Hello REALTORS®, Each year, at this time of year, local governments step up enforcement of their business license ordinances. Many hire consultants who search online data to identify businesses that aren’t in compliance. However, a real estate sign is a good indicator that a Realtor is doing business in the area. Most cities in South… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, Signs and sign ordinances can be beneficial to Realtors, but they also come with responsibility. Over the last several years, your REALTORS® Association successfully lobbied across the Western Upstate for protection of real estate signs, that communicate that real property is for sale, while local sign ordinances were updated. More than a decade… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, Over the last month, I have been reporting on the status of your REALTORS® Association’s advocacy efforts. Last week, I covered state government. This week, I am reviewing NAR’s efforts on your behalf in Washington, DC. The most important news from NAR is its emphasis on advocacy, which NAR detailed in its Annual… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, The South Carolina General Assembly returned last week for the second half of their regular two-year legislative session. Several Realtor legislative initiatives are pending. Below is a report on some of those initiatives as well as the status of several bills that affect Realtors that are being monitored by your state advocacy team…. Read more »
Read MoreHouse Supply Overview U.S. pending home sales climbed to their highest level in nearly three years, rising 3.3% month-over-month, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a 1.0% increase in contract signings. On a year-over-year basis, pending home sales advanced 2.6%, with both monthly and annual gains recorded across… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, It’s a new year. Our cities, most of which held elections in November, have sworn in new officeholders and elected new leaders. I follow these changes each year, and I thought you might want to read a summary of the changes. Realtor Achievements Four Realtors recently took office: In addition, Realtor Allie Winter,… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, It’s the New Year, and an important deadline looms for some property owners who may be eligible for relief from property taxes: January 31. Assessable Transfer of Interest The 25% assessable transfer of interest (ATI) exemption allows a taxpayer to reduce the property tax value of certain newly acquired property by as much… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, Your Association of REALTORS® made a major commitment to government affairs over the last several years. NAR, SCR, and your Western Upstate Association of REALTORS® each devote considerable resources to help protect the interests of Realtors and property owners and help provide a level playing field for real estate activities. We did score… Read more »
Read MoreHousing Supply Overview Nationally, pending home sales rose 1.9% month-over-month, driven by gains in the Northeast, Midwest, and South, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a 0.5% increase for the month. Year-over-year, pending sales were down 0.4%, with the Midwest and South reporting increases, while the Northeast and… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, ‘Tis the Season…for business licenses at least. Most cities in South Carolina require a business license to conduct business in their city. Nearly all of them impose a business license tax as well. The tax is not insignificant. In fact, most cities receive a substantial portion of their revenue, sometimes as high as… Read more »
Read More
