The 4th of July is right around the corner ! Time to reflect what this means for us, and time to celebrate and gather with friends and family.   Wherever you reside or visit in the Charleston area, there will be a fireworks celebration to enjoy: City of North Charleston 4th of July Festival– The Cit

The prices of homes in Charleston have people thinking outside the box in order to afford a home of their own.  If you haven't heard, the new trend is Tiny Houses.   Yes, a brand new build, anywhere from 100 to 500 square feet.  Some may say, 'I have closets larger than that'!  But to people who wan

Farmer's Markets in Charleston South Carolina are 'growing'.  Whether you're on John's Island, Downtown Charleston or near the Lakes in Summerville, you can shop for home grown fruit and vegetables from local farmers.  You'll also find local honey, (great for allergies), homemade breads, gelato, fre

......you think I am joking, right ?!  No, not at all ! That are serious questions people ask me when they move to the Charleston area, to our part which is called the "Low Country" , the main land or to one of our numerous islands. People come here not only from the United States but also from coun

So, you have decided to move to the Charleston area and consider renting a house or an apartment before you purchase a home. While searching on the Internet or talking to a realtor about places for lease, one can run into obstacles, if the move also involves your pets. Many landlords will allow havi

Gated Communities in Charleston, SC Many times, when I receive inquiries from people who like to relocate to the Charleston area, they ask me about gated communities and they are surprised when I tell them that we really don't have that many choices. Especially people moving here from Florida are as

If you're like most people you think you need a stellar credit score to qualify for a mortgage.  Think again, the average range of credit scores among home buyers is between 600 and 749.  Yes, you can qualify for a mortgage with a 600 credit score! Of course there are other things lenders take into

New York City vs. Charleston -  easy to compare, right ?! Definitely not an easy task, or so I thought ! NYC...wow ! There is no other city like this, right ? And Charleston, was-- it not just named the best travel destination city in the USA ? Contemplating what to write after I returned from my ve

The Lead based paint issue ! Important info for Buyers, Sellers, Landlords and Renters !  Homes and condos built before 1978 have lead-based paint. Paint that has chipped or is deteriorating, or on surfaces that rub together such as windows and doors, creates lead dust which can pose serious health

Many people think they can sell their home on their own, without a licensed Realtor.  It's possible but you will most likely waste time and possibly 'miss the market' besides the fact that your buyer pool is extremely limited.  When you list a home with me, an experienced Realtor, you don't have to

So you're under contract on a home in Charleston and you're not sure if the house is in 'good shape'.  All buyers, no matter where they are buying should pay a professional home inspector to inspect their prospective home even if it is a new construction home. The fact is it's probably the largest p

“Sister cities” are ​very common in Europe and this is becoming more and more popular in the US. But what the heck is a "sister" city ? What does this mean ?  According to​ what I found in the Internet, the program was introduced​ by  President Eisenhower in 1956. The idea​ was for “individual siste

Open House - who comes and does it really work ?  So, you get a listing and of course, and the first thing an anxious seller will ask: " ..so, when do you have an open house ?  This week and next weekend and every weekend ?. "  A realtor will comply as much as possible with the sellers wishes becaus

When taking a stroll around Charleston, keep your eyes peeled for a striking red sash around a carriage driver’s waist. This is the symbol of quality and assurance of a great guided tour! The Old South Carriage Company guides will entertain you with historical facts, local lore, and humor while pass

If you think you are stuck renting and can't buy a home...think again! There are three key reasons to Buy a home instead of Renting someone else's home. 1)  Interest rates on mortgage loans are at Historic Lows!  The rates would have to go up 10% in order for it to be cheaper to rent! 2)  You can ge

You're thinking of selling your home - your most expensive possession. You say you want to 'get a good price'.  But are you willing to do a little prep work and spend a little bit of money?  Here are a few things you might want to consider doing before listing your home.  1) Have your house appraise

If you haven't noticed, it's getting darker earlier, the kids are back in school and we're still enjoying wonderfully warm temperatures in the Lowcountry.   When was the last time you went to the beach?   Some locals make a daily visit to the beach.  Some take their dogs early morning or in the even

...the ever returning question: shall I buy or continue to rent....  I am sure we all have considered the advantages of renting or owning a home. A mortgage can certainly be an uncomfortable obligation for a very long time, maybe 30 years. But rent payments, well, they are also always an obligation

Rental Property & Love  So, you have to relocate and decided to keep your home and rent it out because you think you will be back in a few years and plan to retire in the home you love ! My advise is, fall out of love !  And then hire a property manager who handles all tenant issues such as leases,

"Wow".... !! !! Yes that is what I say every time I drive into my neighborhood and turn right at Rifle Range and Myrick ! This area has changed so much just in the past year that it is almost hard to remember what it used to look like. This was one of the very view spots in Mount Pleasant where one