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Charleston, SC Real Estate News

By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
I was checking out Realtor Magazine Online, and it seems that Charleston, SC has been chosen for one more thing! Outside Magazine did a study of US cities in each section of the country.  They were searching for small towns and large cities that were "fit, fun, and packed with adventure." And for the East Coast, Charleston was chosen for the "supersized" fun city, while Portland, ME was chosen for the small town. I know that there are a lot of people in Charleston, but in no way do I think we are "supersized".  But the mention sure is nice! If you're interested, here's the article: Magazine Picks 'Fit, Fun' Towns in Every Region
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Photo by Gordon L WolfordCharleston has again been honored as one of the “Top Cities in the United States & Canada,” according to Travel + Leisure magazine’s recent 10th annual World’s Best Poll. Charleston joins New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Santa Fe, Quebec City, Vancouver, Montreal, Victoria and Seattle on the magazine’s list of 2007’s 10 best destinations in the United States & Canada.Living in Charleston we have a lot to be proud of. It’s consistent ranking as a top-10 destination is an acknowledgment of its enduring appeal not only as a destination but also, as a place to call home. This week I happen to be showing friends around visiting from New York. It is their first trip down here and they are having a wonderful time going to the beach on Isle of Palms, playing tennis and...
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When my Financial Advisor called over a week ago to tell me not to watch the news because I wouldn't want to watch what was happening to the stock market, the first thing out of my mouth was "well, perhaps the real estate market will turn around now!"  How's that for positive thinking?Land sales have really taken a hit lately and the investor market seems to have all but dried up in 2007.  BUT now that the stock market isn't performing so well, it seems as if wary investors may be cautiously approaching the real estate market once again.  We welcome them with open arms.  Everything in life seems to be cyclical, including when and where investors look to place their money.  Right now there are so many good deals to be had in vacant land that smart investors should take the opportunity to...
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A friend emailed today to tell me that the Wall Street Journal had something positive to say about Charleston South Carolina's job industry. To copy their quote (taken from the Wall Street Journal) in the email, ""Charleston has also become a haven for skilled blue-collar workers in industries as diverse as robotics, automobiles and aerospace."  This is quite an amazing article, positive rather than critical and helps anyone to understand the recent and continued growth in the entire Tri-County area, but specifically Dorchester County.  With talks of Google possibly opening it's doors in the near future, to Distribution centers being relocated to the outer bands of the tri-county area, the area as a whole is really growing.  It is no wonder large international corporations continue to w...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
Come on out and cast a line for MUSC, the Medical University of South Carolina! Fishing For Miracles is a fun fishing tournament to raise money for the Children's Center at MUSC. This is your chance to fish in South Carolina's largest King Mackerel tournament.  If you catch the winning fish, your prize is $115,000!  That's some incentive! This event is for all fishermen -- it doesn't matter if you've been fishing all of your life or for just a week.  Everyone is invited. And don't forget to bring your coolers so you can store everything you catch! Dates:  08/17/2007 and 08/18/2007 Time: 2:00PM Location: Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, 20 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC Phone: 843.792.1112 Link: www.musckids.com/news/special_envents.htm Adult Price: $275  
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
The First Day Festival is held each year the Sunday before school starts in Charleston County to celebrate the beginning of a new school year.  It brings children and families together to provide them with information on services and programs, free school supplies, and free food and beverages! Come out again this year for the 5th Annual First Day Festival!Sunday, August 19th, 20071pm to 4pmLiberty Square, right outside the South Carolina AquariumAnd since you'll already be right there, why not visit the Aquarium, too?  In conjunction with the First Day Festival, the SC Aquarium is lowering their admission to only $1!  So you can load up on all those school necessities and see the entire Aquarium for only a buck.  What a deal! For more information, contact the Mayor's Office for Childre...
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By Lisa Rourk
(Tide Marsh Real Estate)
     Hardwood floors sell homes in our area of the Country.  Buyers are educated and want the best.  In addition to the fact that hardwood floors are much easier to keep clean than carpet, especially if young children are involved.  I am curious how many buyers actually buy one home over another based on hardwood floor types.  For instance, here in Charleston, South Carolina,  heart pine floors, especially antique or river-recovered heart pine floors are very popular.  In my home we have Brazilian cherry floors. While very beautiful, they are a little more high maintenance due to the fact they are dark in color and show more crumbs and dirt.  At times this is challenging with three small children.  So it got me thinking about buyers in general and how many of them are more inclined or l...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
I've heard the buzz lately, but it is now confirmed. Charleston, SC will host one of the open calls for American Idol this year! Auditions are going to be held on August 18, 2007 at the North Charleston Coliseum. They are not allowing anyone to line up before 6am on August 16th.  But they are going to start registration that day up until the morning of the 18th.  You have to be between the ages of 16 and 28 to audition.  What really stinks is that my sister is a pretty good singer, but she turns 29 on August 15th!  So she's one day too old for the competition! Charleston is going to be one crazy city for a few days, but the next Idol could potentially come from right here.  That would be pretty cool. So if you're in the area and have always wanted to try your luck in front of Randy, Pa...
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By Lisa Rourk
(Tide Marsh Real Estate)
Yesterday I ran into two business men who were entertaining clients in this beautiful, yet humid climate, we love to call home.  Charleston is always my idea of paradise and yet these two men said they couldn't understand how we lived here with heat like we've had this week.  Mind you the heat has topped out at record highs over 100 degrees and heat indexes close to 120 degrees.  I had to laugh.  For those who do not live or vacation here on a regular basis, they might assume tropical means dangerous heat indexes and a haze so thick you could spread it like jam.  I quickly informed them that this heat wave was not the norm.  In fact, in the 11 years I have lived here, I really don't remember a summer with temperatures this high  for this long.  So, we welcome the cooler temperatures thi...
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By Bruce Mullen
(Carolina One Real Estate)
Need help selling a home in Charlestowne Estates, section 1, MLS # 2717754.  $240,000 for a very nice brick home, convenient to shopping, downtown.  Open House Saturday, July 28, from 1-4 pm.  House has hardwoods, kitchen was gutted....new cabinets/appliances and flooring.  2 bathrooms, both gutted...new fixtures, tile and lights, large backyard.  Great price in a very desirable area of Charleston.   
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
I really can't believe that school will be starting again in just a few short weeks.  When I was in school, I remember having three whole months for summer vacation.  But it seems that those days are long gone for kids today. So with school just around the corner, I wanted to post the Charleston County Public School Calendar for the 2007-2008 school year. If you have any questions about this calendar, please refer to the Charleston County Public School Website. Aug. 15 Wed. (1) PD School-based PD/No Students Aug. 16 Thurs. (2) CCSD District Wide PD/No Students Aug. 17. Fri. (1) TW Teacher Workday/No Students Aug. 20 Mon. (2) TW Teacher Workday/No Students Aug. 21 Tues. First day for students Sept. 3 Mon. Holiday/Labor Day - Schools and Offices Closed Sept. 20 Thurs. Interim Reports Oct...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
A European-inspired oceanfront house on Kiawah Island has recently been sold to a Texas financial executive for $8.4 million, the highest home price ever recorded for the high-end sea island resort town. What makes this two-bedroom home at 99 Surfsong Road so special? In the course of designing and building it, the previous owners Sewell and Bettie Dixon shipped about 14 tons of antique building materials to Charleston from Europe. The white pillars on the patio, for example, come from a small town in the French region of Provence.  The kitchen floor tiles are from coastal Italy. The couple even estimates that one of the property's four fireplaces is nearly 1,000 years old! Even though it was their dream home, the Dixons were looking to simplify their life and travel more.  They put th...
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By Carolyn Dubrofsky
(Charleston Your Home )
(photo courtesy of CNN/AP) It's probably the biggest thing to happen at The Citadel since air conditioning was installed in the legendary gymnasium in the mid-90’s, and it is hard to think of a location more steeped in Southern history. Tonight the eight Democratic candidates for president will assemble on the Citadel’s campus and break new political and technology ground by hosting an Internet and voter-driven presidential debate.As has been highly publicized, rather than simply answer questions posed by moderator Anderson Cooper, the candidates will respond to questions submitted by video via YouTube.The CNN/YouTube debates take to a new level the "town hall" concept introduced to presidential debates in 1992. Since June 14, anyone with access to a computer and a webcam has been able ...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
Tonight is one of the many Democratic Presidential Debates.  The really cool thing is that it's taking place right here in Charleston, SC! For the past couple of weeks the city has been gearing up for this huge event.  Businesses have been anticipating the influx of revenue that they expect to generate in conjunction with this debate.  Residents have been looking forward to seeing their city come to the forefront again.  But The Citadel is where all the action has been and where all of the focus will be. The Citadel is Charleston's own military college.  It's located in Downtown Charleston, and is the perfect setting for potential leaders of our country to spar off for a couple of hours. This debate is going to be the first of it's kind.  CNN and YouTube teamed up for this event by ask...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
         The Today Show is doing a series on America the Beautiful, the 10 most beautiful cities in America.  And coming up as number 9 is Charleston, SC!  I can't say that I'm surprised at all, but I am quite pleased.  They also stated that we are the most hospitable, but I knew that already! There hasn't been a single time that I've walked the historic streets of Downtown Charleston and not been greeted by just about every single person who passes by.  It's just what we do here.  I've even spoken to a few New York transplants, and they've adopted this tendency as well.  Once you get a few head nods or "Hello"s, you begin to see yourself doing the same.  It's quite contagious.  And it's part of what makes Charleston the city that it is. So now the nation has taken notice with the airi...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
Energy Efficiency is the thing these days.  And it's a great thing at that. Buyers are looking for homes that meet all of their standards and are energy efficient. So if you're in the process of selling your home, why not make a few minor changes to create a more energy efficient home.  You'll make your house more appealing to potential purchasers, and it's good for the environment. Here are a few suggestions on what you could do: Touch the water heater, and if you feel any heat, install an insulated jacket.  Most modern water heaters have the insulation built in. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent ones. Keep the refrigerator coils clean but dusting or vacuuming them once a month. Fix any leaky faucets, toilets, tub, etc. Install a programmable thermosta...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
So now it's official. Effective Monday, July 23rd 2007, the City of Charleston becomes a smoke free city. I knew that there had been discussions about this lately, and pretty heated ones at that (no pun intended).  But I had no idea that we were just about there. I was listening to the news last night and heard that Monday is the official start to the no smoking ban within the City of Charleston.  Any building or facility within the city limits is prohibited to have smoking inside of the building, including restaurants, bars, and private clubs. Personally this is great news.  Neither of us smoke, and we avoid a lot of places we would like to go because of how hard it is for us to breathe there. As reported by Live 5 News, "doctors Cindy Carter and Matthew Carpenter went out and sampled...
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By Carolyn Dubrofsky
(Charleston Your Home )
The Charleston Museum is hosting a country fair with a twist today, Saturday July 7th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring the family for face painting, exotic birds and camel rides. Yes, you heard right Camel rides! Or, for those who aren’t as adventurous, you can try your hand at crafts: sand art bracelets, decorating a paddle game and spin art. Eudora Farms Animals from Around the World petting zoo will have a wallaby, goats and cows so you can get your fill of wildlife from the farm. Cost is $10; $5 for children, no charge for children under 3 or for museum members. Just in case some of you didn’t already know, The Charleston Museum is also America's very first museum having been founded in 1773. The Charleston Museum is located at 360 Meeting St. in downtown Charleston.Take a break from t...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
  The Rotary Club of Daniel Island is sponsoring the 2007 Charleston Charity Duck Race.  This year's event will be held on July 14th, 2007. 10,000 rubber ducks will be dropped from the top of the Wando River Bridge and the first few lucky ducks to cross the finish line at the community dock at the Daniel Island Waterfront Park will big! You can adopt your very own duck for only $10.  The more you adopt, the more chances you have for that Grand Prize! 1st Duck Grand Prize - $15,000 2nd Duck - $5,000 3rd Duck - $2,500 4th Duck - $1,500 5th Duck - $1,000 There will be a FREEcommunity cookout by Publix and entertainment by The Electric Company 11:30-2:00. Proceeds from this event to benefit the Rotary Programs to Promote Clean Water and Literacy, Boys & Girls Club of Cainhoy, Donate Life to...
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By Carolyn Dubrofsky
(Charleston Your Home )
The outpouring of emotion and concern following last Monday’s tragic loss of nine firefighters here has prompted the city’s hospitality community to take action. Businesses large and small across the city have joined together for what’s being billed as the largest fundraiser in Lowcountry history to benefit the families of the nine firefighters killed in last week’s Sofa Super Store fire.The event, Dine for the Charleston Nine, will take place on July 8th from 6:30 to 9:30pm in the Grand Ballroom of the Charleston Place Hotel.The evening will feature tastings from more than 40 local restaurants accompanied by wine, beer and other beverages from local distributors. Music will be provided by Quentin Baxter and Cool Ferguson, a member of Taj Mahal’s band, who is flying in from Austin, Texa...
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