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Hello REALTORS®, Later in this report, I cover National Flood Insurance Program authorization.  Be sure to read through this report so you know what to expect this month regarding flood insurance.  But first, signs. Signs and sign ordinances can be beneficial to Realtors, but they also come with responsibility.  Over the last several years, your… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, Your Western Upstate Association of REALTORS® is actively involved in local government.  From counties, to cities, to school boards, to the local utility district, we monitor and advocate for Realtor interests.  Our goals: To facilitate this effort, your association has asked a small team of members to guide our advocacy.  The Grassroots Government… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, During the last year, we have been fortunate to have some great speakers on the economic conditions and forecasts about the future.  The hot question recently is when will interest rates go down?  We had the perfect speaker for that topic: Dr. Laura Ullrich, Senior Regional Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, Sometimes, when attending local government meetings, I hear information that our members need to know.  That was the case this week in Anderson.     During the work session before the regular city council meeting, Anderson City Manager David McCuen briefed city council on the city’s recent efforts to step up enforcement of their… Read more »

Monthly Indicators U.S. existing-home sales slipped 1.0% month-over-month and were down 6.2% year-over-year as of last measure, while pending sales jumped 8.3% from the previous month, marking the largest gain since June 2020, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Mortgage rates have dropped significantly from their peak last fall, and homebuyers are beginning… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, Your SC REALTORS® Association is unparalleled in their advocacy of Realtor issues at the SC State House and in state government.  The SC Advocacy Team is chaired by Hilton Head Island Realtor Brian Kinard and led by Chief Advocacy Officer Lindsay Hutto.  The SCR Legislative Committee has 17 members from around the state,… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, Last week, I shared with you building permit data across the Upstate.  Overall, building permits are up 16.5% since 2018, although they seem to have leveled off after the crazy year—2021.  In fact, it looks like 10,000 to 11,000 new housing starts across the six Upstate counties is the new normal, about the… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, Fortunately, the Federal government didn’t shut down last weekend.  President Biden signed another continuing resolution to fund the government, and extend the Federal Flood Insurance Program, until mid-March.  Building Permits We often use building permit data to help us advocate for Realtor interests with local government.  It pays to keep accurate data.  And… Read more »

Hello REALTORS®, Government can be slow to get started in a new year, but when it comes to real estate issues, it has been anything but slow these first two weeks of 2024.  Below is an update on several issues on which we are working. Congress Congress is again bumping up against a deadline to… Read more »

Monthly Indicators U.S. existing-home sales rose from a 13-year low, climbing 0.8% from the previous month and breaking a five-month streak in which sales declined, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Despite the increase, sales were down 7.3% compared to the same period last year, as affordability challenges continue to hinder prospective buyers…. Read more »