A True Craftsman in the Spotlight

A good friend of mine Lee Tigner, owner of Early American Furnishings, sent me a video about a woodworking contest he had recently entered.  This was for the 2011 Furniture Design Company furniture contest, in its 18th year.  He did not win; however, he received an honorable mention.  He is originally from Charleston, SC, and now resides in Dawsonville, Georgia, outside of Atlanta.  It amazes me what he is able to create using reclaimed old growth lumber, with the result being hand-made home furnishings.  I feel the work he is doing is a true trade that has long been forgotton.  I had to share with you folks.  This is true craftsmanship at its finest.

 

Sinker Cypress Hope Chest from Lee Tigner on Vimeo.

 

This…

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Just Listed! - 1183 Fort Lamar Rd - James Island

1183 Fort Lamar We just listed this wonderful waterfront home on James Island.  A close drive to downtown Charleston and Folly Beach, this is your quiet getaway down a quiet street and having over 2 acres.

The home is located on secessionville creek with a private dock and boat lift. It is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home that has all the luxury you are looking for in a home at this price. A custom kitchen that is great for the cook in the family, and it opens up to the great room perfect for entertaining. There is a large screened porch that looks over the pool and water/marsh. As soon as you walk in the front door you will feel right at home. The master bedroom has panoramic views with a sitting area and fireplace and…

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Charleston Named 'Top US City'

Charleston, SC was named the 2011 'Top US City' by readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine recently.  Charleston came in at #2 last year.

The award was presented Monday evening at the magazine's Reader's Choice Awards in New York with Charleston native and comedian Stephen Colbert awarding the honor to local tourism officials.

Colbert said Charleston is the most beautiful city he has ever seen and joked that, as a child, he picked up pocket change pointing out the house in Charleston where Rhett Butler grew up.

Charleston has been on the magazine's Top 10 list since 1993.

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Here is a snapshot of the Charleston real estate statistics for Charleston County.  These stats compare the years 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Please note that the listings taken are down.  This is great news, since we want the extraordinary high number of active homes on the market to come down.  In any healthy real estate market, we want the active listing inventory to be around 6 months.  This means that if no other new homes came on the market- it would take 6 months to sell the active homes at the current rate they are selling.  Thus, these results show that we are trending in the right direction.

Also note that while the average sales price is again down, the number of closings are up.  In other words, activity is up.

Charleston stats vs previous years 

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Random Thoughts and Statistics for this Charleston Real Estate Market

Here are some statistics for you regarding the different areas surrounding Charleston.  Remember- every market is different, and every market in each area surrounding Charleston is also different.

Random stats from last week:

  • 165 residential properties under contract past wk. Great buying activity for time of year. But prices continue to fall (like the rest of the real estate markets around the country).
  • 136 single family homes under contract past wk. Median LIST price $180k(low), $94/sqft. 25 under $100k. 7 over $1M.
  • 37(27%) of 136 single family homes under contract past wk were either BANK OWNED FORECLOSURES or SHORT SALES
  • 17 island single family homes under contract past wk:…

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Absolute Auction October 1st in Summerville, SC

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1st @ 11:00 a.m.  -  SOLD!

116 Chalmers, Summerville, SC ~Great Starter Home.

Got lots of potential on this partially renovated ranch on quiet cul-de-sac.

This home WILL SELL TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER!  If it's $12,000, then it's $12,000.

 

116 Chalmers, Summerville AuctionPROPERTY DESCRIPTION: Great opportunity on this starter brick ranch on a quiet cul-de-sac! In the Dorchester School district this home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 baths with ceramic tile, custom cabinets, side by side, smooth top range, microwave, oven range and dishwasher. There are lots of ceiling fans and new vanities. It’s actually move in ready or put your personal touches on this great rental property. Either way, don’t miss out on this great buying…

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Just Sold on the Peninsula, downtown Charleston 1.8 million

Even in the difficult market of 2011, we are still selling houses in Charlestion. This truly is a unique property, and in one of the finer areas on the Charleston Peninsula. I was fortunate to have exceptional clients.

Here is the writeup on the home:

52 Smith Street Circa 1850, 52 Smith Street is enviably located in the heart of Harleston Village on the corner of Smith and Montague Streets. Over the past five years, the interior and exterior of this home have been meticulously renovated and restored offering all of the modern amenities while preserving its traditional style and grace. Natural light fills the grand interiors of the home, accenting the original heart pine floors and beautiful architectural…

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Just a reminder that we are a great resource for foreclosures in Charleston, SC.  In today’s Charleston realForeclosures in Charleston, SC estate market, foreclosures and short sales comprise anywhere between 25 and 35% of the total market.  In some areas of Charleston, those numbers can even be higher.  With fall coming up, and winter right around the corner, the pressure is on for banks to unload these bank owned properties and get them sold.

On this website, you can search any foreclosure or bank-owned property in the Charleston market.  Our information is updated daily, to ensure that you’re getting the latest and most up to date information on these great deals.  We even have a breakdown of foreclosures and bank owned homes for each specific area of Charleston.

If you have any…

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Just SoldJust sold another house in Charleston, and this time it was for FULL LIST PRICE!  But how in this market?

This home at 507 Ivy Circle was in Grand Oaks in West Ashley, which is a very competitive neighborhood in terms of selling.  There were many comparative homes on the market for sale, BUT THIS ONE STOOD OUT AND SOLD.  How did we do it?  We didn't...the seller did.  He realized that in order to sell a house quickly, he would need to stand above and beyond the competition.

 

He accomplished this by:

  1. Utilizing our technology to sell his home.
  2. Having a competitive price.
  3. Keeping the home extremely clean, with windows open.
  4. Staging the home so it will sell.
  5. Offering incentives such as a transferrable termite bond, a home warranty, closing costs for…

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I get a lot of real estate questions during work, at dinner parties, at kid’s birthday parties, from friends, from family- about the current real estate market here in Charleston.  The number 1 question that I’ve been getting lately is:

When are we going to see the bottom?

Well, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that question.  The short answer is: I don’t know, but it could be now, depending on other factors, or your current situation.  I want to put something out there that I hope you buyers will take into account when considering purchasing at “the bottom”.  Know that every person’s situation is different when timing the market- but let’s look at one factor.  Do not only think in terms of home values when determining “the bottom”, but…

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