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Thursday, April 15, 2004

South Carolina Barrier Islands Housing Sales Pick Up Wind

by Blanche Evans

South Carolina barrier island homes outside of Charleston, including those on Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island, are moving out of a buyer's market due to continuing low interest rates and higher demand.

"You will currently experience a definite buyer's market as we continue to see higher inventory in all prices, homes staying on the market longer and more price reductions," says Realtor Spencer Stegall. "Despite the buyers' market, it's not a market where buyers can 'steal' a home with a ridiculous offer. Sales prices are relatively stable, which means that sellers are mostly realistic about housing values."

Stegall suggests, "The housing market does continue to be strong, driven much by low interest rates. And even though interest rates have risen, in perspective, the current interest rates are still very good. Just a couple of years ago at this time, buyers would have jumped at interest rates under seven percent. And with interest rates still low (but rising), now is the time to buy or sell!"

Sullivan's Island

Says Realtor Cheryl L. Woods. "Like Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island is a coastal community with beautiful beaches and many recreational opportunities."

About the market, Woods says, "The real estate market on the Isle of Palms, SC, like most coastal communities, continues to be exceptionally strong with an increasing demand. Prices have stabilized somewhat since September, 2003, but will likely edge up as we get further into spring. Fortunately, interest rates continue to remain substantially under six percent, giving more people the opportunity to become homeowners and homeowners the opportunity to move up."

Published: April 15, 2004

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Blanche Evans is the publisher of Agent News and the associate editor of Realty Times, the Internet's largest independent real estate news service. She is the author of two best-selling real estate books: The Hottest e-Careers In Real Estate, Real Estate Education Company, an Internet marketing primer for real estate professionals, and homesurfing.net: The Insider's Guide To Buying And Selling Your Home Using The Internet, Dearborn, a consumer homebuying and selling guide. In 2000, she was recognized by the editors of REALTOR(r) Magazines as one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate," and in 2003 when the "Most Influential" list was updated, she was recognized as one of nine "Notables." She is also a frequent contributor to "Your Money" on CNN fn.
E-mail Blanche at: blanche@realtytimes.com

For more articles by Blanche, Click Here

Copyright © 2004 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.

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Sleepless In Indiana

by Stuart Lieberman

I received a letter recently from a reader in Indiana. He advises that a column that I had previously written on noise ordinances was informative and that he has his own noise problem.

According to the letter, this person lives in Indiana in a residential community. He advises that there are cars with loud radios (you all know what he means) that are playing their music at over 100 decibels. He indicates that he has discussed this with city officials on numerous occasions and that nobody seems to be willing to help him.

According to the reader, the city claims that its noise ordinances are "unenforceable." He wonders why the municipality would enact an unenforceable noise ordinance and why so many people are getting away with making this kind of noise. I wonder some of the same things. He calls these loud drivers "audio terrorists." The reader wants to know what recourse he might have and informs me that he is not "suit happy."

Many municipalities and state governments in the United States have tort immunity statutes. Under these laws, it is difficult to sue a government for all but a few kinds of actions. Generally, these statutes make it difficult to sue a local government for not enforcing its laws.

Therefore, if a person were inclined to sue its local police department for not enforcing its noise ordinances, such a lawsuit would likely not be successful if a statute existed that precluded these kinds of lawsuits. It’s important for people to check with a local lawyer to determine whether such a legal preclusion exists.

Most municipalities and local governments have noise limit statutes. These noise laws generally preclude noise that is disorderly or disturbs citizens' general welfare. In addition, many statutes preclude noises above certain decibel levels.

If the reader's state has a noise statute, the reader may have a private right as a citizen to file a lawsuit to enforce this statewide statute. Such an action is typically referred to as a "private attorney general" lawsuit. Again, these kinds of lawsuits are not available in every jurisdiction and where they are available, they are only available under limited circumstances. It is important to consult with a local attorney to determine whether this remedy might be available.

There is always a non-legal way to address loud cars. If the local police department refuses to enforce its laws, then the reader and his neighbors should consider attending town council meetings. They should attend as a group and should make it known that this group plans on attending until the problem is taken seriously. The reader might even want to consider purchasing t-shirts which will demonstrate that the group is both unified and determined.

Along those lines, consider contacting the press. Often in these kinds of neighborhood disputes, the press can play an important role in bringing attention to a mal-treated community's particular plight.

In conclusion, loud noise issues can be difficult to address and in certain instances the law may not provide that much help. The reader will need to consult with a local lawyer to determine the level of redress that may be available. However, neighborhood participation at town council meetings may very well provide the kind of relief needed: and that is a willing ear by the local police department.

Published: April 15, 2004

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Airport Noise Complaints Are On The Rise

Uncontrolled Noise Can Be Maddening

I've Been Living By The Railroad

Noises Off!

Tips for Reducing Household Noise in 2003

Environmental Issues & Your Home

Stuart Lieberman, Esq. writes about environmental issues. He was a New Jersey Deputy Attorney General assigned to the State Department of Environmental Protection from 1986 - 1990. Currently he is a shareholder in the environment law firm of Lieberman & Blecher, P.C., located in Princeton, New Jersey. He can be reached at slieberman@liebermanblecher.com.

Copyright © 2004 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.

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While Making Home Improvements, Think Safety

by Al Heavens

Are you making improvements to your house to get it ready for the market?

You'd better get a move on it, because the spring selling season is quickly slipping away.

While you are coming up with ideas on getting the most for your house, think safety. The Home Safety Council says this is the perfect opportunity to evaluate the safety of your home, identify hazards and fix them before an unintentional injury occurs.

What does the council recommend?

Install grab bars and non-slip decals in all bathtubs and showers.

Make sure all medications, cleaners, pesticides and chemicals are in their original containers and in a locked cabinet

Make sure all dangerous products have child-resistant caps, including cleaning products and chemicals.

Check to be sure flammable and combustible liquids are stored outside in a locked shed or the garage. Gasoline must never be stored or used in your home, even in small quantities.

As medicines age, the chemicals inside them can change. Be sure to flush all unidentified and out-of-date medications down the toilet, rinse the container well and discard it.

Store matches, lighters and candles in a locked cabinet, out of children's reach.

Have you replaced your smoke alarms' batteries this year? If not, insert new batteries in every smoke alarm.

Homes with young children should install window guards to keep children from climbing up and falling out of an open upper window. Make sure window guards also have a quick release mechanism so an adult can open them in case of a fire.

Make sure all porches, hallways and stairwells are well lit. Use the maximum safe wattage in light fixtures.

Place nightlights in guestrooms, bathrooms and walkways to help light the way during night-time hours.

If your home has an attached garage, a fireplace or wood stove, or has appliances and equipment powered by fossil fuels (such as gas or oil), you are at risk of potential carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Make sure your sleeping areas are protected by a UL-listed CO alarm. Regular inspection and cleaning of heating equipment and proper use and maintenance of all appliances and equipment can help reduce the risk of CO poisoning.

Put your poison control center number near every phone and make sure guests are aware of the number.

Use safety covers in electrical outlets and anti-scald devices in faucets in homes with young children.

Temperatures over 120F can burn a child's skin in seconds. Test your hot water at the faucet and have the water heater temperature adjusted to no higher than 120F. Some models can be adjusted by the homeowner. Contact your utility company with questions.

If you have a fire extinguisher, learn how to use it and install it properly, near an exit; children should not be permitted to handle a fire extinguisher.

Practice pool safety. If your house has a backyard pool, make sure that the pool is protected with four-sided isolation fencing (five-foot high fencing on all four sides of the pool area -- with no access directly from your house), and with a self-latching gate. Never prop open the gate.

Keep outdoor walkways and porches clean and in good repair. All steps should have a handrail. Repair broken or chipped bricks, cracks in cement and other hazards that could cause a fall.

When cleaning out closets or re-organizing, always keep stairs, steps, landings and all floors clear.

Carry loads you can see over, and keep one hand free to hold banisters and railings.

Five-gallon buckets are often used while cleaning and present a serious drowning danger to young children. Never leave a bucket or any standing water unattended and store buckets empty and upside-down.

Follow safety recommendations when using harsh products, such as wearing gloves and masks. Do not mix products together because their contents could react with dangerous results.

Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent and never use or store gasoline in your home, even in tiny quantities. Because its vapors can readily ignite, it is too dangerous to use gasoline for any purpose other than as a motor fuel.

When cleaning out cabinets, separate dangerous products and medications and lock them up, out of reach of young children.

Remember to reduce clutter and safely tuck away telephone and electrical cords out of walkways. In homes with children, make sure toys and other items are always safely put away when not in use.

If you need to climb, use a stepladder or ladder. When using a ladder, stand at or below the highest safe standing level.

Published: April 15, 2004

Related Articles:

If You're A New Homeowner, Resolve To Have A Safe House, Secure Finances In 2004

Make Safety Top Priority As Soon As You Move In

Smoke Detector Standard May Be Raised; Some Kids Aren't Awakened By Alarm

Renewed Focus On Window Covering Safety

Home Safe Home?

Moving Indoors Brings Safety Concerns

Childproofing Your Home

Babyproofing Your Home

Window Blind Cords Can Be Hazardous To Your Kids' Health

Al Heavens is a syndicated columnist who writes about real estate and home improvement. He appears regularly as the "Gadgeteer" on the Discovery Channel's twice-daily Home Matters Program.

Copyright © 2004 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.

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