Savannah Hill, REALTOR®

Licensed in South Carolina

Tag: Real Estate

  • Buying in Irmo, SC: Schools, Lake Murray Access, Commute & What to Watch For

    The Midlands suburb everyone asks me about, minus the guesswork. If you’re weighing whether to buy in Irmo, here’s the short answer: it’s worth a close look if you want lake access, a specific school district, and a shorter commute into Columbia without downtown prices. The tradeoff is that well-located homes near Lake Murray or…

  • Lake Murray Homes Are Gorgeous — But Here’s What Buyers Miss

    Every summer, my inbox fills up with some version of: “I’ve always wanted to live on Lake Murray… what’s the catch?” And listen, I get it. Spend one good weekend on the water and suddenly your brain is house-hunting from a pontoon boat. But lake property is not the same as buying in a traditional…

  • I Love Zillow. Here’s Why I Still Tell My Buyers Not to Rely on It Alone.

    Think you’ve seen every home on Zillow? Learn why search filters, listing photos, and local market knowledge can make all the difference when buying a home in South Carolina.

  • Stop Waiting for the “Perfect” Mortgage Rate to Buy a Home

    Wondering if you should wait for lower mortgage rates? Learn why the “perfect” rate may not save you money, what buyers in South Carolina should know, and how today’s market could actually work in your favor.

  • What the NAR Settlement Means for South Carolina Home Buyers

    And why it is not the scary mess the headlines made it sound like If you have been following real estate news lately, you have probably seen headlines about the NAR settlement, buyer agent commissions, new paperwork, lawsuits, and about twelve different versions of “real estate will never be the same.” Super helpful, right? Not…

  • The Evolution of Buyer Agency: From Past to Present Standards

    Update: This article was originally published before the 2024 NAR settlement practice changes. For the most current explanation of South Carolina buyer agreements and buyer agent compensation, please read my updated guide here. The Evolution of Buyer Agency: From Past to Present Standards Imagine a time when real estate transactions lacked the structure and safeguards…

  • The Truth About Mortgages!

    The Honest Truth About Mortgages (and Why Your Rent Payment Doesn’t Guarantee Approval) If you’ve been renting for a while, you’ve probably watched rent prices climb with an increasing sense of dread. With every payment, you might feel like you’re getting nothing back for it. That’s not wrong. It’s why more renters are thinking seriously…

  • Is a Bidding War Your Next Battle? Tips to Cope and Possibly Avoid Them.

    In the current real estate landscape, you might be thinking that the surge in interest rates would quell the constant bidding wars. However, contrary to these hopes, bidding wars are far from extinct. They’re so prevalent that they might even seem like the new normal. Are we doomed to compete endlessly for our dream homes?…

  • The Sweet Rewards of Hard Work: What It Actually Feels Like to Hand Over Keys

    A look at the Columbia Metropolitan Area and what it feels like to hand over keys to someone’s new home. There’s a specific moment at every closing that I still don’t take for granted: handing over the keys. It sounds simple. It’s not. By the time we get there, you’ve made a major financial decision,…

  • DIY vs. Professional Organizers: Making the Right Choice for Home Organization

    When you’re getting ready to list, decluttering and organizing isn’t optional — it’s the work that determines whether buyers walk through your front door and see a home they want, or a space they have to mentally clear before they can picture themselves there. The question most sellers ask: should they tackle it themselves or…