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Charleston, SC Real Estate News

By Thomas Cunningham, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Buyers' Choice Realty)
So, with hopes of more people having the chance to see this Post. I implore more of my fellow comrades to take the time to read this post and voice your opinions.    I was curious, in this tumultuous market laden with negative press is it a positive move for someone like myself, to take up a position as a Mortgage Banker and use the opportunity to learn all the in's and out's of the financial side of Real Estate?  I'm quite excited by the idea. I have always been extremely curious about how things work on the lending side of this Industry. So, just curious what my fellow professionals might think of this idea! Are there any of you out there that have pursued this line of experience? If so, what are some tips you can share with me; Good-Bad and the ugly??What do you some of you think the...
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By Ed DeChristopher, CRS Fredericksburg VA
(Fredericksburg Realty, Inc.)
Thirteen grandchildren.  Yup, that's how many grandchildren we have.Well, on October 20th of this year, our oldest grandchild TJ Michalenko - was married to a wonderful girl!Katherine Kerns and TJ Michalenko were married in Charleston Harbor and it was one of the nicest weddings we have ever witnessed.  The two of them took care of everything themselves and a great job they did.Have never been to Charleston before and I was taken aback by the lovely setting.The wedding began in the late afternoon and the two of them planned that perfectly.  Shortly after the wedding was over (and the hundreds of pictures taken) the sun began to set and the cool night air surrounded us all.  The ceremony was beautiful as was the scenery.After the wedding we all began our short walk to Historic Charleston...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
Last night I was watching the news and heard that starting today, November 1st, the three percent state tax will no longer be charged to unprepared foods purchased at grocery stores.  Awesome news! The three percent state sales tax on unprepared foods will be lifted as part of the state's property tax relief and school funding legislation of 2006. County sales taxes will still apply to foods. Currently Charleston County has a 1.5% tax that is charged for road improvements and for property tax relief.  The state tax will be removed on all groceries except those intended to be eaten at or near the store, spices, seeds to be grown as food and all beverages other than alcoholic ones and hot ready-to-drink offerings. I knew there was a reason I waited to go to the grocery store until today ...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
This year is the 3rd Annual Pet Helpers Black Tie Fur Ball Gala on Saturday, October 27, 2007.  The Charleston Marriott on Lockwood Drive in Downtown Charleston will be the location to dine and dance and benefit the homeless furry friends at Pet Helpers Rescue & Adoption Shelter.  The ball will get rolling at 6:30 pm, with popular and fun- loving emcees Tom Crawford and Victoria Hansen of Channel 4 News. As you begin your evening with a beverage from the open bar and hors d'oeuvres, you will have time to view and bid on the many exciting Silent Auction items which will include "get-aways," art work, dinners, personal and pet services, jewelry, golf packages and many other exciting and unique items. You will enjoy a plated dinner, have a chance to bid on exciting Live Auction items, and...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
Here is a great event that brings together Charlestonians and Bostonians for a great cause! Charleston's First Annual "Boston Pahty" will take place on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at Charleston Beer Works from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  All of the proceeds raised will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to fund research for the prevention of MS.  The "pahty" will feature great "Boston" and "Charleston" food, an open bar, live music by the Cobblestone Trio, photos by RK Digital Photography and a silent auction.  A few of the items in the silent auction include unique pieces from the Augusta National Golf Club as well as a dinner in Boston with former Red Socks pitcher Luis Tiante. "Since relocating to the South, from Boston, I've wanted to have an event celebrating some of...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
A few years ago Jim and I were introduced to Convoy of Hope.  It was the fourth one here in Charleston, but we had never heard of it before.  But I am so glad that we have been able to be a part of it. Convoy of Hope is an opportunity for local businesses, churches, and community agencies to come together to provide thousands of people with a message of hope, free groceries, refreshments, health screenings, job fairs, clothing, haircuts, games and activities for children, and much more.  All of the goods and services -- which are donated and supplied locally, are provided to guests free of charge. This all-volunteer outreach mobilizes hundreds of area residents to serve and make a difference in their community.   In the past years, 1,000 volunteers from over 70 churches and over 100 bu...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
If you're familiar with Charleston, then you have definitely heard of the Taste of Charleston.  Jim and I both have years and years of experience in the restaurant business, and anyone in that business also knows all about the Taste of Charleston, but from a behind-the-scenes point of view.  The Taste of Charleston is an opportunity for local restaurants to all get together to showcase a few of their signature dishes while helping to raise money for a few very worthy local charities.  It's hosted by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association and this year will be sponsored by Southcoast Community Bank.  The event will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2007, 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant.  Proceeds from the "Taste" will benefit the Ronald McDonald Hous...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
This morning our broker sent out an email entitled "Very Positive News".  If that doesn't pique your interest these days, then I don't know what will. Well, the email contained the following message that he received about the state of the real estate market in Charleston.  I have spoken with so many people in the past few months who were asking when I thought the market would get better, if I thought the worst was over, and things of that nature.  I have never thought that Charleston was as harshly affected by the downturn in the market as some other areas.  There are parts of Charleston that were inflated more than others, and so yes, those areas were affected more than the ones that did not balloon so quickly.  But as a whole, the Charleston area has not experienced the "bubble burst...
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By Michael Johnson, Metro Charleston SC
(Carolina One Real Estate)
 According to a recent study by the Milken Institute, the Charleston, SC metropolitan has climbed the list of the top 200 cities in America for creating and sustaining jobs.  Charleston has risen from being ranked number 22 a year ago to an impressive ranking of 12th in the nation on the list of "Best Performing Cities."  The following is the breakdown of how Charleston was evaluated as taken from the Milken Institute's website: Overall Rank: 12 MSA Population: 603,000 5-yr Job Growth (2000-2005)1 Score: 107.13 Rank: 32 1-yr Job Growth (2004-2005)2 Score: 100.50 Rank: 63 5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth (1999-2004)3 Score: 113.72 Rank: 21 1-yr Wages & Salaries Growth (2003-2004)4 Score: 102.55 Rank: 30 Job Growth (Mar06 - Mar07)5 Growth: 3.63 % Rank: 13 5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2000-200...
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By Foster Smith Summerville, Summerville & Charleston Homes for Sale SC Realtor
(Carolina One Real Estate)
Today is the first day of October and it is time for a round up of September's activity in the Greater Summerville and Charleston real estate markets.  Here is the summary and links to more in depth coverage...Let me know if you have any questions.Summerville: (More Info)Houses Sold: 167 Average Sale Price: $189,000 Average Days on Market: 63 Houses on the Market: 1538 Average List Price: $272,360 Moncks Corner & Goose Creek: (More Info)Houses Sold: 103 Average Sale Price: $183,790 Average Days on Market: 71 Houses on the Market: 705 Average List Price: $227,423 Hanahan: (More Info)Houses Sold: 10 Average Sale Price: $182,000 Average Days on Market: 84 Houses on the Market: 194 Average List Price: $312,739 The Beaches (Isle of Palms & Sullivans): (More Info)Houses Sold: 12 Average Sale ...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
According to an article in today's Post and Courier titled Area'a Job Growth Among Best in Nation, Charleston's job growth is outperforming other parts of the country. What terrific news!  I knew that several major companies , like Google and Vought, had recently set up shop in the tricounty area, but I had no idea that our job growth was doing so well.  It's definitely a pleasant surprise. Charleston was rated by the Milken Institute as the 12th-best metropolitan area in the country at creating and sustaining jobs.  Last year, the city was ranked No. 22.   Not bad for just one year. Here is a small part of that article:  "During the past five years, Charleston's employment base grew 7.1 percent faster than the national average, Milken found. Wages and salaries also outpaced the rest o...
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
With all of the negative press on the real estate market lately, it's no wonder why no one has paid that much attention to the economy in Charleston.  Everywhere I turn I hear someone spouting how bad the market is and how real estate is going under, but for Charleston that is just not the case. In today's Post and Courier, there was an article releasing that the federal government has confirmed that the economy of the tri-county areas of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties are not just growing, but booming! The article is Numbers don't lie: We're a hot market. According to the article, the three-county area's economic output has grown faster in the past five years than South Carolina's and the nation's as a whole, with the latest year's increase ranking among the top 20 perc...
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By Bruce Mullen
(Carolina One Real Estate)
With over 330 years of history and happenings, what better place to spend Halloween than in historic Charleston, South Carolina? Charleston has everything a fright seeker desires; from special ghost tours, costume hoe-downs, extravaganzas and more, there's something guaranteed to raise every hair and chill every bone! West Farm Corn Maze - Sept. 21 - Oct. 28 Experience good old-fashioned fun at the West Family's 6-acre corn maze. The maze features over 3 miles of trails in the shape of the state of SC. Guests will be provided a map upon entry, but will have to use their best map-reading skills to get out of the maze after finding all 12 checkpoints. Other activities include a farm zoo, hayrides, pumpkin patch, scarecrow alley, apple slingshot and more! Call 843-688-5453 or visit www.wes...
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By Carolyn Dubrofsky
(Charleston Your Home )
As a native Jersey boy, Pizza is my passion.  If there were one kind of food that I could be left with on a deserted island for the rest of my life, it would be a good pizza pie. And yes, I did say “pie,” make no mistake, that is the official terminology. In the northeast I order a large, medium, or small cheese pie. We still have all the toppings, it’s just that I’m a meat n’ potatoes kind of guy, (possibly the Irish heritage), and I stick to the classic but everlasting cheese pizza.If any of you doubt my expertise, let’s examine my resume here. I have been to dozens and dozens of pizza parlors in the northeast, the west coast, and even down south. I have eaten pizza all over the world as well: Spain, Ireland, China, and even the motherland…Italy.  Rome was about the only place that co...
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By Foster Smith Summerville, Summerville & Charleston Homes for Sale SC Realtor
(Carolina One Real Estate)
 Homes for Sale in Del Webb Charleston are located within the Cane Bay Plantation Development in Summerville,SC.  This area is one of the new 55 and older communities in Summerville and promises to be a wonderful community for those looking to relocate to Charleston and enjoy life as they reach retirement or just want to downsize.Developed by Pulte Homes, (a Fortune 150 company based in Michigan), Del Webb has the reputation of building solid homes and great communities with amenities that are geared specifically to active adults.  Pulte Homes has constructed nearly 500,000 homes in its 57 years of business and they had revenues of $14.3 billion in 2006.In an interview with the Charleston Post & Courier, the director was quoted "We have been building active adult communities for over 46...
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By Carolyn Dubrofsky
(Charleston Your Home )
It has been 50 years since Jack Kerouac published “On the Road,” which was typed on one continuous 120-foot scroll in three weeks. Join Blue Bicycle Books this Saturday, September 22st for a commemorative event for “On the Road” and a book release party for “Kakalak: An Anthology of Carolina Poets.” The event will start at 5 p.m. with a wine and cheese reception and a book signing. Bookstore owner Jonathan Sanchez who just happens to be a very gifted author himself, came up a little short on the cash in his quest to purchase the original Kerouac scroll, which sold for a mere $2.4 million in 2002, so Blue Bicycle Books commissioned a community creative writing project. Kerouac fans were invited to re-create their own story on a communal scroll. Like Kerouac’s famous story, the scroll wil...
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By Carolyn Dubrofsky
(Charleston Your Home )
Want a fun way to support the local economy, and sample some delicious Lowcountry fare? Lowcountry Local First, a nonprofit advocating a living local economy, will host the inaugural Buy Local, Be Local Bash to kick off its first Buy Local Week (Sept. 24- 29). The bash will be at V Fitness Center at the Aquarium Wharf in downtown Charleston. Local entertainers Cary Ann Hearst and Eddie Bush will provide the music, and Fish Restaurant, The Sprout, Granville, Sesame and Five Loaves CafĂŠ will provide the food. Locally produced and distributed wines, spirits, coffee and beer will also be available. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Advance tickets are available at V Fitness, Sesame, The Sprout, The Sustainability Institute and The Noisette Co. For more information, you can contac...
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By Jim Grady
(Keller-Williams Charleston SC)
Like any other area in the US, Charleston has experienced a slowdown in their real estate market.  Charleston is a unique area; however, with its proximity to the beach, resorts, port access, continued economic growth and commercial development and its affordability.  Thus, the real estate forecast is optimistic.  Charleston thus continues to be an area of real estate opportunity.    
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By Jim & Maria Hart, Charleston, SC Real Estate
(Brand Name Real Estate)
Would you love to groove to the sounds of one of South Carolina's favorite bands? If so, then you need to mark your calendar for the 5th Annual "Home Grown Concert". On August 24th, Hootie & the Blowfish will be playing their tunes for a really good cause.  For the past 4 years, the Lowcountry has had the privilege of having this home-grown band play our "Home Grown Concert".  The purpose of the event is to raise money to provide school supplies for children all over the Lowcountry. The concert will start around 8:00pm at the Daniel Island Family Circle Cup Stadium. Ticket prices vary, so call 1-800-677-2293 to get the whole scoop. So come on out and have some fun and donate to local children in need of school supplies! *photo courtesy of Flickr
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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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