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Hello REALTORS®, Many local governments had lighter meeting schedules in July, but there is still a lot to report.  These are some of the important issues that we are following: Anderson County City of Anderson Pickens County Pickens County Council gave second reading in July to issuing $12,750,000 in general obligation bonds to fund the… Read more »

Housing Supply Overview Limited existing-home inventory continues to be a boon for homebuilders, who have ramped up production to meet the rising demand in the new-home market. Nationally, housing starts were up 21.7% month-over-month as of last measure, the fastest pace in more than a year, while housing permits climbed 5.2% month-over-month, according to the… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, It has been a busy Spring in local government in the Western Upstate.  Nearly all local governments adopted budgets for their new fiscal years, but not all of them.  One neighboring county, Greenville County, showed why it is important that local governments have a budget at the start of their fiscal years on… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, In the last two Watchdog Reports, I covered two elements of our government affairs program: I highlighted the importance of supply, or lack of it, and the impact of rising housing prices.  I also provided some case studies on how your association is working to overcome the challenge to housing supply: over regulation,… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, In the last Watchdog Report, I covered the first of three elements of our government affairs program: how government affects your business.  I highlighted the importance of supply, or lack of it, and the impact of rising housing prices.  This week I will cover how your association represents you, and I’ll use a… Read more »

Housing Supply Overview New residential construction continues to pick up steam, as limited existing-home inventory drives buyer demand toward the new construction market. Monthly new-home sales exceeded economists’ expectations once again, rising 4.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 683,000 units, the highest reading since March 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Housing… Read more »

Tuesday, May 30, is election day in Seneca to fill a vacancy on city council.  The election is non-partisan and the person receiving the highest number of votes wins. What you need to know about voting: All Seneca City Council seats are at-large.  If you live in the city limits of Seneca and are registered… Read more »

Housing Supply Overview A limited supply of existing homes for sale, along with an increase in new homes on the market, have helped boost demand for new single-family homes this year. Monthly new-home sales increased 9.6% as of last measure, marking the highest rate of new-home sales in a year, according to the U.S. Census… Read more »

Housing Supply Overview According to the U.S. Census Bureau, national sales of new homes edged up 1.1% month-over-month as of last measure, thanks in part to builders’ use of incentives and price discounts, with increases in housing starts and permits reported as well. Builder sentiment also continues to rise, as a limited supply of existing-home… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, There are three elements of our government affairs program that form the foundation of how Realtors, and their association, engage in the political and public policy process.  In fact, I have spoken in the last few weeks to agency sales meetings about how our program works. There are three key elements of a… Read more »