Entertaining Ideas!

Hard to believe but there are less than two weeks until Halloween!  Once you get settled in your new home it's natural to want to show it off - maybe with a Halloween or Fall Party?  Here are some easy but eye-catching Autumn recipes to use at your big event!

Click on the images below to get step-by-step instructions!

What are some of your favorite recipes?

Financing Options

Financing a new home is often one of the more intimidating aspects of the home buying process.

To ease some of that anxiety, we're explaining three of the major loan programs, FHA, VA and USDA.

FHA Loans:
FHA loans are mortgages that are backed by the Federal Housing Administration. These loans are especially attractive for buyers who don't have a large down payment, could use some credit help, want to keep their monthly payments as low as possible or have any concerns about increasing monthly payments. FHA loans offer competitive interest rates and typically require less money down.

VA Loans:
A VA loan is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is available for eligible Veterans, Active-Duty Personnel, Reservist or  National Guard members and some surviving spouses.  In most cases no down payment is required with a VA loan, the interest rates are competitive and closing costs are comparable to other loan options. VA loans also do not require private mortgage insurance.

USDA Loans:
USDA loans are also known as Rural Development Loans and are backed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Eligibility is limited to rural areas as designated by the USDA. Loans do not require a down payment. Lenders will evaluate your debt to income ratio and credit score to ensure that you qualify.

These are only three of the financing options available. Talk with a lender to find out which program is right for you.

Choosing your color palette

Building a custom home involves many decisions, maybe none more important or difficult than choosing your color palette.  Here are some tips from the experts on how to make that decision just a little easier.

• Start with your formal areas first - dining room, living room and entry way. 
• Rule of thumb - use darker colors on the floor, medium shades on the wall and lighter colors for the ceiling
• Think about the colors you wear. People typically buy clothes in colors they like or look good in. Keep these colors in mind for your home as well.
• Use this ratio - 60 percent dominant color, 30 percent secondary color and 10 percent accent color
• Work within the same hue if you find a color you love
• Consider your lighting. Observe your room or space in morning, afternoon and evening light. Light will greatly affect paint colors.
• Decorate for yourself. It's okay to get opinions from friends or family but ultimately it's your home and you have to live there. Choose what you like even if other people don't.

Things are looking up!

Here's a look at improving numbers from the South Carolina Association of Realtors. These figures are based on August MLS data.

New Listings in South Carolina increased 5.9 percent
Pending Sales are up 6.7 percent
Inventory levels shrank 6.6 percent

Median sales price increased 6.5 percent to $164,950
Days on market down 13.6 percent to 111 days

Housing sales increased as the mortgage rates increased and encouraged buyers who were on the fence to make a decision. Rates are still at historic lows and now is a great time to buy as the market is on the upswing.

Fall Lawn Care

Sunday is the first day of Fall - a very important season for your lawn health. That's right, if you prepare your lawn for going dormant this winter you'll be rewarded in the spring with a lush vibrant yard!


Mowing and watering are still important tasks to keep up in the fall. Temperatures are cooler but if you aren't receiving regular rainfall you will need to continue to water your lawn.  Mow on a higher setting to provide some extra insulation for your yard before the winter sets in.

Fall is also time to plant your spring bulbs, reseed the thin patches in your yard and go after those pesky weeds. 

Once the leaves start falling make sure to rake them up so they don't cut off your lawn's supply of sunlight and oxygen.

What lawn care tips do you employ to take care of your yard for the Fall and Winter?

Selling Your Home This Fall

Need to sell your current home before you can buy your new Paradime home?  You may have picked a good time. Mortgage rates are low and home values are going up. Potential buyers are looking to be settled before the Holidays.

Here are some tips for selling during the Fall season.

1. Strong Web Appeal
Home buyers are going online to search for homes. Make sure you have plenty of photos and information available about your home. As always keep the clutter to a minimum so the potential buyer can get a good look at each room.

2. Move-In Ready
Today's buyers want the home in move-in condition. Take care of any minor improvement issues before buyers come to see your home. This includes issues with paint, flooring, and the exterior. Curb appeal is so important!

3. Lots of Light
Let the Fall light and fresh air inside! Open your blinds and windows if the weather permits. Keep the overall home temperature comfortable.

4. Create Cozy
The Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of all those cozy things that make us feel at home. Purchase a lightly scented candle, accentuate your fireplace if you have one, decorate the entryway with some potted plants.

What are you doing to sell your home this Fall?

The Closing Process

Once you’ve found your new home and construction is almost complete, it’s time to start thinking about the last step in your home buying journey – the real estate closing or settlement.

At the closing is where ownership will be transferred from the seller to the buyer.  This involves some time, patience and paperwork, but if you plan ahead you can make this a smooth process.

Talk with your Lender or Realtor about a week before closing to make sure you understand what paperwork you are responsible for bringing.  If there are costs involved such as a down payment, escrow or mortgage fees, you may need a certified check so find out the exact amount you will need to provide. 

Give yourself plenty of time! You’ll want to review the documents and make sure there are no typos or errors.  Allowing for a good block of time will help to alleviate some of the stress of that process.  Also, in case of delays, don’t arrange for your moving truck on too tight a schedule. Create some overlap so you don’t have to be out of one house the same day as you move in to another.

Remember, once you finish signing that mountain of paperwork you’ll be the owner of a brand new home!