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July 2024 Market Reports

Monthly Indicators U.S. existing home sales fell 5.4% month-over-month and 5.4% year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.89 million units, with monthly sales down in all four regions, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Higher mortgage rates, along with rising sales prices, have kept many prospective buyers on the sidelines, despite… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – August 12, 2024

Hello REALTORS®, In this Watchdog Report, I will continue to cover the fall elections.  In this report, I cover who will be on the ballot for President and Vice President of the United States.  Next week, I will list the rest of the candidates for the nonpartisan races.  I am also updating you on a… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – August 6, 2024

Hello REALTORS®, Not all elections are partisan. The primary elections and party conventions help set the table for many of the offices on the ballot on November 5. But there are many elected offices that are nonpartisan. That means the political parties don’t nominate the candidates. Filing for the nonpartisan positions has either recently finished… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – July 29, 2024

Hello REALTORS®, It’s been a few weeks since I reported on what our local governments are considering.  County governments took a break from legislating during the primary elections.  That’s normal in an election year.  But all of them are back to legislating. Anderson County Penny Sale Tax Before the primary, Anderson County Council approved a… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – July 22, 2024

Hello REALTORS®, Last week, I shared with you building permit data across the Upstate. Overall, annual building permits are up 19% since 2019, although they seem to have leveled off after the crazy year—2021. In fact, it looks like 10,000 to 12,000 new housing starts across the six Upstate counties is the new normal, about… Read more »

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June 2024 Market Reports

Monthly Indicators U.S. existing-home sales declined for the third consecutive month, as higher mortgage rates and rising sales prices hindered market activity during what has traditionally been one of the busiest months of the year. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), sales of previously owned homes dipped 0.7% month-over-month and 2.8% year-over-year, to… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – July 15, 2024

Hello REALTORS®, We often use building permit data to help advocate for Realtor interests with local government.  It pays to keep accurate data.  And it also can be a great resource for you. I compiled the data from the US Census Bureau, which is reported to them by local governments.  I think you will find… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – July 8, 2024

Hello REALTORS®, As we get closer to the November elections, something else is getting closer as well: the end of the two-year Congressional session. That means the pressure is on to get our Washington agenda done before December, when all unadopted legislation dies. NAR updated Government Affairs Directors and Federal Political Coordinators on their current… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – July 1, 2024

Hello REALTORS®, The primary elections to choose the Democratic and Republican party candidates for the various offices were held June 11.  Some of the elections, notably the race for US Congress, went to a runoff on June 25. Below are the results of last week’s runoff races: U.S. House District 3: Sheri Biggs defeated Mark Burns… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – June 24th

Hello REALTORS®, The primary elections were held June 11.  Some of the elections, notably the race for US Congress, aren’t settled yet.  Runoff elections in four races in the Western Upstate are set for June 26.  These are the races that will be in a runoff election: U.S. House District 3: Sheri Biggs vs. Mark Burns.SC… Read more »

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