News

February 2024 Market Reports

Monthly Indicators U.S. existing-home sales grew 3.1% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.00 million, exceeding economists’ expectations and marking the strongest sales pace since August 2023, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Falling interest rates late last year, coupled with a recent uptick in inventory, helped existing-home sales to climb… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – March 18, 2024

Hello 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 for protection of signs that communicate that real property is for sale while local sign ordinances were updated across the Western Upstate.  Almost a decade ago, the U.S…. Read more »

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Watchdog Report – March 11

Hello REALTORS®, Federal Funding for HUD The federal budget is divided into 12 different bills.  For years, Congress has failed to pass them, and they haven’t passed a budget on time since 1996.  Continuing resolutions have become regular order.  The current fiscal year, which started October 1, 2023, is no different except that maybe this… Read more »

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Watchdog Report – March 4, 2024

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 »

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Watchdog Report – February 26th

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 »

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Watchdog Report – February 20, 2024

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 »

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Watchdog Report – February 13, 2024

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 »

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January 2024 Market Updates

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 »

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Watchdog Report – February 5, 2024

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 »

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Watchdog Report – January 29, 2024

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 »

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