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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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Hello REALTORS®, The primary elections were held last week.  Below are the results.  Some of the elections, notably the race for US Congress, aren’t settled yet.  Runoff Elections These are the races that will be in a runoff election: U.S. House District 3: Sheri Biggs vs. Mark Burns.SC House District 9: Blake Sanders vs. James Galyean.Pickens County… Read more »

Housing Supply Overview Sales of newly built homes fell 4.7% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 634,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, a 7.7% decrease from the same time last year. Demand for new homes softened due to higher sales prices, elevated mortgage rates, and an increase in existing-home supply, leading builder… Read more »

The primary election is Tuesday, June 11.  Please VOTE.  Visit SCVotes.gov to find your polling place.  Your REALTORS® Association has prepared a Voter Guide to help you evaluate the candidates.  You can download the REALTOR® Voter Guide by clicking here.  Primary elections are where voters choose the candidate who will represent the two major parties,… Read more »