Real estate agents Charleston SC recently learned that 81% of American adults still believe that buying a home is the best investment a person can make, according to a nationwide study by the Pew Research Center. This is only a 3% decrease from 20 years ago when 84% of American adults thought it was the best investment a person can make, based on a CBS News/New York Times survey.

Charleston SC real estate agents recognize that the housing market has been tumultuous over past several years, but are not surprised that homeowners consider their Charleston SC real estate their most prized investment. While Charleston home rentals continue to trend, generally most adults aspire to own their home.

Houses for sale in Charleston SC are priced more reasonably than a few years ago, making buying more affordable than renting in some areas. The Pew study also found that 81% of renters would prefer to own a home rather than continue to rent. In addition, 47% of homeowners state their home is worth less now than before the recession; 31% say its value has remained the same; and 17% claim their home is worth more than before the recession.

With home prices declining, now is the perfect time to rent or buy homes for sale in Summerville, Charleston, West Ashley or the surrounding areas. Call a Golden Bear Realty expert today to learn more about Charleston SC real estate.

Charleston waterfront property for sale offers sensational views of the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, Ashley River, Cooper River, Charleston Harbor, or one of the many tidal creeks. Charleston SC realtors are quick to point out these fabulous views to potential home buyers, but many realtors fail to point out a more economic advantage to waterfront homes: natural light.

Waterfront homes for sale in Charleston typically have large, open windows to create a panoramic view of the water. These windows bring in a vast amount of natural light, which is not only aesthetically cheerful and uplifting. Windows that beam natural light save energy and, in turn, money because the light switch is not being flipped on and off all the time. In addition, natural light discourages mold and mildew, a pesky problem that many Low Country homes have to fight.

Charleston SC real estate agents recommend the following ways to invite more natural light into waterfront homes for sale.

• Install a skylight. For wider homes, light from the windows do not always reach the interior. Albeit a more costly, a skylight can easily solve this problem. Tubular skylights, a smaller, better insulated version, are preferred for closets or rooms with no windows. This type of skylight emits a surprising amount of both sunlight and moonlight because of its reflective surface.
• Take down walls. Older homes were designed with more interior walls that block sunlight from penetrating into the living area. By removing walls, the area will feel more spacious and allow more natural light to seep through the rooms.
• Paint it bright. An easy, inexpensive way to brighten up a room is by painting the walls a lighter color.
• Hang mirrors. Placing mirrors directly across a window will bounce the light around and make dark corners disappear. An added bonus, mirrors will also make the room seem bigger.
• Make your windows bigger. When it’s time to upgrade to better insulated windows, go ahead and make them larger on the south side of your home. This will allow more light in the winter, while keeping sun out in the summer.

Waterfront property for sale in Charleston and the surrounding areas, including Mt. Pleasant real estate, can easily be upgraded to provide an abundance of natural light. To view waterfront properties, call a Golden Bear Realty expert today.

Charleston real estate comes alive this holiday season with a host of special events, shopping strolls, and city traditions. Charleston real estate for sale should ideally be showcased during this season since many residents, tourists, and potential buyers will be driving through area neighborhoods at night to see the arrangement of festive lights and Christmas decorations. If you have never thought about what your Charleston real estate for sale looks like at night, now is the time to do so. Evaluating the nightly appearance of your home now will be beneficial today as well as after the Christmas decorations are put back in the attic.

Charleston SC real estate agents stay busy showing property well after sunset. Potential buyers are turned off by dark and dreary houses, but admire homes with a beautiful lit walkway and welcoming front door. Charleston real estate that is visible at night has an added level of security and lends itself to entertaining. Here are some ideas to help light your Charleston home.

1. Keep outdoor and indoor lights on. If your Charleston real estate is on the market, leave the lights on during the evening hours. If you get home after dark, try putting the lights on a timer.
2. Add security lights. If your home does not already have spot lights or flood lights, consider installing them now. Flood lights work well on the corner of a home or above the garage.
3. Improve walkway lighting. Lights around walkways provide a level of safety. You don’t want to create a runway effect, however, so use sparingly.
4. Consider landscape lighting. Professional landscape companies can help you create a moon-glow effect on your shrubbery, flowers, and trees. If you are installing yourself, be sure to conceal the light fixture behind foliage so it is not visible.

Adding exterior lights is not overly expensive and is an easy way to get your home noticed by potential buyers who are driving through Charleston communities. If you are planning to sell your Charleston real estate, call a Golden Bear Realty representative today.