summer
9. What was your very first job? Lab Technician in a cream cheese factory.
10. What is your favorite part of the workday? Talking with people.  People energize me.  
11. What’s the best career advice you’ve been given? You don't have to know everything, you just need to know who to ask.  Being resourceful is much better than being a walking encyclopedia.  
12. If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give your younger self? If you wait a few minutes, someone will want to help you, don't be stubborn and do everything yourself.  
13. What is your definition of success? Everyone learned something and came out the other side better equipped to serve the world in their own special way.  
14. What are you most proud of in the last year? Still having a happy marriage after quarantine.  Also, my daughter who graduated from college this spring.  

Well, we sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Lorelei, and if you have any real estate needs that you will feel free to reach out to her. 

We are asking members of The Linda Hall Team to answer some questions so we can get to know them better. This week is Caroline McCarthy's turn!

1. Who is your hero? My Grandmother on my mother's side, a successful business owner, and a wonderful Christian woman.

2. What was your favorite vacation and why? Hawaiian Islands -  I love the beauty of the islands, their beaches, and the wonderful year-round temperature.

3. What is your favorite way to spend a day off? With my grandchildren.

4. What was the last book you read? Trouble the Water by Rebecca Bruff – rated 4.48 in Goodreads.

5. What are your hobbies? Reading, gardening.

6. What is your favorite quote?  You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough – Mae West.

7. What is your #1 pet peeve? People who are disrespectful to others.

8. What instantly calms you? Being at the Lake or Oceans.

9. What is your favorite season? Spring in the Carolina’s, Fall in the North.

10. What was your very first job? Insurance Policy typist.

11. What is your favorite part of the workday? Morning.

12. What’s the best career advice you’ve been given? Don’t just check off boxes, tell me what you accomplished.

13. If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give your younger self? This too will pass.

14. What is your definition of success? Success in business is achieving or exceeding my goals. Success in life is having a loving family and a wonderful circle of friends.

15. What are you most proud of in the last year? Significantly increasing my business.

This has been a fun and interesting activity that we will continue so that our friends can get to know who these great additions to The Linda Hall Team are. We believe that they are top tier individuals and we chose them because we know that they will exceed our clients' expectations!!

Lorelei Beightol - Realtor® Partner of The Linda Hall Team, Century 21 First Choice

Hello, everyone. It's Lorelei, with Century 21 First Choice and the Linda Hall team. I am at this beautiful house this afternoon, doing a home inspection for my buyers. I wanted to address the home inspection. Buyers often ask, "Do I have to have one?" And my answer is, "That's up to you, but we highly recommend it." The home inspection goes through all the parts of the home, looking for proper function and safety. The buyer gets a full report of what they find in the home, things they need to address, and things they can look for in the future. I hope that helps answer the question of, why do you need a home inspection? And if you ever ask me, "Should I get one?" My answer is going to be, "Yes, you should." Have a great day.

If you need to sell your home in the York County, South Carolina area, I hope you will consider contacting The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice. We will guide you through the entire process. Contact us today!

AUGUST 2020 New Listings:

We start by looking at the NEW LISTINGS that came on the market in August and we begin with 2018, where we see there were 521 NEW LISTINGS that came on the market. In August of 2019, we find we increased slightly by +0.2 percent with 522 NEW LISTINGS. The following year in August of 2020, we decreased by -6.5 percent with 488 NEW LISTINGS. 

AUGUST 2020 Homes for Sale:

We again, start by looking at August of 2018, where we see there were 1,024 HOMES FOR SALE. In August of 2019, we find a decrease of -2.0 percent with 1,004 HOMES FOR SALE. The following year in August of 2020, we decreased significantly by -58.7 percent with 415 HOMES FOR SALE.

AUGUST 2020 Pending Sales:

Let's view August of 2018, where we see there were 412 PENDING SALES. In August of 2019, we increased by +4.1 percent with 429 PENDING SALES. The following year in August of 2020, we increased by +13.5 percent with 487 PENDING SALES. 

AUGUST 2020 Median Days on Market:

Let's view August of 2018, where we see there were 14 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. In August of 2019, we increased from the previous year with 19 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. This year in August, we decreased by -52.6 percent to 9 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. 

AUGUST 2020 Months Supply of Homes for Sale:

In August of 2018, the MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE was 2.9. In August of 2019, we decreased by -6.9 percent with a 2.7 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. This year in August, we decreased by -63.0 percent with only 1.0 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. 

So there is your comprehensive LOCAL look at the real estate market.  If you are considering a sale of your home then now might be a perfect time as the competition is low and the number of days on market is shorter than normal. If you are interested in buying a home then let us help you get a competitive advantage. Please reach out to the Linda Hall Team. We'd love to assist you!!

Self-employed borrowers have always had to jump through a few hoops to finance or refinance their homes. Without a traditional paycheck, lenders look for other ways to document income. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many business owners and delayed tax return filings. As a result, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have enacted changes in the way the mortgage industry processes home loan applications (as of June 11, 2020).

Income Verification

Self-employed borrowers are typically verified by the most recent two years of income tax filings. As a result of the pandemic, those two years might not give a current or accurate picture of the borrower’s income. As the borrower is seeking to secure a loan before the next filing period, underwriters are now requiring a signed Profit and Loss Statement (P&L) from these borrowers.

Profit and Loss Statements

As part of the underwriting process, self-employed applicants must provide an audited or self-generated P&L statement for the current 2020 period. The statement must not be older than 60 days and must include:

• Expenses

• Net Income

• Business Depository Account Statements (two most recent)

• Business Revenue

In addition, the borrower must provide their most recent personal bank statements which should support the P&L  statement.

Professional Advice

Self-employed loan applicants have always faced challenges when seeking a home loan. Now more than ever, it’s important to understand the requirements and work with a mortgage professional to ensure the loan application is packaged correctly with all the needed documentation. Lenders are still approving home loans, but with these changes put in place to minimize risk as the mortgage industry works through the challenges of this pandemic.

Are you planning to sell your home? Regardless if this is your first time as a home seller, or maybe you’ve sold many homes, understanding the selling process can assure you that things are going smoothly. Successful transactions don’t just happen; it takes experience and professionals to navigate from staging to closing.

Who Are The Experts?

• Real Estate Agent – Before you start, do your homework and find an experienced listing agent in your area.
• Escrow Officer – Your escrow officer is a neutral 3rd party, they take the terms agreed to by the parties and ensures they are fulfilled properly.

Timeline For Your Home Sale

• Hire an Agent – Finding the right agent means hiring an expert who helps you navigate the selling process easily.
• Determine Price - You and your agent will look at the local market and help find the best asking price for your home.
• Prepare the House - It's time to make your home look its absolute best before hitting the market-landscaping, cleaning, and decluttering help.
• Start Marketing - An excellent realtor will know how and where to market your house to get the most viewings possible.
• Virtual Showings - We will figure out a strategy that allows potential buyers to see your home safely and within current laws.
• Accept Offer – Once offers are received, your agent will help you negotiate price as well as requests for repairs and credits.

The sales process is a series of steps that you and your agent will take together. Knowing what to expect, and when, can alleviate the uncertainty you might feel as a seller. Contact The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice today to discuss your options!

We pulled the July 2020 Real Estate Numbers for The Charlotte Region from the MLS and would like to share a few key points from it. 

Businesses across the region continued to adjust to reopening, while Charlotte-area home sales show strong signs that the market has recovered.

As a result of significant gains over the last two months in pending contract activity, closed sales rose 11.4 percent over last year across the region. Closed sales were up 10.8 percent compared to June 2020.

Pending contract activity shows buyers are eager to purchase. Pending contracts and demand have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Contracts rose significantly for a third consecutive month and were up 23.7 percent compared to July 2019. However, the increased demand for coupled with tight supply will mean price increases, and some multiple offer situations in highly sought-after areas.

Fortunately, seller confidence, which is illustrated by new listing activity, has also started to recover and rose 4.1 percent year-over-year this month as sellers brought 5,868 properties to market. New listings have been down year-over-year since February 2020 as sellers who were hesitant to list during a pandemic needed time to and Realtors® adapted to virtual tours and showings. Realtors® continues to take a number of precautions to ensure all parties involved in the transaction remain safe.

Inventory is extremely low for the Charlotte region and was unchanged compared to June 2020. It remains the lowest we have seen on record at 1.3 months of supply. This will continue to impact prices, especially given the increased competition among buyers.

Sellers who are ready to list have the opportunity to receive high visibility for their listings and spend less time on the market. Properties are averaging 36 days on market now, which means they’re selling nearly as fast as they are listed.

As long as sales and new listing activity remain positive, employment remains stable, and mortgage rates stay at historic lows, this activity should be sustainable.

If you'd like to discuss this further please don't hesitate to contact The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice. Let's put our experience to work for YOU!

JULY 2020 New Listings:

We start by looking at the NEW LISTINGS that came on the market in July and we begin with 2018, where we see there were 650 NEW LISTINGS that came on the market. In July of 2019, we find we decreased slightly by -2.3 percent with 635 NEW LISTINGS. The following year in July of 2020, we decreased by -6.9 percent with 591 NEW LISTINGS. 

JULY 2020 Homes for Sale:

We again, start by looking at July of 2018, where we see there were 1,558 HOMES FOR SALE. In July of 2019, we find a decrease of -3.5 percent with 1,503 HOMES FOR SALE. The following year in July of 2020, we decreased significantly by -44.9 percent with 828 HOMES FOR SALE.

JULY 2020 Pending Sales:

Let's view July of 2018, where we see there were 538 PENDING SALES. In July of 2019, we increased by +4.1 percent with 560 PENDING SALES. The following year in July of 2020, we increased by +15.7 percent with 648 PENDING SALES. 

JULY 2020 Median Days on Market:

Let's view July of 2018, where we see there were 12 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. In July of 2019, we increased from the previous year with 19 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. This year in July, we decreased by -47.4 percent to 10 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. 

JULY 2020 Months Supply of Homes for Sale:

In July of 2018, the MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE was 3.6. In July of 2019, we decreased by -11.1 percent with a 3.2 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. This year in July, we decreased by -46.9 percent with only 1.7 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. 

So there is your comprehensive LOCAL look at the real estate market.  If you are considering a sale of your home then now might be a perfect time as the competition is low and the number of days on market is shorter than normal. If you are interested in buying a home then let us help you get a competitive advantage. Please reach out to the Linda Hall Team. We'd love to assist you!!

Linda Hall was introduced to Julia Colvin, owner of Sweet Jewels, at the Fort Mill Farmer's Market. In case you did not know, Fort Mill now has a Farmer's Market every Saturday from 8 AM to Noon at Veteran's Park, 106 N. White Street. This Market is open until September 5th and that's where you will find Julia's Sweet Jewels creations!

Julia Colvin started baking when her first son was born 9 years ago. Having moved back to the Fort Mill area 3 years ago, after having originally grown up in the Rock Hill area, Julia said she felt she had come home. What an amazing feeling that is and she was inspired to bake for friends who all said she could turn this baking skill into a business and that's just what she has done.

She originally began with cakes, but cakes can be rather demanding and stressful and as a mother of 4 children she wanted a business she enjoyed doing. This is where she evolved Sweet Jewels into creating cupcakes and cookies, which are offered in either a gluten-free or regular form. 

Linda Hall and The Linda Hall Team would love to see the community of Fort Mill and surrounding areas embrace this young entrepreneur and help her business succeed. Buying local and supporting local talent is a must these days and no one knows this better than our community!! PLUS you get to enjoy really wonderful cookies and cupcakes! Buy them as a hostess gift, birthday party, backyard get together, or simply a treat for your family!!

Buying a new home is exciting. Whether you’re moving across the country or across town, finding the right house is just one part of choosing the best option. The factors to consider when choosing the neighborhood are also a critical component as well. Here are 3 of the most important considerations as you search for the right neighborhood to call home.

1. Safety – One very important factor to most buyers is the safety of the area the home is located in. Sometimes the buyer will need to do a little research to discover what level of safety the neighborhood provides. There are several ways to go about this and one is by searching the crime data online through local public online search sites and the local police department. Also, by driving through the neighborhood one can observe certain characteristics. Do the homes have a high level of security? Are the roads well lit? Are there a lot of children playing outside?  These are some factors to look into in order to provide peace of mind. 

2. Schools – Is the home located in a top-rated school district? This will provide resale value regardless of whether you have children in the home or not. You can discover this through the district's website with regard to their scorecard on testing and ranking or you can visit GreatSchools.org to find out. Also, are there a lot of extracurricular activities? These would play a large factor in the desirability of the schools; watch for art, music, and athletic programs.

3. Conveniences – This is another quality that comes with the familiar term: Location! Location! Location! Remember that you’ll need to shop for groceries; perhaps you prefer to workout at a gym over at home; or enjoy entertainment and dining out. Some of these would be lifestyle preferences and should not be overlooked. 

Finding the right neighborhood that checks all your boxes is as important as finding the right home. You can make changes to your home, but your neighborhood or rather the location is something that is not a factor you can alter. It's not only for your enjoyment, but it affects the resale value as well. It may take a little research, but it’s well worth it to love where you live.

The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice would love to help you with your home buying journey. We are all local experts and look forward to guiding you every step of the way!! Contact us today.