Welcome to the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation. The
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition starts tomorrow, February 18th and runs for 3 days. It's in the heart of the lowcountry, Charleston, South Carolina. Don't miss a minute...go to their website for more information.
Charleston made the New York Social Diary.
http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1904836
Though it's only one point of view it still tells us that we are thriving. The arrival of Southwest Airlines is much needed and anticipated by all of us that have family spread across the country. As for me....born in New York but Charlestonian by choice.
Now is the time of year people take stock of their lives including will they sell their homes. Are you one of those considering putting your home on the market? If so I have some basic information and advice.
This spring we expect new foreclosure inventory. Exactly how much remains to be seen but we know that banks are holding a significant number of homes in their pipeline. We also know that banks are anxious to get that pipline of homes moving. The sooner you get your home on the market the better. Call a Realtor and let them tell you what if anything you need to do to prepare for buyers. Of course I would love you to call me but if you choose someone else do choose a Realtor; a member of the National Association of Realtors that upholds the Realtor Code of ethics.
Good luck and happy selling.
As we head into 2011 I still have many questions about our universe that I am trying to answer, even though I have fooled my children into thinking I have all the answers....and of course my grandchildren.
Why do the plants in my walled courtyard get more frostbitten then the ones outside?
Why does my HVAC moan and groan only in the winter?
Though 2 of my 3 my children are grown and live away from home why do I still cook so much food?
Why am I more tired when I have slept well?
Why do telemarketers call when they are chewing something?
So there are my top questions for today. Not big ones? Of course not. All that really matters is family and friends.
Happy New Year and all the best in 2011 from my (our) home to yours.
Have I said I love where I live often enough? 12 minutes from the Isle of Palms Beach and 20 minutes from downtown Charleston does make a happy girl. This holiday season King Street downtown has been closed to traffic the 2nd Sunday of each month. Don't know who thought of that but it's a great marketing tool for the stores and fun for shoppers too. Walking on the beach in the bright sunshine in December? Love it!
We are heading north for a few days to see family. Checking the weather online and watching for snow is NOT something I like but have to venture away from the beach sometimes. Oh well....will hurry home to spend Christmas where else? Walking on the beach.
I love this time of year. A nip in the air, a smile on the faces, joy in the air. So why is steam coming out of my ears and am I so annoyed? My cell phone provider....do those words just sum it up? All I want to do is change my voice mail. I don't want to do brain surgery so what is so difficult? Two phone calls later I am not better off then before I started. Tomorrow I go into the store. I will not raise my voice. I will not complain. In my sweetest voice I will ask, "can you help me"? They better!
Hooray it's December and time for all the holiday events. Just because we don't have feet of snow it doesn't mean we don't celebrate "big time". Here is list of my/our favorite things and events"
Planning on listing your home or have it on the market during the holidays? Feel free to decorate but don't go overboard. Religious decorations can be offensive so limit those or take them down when a showing is scheduled. If your pictures posted on the web or on the Multiple Listing Service show your home decorated be sure and change them when the holidays are over. Pictures changed with the change of seasons don't scream "on the market a long time". Buyers do look during December and most are serious so removing your home from showings is not a good idea.
Filed under: Real Estate, Charleston Blog, Charleston, children, Charleston Place hotel, Marion Square, lights, Charleston Farmers Market, James Island County Park, Christmas in Charleston, South Carolina
It's a few days after Halloween and I am still licking my wounds. We had NO trick or treaters again this year. I've heard tales of people that had 400 youngins come to their door....not me/us. Are their children living next door to me or even two doors down? No but so what? That doesn't mean I don't have any candy. I'm a grand parent I always have candy.
When my three were little Halloween was like a national holiday. Carving the pumpkin started the fun. We all gathered at the kitchen table. I scooped out the "goop". Little ones drew on the face and Dad cut it out.
Costumes were never store bought. We created from what we had or I sewed something new. Candy was eaten in 3 days or tossed out. No exceptions no excuses. They came home, dumped their treats on the kitchen table and we sorted. John loved Kit Kats so he took all those. Jeremy loved starburst so he took all those. Jenny wasn't picky and me? I took what didn't look good and anything that children didn't like. Mark took what they were willing to share as long as it was chocolate.
I so miss all that. All I ask is for a few trick or treaters to come to my house. Please.
Fall is here. This was one of the warmest summers I can remember. No, it wasn't hot flashes it really was hot outside. My garden is now showing the strain and this is the season to make it right so to speak. Time to trim, prune and schedule for winter what can't be done now. My favorite source for help is Abide-A-While Garden Center. Not only do they have wonderful plants of all varieties but the staff is helpful and friendly. Where else can you find a nursery staff member named Steve Parsley...no I'm not kidding.
Going plant shopping has become a family affair. Mu husband/partner Mark loves to look and I can always count on him to say, "let's buy this and I'll pay for it". Music to my ears. He isn't big on planting but he will water if I ask him to and that's a help with new things that need water everyday. When my daughter visits we take a side trip to plant shop....or maybe pot shop. It's all fun.
My walled garden is my oasis. The deer can't come in and I can enjoy my precious daylillies knowing critters won't nip off my buds. I would love to buy more but still haven't made it to Roycroft Nursery. I will sooner rather than later....the more the better for me. My Knockout roses thrive if I nip the flower at the end of the blooming cycle. Last year I had roses at Christmas....not too much after but it was sweet while it lasted. I could name each and evey plant but I won't bore my blog readers.
Coming to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina anytime soon? Give me a shout and I'll show you my garden. It's not the best time to visit but I do have roses.
As a real estate agent I get lots of emails from lenders. Some banks and some independent brokers but one thing they all have in common is the low interest rate. Now I know the term "low" is relative....low compared to what you may ask? If you have read any of my blogs or looked at my pictures you know I am almost "over the hill". I've reached the top and am working my way down the side marked below middle age. Not at the bottom or I hope anywhere close but on that side.
When we built our dream home in Atlanta in 1981 our new interest rate was around 14%. (The home we were moving from was 10.5% and assumable. Someone got a deal.) Rates did go higher than 14 so at the time it was an okay number. My next door neighbor was struggling to keep her head above water with an adjustable mortgage that was floating....not sure to this day what she had but suffice to say she had negative amortization. Today my interest rate is 5% on a 15 year. We will be paid off sooner rather than later and I am ecstatic.
So there you go. Interest rates are a record low. Even with this mortgage mess we are in it's a good time to buy. Homes are selling and people are moving. Rent is more expensive than a mortgage in some cases. Thinking about buying? Call a Realtor....or me.
If you know me...or if you have read anything I have written you know I am a Wife, Mom and Grandmother. When my son and his wife (pre granddaughter) purchased their first home I was overjoyed for them. Just a few months ago my daughter and her husband and baby son purchased their first home and again I was over joyed. But, big but, the big "R" word has now raised it's head with my children. My son has taken a job with the PGA Tour in Jacksonville, Florida which means his family will be selling their home in Indianapolis, Indiana and moving.
It's not easy to relocate a family. I know from experience. We joke about it now but we moved long distance 4 times plus 3 times in Atlanta and my husband was home for 2 of them. I managed but it was work. I know this move will be a strain on them but in an attempt to help in any way I can I am giving them a "plug" on my blog. Their home is in Irvington...on the edge of the city. FYI I know nothing about the structure, the area or any of the vital information you will need to purchase it. I am just attaching the Virtual Tour below. You can call their agent for more information. Her contact info is on the tour.
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=659399
Thanks for any help you can give them.
Here we are. July 4th has snuck up on me...again. Just as I think we passed Memorial Day and it's safe to wear my white shoes and white linen skirt July hits me in the head. Hits with the heat and the birthdays, mine, my husbands and my daughters. But the one that resonates the loudest is my countries.
As a child my Dad told me the fireworks were in honor of my birthday...the world was celebrating he said. Yes, I was naive but thrilled too that everyone did all those fireworks just for me. And the music....love Stars and Stripes Forever. John Phillip Sousa wrote that with patriotism in mind.
Where were you July 4th 1976? Were you even born? A great time was had by all. No matter where you lived you couldn't miss the celebrating, the joy, the spectacle on TV as the ships assembled. Wow, what a day that was.
As we celebrate here in Charleston and watch fireworks at the Isle of Palms or at Patriots Point let's not forget who we are. We are Americans. We protect liberty for all. We cherish the memories of the ones we lost in battle and salute the brave men and women that fought for us in the past and fight to protect freedom everywhere today.
Happy July 4th everyone. See at the fireworks. Happy Birthday America.
Want a fresh tomato? Maybe a purple potato? The Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Farmers Market is the place to go April 13th to October 19th from 3:30 to dusk. Fresh is the word for produce and more. From flowers to yummy desserts it doesn't get any better then this. Vendors sell ready made food too. Come and get your dinner. Kettle Corn? Now that's a treat for young and old alike. Hot Day? Grab a snow cone.
The new facility on the campus of Moultrie Middle school has parking there and across the street. Drive down Coleman Blvd from downtown over the Ravenel Bridge or from Sullivans Island just go straight across the Intercoastal Waterway.
Have fun and leave some for me.
It's here....it's now....it starts today.
Spoleto 2010 in Charleston, South Carolina is one of the best things we do in our fair city. From comedy to opera, from concert in the grass to art in the square. Don't miss a minute. If some of the prices seem steep check out
Piccolo. Many events are free and some great ones are under $20 a ticket. Enjoy and happy culture.
Filed under: Events, Community Information, Charleston Blog, Charleston, family, 2010, Spoleto, concert, opera, Piccolo, Marion Square
• 1,817 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - 
MLS® $500,000
Brook Green Meadow, Mount Pleasant - Great "close in" home with a Shem Creek marsh and water view like few others. Built with historic Charleston brick this home with a cottage like feel has been lovingly improved and updated leaving in place many of the features that make it special. Original oak hardwood floors, knotty pine paneling and bookcases in family room/master suite, 2 gas log burning fireplaces with brick surrounds, open kitchen with some ceramic tiled counter top and some new counter top, new under mounted sink with new faucet, gas range with new vent hood, living/ family and dining rooms are light filled and spacious, baths have new cabinets with new plumbing fixtures, new "green" carpet in the master bedroom, new roof and so much more. Screened porch and deck overlooking the marsh have glass block lights inserted in the floor on an automatic timer that give an ethereal glow in the evening. Lounge on the new deck and enjoy the tranquility. Refrigerator conveys in "as is" condition. Dock permit has been applied for. Seller is licensed NC real estate agent. Buyer to verify lot and home size if square footage is important.
Property information