We help lots of people find great homes in Goose Creek, SC. A big part of that job is helping potential buyers navigate their way through the real estate process. Every step, from choosing neighborhoods to look at and setting a budget to making the offer itself, can be complicated. But all too often, that's where the advice ends. What happens next—after the seller has accepted your offer?

Once the offer is accepted, there are some basic steps you should expect. Most of these require action on your part, and while your realtor can walk you through them, it helps to know what to plan for. Here is the buying process from offer acceptance to moving in, in eight simple steps. 

1.  Earnest money – "Earnest money" serves as proof you are serious about the house and gives the seller some assurance you will follow through. It's a small amount by real estate standards, typically $1,000 and rarely more than $5,000. You pay this in cash immediately when the offer is accepted. The seller will keep this money even if you walk away—it serves as a form of compensation for their lost time on the market (though they may have other legal options as well). Assuming you follow through, it will be deducted from the amount you pay at closing.

2.  Home inspection – Most offers are made contingent on a home inspection. You should schedule the inspection right away when your offer is accepted. Ideally, search for and talk to a local inspector before the offer is accepted, so you can move quickly (your realtor can recommend a reliable local inspector). Be sure you ask the inspector what is and is not checked for on their inspection. If you pull out of a contingent offer due to inspection results, you will get your earnest money back.

3.  Mortgage paperwork – As part of the offer process, you signed a sales contract. Immediately when this is signed you should notify your lender. Presumably, they have pre-approved you for at least this amount, and they will now start the mortgage process. They will ask you for a lot of paperwork—make a checklist and get them everything as quickly as you can.

4.  Title commitment – A title commitment is an official review of the property title and its legal history. This is conducted by a title company that may be named in the sales contract. Your lender or realtor can refer you to a title company if needed. This report will show any liens on the property. If there is anything unexpected you should consult with a lawyer—do not take the seller's word for it.

5.  Appraisal – Your lender will start an appraisal process for you, but only when you tell them the inspection is complete and that the offer is going forward (so keep them in the loop). They will order the appraisal so that they can verify the house is worth the value being discussed.

6.  Insurance & warranty – Home insurance and a warranty is required by your lender, but you must obtain the insurance yourself. If your down payment is less than 10% of the price, you will likely also need mortgage insurance. Find out exactly what insurance and warranty your lender needs, then shop for quotes from multiple insurance agencies before you choose one.

7.  Closing date – The closing date is determined in the sales contract and is the "deadline" by which the above must be done. However, you will need the title company present at the closing, so you should call well in advance to make sure they have an opening. The closing itself is easy, as the paperwork should already be done and there should be no surprises.

8.  Utility transfer – You will want to either transfer utilities to your name or have them turned on if they were disconnected. In some states, there will be a list of utility transfer information in the Seller's Disclosure. If this isn't the case in your state, be sure to ask the seller for the info you need.

That's all it takes—the house is officially yours and you're ready to move in!

Can you believe it's already time to start another school year? It seems like summer just began! This can be a stressful and overwhelming time for both students and parents alike – especially parents who are trying to enroll their children in a new school system. However, if your child will be going to school in Goose Creek, you're in luck! Goose Creek, SC is the perfect environment for young students. Here are three reasons why:

1.  Highly Regarded School Systems – One of the biggest concerns that parents have when enrolling their children in a new school is the value of the education they will receive. It can be hard to find a good school in a new area that you are unfamiliar with, but Goose Creek's is one of the best. The teachers here are uniquely dedicated to ensuring that each student gets the attention that they need. Goose Creek schools always rank well above average in the area for quality education.

2.  Safe, Small Town Community Feel – Your child should have no problem making friends in this town, both at school and outside of it. Goose Creek prides itself on the friendly citizens and small-town community feel. It has 36,000 residents spread out over 32.5 square miles, which helps to keep everyone in town rather close-knit without the crowding of a larger city. The historic town also has a very low crime rate, which means that your children will be able to make friends and walk around town with very little fear for their safety.

3.  Fun Community Events and Activities for Everyone – Goose Creek, SC may be a small town, but that doesn't mean that it's boring. There are always plenty of community events and activities that your child can partake in. Your child can play at the many nearby parks, enjoy the annual Fall festival, and much more! Goose Creek is also famous for its historic churches, which your family can visit for a day of educational fun. And, if you are religious and looking for a church to attend, the area has an abundance of them in several different denominations. You'll have no problem finding a welcoming congregation that you and your child can get involved with.

Do you currently live in Goose Creek, SC? What do you love the most about it and what do you think makes it the perfect place for raising school-aged children? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts! 

Goose Creek, SC is one of the most popular suburbs of Charleston because of its convenient location, beautiful natural setting and, of course, the abundance of affordable real estate. If you're considering a move here, you have more options than you might think. Here are two ways you can move to Goose Creek.

#1: Invest in a home

Whether you have a family or hope to start one in the future, Goose Creek is an excellent place to invest in a home. This is one of Charleston's most up and coming suburbs, with a strong community spirit, beautiful homes, good schools, and minimal crime. The commute to the city center is short and easy. Properties in Goose Creek range from older homes with mature trees to newer constructions with luxury materials and open, modern designs. Prices in the Goose Creek area typically range from the $140,000s up to about the $400,000s, with a wide selection on the affordable side for middle class families.

There are many advantages to owning your own home in Goose Creek. As in other areas, it means that your home is an investment that is likely to appreciate over time and eventually pay off. It also means that instead of paying rent to someone else each month, you are effectively paying that money "to yourself." Goose Creek is an area that has been continuously in demand since the 1690s and is unlikely to experience major declines in home values.

#2: Rent a house

If you are moving to the Charleston area from far away, then you may not yet know Goose Creek very well and may want to check it out before you buy property there. One of the best ways to do that is to simply rent a house in the very community you are considering buying in—Goose Creek!

With its small-town feel and beautiful surroundings, Goose Creek will quickly woo you. There are a variety of rental homes in the area, including many luxury homes. This will give you a chance to learn the area, meet the neighbors, and experience Goose Creek for yourself. It also means your kids can start making friends, and you'll have time for a more in-depth home search if you decide that you like the area.

What has gotten you interested in Goose Creek? If you would like to learn more about the area, check out our listings and the official city website!

If you are thinking of moving to the Lowcountry of South Carolina, you'll probably be thinking of Charleston or somewhere thereabouts. A place like Goose Creek, SC for instance, offers small town country living with all of the amenities and advantages of the city close by. And Isle of Palms is famous for its beaches and recreational opportunities. The whole area has a tremendous history, as well, with many settlements dating back to the late 17^th century and plantations, churches, and other structures. Here are some of the top things to visit:

1.  Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum – This museum boasts some impressive crafts, for those interested in naval and military history. The aircraft carrier the USS YORKTOWN is housed here, along with a couple of the aircrafts that would have used it as a base during the Pacific Ocean Theater of WWII. It also offers the CLAMAGORE, a just post WWII submarine that was deployed for much of the Cold War. It holds the distinction of being the only intact Guppy III type of submarine left in the U.S.

(USS YORKTOWN)

2.  St. James' Church in Goose Creek – This tiny church was founded in 1714 by the Europeans who had come from Barbados to settle the area. The building is constructed of brick, stucco, and plaster, with a slate roof, and is considered one of the best examples of early religious architecture in the colonies. There is a small churchyard with historic graves on the property, as well. However, the church is active and the interior is only open to those who gain permission from the church wardens. Nonetheless, the building is a treat to see up close.

3.  Joseph Manigault House – This historic home is located right across the street from the Charleston Museum (and when you buy tickets for both together, they come at a discount). The house was built in 1803 for Joseph Manigault, a man of French Huguenot descent whose family had prospered in America as rice farmers. The house displays furnishings of American, French, and English make, all of which are of neoclassical design appropriate to the era. Some of these are original to the house, while others were bought to complete the museum collection (but all are authentic).

If you are considering moving to Charleston or an area near it like Goose Creek, SC, check out these great sites and the many others in the area. You'll realize why so many people are moving here. With this kind of cultural scene at your fingertips, weekends will never be boring.

Is there anything more exciting than moving to a new home? You get to have a brand new home, new friends, new job, and a virtually endless array of possibilities for your life. Whether you're moving to a small town like Goose Creek, SC or a big city like Charleston, moving can be an adventure – but some people aren't as prepared as they had originally hoped. If you want to ensure that you're making the right decision before you move, get the answers to these questions.

What do I know about the place I want to move?

Some people move because they have to for work, while others move because they fell in love with an area after learning a bit about it or visiting briefly. Your new town or city is a lot more than a few flattering sentences in a travel guide. Do you know about the laws in the area that you're considering? How much do you know about the schools in the area? Do you know what your tax situation will be like? If all you can say about an area is that it's beautiful or that it's "fun," you should start to re-think your decision to move.

Am I ready to start over in a new area?

This seems like a simple question, but a lot of people get caught up in the excitement of a move and forget to think about the logistics involved. If you're used to living around family members, are you ready to be farther away from them? Are you ready to start over at a new job? Relocation doesn't just mean that you're moving to a new house; it means that you essentially have to build a new life. If you aren't ready to start over, you may want to delay the move.

Can I afford to live in my new home?

The cost of living can differ dramatically from town to town, and local and state taxes may be different from what you're used to. Moving to a new place could mean that your cost of living isn't as low as you'd like it to be. Too many people make the mistake of thinking that moving anywhere different will be "cheaper," especially if they're moving from an urban area to a suburban one. Think about your finances before you settle on moving – if you don't, you could end up spending more than you'd like.

The closing on your new house is finally done, you've taken off a few days from work to devote time to the move, and you feel like you're finally ready for your new home or apartment. It may seem like you have everything under control, but there are always a few things people forget to do during a move. It doesn't matter if you're moving to Goose Greek, SC, Charleston, or somewhere else completely different. Moves can be stressful, and when you're spending time coordinating everything it can be easy to forget things. If your moving day is on the horizon, make sure that you don't forget to do these crucial tasks.

 Find your "hidden" items

You may think you have everything packed, but you may have forgotten some items in out of the way places. If you have crawl spaces, a garage or a shed, make sure that you do a final sweep of these areas. Don't forget about your attic and some of your shelves. People may also forget to pack the valuables they've purposely hidden away to keep safe from thieves. Make sure that you check any of your hidden safes, and boxes with money and jewelry.

Retrieve your loaned items

Who hasn't lent a few items to their neighbors and friends? A power drill, ladder, or appliance you aren't really using could help your neighbors a lot more than they help you. If you aren't careful, however, you could end up accidently making some loaned items into gifts. Make a list of things you've loaned to friends and neighbors over the years, and make sure that you collect everything before you move. Don't make the mistake of assuming that you'll have time to get items later – get them while it's on your mind and you're in moving mode.

Gather your records

Do your kids need to switch schools because of your move? Do you have to switch doctors because you won't be as close to your current one? Make sure to let the right people know that you're moving so that they can transfer any important documents or information before the move. Make sure that you do it now, and don't wait until you're in a bind.

Do a final clean up

Remember that hole in the wall you made when you're first moved in? Do you still see a blotch of spilled paint on the floor from that project a few years ago? Before you set your sights on a new home, clean any messes you made in the old one. It's a common courtesy to make sure that your old house is clean before you move, but you should go the extra mile and repair any damage you have made.

Most people, when they look to settle down and raise a family, have an idealized image of everything from the house they live in to the school district they send their children to and the places they spend their weekends. For many, this wonderful suburban utopia involves picket fences and main streets; these people can find what they're looking for in Goose Creek, SC. 

Residents Enjoy Southern Weather

For those in the north, snowfall is a mere par for the course during the winter months, but for the residents of Goose Creek, snow is a rare sight to see. While this fact may deter anyone looking to take a ski vacation from booking a flight to South Carolina, those that don't care for the white stuff can take pleasure in a southern winter in which the highs average around the upper 50s. 

A School District to Be Admired

One of the main factors that usually determine where people look to settle down is how the school district fares compared to those nearby. Goose Creek, SC has a lot going for it in the education department, not the least of which happens to be Marrington Middle School of the Arts. Goose Creek has 14 schools within its district, and Marrington Middle School of the Arts happens to be one of two there that garner a perfect 10 in the GreatSchools rating. A unique school within the area, Marrington can be a great place to send a child that demonstrates a gift in any variety of the creative arts. 

A Crossroads of Old and New

The town of Goose Creek is relatively new, having been established in 1961, but the area has a long history ingrained in this country's roots. This meeting of old and new is reflected in the houses that you can find within the town. While some developments are new and reflect a more modern look, there are still many old-fashioned homes on the market that retain the look of that classic southern home, complete with large porches, perfect for rocking chairs and porch swings. Regardless of your taste in homes, Goose Creek has you covered.

At Goose Creek, you can truly get all you want out of life and the place you live. If you've always wanted to live out the classic American dream, this is the place for you.