Rick's Blog

The South Carolina State House passed a bill unanimously on Wednesday of this week that may have a positive impact on real estate sales in Beaufort County and the state as a whole, provided the State Senate follows suit.  Current state law requires an immediate increase of the assessed value of r...

Homeowners I meet who are interested in selling their home ask a lot of questions about the advertising plans I have for their home.  And it is customary in the real estate business to promote the many unique and creative methods we have developed to find buyers for their property.  Real estate m...

"We have just been advised by the golf club ownership that the club will be ceasing operations as of noon today. We will provide you with further information as it becomes available."  With those words in January, 2006, golf at Rose Hill Plantation in Bluffton, South Carolina suddenly ceased.A li...

Studies suggest that the decision to buy a home is often tied to an emotional reaction a prospective purchaser experiences in the first few minutes during a home visit.  Perhaps there are ways that Realtors can enhance this experience with a house history.  While it's helpful to tell a prospect h...

As a spring gift, two annual tours of homes in the South Carolina and Georgia coastal lowcountry are on tap in April and May.I had the honor of judging some of the spectacular new homes for the 2008 Greater Savannah Parade of Homes featuring homes in Georgia's Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Libert...

I've seen more and more blogs and comments over the past weeks that highlight a double-edged phenomena that might just be a natural phase of a declining real estate market with widely varying predictions of an upswing.  On the seller's side, we have the natural reluctance for owners to face reali...

We are waiting here in the southeast's Lowcountry, somewhat patiently, for the great migration of baby boomers that is supposed to happen, well, now.  As a baby boomer myself, in a slow market, I often reflect on the 50's.  In fact, only last week a friend got me thinking when he asked if I ever ...

Much has been written about the responsibilities of Realtors in working with clients to set the right price for their home.  It's a vital part of the sale process, particularly in this market.  All of the skills and expertise that Realtors possess come to bear on this responsibility - knowledge o...

This is a "sequel" to my April 7, 2008 blog entry, "A Real Estate Silver Lining," focusing on the real estate market in Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.It's easy to become discouraged about the housing market.  Pick up any paper and read about record foreclosures...

I'm a novice here and have given a lot of thought to the "theme" I'd like to develop on this blog.  In the past 24 hours, I've also received a wealth of wonderful advice from savvy Active Rain devotees.  It's all been very helpful and I thank one and all.  But in the final analysis, I have no ide...