Why use an All Country Real Estate Realtor when purchasing land? 

All Country Real Estate is a great choice for those looking to buy or sell vacant land in the SC Lowcountry - especially Colleton County, South Carolina. The company boasts a wealth of experience and expertise in the local market, having sold over 1,000 homes and properties in the area. Their Realtors live and work in the community and have a deep understanding of the unique rural real estate market in Colleton County.

Choosing a knowledgeable Realtor is crucial when buying or selling vacant land, as it can significantly impact the success of the transaction. By selecting All Country Real Estate, clients can benefit from the company's vast knowledge of what it takes to buy or sell a piece of vacant land.  One of the most important details of purchasing land that has no public sewer system is getting a septic permit to insure you can build on the property.  Sometimes a seller will have a septic permit that has been issued by DHEC, but that is not usually the case.  As the buyer, it is part of your due diligence to make sure that the land you are wanting to purchase is suitable for a septic system.  Our Realtors at All Country understand how to write an offer that does not get you stuck purchasing a piece of property that will not work for a septic system.  We are also knowledgeable about DHEC’s process of obtaining a septic permit for a piece of property. 

There are 2 options for obtaining the permit. 

OPTION 1

Step 1: Onsite Wastewater System Application will need to be submitted online through DHEC’s ePermitting Portal.  You will have to submit a copy of the deed or plat with your application.  The application fee is $150.

Step 2:  Site Preparation.  Please view these videos - https://youtu.be/1rXH1uYUjsY

Step 3:  DHEC will review your application.  If everything is in order, your application will be accepted. 

Step 4:  DHEC requires a site visit where the inspector will make sure the site is suitable for a septic system.  If the inspector approves your site for a traditional septic system, you will receive a Permit to Construct. If the inspector does not approve the permit, they will discuss possible alternatives with you.  Here is a video that shows you what happens at the site inspection - https://youtu.be/uwVLceL1cE8

Due to the high demand for septic permits, this process takes from 60 to 90 days to complete. 

OPTION 2

You can hire a professional Soil Classifier which can speed up the process.  He or she will conduct a soil evaluation on the site, and then submit the application along with certified soil report to DHEC for approval.  This process will cost between $1,200 and $1,500 depending on soil classifier.  Because you do not have to wait for DHEC to come out to evaluate the site, this process usually takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks, depending on availability of the soil classifier. 

To find a list of professional soil classifiers, please click the link - https://llr.sc.gov/soil/pdf/soil%20roster.pdf

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Where have the multiple offers and above asking sales prices gone? That is certainly a question many sellers are asking themselves in2023.  In 2020 after the pandemic restrictions were lifted in South Carolina. Colleton County began a real estate market frenzy that excited sellers, exhausted realtors, and exasperated buyers. In our area sellers were blessed with low interest rates, stimulus money, and our beautiful destination for people looking to relocate to our state. It was a seller’s market for sure!

  Unfortunately, that has begun to change in our market.  Why?  Well, during the Great Recession homebuilders stopped building.  Now we have an inventory shortage.  An inventory shortage hurts both buyers and sellers.  With less inventory sellers are reluctant to put their homes on the market because they have less home choices to purchase once they sell. 

  Interest rates are at a 20 year record high.  Gone are the days of 2, 3, or 4% mortgages.  Rising interest rates mean that the amount of home a buyer can afford goes down.   This hurts because the prices of homes have risen at a high rate in recent years.  Many first-time buyers are being priced out of the market. 

  Buyers are having trouble finding homes in their new price range. Sellers are now finding that their houses are not going under contract within days of them being listed.  Fewer properties are receiving multiple offers. Some homes are beginning to sell for under the asking price. 

  How does Colleton County look?  There have been some changes from April 2022 until April 2023 that buyers and sellers should be aware of.  Looking at the above chart, you can see that the average home sold for about $25,000 less than a year ago.  Also, the days on the market more than doubled from last year.  And finally, the volume of sales in Colleton dropped by almost $12,000,000.

  It is not all gloom and doom.  South Carolina is still in the top 5 states that people search to relocate. Many who are looking to move out of Charleston and Summerville’s busy atmosphere are also looking to move to Colleton County. The rumored new subdivision in Colleton County will help with the inventory shortage.  So as we move through 2023, home sales won’t look like 2022 – but with a great realty team like All Country Real Estate, you can get your home SOLD!