Now that Summer is in full swing, the focus turns to the outdoor space of our home. As we spend more and more of our time at home, this might be the perfect opportunity to invest in a new pool or a home with a pool. Here are 5 Pool Design Trends to get you started.

1. Natural Pools – As more of us consider the effect of chemicals on our health, more pool owners are installing natural pools. These pools are built to resemble a natural pond with boulders, waterfalls, and plants which filter the water naturally. The pool is filled with filtered water and maintained in an organic filtration process using gravel and plants.

2. Saltwater Pools – Another way to avoid chlorine is by installing a saltwater pool. These pools use a salt-chlorine generator to provide residue-free water and this process has been growing in popularity for over a decade.

3. Tanning Ledges – Also known as a Baja shelf, or sun shelf, a tanning ledge is a shallow shelf that allows you to stay cool while still enjoying the sun.

4. Rimless Infinity Pools – Infinity pools have been enjoyed at expensive resorts and spas for years, and more homeowners are now opting to include these natural beauties in their own yards.

5. Custom Fit Pools – As yards get smaller, the pre-formed pools are no longer practical. Almost any yard can fit a pool by having a custom pool designed to fit the space.

Summertime is pool time. As 2020 requires more of us to stay home, a new or remodeled swimming pool is a great way to enjoy our own backyards. If you'd like to search for homes with inground pools please use our robust SEARCH TOOL.  Now is also a great time to buy a home. Let The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice assist you!

JUNE 2020 New Listings:

We start by looking at the NEW LISTINGS that came on the market in June and we begin with 2018, where we see there were 550 NEW LISTINGS that came on the market. In June of 2019, we find we decreased slightly by -0.2 percent with 549 NEW LISTINGS. The following year in June of 2020, we decreased by -18 percent with only 450 NEW LISTINGS. 

JUNE 2020 Homes for Sale:

We again, start by looking at June of 2018, where we see there were 1,003 HOMES FOR SALE. In June of 2019, we find a slight decrease of -0.4 percent with 999 HOMES FOR SALE. The following year in June of 2020, we decreased significantly by -54.5 percent with 455 HOMES FOR SALE.

JUNE 2020 Pending Sales:

Let's view June of 2018, where we see there were 377 PENDING SALES. In June of 2019, we increased by +25.5 percent with 473 PENDING SALES. The following year in June of 2020, we increased by +7.8 percent with 510 PENDING SALES. 

JUNE 2020 Median Days on Market:

Let's view June of 2018, where we see there were 11 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. In June of 2019, we increased from the previous year with 13 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. This year in June, we increased slightly by +7.7 percent with only 14 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. 

JUNE 2020 Months Supply of Homes for Sale:

In June of 2018, the MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE was 2.9. In June of 2019, we decreased by -6.9 percent with a 2.7 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. This year in June, we decreased by -55.6 percent with only 1.2 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. 

So there is your comprehensive LOCAL look at the real estate market. As you can see the market is definitely still favoring sellers. The supply is down and the demand is high. If you are considering a sale of your home then now might be a perfect time. 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!!

Here are some local Fort Mill - Tega Cay Area 4th of July Events You Might Want To Know About -

Double-check before heading out because things change quickly these days!

Everyone dreams of living in an organized and clean home. Walking into a space where everything is neat and tidy and there's a place for everything and there's no dust or dirt to be seen.  Life doesn’t always work this way though and keeping one's home like this 24-7 while it's on the market can be difficult, if not impossible. Our homes tend to look more “lived in” with a pile of shoes by the front door, school books on the kitchen table, and pet hair on the sofa.

When you have your home listed for sale, then you know the stress of looking around your home after a phone call requesting a showing with a few minutes’ notice. You want your home to show well so the buyers can see the beauty of the home you love, but with such short notice, how can you convert the lived-in look to a show-ready property?

Fortunately, we have a few tricks for helping you keep your home show-ready at any time.

• Plan in Advance – Before you even list your house, consider the adjustment you’ll need to make in your lifestyle. Move non-essential items to a storage unit, to not only create visual appeal but make it easier to clean quickly.

• Containers – A simple way to quickly eliminate toys, clothes, shoes, sports equipment, and other items is storage bins. Keep some handy to throw excess items into before a buyer shows up, and move them to the garage or basement, or even the back of a vehicle.

• Establish a Routine – Get everyone in the family involved in establishing a daily routine. The less clutter that accumulates, the easier it is to move out of sight quickly. All family members should have morning and evening duties to keep the home tidy. If things are kept up on a daily basis, it will make the clutter and mess less overwhelming.

Unfortunately, your life doesn’t stop just because you’ve listed your home for sale. Keep it show-ready by preparing in advance, so those last-minute buyers can see your home’s charm and not the day’s clutter. Remember to call The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice for any of your real estate needs!

We wanted to take a moment to remind our friends and those looking to relocate to the beautiful Tega Cay - Fort Mill area that the Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice delivers a newsletter to all of their subscribers every other week. This newsletter contains local Tega Cay - Fort Mill area news, events, re-openings, new openings, and lots of other pertinent information that local residents should know. We take a great deal of time researching this local content for our followers so that they can stay informed and up to date on all the happenings in the area. 

We hope that you'll join our subscribers and that you too will get a lot from this newsletter. If you are a local small business and wish to be featured, please email us to let us know that. We LOVE to promote our local small businesses because after all, we are family!!

MAY 2020 New Listings:

We start by looking at the NEW LISTINGS that came on the market in May and we begin with 2018, where we see there were 528 NEW LISTINGS that came on the market. In May of 2019, we find an increase of +15.2 percent with 608 NEW LISTINGS. The following year in May of 2020, we decreased by -38.3 percent with only 375 NEW LISTINGS. 

MAY 2020 Homes for Sale:

We again, start by looking at May of 2018, where we see there were 922 HOMES FOR SALE. In May of 2019, we find an increase of +9.2 percent with 1,007 HOMES FOR SALE. The following year in May of 2020, we decreased by -46.7 percent with 537 HOMES FOR SALE. 

MAY 2020 Pending Sales:

Let's view May of 2018, where we see there were 407 PENDING SALES. In May of 2019, we increased by +18.9 percent with 484 PENDING SALES. The following year in May of 2020, we increased by +9.9 percent with 532 PENDING SALES. 

MAY 2020 Median Days on Market:

Let's view May of 2018, where we see there were 13 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. In May of 2019, we increased from the previous year with 15 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. This year in May, we decreased by -53.3 percent with only 7 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. 

MAY 2020 Months Supply of Homes for Sale:

In May of 2018, the MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE was 2.7. In May of 2019, we increased by +3.7 percent with a 2.8 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. This year in May, we decreased by -50 percent with 1.4 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. 

So there is your comprehensive LOCAL look at the real estate market. As you can see the market is definitely favoring sellers. The supply is down and the demand is high. If you are considering a sale of your home then now might be a perfect time. Please reach out to the Linda Hall Team. We'd love to assist you!!

Most areas of the country are experiencing a brisk real estate market. Well priced homes are moving quickly and often sellers can have multiple offers from which to choose. How can you make your offer stand out and put you in a better position to get the home? Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make your offer more attractive to sellers.

4 Tips for Making a Competitive Offer

1. Offer a Fair Price - When the market is moving quickly, this is not the time to throw out a low ball offer and hope they negotiate. Write an honest price based on market values. The Linda Hall Team will happily assist you in finding what price that might be.

2. Have a Pre-Approval - It may not be enough to simply offer a pre-qualification letter. When issuing a pre-approval the lender verifies your qualifications and an underwriter gives preliminary approval based not he actual home and a good appraisal.

3. Flexible Timing - Not everything comes down to price. A seller who is relocating might be more interested in an offer which gives them extra time to move or is an offer that will move along quickly.

4. Attractive Terms - Most offers include contingencies for items like an appraisal, inspection, title, and loan approval among others. Working with your lender and real estate agent, consider removing any contingencies you don't need.

The most important thing in a competitive real estate market is being prepared. Working with your lender and real estate agent will help you understand your options and you will be able to write a solid offer quickly, putting you in the best position to have your offer accepted. Contact the Linda Hall Team today to get started!

It may come as a shock that many people have purchased a home before ever setting foot inside. These buyers may have had to move from another country or even from the other side of the country, and they may not have had the time or resources to visit a home before the big move. Not everyone always has the option (or desire) to rent for a few months while they find a permanent home in their new location. Most homebuyers would prefer to purchase a house before they arrive, so they can move their belongings and quickly get settled into their home.

There are a few things the Linda Hall Team can do to make the process more manageable if you're considering buying a house without physically stepping foot inside. The first step is to know that we will really listen to what your needs are in the home itself as well as the community you want to live in. We will get to know you and your circumstances to help us vet potential properties for you. We'll also be able to provide you with a link to a virtual tour if it's offered, or schedule a meeting where we will walk you through the house virtually. This will help you feel like you're there in person and give you the chance to ask us about any potential issues that may pose a problem in the future. You'll also be able to see any features that you love, which will help you make your final decision.

When the time comes for you to move in, be prepared for the unexpected. There will always be a few things that you didn't expect when you've purchased a home. However, we will try to be as detailed as possible when it comes to the home and the community to help you make the best possible purchase. It really is possible to find your dream home, even if you can't see it before closing. The Linda Hall Team's grasp of technology will help your journey through the buying process go smoothly. Contact us today so we can help you get started!!

APRIL 2020 New Listings:

We start by looking at the NEW LISTINGS that came on the market in April and we begin with 2018, where we see there were 668 NEW LISTINGS that came on the market. In April of 2019, we find an increase of +3.3 percent with 690 NEW LISTINGS. The following year in April of 2020, we decreased by -21.6 percent with 541 NEW LISTINGS. 

APRIL 2020 Homes for Sale:

We again, start by looking at April of 2018, where we see there were 1,405 HOMES FOR SALE. In April of 2019, we find an increase of +6.5 percent with 1,497 HOMES FOR SALE. The following year in April of 2020, we decreased by -19.8 percent with 1,200 HOMES FOR SALE. 

APRIL 2020 Pending Sales:

Let's view April of 2018, where we see there were 536 PENDING SALES. In April of 2019, we increased by +3.9 percent with 557 PENDING SALES. The following year in April of 2020, we decreased by -2.2 percent with 545 PENDING SALES. 

APRIL 2020 Median Days on Market:

Let's view April of 2018, where we see there were 16 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. In April of 2019, we increased from the previous year with 17 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. This year in April, we decreased by -35.3 percent with 11 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. 

APRIL  2020 Months Supply of Homes for Sale:

In April of 2018, the MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE was 3.2. In April of 2019, we increased by +3.1 percent with a 3.3 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. This year in April, we decreased by -27.3 percent with 2.4 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. 

So there is your comprehensive LOCAL look at the real estate market. As you can see the market is definitely still active and if you are considering a sale of your home then now might be a perfect time. Please reach out to the Linda Hall Team. We'd love to assist you!!