rainbow rowBuying a home can be daunting and buying one in Charleston can pose additional stresses. Such as wind and hail zones along with flood zones. Both will affect the cost of your insurance and therefore the overall cost of your home. When I first moved here I never thought Charleston was in an earthquake zone, but apparently it is. So earthquake insurance is also a consideration.

As they say in real estate, location, location, location. Charleston is one of the best places to live in the U.S. and people are finally catching on to this best kept secret. The housing market is hot and is showing no signs of slowing down. Great corporations like Boeing and Benefitfocus are growing and bringing some of the best minds in the country to the area. There’s so much room for expansion and home prices are relatively cheap for the type of lifestyle that comes with a Charleston address.

There’s unlimited outdoor activities, the best beaches in the country, restaurants rival New York and Chicago’s best and the overall quality of life can’t be matched.

So how do you get your slice of this pie? First you’ll need to talk with a well qualified mortgage professional in order to find out what you qualify for and what type of loan works best for your situation. How long will you live in Charleston? 3-5 years, or do you plan to retire here? Do you have young or older children? Is proximity to work important? Will you be getting a raise in the near future? These are just a few of the questions we’ll pose to you so we can provide the loan that best suits your needs.

After you’ve been properly approved for the loan the next step is to get with the best Realtor in the area so he/she can match you up with the home you desire. As I mentioned the Charleston market is red hot and available homes are not a plenty. Working with the best agent will have great impact on a successful house hunt. Also the agent will be critical in avoiding the costly insurance areas that I mentioned earlier.

For more information on the Charleston are please visit these sites:

Charleston information
Charleston Visitors Bureau