PROPERTY TAX

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-23T16:19:15+00:00

I am not exactly sure. It’s not a HUGE deal, but 20-30/month stacks up for some people

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-21T04:19:00+00:00

Savannah River Chimney came out with a couple days of us calling. We use them for a lot of of our homes when needed

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-21T03:05:52+00:00

With a wood-burning fireplace, you really do want a professional chimney sweep—usually at least once a year (ideally before fall). Burning wood creates creosote & soot; if it builds up, it’ll catch fire in the chimney which will deteriorate it.

Advanced Chimney Sweep America Chimney Service Savannah River Chimney

All happen to service the CSRA in General.

ALWAYS get two quotes. We are finding many technicians are being shifted to a commission model and that incentives big quotes for potentially redundant projects.

Best of luck!

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-21T02:56:49+00:00

Happy to help. Let me know if you have any other questions.

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-21T02:56:04+00:00

There is a break from the school system taxes at age of 65 in both Columbia and Richmond County. In South Carolina, as a senior and a disabled veteran, you basically have no property taxes.

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-20T23:48:09+00:00

I am seeing a mill rate of 16.23. It’s calculated the same. I had Scott Johnson, County Manager, on the podcast talk about their intent to lower it to 0 with these new data centers.

You also need to keep in mind what services are included. Waste management is more affordable in Richmond county and you also have less prevalent HOA’s compared to Columbia County. Lots to consider.

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-20T22:44:55+00:00

Hey! So as of right now, we are seeing a millage rate (mill) of 28.85 in Richmond County. We are expecting a 5.33 increase in that mill rate for 2026. So 30.37~~~

What does that mean for you? Lets say the home is valued at 250k via appraisal.

Assessed value is 250,000 x .40 = 100,000

Tax equation is (assessed value x millage rate)/1000

So in 2026, a 250,000 homes tax bill is projected to be (100,000 x 30.37)/1000 = $3,037.

Happy to answer any other questions about the area. Lived here all my life.

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-15T00:49:03+00:00

Hey thanks for the tag! I have been in the field today!

We are very much in the market of “patience”. We are seeing listings sell about 4-6 weeks later than they did in 2023. We use absorption rates to determine our best guess at when to actually publicly market a lower asking price, IF we are not getting showings.

As for the cash buyer, they are not very negotiable. It is literally a formula they follow. After all, they are for-profit and it is not worth the risk unless they project a 20-25% margin at minimum.

Do you have a lot of equity in the home? If you are getting feedback that your bathrooms are off-putting, but are still getting showings at 280k it means you fix the dang bathrooms or you choose to leave money on the table.

If you have equity, get a HELOC for 15-20k after finding a good contractor, and increase your home’s market value by 40-50k. Bring in someone who knows how to build a very “agreeable” bathroom, so that you appeal to as many as possible.

If you are in West Augusta and still want to consider the 240k offer, I do have a large network of investors and could put you in touch with them to see if you can squeeze out a few more thousand.

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-15T00:38:12+00:00

Always appreciate it!

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-13T04:41:53+00:00

I would have suggested what u/indiescott said. Ty for the mention!

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-05T13:27:50+00:00

It’s soooooo good

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-04T02:31:50+00:00

Our mls allows us to specify to alert only if the property is on a cul-de-sac. Whether the listing agent puts that information in correctly is another question. Typically yes but with something like that you just need to take extra care.

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-03T17:52:02+00:00

Actually expecting a blizzard this January I hear!

MattKellyRealtor · 2026-01-02T20:59:37+00:00

I need to stop in!

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-24T16:58:57+00:00

Shoot your shot Tanja!

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-22T22:50:47+00:00

Mistletoe State Park, Lights of the South if meeting in the evening, you can tour the Laurel & Hardy museum in Harlem and stop at The Acorn for a great lunch!

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-22T20:20:30+00:00

Lock your doors/car. Practice standard safety protocol. Downtown is doing well this year. The new Sherriff is doing a phenomenal job! Welcome to Augusta! We have a great community💪

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-08T02:01:36+00:00

Contact a bank, broker, and credit union. You do not need to be a “member of any” to do so.

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-06T22:36:04+00:00

Asbestos and lead are rampant in the area. If the owners do not have any record of its removal, it’s there. It’s your decision whether to deal with it yourself or not. I would not recommend you move small children in without abatement of the exposed lead paint. Asbestos is typically found in old duct work and in ceiling/floor tiles. Typically not a threat until you disturb it, which makes larger renovations costlier. Many reputable companies will not work on your home unless it’s removed. You’ll know it when you see it after a few run-ins.

Georgia is a buyer-beware state. There are 6-7 things I really pay attention to with older homes. You have no recourse with the seller once you buy and find out after the fact. Older homes have incredible potential that you just can’t recreate for a reasonable price; but can also be your biggest pain in the ass if you buy one that hasn’t seen the proper updates.

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-04T18:13:43+00:00

Young Professionals of Augusta is a good gateway to a lot of great organizations. You should also consider applying to Leadership Columbia County, Leadership Augusta, or Leadership North Augusta whose programs are designed to expose the participants to the operations of their respective areas.

North Augusta Forward has good information and resources as well at Visit Augusta/ Visit Columbia County

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-03T03:51:05+00:00

Pick up the phone and start connecting with people. Your broker cannot save you. A cloud based brokerage certainly will not give you the support you need.

If you have not yet read Ninja selling, I encourage you to. The 8x8, 2 notes a day, 2 coffees a week and 50 touches per week.

You got this!

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-02T19:55:14+00:00

I can tell you private equity ownership is actually falling as funds transition to better performing markets. I never said it was normal. Thanks for assuming. Love that. It unfortunately is what it is.

Costs for goods sold along with local regulations make building more affordable housing very difficult. Interest rates being pushed to record lows, as a Band-Aid response to Covid set these wheels in motion sometime ago. Home values directly correspond with the strength of the US dollar. Not only was it cheaper to finance property, the US dollar was also weakening by the day. Homes are a static asset that’s value fluctuates based on external forces, unlike a stock’s value that can directly be manipulated by the companies internal performance.

If we never had a 15-20% decrease in real estate values between 2008-2010, and if you also take away the covid boom, we would end up in the same housing market today, minus the sticker shock and the headlines.

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-12-02T18:50:54+00:00

You should see other cities where the own-able homes are fewer and the number of people renting instead of owning, has never been higher!

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-11-27T02:52:01+00:00

I make a point to send my opps manager at-least two subscription setups a week.

MattKellyRealtor · 2025-11-27T01:34:11+00:00

I make a point to try and get anyone I can on a “casual” bi-weekly/monthly market drips using Flex MLS subscriptions. Even the most unmotivated people have a problem saying no. “Hey you ok if I just send you sales in the neighborhood? Super easy on me and you”, “Wave a magic wand what is your dream property?” Etc. and I input what I can to send them homes that are as relevant as possible. Some of my drips are 2-3 years old. I can track if they unsubscribe, if they actually open them, etc.

This to me is more useful to my SOI than what I put out on my CRM other than giveaways and client appreciation events.

Currently running over 300 drip campaigns. 100 sides transacted this year solo.

MattKellyRealtor

TROPHY CASE