Why do people buy fixer-uppers? They're looking for a real estate investment: Buy a home that needs work, throw some time and money into it, and sell it to make a profit. Fixer uppers are a way to buy a home in a preferred neighborhood that may otherwise out of reach financially. Fixer uppers also allow buyers to create their own design. Most new homes are designed for the greatest common person. Fixing up an existing home allows you to personalize your own living space. But you have to be careful: A fixer uppers can easily turn into a money pit, which is a nightmare for those homeowners who live on a week to week budget. And, fixer-uppers not only drain cash, but can take time away from something else that you can be doing, like spending time with the family.  The truth is, shaping up ... 09/05/2008

The Buyer's MarketIn a buyer's market, with more homes available for sale than qualified buyers to purchase them, buyers have the opportunity to get more for their money. Buyers will see that they'll be able to afford either a larger home in a better neighborhood or one with more amenities, such as a three-car garage or a gourmet kitchen.Sellers are usually desperate for buyers in a buyer's market, so homebuyers can take the time to shop around and think about what they've seen before writing an offer. In a buyer's market, the pressure is on the seller to come up with strategies to make his or her home look better than other homes. To expedite a sale, the home must be priced well, and be appealing inside and out. The seller might have to paint, clean, do minor kitchen or bathroom work, ... 09/05/2008

Looking for a new home can become a time consuming and overwhelming experience that'll test your patience. The hours and homes can quickly blur into one hazy memory. Here's how to optimize your house hunting hours and make the process manageable and memorable. 1. Create a wish list: Write down your housing wants and needs. Include all the physical characteristics you want or need, such as style, size, layout and room configuration, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the basic amenities you must have. 2. Use the Web: Most national real estate chains have a Web site that offers tons of information about their listings and the various cities and towns where they are located. You can find Web addresses in a local paper's real estate section or call local agents directly. 3. Keep a jo... 09/05/2008

  Are we getting tired of this yet??? Seems like many of the palms will look like this along Floridas East Coast and the Eastern Coastline of the US this weekend and the week to come. I hope everyone heeds the warnings and takes the necessary precautions to keep your home and your family safe. The local agents at Keller Williams Realty in Upstate South Carolina are offering to open their homes or  any available property or rental they may have, to another Keller Williams agent from the coastline that may have to evacuate their premises. I think this is a wonderful gesture and it just goes to show that: "KW CARES" Nance Burdette   09/05/2008

Wondering if anyone is going to visit...or preview...or just come  by to check out the decor!!! (Haven't even had much of that lately). Just for someone to pop their head in the door and say "HI, We're just looking" would be a welcome surprise. I remember the days when Real Estate was hopping and you wrenched when the next person came walking through that door. You couldn't hardly catch your breath or regain your composure. Those were the good old days, Wow!!! Times have changed!!!.... and this too shall change...I hope!!! Lonesome at Wynnbrook, Boiling Springs, South Carolina... Nance Burdette Keller Williams Realty nance@nanceburdette.com www.NanceBurdette.com     09/05/2008

  So you're looking to build your home's equity and you're wondering what will be the best way to go about recouping renovation investments and maximizing your home's sale price.here are the top ten upgrades that can promote your house to a top dollar sale. 1. Paint: A fresh coat of paint and ideally in the neutral color palate, can do wonders to enliven a space. Think about how color can tie in your entire home design. 2. Flooring: Hard wood flooring has garnered a very general popularity that doesn't seem to be going away and it is a great way to go, especially in dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms and even bathrooms. 3. Lighting: Go ahead and replace dated fixtures with new ones - maybe even consider making a statement with a fixture. The dining room fixture is one that you can be ... 09/05/2008

Benefits of Mortgaging a Bank Foreclosure! Mortgage less than the home is worth as the home is worth more than the sales price. Very often the mortgage company that originally foreclosed on the home will hold the mortgage on your purchase for a lower interest rate in order to get the property off of their books. By getting pre-qualified before you begin the purchase you will save yourself a great deal of time and anxiety. There are down sides when buying Bank Foreclosures The most difficult and time consuming purchase is a bank owned property as it requires that you do your own research and compile your own data. There is generally no information for the condition of the inside of the real estate and the possibility of entering is highly doubtful as the tenant/owner is normally not very... 09/05/2008

Home improvement projects can be a great investment, but they can also be very costly. Homeowners need to make sure the home improvements will be worth the cost. I found some useful tips from House Hunt Inc. concerning non-profitable home improvements.  High Maintenance Home Improvements- if the cost to purchase, install and maintain an upgrade is more than the benefits, it may not be a wise investment.  Home Improvements that need continued maintenance may not be a wise investment and a negative resell factor.  Overdone Home Improvements-Home Improvements that make your home "too nice" in comparison to other homes in your subdivision is not a wise investment. It is not wise be the house with all the upgrades in the subdivision, it does not always raise the value of your home.  Over Per... 09/04/2008

The Price House is a stately and unique brick house located near Spartanburg. Its sturdy Flemish-bond brick construction and three stories are not very common for this area. It was build in 1795 by Thomas and Ann Price on their 2,000 acre plantation. Thomas was a postmaster and operated a general store and tavern. The “house of publick entertainment” provided room and board for stagecoach travelers. The Price House can be visited year round on Sundays and between April-October on Saturdays, also. Take I-26 to Exit 28. Take 221 S towards Woodruff turn left at second light onto Hobbysville Road, go ca.3.5 miles, turn right into Price House Road, go ca. 3/4 mile turn right on Oak View Farms Road, Price house is on the fork of Price House Road and Oak View Farms Road. Open: Year round  Sun... 09/04/2008

My husband has heard me talk about staging a home and he has watched several television shows about staging. He understood the importance of removing the clutter and adding decorative touches to existing homes, but it always baffled him about staging a new construction home. Well, he finally was able to see it with his own eyes.  A new construction home that he and I both had seen several different times was staged for an upcoming open house event. He said, "I finally understand it now". "I can feel the flow of the house and the rooms". "I really like this house now". "It does make a difference." I have to agree with him.  So, seeing is believing and staging does make a difference. Have a Great Day! Ginger Ryals Keller Williams Realty     09/03/2008

Tropical Storm Hanna is moving toward South Carolina with the threat of hitting the east coast as a level 1 (at least) hurricane. Everyone is busy preparing for the threat of the looming storm including high school football . Most of the High School Games(upstate of South Carolina) that were scheduled for this Friday night have been moved up to this Thursday night in order to beat the looming storm. Please keep in mind that I am speaking only for the upstate of South Carolina where we will probably only see heavy rain and winds from the storm.  So it is Thursday night lights for the upstate of South Carolina this week. Please pray for all of the East Coast as this storm and the other 2 move toward the U.S. Have a Great Day! Ginger Ryals Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg   09/03/2008

1. Get top dollar for a home through creative marketing.2. Know how to deal with the  paperwork and avoid legal issues that can prevent a sale from closing.3. Are knowledgeable on asking buyers essential qualifying questions about their finances.4. Save sellers time by pre-qualifying buyers before taking them through their home.5. Schedule all showing appointments, preventing sellers from having to allow strangers into their home. 6. It all boils down to this: Real Estate Professionals consistently sell homes more quickly and for higher prices than someone would if doing it themselves. 7. Last but not least is you can relax and have us handle everything for you! 09/03/2008

The genes in cells carry the hereditary information that is received from a person's parents. Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5% to 10% of all breast cancer. Some altered genes related to breast cancer are more common in certain ethnic groups.  Women who have an altered gene related to breast cancer and who have had breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing breast cancer in the other breast. These women also have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, and may have an increased risk of developing other cancers. Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer also have an increased risk of developing this disease. Tests have been developed that can detect altered genes. These genetic tests are sometimes done for members of families wit... 09/03/2008

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Risk factors for breast cancer include the following: Older age. Menstruating at an early age. Older age at first birth or never having given birth. A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease. A mother or sister with breast cancer. Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest. Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram. Taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Drinking alcoholic beverages. Being white. 09/03/2008

Believing in oneself as a cancer survivor rather than a cancer patient is a monumental step on the path to recovery.  Every year, over 1 million people in the United States are told for the first time that they have cancer.  Because of advances in diagnostics and treatments, a large percentage of those patients will survive this disease. The Cancer Survivors Garden, planned for downtown Greenville, South Carolina will soon be a tribute to those living with cancer.  It is a place where the entire community can come together to celebrate the joy in realizing that cancer and survivor can be synonymous. I myself am a cancer survivor, I might not be finished with my chemotherapy yet but in my heart, my mind, i'm already a survivor. I'm having my treatments, holding my head high and dealing w... 09/03/2008

I took a couple days off for Labor Day and now I have zero motivation. My husband, my son and my dog seem to being moving slow today too. I seem to be sitting in neutral. I have plenty to do, but I can't seem to get in gear. Does anybody else have this problem when they take a vacation? Vacations are great, but it sure is hard to get back to the real world. I guess, my motivation is still on vacation. Have a Great Day Ginger Ryals Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg 09/02/2008

And the BEST part is.... I don't have to pay her Assistant wages. I have been very fortunate to have such a dedicated client who has had more time than I have to search the internet (along with what I'm sending them) for their new home since moving here to South Carolina. She claims she just loves searching the internet so she says she doesn't mind at all. She has forwarded every site and everything they want to preview and finding sites that I don't frequent or have never come across. I'm glad she has nothing to do except this and it HAS been very helpful. Course my greatest fear is...... getting bit in the end......Or else.. I'll have her working for me someday!!!   09/01/2008

My family was reminded of the seriousness of the drought in the South as we were driving down I-85 south from Spartanburg, South Carolina to Georgia. As we crossed over the bridges over Lake Hartwell, we saw barren land that was previously covered with water and docks that were surrounded by "beaches" instead of water. There was a thin strip of water in the middle of the lake, but for the most part Lake Hartwell looked very dry and lonely. It was a very sad sight to see. Have a Great Sunday! Ginger Ryals Keller Williams Realty 08/31/2008

Actually I'm speaking of Home Restoration or those Investors that like to "flip" properties. After visiting a couple again today I find it quite discouraging that some of these "guys" or "rehabers" as we'll call them for sake of this discussion, would do such a thing as to cosmetically cover up flaws that actually may have a horrible outcome in the future. I guess I'm from the old school. "If your going to do something, do it right.... I have seen excellent jobs and I have seen those that look pretty shabby, in my opinion. Makes a person wonder!!!??? Still wondering... Nance Burdette Keller Williams Realty 864-580-9604 nance@nanceburdette.com www.NanceBurdette.com   08/30/2008

Well , here we go again!!! Hurricane season is upon us. Looks like Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna will be the hot topic this weekend and first of next week. After "been there, done that" I know exactly how some folks are feeling..... watching the weather channel constantly. Stocking up on food items and medicines and preparing your home for the worst.  Although I didn't suffer the consequences of Hurrican Katrina, I did manage to survive Hurricane Charlie. And mind you I have nothing to whine about because I was in Central Florida. But heh, 90 MPH winds are nothing to shake a stick at. My compassion and my prayers will go out to the people along the costal areas. P.S. I feel somewhat out of the mainstream and direct impact since moving to South Carolina. Watching the Weather ... 08/29/2008