Funny and Bad Real Estate Photos - Time for Some Fun

We're always giving updates regarding the real estate market here in Charleston, so this time I thought we'd take a look at some fun and interesting real estate photos from realtors locally and around the country.

How about this one, a $225,000 bush for sale?

Here's a great one of the beautiful front yard:

How about a great shot of the bunkbed:

Here is a beautiful kitchen shot...looks fine to me...

Same house, beautiful family room photo:

You may have wanted to put a few things away first... (de-clutter)

I always like the option of having an office:

Flowers ALWAYS add to a room...

This is what it might look like at night?

Wow, this is overkill (yes, pun intended):

These…

3922 Views, 3 Comments

Blessing of the Fleet in Mt. Pleasant, SC

It's that time of year again for the Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival! Come on out to Waterfront Park, Sunday April 29th from 11:30am to 6:00pm.

This wonderful event used to be located near Alhambra Hall in the Old Village, but since it has outgrown the original location- it has been relocated to Mount Pleasant's Waterfront Park at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge.

This festival highlights some of the best local seafood that Charleston has to offer, and is community-supported benediction that calls for a safe and prosperous shrimping season in Charleston! It should be a great event this year with live music, local crafts, kids activities, a boat parade, and of course the ceremonial blessing of the shrimp/fishing fleet here in…

3471 Views, 0 Comments

66th Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens

March 21-April 20th

It's that time of year again for the 66th Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens. This festival features the interiors of our beloved downtown historic antebellum homes, as well as the beautiful surrounding gardens of approximately 150 homes in 10 colonial Charleston neighborhoods dating to the 18th Century.

Take a walk and enjoy Charleston's distinctive history, architecture, gardens, and culture. This tour allows the public to view some of America's oldest historic homes, during Charleston's peak blooming season.

The tours feature 7 to 10 properties each day, of ten neighborhoods, dating from the American colonial period, through the antebellum and Victorian eras, to early 20th century. Take a walk back in history, and place…

6057 Views, 1 Comments

Get Ready, Flood Insurance Premiums are Going Up

Chances are, if you're living anywhere near the coastline of Charleston, South Carolina, then you're paying for flood insurance due to the the fact that Charleston's elevation is just above sea level. If you're financing your home, then your lender would have required it at closing when you purchased. However, if you paid cash or if your house is in flood zone x, then it wouldn't be required. See more on Charleston flood zones.

But what is this about flood insurance rates going up, and will it affect me? Yes. The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 was passed in June of 2012 which will increase flood insurance premiums over a 4 or 5-year period.

The National Flood Insurance Program states that premiums were off as much as 40% of…

4589 Views, 0 Comments

The 2013 Cooper River Bridge Run - Mount Pleasant & Charleston, SC

Ready to Run?

The April 6th, 2013 race date is close upon us! Are you ready to run or walk in one of America's best organized 10K runs?

This incredible race in Charleston, South Carolina has one of the most beautiful, serene, and unique settings around the country. Starting in Mount Pleasant, this race is enjoyed by the young and the old, the fast and the slow, those that run and those that walk. There are world-class athletes that train all year for this particular race, and those that enjoy walking the 10K while taking in the Charleston Harbor, and downtown Charleston's rich history.

April in Charleston certainly provides for some of the best weather during this time of year, and what better setting than running over North America's longest…

9951 Views, 0 Comments

Which Areas Should I Invest in Charleston, SC Real Estate?

If you are living in Charleston, South Carolina and looking to invest some of your hard-earned money into real estate- which areas should you consider, and what might be a good buy?

There are many opinions on what might be the best gameplan.  One certainly has to take into consideration the best areas, the best price ranges to purchase in, and what kind of investment property to purchase.  For this blog post, I'd like to cover a few of the areas surrounding downtown, Charleston. I'm not the 'end all' pro when it comes to investing, but after living here in Charleston practically all of my life- I've seen different areas excel in this Charleston real estate market.

As anyone knows, the three most important factors when choosing real estate is…

11495 Views, 2 Comments

Carolina One New Homes to Market Bluff Estates in Mt. Pleasant

Bluff Estates is Catalyst Builder's newest community located off Porcher’s Bluff Road in Mt. Pleasant.  With seven home sites starting in the mid $300s and numerous upgrades, these semi-custom homes are expected to sell very quickly.  Carolina One New Homes will be coordinating the marketing efforts for Bluff Estates.

Some of the many standard features include smooth ceilings throughout and 10 foot ceilings as well as oak hardwood flooring on the first floor; gas range, gas fireplace and Rinnai tankless water heaters (think cost-efficiency); granite kitchen countertops, Armstrong Cabinets with beautiful crown molding and GE stainless appliances.  In addition, the cement exterior siding comes complete with Sherwin Williams Historic Charleston colors.

3727 Views, 1 Comments

Construction on Ocean Neighbors to Begin Soon | James Island, SC

January 14, 2013 - Charleston, SC - Just a short three miles from Folly Beach on secluded Battery Island you’ll find Mungo Homes newest community, Ocean Neighbors. Marketed exclusively by Carolina One New Homes, Ocean Neighbors is the only community on James Island to offer beautiful lakefront homesites from 2100 to 4100 square feet beginning at only $295,900.

With their new “Vanguard Series,” Mungo Homes will be offering nine (9) new floorplans that are all HERS rated and “hauSmart” certified, insuring maximum energy efficiency and ultimate convenience for your new home.

Construction, scheduled for early 2013, will also feature a magnificent 12 acre lake, strolling sidewalks, a playground as well as a community dock.

To view the homesites, turn left…

3065 Views, 0 Comments

6 or More New Developments Slated for James Island Within the Next Few Years

New Neighborhoods Scheduled for James Island

James Island will see some changes over the next 3 years.  Here is a quick snapshot at what is going on:
 

• Harbor homes is about to begin building 19 new homes in Ocean Neighbors
• Crescent Homes is about to begin building 25 new homes on Riverland Drive across from the golf course.
• DR Horton has begun building about 20 LARGE homes in Island Shores (located down Woodland Shores toward the Stono River)
• New Leaf Builders is about to begin 12 homes on Woodland Shores Rd.
• DR Horton is about to begin developing and building 38 homes in Harbor Woods off of Regatta Rd
• Beazer is about to begin developing and building 88 homes in the front of Seaside Plantation
• And finally at the corner of Grimball and Folly on…

4337 Views, 8 Comments

A Sellers Housing Market in Charleston, SC Right Now?

Where are the Best Areas to Purchase in Charleston?

Yes, you heard it correctly- Charleston, South Carolina is currently experiencing a 'Sellers Market' in some areas of Charleston.  Where are the areas? What are the best deals?

Take a look at the illustration below. There are certain areas surrounding Charleston that are experiencing a 'sellers market'.  For those that don't know- a balanced housing market in Charleston means that there is a 6 month inventory of homes for sale.  This means that if NO new homes came on the market, it would take 6 months for the inventory of homes to sell at the current rate that which homes are selling.

For example, a 10 month supply of homes on the market would mean that it is a Buyers Market.  A 4 month supply…

3626 Views, 2 Comments