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

Charleston was at one time in history the home of pirates, lots of them ! And​ their ghosts and others, those are still living among us, in cemeteries, in houses, in hotels, in alley ways, in parks. Don't be afraid. Most of them are friendly. At night, you can hear them talk and laugh ! This is no j

Well, it's September 1st - we're half way through Hurricane Season!  When was the last time you evaluated your Homeowners Insurance?  It seems every part of our Beautiful Country can be subject to some type of severe weather conditions.  Living here in the LowCountry, especially along the coast, you

Charleston: history and beauty and colors !  There are a lot of historic homes d'town Charleston and our city is known for its beautiful architecture. The Charleston Preservation Society plays a great part in preserving our history and architecture and I am a proud member of this organization. One v

CHANGES in the neighborhood !  So, there is this very well established neighborhood called Harborgate Shores off Rifle Range Road. This neighborhood is marked with a simple sign. Turning here, one finds mostly ranch style brick homes, large yards, lots of trees and green space. A neighborhood probab

Some people prefer to buy land and build a home to fit their needs.  They may be a contractor, a builder or they know a friend who is involved with new construction.  Some people prefer to buy a home already built.  They can hang some blinds, move their belongings in and they're done!   There is mor

..and there was once NOTHING but a dumpster area right behind the gas station and fire department !  Today I stopped in awe at the corner of Ben Sawyer Blvd and Warrick !! This new neighborhood has gone up fast. And I must say, it is quite unique as the builder saved the trees and so the 12 building

Pocket neighborhoods A "pocket neighborhood" is a clustered groups of neighboring houses or apartments gathered around a shared open space — a garden courtyard, a pedestrian street, a series of joined backyards, or a reclaimed alley — all of which have a clear sense of territory and shared stewardsh

The Carolina Shag  - The South Carolina State dance "The Shag' is a partner dance done primarily to Beach Music. It is a dance recognized in national and international dance competitions held across the United States. A 1989 motion picture, “Shag,” starring Bridget Fonda, Phoebe Cates and Tyrone Pow

How to Choose a Home Builder Don't find just the right home to buy ? Building might be an option and to choose the right builder is crucial. Here are some tips to help you choose a builder. Make a List of Possible Builders Once you have thought about the type of home you want, you can create a list

One of Charleston's most popular events is Restaurant Week.  Charleston is the destination for world renowned food and master chefs. The participating restaurants have a set price between $20 and $40 for a 3 course meal.   Perhaps you'd like to try a top of the line steak house restaurant and know y

PlantationsWhat are plantations? Plantations can be defined as large farms in the colonies that used the enforced labor of slaves to harvest cotton, rice, sugar, tobacco and other farm produce for trade and export. Crops were planted on a large scale with usually just one major plant species growing

Stunning Cobblestone Street and Alleys My hometown Charleston, SC is an amazing place with a fascinating history. One of the many historic sites and features are the few remaining cobblestone streets. What is it about cobblestone streets and paths that take us to the past as we carefully navigate th

Who would have guessed  ?!   ...that there is a small new neighborhood behind Sea Island Shopping Plaza in Mount Pleasant ? I take Chuck Dawley Blvd daily on my way to work and had noticed a small sign announcing a new neighborhood. For weeks I drove by that sign thinking "oh, I should turn here and