Shannon’s Blog

If you have a Smart Phone (I-phone, Blackberry Storm, Droid, etc.), be sure to check out shannonr.com the next time you need Real Estate information but are away from your computer.

When you view the site from a mobile browser, you will automatically be redirected to our “Smart Phone” site.  The site has been formatted to display our Homes For Sale Pages, Open House Page and our Contact Form.  Best of… Read the rest

Interest rates are unbelievably low!  We have been getting local quotes at 4.5% for a 30-year mortgage and  3.875% for a 15-year mortgage.    To get an idea of just how low the rates are in historical terms, check out this rate tracker website.  If you scroll down and review the graphs, you can see that for the past 30-years it is very rare for rates to drop this… Read the rest

It is back to school time!  Of course, this time of year kids already know where (and when) they will be going.

If you are looking for a home in North Augusta, Augusta, Columbia County or Aiken, the school zone for your new home is very important.  These links provide you with current zoning information:

Aiken County     |     Columbia County    |     Richmond County

I have had a few Cients ask about putting a mortage calculator on our site.  I have been concerned that a Customer might enter faulty or out of date information, and then rely on the data from the calculator.  My suggestion is for Clients to contact a Mortgage Professional early in the process of looking for a home.  A good lender will, or course, have up to date information regarding rates, terms,… Read the rest

Most people in North Augusta, Augusta and Aiken know that we work hard to meet the needs of both Home Buyers and Home Sellers.  We always hope that our website reflects how dedicated we are to helping our clients.

Fewer people realize that we also manage rental properties.  To be perfectly honest, it can be challenging to be a Landlord.  That is why we have developed and implemented comprehensive systems… Read the rest

May 25, 2010 …Mortgage rates are at a 25-year low!  Over the weekend, local lenders were quoting rates at 4.625% for a 30-year mortgage and  4.250% for a 15-year mortgage.  With low rates and affordable prices, many people think that it is an ideal time to buy a home.

Of course, the Home Buyer Tax Credits, which expired with contracts written after April 30th, received a lot of publicity.  However,… Read the rest

It often seems like Real Estate stories dominate the news. From home buyer tax credits to interest rates to the effect of residential real estate on the U.S. economy in general, there is a new story every day. Most stories refer to real estate in business or economic terms.

With all of this news, it is easy to forget that your Home is much more than an investment. A Home… Read the rest

I often have Clients that hope to get a great deal on a short sale or foreclosure.  Although there are not as many homes in North Augusta, Aiken or Augusta that fall into this category as in other markets, we have helped some Clients find a good deal on these properties.  However, the key factor in finding and purchasing one of these homes is PATIENCE.

First, let me define a… Read the rest

Like most people with their home in Augusta or North Augusta, I am often asked if I take vacation during Masters Week.  In fact, many people assume that since I am a Realtor that it is a great week to leave town.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Since I work with Buyers, it is a great time to help my clients find their new home.  Given that it is also… Read the rest

If you are looking at homes for sale, the big news is that the Federal Reserve ended its program of buying mortgage backed securities, which was an effort to keep mortgage rates low.  What does this mean if you are looking to buy a home in North Augusta, Aiken or Augusta?  As usual, the experts have differing opinions.  Some expect rates to go higher, some expect little impact and some think that it will only… Read the rest