Hello REALTORS®, From time-to-time, I report on government budgets and taxes, especially during the government budget season. One of my reports in June highlighted the 23% increase in property tax revenues in Pickens County’s 2026 budget. Some members asked me if I thought that was a tax increase. If your taxes increase—and most will—then it’s… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, Election Day in 2025 is November 4, and filing has closed for 39 city and town council seats and 5 mayors, so we know who is running in 14 of our cities and towns. Plus, 3 vacant seats on 3 councils will be on the ballot for special elections. In this Watchdog Report,… 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 signs that communicate that real property is for sale while local sign ordinances were updated. A decade ago, the U.S. Supreme… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, Last week, the SC Association of REALTORS® (SCR) reported that the EPA is in South Carolina again looking for violations of the federal Lead Paint Rule. Enforcement of the Lead Paint Rule in South Carolina is led by the EPA’s Atlanta office. However, the SC Department of Environmental Services also has enforcement responsibility… Read more »
Read MoreHousing Supply Overview U.S. new-home sales increased 0.6% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 627,000 units, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite the monthly gain, sales were down 6.6% from the same period last year. The median sales price for new homes fell 4.9% from the previous month to $401,800 and was… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, A long time ago, when I didn’t have gray hair, I worked for your state association on the advocacy team. I moved over to SCR from the Home Builders Association. An issue the HBA was working on at the time was vested rights, and your REALTORS® Association recognized its importance to your industry… Read more »
Read MoreAnderson, SC — The Western Upstate Multiple Listing Service (WUMLS) is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Roomvo, a leading provider of immersive visualization technology for home products. This collaboration introduces innovative new tools that empowers users to visualize flooring, paint, and other interior elements in real-time within listing photos or personal spaces. Through… Read more »
Read MoreNew Member Benefit Delivers Tools for Visibility, Leads, and Long-Term Growth EUGENE, Ore., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Western Upstate Association of REALTORS® (WUAR) has partnered with iHomefinder to bring its members exclusive access to the industry’s leading platform for real estate growth. With smart automation, high-intent lead tools, and a proven system for building lasting pipelines,… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, This Watchdog Report focuses on infrastructure funding, particularly roads, and how it affects Realtors. Last week, Anderson County Council gave first reading to an ordinance to hold a referendum on whether to collect an additional penny sales tax for roads. Second reading is set for this week. Another Penny Sales Tax Referendum? You… Read more »
Read MoreHello REALTORS®, Elections aren’t held just every four years, or even two years. In fact, at almost any time there is a special election scheduled somewhere in South Carolina. There have been two special elections in the Western Upstate so far this year, including one this week for the mayor of Honea Path. And regularly… Read more »
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