You Asked. Stan Answered. Time for May Q&A.

It’s May Q&A time on Selling Greenville. Host Stan McCune digs into your most-asked topics—from mortgage rate guesses to how he markets a listing, investor legal nuances, smart pre-sale upgrades, and getting that first rental right. Here’s the recap, straight from the live mailbag.

You Asked. Stan Answered. Time for May Q&A.

May Q&A: Greenville Real Estate Questions Answered

When Will We See 5.5% Mortgage Rates Again?

No one can promise a date, so don’t freeze your life waiting on a headline. Stan’s playful guess for the May Q&A: the day after the 2026 midterms—November 4, 2026—because markets tend to like clarity. Real advice: if the house and the math work today, act today. Waiting can cost you the right home, months of rent, and potential appreciation.

How Will Stan Market My Home?

Pricing gets you in the right lane; marketing gets buyers in the door. Stan starts with an in-home consult to turn negatives into neutrals—or, better, into positives—via light repairs, paint, decluttering, and targeted staging. Then it’s professional photos and video, MLS syndication, and AI-assisted ad campaigns that follow likely buyers across major sites. If momentum cools, a fresh relist strategy and well-timed open house can re-ignite demand.

How Many Clients Can You Handle Well?

Typical capacity is 10–20 active clients with full service. During peak seasons, Stan scales—but if service would slip, he’d rather refer than over-promise.

Are Novations Legal in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s update targeted unlicensed wholesaling (marketing a property you don’t own like a broker). Assignments weren’t banned; the law focuses on how you market. A novation replaces the seller’s original contract with a new buyer’s contract, but if you market a property you don’t own outside of brokerage rules, you can still run afoul of the statute. Bottom line: talk to a real estate attorney before using novations here.

Chicken or Egg?

The egg—dinosaurs were laying them long before chickens strutted into Greenville. This May Q&A had range. 😄

What Pre-Sale Upgrades Actually Pay?

Use the negative → neutral → positive lens. Kitchens respond well to an affordable stone counter, refreshed cabinet fronts or paint, and updated lighting and faucets. Bathrooms pop with a new vanity, mirror, lighting, and fresh hardware; reglaze a serviceable tub instead of full demo. In the primary suite, a thoughtful closet system delivers high perceived value. Unify finishes across rooms and tidy the exterior with pressure washing, mulch, and paint where needed—especially decks.

First Rental: Where Do I Start?

Begin with goals and guardrails. Speak with your CPA/financial planner about depreciation and reserves—rentals are great for taxes and long-term wealth, not instant cash-flow fireworks. Define a clear buy box (location, price band, minimum returns, exit plan), then loop in a Realtor who works with investors and an investor-savvy lender. Every rental deserves its own emergency fund; vacancies and turn costs happen.

Watch or Listen to the Selling Greenville Podcast

Subscribe to the Selling Greenville podcast for real-time insights, bold perspectives, and unfiltered takes on the Upstate housing scene. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply watching the market unfold—this is where Greenville goes to stay informed.

Bottom Line

Greenville rewards prepared buyers and intentional sellers. Don’t wait on a perfect rate; buy when the deal fits your life and the numbers. Sellers win by removing objections and launching with crisp marketing. Investors should mind South Carolina’s rules, buy with a plan, and let time (and tax strategy) do the heavy lifting. That’s your May Q&A in a nutshell.

Ien Araneta

Journal & Podcast Editor | Selling Greenville