Military Housing
Base Housing Wait @ 6-9 Months In Charleston
Weighing the benefits of buying against those of renting is something everyone needs to do. Let me help you with the buying benefits list. I can answer any of your buying questions.
Reasons Why
The Right Housing Is Important
You Want Them To Be Safe
Ensuring your child’s safety is of utmost importance when you are away. Jim possesses knowledge of desirable locations for real estate purchases.
You Want Them To Be Happy
Good child care is essential for providing a nurturing and supportive environment that promotes your child’s well-being and development.
You Want Them In Good Schools
Good schools play a crucial role in providing quality education and shaping the future success of children. We can certainly help you with finding a home where your children would be in good schools.
You Want Them To Feel Loved
Upon your return home, your loved ones will eagerly express their affection and longing for you, which is a privilege and responsibility exclusive to you as a parent. Jim can assist you in achieving this goal by helping you find that perfect home for your family.
About Me
Hi, I’m Nina Howell, a REALTOR® with Mills Team in the Tri-County Charleston Area.
I am from Charleston. I was born at the Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC in 1983. Some of my best and earliest memories were growing up in then Naval Housing in Goose Creek in the 80’s.
My father served in the Navy for over 20 years, my grandfather served in World War 2 with the Army, and three of my uncles also served in the military in various branches. I am passionate about the military and their families and have the upmost respect for those who serve or have served. I am also a mother and a wife. I believe in bringing compassion into all the work that I do, at home, working as a nurse, and with Real Estate.
I recently completed a VA loan bootcamp and continue to educate myself with VA lending to help and serve you and your family’s needs.
- I work with outstanding lenders and together, will guide you through your loan application, approval process and any help you need in between.
- I’ll assist you with making informed decisions from a distance.
- By utilizing technology, I’ll provide virtual tours, make video calls and video messages to provide detailed property information for those who are unable to visit the property in person.
- I understand the challenges that may come into place when relocating with the military. I’d love to help navigate the complexities of moving.
- I’ll assist in coordinating timelines, understanding housing allowances, and finding a suitable home near whichever base installation you are locating to.
- I can ease the stress that comes along with relocating to a new home.
- I can provide helpful information related to schools, recreational activities, community support services, amenities and any other information you may need during your relocation process, and help you acclimate to the new area throughout this process.
I truly look forward to assisting you in becoming a resident in the low country!
Summerville SC
112 West Doty Ave. Suite C
Call Nina
843-330-6271
Email Nina
Nina@MillsTeamRE.com
SERVICE YOU DESERVE. PEOPLE YOU TRUST.
Most Asked
Basic Allowance for Housing Rate Lookup:
https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/
https://www.military.com/sites/default/files/2022-12/BAH%20rates%202023.pdf
CFPB: understanding Loan Options
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home/loan-options/#loan-term-calculator
Where can I find the VA Homebuyer Guide?
VA Homebuyer Guide
https://www.benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/documents/docs/VA_Buyers_Guide.pdf
Where can I find info about VA Home Loans?
About VA Home Loans
https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/index.asp
Property Tax Calculator: Tri-County Area
Berkeley County SC: https://berkeleycountysc.gov/dept/auditor/tax-estimator/
Dorchester County SC: https://www.dorchestercountysc.gov/government/property-tax-services/assessor/tax-estimator
Charleston County SC: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/auditor/tax-estimator.php
What is Equity?
Auto Draft
Basic Allowance for Housing Rate Lookup
CFPB: Understanding Loan Options
Where can I find the VA Homebuyer Guide?
Where can I find info about VA Home Loans?
Property Tax Calculator: Tri-County Area
Where can I find info about VA Home Loans?
What is Equity?
Base Housing Information
Base Housing Availability?
Navy Base Housing Availability
Air Force Base Housing Availability
Army Base Housing Availability
Marine Base Housing Availability
Coast Guard Base Housing Availability
Buyer's FAQ
What's the Initial Step for Buying a Home?
While attending open houses is more exciting than paperwork, the first step for homebuyers is participating in a buyer's interview to identify your wants and needs for your new home.
Get pre-approved by a lender that understands the VA process as well as their options for loans.
This helps determine your affordable price range and sets a firm budget. Sellers will also take your offer more seriously when they know it's within your pre-approved limit.
How Does My Credit Score Impact My Home Loan?
When determining eligibility and affordability for a home loan, lenders consider your credit score. Typically, a score of 580 or higher is required to qualify, but it's recommended to aim for 620 or higher. A higher credit score may lead to better lending terms.
What Should My Down Payment Be?
The required down payment depends on the loan type, with most mortgage lenders requiring at least a 3% down payment. FHA loans typically need a minimum of 3.5% down. The exact percentage depends on factors like credit history, property type, and more. In 2014, the average down payment was 14%.
How Do I Search for a Home?
I will set up a search of the local MLS data base that matches your the needs & wants as established by your buyer's interview. You can narrow down results based on your price range, desired bedrooms, bathrooms, and more.
How Many Homes Should I View?
There's no set number of homes you should view before making an offer. Some find their dream home quickly, while others search for months. View as many homes as necessary to find the one that meets your needs.
How Safe is the Neighborhood?
Your real estate agent can't answer questions about crime statistics due to the Fair Housing Act. Before starting your house hunt, research crime data for the cities and neighborhoods you're considering to assess safety.
How good are the schools in the area?
Each of the listings that will be sent to you be the agent search will have the schools identified that your children will be attending if you live at that property address. Please utilize this link to access any information that you find desirable to about the school(s).
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Charge?
Typically, you're not directly responsible for paying a real estate agent when finding your dream home. The home seller pays their agent a percentage of the sale price, and that agent compensates the buyer's agent. A standard commission is 6% of the transaction, split between the agents.
What Home Service Companies Are Available?
Home service providers vary by location, so it's important to know the available options and compare and save money on services like cable, satellite, or internet in your new area. Your real estate agent can help you research and explore your options.
How Long Does the Home-Buying Process Take?
The timeline varies based on the state and property type. Once your offer is accepted, it typically takes around 30 days to close. FHA and VA loans may require a few extra days, while short sales can take 90 to 120 days on average to close.
How Will My Home Purchase Affect My Taxes?
Buying a home comes with tax benefits, but filing taxes can be complex if you're not used to itemizing. You can deduct mortgage interest payments, property taxes, closing points, interest on home equity loans, and more. Consider consulting a tax professional for guidance on itemizing.
Buying a home for the first time can be overwhelming, but working with an experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the process and address your questions.
Seller's FAQ
What's the Initial Step for Buying a Home?
While attending open houses is more exciting than paperwork, the first step for homebuyers is participating in a buyer's interview to identify your wants and needs for your new home.
Get pre-approved by a lender that understands the VA process as well as their options for loans.
This helps determine your affordable price range and sets a firm budget. Sellers will also take your offer more seriously when they know it's within your pre-approved limit.
How Does My Credit Score Impact My Home Loan?
When determining eligibility and affordability for a home loan, lenders consider your credit score. Typically, a score of 580 or higher is required to qualify, but it's recommended to aim for 620 or higher. A higher credit score may lead to better lending terms.
What Should My Down Payment Be?
The required down payment depends on the loan type, with most mortgage lenders requiring at least a 3% down payment. FHA loans typically need a minimum of 3.5% down. The exact percentage depends on factors like credit history, property type, and more. In 2014, the average down payment was 14%.
How Do I Search for a Home?
I will set up a search of the local MLS data base that matches your the needs & wants as established by your buyer's interview. You can narrow down results based on your price range, desired bedrooms, bathrooms, and more.
How Many Homes Should I View?
There's no set number of homes you should view before making an offer. Some find their dream home quickly, while others search for months. View as many homes as necessary to find the one that meets your needs.
How Safe is the Neighborhood?
Your real estate agent can't answer questions about crime statistics due to the Fair Housing Act. Before starting your house hunt, research crime data for the cities and neighborhoods you're considering to assess safety.
How good are the schools in the area?
Each of the listings that will be sent to you be the agent search will have the schools identified that your children will be attending if you live at that property address. Please utilize this link to access any information that you find desirable to about the school(s).
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Charge?
Typically, you're not directly responsible for paying a real estate agent when finding your dream home. The home seller pays their agent a percentage of the sale price, and that agent compensates the buyer's agent. A standard commission is 6% of the transaction, split between the agents.
What Home Service Companies Are Available?
Home service providers vary by location, so it's important to know the available options and compare and save money on services like cable, satellite, or internet in your new area. Your real estate agent can help you research and explore your options.
How Long Does the Home-Buying Process Take?
The timeline varies based on the state and property type. Once your offer is accepted, it typically takes around 30 days to close. FHA and VA loans may require a few extra days, while short sales can take 90 to 120 days on average to close.
How Will My Home Purchase Affect My Taxes?
Buying a home comes with tax benefits, but filing taxes can be complex if you're not used to itemizing. You can deduct mortgage interest payments, property taxes, closing points, interest on home equity loans, and more. Consider consulting a tax professional for guidance on itemizing.
Buying a home for the first time can be overwhelming, but working with an experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the process and address your questions.
Using Your VA Home Loan Benefit
Top 5 Benefits of VA Home Loan Program
Testimonials
Our Agents Have A combined 91 years of experience Yes, Experience does count
Certifield Residential Specialist
Agent For Over 22 Years
Jim W Mills holds the prestigious Certified Resindenial Specialist designation, which places him in an elite group of professionals that accounts for less than 4% of all realtors across the country.
How You Can Reach Me
Phone: 843-830-3800
Office – 112 West Doty Ave. Suite C Summerville South Carolina 29483
Email Jim Mills
A Word From Jim
“I take care of folks. I love the challenge.
I get to be involved in one of the three most important events in a person’s life.
I get a great deal of satisfaction from accomplishing something with them and for them.”
Referral
This highly professional team, led by Jim Mills, has provided us with confidence, convenience and the utmost satisfying conclusion to one of the largest investments most people make today. In addition, the salesmanship techniques that Jim uses never created a question. Jim’s expertise, foresight, and personable mannerism rank Jim in our minds as the top of his profession.
– Jan & Brian Pickens, Recent Clients
About Jim W Mills
Jim W Mills holds the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist designation, which places him in an elite group of real estate professionals that accounts for less than 4% of all realtors across the country.
Jim brings over 40 years of sales experience together with a deep commitment to ethics. He is highly driven to provide the absolute best service to his valued clients. When he first began his career in real estate in 1999, Jim won numerous sales awards beginning with the “Rising Star Award” given to a new agent showing the most promise.
Since then, he has consistently placed in the top producers in the Charleston area. In 2003, he was awarded for the most homes sold (110) and the most homes listed.
Motivated to serve all of his clients to the very best of his ability, Jim focuses each day on every phase of the real estate transaction process. His goal is to conduct himself and his business with the utmost integrity, the keenest knowledge and the most effective negotiating skills, which has solidified his reputation both among his current and former clients and his peers.
Jim has lived in the Lowcountry since 1989. He originally grew up in the hills of Kentucky and at the age of eighteen began a career in insurance sales and accumulated decades of experience in sales management, which has lent largely to his success in real estate sales today. When Jim joined NextHome The Agency Group, he was particularly impressed by the agency’s ongoing commitment to training, moral values, and ethics.
Jim built his business as a real estate agent by focusing on serving one person at a time beginning in the Goose Creek and Summerville, SC market. Today, he continues to focus greatly on education, team development and competitive advantage in the local housing market. His comprehensive list of credentials includes ABR, GRI and CRS designations. Moreover, he has a well-established network of professional relationships with lenders, attorneys, and other realtors that directly benefits
all of his clients.
Jim is a member of the South Carolina Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS®, and the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®. He lives in Berkeley County with his wife, Pam. He is a regular sponsor of several youth activities including youth athletic teams for the local recreation commission.
Call Jim Today At 843-830-3800
Lead Buyers Agent
Agent For Over 15 Years
I am Kellie England, the Buyer’s Agent for the Mills Team, at Long & Foster Real Estate. I originally began my career as the Charleston area Listing Agent for HUD (government-owned homes).
How You Can Reach Me
Phone: 843-324-6804
Office – 112 West Doty Ave. Suite C Summerville South Carolina 29483
Email Kellie England
About Kellie England
I am Kellie England, a Realtor for the Mills Team at Long & Foster Real Estate. I have been selling real estate in the Charleston market since 2009 (14 years). My family and I moved from New Mexico to South Carolina in 2008, because we wanted a little ocean with our sand!
I originally began my career as the Charleston area Listing Agent for HUD (Government foreclosures). In 2012, I moved my license to another agency to expand my knowledge and broaden my selling skills and efforts. While at this agency, I was mentored by seasoned agent, Jim Mills, and within the year asked to join the Group and I gladly accepted.
Together with our Commercial Agent, Christina Sineath, fellow Realtors, Kevin Hoffman and Nina Howell, and our Administrator assistant, Debra Heiney, I am able to provide premier real estate services to all of my clients.
Our Group is a powerhouse of knowledge and skill and able to tackle any real estate issue or concern along the way to your successful closing.
I believe in serving my community in one capacity or another; from my charity and church volunteer work to educating and guiding folks to make sound decisions towards real estate ownership. It would be my privilege to serve you too, whether you are buying or selling. I look forward to working with you.
Professional Summary
South Carolina licensed REALTOR with 9+ years experience in the Tri-County area of Charleston’s residential real estate market with expertise in luxury to investment property.
As a member of the Mills Team since 2013, my Team and I have helped close over 1400 real estate transactions. We treat our clients like Family.
Awards, Accreditations, & Acknowledgements
2014 – Present Long & Foster Real Estate – Listing Agent, Buyer Agent, and Marketing Director for the Mills Team with over $14 Million in volume sales.
2013 – 2014 Keller Williams – Buyers Agent for the Mills Team with over $2 Million in volume sales.
2012 – 2013 Carolina One Real Estate – Buyers Agent for the Mills Team with $1 Million in volume sales
2009 – 2012 Gracious Living Real Estate – Listing Agent for HUD.
Skills & Expertise
Contract Drafting & Negotiations
MLS Expert
First-Time Home Buyer Specialist
Foreclosure Specialist
Property Management Services
2018 Realtor of Distinction
AgentOwned Mentor to New Agents
AgentOwned Open House Specialist and Trainer
Effective Marketing for Listings
Property Value Analysis Expert
Investment Property Acquisition Specialist
Exceptional Customer Service
Problem Solver
Referral
“Kellie England helped make buying our first home such a good experience! She was always able to answer our questions (big & small) and worked with us for over a year until we were ready to start looking at houses. We found the perfect home and closed on time with no issues at all. Kellie is friendly, personable, trustworthy, reliable, and knowledgeable in her field and will make sure you get the best deal possible.”
– Taylor Koehn
Call Kellie Today At 843-324-6804
Agent
Nina Howell was born and raised in South Carolina, spending most of her life in Goose Creek, so she is familiar with the beautiful low country and tri-county area. She is ready to use her love and skill of helping others with all her heart in the real estate field.
How You Can Reach Me
Phone: 843-330-6271
Office – 112 West Doty Ave. Suite C Summerville South Carolina 29483
Email Nina Howell
About Nina Howell
Call Nina Today At 843-330-6271
Agent For Over 25+ Years
Debra Heiney Rasnick is a licensed agent and has been with the Mills Team since 2000. Debra’s key strengths are her tremendous work ethic and attention to detail and personal appreciated by a large number of clients she has served.
How You Can Reach Me
Phone: 843-343-3971
Office – 112 West Doty Ave. Suite C Summerville South Carolina 29483
Email Debra Heiney Rasnick
About Debra Heiney Rasnick
Debra Heiney Rasnick is a licensed agent and has been with the Mills Team since 2000. Debra’s key strengths are her tremendous work ethic and attention to detail-personal appreciated by a large number of clients she has served.
Referral
Jim Mills and Debbie Heiney Rasnick we’re the perfect team to sell my home and find the new home I’ve been looking for in the country!
Jim worked hard to double check and correct the square footage in the home I was selling that was previously misreported. Once the house went on the market Jim had it sold within 10 hours with five offers all over asking price! Jim is extremely knowledgeable in the real estate market and will make your sale smooth.
Once sold, Debbie kept the transaction flowing and on time with the paperwork organized for both the sale and purchase of the new home with perfection. Awesome team with truly awesome personalities! Thanks to Jim and Debbie for your patience and understanding!
Call Debra Today At 843-343-3971
Services We Provide
Our team comprises reliable and seasoned professionals who are ready to support you throughout the home-buying process.
Real Estate Appraisal
Finance Options
Featured Home Lenders
Individualized Home Searches Via Email
Buy Property
Featured Properties
Buyer Interview
To determine wants and needs