Greenville News - The Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Greenville metropolitan areas are expected to be among the nation's " front-runners " in the housing recovery this year, according to a trade magazine report.

Builders magazine's online version ranked Charleston 5th, Myrtle Beach 15th and Greenville 19th in its listing of top 20 healthiest markets in the nation. The rankings were based on building permits, resale values and job and income growth from 2009 data and 2010 projections. 

Mark Nix, executive officer of the Home Builders of South Carolina, said getting people happy and thriving is tied to jobs, quality of life and affordable housing. Charleston has done a good job at bringing jobs to the market. For example the new Boeing 787 plant in North Charleston.   

(Money Magazine) -- If you've been holding off on a real estate purchase, glimmers of the turnaround in the housing market may have you wondering if it's finally time to make your move. While home prices remain low, they're no longer free falling in most markets. Mortgages are historically cheap. And the sweet tax credit that was offered to new buyers last year has been extended to April 30 and expanded to include some current homeowners. 

Current homeowners who sign a contract to buy a home on or before April 30th get a dollar-for-dollar reduction on their taxes of 10% of the purchase price of the house, up to a maximum of $6,500 (first-time buyers get up to $8,000)

HOW MUCH COULD YOU LOSE BY WAITING.....

Besides the loss of the tax credit, the biggest game-changer facing buyers is a potencial jump in mortgage rates. If the Fed moves ahead with it's plan to stop buying mortgage backed securities at the end of March, the rate on the 30 year fixed mortgage is expected to increase nearly a full percentage point from today's 5.1% to 6.1% by the end of 2010, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. On a $300,000 fixed rate mortgage,  that's  an extra $174.00 a month!

CNBC reports that baby bommers are willing to move farther than previous generations and choosing places unlike stereotypical retirement hotspots.

Top places listed bt AARP are:

1. Loveland/Ft. Collins, Colorado

2. Las Cruces, New Mexico

3. Rehoboth Beach, Deleware

4. Portland, Oregon

5. Greenville, South Carolina*

6. Sarasota, Florida

7. Ann Arbor, Michigan

8. Tucson, Arizona

9. Montpelier, Vermont

10. Honolulu, Hi.

11. Santa Fe, New Mexico

12. Atlanta, Ga.

13. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA* 

First-time home buyers not only account for the largest share of home sales in many markets, but represent the fastest-growing segment of home sales in nearly half of those markets, brokers surveyed by Inman News report.

Second homes and move-up homes, on the other hand, are the most rapidly shrinking segment of their business, brokers responding to the survey said.

Homes sold to first-time buyers made up the largest share of home sales for 37% of brokers.  

- Great place to raise a family!

Charleston is a relatively small and very friendly Southern city. Many good private and public schools. Many home buyers looking for new schools move to Mt. Plesant. Other areas of Charleston also offer great schools such as the Charleston School of Arts in North Charleston. Local college options would be the College of Charleston in historic downtown Charleston and MUSC - Medical University of South Carolina.

Charleston Beaches.....

Charleston offers a great selection of beaches, such as, Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. 

Excellent year-around weather....

Charleston enjoys a semitropical climate with four seasons! Summers are warm and humid and winters are short and mild. Spring & fall are my favorite seasons with low-humidity and temps in the low 70s.

Real estate prices are low for all you get....

Even during the top of the market boom, sales prices have never greatly exceeded the actual home values. The home values have adjusted down approx. 20%. Single family homes start in the mid $100,000, condos, and town homes.

Stable and growing economy....

Charleston's economy is created from many privately owned businesses and some new large corporations. Boeing Commercial Aircraft is now building a new 787 plant which will be completed in 2011. The Boeing plant is expecting to hire 3,700 new employees. This should bring in additional Boeing subcontractors.

Charleston is a culinary and art destination.....

Charleston is well-known for it's many great restaurants offering Lowcountry cuisine. Historic downtown boasts many art galleries, antiques, and museums.

City of history....

From the battery, Fort Multrie, Fort Sumter, and the many plantations around the city. 

Boating.... 

If you do not have a boat you make sure a friend has one! Boating and fishing/shrimping are two activities that draw so many to live in the southeast coast. Charleston is a boating city with many rivers, creeks, and of course the harbor and Atlantic. Come visit soon!  

Charleston home sales are at a much more positive place thanks to the expanded government tax break for homebuyers. The median home prices rose about 2 percent to $195,534, reaching a high point for 2009.

Sales activity increased in the $200,000 to $250,000 range during December, helping push the median home price up. In all, the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors recorded a total of 618 local home sales last month, a 30% increase from December 2008.

Inventory listed for sale with Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service dropped 5% to 8,940 compared to November.For most of last year, much of the region's sales activity was driven by first-time homeowners, which put  downward pressure on prices. The number of homes that sold for $160,000 or less increased 18% from 2008-2009, according to association data. 

Many local, regional, and national builders are wondering whether new homes require 4,800 square feet of living space. Or media rooms and theaters with 100+ inch screens or six bathrooms. I'm now living in a custom home on Daniel Island that is just over 2,300 square feet with four bathrooms. My next house will be more like 2,600 square feet with three bathrooms. 

With the American hosuing market decline and new home purchase loans at a nine-year low new buyers want smaller and simpler new homes. The smaller designed homes also mean less energy spent, less water usage, and lower maintenance cost overall. The ego-driven markets of having a two story foyer when you enter the home are gone! Many builders see a more conservative approach to their newhome designs. There's no formal living room or grand staircase. Today's buyers want open floor plans with the kitchen, family room, and breakfast area all in one open-space.