Home Matters! The Cobb Group Blog - Market Trends & Insider Insights

The Biggest Mistakes Home Buyers and Sellers Make

It’s the largest investment many people will ever make—and the most emotional one. That can be a bad combination.

When people say they “fell in love with a house,” they would do well to remember another common saying: Love is blind.

Overcome by strong emotions, potential buyers of the biggest investments of their lives overlook things like a lousy view, choppy floor plan or ancient mechanical systems. Likewise, would-be sellers are often so eager to sell—or so in love with the homes they’re leaving—that they are blind to the house’s fixable flaws, or to the need to plan for capital-gains taxes.

And that’s how it goes in normal times. The current frenzied real-estate market is only exacerbating those emotion-driven mistakes—with buyers…

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Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

Fall is the time! Historically this is a very strong time of the year to sell and this year proves to be as busy as ever. The market is up and inventory is critically down making it a terrific Seller's market. With the crunch of the holiday's around the corner, buyers are willing to pay a premium for convenience and are eager to be settled before family arrives. The Fall market brings serious buyers and sellers making it worth everyone's time. Homes always look very inviting this time of year setting the scene for a TOP DOLLAR sale. The Cobb Group is dedicated to help you sell your home this Autumn. Give us a call today!

In 2021, Make Hay While the Sun Shines

Moving is a big deal, and the decision of whether to sell your house now or wait is…

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The Soaring Appeal of Pickleball in the South

How many of you are pickleball players? Did you recently get into it? Many existing communities are furiously modifying tennis courts to add pickleball courts and newer communities are including these in their amenity design. It has certainly picked up in popularity over the past few years. It is not hard to find a friend or neighbor who's playing. We've even had requests from clients who are looking for homes in an active pickleball community. No problem there! Port Royal just newly resurfaced 6 new courts for player use and Palmetto Dunes is one of the most active pickleball communities around. Even vacationers can get in on the fun!

Okay, so if you don't play and you don't get the appeal, maybe this article will shed some light and who…

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Electric-Car Charging Stations Give the Home Garage a Powerful Upgrade

High-end homeowners are outfitting their garages with heavy-duty outlets, solar panels and battery walls

When Peter Van Deerlin got his first electric vehicle in 2012, the now-57-year-old doctor wanted to be able to charge his car quickly enough to get to the hospital for middle-of-the-night emergencies. 

He chose a Tesla Model S with a dual charger inside the car (a feature that the car maker later dropped) and installed a 100-amp electrical line in his garage in Moorestown, N.J. 

The 100-amp line—the standard household outlet is 15 or 20 amps—served the couple well, said his wife, Vivianna Van Deerlin, 57, also a doctor. They have since expanded their fleet of electric vehicles, which now includes a Tesla Model 3, Model S and Roadster.

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9 Ways to Disaster-Proof Your Home Against Storms

Turns out a tidy yard and clean gutters do way more than just look nice.

Sure, cleaning your gutters and trimming your trees may not seem like heroic tasks, but hey, when a thunderstorm is doing its worst outside, those mundane little jobs are your home's armor.

So suit-up the whole place. These nine tips will get your home ready for disasters, like water damage to your home, power outages, and fires. (You'll save yourself a pretty penny, too.)

#1 Clean Gutters to Prevent Water Damage

It's a fairly simple task, but so easy to put off. Who wants to schlep out a ladder for an afternoon of gutter cleaning?

But clogged gutters mean storm water can overflow, saturating — and possibly penetrating — your home's foundation. Gutter build-up can…

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How to Stay Cool at Night, Even When You’re a Hot Sleeper

You might recognize a particular sensation: You climb into bed and drift off to sleep, your head comfortably rested on the cold side of the pillow. And then, in the middle of the night, you’re roused awake, your limbs sweaty as you toss the covers aside. The struggle for hot sleepers is real.

The good thing is there are measures you can take to reduce your chances of having consistent unpleasant wake-up calls: Your bedding, mattress, and even the time you eat dinner have an affect on your body temperature as you sleep. Here are a few myths to stop believing—and what to do instead to get the best, perfectly cool sleep. 

Myth: You Should Only Take Cold Showers

“Contrary to popular belief, a warm shower or bath is a great way to cool down,”…

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Throwback to Simpler Times

Many islanders and Blufftonians are opposed to the new bridge changes that are coming our way while others are excited about the opportunities a new bridge will bring. The community is coming together to challenge the changes that will affect wildlife, neighboring communities, and aesthetics as well as easier commuting and less congestion. While communities have dealt with advancement and struggles through time, we wonder what was challenged back in the 50's when the town wanted to add a bridge? With all the changes lately with the Cross Island Parkway and possible changes to the main bridge, let’s remember simpler times.

This picture is of the old James F. Byrnes Memorial Bridge. It was a swing bridge to Hilton Head. Prior to the swing bridge the only…

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Bookshelves 101

As I'm sure you know by now, bookshelves aren't always for books anymore! So, how do you get your bookshelves to look clean, organized, and up to date? Here are some great quick tips from Better Homes and Gardens to get you on your way.

How to Decorate a Bookshelf

The best bookshelf decor often comes from items you already have. Shop around your house to find artwork, picture frames, vases, and other accessories in a cohesive color scheme or style. Place the largest items on the bookshelf first, staggering objects between shelves. Fill in with the rest of your objects, adding in stacks of books or magazines and potted plants for added color and texture.

Easy Bookshelf Decorating

For picture-perfect bookcase…

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The Emotional Impact of Selling Your Home

Lately we've been hearing from people that they are thinking about selling their home but not quite sure because their home has so much history for them. We completely understand, after all, we have had a lot first in our homes also. We thought this article is fitting for those of you on the fence. While it was written in 2018, it still holds true. We are here to help and make the process as easy as possible. We want to help you move to your new home so you can create new memories there. 

“Home is where the heart is”, goes the saying. And selling a beloved home can feel like years of memories and a neighborhood of friendships have been taken away. If the sale involves a life change, every twist of the process can feel like more salt in the wound.

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The Huge Tax Break for Home Sellers

The Huge Tax Break for Home Sellers: What to Know About the $500,000 Exemption

A tax exclusion allows millions of Americans to skip taxes when they sell their homes at a profit. A Biden administration proposal would take a larger bite from some sellers with the biggest gains.

The market is sizzling for home sellers, and President Biden wants to raise taxes on long-term capital gains for people with incomes above $1 million. 

These two facts make it a good time to focus on the cherished tax break known as the home-sellers’ exemption, both to see how it applies now and how Mr. Biden’s proposals would affect it. Although his proposals explicitly preserve this exemption, some homeowners with large gains would likely owe more if it is enacted. 

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