Real Estate Information

Lender Announcement:

“In light of the recent announcement regarding USDA’s issuance of conditional commitments “subject to the availability of funds” at an increased funding fee of 3.5%, the USDA product has been reinstated. New locks and extensions on current loans in the pipeline are now available. Please note that any file that has not received a clear conditional commitment from RD at 2% will need to be re-disclosed at the increased funding fee of 3.5%. Please note that until automated underwriting is updated to address the 3.5% funding fee all files must be manually underwritten as full document loans. Please note that due to the manual underwrites and file volume, please anticipate a lag in turn times with your underwriter and local Rural Development offices. We appreciate your cooperation.”

South Carolina has a huge area of homes that qualify for Rural Housing. Once we have narrowed down your home search, I can specifically tell you weather or not the homes you have chosen qualify for 102% financing or not. Imagine, get into your new home for 0% down and possibly receive a tax credit up to $8000!

CALL JOANNA KESKITALO @ 864-329-6639 or

 email at: joannak@kw.com

Great things you need to know about USDA (Guaranteed Rural Housing) Mortgage Loans

• NO DOWN PAYMENT REQUIRED!! (Up to 102% financing using appraised value for a purchase (includes 2% funding fee))
• No Mortgage Insurance
• Eligibility website http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov
• Seller can pay up to 6% of closing costs
• Not allowed to have more than 20% of purchase price in reserves
• Must get well certification if on private well water (a bacterial test done by EPA)…Septic inspection at Underwriter/Appraiser discretion
• Dual underwrites (Lender then USDA), so need 45 day closing
• 36 months from BK and Foreclosure with 620 score and AUS approval (need good explanation and compensating factors)
• May not own another home at time of closing but doesn’t have to be first time home buyer
• Must use HUD (FHA) approved appraiser…needs clear CL100, Stove, and meet all other minimum FHA standards
• No minimum seller seasoning required on title!
• Household Income Limit 73, 600 (1-4 person family) program requires max 29% gross housing ratio which equates to max $250,000 loan +/- depending on current rates, taxes, insurance, etc.
• Household Income Limit 97, 150 (5-8 person family) translated into max home price of $325,000  +/- based on max housing ratio
• Remember NO MORTGAGE INSURANCE for USDA.
• Disclaimers---loans have other qualifying areas…total ratios cannot exceed 41% without exception, must credit qualify and be in acceptable geographical location with acceptable collateral…this flyer is for marketing purposes only.

Provided by: 

Silas Tolles

Mortgage Consultant

SC Mortgage Associates

Cell: 864.275.3545

Office: 864.286.9496

Fax: 864.286.3281

Apply Online:  

www.ALendingPartner.com

KEMET to Expand Greenville County Operations and Create 113 New Jobs

Investment brings new product line to support electric vehicles and alternative energy markets

(October 26, 2009)

COLUMBIA, S.C.– Gov. Mark Sanford, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Greenville Area Development Corporation today announced that KEMET will expand its facility in Greenville County to support manufacturing of capacitors for electric drive vehicles and alternative energy markets. The investment is expected to generate 113 new jobs within the next three years.

“We are pleased to expand our operations in South Carolina. This investment will allow us to meet growing demand from our customers in the U.S., especially in the electric drive vehicle industry. Our Simpsonville facility has been an important part of our production capabilities over the years and South Carolina has always provided KEMET with an excellent business environment and a highly-skilled workforce. We appreciate the support we have received from state and local officials, and South Carolina’s congressional delegation who helped make this expansion a reality,” said Per-Olof Loof, chief executive officer and director, KEMET.

KEMET will expand its facility in Simpsonville to manufacture a new line of capacitors, which are an important component in electric drive vehicles and will be marketed to the alternative energy industry. KEMET recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to add additional capacitor lines to its South Carolina plant in order to produce enough capacitors to make 100,000 electric drive vehicles. The company anticipates that the expansion will be completed and the new production capacity online within nine months.

“This new production line in Greenville County represents another dividend from our continued efforts to improve business soil conditions in South Carolina. Given the global competition for new jobs, capital investment and indeed quality of life, both KEMET's technological advances in components for electric drive vehicles and alternative energy production and their decision to expand in South Carolina reflect positively on our state’s workforce, the Department of Commerce, local leaders, and in fact all of our commitments to creating a more business-friendly environment that will encourage further economic growth and job-creation going forward,” said Gov. Mark Sanford.

“KEMET’s expansion of its Simpsonville facility is an affirmation of the company’s commitment to South Carolina. KEMET could have taken this new line anywhere in the world and the fact that they chose to grow here is again a reminder that our state’s business-friendly climate, skilled workforce and exceptional market access are working to attract new investment and new jobs for South Carolinians. We congratulate KEMET on their success and look forward to a continued and mutually beneficial relationship with them in the years ahead,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

KEMET is currently producing the capacitor lines in Europe. However, having the lines produced in South Carolina will allow the company to easily reach their domestic customers. The expansion will also increase the available capacity in the U.S. for capacitors and therein reduce the supply chain risk electric drive vehicle manufacturers face by having to depend on non-U.S. suppliers for this key subcomponent.

“Today is an exciting day for the people of Greenville County. KEMET’s expansion will create much needed jobs for our skilled workforce. Today’s announcement also once again shows the potential South Carolina has to lead in the new clean energy environment. I am very proud of the work KEMET is doing in South Carolina and look forward to growing this relationship in the years ahead,” said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

“KEMET is another proof that the Upstate will lead the nation out of this recession. New energy jobs prove that the road to recovery and the road to energy independence are one and the same,” said Congressman Bob Inglis.

In addition to being able to supply capacitors for the current and future electric drive vehicle programs in the U.S., KEMET’s expansion in Greenville County will also allow the company to begin supplying the same components to wind, tidal, geothermal and solar energy generation markets.

“As an international company and long-standing member of our business community, KEMET’s decision to expand its Greenville County presence to make capacitors for electric vehicles and alternative energy markets is great news,” noted H.G. “Butch” Kirven Jr., chairman of Greenville County Council. “Their expansion here affirms that our focus on advanced manufacturing and automotive suppliers is bearing fruit, and should serve as a magnet to attract talented individuals while adding good paying jobs in our community.”

“KEMET is a progressive company that combines world-class technology and unique engineering processes with an Upstate location to grow their business,” said Mike Buiter, chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation Board. “The company is research-based, innovative and growth-oriented, and a wonderful reflection of the opportunities to be found in Greenville County.”

The company will make a formal announcement when it is ready to begin the hiring process. Individuals interested in employment opportunities are encouraged wait until KEMET releases details regarding the availability of new positions.

KEMET Corporation applies world-class service and quality to deliver industry-leading, high-performance capacitance solutions to its customers around the world. KEMET offers the world’s most complete line of surface-mount and through-hole capacitor technologies across tantalum, ceramic, film, aluminum and paper dielectrics. KEMET has operated its facility in the Upstate of South Carolina for 46 years. For more information about KEMET, please visit www.kemet.com

The House and Senate yesterday, November 1, 2009 approved a continuing resolution (CR) in regards a provision to extend the home buyers tax credit.

Senate leaders announced they have agreed to an extension of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit through April 30. The popular credit, which has strong support from the Mortgage Bankers Association, is set to expire Nov. 30.

The CR passed the House on a 247-178. The Senate vote was 72-28.

The amendment would extend the existing $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and offer a new $6,500 credit for existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period within the past eight years. Under the amendment, home buyers would be required to be under contract by April 30 and close before July 1.

Now, is the time to buy or sell real estate! Call Joanna @ 864-329-6639

CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--Boeing Co.'s (BA) new 787 Dreamliner plant in North Charleston, South Carolina, should have "a ripple effect that will play out over time," generating economic activity across the state, Mark Sanford, South Carolina's governor, said in an interview Thursday with Dow Jones Newswires.

Sanford spoke by telephone en route to Charleston from the state capitol.

Late Wednesday, Boeing said it had chosen South Carolina over Washington state for added 787 production. The new facility, to supplement final assembly in Washington state, is expected to be up and running by July of 2011.

To woo Boeing, South Carolina legislators offered substantial financial incentives. Boeing gets those benefits if it brings in at least 3,800 new jobs and invests $750 million in the next few years.

"This is the largest single job creation in South Carolina history," Sanford said. "It will give us an immediate shot in the arm at a time when it's needed."

As with other states, South Carolina is battling unemployment, now at about 10%. But, Sanford said, that comes on top of strong job growth in the past few years, as 85,000 new workers have come into the state. He hopes that Boeing will hire as many local workers as possible, although the number of local hires hasn't been discussed.

Over the long term, Sanford expects Boeing suppliers and other businesses to come to South Carolina, "repeating what we saw with BMW." The German auto maker has had a U.S. production plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for 15 years, and currently is expanding that facility.

Boeing recently bought out a supplier's factory in North Charleston, and plans to expand there to add production capacity for the 787. But Sanford said he and South Carolina officials have been talking to Boeing since 2003, when the aircraft maker turned down his state's offer to start initial 787 assembly work in Everett, Washington.

In its home state of Washington, Boeing's Commercial Airplanes unit employs about 73,000 workers, and accounts for many more jobs there.

In the Seattle area, where most workers are located, business costs are relatively high, partly due to the presence of unions. Sanford said the recent decision by Boeing's North Charleston workers to reject union representation made a difference to Boeing, which has suffered a series of employee strikes in recent years. "They proved to Boeing that this is a right-to-work state," Sanford said.

-By Ann Keeton, Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4120; ann.keeton@dowjones.com

The Senate's top Democrat and top Republican each voiced support on Wednesday October 28, 2009 for extension of a soon-to-expire $8,000 tax credit for home buyers, but left unclear when the chamber would act.

"There has been general agreement by a significant number of senators, Democrats and Republicans, to get this done," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, said on the Senate floor.

The chamber's top Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell, also said most senators support the measure. "I certainly share his view," McConnell said.

The tax credit for first-time home buyers, which has helped lift the housing market out of its worst slump since the Great Depression, is set to expire on Nov. 30 and senators have been negotiating over how best to extend it.

Under an agreement reached by key senators, the tax credit would be extended through the end of April 2010 and be expanded to cover repeat buyers who have been in their homes at least five years, sources familiar with the plan said.

First-time buyers would continue to get an $8,000 credit, while repeat buyers of primary residences would be eligible for a credit of $6,500, the sources said.

They said the credit would be available for individuals making up to $125,000 a year and couples earning up to $225,000 per year

I have sent letters to our senator and governor to push to get this passed!! Remember, when you are buying your new home and earning your tax credit,   Call Joanna at 864-329-6639!!

A short time ago, it was easy to purchase a home, wait a while, and then sell for large profits. In case you haven’t heard, times have changed. We are no longer in a seller’s market. But, there are homes still selling where and they are not all short sales, foreclosures, or REO properties. There are still sellers making a profit on their home.

First off is the decision to sell your home. This is a huge life changing decision that should not be taken lightly. Once you have your reason for selling, hang on to that reason throughout the selling process. The reason you’re selling effects everything in how to market your home. And only share that reason with your knowledgeable Realtor. No one needs to know and we do not need people using that reason for negotiating stategy.

In Good or Bad economic times, the three reasons a home does not sell remains the same. The three biggest mistakes Sellers make are price, condition, and marketing.

PRICE: This is my job. It is my job to price your home correctly. I provide my sellers with a fantastic market analysis which is comprised of active listings, recent sold listings, and withdrawn listings in your area. I research active listings to learn the competition and learn how to beat them. I research sold listings to learn what these sellers did right and to learn what to do in marketing your property. I believe the last to be crucial and most agents do not include this in their market analysis. There is a reason withdrawn listings did not sell. I use these so that your home is marketed correctly and I do not make the same mistake. And let’s forget the old wise tale of price high so we have room to go down. Those days are gone! The best chance to sell your home is in the first three weeks on the market. Buyers are looking at many other properties besides your home. If you are priced high, chances are you will not receive the offer to negotiate on and they will buy the RIGHT priced home instead.

And now I am going to share a BIG SECRET in selling your home, my special hint: I like to price properties to be the shining star of their price bracket. Let’s say your home comps out at $151,000. I would insist we price it at $150,000 even though there is less negotiating room. So when a buyer is looking from say $130,000 to $150,000 your home will be the best, the brightest home of the price bracket. THE HOME THAT GETS SOLD!! I would also price it at $150,000 and not $149,900 like every agent does. Can you imagine that you are missing ALL the buyers looking at $150,000 and up over $100 or even less when they price it at $149,999- For a $1- all the traffic! YIKES! In the upper price bracket, you may not be the nicest home but you will be the cheapest and most importantly your home will be seen! This is only some of the knowledge I have to share. Call me to list your home and find out how I can get your home SOLD in the shortest amount of time, for the best possible price, with the least amount of hassle- 864-329-6639!!

CONDITION: First impression everything? In general with consumers, appearance is everything. Why do you think corporate America spends so much money on packaging, etc? The same is true in selling your home!

I know what you as a home seller wants.  You want the best possible price for your home in the fastest time possible. I also know how to achieve this, and intend too.

Did you know that most buyers decide whether they will purchase your home in the first eleven seconds?

Here are some tips to capture your audience in those eleven seconds:

Ÿ  Clean up: This is the cheapest and easiest way to sell your home quickly and for more money. This is the first tip for a reason.  If you do not read further, do this.  You will be glad you did!

Ÿ  Remove Clutter:  Everyone likes big rooms and big closets. If they are packed full, everything looks and feels smaller. Eliminating the excess teddy bears on the shelves, clothes in the closets, books on the bookcases will automatically open up a space and make everything appear bigger.

Ÿ  Repair: A well-maintained home is important to every buyer.  The home should appear that it can be moved in tomorrow. So, replace burnt-out light bulbs, get out the touch-up paint, and fix that leaky faucet.

Ÿ  Give them something to remember: The buyer should be able to walk from one room to the next and remember that one great thing about each room, from the great painting over the fireplace, to the beautiful comforter on the master bed. It can be a simple as a vase of flowers on the kitchen table.  We all love decorated and furnished models for a reason.  We feel we can move right in. You want to give the buyer the same impression about your great home.

Ÿ  Light up your home: We all love sunny days.  This is time to get those windows sparkling, open all your blinds, and turn every light on in your home. The extra money you earn on your home, will more than make up for the extra electricity bill.

Ÿ  Sound and Smell: No leaving last night’s dinner in the trash can! Or that litter box inside.  Light a great smelling candle or plug in that glade! You want to give your home that new home feel and smell! Buyers prefer it quiet- it promotes privacy and serenity!

Ÿ  Eliminating personal items: This is the last tip because it is the most difficult to do, but a buyer needs to feel like they can own your home! Seeing personal family photos of a different family, makes the buyer feel that they could not move in. So keep those personal treasures to a minimum, and pack them the others away to treasure in your next dream home!

I ALSO OFFER HOME STAGING TO MY CLIENTS. VISIT MY WEBSITE AT www.DetailsStaging.com AND LEARN HOW TO GET THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE STAGING BRINGS!

MARKETING: In selling real estate in Greenville, SC:

* You need a professional that has personally been through the selling process.
* You need a professional who knows that most buyers choose whether they are going to buy a home in the first eleven seconds and knows how to make that most valuable first impression.
* You need a professional that knows local Greenville South Carolina advertising media, and the best local sources to use to get your home sold
* You need a professional who knows that 97% of home searches begin online, and a professional who uses the web as a valuable source to get your Greater Greenville area home sold.
* You need a professional that takes care of the details- You need Joanna Keskitalo! Visit my sellers page: http://www.yourgreenvilleagent.com/Joannas-Marketing-Plan to see how I get homes sold for the highest possible price, with the least amount of hassle, in the shortest amount of time.

I HOPE TO SELL YOUR HOME SOON!! THANKS FOR VISITING MY SITE AND READING MY BLOGS!!

I have been reading on crawl space vents. There are many differing opinions in there use. I think the best answer to the crawl space vent issue for use of them in the Greenville, SC area came from a pest control company. The reason for crawl spaces vents is just what they say- to ventilate the crawl space to keep the moisture levels down to avoid mold, mildew, and structural issues. The problem with well-ventilated crawl spaces is that it can cause drafts in the home in the winter, and loss of energy raising your energy bill. So, my suggestion is to shut your crawl space vents in the winter but do not forget to open them in the Spring. It is all part of a well maintained home. As we head into colder weather, save your self some money and have a warm cozy home in the winter! But, remember to open them in the Spring! If you are going to be forgetful, please leave your crawl space vents open all year. The pest control company said that is the biggest cause of unwanted excess moisture in the crawl spaces!

The annual "Fall for Greenville" is happening this weekend from Oct. 9 - Oct. 11 in downtown Greenville. Discover a world of tempting tastes, sights, and sounds, as mouthwatering aromas carry you from one end of Main Street to the other. Explore exciting new cuisine or indulge in some of your favorites--each booth offers something for everyone.

Times Run:

Friday, October 9th- 5-11 pm

Saturday, October 10th- 11am - 9pm

Sunday, October 11th- Noon - 7 pm

Come and try some of the best restaurants in Greenville and enjoy the beautiful Fall weather Greenville has to offer!

Sellers there is some new recent help to avoid foreclosures. There is now some reason to sell your home with a short sale. You can make at least $2500 even when you cannot payoff your mortgage. The U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Geithner announced details on the expansion of the Making Home Affordable program to include short sales under the new Foreclosure Alternatives Program. Financial incentives for servicers include $1,000 ("success fee") for a successful short sale, and borrowers may receive up to $1,500 to assist with relocation expenses.  Fannie Mae-backed loans now guarantee a reasonable sales commission on all closed short sales. This gives reason for agents to show and sell your home and makes your property much more marketable.

Please contact Joanna Keskitalo at 864-329-6639 or joannak@kw.com. I have become an expert in distressed properties and work closely with many banks. Let me help to get your home SOLD and to make you a little cash along the way!!